Falling For You
Disclaimer: Aside from the given, that I don't own anything even vaguely Star Wars, several characters names and attributes were also borrowed from various sources - in fact, Derrin, Cassie and Rangar are the only three I think I invented myself (and the Admiral, but I don't like him so I'm not claiming him). Chocolate products go to anyone who can spot who's from where.
Author's Notes: Now for the Mandalorian wars. I'm focusing on the less honourable Mandalorians, because they're less predictable, more fun, and generally more conductive to my plot than their more honourable comrades (who vastly outnumber the dishonourable few I focus on.
Niliav: ::hands Niliav a bar of chocolate::... yeah, the poor dear... these sort of bad things come in threes... though the next one's not till chapter 6... mwahahahahahaa!
snackfiend101: That's why I wrote Malak as a teen... even the worst bad-guy was a kid at some stage or other. As for Spice Girls, I just liked the song... I don't give a flying fur-ball who sings songs I like, as long as I like them - I hold no grudges against specific singers/groups... the only exception I have to this is that I love Meatloaf.
ether-fanfic: Thanks... here be Mandalorians.
Firera: Um, I killed her at the end of the chapter... so I'll assume you meant so early in the story... I had to kill her off, because she'd have been able to stop Revan from going off half-cocked into the Mandy-wars. It should get very dark... especially after they become Sith (though chapters 6 and 9 are pretty dark, too, and they're before the Star Forge.
Lord Valentai: I do run the story through MS-Word's grammar checker, before I post, but I know the program isn't infallible... I did think the if a quote ended with a full stop, but the sentence around it wasn't finished, that inconsistency was excusable... hmm... I'll try to be more careful in future. She did see a lightsaber, but she had too much hatred for Mandalore to care what weapon he wielded. Thanks for the criticisms - I'll try to cut down on my bracket-usage - it does help when reviews point out things I can improve.
RollingSkull: Of course - you know me too well, I'm evil, so logically I'll kill off characters. Funny thing, Revan won't personally make her first kill until chapter 6.
Ozziegrl: Glad you like it. Heh, you thought chapter 2 was emotional? Wait till chapter 6. As for me putting my own feelings into my fics, when Malak loses his jaw, you'll get a few of my own personal medical experiences incorporated amongst Malak's ::insert evil cackling here::.
Rascarin: That wasn't a mistake - she pushed him away with a wave of psychic venom, so I thought the wording was appropriate. But you're not stupid.
whisper524: Thank you ::bows::.
Darth Arachne: It takes a lot of bad things to happen to a kid to turn them into an evil monster like Darth Revan - I had to do this to her. Yes, 27... which, if you look at the Carth/Revan/Dustil thing, she's actually closer to Dustil's age than Carth's ::evil grin::. The romance, you'll find out in detail in chapter 4.
"What am I to do to win my life? (You will find it out, don't worry)
How am I supposed to know what's right? (You just gotta do it your way)
I can't help the way I feel,
But my life has been so over-protected.
I tell them what I like, what I want, and what I don't,
But every time I do, I stand corrected,
Things that I've been told, I can't believe,
What I hear about the world, I realise, I'm over-protected."
-Brittney Spears, Over-Protected.
x x x
Chapter 3 - Hatred
"You can't stop me!" Revan's voice yelled. Malak was waiting outside the Council Chambers, while Revan made one of her routine visits to the Council. This one didn't sound quiet so routine, however. "I'm tired of these excuses! Either tell me why we won't protect those innocent civilians out on the Outer Rim, or I'm leaving - now! Either way, I will join this war!"
Malak had to strain to hear Master Vrook's voice, even though the Jedi Master had raised his voice in response to Revan's yelling, "The Council has its reasons, Revan. It is best that we not join the fight, at this point."
"At what point do we go, then?!" she demanded.
"There is a danger out there beyond the Mandalorians." Vrook said coldly, "While that threat is out there, we cannot risk sending Jedi into the unknown. The Republic-"
"Is getting slaughtered without our help!" Revan interrupted, "I'm going! You can't stop me!"
"Revan!" Vrook snapped. The doors burst open, and Revan stormed out of the Council Chambers, heading for the elevator.
Malak watched her go for a second, then slipped into the Council Chambers, "Um... I couldn't help but overhear..."
Zhar sighed, "Perhaps you can talk her out of this course of action, Malak?"
"Talk Revan out of something?" Malak barely avoided laughing in the Jedi Master's face for this suggestion, "I'm amazed you talked her out of it every week for the last two years." Malak noted, "She's incredibly stubborn."
"Yet she may listen to you." Zhar said calmly, "You are her closest friend."
"Thought you discouraged emotional connections?" Malak asked.
"It is discouraged, yes." Zhar answered, "But when such a connection is formed, there is no point denying it. She may listen to you, because you are her friend. It is imperative that she does not go on this foolhardy mission."
"Why?" Malak asked, "To be perfectly honest, I think Revan has the right idea. What is it you're afraid of, out there? Is it that bad that we would leave the Republic to get beaten to a pulp, rather than help them?"
"Yes, it is that bad." Vrook said coldly, "There is a great darkness out there. We do not wish to risk the safety of any Jedi who would fight there. War is inherently filled with anger and hate. Combined with the darkness beyond the Mandalorian threat, we believe it would do more harm than good to send those strong in the Force into that situation."
Malak frowned, "I'll go and talk to her." he said, quietly.
He had no intention of talking her out of it. He'd seen her pain, and thought she actually had every right to feel this anger. It hurt her every day that passed without some hope of the Mandalorians being stopped. He would go with her, and try to protect her from whatever the Masters sensed out there.
x x x
He found Revan trying to steal one of the Order's speeders, in the garage level. "Need a hand with that?" he asked, hopping into the passenger seat on the speeder.
"I am perfectly capable of hotwiring a speeder, thank you very much." Revan retorted.
"Yes, I know that well enough." Malak said, smirking. He remembered the time they had taken one of these speeders down to the undercity, where they had broken at least four laws that he was aware of. No one had yet discovered this, however, and they were minor laws, including purchasing false ID, entering a cantina while underage, disturbing the peace, and underage drinking... in that order. "I was asking if you needed a hand with your 'plan'." he said flatly.
"So you heard my 'conversation' with the Council?" Revan asked innocently.
"I think they heard you on Kashyyyk." he said pointedly.
She sniggered, "Well you know I could use all the help I can get. But how about you go tell our friends about my plan, while I -" she succeeded in starting the speeder without the keys, "- go to the Senate to tell them we'll help them."
"The Council won't like it." he noted.
"And we care about that, why?" she asked.
Malak sighed, "All right." he frowned, "I'm assuming this 'plan' involves running off and joining the Republic in the war?" she nodded. "And you want me to go and tell the Padawans about this?" their group of friends - if you could use that word for them, they were more like acquaintances - had yet to graduate to the level of Jedi Knight. The two young Knights made a habit of referring to them as 'the Padawans' just to see the sour looks the Padawans would give them for it.
"Yes. I'll meet you back here in-" she glanced at her chronometer, "-a couple of hours." He nodded, and jumped out of the speeder. As soon as he was clear of it, she directed the speeder to zoom out of the garage level and into the traffic lanes.
Malak wasn't sure this estimate of time would be accurate. He was fairly certain the Senate would keep Revan waiting, and throw a load of paperwork at her, even if she explained what she was there for. Still, he would do as she asked, anyway.
x x x
Only seven Jedi, including Revan and Malak themselves, agreed to go on this mission. They got passage on the transport ship Stargazer, which was the next supply ship headed out for the main fleet. Most of the Republic officers were sceptical that a mere seven Jedi could do any good. Malak was pretty sure that while they would make a difference, the small number of Jedi wouldn't be enough. Revan, however, was confident that more would follow when they discovered that the Council's fears were misplaced.
The five Padawans who had agreed to join them were all friends of Revan's, and by association, Malak called them friends, too... though he didn't actually see anyone but Revan as his real friend.
There was a nineteen-year-old blonde human man, named Matt. He had a relatively outgoing personality, and made friends with anyone who was willing to endure his ego. He was a Consular class Jedi, with good leadership skills, though he was also able to take orders with some degree of humility, when he felt so inclined.
There was a Zabrak Guardian class, named Derrin, the same age as Malak. He had been one of the ones who made Malak feel like an outcast, until Revan had arrived at the Temple. Malak never did get over this enmity, though he could ignore Derrin quite effectively, when he felt like it.
Another Guardian class, named Tyr, was a dark-skinned twenty-four year old human, with dreadlocks and a morbid sense of humour. He considered the dark side something to avoid, but not fear... which, Malak supposed, was probably why he was only a Padawan, and not a Knight by now.
