Trouble: A Knights of the Old Republic Fan-fiction
by: Sam Lincoln
"Your Jedi captive escaped with her life, you did not learn anything about her, and we lost the interrogation facility. Please tell me how this is anything less than an abject failure?" Darth Sidious asked Dooku.
Dooku shuddered, he knew his life hung by a thread. "It was a failure my lord, I admit that. The Jedi woman was far stronger than she had any right to be, and I still do not understand how the Jedi were able to find us. We have successfully masked that location in the past."
"A riddle then," Sidious said. "These Jedi match the description given to us by Captain Brecktan of the duo who eluded him. It is clear now that I shall have to take a more active role in determining the threat they pose to us."
"A considerable threat I would imagine," Dooku offered. "They do not fear the Sith, or the Dark Side. It has been my experience that this is not a commonly held belief by the rest of the Order."
"That which you cannot see is always more imposing," Sidious intoned. "That these Jedi are not intimidated by you is an interesting fact to consider. I will have to meditate on it. As for yourself Tyranus fear not. I still have a need for your unique skills. In fact I believe Viceroy Gunray of the Trade Federation wishes to speak with you.."
Dooku bowed low, "Yes my master."
"And Tyranus, do not fail me again. No one is irreplaceable."
"I understand my lord," Dooku told the departing Sith Lord. He briefly pondered asking if that included Lord Sidious, then thought better of it. It was far better to continue to bide his time. Soon the tables would be turned, all Dooku had to do was wait.
Dooku roused himself from his musings and walked over to a communication terminal. While he waited for the connection to the Trade Federation to be established he slipped back into his Count Dooku persona. After a short while the face of the Trade Federation leader appeared. "Viceroy Gunray, you wished to speak with me?"
"Yes Count Dooku, I have been trying to get in touch with you for some time now." Gunray was not someone used to being made to wait.
"My apologies Viceroy. I have been tied up in other matters." Dooku hated dealing with Gunray, the Niemodian was nowhere nearly as clever as he thought he was. Nothing would have pleased Dooku more than crushing the life out of the alien. However, until the Kamino project came to fruition he needed the simpletons of the Trade Federation.
"The Jedi were here. They tried to steal my computer files!" Gunray exclaimed. "Why would they try to do this?
Dooku sensed an opening with the Viceroy, up to this point the Trade Federation had been reluctant members of the Separatist movement, driven mostly by their hatred of Queen Amidala of Naboo. "It's quite simple really. The Jedi are the lapdogs of the Senate," Dooku explained. "And the Senate is at Queen Amidala's beck and call."
"How can you be so sure of this?" Gunray asked.
"What planet is Chancellor Palpatine from? The people of Naboo will not soon forget the harm you inflicted on their planet. So long as Palpatine is in office and Amidala draws breath they will oppose you and use everything at their disposal to do so."
"What you say has merit," Gunray concluded. "I think in the future the Trade Federation will have to work more closely with your organization."
Dooku smiled, sometimes it was so easy. "I look forward to it."
Bastila felt awareness flow back into her body as she gradually awoke. She looked around and saw that she was in a private room located in the Jedi Tempe's infirmary. She looked down at her arms and saw the faded marks from her torture session. "I must have been in a bacta tank," she surmised. She saw that Revan was lying asleep in a chair next to her bed. Bastila smiled, he had rescued her from the Sith. Even though she knew he would it still meant a great deal to her that Revan would drop his mission just to save her.
Bastila still had a hard time sorting out her feelings for Revan. She said that she loved him, and meant it, but why? Was it the result of the Force bond? The Jedi part of her wanted to say that it was. That the experience of their shared emotions was clouding her judgment. She knew that explanation did not ring true, that there was more to it than that. Revan was the first person who saw her as a person. To the Jedi and Sith Bastila, and her Battle Meditation, was an asset to be exploited. To the galaxy as a whole she was a Jedi, someone to be respected, but at the same time someone to be kept at a distance. Bastila knew it was trite to say, but Revan saw past that and was more interested in her than her abilities. Such attention was flattering, especially to someone not used to receiving it.
Beyond that there was something about Revan's character that Bastila found attractive. He did not let being a Jedi get in the way of his enjoyment of life. Bastila had spent her entire life trying to follow a rigid asceticism that never took hold with her. To her Revan's outlook was like a breath of fresh air. On top of that he was caring, and not to mention quite dashing.
"Figured it out yet?" Revan asked, interrupting Bastila's thoughts. She looked over at Revan and saw that he had woken up while she was lost in thought.
"Whatever do you mean?" Bastila asked with feigned ignorance.
"You seemed to be giving something quite a lot of thought," Revan told her.
"Don't you dare say anything about Kinrath pups," Bastila warned Revan.
Revan held up his hands defensively, "I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you mention it..."
"For your information I was trying to figure out why I didn't try to make you my Dark Apprentice when I had the chance," Bastila retorted impulsively. She sighed, "No, that wasn't it. I was trying to figure out us."
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you pursue me?" Bastila asked in frustration. "You knew what the Council thought of such relationships."
"If you must know it's the Council's fault," Revan answered with a chuckle.
"How is it possibly the Council's fault?"
"They gave me the identity and memories of a non-Force user, remember? I didn't have years of Jedi training pounded into my head. You were an attractive woman who was extremely cute when flustered, and were so easy to fluster."
"So that's it, the whole reason you tried to seduce me was because you think I'm cute when I'm angry?" Bastila began to fume. "I've been agonizing for...no wait, that's what you're doing right now isn't it?"
