Trouble: A Knights of the Old Republic Fan-fiction
by: Sam Lincoln
Bastila sat on the edge of her bed and stared out her window as dawn crept up over the Coruscant skyline. She had been unable to sleep all night, her thoughts had been too consumed with worry over Revan out on his misadventure. The Force bond told her that he was in some sort of danger. She knew he probably wouldn't come to much physical harm, but the possible damage to his soul was another matter.
"It's so typical of him," she fumed to herself. "He might be the greatest military mind of his generation, but he still lacks caution." Revan's problem was that there was no challenge too great for him. His whole life could be chronicled by the impossible odds he faced and overcame. First there was the Mandalorian War, followed by his initial search for the Star Forge, his survival of Malak's betrayal, and the defeat of Malak at the Star Forge. No matter how long the odds Revan would tackle a problem with the expectation that he could solve it. It was cliché to say it, but Revan's greatest strength was also his greatest weakness. The problem was not that Revan acted impulsively, even his most spontaneous decisions had contingency plans for its contingency plans -- but Revan was human and no one could account for every possible outcome. However, Revan sometimes failed to acknowledge this. It was because of Revan's surety that caused his fall to the Dark Side. He thought he could fight the Mandalorians on their own terms and escape unscathed. However with each battle he lost a little bit of his soul, and by the time he realized what he had lost he was past caring.
Now Revan was committed to stopping the Sith. Bastila could understand Revan's zeal, he was trying to atone for the sins of his old self. However, something seemed out of place to Bastila She could not help but think that some terrible truth was just at the edge of her understanding. The vision she had on Rakata only reinforced that feeling in her. Revan had charged headlong into a delicate situation -- if there was one thing that had remained a constant from Bastila's time to the present it was that galactic politics were never straight forward -- without a care for anything but stopping the Sith. She hoped that whatever was being hidden from them would not catch Revan in a vulnerable position.
That thought lead her down even more unpleasant avenues. What if Revan was consumed by this quest? If Revan did fall back to the Dark Side would she have the strength to defeat him? She knew that the return of Darth Revan would spell disaster for the rest of the galaxy. Bastila remembered how cunning and ruthless Revan had been in his conquest of the Republic. A force of darkness like that would scythe through the Republic in its current disorganized state.
If Revan did fall Bastila knew that she would have to face him. Master Yoda and the rest of the Council were strong, but they had never directly a Sith Lord, not like Bastila had. "But could I do it again?" She asked herself. The first time she'd faced Darth Revan she had not known the man behind the mask. If Revan fell again she would not be facing down Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith, but Revan, the man she loved.
"How he found the strength to battle me on the Star Forge I'll never know," she said to herself. The concept of duty was one that was heavily ingrained in Bastila, and she knew that duty demanded she oppose Revan if he fell, but even so her heart rebelled at the thought of having to face Revan in combat.
"But Revan did fight me," Bastila thought then paused, "No, he fought for me. It wasn't me he was fighting, but the Dark Side that controlled me. He saw past the darkness that had consumed me and was able to find the kernel of light that lay buried in my soul." She straightened her shoulders and stared at the rising sun. "If the unthinkable does happen, if he does fall to the Dark Side I owe it to him to do the same because the Dark Side can never totally consume a person. If there is anything Revan has proven to me it is that." Even as she spoke though doubt crept through her mind. Darth Revan would undoubtedly try to bring her back to the Dark Side. Would she have the strength to resist him?
Angry with herself she tamped down her doubts, "Revan will find a way to win, just like he always does, and we can then find some quiet place to live without the Sith or the Jedi to bother us." However, the words sounded hollow to her. "After all," she thought "I said the same thing following the destruction of the Star Forge and so far that wish has failed to come to pass."
Through their bond Bastila felt Revan relax. She knew that he was out of whatever danger he had been in. Secure in the knowledge that Revan would soon be back she finally managed to clear her mind and descended into a meditative trance.
Revan walked into the Jedi Temple with his make-shift cloak still thrown over his armor. He looked around to see if anyone he knew was in the main atrium of the large building. He did not want to try to explain what he had been up to.
"Adventures have you tonight?" Yoda asked Revan from the shadows. Revan spun around and saw the diminutive green Jedi floating towards him on a small hover chair.
"Master Yoda," Revan said with a bow. "I was just out for a bit of fresh air.
Yoda wrinkled his nose, "Some walk, smell like blasters you do."
Revan debated telling Yoda what he knew, he decided it was better to be upfront with the Jed Master, "Master Yoda, there's something I need to tell you..."
Yoda held up a clawed hand, "Much to discuss we have, but not here. Follow me you should." Yoda turned his hover chair around and floated off down the hall. Revan followed Yoda to his personal quarters. "Shielded these rooms are," Yoda said as he hopped off his hover chair and walked over to a large cushion in the corner of the room. "Come sit," Yoda motioned for Revan to sit down on a low-slung couch.
Revan sat down on the couch. "Master Yoda, first let me say how grateful I am for the way you have treated Bastila and I while we've been here..."
"Nonsense, redeemed you both were. Treat you like any other Jedi we have."
"Still, it's more than I expected, and that's what makes this so hard." Revan knew he had to tell Yoda what he knew, but without any hard proof he had no idea how he was going to make the Jedi Master believe him.
