Revenant3- Purgatory of a traitor.

Part one.

Sith base: Contara. Planet: Almania.

She has been here for... how long now? Maybe three, no it's been four... four weeks. Four weeks of pain and suffering, and there's more to come. She looks up at the filthy ceiling of her cell and sighs, she wishes she could see the stars... Her voice is deep, melodious and full of strength, even now as her mind pulls the pieces back together.

"So powerful, I was so powerful." She remembers the power, the fear she wielded. "With passion comes? Pain... yes, pain and suffering if you let it, terrible pain. I should never have listened to... to who?"

She frowns, it's so hard to remember anything now, her mind has been assaulted by Jedi apprentices for so long. She remembers the feeling of power, then regret and pain. She wonders what it all means.

"There is no emotion? But why... emotion can be powerful. Love, regret, and compassion are good. I wish they gave me compassion, it hurts so much when they use me, and he always hurts me so much more. I should have listened to... no, I did listen to him. They attacked and I defended. Why I wonder? I was so full of anger, rage and hatred for them, slavers... they deserve to die, all of them. So why did I choose to stay?"

She hums to herself and gazes around at the tiny cells walls, the cuffs are biting into her flesh, the metal causing her skin to bleed, but that's okay. The pain tells her she's still alive, still capable of feeling.

"Did I seek forgiveness? From... who? I wish I could remember, but I can't... Revan!" She leans forward and her eyes are bright in the dark gloom. "Revan, that's who made me leave. He offered redemption. Why did I take it? For me I suppose, I wish it had been nobler... Oh! I did it for the slaves, for those I need to save. With all my power I could have helped, but I forgot. Why?"

She hums for a while, monotonous and low. She wonders who she was, but there are so many pieces of her mind scattered. She knows she's insane and so she nurtures the one piece of her that isn't shattered, guards it. Her name, who she is, can pull the rest back... she knows this and is waiting for the right time.

A sudden click makes her sit upright, fear and pain flow through her and she looks at the Sith coming inside. It's him! His very presence makes her sick, the energy flail he carries is even more frightening.

"It's time traitor, time for punishment. Then, afterwards, I've been paid by two lovely young Sith girls." He grins at her and she flinches. "They want to see what it's like making love to a woman held in a force choke. I suppose you'll do."

"I saw her again last night," she mutters at him and he looks at her, frowning. "I saw her cut you down, you tried to hurt me and she stopped you! So pretty, so calm and determined. The eyes... they're deep, alien in nature and yet so lovely and passionate. I don't know who she is, but I could love her."

"Whatever, fool. She won't come for you. Who would want to rescue a Sith traitor and whore? Especially now that I know what you really like, you hid it well from Uthar and the students...."

"I hate you, sick Sith!"

He laughs at her and the flail in his hand snaps into life. Her screams are ignored, her mind elsewhere... She's coming, she can feel it and with her love comes a man. He will defend her and she will save her.

"The light is coming, no more shadows... I will be free to walk my own path, I want to follow the light." She yells and he strikes her harder for that. She ignores him, the pain and focuses on the thought of peace, she can hold on for her, she will. "I want to be a Jedi again..."

The Ebon Hawk.

"Juhani..." Jedi Master Quatra halted in the doors to the Ebon Hawk's bunkroom and stared at her young apprentice in surprise. Inwardly she cursed, would it really be that hard to take advantage of the holonet now and again. She wondered how long everyone else had known Juhani was a hero of the Republic. "Well, well. I've missed you."

"No, I do not believe it..." Juhani, her Cathar body tensing slightly, looked at the figure who walked into her quarters on the Ebon Hawk and gasped. "M... Master Quatra!"

Quatra, regal in her dark red Master's robes, gazed at Juhani from light green eyes and smiled. Juhani felt her heart flutter, she was as beautiful as she'd remembered. The face, the eyes, her cascading white hair, all the same as she could recall. She cleared her throat and Quatra smiled softly.

"You're looking well Juhani, very well indeed. How have you been my dear?"

"Well, I fell to the darkside," Juhani watched as Quatra slipped her bag onto one of the bunks against the wall and gazed silently at her. "That would be enough to put a crimp in anybody's day."

"Humour?" Quatra looked at the Cathar with a faint smile. "Well, well. Things have changed since I last saw you."

Juhani wished her own mouth would curve into a smile. But she couldn't help but feel awkward in her Master's presence. Quatra sighed.

"I... I suppose I should apologise before we do anything else," She looked at the young Cathar with a feeling of guilt. "It must have been hard on you, to be exposed to the darkside without any warning."

"I am the one who should apologise, Master." Juhani, her back stiff, stood suddenly. "I...I struck you in training, I wanted to kill you in anger. I can never apologise for that, my Master. I know you made it into a test, my test against the darkside. I can accept that, but I... find it hard to deal with."

"Hard to deal with what I did, what you did or how I goaded you to listen to the darkside's whisper?" Quatra watched her silently and shook her head. "I never meant to make you angry Juhani. I... I should have been much more gentle."

"How could you have been?" Juhani shivered and looked at her Master with embarrassment. "I should never have told you that I... I found you attractive. It was wrong and stupid of me."

Quatra sighed, this was going to be a long mission. Her young ward had grown, she could tell, grown in wisdom and understanding as she had followed Revan. But still, Juhani was young.

"Wrong maybe, we were student and teacher... stupid?" she looked at her and tilted her head. "Do you think it is stupid to be honest about yourself to other people? No Juhani, I should have been in greater control of my own emotions." Quatra sighed. "I should not have been so rude and I should definitely not have used it against you. It was wrong and I was the one who acted stupidly."

"No, it was my fault..."