"You cant on quickly Padawan," Revan said with a smile.
"But what you were saying about your memories, that was true?"
Revan nodded, "That part was, yes."
"So it wasn't some after effect of your former self?"
Revan laughed derisively, "The old Revan would never have been interested in you for anything more than your Battle Meditation. I don't think he had a genuine relationship in his life."
"But what about he and Malak before they turned?"
"Basted on everything I've seen, and remembered, Revan always considered Malak his muscle. He might not have used those exact words while he was still a Jedi, but if you look at how he used Malak it's pretty clear. Besides, he had the same Jedi training you did, he would have been just as indoctrinated against all this as you are."
"For all the good it did him," Bastila noted.
"True," Revan agreed. "Look, I don't want you to think my memory loss was the only reason. How can I put this? I had my inhibitions removed, or emotional barriers broken down, or something. I'm not sure. What I do know is that I love you, and the reasons why I do aren't nearly as important as the fact that I do."
"That might be enough for you, but I do remember my Jedi training. A Jedi is not to get romantically involved with anyone."
"And yet you are," Revan pointed out. "There's no sense in beating yourself up over it."
"I know that, and I don't want to sound like I think we're doing something wrong."
"But you need reassurance that you made the right decision."
"Well yes," Bastila admitted. Revan leaned over and kissed Bastila. "That's cheating," Bastila protested. "I'm talking about a reason based on logic, not hormones."
Revan kissed Bastila again. "Sometimes Jedi Shan you have to tell logic to stuff itself."
Bastila smiled, Revan could be very persuasive. "Tell me more about this school of thought," she told him as she returned his kiss.
They were interrupted by the ringing of the door chime. Bastila and Revan quickly disentangled themselves. "Come in," Bastila called out.
The door slid open and Anakin entered the room. "My apologies for disturbing you Master Kyja," he said with a bow.
"That's not a problem Anakin," Bastila replied. "Master Delwynn and I were just...discussing Jedi philosophy."
"That's right," Revan added, "Jedi philosophy."
Anakin stared at the two Jedi Masters. He knew that they were not telling him the complete truth, but the boy was used to that so he shrugged it off. "Master Yoda asked me to escort Master Delwynn to the Council chamber for an audience."
Revan nodded, "Of course. If you wouldn't mind waiting outside for a moment I'll be right with you."
"Yes master," Anakin said with a bow, then walked out of the room.
Bastila glanced up at Revan. "I know it's awful of me to say this, but I do not trust Yoda, or Windu." Revan raised his eyebrows but waited for her to continue. "They are hiding something from us, or us from something, I'm not sure which."
Revan kissed Bastila on the forehead. "That's alright, I don't trust them either, but I don't sense any malice from them." He smiled. "They're Jedi Masters, it's what they do."
"Still, be careful," Bastila advised. "I'd hate to have to rescue you from the clutches of the Sith. Thought it would make for a nice change of pace."
Revan chuckled and walked to the door. "Don't worry, I'll be right back."
Revan exited the room and saw Anakin standing there waiting for him. "Master Yoda is waiting for you," Anakin said as he motioned for Revan to follow him.
The pair walked through the halls of the Jedi Temple. "So you're Anakin Skywalker, Master Kenobi's Padawan," Revan stated. He could understand why Obi-Wan had high hopes for the boy, he was brimming with power.
Anakin nodded, "That is correct Master Delwynn."
"Master Kenobi talked about you quite a bit. He thinks very highly of you."
"He does?" Anakin asked, almost in amazement.
"Of course he does," Revan confirmed. "He says you're the strongest Padawan in the temple."
"He never tells me that," Anakin groused.
Revan chuckled, "No I wouldn't expect he would. That's not the role of a master. There is so much you have to learn in order to be a good Jedi that you can never get complacent. There is always something more for you to learn. Your master is trying to get you to understand this. Sometimes a master can lose sight of the fact that getting a compliment every now and then is also appreciated." Revan smiled at Anakin. "My master was the same way." While Revan had no way of knowing if that was true or not, he figured that having Bastila try to teach him the way of the Force was close enough.
"Who was your master?" Anakin asked.
"You wouldn't know him," Revan said quickly. "He lived in the Outer Rim and died many, many years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. That is the way of the Force. People live, people die. What's important is how they lived." Revan laughed. "That sounded incredibly trite didn't it?"
Anakin smiled, "A little yeah."
"That's the other thing Jedi Masters are good for; spouting trite sayings and passing them off as great wisdom." A thought struck Revan and he stared at the boy. "Tell me Anakin, are you afraid?"
"Afraid? What do I have to be afraid of?"
"There are plenty of things to be afraid of out there Padawan," Revan said. "Only a fool has no fear."
"But Master Yoda says that fear leads to the Dark Side."
Revan stared into the boy's eyes and wondered if he had the same expression on his face when he was Anakin's age. Anakin had all the power in the galaxy at his fingertips but despite that he was still a child. "There's nothing wrong with fear; your master even said as much to me. You just can't let that fear dominate you. It's a fine line I know, but do you want to hear a little secret?"
"Let me guess you were afraid when you stormed that Sith enclave."
"Very good, Obi-Wan wasn't exaggerating when he said how strong you are," Revan told Anakin.
"Thank-you master, I am doing my best to become as strong as I can."
"Who are you trying to be strong for? It's alright, you can tell me," Revan added when he saw the hesitant look on Anakin's face.
