Falling For You
Author's Notes: Carthoholics, the bit before Tatooine in this chapter is for you. Sort of an apology for the DS ending of SCHV. Sort of. My beta pointed out something about prophecies rhyming, even when they're translated from alien languages... gotta say, I don't have a retort to that one.
Lord Valentai: ::bows:: thank you. I prefer to focus on the darker aspects of the story, in this fic... which is probably why that chapter wasn't as bad as the others (the love thing turns dark later on ::straightens her halo... the horns were making it look crooked:: .
snackfiend101: ::grins gleefully:: glad to be of disservice... though if you though those were bad mental pictures, just wait until after they find the Star Forge... it just gets sicker and sicker from there. ::hands over a chocolate bar:: yep, that reference was a bit blatant, wasn't it? Funny you should mention Carth.
Trunxluvr82190: Um... well, now that question is very difficult to answer. The way I see it, a bond formed between total strangers should be malleable enough that if the relationship changes so does the nature of the bond. Bastila gave Revan a new life, when the bond was formed. By that technicality, it would start as a parental bond (in spite of Bastila being the younger of the two)... but as soon as the two got to know each other, it would turn into one of the other two forms.
RollingSkull: lol - cute description. Thank you. Yeah, as I write this very review-response, I have just finished writing some more "disturbing" Malak-torture... in chapter 11 :D The Shadow Priestess: Um... ::tries to think of something to say to that review:: ... hi, Whisper.
Ozziegrl: Thank you. Actually, if you look at the last part of the DS ending of SCHV, you'll get your answer ::grins:
yeth: Glad you liked it. Heh, yeah... pesky things, emotions, eh?
Darth Arachne: ::hands over a chocolate bar:: Cassie's last name isn't Kiddo. The Mandalore-fight will be in chapter 8.
sammie teufel: ::hands over a chocolate bar:: I know I'm tough on the guy... I'm sadistic towards my fictitious characters. The thing with Rangar, well... it takes something particularly "disturbing" to scare such a brave warrior as Malak... and I needed to do it to help pull him towards the dark side. You think I'm sick and twisted? ::blushes:: you flatter me.
Prisoner 24601: Thank you. I'm glad you liked it :D
"It's been a long night, trying to find my way,
Been through the darkness, now I finally have my day,
And I will see my dream come alive at last,
I will touch the sky,
And they're not gonna hold me down no more,
No they're not gonna change my mind,
Cause I've got faith of the heart,
I'm going where my heart will take me,
I've got faith to believe,
I can do anything,
I've got strength of the soul,
And no one's gonna bend or break me,
I can reach any star,
I've got faith, I've got faith, faith of the heart."
-Russell Watson, Faith of the Heart.
x x x
Chapter 5 - Angel
They made it quickly to the bridge, and Revan immediately demanded, "Report."
Revan had enough authority within the fleet, now, that the crew respond to her orders as if she were their captain. "Three Mandalorian destroyer class warbirds dropped out of hyperspace on all sides of us. We're totally surrounded and outgunned. The Leviathan and the Valiant were due to meet us here in two hours, and we've sent a distress call to them... but the chances of surviving until they get here are-"
"Five thousand six hundred and fifty-five to one." Malak said flatly.
"Our computers said seven thousand eight hundred and ninety-two to one... actually." the ensign retorted.
"Your computers don't account for Revan." Malak said pointedly.
Revan waved her hand to silence the argument. "Scramble the fighter pilots. Malak, find Derrin and join them. Go."
She didn't have to tell him twice. Malak bolted off the bridge.
He wasn't looking for Derrin, but he did run into him on his way to the docking bays. "Hey, horn-face!" Malak snapped, grabbing Derrin's arm and not breaking stride.
Derrin fell quickly into step with Malak, "What is it, hair-brain?" he asked.
"The Defiant is under attack, or hadn't you noticed?" Malak said snidely.
"I'd noticed... hence I was headed for the blasters." Derrin retorted.
"Well Revan wants us both with the fighter pilots." Malak informed him.
Derrin pulled his arm away from Malak's grip, and continued running next to him, "All right. Let's show those Mandies who's boss, shall we?"
