Heart's Eye View – Chapter 4

Jedi Training & Bondage Basics

Disclaimer: George Lucas and Bioware own everything. I'm merely having some fun in their playground. Besides which, I'm just a poor, unemployed history major so suing me will get you nothing but the rights to my student loan payments.

The journey to Dantooine was uneventful. As we glided through the misty morning clouds we passed flights of birds, and I couldn't help but feel at peace. It was like this every time I returned here. No matter how awful the rest of the galaxy became, this place was inviolate, as if the darkness that ran rampant across the galaxy could not touch this place of peace and light.

Cart set the ship down gently at the landing port for the Jedi Enclave. I had to keep from breathing a sigh of relief. With everything that had happened, I was eager to report to the Masters. They needed to know what was occurring with Veran. I left the ship before the ramp had fully lowered. I knew I was being impatient, but I couldn't help but feel justified in my hurriedness. I proceeded quickly to the council chamber.

Master Vandar was the first to speak. "Relieved, we are, to see you again, Bastila. When we heard about the Endar Spire, we feared the worst."

"Indeed. We had hope that you had escaped to the surface of Taris, but with the Sith blockade, we were unable to get any information about survivors." Master Zhar added.

As always, Master Vrook appeared displeased. "We entrusted you with a grave responsibility, Bastila. It seems it was presumptuous of us to send you out without a Master to accompany you." I strove to control the blush that threatened to creep into my face.

"Still, the fact that you overcame such incredible odds is a testament to your skill, young padawan", Master Vandar interjected. "Still, the loss of Revan… of what was left of Revan is a grievous blow. All our efforts to capture and preserve him were for naught, it would seem."

I wanted to respond, but my Master spoke again. "I warned the council that this was a dangerous and futile effort. He should have died at the hands of his apprentice. It is better this way."

I didn't want to speak out of place, but I felt I had no choice. "Masters… forgive my impertinence, but Revan is not dead."

I could suddenly feel all 4 sets of eyes on me. "Explain yourself, Bastila. How is it that Revan lives?"

I launched into the tale of my capture by Brejik (though I will confess to taking Carth's advice about the bit about my lightsaber), and my rescue by Revan. I told them of my visions, and how he had also been experiencing them. Master Vrook looked concerned, and it was Master Zhar who spoke next. "Bring him before us, Bastila. It is obvious we can no longer hope to keep him on the outside of this."

I returned to the Ebon Hawk to find Carth and Veran waiting by the ramp. Mission and Zaalbar went wandering off to explore, while Canderous decided to stay onboard and go over the ship's damage. Carth and Veran seemed to be involved in some sort of argument. Apparently it was another in a long line of arguments on trust.

It was something they had started while looking for me, and had only grown more heated after my rescue. I was surprised to see the two of them just laugh and shake hands. Whatever had passed between them was obviously settled. I felt a small pang of guilt. Carth had lost much when his world was bombed by Malak's fleet while Revan was Dark Lord. If he knew who he was really shaking hands with, he might well kill him instead.

"Veran, the Council would like to see you immediately."

"The Jedi Council? Him? What's going on, Bastila?" Carth's brow furled in surprise.

"I'm sorry, Carth, but this is Jedi business. I'm afraid I can't tell you. Trust the wisdom of the Council."

"Alright, Bastila, we'll do things your way. For now."

I led Veran to the Council Chamber with only a brief interruption by Belaya. The fool tried to scold Veran for not wearing the robes of the Order. I admired the way he handled her. I would not have been as polite, I fear. She of all people had no right to call me headstrong and impulsive. She might try looking in the mirror sometime.

With that distraction out of the way, the Council proceeded to interrogate Veran for his version of events. Unsurprisingly, ours matched almost flawlessly, though I couldn't help but notice how he casually mentioned how he rescued me, but this was not the place for petty arguments. The Masters would know the truth of the situation.

They explained that he and I were linked, though when he asked how, they passed it off as something the Force had decided. Not a lie, but not the truth either. It was then that it struck me at how adept the Council was at such deception. For a moment, I could not help but wonder what I may have been told that had such fine shading. I immediately chastised myself for such thoughts. The Council would never manipulate their own in such a way. Ve… Revan was a special case. They acknowledged his potential to wield the Force, and to my surprise, they began to debate whether or not to train him. My Master objected most strongly, and when he commented on the Dark Lord's return, Vandar seized the moment to make this a closed session, and sent Veran and me back to the Hawk while they deliberated.