"My mother," Anakin admitted. "If I get strong enough I can free her."
"Free her?" Revan asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer.
"She's a slave, on Tatooine," Anakin explained.
Revan wasn't sure what shocked him more, that slavery still existed, or that people were still trying to eke out a living on the miserable rock known as Tatooine. "Would you mind indulging a Jedi Master, I want to tell you a story."
"Would it make a difference if I said no?"
Revan smiled, "Not in the slightest. Now there once was a Twi'lek slave girl who lived on Sleheyron who was very strong with the Force. She managed to escape from her slaver and was found by the Jedi. She joined the Order in the hopes of freeing her friends who remained enslaved. However her training did not progress quickly enough for her. In her thirst for power she broke with the Order and joined the Sith, but a funny thing happened."
"What?" Anakin asked.
"The more power she acquired the less she thought about freeing her friends. She gained power, but lost her compassion. The Dark Side is like that, it can twist even the most noble of intentions."
"Master Kyja said something similar to me the other day," Anakin commented.
"And you'd do well to listen to her. Master Kyja is quite wise in the ways of the Force," Revan paused. "But you still want to free your mother don't you?"
"Of course I do," Anakin snapped. "She is my mother after all."
"And you love her, that's understandable."
"I don't...that is to say...a Jedi isn't supposed to love."
Revan did his best not to roll his eyes. Sometimes even the very wise were blind to the obvious. First Bastila, now Anakin, Revan wondered how many other Jedi had been traumatized by their separation from their family at such a young age. He recalled the implanted memories of the family the Jedi Council created for him and he wondered if they had made him more resistant to the Dark Side. He had no reason to resent the Jedi for taking him away from his family. Although the revelations about his past did change that. "Hogwash, love is an emotion, to deny love is like denying breathing. A very wise, and irritating, old man once explained to me like this. Passion can be twisted and used by the Dark Side, but passion is not love."
"So you think the order is wrong?"
"I didn't say that. Love might be a basic emotion, but it's also the most complex, and the Dark Side can taint much that is good and pure. The Order's policy makes sense, but only if you're afraid."
"Afraid?"
"Love in an emotion that is hard to control, and what is the Order keen on?"
"Control," Anakin admitted.
"That's right. So longs as you don't let love control you it cannot lead to the Dark Side."
"So what you're saying is that it's ok for a Jedi to love someone?" Anakin asked hopefully.
"Anakin, that's what separates the Jedi from the Sith."
They came to a stop in front of the doors to the Council chambers. "I'm not allowed to go inside," Anakin said.
"Thank-you for bringing me here Anakin," Revan said. "I hope you consider what I had to say."
Anakin nodded, "Yes I will, thank-you Master Delwynn." Anakin ran down the hall towards his quarters.
Revan paused at the door, he felt a sense of unease at what he would find inside. He shook off the feeling as silly and walked into the Council chambers. Inside he found Yoda, Windu, Obi-Wan and an elderly man he did not recognize. "You wished to see me Master Yoda?" Revan asked.
"Ahh, Master Delwynn, good, good. Someone to meet you there is."
Revan noticed that the elderly man wore very expensive looking clothes and acted like he expected Revan to recognize him. "Chancellor Palpatine," Revan guessed. "So nice to finally meet you."
"I feel the same way Master Delwynn," Palpatine replied.
"I see introductions are not in order," Windu wryly observed.
"Well of course not," Revan said with feigned enthusiasm. "You'd have to be from the past or something not to recognize the Chancellor of the Senate." Revan held a distaste for public officials that he was sure dated back to his former self.
"I wanted to meet the Jedi who has done so much to further effort to root the Sith menace out of our beloved Republic," Palpatine explained. "I have been told you were able to unmask a traitor in my own office. Rest assured that I will have my personal security force uncover the depth of his treachery and any of his coconspirators."
"Any assistance you can provide to my search is greatly appreciated," Revan said carefully.
"This is a very delicate topic politically speaking. If my enemies in the Senate found out that a Jedi Master was investigating my office the ramifications would be dire, especially since there's no greater friend to the Jedi Order than myself."
"The Jedi Council has no problem with letting your security detail lead the investigation of your office," Windu said quickly.
"I don't want you to think that I am trying to circumvent your investigation," Palpatine added. "But this is a sensitive time in the Senate, and it wouldn't do to have a witch hunt on our hands."
Revan fought down his annoyance. "I will of course follow the Council's guidance in this matter."
"Please don't think I'm ungrateful," Palpatine told Revan. "In fact if Master Yoda had not insisted that Jedi have no use for personal honors I would have awarded both you and Master Kenobi medals. I hope my most sincere thanks will be appropriate compensation." Palpatine held his hand out to Revan.
Revan accepted the offered handshake and looked the Chancellor straight in the eyes. However, instead of the kindly face of Chancellor Palpatine he saw the corrupted visage of a follower of the Dark Side. Revan didn't understand how he could see this, but he knew that he was looking into the face of the Dark Lord of the Sith.
He blinked and the vision was gone. "Thank-you for your kind words Chancellor," Revan said quickly to cover his surprise. He carefully checked Palpatine's demeanor to see if he had a similar vision to Revan's. As far as Revan could tell though Palpatine's expression remained fixed.
"Now if you will please excuse me I have several pressing matters of state to attend to before the next session of the Senate. Once again, thank-you ever so much Master Delwynn." Palpatine smiled again, but this time Revan noticed that the smile did not extend to the man's eyes.