"Sounds fun to me." Malak said bluntly. Derrin had a knack for being derisive about pretty much everything. Malak considered it highly likely that to call a Mandalorian by the nickname Derrin came up with, to his face, would be just asking to be dismembered and disembowelled, slowly and painfully.
They reached the docking bay, where the fighters were lined up, ready to go. The ship shuddered again. "Derrin, go with blue squad, I'll take red."
Malak leapt into one of the fighter ships that had a red symbol on it. "What about gold?"
"Not enough Jedi to go around. Revan's more useful from the bridge, and the three of us are the only Jedi that're on the Defiant at the moment." Malak replied coolly. There were only three fighter squadrons resident on the Defiant, referred to by colour-code: red, gold and blue. Gold was the elite, which was why Malak considered them able to look after themselves.
Derrin shrugged and made his way over to blue squadron.
As soon as they were all ready to launch, the docking bay doors swung open, and they all swooped out towards the enemy ships.
"Red squadron, head for the lead Mandalorian ship." Revan's voice called over the comm, "Gold, starboard flank. Blue, go for the other ship."
The other fighters confirmed the order, and when Malak was sure his whole squad had acknowledged it, so did he.
'Fly safe, love.' the thought rang in his mind, with Revan's voice. It didn't surprise him, but he did smile.
'I will.' he thought, in response.
The battle was hectic, to say the least. The Mandalorians' aim was frightening... but they didn't seem to have brought their war-droids, which were usually only used within atmospheres, and this was a space-battle. That, at least, was a small mercy luck, or the Force, afforded them.
Revan gave direct instructions to all three squadrons, and because of that, they did manage to take out some essential systems in the Mandalorian ships. Shields on the ship blue squad were fighting were the first thing to go.
Derrin's whoop of joy at striking the first blow was short-lived, as two of his squad were shot down almost immediately after.
"Derrin, aim for their weapons next!" Revan's voice ordered over the comm.
"You got it, boss." Derrin replied.
Six more pilots - three from gold, two red and one blue - were shot down before gold squad succeeded in crippling the ship they were targeting. Malak only evaded the enemy blaster fire through either luck, the Force, or... he could feel Revan's mind guiding him as he piloted the fighter ship... she was protecting him.
'On the bright side, we're distracting them from the Defiant.' Malak thought bitterly.
'I'm doing my best to distract them from you.' Revan replied, her thoughts perfectly calm, in spite of the torrent of emotion they could both feel around them.
Gold squad joined red, to attack the lead ship. Derrin's squad lost five more ships, leaving only Derrin and one other pilot to try to take out their opponent.
"Gold six, seven and eight, go help blue out." a voice called over the comm. Malak assumed the voice was gold-leader, because only the three squad leaders gave orders like that in a situation like this.
"Yes sir."
"On it."
"Yes sir." the three fighters in question replied, before veering off to join blue squad.
With their help, Derrin eliminated their opponent's weapons... not before gold seven and the last blue ship bit the dust as well, though. Derrin flew, a zigzag course that barely dodged a volley of blaster fire from the lead enemy ship, heading over to join the assault on the lead Mandalorian ship, flanked by the two gold ships. The Mandalorian ship shot down another six gold-squad ships, and the rest of red squad.
Only the two Jedi, and gold-leader were still alive.
"This is getting hairy." Derrin muttered.
"Someone take out those blasters." Malak snapped, dodging another round of fire.
"Can't with their shields up." gold-leader noted.
Suddenly, and quite inexplicably, the shield generator exploded, "That help you boys?" Revan asked over the comm.
Before they could thank Revan, gold-leader had dived in towards the main gun-turret, while it was aimed at Malak's ship, and blasted it into oblivion. He barely dodged a volley from another turret. Derrin mimicked him, taking out the offending turret while it was aiming at gold-leader.
Malak circled around, and fired at the bridge of the Mandalorian ship, causing a hull-breach. Now that's how to cripple an enemy ship.
This time, because the fight was actually over, Derrin had plenty of time to whoop, cheer, call the now-dead Mandalorians all the obscene names he could think of, and offer to buy Malak and the surviving fighter pilot a drink.