There was Cassie, a Sentinel class, with strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes.
And the quiet one was Sam. A Sentinel class human, with brown hair - he tended to keep to himself, weighed up all the logic, facts and probabilities, then went with his gut instinct, and to hell with any advice he may be given.
All in all, with the exception of Revan and Malak themselves, by Jedi standards they were a relatively pathetic group of Padawans. Sure, Malak, Tyr and Derrin could kick some serious ass if needed, and between the seven of them they had enough skill with the Force to raise Atlantean City on Manaan, but they were still only seven people, and even the Jedi were not invincible.
"Are we there, yet?" Derrin asked, for the umpteenth time.
"Somebody gag him." Tyr said coldly. The Jedi had been sharing a small living quarters on the transport ship, and the tension in the room was all Derrin's fault.
"Derrin, unless you want me to dye your hair neon pink, you will not ask that question ever again." Revan warned. Her rivalry with Derrin was puerile and childish, at best, as it originated in the Mr Fuzzems incident... she always won, though.
Derrin stuck his tongue out at her, and proceeded to sulk, "Ok, how much longer till we get there?" he asked.
Revan rolled her eyes, and groaned in exasperation.
"The trip takes four days, you ignorant bantha. And let's not forget the twelve hour stop to re-fuel on Taris." Malak said coldly, "We've only been in-flight for two hours, three of which you have prattled through."
Derrin crossed his eyes, "That math doesn't make sense."
"It means you've been prattling too much!" Malak snarled.
"Boys, calm down." Revan interrupted, "We need to work together, for a change. All differences aside, and let the Force guide us to victory."
"Revan's right. We need to act like Jedi..." Cassie said, giving Derrin a pointed look as she added, "For a change." specifically for his benefit.
Derrin gave both women a sheepish look before muttering, "You're right, girls. Ok, I'll act serious for a change." yet still he grinned lopsidedly, in spite of this.
"No wonder you lot are still Padawans." Malak muttered, "You all act like children, in one way or another."
"I resent that." Tyr retorted, "I don't act like a child, I'm just not quite as pacifistic as the Masters would like me to be."
"That could be an asset in this war, Tyr." Revan said quietly, "The Mandalorians need to be stopped, no matter what. And contrary to the Masters' opinions, I am not saying that out of vengeance."
Everyone looked at her for a minute... they had all known about her personal feelings on Mandalore, but no one had ever brought the subject up in her presence before. "She's right." Malak said, eventually. Though he could tell that while she believed the Mandalorians needed to be stopped, vengeance wasn't exactly something she could ignore, even if it wasn't the only reason she may cite for fighting them.
x x x
The stop on Taris was a non-event. Malak and Revan stayed on the ship, while the Padawans went off to act like the children they feverently denied ever being, playing in the streets of the lower levels.
Twelve hours after leaving Taris, Revan and Malak were on their way back to their quarters on the Stargazer, when the ship dropped out of hyperspace. A wave of anger and fear washed over them as soon as they fell into normal space. Revan literally stumbled with the near-physical impact of it. Malak winced, quickly developing a headache, and caught Revan as the ship shook a second later.
"All hands to battle stations!" the Captain's voice barked over the intercom.
"This is only a transport ship." Revan said, fear creeping into her voice.
"We don't have the defences to handle a real fight." Malak finished her thought for her. With an unspoken agreement, they both broke into a run, headed for the bridge.
They had clearly dropped out of hyperspace in the middle of a battle. The ship shuddered ominously, a few more times, before they reached the bridge. "What's going on?" Malak demanded immediately.
The Captain looked at the two Jedi, with an irritated frown, "We've landed in the middle of a skirmish." he said curtly, "It looks like the division we were supposed to meet up with was ambushed. We're outnumbered, two-to-one... and with Mandalorians, those odds are hopeless."
"There's no such thing as hopeless." Revan said quietly. Her voice low, and her head bowed under the hood of the off-white cloak she had taken to wearing since they left Coruscant. Why she felt the need to conceal that beautiful face, Malak didn't particularly understand, but it was her choice.
Malak could sense her focus. Her aura was so intense he could practically taste it. She stepped forward, to the helm of the ship. The crew gave her sceptical and irritated glances, as if they thought she was going to simply get in the way. Malak wasn't sure what she was about to do, but whatever it was, it was big.
Revan held up her hand, and Malak felt a faint rush in the air around him. Several of the Mandalorian fighters flew off course, and crashed into each other. One of them grazed the lead Mandalorian ship. With a last, vicious, volley of fire at the lead Republic vessel, the Mandalorians retreated. They clearly hadn't been expecting resistance, especially not the sort that looked at first glance like magic.
There was silence on the bridge for a couple of minutes.
Then Revan collapsed. Malak rushed to her side, and checked that she was all right. She was still conscious, but exhausted. Malak helped her to stand, while the rest of the bridge crew looked on in stunned silence. Revan leaned against him, her head bowed so her face was concealed.
Then a beeping from the commlink.
The Lieutenant at the comm station jumped at the sound... then looked at the Captain, who nodded. The Lieutenant then pressed the button to activate the commlink. "Stargazer, this is Captain Saul Karath of the Interdictor ship, Defiant." the voice over the commlink said, sounding as stunned as the bridge crew of the Stargazer looked, "I don't suppose you can tell me what scared off those Mandalorians?"
"I wish I knew what happened." the Captain said, "But you'll have to ask the Jedi."
"Jedi?" Karath asked, "About bloody time the Council decided to send help for us. I want to speak to them as soon as possible."
"The Council didn't send us." Malak said coldly, "And Revan is in no state to answer questions."
"What... what was that you did to scare them off?" one of the younger crewmen, an ensign, asked warily.
"Force wave." Revan whispered.
When the ensign gave them a confused look, Malak elaborated, "A wave of kinetic energy. It threw their ships off course, but it takes immense effort to conjure such a thing in a vacuum. Revan will need to rest." he gave a pointed look to the Captain, who nodded.
"Very well. Take Revan back to the accommodation block. As soon as you are both fit for it, you shall meet with Captain Karath, on the Defiant."
Malak nodded, and then led Revan off the bridge, taking most of her weight himself.
x x x
"Have you seen the way those soldiers look at Cassie?" Revan asked coldly, her voice a low whisper. The seven Jedi were on their way to meet the Captain of the Defiant... and the soldiers on the small shuttle they were riding in from the Stargazer to the Defiant were blatantly staring at Cassie. Gawping and leering might be a better description, actually.
Cassie was wearing tan-coloured Jedi robes that had been gratuitously altered to an almost skin-tight fit. Malak really did see why the soldiers stared. Though he would much prefer to stare at Revan... that is, he would if Revan would take off that concealing cloak... and if there was no one else to watch it, maybe the rest of her robes as well... no, those thoughts were most definitely inappropriate for their current situation... maybe later.
"She doesn't seem to mind." Malak noted. True enough, Cassie seemed almost pleased with the stares she was getting. Malak assumed that was the reason she had altered her robes in the first place - to get that sort of attention.
Revan snorted, "She wouldn't." she pulled the hood further over her face. Anyone would think she was shy, or something. Malak knew better - she was paranoid - there's a subtle difference.
The soldiers weren't looking at Revan with anything other than curiosity and awe. They had heard Revan had scared off the Mandalorian skirmishers, and they were watching her with a sort of reverence and gratitude. But it suddenly struck Malak why she might deliberately keep her face concealed, and her robes loose enough to make it next to impossible to tell her gender. Her disgust at the way men looked at women like Cassie was also an indication... perhaps she didn't want anyone to know how attractive she was. That thought seemed to hurt him... he didn't want her to conceal her beauty... but it was her decision.
The shuttle docked, and the Jedi disembarked. The Defiant was a much better ship than the Stargazer. The Stargazer was pretty much a transport barge, but the Defiant was a state-of-the-art Interdictor class warbird. Even the interior design reeked of military efficiency, and sleek modern technology. And experience - this ship had seen and won its share of battles - Malak could sense that just by setting foot on it.
"I could like this ship." Tyr noted, smirking slightly.
"You would say that." Matt noted blithely. Tyr shrugged, and the group of Jedi followed their Republic escort through the Defiant's corridors, to what appeared to be an office.
There they met Captain Karath. "Ah, the Jedi." he said congenially, "It is good to meet you." he bowed slightly, though it was awkward, and it seemed clear he was not used to it. Being a military man, he was probably more comfortable saluting, instead.
Revan bowed to him, "Captain Karath." she said calmly, "I am Jedi Knight Revan. This is Jedi Knight Malak, my close friend." Malak idly considered saluting the man instead of bowing in return... it certainly would unsettle him... but he resisted the temptation, and bowed politely instead. "And these are Padawans Cassandra, Tyr, Samuel, Derrin, and Yamatto."