As Revan watched Palpatine say his goodbyes to Windu and Yoda he decided then not to mention his vision to the others. It was obvious that they would not believe him. On its face it was a preposterous notion and Revan knew it. Even so, he put his trust in the Force and that it would not steer him wrong.
"How is Bastila?" Windu asked after Palpatine had left.
"She's fine, she should be back on her feet tomorrow," Revan said brusquely.
"Troubled are you by our decision?" Yoda asked. "Think we should not defer to the Chancellor's own security?"
"Of course not," Revan said smoothly. "You know the political culture here better than I do." It occurred to Revan that Palpatine might be exerting some level of control over the Jedi. It sounded ridiculous, but then again, so did the Chancellor of the Senate being a Sith Lord.
"There is a faction within the Senate that claims the Jedi Order is an archaic relic and a drain on Republic resources," Windu explained. "If it became public knowledge that the Jedi were looking for the Sith they would claim that we were scaremongering to justify our existence."
"I serve the Council," Revan snapped. "You don't have to justify your decisions to me. Now is there anything else you need from me? I'd like to get back to Bastila."
"No that is all. Thank-you for your time Jedi Revan," Windu said.
"I should be going too," Obi-Wan said as Revan walked out of the Council chambers. "There's no telling what manner of trouble Anakin has managed to get himself into." Obi-Wan bowed to Windu and Yoda before leaving.
Revan forced himself to remain composed as he walked back to Bastila's room. His mind raced as he tried to plan his next step. It was too soon for a direct confrontation. What he needed was incontrovertible proof of Palpatine's true identity.
"What happened?" Bastila asked as soon as Revan entered the room. "I can feel the turmoil inside you."
"I just met the Chancellor," Revan answered.
"And?"
"And he's the Dark Lord of the Sith."
"He's what?" Bastila shouted incredulously. "Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't. When we shook hands I saw his true form."
"I'm not saying I don't believe you, but that sounds awfully farfetched."
"I know, that's why I have to find additional proof."
"Have you voiced these concerns to the Jedi Council?"
"I figured I'd wait until I had hard proof."
"I see, and just how will you get that proof?" Bastila asked.
"I'll break into his office and find something incriminating."
"Are you sure that's wise?" By the tone of Bastila's voice it was readily apparent that she did not think so.
"I don't see any way around it. I know that Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord, I just have to prove it."
"This just feels," Bastila flailed about for the right word. "Wrong," she finally said. "You should consult the Council before deciding on any action."
"But what if he's exerting some sort of control over the Council? It might not be overt, but he must be clouding their minds if they cannot see him for what he is. No, the only way they'll believe me is if I have incontrovertible proof."
"Then at least wait and let me accompany you," Bastila pleaded.
"The sooner I expose Palpatine the less damage he will be capable of doing," Revan replied. "Look, Bastila, this is something I have to do. You wanted to know why we're here? I think this is to, to stop Palpatine from destroying the Republic. I know the Sith better than anyone in this time, and maybe that's what let me see Palpatine for who he really is."
"What you're saying smacks more of ego than the truth," Bastila retorted. "You're becoming dangerously obsessed with tracking down the Sith Revan. I don't want to see that consume you."
Revan's face hardened. "I know what I'm doing," he said petulantly.
"I wonder, do you really?" Bastila asked in a quiet voice.
Revan started to say something, but caught himself. "I'll see you when I get back," he said softly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Jedi Revan." Bastila placed a heavy emphasis on the word Jedi.
Revan glanced at his feet before turning and walking out the door. Bastila sighed and thought back to her vision on Rakata. "I'm doing my best," she thought to herself. "But he isn't listening."
A short while later Yoda stumped into Bastila's room. "Greetings Jedi Shan. Looking for Revan I am, seen him have you?"
"Revan is not here," Bastila said. "I'm afraid he is off making a terrible mistake."
Yoda's ears drooped. "I see, make our own decisions we all must," he said with a sigh.
Inside the Ebon Hawk's garage Revan finished pulling on his suit of Baragwin Shadow Armor, Jedi robes were not the sort of thing a person wore when breaking into the estate of the Chancellor. He walked over to the workbench and picked up his lightsaber and a highly modified Heavy Mandalorian blaster. The lightsaber went into its concealed sheath while the blaster slid into the holder at his side. Revan checked his supply of computer and security spikes and tossed a few pieces of extra gear into one of the saddlebags on his swoop bike.
Revan paused a moment to reflect on what he was about to do. Bastila had struck a chord with him when she accused him of acting out of ego. He wondered if she was right that he was being foolish in going off on his own. He then reminded himself of the vision he had on Korriban and the billions of lives that would be lost if Palpatine was allowed to conquer the galaxy. Revan could not in good conscience do nothing knowing what he knew.
Revan gunned the swoop bike's engine. Besides he was not acting out of ego. He knew he wasn't the only person who could save the galaxy, but he was in the best position to do so. He drove the swoop out of the Ebon Hawk and flew out into the Coruscant sky.
-to be continued-
-author's notes: Things are starting to heat up now aren't they? In the next chapter Revan and Palpatine have a lovely tea party where they talk out their differences! I would also like to take this moment to say that writing for Yoda is a bitch and a half. Fun fact, my long hand rough draft just went over the 200 page mark. Once again, thanks all for reading and reviewing.
-sam
by: Sam Lincoln
Rating: PG
Summary: Will Trouble ever let a pair of Jedi Knights be?