"Derrin." Malak said pointedly.
"Huh?"
"Just because you know how to shoot things, it doesn't make you a good fighter. Knowing when to shut the hell up helps!"
He heard stifled laughter over the comm, and it wasn't Derrin's.
Malak smirked faintly - clearly the gold-leader had some semblance of a sense of humour, "Let's just get back to the Defiant, all right?" he asked.
"Fine by me." Derrin said, turning immediately to fly back to the ship.
"That's got my vote." gold-leader added.
"Race you." Derrin cheered.
"Immature brat." Malak muttered. Yet he turned his ship around to pursue Derrin as fast as he could.
Again, the other pilot laughed, and followed them.
x x x
"Wow, Malak. You really kicked ass, out there." Derrin cheered. The three of them - the survivors of that firefight - had disembarked onto the Defiant. Derrin had proceeded to do a victory dance. "I've never seen anyone fly like that. I mean wow!"
"Derrin, you insensitive prat." Malak growled, "If you didn't have sharp horns on your head... and if I weren't a civilised Jedi... I'd whack you in the ear."
"I'll whack him for you. It'd be worth the medpacs." the pilot who had led gold squadron said coldly.
"What I do?" Derrin whined, "We did win, didn't we?"
"And you're acting like those pilots who died in the fight don't count!" Malak snapped.
The other pilot leaned against the nose of his fighter, watching the two Jedi carefully. He had auburn hair, and brown eyes - he seemed to have a fairly amicable aura, but he was being incredibly wary of the Jedi, like he didn't know how to act around them.
Derrin sobered quickly, "You're right. It's just that we whooped three warbirds' asses with only thirty fighters."
"Twenty-seven of which didn't make it, so quit celebrating." Malak snarled.
"The point..." the other fighter said tentatively, "as far as I can see, is that we're still alive. Sure we shouldn't be happy the others are dead... but at least we're the ones alive, and not those Mandalorians who attacked us."
Malak smiled weakly, "You're right."
"And I sure wouldn't turn down your offer of a drink, Jedi." the pilot added.
Derrin laughed, "Good point. Let's go to the mess hall. Come on, Malak." he grabbed Malak's arm, and dragged him away from the fighter ships. The pilot followed a short distance away.
x x x
As they sat in the crew lounge, which had a small bar attached to it, for just such a celebration, Malak sat petulantly glaring at Derrin. Derrin was doing his best to get both himself and Malak drunk... as far as Derrin cared, the other pilot could either get drunk or not, as long as he didn't spoil Derrin's fun.
"You're acting like a moron, Derrin." Malak said pointedly, "Though that's nothing new. But I thought you had learned how to behave like a proper Jedi?"
"I've been taught... doesn't mean I learned anything."
"Immature brat." Malak muttered, "There is no reason to be so hyper after a fight like that."
"It was just such a rush, is all. I've never been in a space-battle before." Derrin replied.
"Battle-lust is beneficial to a Force-blind fighter, but for the likes of you and I, it can only lead to the dark side." Malak growled. He had also felt a rush during the fight, but it sure hadn't been battle-lust... he had felt battle-lust before, and this was different... he wasn't certain, but he thought it was probably Revan's presence in his mind, helping him, protecting him, that had given him that feeling.
Derrin rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
Malak scowled at Derrin for a second, then turned to the surviving pilot, "I apologise for my comrade's behaviour."
"Everyone deals with this sort of situation in a different way." the pilot said calmly, "It doesn't really bother me."
Malak shrugged, "Well, if that is your opinion... I suppose you're right. You fought well, out there, soldier."
"Thank you, sir." the soldier replied, seeming to stiffen in his seat, as if he wanted to stand to attention and salute.
"Hey, look at you." another voice, which Malak quickly realised was attached to a younger human man, with sandy coloured hair... the human in question was standing near the fighter-pilot, "Buddying up with the Jedi."
The fighter pilot waved him off, muttering something Malak didn't quite hear.
"So are you gonna get Malak's autograph, or something?" the younger man asked, a little too loudly.