Yoda sighed, "Discovered the identity of the Sith Lord you have. Worried you are how I will take the news that it is Palpatine."
Revan blinked in surprise, "Well yes..." he paused as Yoda's statement fully sunk in. "You know?"
"Of course I know," Yoda harrumphed. "Jedi Master am I not?"
Revan's mind whirled at Yoda's revelation. "How long have you known." He finally asked.
Yoda's ears sagged. "For a long time, but not nearly long enough," Yoda said. "Since Naboo have we known for certain."
"And why haven't you revealed who he is to the Senate?"
"Already the Chancellor Palpatine was when we learned. To challenge him now, tear apart the Republic it would."
"But you can't let him remain Chancellor, he's destroying the Republic from the inside out!" Revan exclaimed.
Yoda sighed, "Hastening the fall yes, but crumbling the Republic already was."
"Oh, well that makes all the difference," Revan said sarcastically.
"Listen first to what I have to say then judge you should," Yoda said sharply.
"I'm sorry Master Yoda, please tell me everything," Revan said in a voice that hardly sounded mollified.
"Long has the Republic enjoyed peace and prosperity," Yoda said. "Too long perhaps. Complacent people grow. More concerned with their profits than the Republic they are. Corruption this lead to. Corruption Palpatine used in his ascension."
"I figured that much out," Revan snapped. "I understand your reluctance to move against Palpatine, it would not be easy to unseat him and cause tremendous turmoil in the Republic. What I don't understand is how he got where he is without you finding out his true identity, and why you are so reluctant to do anything about it."
"Two reasons there are, both intertwined around one fact. Failing the Force is. Feel the taint can you not?"
Revan nodded his head, "Ever since I arrived."
"Long have the Sith been poisoning the Force." Yoda sighed, "Though as much to blame the Jedi are. Complacent we grew along with the galaxy. Too sure in our abilities we were. Blind we are to Palpatine's machinations."
Revan digested what Yoda said. "You said there were two reasons, what is the second?"
"Prophecy," Yoda replied.
"Prophecy is a dangerous game," Revan warned. "It rarely tells the full story."
"Lecturing me on the dangers of prophecy are you?" Yoda asked. He arched an eyebrow to emphasize his point. "Know well I do the risks there are in prophecy. In motion the future is, but always the same my visions are. Great darkness the galaxy is headed for."
"Yes, I saw that, and it's because of Palpatine," Revan interjected.
"No, if Palpatine is removed worse the result is," Yoda replied. "Listened have you not? Dying is the Republic. Soon it will crumble. Without a cause to rally around, splinter and fragment will the Republic. Great the chaos will be. Many hundreds of years it will take for order to be restored."
"And I suppose if you allow Palpatine to conquer the galaxy that will give people something more substantive to rally against?" Revan guessed.
"Clever you are," Yoda said.
"Are you sure it's worth millions, if not billions, of lives to teach the galaxy a civics lesson?" Revan asked tartly.
"A galaxy without Jedi the alternative is!" Yoda said brusquely. "Failing is the Order. Fewer Jedi there are, weaker too. Too long have we continued, unchanged, stagnant. Paying the price for our pride we are."
"I never thought I would hear a Jedi Master sound so defeatist," Revan said accusingly.
"Defeatist? Perhaps, but what would you do differently?"
Revan stood up and began to pace. "Something, anything, I certainly wouldn't be hiding in this temple waiting for the axe to fall."
"Hiding? Think you that what we're doing?"
"I don't see anything that suggests otherwise," Revan shot back.
"Lack vision you do," Yoda huffed, "Always this was your problem. Already guaranteed Palpatine's defeat is. Met already the Jedi who will do so you have."
Revan thought for a moment. He knew Yoda was not referring to himself, likewise Master Windu was too obvious a choice, and Obi-Wan was simply not strong enough to challenge Palpatine. "It's that boy with the anger problem, Anakin, isn't it? He's the only Jedi I've met with the potential strength to beat Palpatine."
Yoda nodded, "Strong and wise the Jedi of your time were. Serves you well your insight does, make clear much that we try to hide."
"And I see that the Jedi Council of this time is just as manipulative as they were in mine," Revan said with disdain. "Why are you placing so much on the shoulders of one boy?"
"Special he is," Yoda said. "Named by prophecy, yes. Chosen One he is, restore balance to the Force he will. To answer your next question, know not his special destiny Anakin does. Arrive at it on his own terms he will. Some mistakes, repeat we will not."
"You are still asking a lot from him whether or not he knows it."
"Such is the duty of all Jedi," Yoda countered. "Sorely tested he will be, but in the end do what is right he will."
"You sound awfully confident in your vision of the future," Revan commented.
"Think I am wrong are you?"
Revan stopped pacing, "I'm just trying to figure out what I'm doing here if it's not to stop Palpatine?"
"Claim the Force sent you to defeat Palpatine then?" Yoda asked.
"Who said anything about the Force? I'm here and the reason why doesn't really matter because I'm going to do what I think is right. A galaxy ruled by the Sith is an evil to be avoided at all costs."
"Even if greater evil your actions cause?"
"How certain are you that this greater evil will happen?" Revan shot back. "It could be a vision from the Dark Side to cloud your mind."