Spoilers: If you haven't finished the game you'll be damn lost.
Trouble: Chapter Thirteen"Your Jedi captive escaped with her life, you did not learn anything about her, and we lost the interrogation facility. Please tell me how this is anything less than an abject failure?" Darth Sidious asked Dooku.
Dooku shuddered, he knew his life hung by a thread. "It was a failure my lord, I admit that. The Jedi woman was far stronger than she had any right to be, and I still do not understand how the Jedi were able to find us. We have successfully masked that location in the past."
"A riddle then," Sidious said. "These Jedi match the description given to us by Captain Brecktan of the duo who eluded him. It is clear now that I shall have to take a more active role in determining the threat they pose to us."
"A considerable threat I would imagine," Dooku offered. "They do not fear the Sith, or the Dark Side. It has been my experience that this is not a commonly held belief by the rest of the Order."
"That which you cannot see is always more imposing," Sidious intoned. "That these Jedi are not intimidated by you is an interesting fact to consider. I will have to meditate on it. As for yourself Tyranus fear not. I still have a need for your unique skills. In fact I believe Viceroy Gunray of the Trade Federation wishes to speak with you.."
Dooku bowed low, "Yes my master."
"And Tyranus, do not fail me again. No one is irreplaceable."
"I understand my lord," Dooku told the departing Sith Lord. He briefly pondered asking if that included Lord Sidious, then thought better of it. It was far better to continue to bide his time. Soon the tables would be turned, all Dooku had to do was wait.
Dooku roused himself from his musings and walked over to a communication terminal. While he waited for the connection to the Trade Federation to be established he slipped back into his Count Dooku persona. After a short while the face of the Trade Federation leader appeared. "Viceroy Gunray, you wished to speak with me?"
"Yes Count Dooku, I have been trying to get in touch with you for some time now." Gunray was not someone used to being made to wait.
"My apologies Viceroy. I have been tied up in other matters." Dooku hated dealing with Gunray, the Niemodian was nowhere nearly as clever as he thought he was. Nothing would have pleased Dooku more than crushing the life out of the alien. However, until the Kamino project came to fruition he needed the simpletons of the Trade Federation.
"The Jedi were here. They tried to steal my computer files!" Gunray exclaimed. "Why would they try to do this?
Dooku sensed an opening with the Viceroy, up to this point the Trade Federation had been reluctant members of the Separatist movement, driven mostly by their hatred of Queen Amidala of Naboo. "It's quite simple really. The Jedi are the lapdogs of the Senate," Dooku explained. "And the Senate is at Queen Amidala's beck and call."
"How can you be so sure of this?" Gunray asked.
"What planet is Chancellor Palpatine from? The people of Naboo will not soon forget the harm you inflicted on their planet. So long as Palpatine is in office and Amidala draws breath they will oppose you and use everything at their disposal to do so."
"What you say has merit," Gunray concluded. "I think in the future the Trade Federation will have to work more closely with your organization."
Dooku smiled, sometimes it was so easy. "I look forward to it."
Bastila felt awareness flow back into her body as she gradually awoke. She looked around and saw that she was in a private room located in the Jedi Tempe's infirmary. She looked down at her arms and saw the faded marks from her torture session. "I must have been in a bacta tank," she surmised. She saw that Revan was lying asleep in a chair next to her bed. Bastila smiled, he had rescued her from the Sith. Even though she knew he would it still meant a great deal to her that Revan would drop his mission just to save her.
Bastila still had a hard time sorting out her feelings for Revan. She said that she loved him, and meant it, but why? Was it the result of the Force bond? The Jedi part of her wanted to say that it was. That the experience of their shared emotions was clouding her judgment. She knew that explanation did not ring true, that there was more to it than that. Revan was the first person who saw her as a person. To the Jedi and Sith Bastila, and her Battle Meditation, was an asset to be exploited. To the galaxy as a whole she was a Jedi, someone to be respected, but at the same time someone to be kept at a distance. Bastila knew it was trite to say, but Revan saw past that and was more interested in her than her abilities. Such attention was flattering, especially to someone not used to receiving it.
Beyond that there was something about Revan's character that Bastila found attractive. He did not let being a Jedi get in the way of his enjoyment of life. Bastila had spent her entire life trying to follow a rigid asceticism that never took hold with her. To her Revan's outlook was like a breath of fresh air. On top of that he was caring, and not to mention quite dashing.
"Figured it out yet?" Revan asked, interrupting Bastila's thoughts. She looked over at Revan and saw that he had woken up while she was lost in thought.
"Whatever do you mean?" Bastila asked with feigned ignorance.
"You seemed to be giving something quite a lot of thought," Revan told her.
"Don't you dare say anything about Kinrath pups," Bastila warned Revan.
Revan held up his hands defensively, "I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you mention it..."
"For your information I was trying to figure out why I didn't try to make you my Dark Apprentice when I had the chance," Bastila retorted impulsively. She sighed, "No, that wasn't it. I was trying to figure out us."
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you pursue me?" Bastila asked in frustration. "You knew what the Council thought of such relationships."
"If you must know it's the Council's fault," Revan answered with a chuckle.
"How is it possibly the Council's fault?"
"They gave me the identity and memories of a non-Force user, remember? I didn't have years of Jedi training pounded into my head. You were an attractive woman who was extremely cute when flustered, and were so easy to fluster."