"Juhani. Please, just listen to me." Juhani stuttered into silence and looked at her Master's anxious face. "I was shocked when you told me you found me sexually attractive. Silly really, I knew about your friendship with Belaya, so I shouldn't have been surprised. The bond formed between student and teacher is complex Juhani. If you wish, I would still like to treat you as a close friend and my best student, just not how you would wish it. I'm sorry if that's not enough for you..."

Juhani looked away and felt her own emotions conflict inside her. It was so good to see Quatra again, but it brought back bad memories. She didn't want to remember how Quatra had used her crush against her, how she had goaded her into anger as they fought. It made her feel like nothing more than an animal, subject to her passions not her rational mind... But it was so good to see her; even after all that had passed between them. She looked at Quatra with a sigh.

"I... I want you to know how hard it was to cope." She turned away, stared at the bulkhead. "The feeling of anger at what you said, the guilt when I struck you down and the regret after. I stayed in the grove for weeks after, tormenting the Kath hounds with my negative emotions, driving them mad."

"Juhani..."

"Then I met Revan and he brought me back. Now of course, having found out the truth, it is a sweet irony. The fallen, amnesiac Jedi helped redeem the fallen, foolish Cathar. I suppose the universe has it's own sense of humour. So, I thought maybe I should develop my own." She turned back, saw Quatra looking at her with regret. "I would like to have you at my side Master, as learned student and teacher. I would like that very much."

Juhani smiled slightly and Quatra bowed her head.

"You have been one of my best pupils Juhani, especially against the lure of the darkside. Despite all that I did to you, you were willing to return to the light when shown the path." She touched the Cathar gently and Juhani's eyes closed, as her fingers lightly caressed the fur on her arm. "I am proud of you, as proud as your mother and father would be."

Juhani nodded, her heart fluttering at the memory of her parents, and Quatra pulled her hand slowly back. As Juhani's eyes slid open once more, pupil regarded Master with affection, and smiled.

"Just out of interest, did my overly harsh lesson help in any way?" Quatra asked, a slight smile playing across her lips that lessened the impact of her words. Juhani tilted her head. "Did it help you resist the darkness inside you? Did it help stem the anger and rage, that we all possess but you far more, from overwhelming you?"

With a shrug, Juhani gazed at her, and then sat gently at the table. She looked up at her Master with uncertainty.

"Harsh as your lesson was, it prepared me far better than you could have hoped Master. I... I met the man who killed my parents, who tried to enslave me."

This was news to Quatra. "Did you... did you kill him Juhani? Your temper was always your own worst enemy to finding the peace a Jedi needs."

"I am a Cathar, I have strong emotions I do not deny that. Nor do I deny that when I saw him, when he goaded me to strike, as you once did, the temptation was there." Quatra held her breath, Juhani's face was dark with recollection. "But then, I remembered you, what I did. I remembered the council, my mother's own warnings after my father had died. Most of all, the thing that helped me resist Xor's presence, was Revan. He stopped me, he was calm and reminded me of the code and my duty... he told me I was better than any thought of vengeance. I agreed, I am. So I left Xor alone, and the universe took away his life for me. I was upset I did not deliver the killing blow, but it would have been wrong. I accept that now, and I am glad I did not strike. I am a Jedi now."

"Yes you are, Juhani." Quatra breathed in relief, her pupil had become a fine Jedi knight and she was proud of her. "So, what's been going on here? I come back from a training session on Breik, and I'm immediately packed off to the Hawk. There, I find Revan, now a redeemed Jedi of all things, about to blast off into the stratosphere. What is going on? Why do they need Revan, you and myself? Two knights, a Padawan and a Master... we'll certainly be drawing attention to ourselves. All the council said was to assist Revan and prepare to battle any dark Jedi. What is going on, Juhani?"

"We are to escort a relief convoy to Taris, Master. The first cargo haul vanished without trace. Recently, the council has sent groups of Padawan's to guard the previous two cargo hauls. All have died, along with the troops and most of the crews. The cargo was stolen and the ships reduced to junk. According to republic Intel, the blaster marks are of a Sith interdictor. We are here to stop the cargo being stolen again."

"What could kill a group of Padawan's?" Quatra's face creased at the thought and she looked at the Cathar with concern. "They may be the youngest of our order, but they are Jedi nonetheless."

"Master Vreik and the council believe that the troops being used are dark Jedi. Worse, they may have a Master of some power with them. That is why we are here, Revan especially, for he is the strongest Jedi among us. Together, we should be able to hold our own and finally discover, and stop, this menace. It will be a worthy cause," Juhani looked towards the cockpit and frowned. "Mission is my friend, I will ensure the supplies reach her stricken home world, no matter what!"

"I see. Well, I'll be there with you Juhani, together again." Quatra got up and walked towards the crew lounge, casting a glance at the regally sitting Cathar. "It's so good to see you again."

"It is good to see you once more Master. It is even better to know that we can be... close friends," Juhani looked at her Master with her soft yellow eyes and sighed. "I have missed your wisdom and guidance."

"Yes well," Quatra turned back to the corridor, hid her blush at the knights' confidence in her. It would have given Juhani the wrong idea. "Time to introduce myself to Jedi Revan and the rest of your crew. I'm also interested to find out about Padawan Hirana. She's new, but she told me a few things."

"A Padawan?" Juhani stood smoothly and strode softly to stand next to her. "I too would like to meet her. Revan did not wish one placed on him by the council, did they say why they have gone against his wishes to you, Master?"

"Quatra, Juhani. You're a knight now, not a student. I don't mind you calling me by my name." She looked at Juhani's uncertain face and sighed. "Although if it makes you feel better, you can call me Master still."

"No, if you wish, Quatra it is." Juhani looked at her for a second. "So beautiful" she thought and then cleared her throat, this was going to be a challenging mission. "So, did they say anything to you?"