"Can be said the same of your vision. Based on assumptions your argument is."
"It's not an assumption that the Sith are evil!" Revan snapped.
"Appreciate the whole picture once again you do not. Perhaps the reason you are here this is."
"And what's that? To sit on my hands and watch billions die. Even if it's a doomed attempt I'd rather go out doing something than running away."
"Fighting the tide a Jedi does not," Yoda intoned. "Float with the current a Jedi should."
"This current has a nasty riptide," Revan said darkly. "One that's looking to wipe the Jedi from the face of the galaxy. Trust me, the Sith will gladly burn an entire planet to kill a single Jedi."
"Aware of the Sith's hatred of Jedi I am," Yoda replied. "Lecture me not on their past sins."
"Then don't you think it will arouse Palpatine's suspicions when the entire Order goes into hiding to avoid the inevitable purges?" Revan paused. "That's not going to happen is it?"
For the first time in their conversation Yoda looked shamefaced. "Search for a few scraps less inclined Palpatine will be if slaughtered he thinks the Order is. Many will die yes, but in vain their sacrifices will not be."
Revan could appreciate the logic behind Yoda's plan, but he still found it distasteful, "That sounds like something my former self would say," he told Yoda. "How did you get the Council to agree to such a thing?"
Yoda's ears fell, "Knows not the Council does," he admitted with a sigh.
"You decided to allow the entire Jedi Order to be wiped out on your own?" Revan could not believe what he was hearing. Once again the hubris of a Jedi Master was endangering the galaxy.
"Consulted with Master Windu I did. Agree with me he does. So would the rest of the Council if they knew. Easier that they do not."
"And what happens when I go to the Council and tell them about you and Master Windu's private agenda?" Revan threatened.
"Unfortunate that would be, bring about the Dark Times you would. Know this, out of balance the Force is. If not restored, jeopardized will be our ability to reach the Force."
"I don't see how allowing Palpatine to destroy the galaxy would correct that, unless you think the Order needs to be destroyed in order to save it."
"Restoring balance and defeating the Sith the priorities are. Without one the other cannot happen. Linked the Sith are with the taint. Sometimes lose the battle to win the war you must." Yoda said defensively. "Familiar with this strategy you are yes?"
"I was a different person then," Revan said defensively. "Besides isn't it a little hypocritical to criticize the decisions that lead to my former strategies and then use those same strategies to justify your actions?"
"Do not think lightly made this decision was," Yoda snapped.
"I'm not, but perhaps you need a fresh set of eyes to evaluate the situation. If you stare at a problem for too long you can sometimes become focused on one possible solution to the exclusion of all others."
"Yes, very true that is. The reason why I asked Master Windu in fact. Agreed with me he did, though happy with himself he is not."
Revan frowned, "There's something you're not telling me about this. It can't be as straight forward as a single Sith Lord poisoning the Force in an attempt to take over the galaxy."
"Yes, yes, powerful forces at work, powerful. Trust in the Force you should, good will in the end prevail."
"That's taking more on faith than I'm accustomed to," Revan said.
"Jedi of action you are indeed, a rare thing these days I think. Too few Jedi like you now," Yoda mused to himself mostly. "Too little too late. Sooner perhaps a change was possible, but now on the path firmly we are."
"The path?" Revan asked.
"Hmm? Yes the path, the chain of events that lead to Palpatine's ascendancy. Seen them I have. Known them for years, even before Palpatine was born. Did what I could to sabotage the Sith master plan. Cast now the dice are, see where they now fall remains."
"I refuse to accept that," Revan said. "There has to be something I can do to prevent this from happening."
"Prevent Palpatine from conquering the galaxy yes, you can do that. Repair the damage to the Force? Only the Chosen One can do that."
"I'm strong in the Force, tell me what needs to be done and I'll do it."
Yoda intently stared at Revan, "You would, without knowing the cost you would." He shook his head. "Made of legends you are," Yoda muttered to himself. "But no, closed to you that path is, as it is for me. Wish it were not so I do, but that is the way of the Force. Any action you make now, strengthen Palpatine's position it will." To emphasis his point Yoda turned on the holo-emitter in the room.
A newscast sprung to life "...And to repeat our top story. Chancellor Palpatine narrowly escaped an assassination attempt last night. Details are still sketchy but sources inside the Chancellor's office claim it to be the work of the Separatist Movement. If true it would mark a shift in tactics of the radical fringe movement agitating for secession from the Republic..." Yoda switched off the program and looked at Revan.
"You were the assassin they are talking about. Aided Palpatine's designs you have. Now more sympathy in the Republic he has, sympathy he can use to tighten his grip on the Republic."
"He's shrewd," Revan admitted. "But this is more for my benefit than his. If he wanted he could make me the most wanted man in the galaxy, but he's not. That's going to change when he realizes I won't turn to the Dark Side."
Yoda nodded, "Fear you I think Palpatine does. Will not stop until one of you is dead."
Revan fixed his gaze at Yoda, "That is what I was hoping for." Before Yoda could reply Revan felt a surge of emotion from Bastila. Revan leapt to his feet without even realizing it.
"Danger you sense?" Yoda asked.
"It's Bastila," Revan replied. He rushed out the door with Yoda close behind him on his hover chair.