"So that's it, the whole reason you tried to seduce me was because you think I'm cute when I'm angry?" Bastila began to fume. "I've been agonizing for...no wait, that's what you're doing right now isn't it?"
"You cant on quickly Padawan," Revan said with a smile.
"But what you were saying about your memories, that was true?"
Revan nodded, "That part was, yes."
"So it wasn't some after effect of your former self?"
Revan laughed derisively, "The old Revan would never have been interested in you for anything more than your Battle Meditation. I don't think he had a genuine relationship in his life."
"But what about he and Malak before they turned?"
"Basted on everything I've seen, and remembered, Revan always considered Malak his muscle. He might not have used those exact words while he was still a Jedi, but if you look at how he used Malak it's pretty clear. Besides, he had the same Jedi training you did, he would have been just as indoctrinated against all this as you are."
"For all the good it did him," Bastila noted.
"True," Revan agreed. "Look, I don't want you to think my memory loss was the only reason. How can I put this? I had my inhibitions removed, or emotional barriers broken down, or something. I'm not sure. What I do know is that I love you, and the reasons why I do aren't nearly as important as the fact that I do."
"That might be enough for you, but I do remember my Jedi training. A Jedi is not to get romantically involved with anyone."
"And yet you are," Revan pointed out. "There's no sense in beating yourself up over it."
"I know that, and I don't want to sound like I think we're doing something wrong."
"But you need reassurance that you made the right decision."
"Well yes," Bastila admitted. Revan leaned over and kissed Bastila. "That's cheating," Bastila protested. "I'm talking about a reason based on logic, not hormones."
Revan kissed Bastila again. "Sometimes Jedi Shan you have to tell logic to stuff itself."
Bastila smiled, Revan could be very persuasive. "Tell me more about this school of thought," she told him as she returned his kiss.
They were interrupted by the ringing of the door chime. Bastila and Revan quickly disentangled themselves. "Come in," Bastila called out.
The door slid open and Anakin entered the room. "My apologies for disturbing you Master Kyja," he said with a bow.
"That's not a problem Anakin," Bastila replied. "Master Delwynn and I were just...discussing Jedi philosophy."
"That's right," Revan added, "Jedi philosophy."
Anakin stared at the two Jedi Masters. He knew that they were not telling him the complete truth, but the boy was used to that so he shrugged it off. "Master Yoda asked me to escort Master Delwynn to the Council chamber for an audience."
Revan nodded, "Of course. If you wouldn't mind waiting outside for a moment I'll be right with you."
"Yes master," Anakin said with a bow, then walked out of the room.
Bastila glanced up at Revan. "I know it's awful of me to say this, but I do not trust Yoda, or Windu." Revan raised his eyebrows but waited for her to continue. "They are hiding something from us, or us from something, I'm not sure which."
Revan kissed Bastila on the forehead. "That's alright, I don't trust them either, but I don't sense any malice from them." He smiled. "They're Jedi Masters, it's what they do."
"Still, be careful," Bastila advised. "I'd hate to have to rescue you from the clutches of the Sith. Thought it would make for a nice change of pace."
Revan chuckled and walked to the door. "Don't worry, I'll be right back."
Revan exited the room and saw Anakin standing there waiting for him. "Master Yoda is waiting for you," Anakin said as he motioned for Revan to follow him.
The pair walked through the halls of the Jedi Temple. "So you're Anakin Skywalker, Master Kenobi's Padawan," Revan stated. He could understand why Obi-Wan had high hopes for the boy, he was brimming with power.
Anakin nodded, "That is correct Master Delwynn."
"Master Kenobi talked about you quite a bit. He thinks very highly of you."
"He does?" Anakin asked, almost in amazement.
"Of course he does," Revan confirmed. "He says you're the strongest Padawan in the temple."
"He never tells me that," Anakin groused.
Revan chuckled, "No I wouldn't expect he would. That's not the role of a master. There is so much you have to learn in order to be a good Jedi that you can never get complacent. There is always something more for you to learn. Your master is trying to get you to understand this. Sometimes a master can lose sight of the fact that getting a compliment every now and then is also appreciated." Revan smiled at Anakin. "My master was the same way." While Revan had no way of knowing if that was true or not, he figured that having Bastila try to teach him the way of the Force was close enough.
"Who was your master?" Anakin asked.
"You wouldn't know him," Revan said quickly. "He lived in the Outer Rim and died many, many years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. That is the way of the Force. People live, people die. What's important is how they lived." Revan laughed. "That sounded incredibly trite didn't it?"
Anakin smiled, "A little yeah."
"That's the other thing Jedi Masters are good for; spouting trite sayings and passing them off as great wisdom." A thought struck Revan and he stared at the boy. "Tell me Anakin, are you afraid?"
"Afraid? What do I have to be afraid of?"
"There are plenty of things to be afraid of out there Padawan," Revan said. "Only a fool has no fear."
"But Master Yoda says that fear leads to the Dark Side."
Revan stared into the boy's eyes and wondered if he had the same expression on his face when he was Anakin's age. Anakin had all the power in the galaxy at his fingertips but despite that he was still a child. "There's nothing wrong with fear; your master even said as much to me. You just can't let that fear dominate you. It's a fine line I know, but do you want to hear a little secret?"
"Let me guess you were afraid when you stormed that Sith enclave."
"Very good, Obi-Wan wasn't exaggerating when he said how strong you are," Revan told Anakin.
"Thank-you master, I am doing my best to become as strong as I can."