"No, but then it was busy at the chamber. Something big had happened, that I could tell. Although they didn't say what." Quatra gazed at her friend. "Do you know what happened at the reception?"

"Yes, I was there. Someone called Telan attacked the republic victory celebrations. We managed to hold her and her dark Jedi off, but it was close. Revan, Bastila and the council seemed quite shocked by it."

"Telan? Master Telan of the council!" Quatra stood back and looked at Juhani in horror. "She attacked Revan and the senators? In the name of the force, why?"

"I do not know," Juhani shrugged slightly and turned to the hatch. "Revan may have some idea, I suggest that you ask him while we are there meeting this new Jedi."

"Hey, Rev, the cargo hauliers are forming up. D'you think we're late?" Mission leaned out of the pilot's seat and observed the huge cargo ships floating in space. "Wonder why we're on this hyper trajectory... this leads to Alderaan, not Taris."

"Mission, I suggest you pay attention to your flying!" Revan winced as the Hawk flew dangerously close to one of the huge vessels and Mission flipped her over the top of the crew compartment. Revan swore he could almost see the Pilot of the vast ship through the Hawk's cockpit, he certainly felt the pilot's anger. "If you want to be allowed to fly this ship ever again, young lady, you'd better not pull anything like that again!"
"Hey, less of the young." Mission sniffed and righted the Hawk slowly. "I'm only having some fun for Rancor's sake, stop getting your Jedi robe in a bunch!"

"Mission!"

"Okay, okay jeez!" She looked at his white face and grinned. "I actually scared a Jedi, neat!"

"Scared, no. Annoyed, yes!" He frowned at the young Twi'lek and shook his head. "No emotion, only peace. Be calm."

"Bastila's rubbing off on you. Ya sounded just like her then, Rev." Mission looked at him in mock horror and then, slyly added. "You know how she is, no fun at all. Well, unless you're Jedi Revan and she wants to play hide the... ow!"

Revan glanced over to see her rubbing her left lekku and a curse escaped her young lips. With a snarl, Mission reached down and picked up the emergency light emitter that had fallen from the pilot's upper locker. She glared him.

"Hey, that's not funny! You really are picking up her bad habits!"

"It wasn't me okay?" Revan glanced across as he took control of the Hawk and slipped it into an escort pattern. "I promise you, Mission, I didn't use the force at all, it probably came loose during your "acrobatics" display. Consider it the force acting through the locker, telling you to behave."

"Go kiss a Sith, Rev!" She muttered and he grinned.

"Did once, prefer a certain Jedi. She tries so much harder." Mission groaned and shot him a glance.

"Don't you ever get tired of having a quick mouth?"

"Do you?" She smiled at that and coughed, trying not to laugh. Revan smiled slyly at her.

"No. It kept me alive in the Taris slums and kinda helped us now and again in the past few months. Thanks by the way," She turned to him and her young face was suddenly serious. "I know I blew up in front of that Senator, but I meant what I said about you ya know? I have a mouth on me... I know that. But, but it's hard to say this Rev. Thank you, for rescuing me from Taris, taking me with you and letting me well... be part of something like, really big. Thanks, and I... I owe you tons."

"No problem Mission," Revan smiled softly, glancing quickly down as the navicom beeped confirmation of their escort pattern. "You're a valued crewmember and a close friend. I'll always be there if you need help."

"Because of the code of the Jedi? I'll help keep you on the light side of the force?" She teased him and he sighed, smiled.

"No, because you're a friend... Jawa breath."

"Ow, lame."

He grinned at her and stood from the co-pilots seat. With a double check of the system status panels she turned and flicked the Hawk to full auto. They felt the engines settle into a standby whine as the computer waited for the convoy to move out. Turning, Mission cocked her head.

"Okay, so what am I gonna do for a few hours?" She grinned and flipped out her Pazzak deck in an obvious challenge. "Wanna try me? I'll let you go first."

"Mission, how well do I know you?" Revan shook his head and she sniffed in disappointment. "You cheat, short stuff. Last time it was using the monitor behind me to see my cards, so no thanks." He looked to the rear of the ship for a second and then back at the young Twi'lek. "Besides, I intend to find out about this Padawan of mine. I didn't ask for one, typical of the council."

"Eh?"

"They don't listen to anyone." He said flatly at her and Mission frowned. "I don't want a Padawan, because I'm still trying to cope with being an ex Sith lord, damn it. So they give me one, why? The last thing I need is a Padawan, desperate to hear my tales of adventure, hanging around my shoulders and being a pain."

"Really?" A female voice rang into the cockpit and Revan and Mission turned to see Quatra standing there, Juhani behind her. "That's a very Jedi viewpoint I must say."

"Thank you." Revan said dryly, his own irony clashing with hers. "I have enough on my plate right now, just being me. Bastila's gone, many of my friends are gone and a member of the council I'm supposed to trust has attacked me. For them to give me her, well... I'm worried I won't be able to give her what she needs and that they're not listening to me."

Quatra looked at him thoughtfully and pursed her lips. "The hardest thing I ever had to do as a knight, was take on a Padawan. It is a great test of your own personality and beliefs in the Jedi code. However, if the council have given you a Padawan then they must feel you're ready."

"Well I'm not. Besides, I know why you're here officially. But this all seems a little convenient. The Master who trained Juhani, who seems to know very well the lure of the darkside... she just happens to be assigned to help me."

"The force works in mysterious ways." Quatra said flatly, and he gazed at her.

"Possibly, but I've said it to Bastila and I'll say it again. I do not trust the council, I never will and I will always think for myself. Sending you along might be their way of keeping tabs on me... but I'm not going to let it interfere with my life."