Revan tore through the Temple ignoring the disapproving looks cast his way as he sped past Jedi. Intellectually he knew that Bastila was fine. Neither Palpatine or his apprentice were powerful enough to openly attack the Temple and Bastila could handle herself against anyone else. However, after the events of the past few days Revan was not in the mood to take any chances. Revan burst through the door to Bastila's room, his lightsaber at the ready.
Bastila was standing over a headless corpse dressed in full body armor. Her lightsaber was out, but not activated. "He was an Iridorian I think," Bastila said without preamble. "The markings on the armor are the giveaway. I wanted to take him prisoner, to find out who sent him, but the bloodlust had already taken hold of him and there was no way I could restrain him." Without saying a word Revan walked over to Bastila and wrapped his arms around her. "Revan, I hardly think this is the time or place."
"No," Revan said, "It's always the time and place."
Bastila pulled away from Revan, there was something about his tone of voice that she did not like. "What happened at the Chancellor's palace?"
"Oh no, I'm not the one standing over a dead body, you go first."
Bastila shrugged, "I woke up and found him standing over me with a vibroblade. You can see what happened next."
"Sent by the Sith he was," Yoda said as he entered the room. "Glad I am you are unharmed Bastila Shan."
Revan slipped an arm around Bastila's waist and pulled her closer to him. She could feel the apprehension rolling off of Revan in waves. Bastila wondered what had caused this reaction to the kindly little Jedi Master. "I'm glad as well Master Yoda. It seems Temple security has gotten quite a bit laxer than I recall."
Yoda bowed his head, "Disturbed I am by this incident. Speak with the head of security I will immediately. Leave you two alone now, much you have to discuss I'm sure." The ancient Jedi floated out of the room chuckling to himself.
Bastila turned and faced Revan, "What did that mean? What happened Revan?" She asked in a threatening tone.
In the lair of Darth Sidious Count Dooku approached his dark master. "My lord, I have news about the Iridorian. He was not successful in his attempt."
"I did not think he would be," Sidious said. "Nor was it my intent that he be successful. These two are not like any Jedi you've ever encountered. They come from an age of legends, to underestimate their strength is folly."
"I do not like playing games like this with enemies this dangerous," Dooku said. "We should crush them now before they become more powerful."
"Yes, they could be quite the formidable pair," Palpatine agreed. "Give them even the smallest fleet and they could smash the Republic. It's an intriguing thought is it not?"
"But wouldn't they end up challenging us for supremacy of the Sith?" Dooku asked.
"If they were somehow able to best us then they deserve the title Sith," Palpatine replied. "That is the Sith Way after all, and you would be wise to remember that Tyrannus."
Dooku bowed his head, "Yes master. All the same, are you sure this is wise? Revan will reveal your identify to the Council."
"He's welcome to do so, the Council won't believe him."
"Then I presume you're planning to discredit Revan in the eyes of the Council?" Dooku asked.
"Your deviousness is a credit to you," Palpatine replied. "I think we should release pictures of my would be assassin, and leak to the press papers linking an unidentified Jedi Master to the Separatist movement."
"And it wouldn't even be a lie," Dooku said with a chuckle.
"The best lies are those built on a kernel of truth," Palpatine declared.
"I understand now master, you intend to cut Revan off from all his means of support, back him into a corner and force him to confront you directly. A very sound plan, but Revan is a master strategist, what if he sees through your plot? For that matter are you sure Yoda will be fooled by your dissembling? He is the wisest of the Council and he can see much that is hidden."
"Do not fret my apprentice," Palpatine said dismissively. "Revan and Bastila will come to us. I have foreseen it," he finished confidently.
Dooku shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He always felt disquieted whenever Sidious prophesized. Divination was an inexact art at best and prone to error. He remembered admonishing a great many Padawans of that fact after they first gazed into the future while he was still with the Order.
His recollections of his time as a Jedi caused even more unrest within Dooku. He was certain that leaving the Order he had dedicated so much of his life to was the correct decision, but it still had been a hard decision to make. However he was certain that the Republic was failing and that the galaxy needed order and stability. The darkness that haunted his dreams for years told him so, there was a tremendous danger waiting out there beyond the edge of the galaxe. The survival of the galaxy demanded strong leadership, the sort that the Republic and the Jedi were unable to provide. Comforted in the surety of his decision once again Dooku refocused his attention on his master.
"Yes, Revan will come to me," Palpatine said, not noticing Dooku's introspection. "He will come to me and either be defeated or fall to the Dark Side. Either way he will cease to be a threat to our plans. I think it is time that Count Dooku lets slip Aarn Delwynn's sympathies towards the Separatists." Dooku bowed and strode out of the chamber, leaving Palpatine behind to mull over his dark visions.
-to be continued-
Author's Notes: oooo, wasn't that a juicy twist? A bit over the top? Maybe, but it does explain how Palpatine hoodwinks the Council, and it gives the Jedi Order a bit of a Bene Gesserit/Aes Sedai feel, only with little green aliens who talk funny. At least that's the goal, whether or not it's successful is left up to the reader. Also, Yoda remains a bitch to write, this chapter was my own private hell. Chapter 16 is already underway, only four more chapters until I can work on something new. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
-sam
by: Sam Lincoln
Rating: PG
Summary: A hyperspace accident throws Bastila and Revan into a galaxy of intrigue. Whatever happend to happily ever after?