We all ate together on the Ebon Hawk, and talked about what happened at Taris. Mission tried to seem upbeat, but it was obvious it was wearing hard on her. Canderous, of course, cared little. Despite the Council's wishes, I was glad Revan and Malak beat the Mandalorians back. Brutes, all of them. Veran spent most of the evening playing Pazaak with Mission and Carth, and winning, apparently. By the end of the evening, both swore then wouldn't play with him again, at least not for credits. Canderous and Zaalbar were arguing over how to realign the ion drive for a faster burn.

I couldn't help but feel like an outsider, in some ways. All of them had grown up in a relaxed environment, with friends and family. Padawans did not socialize in the same way as the outside world, and tonight it showed painfully. I felt jealous of the lives they had lead, and thought of my father for the first time in years. I immediately suppressed the images, and went back to the women's bunks to meditate on the Jedi Code. The Masters were right: emotional entanglements were dangerous. These were allies, not friends. It was likely I would never see any of them again after they left Dantooine.

I would like to say that sleep that night was a release from my concerns, but it wasn't. In my dreams, I was swept into a vision, of Revan, dressed as when he stood on the bridge of the Titan, and a younger Malak without the cybernetic jaw. Revan was pacing impatiently in front of some ruins I had seen once not too far from the Enclave. Malak was expressing fear of what would happen if they broke the seal on the tomb, and how they would never be allowed back into the Order if they proceeded. Without a word, Revan broke the seal, opened the doors, and walked in. Malak, as he had done all his life, followed faithfully behind his friend.

I awoke from the dream, startled and sweating. I knew Veran had seen the same thing. I could feel his presence in the vision. This wasn't like the last one we had shared. I had assumed we were reliving the same battle. This was a memory fragment of the original Revan! Could he actually be recovering his memories? I nearly ran to the Council Chamber in my undergarments. I got a hold of myself, dressed, and tried to walk there in a calm natural manner. Carth had awakened early and was working on one of the ventral landing thrusters. I nodded to him nonchalantly and proceeded to find Master Vandar in chambers.

"Most disturbing this is, Bastila. It seems our hope that we could learn Revan's secrets was not a vain one. Though your Master objects, we have decided to take Veran Shadowfyre as an apprentice. Opening his mind to the Force can only enhance his recovery, and he should be able to help us find a weakness in the Sith plans."

The other Masters had entered at this time. "It will be your responsibility to watch him carefully, Bastila. This is a risky plan, and should the Dark Lord return, you may be forced to kill him before he can betray us all a second time. Do you understand?" Of course, it was Vrook who had added this.

"Does this mean I am to remain with him?"

Zhar nodded. "Indeed, Padawan Bastila. In fact, I would like you to assist me with his training. He knows you and would obviously feel more at ease with you. Your bond should also allow you to better anticipate each other. Besides, it would do you some good to see how the early training should be handled."

I felt a small swell of pride at that comment. Only Knights and Masters were allowed to train apprentices. That meant my own trials could not be far off. If I succeeded with Veran and stopped the war, surely I would be given my knighthood. It was all I had dreamed of, since I was a child, first brought to the Enclave for training.

Moments later, Revan strode into the chamber, looking as shaken as I had felt earlier. He bowed to the council, and Master Vandar acknowledged him. "Bastila has told of us the vision the two of you shared. It is now obvious more than ever that the Force has chosen you to help stop Malak. After much deliberation, we have decided to offer you training in the ways of the Force"

Veran raised his eyebrows and blinked twice, then smiled sheepishly. "I don't know if I'm worthy of such an honor. Aren't I a little old for this?"

"It is rare but not unheard of, to take an apprentice at your age. Make no mistake. This will be a long and difficult road, and if you choose to take it, your life will no longer be your own." Zhar's head tails twitched as he spoke.

Lowering his head, Veran considered for several minutes before finally looking up. "I accept the offer. I don't' know if I am cut out to be a Jedi, but I will give it my best."