The pilot glared at him, "You are kidding me, right?" The younger man shook his head, giving him a 'duh' look. The pilot rolled his eyes and smiled innocently, "Allow me to introduce you. Aaron, this is Jedi Derrin. You'll get on great together." he stood up and made to leave, "Have fun." he hastily made his exit from the lounge, and Malak quickly stood and followed him.
"Thank you." Malak muttered, glancing over his shoulder to ensure that neither Derrin nor Aaron were following them.
The pilot jumped slightly, and turned to face Malak, "No problem, Master Jedi." he said, smirking slightly.
"I'm not a Master." Malak said - it had become an automatic response, since so many people see any Jedi and assume the title 'Master' goes with them.
The pilot shrugged, "Sorry, sir." Revan and Malak were technically not a part of the fleet, but they had been given the authority of Vice Admirals, within the fleet. The title 'sir' was just about acceptable to Malak... though he would prefer it if the pilot just dropped the formalities altogether. Though, the fleet soldiers did find it difficult to see the Jedi for what they were - just regular humans (well, except Derrin, but he's still a sentient being... just about), with different skills to them.
"You're not the first person to make that common error. Don't worry about it." Malak said, shrugging, "Revan and I are only Jedi Knights. No Masters were sent with us, because the Jedi Masters did not approve of us being here at all."
The pilot nodded, "I heard that's why so few Jedi came out here."
Malak nodded.
'Hey, lover... get your gorgeous ass up to my briefing room... the Admiral wants to talk to us.' Revan's voice declared, in his mind... it was most disconcerting.
'Must you make such lewd remarks where I cannot pretend I didn't hear them?' he thought back.
'Yes. Not get the aforementioned ass up here now! I want something nice to look at while I talk to the Admiral.'
Malak had to struggle to keep his expression neutral, but he managed it, "I have go, now." he nodded to the pilot, "Thanks, again."
The pilot saluted, as Malak turned to walk away. He made it around the corner before he realised he hadn't even found out the pilot's name. He made a point of knowing the names of everyone he worked with. Meh, he could ask the next time he saw the pilot in question. It may be a big army, but the odds were good that they encounter each other again, eventually.
x x x
That would be the last time Revan or Malak ever saw the Admiral. The Valiant, Admiral Var's flagship, was destroyed in another attack, similar to that on the Defiant, two weeks later. The Defiant and Leviathan both received the distress call, and just dropped out of hyperspace in time to see the Valiant's hyperdrive being hit by a volley from the lead Mandalorian ship, causing an unstoppable chain-reaction that destroyed the ship. No one survived the explosion.
The three Mandalore warbirds then turned on the Defiant and Leviathan. Knowing the Defiant held three of the Republic's Jedi warriors, they charged the Defiant, taking out their shield generators and sublight engines, and causing a hull breach in the aft cargo bay, before jumping to hyperspace, knowing better than to really chance their luck against the Jedi, without backup.
The Leviathan was left undamaged, and Revan ordered it to go on to their destination. They had been planning to meet up with a larger fleet, to defend Xenon - a civilian world on a vital hyperspace route. The Mandalorians were likely to try to take it for strategic value, and Revan didn't want them to kill any more innocent civilians, if she could stop them.
The Defiant was in no condition, however, to go on. Revan sent Derrin with the Leviathan... and Cassie would be meeting him at Xenon. Then the Defiant limped to the nearest planet capable of repairing them. They sent down a shuttle to negotiate the price for repairs.
"Five thousand credits?!" Revan demanded. She and Malak stood before a representative of Czerka Corporation, the company that owned the mining facility and small shipyard on this Force-forsaken rock. Tatooine.
Revan's near-white robes and cloak had been replaced by clothing that was identical besides the colour - it was actually possible that she had dyed the originals to create these. They were blood red. He never asked her, but he still knew, through their bond, that she believed white was for innocence. She chose the red colour because she was no longer a virgin. The three colours: white, red, and midnight blue-black, signified three incarnations of the goddess which had been worshipped by ancient people on Deralia - the maiden, the nymph, and the crone. The red had the added advantage of concealing blood.