Spoilers: If you haven't finished the game you'll be damn lost.
Trouble: Chapter FifteenBastila sat on the edge of her bed and stared out her window as dawn crept up over the Coruscant skyline. She had been unable to sleep all night, her thoughts had been too consumed with worry over Revan out on his misadventure. The Force bond told her that he was in some sort of danger. She knew he probably wouldn't come to much physical harm, but the possible damage to his soul was another matter.
"It's so typical of him," she fumed to herself. "He might be the greatest military mind of his generation, but he still lacks caution." Revan's problem was that there was no challenge too great for him. His whole life could be chronicled by the impossible odds he faced and overcame. First there was the Mandalorian War, followed by his initial search for the Star Forge, his survival of Malak's betrayal, and the defeat of Malak at the Star Forge. No matter how long the odds Revan would tackle a problem with the expectation that he could solve it. It was cliché to say it, but Revan's greatest strength was also his greatest weakness. The problem was not that Revan acted impulsively, even his most spontaneous decisions had contingency plans for its contingency plans -- but Revan was human and no one could account for every possible outcome. However, Revan sometimes failed to acknowledge this. It was because of Revan's surety that caused his fall to the Dark Side. He thought he could fight the Mandalorians on their own terms and escape unscathed. However with each battle he lost a little bit of his soul, and by the time he realized what he had lost he was past caring.
Now Revan was committed to stopping the Sith. Bastila could understand Revan's zeal, he was trying to atone for the sins of his old self. However, something seemed out of place to Bastila She could not help but think that some terrible truth was just at the edge of her understanding. The vision she had on Rakata only reinforced that feeling in her. Revan had charged headlong into a delicate situation -- if there was one thing that had remained a constant from Bastila's time to the present it was that galactic politics were never straight forward -- without a care for anything but stopping the Sith. She hoped that whatever was being hidden from them would not catch Revan in a vulnerable position.
That thought lead her down even more unpleasant avenues. What if Revan was consumed by this quest? If Revan did fall back to the Dark Side would she have the strength to defeat him? She knew that the return of Darth Revan would spell disaster for the rest of the galaxy. Bastila remembered how cunning and ruthless Revan had been in his conquest of the Republic. A force of darkness like that would scythe through the Republic in its current disorganized state.
If Revan did fall Bastila knew that she would have to face him. Master Yoda and the rest of the Council were strong, but they had never directly a Sith Lord, not like Bastila had. "But could I do it again?" She asked herself. The first time she'd faced Darth Revan she had not known the man behind the mask. If Revan fell again she would not be facing down Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith, but Revan, the man she loved.
"How he found the strength to battle me on the Star Forge I'll never know," she said to herself. The concept of duty was one that was heavily ingrained in Bastila, and she knew that duty demanded she oppose Revan if he fell, but even so her heart rebelled at the thought of having to face Revan in combat.
"But Revan did fight me," Bastila thought then paused, "No, he fought for me. It wasn't me he was fighting, but the Dark Side that controlled me. He saw past the darkness that had consumed me and was able to find the kernel of light that lay buried in my soul." She straightened her shoulders and stared at the rising sun. "If the unthinkable does happen, if he does fall to the Dark Side I owe it to him to do the same because the Dark Side can never totally consume a person. If there is anything Revan has proven to me it is that." Even as she spoke though doubt crept through her mind. Darth Revan would undoubtedly try to bring her back to the Dark Side. Would she have the strength to resist him?
Angry with herself she tamped down her doubts, "Revan will find a way to win, just like he always does, and we can then find some quiet place to live without the Sith or the Jedi to bother us." However, the words sounded hollow to her. "After all," she thought "I said the same thing following the destruction of the Star Forge and so far that wish has failed to come to pass."
Through their bond Bastila felt Revan relax. She knew that he was out of whatever danger he had been in. Secure in the knowledge that Revan would soon be back she finally managed to clear her mind and descended into a meditative trance.
Revan walked into the Jedi Temple with his make-shift cloak still thrown over his armor. He looked around to see if anyone he knew was in the main atrium of the large building. He did not want to try to explain what he had been up to.
"Adventures have you tonight?" Yoda asked Revan from the shadows. Revan spun around and saw the diminutive green Jedi floating towards him on a small hover chair.
"Master Yoda," Revan said with a bow. "I was just out for a bit of fresh air.
Yoda wrinkled his nose, "Some walk, smell like blasters you do."
Revan debated telling Yoda what he knew, he decided it was better to be upfront with the Jed Master, "Master Yoda, there's something I need to tell you..."
Yoda held up a clawed hand, "Much to discuss we have, but not here. Follow me you should." Yoda turned his hover chair around and floated off down the hall. Revan followed Yoda to his personal quarters. "Shielded these rooms are," Yoda said as he hopped off his hover chair and walked over to a large cushion in the corner of the room. "Come sit," Yoda motioned for Revan to sit down on a low-slung couch.
Revan sat down on the couch. "Master Yoda, first let me say how grateful I am for the way you have treated Bastila and I while we've been here..."
"Nonsense, redeemed you both were. Treat you like any other Jedi we have."