"I am here to aid you on your mission young man. Once that's done, if you wish I will leave you and your friends. I wanted to go back to Dantooine anyway, for some relaxation and meditation. Now, I've been given another mission because we are so few." She sighed and shook her head. "I am pleased to have been reunited with Juhani, proud to see the Jedi she has become and I owe you my thanks for helping her to achieve that. So, I swear to you as a Jedi Master, the council has not sent me here to keep an eye on you! All I am here to do is assist in protecting you, while we perform this mission."

Revan glanced at Juhani, she was quiet and watching them with anxiety, obviously upset that her two friends were clashing. He glanced back at Quatra and gazed at her slowly. It was obvious, from her body language and force aura, that Quatra was telling the truth.

"Okay fine," He shrugged and looked at Juhani's Master with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, it's been a busy time recently and I was a bit surprised to find out that I was once the most feared man in the galaxy."

"Well, just so long as you don't decide to strike me down, we'll get along fine." Revan had to laugh at that and Quatra smiled slightly. "I must admit Revan, you aren't anything like I expected." She glanced at Juhani's face and then turned back to him. "I never actually met you on Dantooine, so all I knew were the tails told by some of the Republic soldiers during the Mandalorian wars and then during the start of the Sith war. I'm glad to see that you're more like you used to be, a hero for the republic."

"I am not a hero!" He said with a frown. "All I did was what the council wanted. Then, when I found the truth, all I wanted was to undo some of the damage and rescue Bastila. That's it! The heroes you want? Look around, they're all around you."

"I see," Quatra nodded and smiled. "Well done, you pass the test."

Revan's face darkened and Juhani made a gentle 'take it easy' motion behind her, she knew Quatra's eccentricities better than anyone did.

"A test?" He sighed as she nodded, and shook his head. "I'm getting fed up of these... tests people keep setting."

"Well, that's the only one from me. It's good to know that you're sharing the glory with your friends. Pride is dangerous for a Jedi and besides, without them you might not have succeeded."

"Without them I probably would have turned to the darkside." Revan admitted. "Bastila was hard to resist. It was only the fact that Juhani and Jolee were there that helped me cope."

"Well, I'm glad you managed to bring Bastila back to the light, as you did with my apprentice, especially when I hear she sacrificed herself for you." He looked away for a second and winced. Quatra scolded herself. "Touched a nerve." She thought.

With a sigh she touched him on the shoulder. "I owe you for dealing with my mistake, the mistake of betraying Juhani, making her give in to her anger during combat. It was difficult for her to let go of the guilt and anger, I thank you for bringing her back to the Jedi."
"She did it herself, Master Quatra." Revan turned back and looked at Juhani with a small smile. She blushed. "I am very proud, in a Jedi way of course, to have Juhani as a friend and colleague. I am honoured to have the person who trained her at my side as well."

"Yes well," Quatra shook her head, a faint grin on her face. "I see your charisma is still as strong as the people I talked to remembered it. I'll let you in on a secret Jedi Revan."

"Just Revan, please."

"Very well... Revan. Anyway, I must admit I'm also surprised that the council has given you a Padawan as well."

"Master!" Juhani said in surprise, looking at her. "Revan is more than capable of training a..."

"I know that Juhani and I agree," Quatra said, waving her hand gently. "What I mean is I'm surprised that they've sent her along, considering all the Jedi who have died already. Together, I believe the three of us can stand a chance against whatever or whoever is attacking the cargo. However, I'm unsure if Padawan Hirana will be a help or hindrance on this mission, through no fault of her own."

"Well, I suggest we ask her." Revan said with a look towards the crew annex. "Everything's been a bit hectic since takeoff, I want to know more about my new charge."

HK47 watched the young woman sitting at the Hawk's crew lounge table with silent attention. She sat primly, examining her lightsabre and adjusting it carefully with tiny tools. Without moving, HK began to enter her biometrics data into his memory... age, muscle mass, height, weapons ability, estimated skill with said weapons and force ability. He was thorough that way.

She was a Teirandru, estimated age of 28. She had dark red hair, tied up into a flaming single ponytail. His sensors recorded a height of 1.8 metres in height and a muscle mass of 6.3 (Jedi basic). Sabre hilt heavily worn, suggests high use... crystal emitter: high and fast blade, high bolt deflection and moderate damage.

"Stop looking at me and my weapon, especially in that way, please." Selyne muttered suddenly at him. As HK watched, Selyne yanked a small tool from the repair bench without looking up from her sabre. "I know all about you HK47, you're a body guard for Revan and I am his Padawan. Padawan's, for your information, do not attack their Masters."

"Rebuttal: Incorrect. Malak was Revan's apprentice, when Revan was Sith lord. Malak attempted to have Revan killed and I was not there to protect my Master. Now with Telan, a Jedi Master, also attempting to end my Master's life, I will not make the same mistake twice. Padawan or not, you will remain a high priority threat until Master Revan says otherwise. I take no chances with my Masters health, Jedi meatbag."

"So polite." Selyne looked up from her modifications and gazed at the blood red droid. "Tell me, how come Revan keeps you active? An assassin droid is not something I'd expect a Jedi to keep."

"Query: Assassin droid? I am HK47, a high-level translation droid. I have also been programmed to give Revan combat assistance, as much as my low threat level allows of course."

"Yeah, right," She shook her head in amusement, the thing had absolutely no ability at lying. "A translation and communication droid, who just happens to have armour that, if I'm not seeing things, is cortosis weave enhanced. Oh and here's a tip, a translation droid does not know how to hold a rifle that way."

"Nice to see my new Padawan is observant, I'm beginning to like you already." Revan walked into the crew annex with the three women behind him. The Jedi's sat together at the main table while Mission wandered across to a wall chair and threw herself in. "So, give me the low-down."