Vrook finally spoke, his eyes narrowing. "Be mindful of your feelings, apprentice. The path to the dark side is quick and seductive, and we have lost many of our own to its embrace If you are not vigilant, I am afraid you may find yourself traveling down an all-too-familiar path."

Veran stiffened, and a serious expression came over his face, a look I was not used to seeing on him. "I understand. I won't let you down." His eyes then glanced for a moment over at me. "Any of you."

Vandar nodded and smiled. "Good, good. Master Zhar will train you in the ways of the Force, and Bastila will be your training partner. The two of you share a special bond, usually reserved for Master and padawan. She is young, but in this area, she is more experienced than you. Feel free to share with her, and anyone else here, any concerns, problems, or fears that you may have during your training. Just as we draw from the Force, so can the Jedi draw from each other."

I was not so nervous as I thought I would be. Originally, I had hoped the Masters would relieve me of the burden of this passionate, impulsive man, but now I found myself warming to the thought of training with him. Revan may have been raised by the Order, but Veran Shadowfyre knew much of the galaxy outside the Enclave, and I wanted to know more about him, and what it was like living one's own life. I knew his memories were false, but they were real to him, and this would give me an excuse to experience another life, if only vicariously. I would never give up being a Jedi, but sometimes I could not help but wonder what I would have been like if Mother hadn't foisted me off on the Order at her earliest convenience. Yes, I was looking forward to this.

The weeks sped by. Carth and the others decided to stay on Dantooine. Carth had contacted the fleet, and Admiral Dodonna gave him his long-overdue shore leave. Apparently the Sith had ceased their aggressive advances for the time being, and Carth was not needed on the front lines any time soon. The Republic was regrouping and rebuilding as quickly as it could, as was the Council. It was obvious that a lot of hope was being placed on Veran, though no one spoke of it openly.

Veran mastered the basics with a speed that bordered on miraculous. He accomplished in just 4 weeks what took me 4 years as a child. The other padawans were whispering. Some claimed he was the vergence in the Force, prophesied long ago by the ancient Masters when the order was first founded. Master Vrook scoffed openly at these rumors, but Vandar and Zhar stayed silent on the matter. I would have ridiculed it as well if I had not seen him levitating 4chairs and himself and a datapad in the air on only his second week. Even Revan had not learned so quickly. Some amnesiacs keep combat skills and reflex actions. Could it be that his Jedi training has survived on some subconscious level?

I did not have the answers, and neither did Master Zhar. He did not let this deter him from training Veran as thoroughly as he could. I am not ashamed to admit it, but it wasn't long until he was besting me in our dueling sessions. My fear of what he might become grew, as did my respect for him. He was kind, but brash; funny, but arrogant. There was so much light in him, but I knew that light could cast a shadow darker than anything we had ever seen if it grew to blind him.

We spent a lot of time together. He could sense the Council's silent concern, and the rumors of the other padawans. He withdrew from everyone but Zhar, myself, and those who came with us from Taris. It was obvious that he felt more comfortable with that motley band of misfits than with the Order, and I could sympathize. My own headstrong nature kept me at odds with everyone around me. I knew my emotional control was not as good as it could be, and so I tried harder than anyone else to be the best Jedi I could be. Let them call me rash; I would be the council's perfect instrument.

Veran would often come to me to debate the Jedi Code. It amazed me how he would argue against what he called "impracticalities" in the Code. I was scandalized. Rashness was one thing, but the Code was absolute. I realized how dangerous he was all too well. Towards the end of his apprenticeship, the call chime went off, waking me. I slipped into a wrap and found him waiting.

"Veran, do you know what time it is?"

"Of course I do. That's the point. Come on." He gestured with his head and then started walking. Without really thinking, I followed him. "Where are you going?"

"Out. I've been in this enclave for almost a month. I want to see what the plains of Dantooine are like, and lie out beneath the stars. Since you're my appointed guardian, I figured I should let you know so you could tag along and keep me out of trouble." He bypassed the security on one of the maintenance tubes and proceeded inside.