Malak still wore his dark blue Jedi robes, though the small unobtrusive pieces of armour on his forearms, which weren't enough to inhibit his use of the Force, were cortosis weave, strong enough to block vibroblades and lightsabers alike. He had also managed to root out a light grey cloak from the bottom of the pile of clothing in his room, to help protect him from the twin suns of this world... but he really did not like wearing cloaks, so it would likely be dumped somewhere as soon as they got off this pit of a world.
"Your vessel is larger than our docking facility can accommodate. It is expensive to repair a vessel without the proper docking facilities." the representative explained. Malak was surprised to see that the Czerka rep kept her emotions as unreadable as a well-trained Jedi. She seemed almost droid-like.
"We don't have five thousand credits." Revan growled. Her voice was low, and if Malak hadn't known her, he might have thought she sounded masculine. That was probably deliberate, though - Revan did like to confuse people about her gender. The fact that Derrin had very recently picked up on this, and happily obliged her trickery by spreading libellous rumours about Revan and Cassie, had helped perpetuate the illusion.
"You should consider yourselves lucky you are dealing with us, rather than the dominant Hutts on this planet. They would only accept Hutt Gold." the Czerka rep said coldly.
Malak could feel Revan roll her eyes, even though he could not see her face, "There must be some form of compromise or barter you would accept?"
"We do accept spice, weapons, fuel, droids, and bio-acquisitions." the Czerka rep said calmly.
Revan's eyes narrowed to vicious slits, and Malak sensed revulsion from her, "Bio-acquisitions... you mean slaves?"
"Well, yes." the Czerka rep said, as if this should have been obvious.
Malak now understood why Revan was so disgusted - he felt the same way. "We cannot afford to part with any droids, weaponry or fuel." Malak growled, "And we are not so disreputable as to deal in spice and slaves. There must be another alternative."
The Czerka rep seemed unruffled by Malak's insult, "Perhaps there is something." she evaluated the two Jedi before her, carefully, "We have been having some difficulties regarding the local savages. Sand People. If you could, ah, take care of them, we would gratefully reduce the price of your repairs."
"Five hundred credits is all we have to spare." Revan noted pointedly. It wasn't technically a lie. The Defiant did have about three thousand credits, but they couldn't afford to spend all of it here. They may need it later. Five hundred was a reasonable price for repairs. Czerka were just being greedy.
"If you eliminate the Sand People problem for us, that amount will do nicely." the Czerka rep said, too cheerfully, "The tribe that has been bothering us is to the north of here. Here are your hunting licences, to allow you to leave the city. Have a nice day."
x x x
"Have a nice day." Malak mimicked snidely, "You know where those Czerka prats can stick their bloody repair charges."
Revan chuckled darkly. The mental picture Malak had conjured, which happened to involve a Sand People gaffi-stick, had been passed through the bond quite effectively. "That, I might pay to see." she replied, "I cannot believe the nerve of those fools. They have the tenacity to attempt to purchase spice and slaves from us."
"Jedi just don't get involved in that sort of thing." Malak added. It had been her thought, but he agreed with it strongly enough to say it himself.
"Exactly." Revan agreed.
Malak examined the hunting licence carefully. It was a small piece of laminated card, and he added it to the gaffi-stick, in the twisted mental picture. Revan gave him an amused look, "You have a sick mind, Malak."
He shrugged innocently, "That Czerka rep just has one of those 'punch me' faces."
"And her voice doesn't help." Revan noted.
"Nor does her attitude." Malak added.
Revan sighed, "Well, we shall have to find a way to settle this problem. We cannot afford their prices without this barter."
Malak sighed, and grabbed Revan's arm gently, pulling her into the nearby cantina. They found a table in a corner, and Malak sat with his back to one wall. Revan sat with her back to the other wall. 'What?' she asked in his mind.
'Aside from the fact I wanted to get out of the sun for a bit, you mean?' he replied, smirking faintly. He had lowered the hood of his cloak, but she had not lowered hers.
'Don't play innocent with me, Malak. I can read your mind, remember?' Revan noted, amused.