Tyr and Matt, on the other hand, were more impetuous than Malak - both saluted the Captain, while Cassie, Sam and Derrin bowed when their names were mentioned. Malak gave Tyr and Matt a brief glare, which Tyr returned with a smirk.
Karath gave Tyr and Matt a curious look, but didn't seem too bothered by their behaviour. "Well, as you can see, Jedi Revan, we have not been faring well in this war. In fact, if you had not shown up, our division would probably not have survived."
"I am glad we could be of assistance, Captain." Revan said. Malak could hear the smile in her voice, even though her hood was still concealing her face, "Although such feats as that which I displayed in that fight are incredibly tiring... and it is more than likely that the Mandalorians will be prepared, next time."
"How can they prepare for something like that?" Matt asked.
"I think Revan means in the sense that they'll expect it." Cassie said coldly.
"Exactly, Cassie." Revan said calmly.
"Well, either way, we are grateful for your assistance, Jedi Revan." Captain Karath said, "We will be rejoining the rest of the fleet in two days. You will be able to meet with the Admiral then, to see how you can help us."
Revan nodded, "Thank you, Captain."
x x x
Admiral Talon Var - a human man in his late fifties, with black hair that was greying at the edges, slightly tanned skin, and a cold aura about him - did not seem pleased to see Revan and Malak, when they met him in his ready-room on the lead ship of the fleet, the Valiant.
"I understand that your actions aided the Defiant in fending off a Mandalorian assault, but you are still only seven people." he said coldly, "If the Jedi wanted to help us, they surely could have sent more-"
"The Council disapproved of our decision to aid you." Revan said calmly.
"And even one person can change the course of history, Admiral." Malak added pointedly.
Admiral Var snorted, "Perhaps I can put you Jedi to use on the front lines, then. We'll see if you can eliminate enough Mandalorians to prove you haven't wasted my time."
Revan looked up at him, so her face was visible beneath her hood - her eyes were cold as ice, "No wonder you're losing. If you don't use the weapons at your disposal to their best effect, I'm amazed you're still in command out here."
The Admiral spluttered indignantly, "How dare you! I am perfectly capable of commanding this fleet!"
"Are you capable of taking advice? Considering suggestions of your subordinates, rather than dismissing them?" she asked innocently.
"Why? Do you have a suggestion?" the Admiral asked coldly.
"The seven Jedi now under your command, sir." she said calmly. Malak was surprised she included herself in this category, and that she still deferred command to this man, after she had verbally slapped him in the face. "Malak, Tyr and Derrin are most efficient of the seven of us, in hand-to-hand combat. Cassandra and Samuel both aced their piloting exams, and would likely be more suited to space-battles. Yamatto and I would best serve you in using our Force skills, wherever you choose to position us. Also, Tyr is a tactical mastermind of ground-based theoretical combat - he passed his defensive combat training through strategic skill - if you placed him in a leadership role in ground-combat, he could be invaluable. Samuel and Cassandra both have uncanny pre-cognition skills - they can literally predict an opponent's choices before they are even made - giving them command of your gunners, or at least the authority to say where to aim, could be beneficial to you. Malak and I are both skilled logical thinkers - before we, ah, decided to come out here-"
"Defied the Council's direct orders, you mean?" Malak asked, trying not to laugh.
Revan shot him a glare, "It was for the greater good. The Council were being cowardly." she retorted. Then she turned her attention back to the Admiral, "Before we left the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, we were both being trained as mediators - you would not believe the amount of deception and near guerrilla war that some freelance businesses indulge in - we have the ability to see all angles of attack, and take the most logical path, that will end a dispute quickly. This is a grander scale, but the principles would remain the same."
The Admiral opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but Malak answered first, "She means we could help you with your battle plans. No plan is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool-"
"Or a Mandalorian - same difference." Revan put in. The Admiral actually smiled faintly at Revan's jab at their mutual enemy.
"But we can certainly help you plan for any foreseeable eventuality." Malak finished, fighting to keep his amused smirk off his face, too.
"And a few unforeseen ones, as well." Revan added.
The Admiral smiled, amused, "All right. I'll give you Jedi a chance. Don't disappoint me."
x x x
Revan was given the chance to help with the planning of battle strategies. Malak did help a bit, but he was out of his league when Revan was in the room. She pointed out several flaws in the Admiral's battle-plans, and even came up with a few strategies of her own. It was quite spectacular to watch, really, the way she could read the holoimage of the battlegrounds... as easily as she could read his mind.
With her guidance, they gradually stopped losing ground to the Mandalorians. It took several months, and a lot of extreme tactics.
The Admiral nearly pitched a fit when Revan told him to take the defences away from Abidos and Kessel - two essential mining facilities - to reinforce the front. But it worked. The Mandalorians went for the greater concentration of firepower, ploughing into the front lines, and they would have shattered the Republic's defences entirely, if the front line had not been reinforced. The two unprotected worlds went unnoticed - no glory or honour in bombing a couple of uninhabited rocks.
Revan and Malak were now permanently stationed on the Defiant, which was the flagship for the main third of the fleet. Besides Admiral Var, Revan and Karath were effectively the highest rank in the fleet. Cassie and Sam were each assigned to lead ships in the other two thirds of the fleet - both had done a great deal to help guide their respective battles in the right direction.
Tyr, Derrin and Matt were more often on the Defiant than any other ship, as well... if they weren't off on a mission. Tyr had quickly been promoted to field captain - he didn't have the patience for a real command job, and he was too valuable in hand-to-hand combat to take off the front lines... he only ever reported back to the Defiant for his next assignment, now. Derrin wasn't a leader - he also fought on the front lines, but never in Tyr's team, and always under a Republic soldier's command. Matt went with whoever needed him - he had a knack for creating Force illusions that really threw off the Mandalorians, his favourite illusion taking the form of a rabid were-kath charging straight for the enemy lines... it was a simple trick, and it never took long for the Mandalorians to get wise to it - whenever they did, he came up with a new monster to throw at them.
A few weeks after the Abidos incident, Cassie brought it to Revan's attention that a small smuggling vessel had slipped out past the Republic lines. The Admiral seemed not to deem it important, but Cassie insisted that the vessel was significant. "It was headed to the Mandalorian Katzof world." Cassie reported, over the holoprojector, "And the trace indicates that it originated at or near Myrkr."
This caught Revan's attention, "That can not be good. What has Myrkr to export, that the Mandalorians would want?"
"Spice?" Derrin suggested sarcastically.
"I wish." Revan muttered.
"Myrkr... isn't that where...?" Malak didn't even need to finish the sentence. The Jedi avoid that world diligently, because certain creatures there posed a great threat to them. Not predators like the mythical terentatek... these were much more insidious threats, though Malak never did pay attention beyond the fact these creatures were to be avoided at all costs.
"Yes." Revan answered, "But they are next to impossible to export. It is likely just a spice-smuggler who thinks there's someone to sell to past the Mandalorians."
"I hope you're right." Malak said quietly.
x x x
A few days later, Tyr found Malak in his quarters on the Defiant. "Hey, Malak."
Malak looked up from the datapad he'd been reading - information on one of Revan's wild schemes that would undoubtedly work out. "What is it?" Tyr was too single-minded to show up for anything that didn't have to do with the war.
"Revan said she's got a job for you." Tyr said calmly, "Said she doesn't trust me to get it done right." Tyr snorted at that, and Malak laughed.
"Why would she think I'd be any better? You're a better military tactician than I am." Malak noted.
"Ask her. She won't even tell me the mission." Tyr said coldly.
Malak set down his datapad, "I think I'll do that." he pushed Tyr out of the room, and locked the door behind them, "And remember to knock in future." he turned to walk down the corridor.
"What? It's not like you have a girlfriend, or anything." Tyr retorted.
Malak didn't even look back as he gave Tyr a rude hand-gesture, before turning the corner.
Revan was waiting for him in her office. The really great thing about being effectively in charge of the fleet was she got her own private office. Malak knocked and waited.
"Enter." Revan's voice called.
He stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and walked over to the desk Revan sat behind, "Tyr said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes." she looked up, lowering her hood completely, so he could see her face. She only ever did that for him, and never when anyone else was in the room. "One of Mandalore's generals has left himself vulnerable. I think it's a trap, so I'm sending you with the strike team to the planet."
"You're deliberately sending me into a trap?" Malak asked, stunned.
"Because I think you can handle it." she said calmly, "A Jedi would be able to take out any ambush laid for the strike-team, allowing them to complete their mission."
"And this mission would be...?" he asked.