"You cannot go out! Not until you've completed your apprenticeship! You know that! The Council said…"

"I know what the Council said, and I don't care. I'm a scout. I've lived my entire life moving from one place to another, seeing new and different things. As fun as training has been, I want to see Dantooine, and I'm going, with or without you. Now you can either go back to your quarters and pout, or you can come with me. Either way, feel free to report me in the morning."

"I do NOT pout! And you're quite right, I will inform the council of your delinquent behavior. As for letting you out, since I cannot stop you, I will have to accompany you. The kath hounds have been more violent of late. They may not be nocturnal, but no one should be out there alone. If you insist on this foolishness, I have no choice but to protect you."

"There now, that wasn't such a difficult decision, was it?" After a few minutes of crawling through maintenance shafts, Veran opened a panel that led to the outside of the Enclave. He helped me out of the tube, and then just looked up at the stars, smiling. "By the Force, I've missed this. Now where to…"

I sighed and shook my head. Perhaps I could keep him from doing anything too foolish. "Follow me, I have a favorite spot for stargazing."

"You? Stargaze? Forgive me for saying so, Bas, but you don't seem the type."

"That alone should prove to you that things are not always what they seem. I have loved looking at the stars ever since I was a little girl. Here we are." Not far from the Enclave was a small pond, surrounded by a field of wildflowers. The moons reflected off the still water of the pond and just for a moment, you could almost believe it was a mirror of glass, instead of water.

"I take it back, Bas. You really know how topic a spot." He laid himself down next to the pond and looked up. I sat cross-legged and leaned back looking up.

"My father used to take me out at night and help me name the stars." I said wistfully.

"There is something I've been wanting to ask you, Bas, but I've been reluctant to", he said after a prolonged period of silence.

"Feel free. And for the last time, please don't call me that."

"Sorry, Bastila. I know we're bonded. But what else does this mean besides sharing random visions of Revan and Malak? I've asked Zhar and Vandar and they've been very polite and very evasive. So now I'm asking you. What does this do to us?"

I closed my eyes for a moment and collected myself. I had known this would come. "The bond means we can share emotional experiences. Jedi have always been able to read others' feelings, but a bond of this nature means that such perceptions are easier, and span much greater distances than normal, even for a Jedi. They can also be rather… intense. As you grow more adept, its even possible that such a bond would become telepathic in nature, allowing a sharing of thoughts and mingling of minds."

He lay silent for a moment. "That sounds incredibly… intimate."

At first I thought he was making a rather poor attempt at a come-on, but then I heard the tenseness in his voice.

"Yes, it can be. It is not something to be relished as a rule. Such bonds are rare. If you don't mind my asking, it is quite obvious that bothered you. May I ask why?"

He rolled over onto his side, and stared into the pool, his fingers playing lightly in the water, ripples playing across its once smooth surface. "You know from that little pop quiz you pulled on me last week that I'm from Derallia. Well, when I went to the university to get my degrees in anthropology and stellar cartography, I met a woman. Her name was Ketalyn, and she was in the literature program. We met in our galactichistory class, and hit it off. One thing led to another, and we were… very close."

"You were intimate?"

"Yes. It was a whirlwind romance. I know you Jedi have no real knowledge of this, so this may be difficult for you to understand. We were in love, or so I thought. There was talk of marriage after we graduated. We talked of a partnership: I'd discover, she'd publish. Our futures looked perfect." He just stopped. I could feel grief echoing down our bond.

"She left you."

"Yes. She broke it off with me after about 6months, no real explanation. I later found out she had gone back to an ex-lover of hers."

"As I understand it, these things are rather common in such relationships" I said, not quite understanding where he was going with this.

"It wasn't just that she left me. This guy used her; emotionally abused her; he regarded her as little more than a trophy, an object that he deserved and no other. And she took it without complaint." He slammed his fist into the pond, and the moon in it exploded into waves. "What I don't understand is why she left me… for someone like that."

"I am the wrong person to ask. I have never been in such a relationship. The Code forbids it. I cannot begin to tell you why people would subject themselves to such an abusive pairing. All I can tell you is that you need to let it go. This anger obviously still eats at you. It could lead you to the Dark Side, if you let it."