"On what, Master?" Selyne looked at him politely.

"On you, and why they've stuck me with you."

"Are you saying I'm an inconvenience?" She bristled ever so slightly. "I had many Jedi to choose from, Jedi Revan, after my own died on Dantooine! I chose you because I foolishly thought I could learn from the hero of the Star Forge!"

"I didn't say you were an inconvenience, Seleyne," Revan placed a hand on her shoulder and she glanced at it. "All I want to know is why, after I asked them not to, they've given you to me as a Padawan. It's got nothing to do with you either," He added. "I have my own problems still, and I have to deal with them before I can help you learn the path."

"I have been sent to you as a Padawan learner Master, that's all I know. I was instructed to assist you with the mission you are on."

Revan huffed out a breath and nodded. He wasn't surprised as such, mainly due to the fact that Telan's betrayal had obviously shaken Vreik and Sunrider. Given that it had been he who was the target, they were trying to provide him with backup. At least he hoped that was the idea. For just a second, he wished Bastila were here to give him advice on how to deal with his new charge. She wasn't, and he had to deal with this himself. With a sigh he smiled at Selyne and held out her hand.

"Well, glad to have you aboard, and its Revan thanks, not Master."

"Yes m... Revan." Selyne grinned and looked at the Cathar standing slightly away from her and Quatra. "So, what would you like to know?"

"How about a little bit about yourself?"

"Okay. My name is Selyne Hirana and, as you can tell, I'm a Teirandru. I come from Tattooine. Well, I was born there to a slave dancer, and I am very happy to be away from that planet. My father was a mercenary, he made my mother pregnant when attending a party for a criminal boss. When he executed her for her refusal to have me terminated, my father actually took pity on me and paid for a Twi'lek dancer he knew to raise me. I came late to the force, much like you, Revan. I only found out I was force sensitive when I was attacked by muggers intent on... persuading me to let them have some fun. It wasn't fun for them when I force pushed them into the wall face first. What passed for security there, thought I had knocked them out. However, a Jedi who was going to try and talk, again, to the sand people, realised what I had done. Maybe she felt the energy I expended to knock them out... I don't know. She suggested I come to the enclave on Dantooine with her. I did and despite my age, due to the loss of Jedi I've no doubt, they offered to train me as a Jedi. Just as I was about to undergo my final months of preparation to become a Knight, the Sith attacked and killed my Master"

She stopped for a second and shuddered at the memory, Revan, joined by Juhani and Quatra, winced as he felt her pain through the force. He probed gently. "So, what happened?"

"So with my Master dead I came to Coruscant, with a large portion of the remaining Jedi, and here I've been. Eventually I was summoned to the council and offered a set of Masters to be my sponsors for the tests... but I wanted you, Revan. I felt that you would be the Master I needed, so I asked for you. They granted my request and so here I am."

"Personally, I think you're an idiot." Revan grinned at the shock in her face. "Why would any Padawan want to learn from an ex lord of the Sith? Or do you wish to learn how to tap into the darkside?"

"Revan!" Juhani and Quatra both admonished. One who didn't know him well with a worried tone, one that did, and knew his sense of humour, with a scalding one.

"What?" He glanced at Juhani's face and sobered, she really wasn't amused. "Sorry, sorry. Selyne, why did you ask me to be your Master? I have such little experience with the force."

"Because you defeated Malak and Bastila!" Selyne began and froze as Revan's face darkened. "I mean, you defeated Malak and brought Bastila back to the path of the light. I wanted to learn from the best, and I think you're one of them."

"No, I can think of many Jedi I would consider better Master material than me Selyne. One's sitting not a million miles from you now." Revan gestured at Quatra who shook her head.

"I have enough on my plate at the moment thank you. My Padawan is waiting for me on Dantooine, seems he'll be waiting for quite some time too."

"Well then, what about Master Vrook, Vandar... hell Sunrider! She may be a council leader but she's obligated to have one, and I think she hasn't right now." Juhani stifled a smile at Revan's desperate tone. "You don't want a screwed up mess like myself as your Master, especially one who is doing something that the code frowns upon."

"Master?"

"I'm in love with Bastila, something the code of the Jedi frowns upon, as they keep trying to tell me. So, pick someone else, and it's Revan!"

"Sorry Master, the council has accepted my request for you to be my tutor, I can't ask for another until we return to Coruscant or Dantooine." She smiled at him sheepishly. "I'm afraid that you're stuck with me."

"Well, just remember to ignore everything I say and to only listen to Quatra and Juhani, you should be fine if you do that."

"Yes Master."

"And for the last time, it's Revan!"

"Yes Revan," Selyne tried not to smirk and looked at the two Jedi and a small grinning Twi'lek standing next to him. "Care to introduce me to your crew?"

Revan smiled weakly and, with a nod, began the introductions.

Shuttle heading towards flagship of republic 4th fleet. (Two and a half weeks later)

The shuttle hurtled through the flashing tunnel of hyperspace as fast as it's engine could push it. The pilot knew that his charges were important to the fleet he was assigned to, the Admiral had made it quite clear that they had to be delivered on time and safely... Something he intended to do. He knew they were Jedi, anyone who saw the swinging sabre hilts on their belts would have realised that, but he knew even more. The lady Bastila Shan, hero of the republic and a fleet Commander too. He had always wanted to meet her, and now he was bringing her to his flagship. The other Jedi was unknown to him, but he wore a Jedi Masters robes and he quite liked the old man. With a sigh he reached for the intercom.

"Five minutes until normal space, please prepare for reception."

"Well, here we go." Jolee sat watching the swirl of hyperspace through the guest quarters windows. "Five minutes till we drop into normal space kid. Hope you're ready."