"To capture the general in question." Revan answered, "Head of Katzof clan. He would be an invaluable source of information if he could be captured and made to talk."
Malak nodded, "Why me? Why not Tyr?"
"Tyr is a good Jedi, but when he goes into battle, he doesn't leave any enemies alive. I want that general taken prisoner, and with his head and voice intact." she said calmly. Malak noticed she only mentioned his head and voice... meaning other limbs were fair game, as long as it wasn't fatal.
"I won't let you down, Revan."
x x x
The strike team consisted of half a dozen soldiers, armed to the teeth. The Mandalorian stronghold on Siraun had been left with relatively weak defences, and it was easy enough to infiltrate the planet itself. The few surviving civilians on the planet had hidden in the forests, where the Mandalorians didn't venture. There was no point in securing tactically worthless forestland, and the civilians were no threat... though they did offer meagre food and shelter to the strike team, on their first night on the ground. That was probably the only mistake the Mandalorians did make, this time.
It certainly was a trap. It was obvious as soon as they approached the stronghold, the next day. The guards on duty were slacking off more than even the laziest soldier would do - and these were warriors, who should have known better. Malak had no trouble taking out the guards.
He led the team into the stronghold. They reached the high security area unopposed. This was too easy. The door opened - they didn't even need to slice it. "Open invitation..." Malak said quietly, "Somehow I don't like this."
He took a step through the door, and felt the most terrifying thing a Jedi could ever feel. The Force left him, completely. He stepped back, horrified. The Force returned to him as soon as he passed through the door. He stared in awe and horror at the doorway.
"Is something wrong, Jedi Malak?" one of the soldiers asked. If Malak remembered correctly, this soldier's name was Nick O'Malley.
"Yes... something is very wrong." he reached his hand through the door. He could still feel his hand, the muscles and sense of touch... but he couldn't sense it in the Force. He quickly withdrew his hand from the room. "I really do not want to go in there." he said quietly.
"But our instructions said that the general's quarters were in this section of the stronghold. We've got this far, what's so bad about going through this door?" Nick asked.
Malak scowled, "I can't feel the Force in there. It's the most disconcerting sensation I've ever experienced." he said quietly, "But you're right, we have to go in there."
He took a deep breath, to calm himself, and stepped through the door. The Force left him, again. It was as debilitating to him as being blind - he had literally lost all his extra-sensory perception. He couldn't sense anything, couldn't even sense his own presence. Hearing the footsteps behind him, and not sensing the presences of the soldiers, he was incredibly jumpy.
"Doesn't feel any different to me." Nick noted bluntly.
"You're not a Jedi." Malak retorted coldly.
They eventually reached another door, still unchallenged. This was getting ridiculous. "This is so a trap." Nick noted.
"He's right." Malak said, "Fawkes, go back to the doors and wait for us." he ordered one of the soldiers, "If something goes wrong, get back to the ship and get gone."
"Gotcha." Fawkes said, nodding. He activated his stealth belt and Malak heard his footsteps retreating towards the exit. He got the feeling Fawkes was grateful to leave, even though he couldn't sense his emotions. Malak really didn't blame him - he wanted to leave, too. But of the strike team, Darien Fawkes was their best stealth op, and had the best chance of getting back to the ship unseen, if something did go wrong. Word would need to get back to Revan, either way.
Malak then led the strike team cautiously through the door. They found themselves in a small room, empty save for a man standing with his back to them.
As soon as the strike team were all through the door, the man turned to face them. He wore full general's armour, with the Katzof symbol emblazoned on the breastplate. "Ah, you made it. I was wondering how much longer it would take Jedi Revan to send someone for me."
"So Revan was right. It was a trap." Malak said calmly.
"Oh, yes. But not in the sense you think." the general smiled, clearly amused, "You think it was merely an ambush to eliminate some of your soldiers. You thought to send a Jedi with you would help. But in fact, by sending a Jedi, Revan played right into my hands." with a slight hand-gesture, several Mandalorian warriors appeared, practically out of nowhere, surrounding the strike team.
No one moved for a few moments. All the soldiers in the strike team kept their eyes on Malak, waiting for his order. Malak stared coldly at the general - he couldn't sense the Mandalorian warriors behind him, but he could hear their breathing. He guessed at about six of seven of them, possibly more.
The slightest gesture from Malak, and the strike team attacked, turning to lash out futilely at the hopeless odds. Malak attacked the nearest warrior - the general seemed to want to stay out of it for now, so Malak would ignore him for now. With a swing of his lightsaber, there was one less Mandalorian to deal with.
But almost immediately, another warrior knocked the lightsaber out of his hand, almost breaking Malak's wrist in the process. Would have broken it if it weren't for the armoured wristbands he wore. He turned and struck the Mandalorian across the face with his other forearm, then quickly hit the Mandalorian under the jaw with the heel of his hand, snapping his neck.
He turned in time to kick another Mandalorian in the stomach. While that one gasped for breath, another hit Malak from behind with a vibroblade. It wasn't a deep cut, but it hurt like hell. He lashed out at the attacker, spinning to kick him in the face, but he was blocked, and promptly kicked in the chest for his trouble.
The door was still open, he realised. He evaded another vibroblade, and tried to make a run for it. Only one of the soldiers - Nick - had survived this long, and when Malak yelled, "Retreat!" Nick bolted for the door, just avoiding losing his head to one of the Mandalorians' vibroblades. He did manage to escape the room, though.
Malak wasn't so lucky. Two of the Mandalorians grabbed him by the arms. He kicked down sharply on the knee of the one holding his right arm, then when that arm was released he elbowed that Mandalorian in the stomach, then the back of the neck.
He turned, and flipped the other Mandalorian onto his back, and drove his heel down on the Mandalorian's throat. He turned on the general, who was the only one left.
The general smirked, "Impressive. Even without the Force to aid you, you are an excellent fighter, Jedi."
Malak spotted his lightsaber on the floor, not far from him.
"Oh, I wouldn't try it if I were you. You'll not reach it in time." the general said, amused.
Malak returned his full attention to the general. He kept the option of lunging for his lightsaber in the back of his mind, but didn't try it yet. "What do you want with me?" he asked.
The general laughed, "Perhaps if you surrender." the jeering tone made it clear he thought the idea of surrender was preposterous. Malak knew Mandalorians fought to the death, and to surrender was to lose honour.
Malak sneered at the general, then went for his lightsaber. He didn't make it, though. A single shot, a searing pain in his back, and that was the last thing he remembered.
x x x
He woke up to find himself chained to a wall. There was no one else in the darkened room. He tested the chains that held him - they were secure. He still couldn't feel the Force, and without it he had no hope of escape.
"Ah, you're awake." the general was standing in the doorway of the room, "I hadn't thought you would react so badly to the tranquillisers. You almost didn't wake up at all."
"I thought Mandalorians didn't take prisoners?" Malak asked coldly, "Isn't it against your honour code, or something?"
"Usually, we do not take prisoners. But these are exceptional circumstances. You are a Jedi, and as such you have invaluable information. You can tell me Revan's plans."
"That's what you think." Malak said snidely.
The Mandalorian laughed, "What is your name, Jedi?"
Malak just glared silently.
"My name is Rangar. what is yours?"
"Malak."
"Good. Now we don't have to resort to snide pseudonyms for each other, Malak." Rangar said, amused.
"That won't stop me, rancor." Malak said brightly.
Rangar backhanded Malak across the face sharply.
"Now where's the honour in hitting someone who can't fight back?" Malak taunted.
"Sometimes exceptions need to be made." Rangar said coldly, "You could be much more useful to us alive, and the only way to extract information from a 'prisoner' includes inflicting pain."
"You obviously haven't met Revan." Malak said calmly, "Revan can make you tell all your deepest secrets, without even threatening you."
"I'm sure he can." Rangar said, amused, "I've heard many stories of your leader, Malak. I wouldn't be surprised."
Malak kept his expression neutral, though he secretly found it highly amusing that this Mandalorian thought Revan was male.
"But I am just sadistic enough not to care... and physical torture is something I've wanted to try for some time." Rangar said, cruel glee evident in his tone.
"Have fun with that, then." Malak said coldly, "It won't make me talk."
"We shall see." he took out a dagger. Shining silver, very pretty, but very sharp. He held it up for Malak to see. Malak kept his fear out of his expression, but he was scared - anyone would be. "I know a thousand different ways to kill a man, with this dagger alone."
"What about inserting it up your nose?" Malak suggested.