He sighed and lay back down. "I know. I don't know why it stays with me. It was just… the happiest time of my life, and sometimes I can't help but remember her and wonder, "what if…"

He closed his eyes, and suddenly a cascade of images washed over me. Veran and a tall, statuesque brunette talking and laughing; then they were cuddling on a balcony overlooking a city skyline. I felt a softness and a tenderness, and at the same time I felt a fire unlike anything else I had ever known. I couldn't help but think is this love? Another was the two of them entwined beneath silken sheets, and suddenly I was experiencing an act I had never known. I could feel the heat rising within me, and realized it was coming from him.

As I struggled to suppress the bond, another image floated into view, of Veran walking through the city and seeing the woman and another, smaller man cuddled together against a balcony as they once had been, and a burning rage welled up within me. I knew in that moment, that Veran wanted to kill them. No. He wanted to kill him in front of her and make her watch. He wanted her to suffer as profoundly as he had. The power of the hatred that swept over me in that instance didn't terrify me; it stunned me with its clarity and power. I had always thought of hatred as a weakness, but in that moment, I saw it for what it was, and realized now how Revan and Malak had become so powerful in the Dark Side. Hate was a dangerous and powerful emotion. And this was what that love had led to. The Masters were right to forbid such entanglements.

I also could not help but wonder where these memories and emotions came from. None of the Masters had such experiences; all were raised by the Order. I did eventually ask Master Vrook where the memories came from. His answer disturbed me almost as much as what happened that night: they didn't know. The technique used to restore his mind was powerful and ancient and an enigma. All they knew was that the memories Revan had were not his own.

Suddenly the connection broke, and Veran was looking up at me, blushing furiously. "Oh hell, Bas, I'm so sorry… I didn't…I mean. Damn." He reached out to me for a moment, but I pulled away. "It is alright. I shall mention to Master Zhar that we should add more emotional control training to your regimen tomorrow." I stood up, and gathered all the poise I could muster. "Come. Its late and we have to be up at dawn."

Without a word, Veran followed me back inside. I never did report the incident to the Council.

After that night, I kept a wall between Veran and myself. His dark side was overwhelming. This new persona may be different, but it was obvious the capacity of the Dark Lord still lay within him. I knew I would have to be ever-vigilant when it came to counseling him against the dangers of the Dark Side. Master Vrook shared my concern, and I knew him to be right. But there was still light there, and as a Jedi, it was my job to nurture that glow.

After a month, and the shortest apprenticeship in the history of the Jedi Order, Master Zhar decided to give Veran his first tests. The Jedi Code he passed with ease. He and I had spent many nights going over the Code and its many interpretations. The second test was of the construction of his lightsaber. To my surprise, Master Dorak declared him best suited to as a Jedi Sentinel, the same as myself. He assembled his lightsaber, and aligned his crystal flawlessly; another brick for the wall that was becoming his legendary feats as an apprentice.

Finally, Master Zhar sent him to investigate an ancient grove believed to be the source of the kath hound problem. Of course, I knew about the Cathar Jedi, Juhani, and her ill-fated duel with her master, Quatra. I was forbidden by the Council from assisting him with this, as were the rest of the Jedi in the Enclave. So, he set off with Carth and Canderous in tow. After they left, Vrook expressed his opinion that Juhani would not survive the encounter. Zhar snorted but didn't say anything. He had grown rather fond of Veran, and no longer sat on the fence as to the rightness of saving him: he firmly agreed with Vandar that Veran would be invaluable.

They were gone for most of the day. At first, we wondered what could have happened, but then we started getting reports. First, Master Twi'lek returned from his criminal investigation, and mentioned how our miracle apprentice deduced the double crime that had taken place earlier that morning. Later, one of the farmers came in, congratulating the Council on sending the young Jedi to finally deal with Mandalorians that had been raiding the outlying farm communities. Vandar and Zhar were pleasantly surprised, and even Master Vrook appeared pleased.

The real surprise came when Juhani came back into the complex as twilight set in. I was consulting with the Council on Veran's training when she entered, and prostrated herself before the assembled Masters.

"I know I am not worthy of forgiveness, Masters, but the one you sent to deal with me has given me hope that you might grant it. I killed my Master in anger, and gave myself to the dark side, but I see now that I was wrong. The one called Veran showed me my folly in following the Dark Side, in thinking myself strong in my anger and my hate. I know I give into my emotions too easily. I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. All I ask is that you allow me the chance to redeem myself."