Jolee looked at Bastila and sighed inwardly. The kid was now 'his' Padawan and it scared him. He'd never wanted to train any more Jedi and every time he looked at her, he thought back to how close Revan had come to losing her as he had Nayama. It made him worry, a lot. It was up to him to teach her emotional control, as the council had said repeatedly. His problem was that he didn't think their method would work for her. She was wiser now, much wiser when it came to the lure of the darkside, but she was still susceptible to her darker emotions... he had to help her to cope, to face and handle her emotions before Revan and she were placed in the same situation once more.

"Hey kid, you hear me?" He looked at her, turning from the window and watched as she span her sabre slowly around in the air. "Revan's trick, oh dear... should have seen this coming you old fool, she misses him." He sighed and walked across to her. "Bastila did you hear me? Are you ready to save the republic once more?"

"I suppose so," Bastila twiddled her lightsabre and it fell into her lap, she sighed. It had been an agony to leave her mother on Coruscant, especially when she'd begun to look so much better. The argument beforehand though, about Revan paying for her treatment... that she could have done without!

"I am NOT having the treatments!" Helena almost shouted at her daughter. "I told him not to bother!"

"Yes well, Revan never does what anyone tells him. Mother, please..." Bastila hung her head, the chip biting into her palm. She had never been able to really stand up to her mother and now was no different.

"No! Your young man is a fool; he could use that money to ensure my daughter has a comfortable life. He shouldn't be wasting it on me, there's no guarantee it'll work!"

"Mother..."

"Bastila, will you please do as you are told!" Helena, pale but red faced with annoyance, leaned forwards and took her daughters hand. "Take the money put in your account and use it for something you want badly. I know Jedi don't hold with material possessions but there must be something you want."

"Yes..." Bastila's voice was small and she looked up at her mother with liquid eyes. "I want to have my mother with me for as long as I can, because I've foolishly wasted so much." Helena sighed and felt her annoyance plummet into her stomach. "Oh Bas..."

"Mother please," Bastila looked up and for the first time in ages, Helena saw the child inside the strong woman. "Take the money, and have the treatments. I've got everything I want, except this."

"What about a holiday? I hear that the Peryak reefs are gorgeous this time of year." Helena wiggled her eyes suggestively, but with one look from Bastila, she knew her heart wasn't in it anymore though.

"No."

"A nice ship?"

"No," Bastila sat on the bed and suddenly slipped her head into Helena's lap. "I want to give you a chance to pull back some time."

"Bas..." Helena stroked her daughters hair softly. "You really want me to use this money?"

"Yes!" Bastila whispered and then looked up at her mother's eyes, so like her own. "I want you to be there for my wedding."

"Wedding?" Helena's eyes widened in surprise. "Bastila, honey."

"It's going to happen mother, I love him so much." She shuffled upright and entwined her hands. "I can't explain why I know we'll be joined... I just know."

"A Jedi thing I suppose," She wanted her voice to be cautionary, to warn her daughter about possible disappointment... but she couldn't. Helena sighed. "Very well."

"Thank you." Bastila sighed with relief and waved at an attendant who opened the glass door politely. "Here, take this credit chip and transfer it's contents to the hospital. I want my mother to have this cure she's been keeping from me."

"It may not cure me honey," Helena gently reminded her. "It may only give me a few more years..."

"That's enough for us to say everything we need to, for you to see everything you need to." Bastila smiled at her mother and fiddled with a strand of her hair. "I'm hoping for a lot more though. Anyway, lets get started."

"Very well." The attendant nodded and looked at Helena. "I'll get Dr Mirty and we'll begin as soon as he gets here. Would you care to have a seat brought in for your daughter?"

"Yes please, and I'd like a pad if you have the time. I need to send something."

"Mother?" Bastila frowned. "What are you sending?"

"Now Bas... I'm entitled to have my own secrets, as are you." Her pale face smiled. Lets just say I owe Revan a word of thanks."

"Mother, no angry messages!" Bastila blurted... a worried expression on her face. Helena grinned and her own eyes flashed with devious amusement.

"Perish the thought. No, I've got something very different in mind and no, I'm not telling you what I'm going to do."

Bastila felt pressure on her lips and, turning to Jolee, suddenly muttered. "I miss him and I miss my mother... silly really. I am a Jedi, I'm supposed to be able to repress what I feel."

"You think?" Jolee looked at her with a small smile and raised his eyebrows. "Having these emotions is being human kid, the trick is to learn how to cope with em. Something that the Jedi have got wrong in my opinion, but then what do I know."

"Enough for them to make you my Master," Bastila said dryly and Jolee grunted. "I look forward to seeing how you do it, I really want to learn how to control my emotions."

"Well, I'm not going to teach you that," He looked at her and shrugged. "I don't believe you can, hell I don't think anyone can. To control an emotion, any emotion is to deny them all and that's impossible for any living being. Y'know if you believe the first line of our code, it makes out that you should be cool and calculating... 'There is no emotion, only peace." Yes?"

Bastila nodded, this conversation was helping her stop thinking of Revan, of him far away. She felt a gentle tug from the bond and smiled sadly, the force was reminding her they were never truly apart... still, she wished he were physically next to her, right now.

"Well then, that should mean a Jedi should forsake compassion, caring, happiness, courage and all the other non-destructive emotions we carry. I would never want to be like that and I'm sure neither would you lass. See what I mean?"

"I suppose that's possible... 'There is NO emotion'... I've always had problems with that line." She admitted slowly. "I always felt guilty about not being able to do it. It wasn't fun, being berated all the time by my tutors about how I lacked control."

"Because you're a passionate person Bastila. There's nothing wrong with that, even if you are a Jedi." Jolee watched the swirl of hyperspace. "So, here's a poser for you. The code, even if it's right or wrong, cannot possibly apply to all Jedi... that's impossible, yes?"