Rangar blinked a few times, "A thousand and one." Malak laughed. "The point is that I also know exactly how to use this, to keep you alive, and in pain, for a long long time." that stopped him laughing pretty quickly.
x x x
Disclaimer: Aside from the given, that I don't own anything even vaguely Star Wars, several characters names and attributes were also borrowed from various sources - in fact, Derrin, Cassie and Rangar are the only three I think I invented myself (and the Admiral, but I don't like him so I'm not claiming him). Chocolate products go to anyone who can spot who's from where.
Author's Notes: Now for the Mandalorian wars. I'm focusing on the less honourable Mandalorians, because they're less predictable, more fun, and generally more conductive to my plot than their more honourable comrades (who vastly outnumber the dishonourable few I focus on.
Niliav: ::hands Niliav a bar of chocolate::... yeah, the poor dear... these sort of bad things come in threes... though the next one's not till chapter 6... mwahahahahahaa!
snackfiend101: That's why I wrote Malak as a teen... even the worst bad-guy was a kid at some stage or other. As for Spice Girls, I just liked the song... I don't give a flying fur-ball who sings songs I like, as long as I like them - I hold no grudges against specific singers/groups... the only exception I have to this is that I love Meatloaf.
ether-fanfic: Thanks... here be Mandalorians.
Firera: Um, I killed her at the end of the chapter... so I'll assume you meant so early in the story... I had to kill her off, because she'd have been able to stop Revan from going off half-cocked into the Mandy-wars. It should get very dark... especially after they become Sith (though chapters 6 and 9 are pretty dark, too, and they're before the Star Forge.
Lord Valentai: I do run the story through MS-Word's grammar checker, before I post, but I know the program isn't infallible... I did think the if a quote ended with a full stop, but the sentence around it wasn't finished, that inconsistency was excusable... hmm... I'll try to be more careful in future. She did see a lightsaber, but she had too much hatred for Mandalore to care what weapon he wielded. Thanks for the criticisms - I'll try to cut down on my bracket-usage - it does help when reviews point out things I can improve.
RollingSkull: Of course - you know me too well, I'm evil, so logically I'll kill off characters. Funny thing, Revan won't personally make her first kill until chapter 6.
Ozziegrl: Glad you like it. Heh, you thought chapter 2 was emotional? Wait till chapter 6. As for me putting my own feelings into my fics, when Malak loses his jaw, you'll get a few of my own personal medical experiences incorporated amongst Malak's ::insert evil cackling here::.
Rascarin: That wasn't a mistake - she pushed him away with a wave of psychic venom, so I thought the wording was appropriate. But you're not stupid.
whisper524: Thank you ::bows::.
Darth Arachne: It takes a lot of bad things to happen to a kid to turn them into an evil monster like Darth Revan - I had to do this to her. Yes, 27... which, if you look at the Carth/Revan/Dustil thing, she's actually closer to Dustil's age than Carth's ::evil grin::. The romance, you'll find out in detail in chapter 4.
"What am I to do to win my life? (You will find it out, don't worry)
How am I supposed to know what's right? (You just gotta do it your way)
I can't help the way I feel,
But my life has been so over-protected.
I tell them what I like, what I want, and what I don't,
But every time I do, I stand corrected,
Things that I've been told, I can't believe,
What I hear about the world, I realise, I'm over-protected."
-Brittney Spears, Over-Protected.
x x x
Chapter 3 - Hatred
"You can't stop me!" Revan's voice yelled. Malak was waiting outside the Council Chambers, while Revan made one of her routine visits to the Council. This one didn't sound quiet so routine, however. "I'm tired of these excuses! Either tell me why we won't protect those innocent civilians out on the Outer Rim, or I'm leaving - now! Either way, I will join this war!"
Malak had to strain to hear Master Vrook's voice, even though the Jedi Master had raised his voice in response to Revan's yelling, "The Council has its reasons, Revan. It is best that we not join the fight, at this point."
"At what point do we go, then?!" she demanded.
"There is a danger out there beyond the Mandalorians." Vrook said coldly, "While that threat is out there, we cannot risk sending Jedi into the unknown. The Republic-"
"Is getting slaughtered without our help!" Revan interrupted, "I'm going! You can't stop me!"
"Revan!" Vrook snapped. The doors burst open, and Revan stormed out of the Council Chambers, heading for the elevator.
Malak watched her go for a second, then slipped into the Council Chambers, "Um... I couldn't help but overhear..."
Zhar sighed, "Perhaps you can talk her out of this course of action, Malak?"
"Talk Revan out of something?" Malak barely avoided laughing in the Jedi Master's face for this suggestion, "I'm amazed you talked her out of it every week for the last two years." Malak noted, "She's incredibly stubborn."
"Yet she may listen to you." Zhar said calmly, "You are her closest friend."
"Thought you discouraged emotional connections?" Malak asked.
"It is discouraged, yes." Zhar answered, "But when such a connection is formed, there is no point denying it. She may listen to you, because you are her friend. It is imperative that she does not go on this foolhardy mission."
"Why?" Malak asked, "To be perfectly honest, I think Revan has the right idea. What is it you're afraid of, out there? Is it that bad that we would leave the Republic to get beaten to a pulp, rather than help them?"
"Yes, it is that bad." Vrook said coldly, "There is a great darkness out there. We do not wish to risk the safety of any Jedi who would fight there. War is inherently filled with anger and hate. Combined with the darkness beyond the Mandalorian threat, we believe it would do more harm than good to send those strong in the Force into that situation."
Malak frowned, "I'll go and talk to her." he said, quietly.
He had no intention of talking her out of it. He'd seen her pain, and thought she actually had every right to feel this anger. It hurt her every day that passed without some hope of the Mandalorians being stopped. He would go with her, and try to protect her from whatever the Masters sensed out there.
x x x
He found Revan trying to steal one of the Order's speeders, in the garage level. "Need a hand with that?" he asked, hopping into the passenger seat on the speeder.
"I am perfectly capable of hotwiring a speeder, thank you very much." Revan retorted.
"Yes, I know that well enough." Malak said, smirking. He remembered the time they had taken one of these speeders down to the undercity, where they had broken at least four laws that he was aware of. No one had yet discovered this, however, and they were minor laws, including purchasing false ID, entering a cantina while underage, disturbing the peace, and underage drinking... in that order. "I was asking if you needed a hand with your 'plan'." he said flatly.
"So you heard my 'conversation' with the Council?" Revan asked innocently.
"I think they heard you on Kashyyyk." he said pointedly.
She sniggered, "Well you know I could use all the help I can get. But how about you go tell our friends about my plan, while I -" she succeeded in starting the speeder without the keys, "- go to the Senate to tell them we'll help them."
"The Council won't like it." he noted.
"And we care about that, why?" she asked.
Malak sighed, "All right." he frowned, "I'm assuming this 'plan' involves running off and joining the Republic in the war?" she nodded. "And you want me to go and tell the Padawans about this?" their group of friends - if you could use that word for them, they were more like acquaintances - had yet to graduate to the level of Jedi Knight. The two young Knights made a habit of referring to them as 'the Padawans' just to see the sour looks the Padawans would give them for it.
"Yes. I'll meet you back here in-" she glanced at her chronometer, "-a couple of hours." He nodded, and jumped out of the speeder. As soon as he was clear of it, she directed the speeder to zoom out of the garage level and into the traffic lanes.
Malak wasn't sure this estimate of time would be accurate. He was fairly certain the Senate would keep Revan waiting, and throw a load of paperwork at her, even if she explained what she was there for. Still, he would do as she asked, anyway.
x x x
Only seven Jedi, including Revan and Malak themselves, agreed to go on this mission. They got passage on the transport ship Stargazer, which was the next supply ship headed out for the main fleet. Most of the Republic officers were sceptical that a mere seven Jedi could do any good. Malak was pretty sure that while they would make a difference, the small number of Jedi wouldn't be enough. Revan, however, was confident that more would follow when they discovered that the Council's fears were misplaced.
The five Padawans who had agreed to join them were all friends of Revan's, and by association, Malak called them friends, too... though he didn't actually see anyone but Revan as his real friend.
There was a nineteen-year-old blonde human man, named Matt. He had a relatively outgoing personality, and made friends with anyone who was willing to endure his ego. He was a Consular class Jedi, with good leadership skills, though he was also able to take orders with some degree of humility, when he felt so inclined.
There was a Zabrak Guardian class, named Derrin, the same age as Malak. He had been one of the ones who made Malak feel like an outcast, until Revan had arrived at the Temple. Malak never did get over this enmity, though he could ignore Derrin quite effectively, when he felt like it.
Another Guardian class, named Tyr, was a dark-skinned twenty-four year old human, with dreadlocks and a morbid sense of humour. He considered the dark side something to avoid, but not fear... which, Malak supposed, was probably why he was only a Padawan, and not a Knight by now.