"Still, it's more than I expected, and that's what makes this so hard." Revan knew he had to tell Yoda what he knew, but without any hard proof he had no idea how he was going to make the Jedi Master believe him.
Yoda sighed, "Discovered the identity of the Sith Lord you have. Worried you are how I will take the news that it is Palpatine."
Revan blinked in surprise, "Well yes..." he paused as Yoda's statement fully sunk in. "You know?"
"Of course I know," Yoda harrumphed. "Jedi Master am I not?"
Revan's mind whirled at Yoda's revelation. "How long have you known." He finally asked.
Yoda's ears sagged. "For a long time, but not nearly long enough," Yoda said. "Since Naboo have we known for certain."
"And why haven't you revealed who he is to the Senate?"
"Already the Chancellor Palpatine was when we learned. To challenge him now, tear apart the Republic it would."
"But you can't let him remain Chancellor, he's destroying the Republic from the inside out!" Revan exclaimed.
Yoda sighed, "Hastening the fall yes, but crumbling the Republic already was."
"Oh, well that makes all the difference," Revan said sarcastically.
"Listen first to what I have to say then judge you should," Yoda said sharply.
"I'm sorry Master Yoda, please tell me everything," Revan said in a voice that hardly sounded mollified.
"Long has the Republic enjoyed peace and prosperity," Yoda said. "Too long perhaps. Complacent people grow. More concerned with their profits than the Republic they are. Corruption this lead to. Corruption Palpatine used in his ascension."
"I figured that much out," Revan snapped. "I understand your reluctance to move against Palpatine, it would not be easy to unseat him and cause tremendous turmoil in the Republic. What I don't understand is how he got where he is without you finding out his true identity, and why you are so reluctant to do anything about it."
"Two reasons there are, both intertwined around one fact. Failing the Force is. Feel the taint can you not?"
Revan nodded his head, "Ever since I arrived."
"Long have the Sith been poisoning the Force." Yoda sighed, "Though as much to blame the Jedi are. Complacent we grew along with the galaxy. Too sure in our abilities we were. Blind we are to Palpatine's machinations."
Revan digested what Yoda said. "You said there were two reasons, what is the second?"
"Prophecy," Yoda replied.
"Prophecy is a dangerous game," Revan warned. "It rarely tells the full story."
"Lecturing me on the dangers of prophecy are you?" Yoda asked. He arched an eyebrow to emphasize his point. "Know well I do the risks there are in prophecy. In motion the future is, but always the same my visions are. Great darkness the galaxy is headed for."
"Yes, I saw that, and it's because of Palpatine," Revan interjected.
"No, if Palpatine is removed worse the result is," Yoda replied. "Listened have you not? Dying is the Republic. Soon it will crumble. Without a cause to rally around, splinter and fragment will the Republic. Great the chaos will be. Many hundreds of years it will take for order to be restored."
"And I suppose if you allow Palpatine to conquer the galaxy that will give people something more substantive to rally against?" Revan guessed.
"Clever you are," Yoda said.
"Are you sure it's worth millions, if not billions, of lives to teach the galaxy a civics lesson?" Revan asked tartly.
"A galaxy without Jedi the alternative is!" Yoda said brusquely. "Failing is the Order. Fewer Jedi there are, weaker too. Too long have we continued, unchanged, stagnant. Paying the price for our pride we are."
"I never thought I would hear a Jedi Master sound so defeatist," Revan said accusingly.
"Defeatist? Perhaps, but what would you do differently?"
Revan stood up and began to pace. "Something, anything, I certainly wouldn't be hiding in this temple waiting for the axe to fall."
"Hiding? Think you that what we're doing?"
"I don't see anything that suggests otherwise," Revan shot back.
"Lack vision you do," Yoda huffed, "Always this was your problem. Already guaranteed Palpatine's defeat is. Met already the Jedi who will do so you have."
Revan thought for a moment. He knew Yoda was not referring to himself, likewise Master Windu was too obvious a choice, and Obi-Wan was simply not strong enough to challenge Palpatine. "It's that boy with the anger problem, Anakin, isn't it? He's the only Jedi I've met with the potential strength to beat Palpatine."
Yoda nodded, "Strong and wise the Jedi of your time were. Serves you well your insight does, make clear much that we try to hide."
"And I see that the Jedi Council of this time is just as manipulative as they were in mine," Revan said with disdain. "Why are you placing so much on the shoulders of one boy?"
"Special he is," Yoda said. "Named by prophecy, yes. Chosen One he is, restore balance to the Force he will. To answer your next question, know not his special destiny Anakin does. Arrive at it on his own terms he will. Some mistakes, repeat we will not."
"You are still asking a lot from him whether or not he knows it."
"Such is the duty of all Jedi," Yoda countered. "Sorely tested he will be, but in the end do what is right he will."
"You sound awfully confident in your vision of the future," Revan commented.
"Think I am wrong are you?"
Revan stopped pacing, "I'm just trying to figure out what I'm doing here if it's not to stop Palpatine?"
"Claim the Force sent you to defeat Palpatine then?" Yoda asked.
"Who said anything about the Force? I'm here and the reason why doesn't really matter because I'm going to do what I think is right. A galaxy ruled by the Sith is an evil to be avoided at all costs."
"Even if greater evil your actions cause?"