Master Vandar came down and bid her rise. "Juhani, such forgiveness is unnecessary. Quatra did not die. She baited you into attacking her, hoping to show you the danger of the Dark Side. I'm afraid she succeeded a bit better than even she anticipated. You had a moment of weakness, but it was only a moment. If you have learned something of yourself, and truly seek to change your passionate nature, then all was not lost. Welcome back, Juhani. You have been missed."

Slowly and trembling, Juhani stood back up and looked up at the other Masters. "I will not disappoint you again. I swear this." Zhar dismissed her, and told her to await their decision on her new Master.

After she left, Master Vrook actually smiled. "I may have been wrong about young Veran. He brought her back to the Light. There may be more of the Light left in him than I would have believed. I can only hope he doesn't lose sight of it in the dark days ahead."

A short time later, Veran and his hunting party returned. Canderous seemed rather put out once they were told the full story of Juhani's "fall." I think part of it was because he was rendered helpless by Juhani's stasis field. If it hadn't been for Veran, he would have died under her saber blade. Carth did not seem very happy either, as the two warriors were sent out of the Council Chamber.

"Veran Shadowfyre, it is the determination of this Council that you have passed the Apprentice Tests with high marks, and you have succeeded beyond all our expectations. It is my pleasure to welcome you fully into the Jedi Order, Padawan." Zhar shook Veran's hand and I did not need a bond with him to tell that he was happy.

"Thank you for returning Juhani to us, Padawan. You did a great thing." Master Vrook said. Veran managed to cover the look of surprise. It was probably the first nice thing Vrook had said to him the entire time he'd been here. I couldn't help but be envious. Vrook gave praise sparingly.

"Now we must deal with the matter of the vision you and Bastila shared. Go to the ruins outside the Enclave and determine what Revan and Malak may have found there. Now that your training is over, we are assigning Bastila to journey with you. It is obvious the Force has chosen the both of you for this." Master Vandar dismissed us.

As we turned to leave, Alhan Sandral, a wealthy homeowner on Dantooine stormed into the chamber, demanding to know why we had not investigated his son's disappearance, blaming his neighbors, the Matales. After Sandral stormed out, Vrook decided we should see if we could resolve the incident while we were at it. The whole affair was sordid and pointless. Small men and smaller minds bickering over imagined slights. I would not have wasted my time with such as these, but Veran decided to intervene.

In the end, we discovered that the Matale son died of a kath hound attack, which led the father Neurik to kidnap the Sandral boy. To make things just ridiculously melodramatic, the Sandral boy and Neurik's daughter fell in love, and Veran felt the need to help them elope. The feud hasn't ended, and the children have been disowned, but they are happy. I couldn't help but notice a certain satisfaction coming from Veran as well. I think in some small way, the whole thing helped soothe the wound left on his heart. It did not matter if I knew those memories to be false; they were real to him, and that's what mattered.

After that little side trip, Veran, Carth, and I made our way to the ruins. Unsealing the door was easy, since Revan had done it for us. Inside we found the body of Nemo, one of the most revered knights in the Enclave. He was an elderly Consular, and while he had never achieved the title of Master, he was often sought by the padawans when they had problems they didn't want to take to their own Masters. I came to him myself from time to time, to vent about Master Vrook. Now he lay dead, and I felt sad. Another person claimed by this war.

A strange droid stood in the center of the chamber. It kept trying to communicate with us in a variety of languages neither Veran nor I could understand at first.

"Wait, I think I actually understood that! It's a dialect of ancient Selkath. But why would a droid on Dantooine speak Selkath?" I couldn't understand, and it was obvious from the way he glanced down towards the floor that he didn't either.

The droid croaked out in the strange tongue, "I was left by the Builders to guard the Star Map, until the Builders return. I am programmed to speak the languages of the slaves. You are not slaves, but neither are you the Builders. You are like the two who came before."

Veran shot a glance over to me, "Revan and Malak?"

"It must be."

"What of this Infinite Empire you speak of? I am not familiar with such an entity." I was curious as to who had built these ruins.

"The Infinite Empire rules the galaxy."