There was Cassie, a Sentinel class, with strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes.
And the quiet one was Sam. A Sentinel class human, with brown hair - he tended to keep to himself, weighed up all the logic, facts and probabilities, then went with his gut instinct, and to hell with any advice he may be given.
All in all, with the exception of Revan and Malak themselves, by Jedi standards they were a relatively pathetic group of Padawans. Sure, Malak, Tyr and Derrin could kick some serious ass if needed, and between the seven of them they had enough skill with the Force to raise Atlantean City on Manaan, but they were still only seven people, and even the Jedi were not invincible.
"Are we there, yet?" Derrin asked, for the umpteenth time.
"Somebody gag him." Tyr said coldly. The Jedi had been sharing a small living quarters on the transport ship, and the tension in the room was all Derrin's fault.
"Derrin, unless you want me to dye your hair neon pink, you will not ask that question ever again." Revan warned. Her rivalry with Derrin was puerile and childish, at best, as it originated in the Mr Fuzzems incident... she always won, though.
Derrin stuck his tongue out at her, and proceeded to sulk, "Ok, how much longer till we get there?" he asked.
Revan rolled her eyes, and groaned in exasperation.
"The trip takes four days, you ignorant bantha. And let's not forget the twelve hour stop to re-fuel on Taris." Malak said coldly, "We've only been in-flight for two hours, three of which you have prattled through."
Derrin crossed his eyes, "That math doesn't make sense."
"It means you've been prattling too much!" Malak snarled.
"Boys, calm down." Revan interrupted, "We need to work together, for a change. All differences aside, and let the Force guide us to victory."
"Revan's right. We need to act like Jedi..." Cassie said, giving Derrin a pointed look as she added, "For a change." specifically for his benefit.
Derrin gave both women a sheepish look before muttering, "You're right, girls. Ok, I'll act serious for a change." yet still he grinned lopsidedly, in spite of this.
"No wonder you lot are still Padawans." Malak muttered, "You all act like children, in one way or another."
"I resent that." Tyr retorted, "I don't act like a child, I'm just not quite as pacifistic as the Masters would like me to be."
"That could be an asset in this war, Tyr." Revan said quietly, "The Mandalorians need to be stopped, no matter what. And contrary to the Masters' opinions, I am not saying that out of vengeance."
Everyone looked at her for a minute... they had all known about her personal feelings on Mandalore, but no one had ever brought the subject up in her presence before. "She's right." Malak said, eventually. Though he could tell that while she believed the Mandalorians needed to be stopped, vengeance wasn't exactly something she could ignore, even if it wasn't the only reason she may cite for fighting them.
x x x
The stop on Taris was a non-event. Malak and Revan stayed on the ship, while the Padawans went off to act like the children they feverently denied ever being, playing in the streets of the lower levels.
Twelve hours after leaving Taris, Revan and Malak were on their way back to their quarters on the Stargazer, when the ship dropped out of hyperspace. A wave of anger and fear washed over them as soon as they fell into normal space. Revan literally stumbled with the near-physical impact of it. Malak winced, quickly developing a headache, and caught Revan as the ship shook a second later.
"All hands to battle stations!" the Captain's voice barked over the intercom.
"This is only a transport ship." Revan said, fear creeping into her voice.
"We don't have the defences to handle a real fight." Malak finished her thought for her. With an unspoken agreement, they both broke into a run, headed for the bridge.
They had clearly dropped out of hyperspace in the middle of a battle. The ship shuddered ominously, a few more times, before they reached the bridge. "What's going on?" Malak demanded immediately.
The Captain looked at the two Jedi, with an irritated frown, "We've landed in the middle of a skirmish." he said curtly, "It looks like the division we were supposed to meet up with was ambushed. We're outnumbered, two-to-one... and with Mandalorians, those odds are hopeless."
"There's no such thing as hopeless." Revan said quietly. Her voice low, and her head bowed under the hood of the off-white cloak she had taken to wearing since they left Coruscant. Why she felt the need to conceal that beautiful face, Malak didn't particularly understand, but it was her choice.
Malak could sense her focus. Her aura was so intense he could practically taste it. She stepped forward, to the helm of the ship. The crew gave her sceptical and irritated glances, as if they thought she was going to simply get in the way. Malak wasn't sure what she was about to do, but whatever it was, it was big.
Revan held up her hand, and Malak felt a faint rush in the air around him. Several of the Mandalorian fighters flew off course, and crashed into each other. One of them grazed the lead Mandalorian ship. With a last, vicious, volley of fire at the lead Republic vessel, the Mandalorians retreated. They clearly hadn't been expecting resistance, especially not the sort that looked at first glance like magic.
There was silence on the bridge for a couple of minutes.
Then Revan collapsed. Malak rushed to her side, and checked that she was all right. She was still conscious, but exhausted. Malak helped her to stand, while the rest of the bridge crew looked on in stunned silence. Revan leaned against him, her head bowed so her face was concealed.
Then a beeping from the commlink.
The Lieutenant at the comm station jumped at the sound... then looked at the Captain, who nodded. The Lieutenant then pressed the button to activate the commlink. "Stargazer, this is Captain Saul Karath of the Interdictor ship, Defiant." the voice over the commlink said, sounding as stunned as the bridge crew of the Stargazer looked, "I don't suppose you can tell me what scared off those Mandalorians?"
"I wish I knew what happened." the Captain said, "But you'll have to ask the Jedi."
"Jedi?" Karath asked, "About bloody time the Council decided to send help for us. I want to speak to them as soon as possible."
"The Council didn't send us." Malak said coldly, "And Revan is in no state to answer questions."
"What... what was that you did to scare them off?" one of the younger crewmen, an ensign, asked warily.
"Force wave." Revan whispered.
When the ensign gave them a confused look, Malak elaborated, "A wave of kinetic energy. It threw their ships off course, but it takes immense effort to conjure such a thing in a vacuum. Revan will need to rest." he gave a pointed look to the Captain, who nodded.
"Very well. Take Revan back to the accommodation block. As soon as you are both fit for it, you shall meet with Captain Karath, on the Defiant."
Malak nodded, and then led Revan off the bridge, taking most of her weight himself.
x x x
"Have you seen the way those soldiers look at Cassie?" Revan asked coldly, her voice a low whisper. The seven Jedi were on their way to meet the Captain of the Defiant... and the soldiers on the small shuttle they were riding in from the Stargazer to the Defiant were blatantly staring at Cassie. Gawping and leering might be a better description, actually.
Cassie was wearing tan-coloured Jedi robes that had been gratuitously altered to an almost skin-tight fit. Malak really did see why the soldiers stared. Though he would much prefer to stare at Revan... that is, he would if Revan would take off that concealing cloak... and if there was no one else to watch it, maybe the rest of her robes as well... no, those thoughts were most definitely inappropriate for their current situation... maybe later.
"She doesn't seem to mind." Malak noted. True enough, Cassie seemed almost pleased with the stares she was getting. Malak assumed that was the reason she had altered her robes in the first place - to get that sort of attention.
Revan snorted, "She wouldn't." she pulled the hood further over her face. Anyone would think she was shy, or something. Malak knew better - she was paranoid - there's a subtle difference.
The soldiers weren't looking at Revan with anything other than curiosity and awe. They had heard Revan had scared off the Mandalorian skirmishers, and they were watching her with a sort of reverence and gratitude. But it suddenly struck Malak why she might deliberately keep her face concealed, and her robes loose enough to make it next to impossible to tell her gender. Her disgust at the way men looked at women like Cassie was also an indication... perhaps she didn't want anyone to know how attractive she was. That thought seemed to hurt him... he didn't want her to conceal her beauty... but it was her decision.
The shuttle docked, and the Jedi disembarked. The Defiant was a much better ship than the Stargazer. The Stargazer was pretty much a transport barge, but the Defiant was a state-of-the-art Interdictor class warbird. Even the interior design reeked of military efficiency, and sleek modern technology. And experience - this ship had seen and won its share of battles - Malak could sense that just by setting foot on it.
"I could like this ship." Tyr noted, smirking slightly.
"You would say that." Matt noted blithely. Tyr shrugged, and the group of Jedi followed their Republic escort through the Defiant's corridors, to what appeared to be an office.
There they met Captain Karath. "Ah, the Jedi." he said congenially, "It is good to meet you." he bowed slightly, though it was awkward, and it seemed clear he was not used to it. Being a military man, he was probably more comfortable saluting, instead.
Revan bowed to him, "Captain Karath." she said calmly, "I am Jedi Knight Revan. This is Jedi Knight Malak, my close friend." Malak idly considered saluting the man instead of bowing in return... it certainly would unsettle him... but he resisted the temptation, and bowed politely instead. "And these are Padawans Cassandra, Tyr, Samuel, Derrin, and Yamatto."