"Who are you trying to be strong for? It's alright, you can tell me," Revan added when he saw the hesitant look on Anakin's face.
"My mother," Anakin admitted. "If I get strong enough I can free her."
"Free her?" Revan asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer.
"She's a slave, on Tatooine," Anakin explained.
Revan wasn't sure what shocked him more, that slavery still existed, or that people were still trying to eke out a living on the miserable rock known as Tatooine. "Would you mind indulging a Jedi Master, I want to tell you a story."
"Would it make a difference if I said no?"
Revan smiled, "Not in the slightest. Now there once was a Twi'lek slave girl who lived on Sleheyron who was very strong with the Force. She managed to escape from her slaver and was found by the Jedi. She joined the Order in the hopes of freeing her friends who remained enslaved. However her training did not progress quickly enough for her. In her thirst for power she broke with the Order and joined the Sith, but a funny thing happened."
"What?" Anakin asked.
"The more power she acquired the less she thought about freeing her friends. She gained power, but lost her compassion. The Dark Side is like that, it can twist even the most noble of intentions."
"Master Kyja said something similar to me the other day," Anakin commented.
"And you'd do well to listen to her. Master Kyja is quite wise in the ways of the Force," Revan paused. "But you still want to free your mother don't you?"
"Of course I do," Anakin snapped. "She is my mother after all."
"And you love her, that's understandable."
"I don't...that is to say...a Jedi isn't supposed to love."
Revan did his best not to roll his eyes. Sometimes even the very wise were blind to the obvious. First Bastila, now Anakin, Revan wondered how many other Jedi had been traumatized by their separation from their family at such a young age. He recalled the implanted memories of the family the Jedi Council created for him and he wondered if they had made him more resistant to the Dark Side. He had no reason to resent the Jedi for taking him away from his family. Although the revelations about his past did change that. "Hogwash, love is an emotion, to deny love is like denying breathing. A very wise, and irritating, old man once explained to me like this. Passion can be twisted and used by the Dark Side, but passion is not love."
"So you think the order is wrong?"
"I didn't say that. Love might be a basic emotion, but it's also the most complex, and the Dark Side can taint much that is good and pure. The Order's policy makes sense, but only if you're afraid."
"Afraid?"
"Love in an emotion that is hard to control, and what is the Order keen on?"
"Control," Anakin admitted.
"That's right. So longs as you don't let love control you it cannot lead to the Dark Side."
"So what you're saying is that it's ok for a Jedi to love someone?" Anakin asked hopefully.
"Anakin, that's what separates the Jedi from the Sith."
They came to a stop in front of the doors to the Council chambers. "I'm not allowed to go inside," Anakin said.
"Thank-you for bringing me here Anakin," Revan said. "I hope you consider what I had to say."
Anakin nodded, "Yes I will, thank-you Master Delwynn." Anakin ran down the hall towards his quarters.
Revan paused at the door, he felt a sense of unease at what he would find inside. He shook off the feeling as silly and walked into the Council chambers. Inside he found Yoda, Windu, Obi-Wan and an elderly man he did not recognize. "You wished to see me Master Yoda?" Revan asked.
"Ahh, Master Delwynn, good, good. Someone to meet you there is."
Revan noticed that the elderly man wore very expensive looking clothes and acted like he expected Revan to recognize him. "Chancellor Palpatine," Revan guessed. "So nice to finally meet you."
"I feel the same way Master Delwynn," Palpatine replied.
"I see introductions are not in order," Windu wryly observed.
"Well of course not," Revan said with feigned enthusiasm. "You'd have to be from the past or something not to recognize the Chancellor of the Senate." Revan held a distaste for public officials that he was sure dated back to his former self.
"I wanted to meet the Jedi who has done so much to further effort to root the Sith menace out of our beloved Republic," Palpatine explained. "I have been told you were able to unmask a traitor in my own office. Rest assured that I will have my personal security force uncover the depth of his treachery and any of his coconspirators."
"Any assistance you can provide to my search is greatly appreciated," Revan said carefully.
"This is a very delicate topic politically speaking. If my enemies in the Senate found out that a Jedi Master was investigating my office the ramifications would be dire, especially since there's no greater friend to the Jedi Order than myself."
"The Jedi Council has no problem with letting your security detail lead the investigation of your office," Windu said quickly.
"I don't want you to think that I am trying to circumvent your investigation," Palpatine added. "But this is a sensitive time in the Senate, and it wouldn't do to have a witch hunt on our hands."
Revan fought down his annoyance. "I will of course follow the Council's guidance in this matter."
"Please don't think I'm ungrateful," Palpatine told Revan. "In fact if Master Yoda had not insisted that Jedi have no use for personal honors I would have awarded both you and Master Kenobi medals. I hope my most sincere thanks will be appropriate compensation." Palpatine held his hand out to Revan.
Revan accepted the offered handshake and looked the Chancellor straight in the eyes. However, instead of the kindly face of Chancellor Palpatine he saw the corrupted visage of a follower of the Dark Side. Revan didn't understand how he could see this, but he knew that he was looking into the face of the Dark Lord of the Sith.
He blinked and the vision was gone. "Thank-you for your kind words Chancellor," Revan said quickly to cover his surprise. He carefully checked Palpatine's demeanor to see if he had a similar vision to Revan's. As far as Revan could tell though Palpatine's expression remained fixed.