She nodded again. "We are many, well we were... and the code is well, a set of rules. But then I agree that rules cannot apply to everyone, look at Revan. He's full of emotion, yet stays on the path of the lightside. I wish I knew how sometimes."

"Okay, so why do you feel guilt over not being able to follow the code?" Jolee looked at her carefully and she frowned in thought. "Did you ask any of the Masters of another way? Not to control but to deal with them at the right time? Something that you, Bastila Shan, could have used to deal with your passionate nature, to face your emotions."

"Face them?" Bastila frowned. "I thought we were supposed to repress them. That's what I've been doing all my life. What they taught me to do."

"Did it work for you?" Jolee asked quietly and looked at her confused face. "I'm not talking about you falling in love with Revan. Rather, when you met Malak... when you felt him approach the Leviathan."

"Well no, they overwhelmed my control. I thought it was because I wasn't trying hard enough, that I was weak." She remembered her crushing guilt on the Hawk, a tremor running through her at the memory and sighed. She knew it wasn't true. She was only a Padawan, and Malak was capable, had turned many Masters, some in far less time. However, back then on the Hawk, after seeing Revan triumph over his own powerful emotions, she'd felt guilt over her lack of control. "I was weak, weaker than Revan when it came to controlling emotion."

"Don't be silly kid, you're a damn powerful Jedi with amazing skill. One of the big reasons why you fell is staring you in the face and I've been trying to get you to see it." Jolee huffed out a breath; there could only be a few minutes left before the shuttle plummeted back into normal space. "Imagine your emotional control is like a big dam, where you can repress and deny what you're feeling."

"Very well." Bastila frowned. "This is not an accurate description Jolee."

"It doesn't need to be kid, it's a rough example to get a young woman to ponder an old mans wisdom. Also, I want you to imagine that all your emotion is like a river, it swells when the dark emotions flow okay? Now, when Malak had you at his whim." She winced and Jolee sighed. "When he had you under his control that dam began to fill up with all the pain, fear, anger, loneliness and everything else you were feeling, yes?"

Bastila shrugged at him, she supposed it was right.

"So, what happened when it reached bursting point?" Jolee asked quietly. "Once you reached the peak of your ability to hold everything back, it left a crack in you that Malak exploited and caused it to break, swamping you with everything you were trying to deny."

"Very well, I can see how that roughly describes what happened." Bastila swallowed at the brief memory of pain and shook her head. "So how does that help me?"

Huh, as bright as Revan sometimes." Jolee looked at her and shook his head. "You tell me... what do you think the solution is?"

"Build a bigger emotional dam?" She watched Jolee sigh and shake his head.

"Kid, what use would that be? It'll just fill up again, make an even bigger crack. Do you want to hear an old mans advice?" Bastila nodded. "Look, refusing to deal with pain, suffering and the darker side of emotions is bad enough... to deny the good? Well, I think you've finally realised what you've been missing, now that Revan's part of your life. This old man can only say that it's best to never dam the river, merely to know when it's a good idea to dip your feet in."

"This is getting confusing."

"What I'm trying to say kid is that I think, I hope, I'll be able to teach you how I deal with emotion. Sometimes I let it affect me... happy and sad, light and dark... But other times, it's best to let it flow through your body, without affecting who you are."

"But the Sith say that we should let emotions flow through us." She looked at him in shock. "You're saying I should do what the Sith do?"

"No kid, look this is hard to explain. I'm gonna try and teach you how to let pain, anger and all the negative emotions flow past you... to never actually touch you if you don't want them to. That's safer than storing them up so they come crashing down and swamp you, so you get swept along to the darkside."

"I think I see...." she pondered Jolee's advice and she had to admit, it sounded better to her than denying her emotions. "A Jedi should know compassion, respect life, seek peace..."

"And personally, I think all Jedi should be allowed to feel love." Jolee looked at her thoughtful face. "So, what'd you say Bastila? Willing to give it a try? I can't promise an answer to all your problems with controlling the passion that runs through you, nor will I deny that my way can be harder than repressing them... but it's a start, and could let you be one of the most powerful and serene Jedi around." He grinned and nudged her. "When you want to be."

She blushed at his tone and looked away. But as she went to refute him, she felt a shudder pass through the deck plating. The shuttle had dropped to normal space; they were there.

"We'll discuss this later Kid. But I'll let you into a secret; the code has changed slightly since I was a Padawan. Anyway, come on."

"Changed?" Bastila wondered, as she stood and picked up her duffel bag and subconsciously checked that her sabre hilt was on her belt, something she'd begun to do since Taris. "What did Jolee mean, changed?"

"This is the command deck, we're approaching the flagship of the fleet Lady Shan, Master Jolee."

Bastila pushed away her thoughts for the time being and turned to join Jolee at their quarter's window. As she looked out, her breath caught in her throat.

"Oh my..."

The vast ship that the shuttle hurtled towards was much larger in size than any of the Republic ships that she'd been on before. It had to be four times bigger than the Endar Spire had been and, although the ship was Republic in design, it was obviously a new class. Similar style as the Spire, yet it had a vastly larger number of guns and missile tubes. She wondered who was commanding, probably some old, dyed in the wool, Admiral. As the shuttle slowly began to sip into the vast hanger bay of the ship, Bastila glanced at Jolee with a look of surprise. He shrugged; the size of this ship was not lost on him either.

"Lady Shan, I am Captain Serrvul." A Twi'lek in a crisp and immaculate uniform bowed as Bastila and Jolee walked down the disembark ramp of the shuttle. "I welcome you personally aboard the Endar's Spirit."

"I beg your pardon? The Endar's..."