Tyr and Matt, on the other hand, were more impetuous than Malak - both saluted the Captain, while Cassie, Sam and Derrin bowed when their names were mentioned. Malak gave Tyr and Matt a brief glare, which Tyr returned with a smirk.
Karath gave Tyr and Matt a curious look, but didn't seem too bothered by their behaviour. "Well, as you can see, Jedi Revan, we have not been faring well in this war. In fact, if you had not shown up, our division would probably not have survived."
"I am glad we could be of assistance, Captain." Revan said. Malak could hear the smile in her voice, even though her hood was still concealing her face, "Although such feats as that which I displayed in that fight are incredibly tiring... and it is more than likely that the Mandalorians will be prepared, next time."
"How can they prepare for something like that?" Matt asked.
"I think Revan means in the sense that they'll expect it." Cassie said coldly.
"Exactly, Cassie." Revan said calmly.
"Well, either way, we are grateful for your assistance, Jedi Revan." Captain Karath said, "We will be rejoining the rest of the fleet in two days. You will be able to meet with the Admiral then, to see how you can help us."
Revan nodded, "Thank you, Captain."
x x x
Admiral Talon Var - a human man in his late fifties, with black hair that was greying at the edges, slightly tanned skin, and a cold aura about him - did not seem pleased to see Revan and Malak, when they met him in his ready-room on the lead ship of the fleet, the Valiant.
"I understand that your actions aided the Defiant in fending off a Mandalorian assault, but you are still only seven people." he said coldly, "If the Jedi wanted to help us, they surely could have sent more-"
"The Council disapproved of our decision to aid you." Revan said calmly.
"And even one person can change the course of history, Admiral." Malak added pointedly.
Admiral Var snorted, "Perhaps I can put you Jedi to use on the front lines, then. We'll see if you can eliminate enough Mandalorians to prove you haven't wasted my time."
Revan looked up at him, so her face was visible beneath her hood - her eyes were cold as ice, "No wonder you're losing. If you don't use the weapons at your disposal to their best effect, I'm amazed you're still in command out here."
The Admiral spluttered indignantly, "How dare you! I am perfectly capable of commanding this fleet!"
"Are you capable of taking advice? Considering suggestions of your subordinates, rather than dismissing them?" she asked innocently.
"Why? Do you have a suggestion?" the Admiral asked coldly.
"The seven Jedi now under your command, sir." she said calmly. Malak was surprised she included herself in this category, and that she still deferred command to this man, after she had verbally slapped him in the face. "Malak, Tyr and Derrin are most efficient of the seven of us, in hand-to-hand combat. Cassandra and Samuel both aced their piloting exams, and would likely be more suited to space-battles. Yamatto and I would best serve you in using our Force skills, wherever you choose to position us. Also, Tyr is a tactical mastermind of ground-based theoretical combat - he passed his defensive combat training through strategic skill - if you placed him in a leadership role in ground-combat, he could be invaluable. Samuel and Cassandra both have uncanny pre-cognition skills - they can literally predict an opponent's choices before they are even made - giving them command of your gunners, or at least the authority to say where to aim, could be beneficial to you. Malak and I are both skilled logical thinkers - before we, ah, decided to come out here-"
"Defied the Council's direct orders, you mean?" Malak asked, trying not to laugh.
Revan shot him a glare, "It was for the greater good. The Council were being cowardly." she retorted. Then she turned her attention back to the Admiral, "Before we left the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, we were both being trained as mediators - you would not believe the amount of deception and near guerrilla war that some freelance businesses indulge in - we have the ability to see all angles of attack, and take the most logical path, that will end a dispute quickly. This is a grander scale, but the principles would remain the same."
The Admiral opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but Malak answered first, "She means we could help you with your battle plans. No plan is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool-"
"Or a Mandalorian - same difference." Revan put in. The Admiral actually smiled faintly at Revan's jab at their mutual enemy.
"But we can certainly help you plan for any foreseeable eventuality." Malak finished, fighting to keep his amused smirk off his face, too.
"And a few unforeseen ones, as well." Revan added.
The Admiral smiled, amused, "All right. I'll give you Jedi a chance. Don't disappoint me."
x x x
Revan was given the chance to help with the planning of battle strategies. Malak did help a bit, but he was out of his league when Revan was in the room. She pointed out several flaws in the Admiral's battle-plans, and even came up with a few strategies of her own. It was quite spectacular to watch, really, the way she could read the holoimage of the battlegrounds... as easily as she could read his mind.
With her guidance, they gradually stopped losing ground to the Mandalorians. It took several months, and a lot of extreme tactics.
The Admiral nearly pitched a fit when Revan told him to take the defences away from Abidos and Kessel - two essential mining facilities - to reinforce the front. But it worked. The Mandalorians went for the greater concentration of firepower, ploughing into the front lines, and they would have shattered the Republic's defences entirely, if the front line had not been reinforced. The two unprotected worlds went unnoticed - no glory or honour in bombing a couple of uninhabited rocks.
Revan and Malak were now permanently stationed on the Defiant, which was the flagship for the main third of the fleet. Besides Admiral Var, Revan and Karath were effectively the highest rank in the fleet. Cassie and Sam were each assigned to lead ships in the other two thirds of the fleet - both had done a great deal to help guide their respective battles in the right direction.
Tyr, Derrin and Matt were more often on the Defiant than any other ship, as well... if they weren't off on a mission. Tyr had quickly been promoted to field captain - he didn't have the patience for a real command job, and he was too valuable in hand-to-hand combat to take off the front lines... he only ever reported back to the Defiant for his next assignment, now. Derrin wasn't a leader - he also fought on the front lines, but never in Tyr's team, and always under a Republic soldier's command. Matt went with whoever needed him - he had a knack for creating Force illusions that really threw off the Mandalorians, his favourite illusion taking the form of a rabid were-kath charging straight for the enemy lines... it was a simple trick, and it never took long for the Mandalorians to get wise to it - whenever they did, he came up with a new monster to throw at them.
A few weeks after the Abidos incident, Cassie brought it to Revan's attention that a small smuggling vessel had slipped out past the Republic lines. The Admiral seemed not to deem it important, but Cassie insisted that the vessel was significant. "It was headed to the Mandalorian Katzof world." Cassie reported, over the holoprojector, "And the trace indicates that it originated at or near Myrkr."
This caught Revan's attention, "That can not be good. What has Myrkr to export, that the Mandalorians would want?"
"Spice?" Derrin suggested sarcastically.
"I wish." Revan muttered.
"Myrkr... isn't that where...?" Malak didn't even need to finish the sentence. The Jedi avoid that world diligently, because certain creatures there posed a great threat to them. Not predators like the mythical terentatek... these were much more insidious threats, though Malak never did pay attention beyond the fact these creatures were to be avoided at all costs.
"Yes." Revan answered, "But they are next to impossible to export. It is likely just a spice-smuggler who thinks there's someone to sell to past the Mandalorians."
"I hope you're right." Malak said quietly.
x x x
A few days later, Tyr found Malak in his quarters on the Defiant. "Hey, Malak."
Malak looked up from the datapad he'd been reading - information on one of Revan's wild schemes that would undoubtedly work out. "What is it?" Tyr was too single-minded to show up for anything that didn't have to do with the war.
"Revan said she's got a job for you." Tyr said calmly, "Said she doesn't trust me to get it done right." Tyr snorted at that, and Malak laughed.
"Why would she think I'd be any better? You're a better military tactician than I am." Malak noted.
"Ask her. She won't even tell me the mission." Tyr said coldly.
Malak set down his datapad, "I think I'll do that." he pushed Tyr out of the room, and locked the door behind them, "And remember to knock in future." he turned to walk down the corridor.
"What? It's not like you have a girlfriend, or anything." Tyr retorted.
Malak didn't even look back as he gave Tyr a rude hand-gesture, before turning the corner.
Revan was waiting for him in her office. The really great thing about being effectively in charge of the fleet was she got her own private office. Malak knocked and waited.
"Enter." Revan's voice called.
He stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and walked over to the desk Revan sat behind, "Tyr said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes." she looked up, lowering her hood completely, so he could see her face. She only ever did that for him, and never when anyone else was in the room. "One of Mandalore's generals has left himself vulnerable. I think it's a trap, so I'm sending you with the strike team to the planet."
"You're deliberately sending me into a trap?" Malak asked, stunned.
"Because I think you can handle it." she said calmly, "A Jedi would be able to take out any ambush laid for the strike-team, allowing them to complete their mission."
"And this mission would be...?" he asked.