"Now if you will please excuse me I have several pressing matters of state to attend to before the next session of the Senate. Once again, thank-you ever so much Master Delwynn." Palpatine smiled again, but this time Revan noticed that the smile did not extend to the man's eyes.
As Revan watched Palpatine say his goodbyes to Windu and Yoda he decided then not to mention his vision to the others. It was obvious that they would not believe him. On its face it was a preposterous notion and Revan knew it. Even so, he put his trust in the Force and that it would not steer him wrong.
"How is Bastila?" Windu asked after Palpatine had left.
"She's fine, she should be back on her feet tomorrow," Revan said brusquely.
"Troubled are you by our decision?" Yoda asked. "Think we should not defer to the Chancellor's own security?"
"Of course not," Revan said smoothly. "You know the political culture here better than I do." It occurred to Revan that Palpatine might be exerting some level of control over the Jedi. It sounded ridiculous, but then again, so did the Chancellor of the Senate being a Sith Lord.
"There is a faction within the Senate that claims the Jedi Order is an archaic relic and a drain on Republic resources," Windu explained. "If it became public knowledge that the Jedi were looking for the Sith they would claim that we were scaremongering to justify our existence."
"I serve the Council," Revan snapped. "You don't have to justify your decisions to me. Now is there anything else you need from me? I'd like to get back to Bastila."
"No that is all. Thank-you for your time Jedi Revan," Windu said.
"I should be going too," Obi-Wan said as Revan walked out of the Council chambers. "There's no telling what manner of trouble Anakin has managed to get himself into." Obi-Wan bowed to Windu and Yoda before leaving.
Revan forced himself to remain composed as he walked back to Bastila's room. His mind raced as he tried to plan his next step. It was too soon for a direct confrontation. What he needed was incontrovertible proof of Palpatine's true identity.
"What happened?" Bastila asked as soon as Revan entered the room. "I can feel the turmoil inside you."
"I just met the Chancellor," Revan answered.
"And?"
"And he's the Dark Lord of the Sith."
"He's what?" Bastila shouted incredulously. "Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't. When we shook hands I saw his true form."
"I'm not saying I don't believe you, but that sounds awfully farfetched."
"I know, that's why I have to find additional proof."
"Have you voiced these concerns to the Jedi Council?"
"I figured I'd wait until I had hard proof."
"I see, and just how will you get that proof?" Bastila asked.
"I'll break into his office and find something incriminating."
"Are you sure that's wise?" By the tone of Bastila's voice it was readily apparent that she did not think so.
"I don't see any way around it. I know that Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord, I just have to prove it."
"This just feels," Bastila flailed about for the right word. "Wrong," she finally said. "You should consult the Council before deciding on any action."
"But what if he's exerting some sort of control over the Council? It might not be overt, but he must be clouding their minds if they cannot see him for what he is. No, the only way they'll believe me is if I have incontrovertible proof."
"Then at least wait and let me accompany you," Bastila pleaded.
"The sooner I expose Palpatine the less damage he will be capable of doing," Revan replied. "Look, Bastila, this is something I have to do. You wanted to know why we're here? I think this is to, to stop Palpatine from destroying the Republic. I know the Sith better than anyone in this time, and maybe that's what let me see Palpatine for who he really is."
"What you're saying smacks more of ego than the truth," Bastila retorted. "You're becoming dangerously obsessed with tracking down the Sith Revan. I don't want to see that consume you."
Revan's face hardened. "I know what I'm doing," he said petulantly.
"I wonder, do you really?" Bastila asked in a quiet voice.
Revan started to say something, but caught himself. "I'll see you when I get back," he said softly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Jedi Revan." Bastila placed a heavy emphasis on the word Jedi.
Revan glanced at his feet before turning and walking out the door. Bastila sighed and thought back to her vision on Rakata. "I'm doing my best," she thought to herself. "But he isn't listening."
A short while later Yoda stumped into Bastila's room. "Greetings Jedi Shan. Looking for Revan I am, seen him have you?"
"Revan is not here," Bastila said. "I'm afraid he is off making a terrible mistake."
Yoda's ears drooped. "I see, make our own decisions we all must," he said with a sigh.
Inside the Ebon Hawk's garage Revan finished pulling on his suit of Baragwin Shadow Armor, Jedi robes were not the sort of thing a person wore when breaking into the estate of the Chancellor. He walked over to the workbench and picked up his lightsaber and a highly modified Heavy Mandalorian blaster. The lightsaber went into its concealed sheath while the blaster slid into the holder at his side. Revan checked his supply of computer and security spikes and tossed a few pieces of extra gear into one of the saddlebags on his swoop bike.
Revan paused a moment to reflect on what he was about to do. Bastila had struck a chord with him when she accused him of acting out of ego. He wondered if she was right that he was being foolish in going off on his own. He then reminded himself of the vision he had on Korriban and the billions of lives that would be lost if Palpatine was allowed to conquer the galaxy. Revan could not in good conscience do nothing knowing what he knew.
Revan gunned the swoop bike's engine. Besides he was not acting out of ego. He knew he wasn't the only person who could save the galaxy, but he was in the best position to do so. He drove the swoop out of the Ebon Hawk and flew out into the Coruscant sky.
-to be continued-
-author's notes: Things are starting to heat up now aren't they? In the next chapter Revan and Palpatine have a lovely tea party where they talk out their differences! I would also like to take this moment to say that writing for Yoda is a bitch and a half. Fun fact, my long hand rough draft just went over the 200 page mark. Once again, thanks all for reading and reviewing.
-sam