Yet another confused look. "When did you last hear from these Builders?"

"The last communication with the Builders took place 9 revolutions of this system's outermost planet"

We all just stood there dumbfounded, and it was Carth who first recovered his tongue. "But… that would have been almost20,000 years ago! That's impossible!"

Veran withdrew back into himself and seemed to be pondering the implications of theserevelations. I corrected Carth. "Not necessarily. The Republic is only 15,000 years old. We thought only the Hutts had an empire that predated the founding of the Republic, but historical records are sketchy at best."

Veran came out of his reverie, and added, "No matter what, this could seriously re-write ancient history, but that isn't our concern right now. This thing mentioned something else. Guardian, what is this Star Map, and why do you guard it?"

The droid hissed and whirred for a moment. "The Star Map shows the length and breadth of the Infinite Empire. It is a record of all that the Builders achieved. Only with the Star Map may the Star Forge be located."

I shared another glance with Veran. This could be just what we need! He asked before I could. "What is the Star Forge?"

"The Star Forge is the culmination of the Infinite Empire. It is their most magnificent achievement."

I was growing impatient with this odd droid. "But what IS it?"

"The… The Star Forge is the culmination of the Infinite Empire. It is their most magnificent achievement."

"This droid obviously only contains a set of pre-programmed response. Further inquiry will doubtlessly prove futile."

Carth looked concerned. "It sounds like some kind of massive factory. Or maybe some kind of ultimate weapon."

"Either way, we need to find it. Assuming that Revan and Malak actually found it, it's no doubt the key to all Malak's plans. Droid, where is this Star Map?" It was always amazing to see Veran shift from the care-free scout into such a determined person. Carth, a veteran ship commander and a leader in his own right, just naturally fell into line when Veran took charge. It was obvious the ability to command respect was another of his abilities that did not rely on memory.

There was another linking pause as the ancient droid whirred and clicked. "The Star Map lies beyond the door behind me, but first you must prove your worthiness and break the seals in the two chambers to my flanks. Be warned, failure to prove worthiness results in death."

I couldn't help but ask. "Is that what happened to Nemo?"

"If you refer to the being lying on the floor, yes."

The air became thick with tension. Nemo was old but capable. Whatever lay beyond these doors was deadly. Veran moved to the right-hand door. Inside was a large chamber, and on the far side lay some kind of computer console. As we moved into the chamber, the door sealed behind us, and a droid similar to design to the Guardian emerged from an alcove.

It opened fire with some kind of carbonite ray, and it targeted me first. I was frozen, unable to engage my lightsaber, or to even move. Veran ignited his and leapt into melee range. Carth was out of my line of sight. Veran attacked the droid with his usual grace, but it possessed some kind of energy shield that his golden blade just glanced off of.

In a matter of moments, he had fallen back, pressed to the wall under the droids assault. He could not hold it off for much longer. I could feel his fear through our bond, but it was fear for me and what would happen to me should he fall, rather than for himself. It was frustrating beyond words! I had never been so helpless and it terrified me more than any Dark Jedi. I accepted death, but not like this! I wanted to be free, to fight, and to save him. Where was Carth?!

Just as the thought ran through my mind, a saw a small sphere fly through the air and land beneath the droids spidery legs. An ion flash went off, and the shield that protected it crumbled. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Veran lunged forward with the tip of his lightsaber and impaled the droid. Sparks flew from its chassis, and moments later it exploded as Veran pulled his blade free and jumped clear.

The freezing effect wore off at that moment, and I was free. Carth came walking over. "That was close! Good thing I decided to bring a couple of ion grenades along with me in case we bumped into any ancient booby traps. You two okay?"

Veran lowered his lightsaber, and laughed. "I am now. Though next time, don't cut it quite so close, will you? I may be a Jedi but I'm not so eager to become one with the Force just yet. Thanks."

"Forget it. I still owed you for taking out the Vulkar who was sneaking up behind me."

"Yeah, but I still owe you for getting me off the Spire in the first place."

"Gentlemen, I'm sure this game of 'Who Saved Whom is quite entertaining among old soldiers, but some of us would like to get back to the mission at hand."