"How certain are you that this greater evil will happen?" Revan shot back. "It could be a vision from the Dark Side to cloud your mind."
"Can be said the same of your vision. Based on assumptions your argument is."
"It's not an assumption that the Sith are evil!" Revan snapped.
"Appreciate the whole picture once again you do not. Perhaps the reason you are here this is."
"And what's that? To sit on my hands and watch billions die. Even if it's a doomed attempt I'd rather go out doing something than running away."
"Fighting the tide a Jedi does not," Yoda intoned. "Float with the current a Jedi should."
"This current has a nasty riptide," Revan said darkly. "One that's looking to wipe the Jedi from the face of the galaxy. Trust me, the Sith will gladly burn an entire planet to kill a single Jedi."
"Aware of the Sith's hatred of Jedi I am," Yoda replied. "Lecture me not on their past sins."
"Then don't you think it will arouse Palpatine's suspicions when the entire Order goes into hiding to avoid the inevitable purges?" Revan paused. "That's not going to happen is it?"
For the first time in their conversation Yoda looked shamefaced. "Search for a few scraps less inclined Palpatine will be if slaughtered he thinks the Order is. Many will die yes, but in vain their sacrifices will not be."
Revan could appreciate the logic behind Yoda's plan, but he still found it distasteful, "That sounds like something my former self would say," he told Yoda. "How did you get the Council to agree to such a thing?"
Yoda's ears fell, "Knows not the Council does," he admitted with a sigh.
"You decided to allow the entire Jedi Order to be wiped out on your own?" Revan could not believe what he was hearing. Once again the hubris of a Jedi Master was endangering the galaxy.
"Consulted with Master Windu I did. Agree with me he does. So would the rest of the Council if they knew. Easier that they do not."
"And what happens when I go to the Council and tell them about you and Master Windu's private agenda?" Revan threatened.
"Unfortunate that would be, bring about the Dark Times you would. Know this, out of balance the Force is. If not restored, jeopardized will be our ability to reach the Force."
"I don't see how allowing Palpatine to destroy the galaxy would correct that, unless you think the Order needs to be destroyed in order to save it."
"Restoring balance and defeating the Sith the priorities are. Without one the other cannot happen. Linked the Sith are with the taint. Sometimes lose the battle to win the war you must." Yoda said defensively. "Familiar with this strategy you are yes?"
"I was a different person then," Revan said defensively. "Besides isn't it a little hypocritical to criticize the decisions that lead to my former strategies and then use those same strategies to justify your actions?"
"Do not think lightly made this decision was," Yoda snapped.
"I'm not, but perhaps you need a fresh set of eyes to evaluate the situation. If you stare at a problem for too long you can sometimes become focused on one possible solution to the exclusion of all others."
"Yes, very true that is. The reason why I asked Master Windu in fact. Agreed with me he did, though happy with himself he is not."
Revan frowned, "There's something you're not telling me about this. It can't be as straight forward as a single Sith Lord poisoning the Force in an attempt to take over the galaxy."
"Yes, yes, powerful forces at work, powerful. Trust in the Force you should, good will in the end prevail."
"That's taking more on faith than I'm accustomed to," Revan said.
"Jedi of action you are indeed, a rare thing these days I think. Too few Jedi like you now," Yoda mused to himself mostly. "Too little too late. Sooner perhaps a change was possible, but now on the path firmly we are."
"The path?" Revan asked.
"Hmm? Yes the path, the chain of events that lead to Palpatine's ascendancy. Seen them I have. Known them for years, even before Palpatine was born. Did what I could to sabotage the Sith master plan. Cast now the dice are, see where they now fall remains."
"I refuse to accept that," Revan said. "There has to be something I can do to prevent this from happening."
"Prevent Palpatine from conquering the galaxy yes, you can do that. Repair the damage to the Force? Only the Chosen One can do that."
"I'm strong in the Force, tell me what needs to be done and I'll do it."
Yoda intently stared at Revan, "You would, without knowing the cost you would." He shook his head. "Made of legends you are," Yoda muttered to himself. "But no, closed to you that path is, as it is for me. Wish it were not so I do, but that is the way of the Force. Any action you make now, strengthen Palpatine's position it will." To emphasis his point Yoda turned on the holo-emitter in the room.
A newscast sprung to life "...And to repeat our top story. Chancellor Palpatine narrowly escaped an assassination attempt last night. Details are still sketchy but sources inside the Chancellor's office claim it to be the work of the Separatist Movement. If true it would mark a shift in tactics of the radical fringe movement agitating for secession from the Republic..." Yoda switched off the program and looked at Revan.
"You were the assassin they are talking about. Aided Palpatine's designs you have. Now more sympathy in the Republic he has, sympathy he can use to tighten his grip on the Republic."
"He's shrewd," Revan admitted. "But this is more for my benefit than his. If he wanted he could make me the most wanted man in the galaxy, but he's not. That's going to change when he realizes I won't turn to the Dark Side."
Yoda nodded, "Fear you I think Palpatine does. Will not stop until one of you is dead."
Revan fixed his gaze at Yoda, "That is what I was hoping for." Before Yoda could reply Revan felt a surge of emotion from Bastila. Revan leapt to his feet without even realizing it.
"Danger you sense?" Yoda asked.