"To capture the general in question." Revan answered, "Head of Katzof clan. He would be an invaluable source of information if he could be captured and made to talk."
Malak nodded, "Why me? Why not Tyr?"
"Tyr is a good Jedi, but when he goes into battle, he doesn't leave any enemies alive. I want that general taken prisoner, and with his head and voice intact." she said calmly. Malak noticed she only mentioned his head and voice... meaning other limbs were fair game, as long as it wasn't fatal.
"I won't let you down, Revan."
x x x
The strike team consisted of half a dozen soldiers, armed to the teeth. The Mandalorian stronghold on Siraun had been left with relatively weak defences, and it was easy enough to infiltrate the planet itself. The few surviving civilians on the planet had hidden in the forests, where the Mandalorians didn't venture. There was no point in securing tactically worthless forestland, and the civilians were no threat... though they did offer meagre food and shelter to the strike team, on their first night on the ground. That was probably the only mistake the Mandalorians did make, this time.
It certainly was a trap. It was obvious as soon as they approached the stronghold, the next day. The guards on duty were slacking off more than even the laziest soldier would do - and these were warriors, who should have known better. Malak had no trouble taking out the guards.
He led the team into the stronghold. They reached the high security area unopposed. This was too easy. The door opened - they didn't even need to slice it. "Open invitation..." Malak said quietly, "Somehow I don't like this."
He took a step through the door, and felt the most terrifying thing a Jedi could ever feel. The Force left him, completely. He stepped back, horrified. The Force returned to him as soon as he passed through the door. He stared in awe and horror at the doorway.
"Is something wrong, Jedi Malak?" one of the soldiers asked. If Malak remembered correctly, this soldier's name was Nick O'Malley.
"Yes... something is very wrong." he reached his hand through the door. He could still feel his hand, the muscles and sense of touch... but he couldn't sense it in the Force. He quickly withdrew his hand from the room. "I really do not want to go in there." he said quietly.
"But our instructions said that the general's quarters were in this section of the stronghold. We've got this far, what's so bad about going through this door?" Nick asked.
Malak scowled, "I can't feel the Force in there. It's the most disconcerting sensation I've ever experienced." he said quietly, "But you're right, we have to go in there."
He took a deep breath, to calm himself, and stepped through the door. The Force left him, again. It was as debilitating to him as being blind - he had literally lost all his extra-sensory perception. He couldn't sense anything, couldn't even sense his own presence. Hearing the footsteps behind him, and not sensing the presences of the soldiers, he was incredibly jumpy.
"Doesn't feel any different to me." Nick noted bluntly.
"You're not a Jedi." Malak retorted coldly.
They eventually reached another door, still unchallenged. This was getting ridiculous. "This is so a trap." Nick noted.
"He's right." Malak said, "Fawkes, go back to the doors and wait for us." he ordered one of the soldiers, "If something goes wrong, get back to the ship and get gone."
"Gotcha." Fawkes said, nodding. He activated his stealth belt and Malak heard his footsteps retreating towards the exit. He got the feeling Fawkes was grateful to leave, even though he couldn't sense his emotions. Malak really didn't blame him - he wanted to leave, too. But of the strike team, Darien Fawkes was their best stealth op, and had the best chance of getting back to the ship unseen, if something did go wrong. Word would need to get back to Revan, either way.
Malak then led the strike team cautiously through the door. They found themselves in a small room, empty save for a man standing with his back to them.
As soon as the strike team were all through the door, the man turned to face them. He wore full general's armour, with the Katzof symbol emblazoned on the breastplate. "Ah, you made it. I was wondering how much longer it would take Jedi Revan to send someone for me."
"So Revan was right. It was a trap." Malak said calmly.
"Oh, yes. But not in the sense you think." the general smiled, clearly amused, "You think it was merely an ambush to eliminate some of your soldiers. You thought to send a Jedi with you would help. But in fact, by sending a Jedi, Revan played right into my hands." with a slight hand-gesture, several Mandalorian warriors appeared, practically out of nowhere, surrounding the strike team.
No one moved for a few moments. All the soldiers in the strike team kept their eyes on Malak, waiting for his order. Malak stared coldly at the general - he couldn't sense the Mandalorian warriors behind him, but he could hear their breathing. He guessed at about six of seven of them, possibly more.
The slightest gesture from Malak, and the strike team attacked, turning to lash out futilely at the hopeless odds. Malak attacked the nearest warrior - the general seemed to want to stay out of it for now, so Malak would ignore him for now. With a swing of his lightsaber, there was one less Mandalorian to deal with.
But almost immediately, another warrior knocked the lightsaber out of his hand, almost breaking Malak's wrist in the process. Would have broken it if it weren't for the armoured wristbands he wore. He turned and struck the Mandalorian across the face with his other forearm, then quickly hit the Mandalorian under the jaw with the heel of his hand, snapping his neck.
He turned in time to kick another Mandalorian in the stomach. While that one gasped for breath, another hit Malak from behind with a vibroblade. It wasn't a deep cut, but it hurt like hell. He lashed out at the attacker, spinning to kick him in the face, but he was blocked, and promptly kicked in the chest for his trouble.
The door was still open, he realised. He evaded another vibroblade, and tried to make a run for it. Only one of the soldiers - Nick - had survived this long, and when Malak yelled, "Retreat!" Nick bolted for the door, just avoiding losing his head to one of the Mandalorians' vibroblades. He did manage to escape the room, though.
Malak wasn't so lucky. Two of the Mandalorians grabbed him by the arms. He kicked down sharply on the knee of the one holding his right arm, then when that arm was released he elbowed that Mandalorian in the stomach, then the back of the neck.
He turned, and flipped the other Mandalorian onto his back, and drove his heel down on the Mandalorian's throat. He turned on the general, who was the only one left.
The general smirked, "Impressive. Even without the Force to aid you, you are an excellent fighter, Jedi."
Malak spotted his lightsaber on the floor, not far from him.
"Oh, I wouldn't try it if I were you. You'll not reach it in time." the general said, amused.
Malak returned his full attention to the general. He kept the option of lunging for his lightsaber in the back of his mind, but didn't try it yet. "What do you want with me?" he asked.
The general laughed, "Perhaps if you surrender." the jeering tone made it clear he thought the idea of surrender was preposterous. Malak knew Mandalorians fought to the death, and to surrender was to lose honour.
Malak sneered at the general, then went for his lightsaber. He didn't make it, though. A single shot, a searing pain in his back, and that was the last thing he remembered.
x x x
He woke up to find himself chained to a wall. There was no one else in the darkened room. He tested the chains that held him - they were secure. He still couldn't feel the Force, and without it he had no hope of escape.
"Ah, you're awake." the general was standing in the doorway of the room, "I hadn't thought you would react so badly to the tranquillisers. You almost didn't wake up at all."
"I thought Mandalorians didn't take prisoners?" Malak asked coldly, "Isn't it against your honour code, or something?"
"Usually, we do not take prisoners. But these are exceptional circumstances. You are a Jedi, and as such you have invaluable information. You can tell me Revan's plans."
"That's what you think." Malak said snidely.
The Mandalorian laughed, "What is your name, Jedi?"
Malak just glared silently.
"My name is Rangar. what is yours?"
"Malak."
"Good. Now we don't have to resort to snide pseudonyms for each other, Malak." Rangar said, amused.
"That won't stop me, rancor." Malak said brightly.
Rangar backhanded Malak across the face sharply.
"Now where's the honour in hitting someone who can't fight back?" Malak taunted.
"Sometimes exceptions need to be made." Rangar said coldly, "You could be much more useful to us alive, and the only way to extract information from a 'prisoner' includes inflicting pain."
"You obviously haven't met Revan." Malak said calmly, "Revan can make you tell all your deepest secrets, without even threatening you."
"I'm sure he can." Rangar said, amused, "I've heard many stories of your leader, Malak. I wouldn't be surprised."
Malak kept his expression neutral, though he secretly found it highly amusing that this Mandalorian thought Revan was male.
"But I am just sadistic enough not to care... and physical torture is something I've wanted to try for some time." Rangar said, cruel glee evident in his tone.
"Have fun with that, then." Malak said coldly, "It won't make me talk."
"We shall see." he took out a dagger. Shining silver, very pretty, but very sharp. He held it up for Malak to see. Malak kept his fear out of his expression, but he was scared - anyone would be. "I know a thousand different ways to kill a man, with this dagger alone."
"What about inserting it up your nose?" Malak suggested.
Rangar blinked a few times, "A thousand and one." Malak laughed. "The point is that I also know exactly how to use this, to keep you alive, and in pain, for a long long time." that stopped him laughing pretty quickly.
x x x