For a moment, the two of them looked like two little boys who had been caught rifling through their parents bedroom, looking for birthday gifts. "Right. Sorry, Bas. Lets go check out that terminal."

I was getting exceedingly tired of that pet name. He had no right to call me that, but I realized scolding him would do no good, so I ignored it. The terminal was in another language, which was not surprising. After punching some buttons and allowing a datapad link, the terminal accessed our language files and reconfigured itself. It was some kind of basic planetology quiz. Veran just shot me an amused look and punched in the correct answers without even pausing. The terminal responded that the answers were correct and that the first seal was unlocked.

The second seal was identical to the first one, complete with homicidal droid. Fortunately, we entered prepared this time, and the droid was made quick work of. The quiz this time as simple as the first, and moments later, we were entering the main chamber.

Inside, a large inverse tripod opened to our presence, and a holographic galactic map was displayed. We all stood there, examining it in detail.

"Well, it's millennia out of date, alright, but a decent navicomputer should be able to compensate for stellar drift," Veran commented.

"Look at how some words are highlighted and referenced. If I read these descriptors right, the four present are Kashyyyk, Tatooine, Manaan, and Korriban, a Sith world," I informed them.

Carth was as enthralled by the Star Map as we were. "I don't see any sign of a Star Forge though. Not surprising, the map is incomplete. Look, there and there and there, whole chunks of the galaxy are missing."

"These four worlds were obviously important to these 'Builders.' Maybe we can find more information at one of them?"

"That would seem to be our only course of action, however thin that it is. Come, we should inform the Council immediately."

The journey back to the Enclave was uneventful and filled with silence. We were all contemplating what we had learned. So far, we only had more questions and precious few answers.

The Council had little more light to shed than we did. Though they had long known of the ruins, ancient Jedi Masters had sealed them for reasons unknown, and the Council did not want to disturb them without reason until now.

Master Vandar gave us our new assignment. "Veran we wish you to visit the four worlds mentioned on this Star Map and find this Star Forge before Malak can move again. Normally we would not send one with so little training go out without a Master, but we fear this would only draw the attention of the Sith. Instead, we appoint Bastila as your mentor for this mission.

"Also, Juhani has requested to accompany you, and we feel this would be a good thing for the both of you. Remember the lesson she represents. Even the best of us can fall prey to the Dark Side," Master Vrook warned.

"May I bring my companions from Taris with me? The Ebon Hawk would make the perfect vessel, and I could use all the help I can get.

Master Zhar nodded his approval. "You may, young padawan. I imagine they are growing tired of the Enclave, and would relish the chance to travel again. May the Force be with you both."

We left the council and found everyone assembled aboard the Hawk. Veran explained to them our mission. "You have all done us a great service, and I cannot ask this of any of you. No one has to come along. I'm sure the Council will offer anyone shelter here or passage of Dantooine to anyone who wants it."

Canderous stood up. "I will not stay on this boring farm world. You are obviously flying into the heart of the storm, Veran Shadowfyre, and there is no place I'd rather be. With you, I can find honor in battle against worthy opponents again."

Carth looked less than thrilled by that little speech, but he, too, was not staying behind. "I had a feeling this was coming, so I contacted Admiral Dodonna. She's reassigned me to assist the Jedi Council in this matter. Besides, the Hawk could use a real pilot," he smirked.

"Hey, you know me. I've always wanted to see the galaxy. And any chance to screw over Malak and his goose-steppers is okay by me. I owe them for Taris," Mission piped in.

Zaalbar reminded Veran of the life debt he swore to him for rescuing him, and that he was coming along whether he liked it or not.

Of course, T3-M4 was in. Veran was his master. Where Veran went, the little droid would follow.

Veran looked over the group and smiled. "Thank you, all of you. Okay then, lets do this. Carth, lay in a course for Kashyyyk. Looks like you get a homecoming after all, Zaalbar."

The Wookiee growled noncommittally. Mission had mentioned that he was exiled from his homeworld, and it was obvious he was not looking forward to returning. Asking him about it had only resulted in the Wookiee equivalent of "none of your business." We would find out soon enough, I had a feeling.

Carth and I went to the controls and laid in a course. The Force only knew what lay before us, but whatever came, we would succeed. We had to; there was no other choice.