"Spirit, lady Shan." Serrvul inclined his head to the bags she and Jolee held, and two crewmen walked quickly up and gently took them away. "Your luggage will be delivered to your quarters my Lady, Master Jolee. We are getting underway immediately you see. The Sith fleet has been spotted, it is on the move. We have to catch up with the rest of our own fleet. The Admiral has requested you meet with him immediately."

Bastila frowned and glanced at Jolee who shrugged. She was the fleet Commander, he himself held no rank within the republic, so he let her handle this.

"This ship looks almost new Captain." Bastila commented politely, as Serrvul escorted them to a turbolift. "She's certainly bigger than any I've seen, apart from the Sith ships of course."

"The spirit is one of two just commissioned dreadnoughts. Admiral Dodonna has taken command of the sister of this one. The spirit has been given to the Admiral in gratitude for his services, he named her as well." Serrvul punched a button into the lift and it began to shoot along the shaft. "I was given command of her for my services in the battle over the Star Forge. I..." He looked at Bastila with a hunted expression. "I lost my ship to the enemy fleet before Revan could... turn it in our favour."

"Oh no." Bastila closed her eyes and felt a tug of guilt. Serrvul knew she had fallen to the darkside, had to.... He'd been there when her battle meditation had savaged the republic fleet. "Captain, I'm so sorry for..."

"Lady Shan, I'm just glad that Jedi Revan was able to make you see sense. Our losses would have been much worse if you hadn't assisted us to defeat the forge."

"Maybe. But I'll never forgive myself for the lives lost." She shuddered as Jolee placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Serrvul stared at her intently and then shrugged. "After what I saw that day and after what the Admiral has told us, we were all lucky to escape such an evil place."

"Thank you Captain." She whispered quietly and Serrvul bowed his head. "And you are quite right."

The lift slid to a halt and the door whooshed open quickly. Bastila and Jolee followed Serrvul to a door bearing 'Admirals quarters' and Serrvul knocked.

"Come in." A voice called, and Serrvul escorted the two Jedi into a plush room.

"Damn, it's good to see you two!" The voice, familiar now it was not being heard through metal, echoed with delight in the huge room. "I'd almost given up hope of being able to catch up with any of you!"

"Carth?" Bastila exclaimed in delighted shock, while Jolee grinned. The grizzled soldier walked towards them with a smile. His uniform, usually so rumpled, now was pristine and bore an Admirals crest. "What... how, did you manage to pull this one off?"

"Well, Dodonna thought I'd be more use commanding a fleet than trudging through dirt... She gave me the promotion herself and this ship." Carth waved his hand at a model of the Spirit sitting on his desk. "Isn't she a beauty. Four times the size of the Endar, and one hundred times meaner!"

"'The Endar's Spirit'? Why Carth, I do believe you're going soft." Bastila smiled at his embarrassed face and shook her head. "Suits her though, especially if she's your flagship."

"Yes well, seemed appropriate to remember the ship that started it all..." Carth grinned at Jolee. "Hey old timer, how's life been treating you?"

"Me? I've got the Jedi princess here as a Padawan. How do you think life's treating me." He snorted and Bastila's face reddened as Jolee shook his head. "Pretty well actually. I couldn't ask for a better kid, truth be told. Besides, I've got to prepare her for a life with Revan. She'll need this old man's advice about romance, dating and what comes after dating."

Bastila cleared her throat and both Carth and Jolee chuckled at her expression.

"I am here gentlemen! Now, could you please explain what exactly the plan of battle is? I shall need to know the outline so I can assist."

"Certainly, but first... have you two had lunch?" Carth smiled and waved his hand at a large table obviously set for three. "I want to here everything that's been going on for the past few weeks. For starters, where is Revan?"

Bastila shrugged and sighed in amusement as Jolee plonked himself down on one of the seats and helped himself to a large glass of Tarisian ale.

"Away, on assignment for the council," She was unable to keep the slightly bitter tone from her voice. "I'm on one side of the galaxy, while he's on the other."

"Now, now kid." Jolee waved his glass at her and she sat reluctantly next to him. "Don't you worry about that, you'll see Revan again soon enough."

"I suppose," Bastila sighed and turned to Carth. "It's good to see you Carth, really good."

"I've missed you both. Now," Carth waited as two robots trundled in and served a starter. "Tell me, how did Revan take the Hawk going missing?" He watched Bastila flush and grinned. "Oh and how did he find the gamblers luck? Dodonna forgot to mention to him, how hot the ship he borrowed was."

"Heh, that reminds me." Jolee looked at the food on his plate with an appreciative eye and then back to Carth. "Kid, you'd better duck next time you see him. I think he was muttering about having a little talk with you. You don't want to get Revan annoyed, Nomi told me so!"

"Who?" Carth looked at the two of them with a quizzical eye.

"Nomi Sunrider, she is a Jedi Master on the council." Bastila looked at Jolee's smirking face and tilted her head. "So, what did Revan say in front of the council leaders?"

"Well, from what she told me, Revan was none too happy about having his mind erased by the council, and he told them so."

Wait, wait..." Carth interjected and picked up his glass. "I thought the Jedi attempted to heal Revan's mind, not erase it."

"Not everything is as light and dark as we wish Carth," Bastila stared into the glass in her hand, the dark liquid swirling in time with her thoughts. "I knew that Vandar had told him some detail about his... mind," She sighed. "But not all, and I suppose I'm not surprised he thinks we erased it."

"Your name never came up kid," Jolee shrugged at her look of disbelief. "That's what Nomi told me. He got angry with them, but not you."

"Then he should have done," She looked at them both and decided that another stain on her soul would fade slightly if she told them. "Would you like to hear what happened?"

They nodded and Bastila closed her eyes as the memory flooded her.