"It's Bastila," Revan replied. He rushed out the door with Yoda close behind him on his hover chair.
Revan tore through the Temple ignoring the disapproving looks cast his way as he sped past Jedi. Intellectually he knew that Bastila was fine. Neither Palpatine or his apprentice were powerful enough to openly attack the Temple and Bastila could handle herself against anyone else. However, after the events of the past few days Revan was not in the mood to take any chances. Revan burst through the door to Bastila's room, his lightsaber at the ready.
Bastila was standing over a headless corpse dressed in full body armor. Her lightsaber was out, but not activated. "He was an Iridorian I think," Bastila said without preamble. "The markings on the armor are the giveaway. I wanted to take him prisoner, to find out who sent him, but the bloodlust had already taken hold of him and there was no way I could restrain him." Without saying a word Revan walked over to Bastila and wrapped his arms around her. "Revan, I hardly think this is the time or place."
"No," Revan said, "It's always the time and place."
Bastila pulled away from Revan, there was something about his tone of voice that she did not like. "What happened at the Chancellor's palace?"
"Oh no, I'm not the one standing over a dead body, you go first."
Bastila shrugged, "I woke up and found him standing over me with a vibroblade. You can see what happened next."
"Sent by the Sith he was," Yoda said as he entered the room. "Glad I am you are unharmed Bastila Shan."
Revan slipped an arm around Bastila's waist and pulled her closer to him. She could feel the apprehension rolling off of Revan in waves. Bastila wondered what had caused this reaction to the kindly little Jedi Master. "I'm glad as well Master Yoda. It seems Temple security has gotten quite a bit laxer than I recall."
Yoda bowed his head, "Disturbed I am by this incident. Speak with the head of security I will immediately. Leave you two alone now, much you have to discuss I'm sure." The ancient Jedi floated out of the room chuckling to himself.
Bastila turned and faced Revan, "What did that mean? What happened Revan?" She asked in a threatening tone.
In the lair of Darth Sidious Count Dooku approached his dark master. "My lord, I have news about the Iridorian. He was not successful in his attempt."
"I did not think he would be," Sidious said. "Nor was it my intent that he be successful. These two are not like any Jedi you've ever encountered. They come from an age of legends, to underestimate their strength is folly."
"I do not like playing games like this with enemies this dangerous," Dooku said. "We should crush them now before they become more powerful."
"Yes, they could be quite the formidable pair," Palpatine agreed. "Give them even the smallest fleet and they could smash the Republic. It's an intriguing thought is it not?"
"But wouldn't they end up challenging us for supremacy of the Sith?" Dooku asked.
"If they were somehow able to best us then they deserve the title Sith," Palpatine replied. "That is the Sith Way after all, and you would be wise to remember that Tyrannus."
Dooku bowed his head, "Yes master. All the same, are you sure this is wise? Revan will reveal your identify to the Council."
"He's welcome to do so, the Council won't believe him."
"Then I presume you're planning to discredit Revan in the eyes of the Council?" Dooku asked.
"Your deviousness is a credit to you," Palpatine replied. "I think we should release pictures of my would be assassin, and leak to the press papers linking an unidentified Jedi Master to the Separatist movement."
"And it wouldn't even be a lie," Dooku said with a chuckle.
"The best lies are those built on a kernel of truth," Palpatine declared.
"I understand now master, you intend to cut Revan off from all his means of support, back him into a corner and force him to confront you directly. A very sound plan, but Revan is a master strategist, what if he sees through your plot? For that matter are you sure Yoda will be fooled by your dissembling? He is the wisest of the Council and he can see much that is hidden."
"Do not fret my apprentice," Palpatine said dismissively. "Revan and Bastila will come to us. I have foreseen it," he finished confidently.
Dooku shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He always felt disquieted whenever Sidious prophesized. Divination was an inexact art at best and prone to error. He remembered admonishing a great many Padawans of that fact after they first gazed into the future while he was still with the Order.
His recollections of his time as a Jedi caused even more unrest within Dooku. He was certain that leaving the Order he had dedicated so much of his life to was the correct decision, but it still had been a hard decision to make. However he was certain that the Republic was failing and that the galaxy needed order and stability. The darkness that haunted his dreams for years told him so, there was a tremendous danger waiting out there beyond the edge of the galaxe. The survival of the galaxy demanded strong leadership, the sort that the Republic and the Jedi were unable to provide. Comforted in the surety of his decision once again Dooku refocused his attention on his master.
"Yes, Revan will come to me," Palpatine said, not noticing Dooku's introspection. "He will come to me and either be defeated or fall to the Dark Side. Either way he will cease to be a threat to our plans. I think it is time that Count Dooku lets slip Aarn Delwynn's sympathies towards the Separatists." Dooku bowed and strode out of the chamber, leaving Palpatine behind to mull over his dark visions.
-to be continued-
Author's Notes: oooo, wasn't that a juicy twist? A bit over the top? Maybe, but it does explain how Palpatine hoodwinks the Council, and it gives the Jedi Order a bit of a Bene Gesserit/Aes Sedai feel, only with little green aliens who talk funny. At least that's the goal, whether or not it's successful is left up to the reader. Also, Yoda remains a bitch to write, this chapter was my own private hell. Chapter 16 is already underway, only four more chapters until I can work on something new. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
-sam