'How could I possibly forget?' he asked. He didn't wait for her to answer... it was a rhetorical question, and she knew it, "I just thought that perhaps it would be more comfortable to sit down to discuss our plans, regarding the Sand People." he said out loud, though his voice was low enough that he reckoned those at nearby tables wouldn't hear him.
"I suppose you are right. It is cooler in here... and I do prefer not to stand around all the time." she agreed.
"It seemed obvious to me that the Czerka thought they were hiring killers." Malak noted.
"I got that impression too." she sighed, "I don't like the idea, but what else are we to do? Lose the war? It's not like the Sand People are really sentient, anyway..."
A Duros at the next table stood up, so sharply that his chair fell to the floor, and he turned on Revan, shouting angrily in his own language.
Malak was about to tell the Duros to sod off and mind his own business, but- 'Let me deal with this, Malak.' Revan then spoke to the Duros, in soothing tones, but in the Duros' own language. Malak didn't follow a word of it.
He tried to reach into Revan's mind, to understand what she was saying... but that didn't help... she was literally thinking in the language she spoke. He could sense her feelings, which were intent curiosity, and some hope as well. He couldn't tell anything beyond that, and it annoyed him no end.
The conversation lasted for a few minutes, during which Malak tried to pretend he either knew what they were talking about, or didn't care... or hopefully both. Eventually, the Duros, who seemed much calmer now, nodded to Revan then turned and left.
"What was that about?" Malak asked her.
Revan looked up at him, and smiled, "His name was Zerlon. He's a conservationist, who has apparently been arguing with Czerka over their Sand People problems, for the last several years. He believes it should be possible to settle the situation without violence, though it would be incredibly difficult."
"Sounds like a good idea." Malak agreed, "I would much rather not kill, if I could avoid it." In truth, he had become disturbed by the glee, however fleeting, that he had felt when killing their Mandalorian foes during the war. He had hoped this stop on Tatooine would be a break during which he could meditate, and reign in his bloodlust. Killing Sand People, sentient or not, would not help him in this.
Revan smiled, "Indeed." she was unaware of his thoughts. It was possible for them to block each other in the bond... Revan didn't seem to be trying to, though there were parts of her mind he hadn't tried to pry into yet. Malak did prefer to keep his darker thoughts locked up, though... he knew Revan had enough dark thoughts of her own without his problems on top of it all.
"So... what do you suggest we do?" Malak asked.
Revan frowned, though he still couldn't see her face, "I suppose we should go out into the desert. We do have swoop-bikes on the shuttle. It will make it easier than walking."
"Swoop bikes?" he asked, surprised, "Why do we have swoop bikes?"
"Would you want to land on a vast world, and your strike team get exhausted walking to the enemy? Swoop bikes are useful even in war."
"Hmmm... true." he smiled, "This mission suddenly sounds a lot more fun."
x x x
Revan's bike made the now-familiar click-hiss as it stepped up a gear and shot ahead of Malak. She let out a whoop of delight at the adrenaline and speed. Malak smiled, and shifted up a gear, catching up with her. The speeds they reached might have made a seasoned swoop racer blanch in terror. Revan's hood had fallen back within seconds of leaving the city, and her scarlet cloak and jet-black hair flew out behind her, as she streaked across the desert.
Of the dozen swoop bikes, Revan had chosen the only one with crimson paint - there were also green ones, tan ones, and white ones, designed to camouflage in different terrains - but Revan picked the red one. Malak's bike was painted a tan colour, for the desert.
After a few minutes of their exhilarating race, Revan looked up sharply, and clicked out of gear, applying the breaks to her bike. Malak slowed a bit more sharply, downshifting through all the gears, like the manual says you're supposed to. Revan glided to a graceful stop, and pulled her hood up, 'Over there...' she was looking out to the northeast.
Malak followed her gaze, and saw a dozen figures running across the dunes. They were all covered from head-to-toe in sand-coloured wrappings, and carried gnarled primitive staffs. Their auras, Revan's mind told him, tried to blend with the desert itself. 'Sand People.' Malak though, watching them.
Revan nodded, and scanned the area. There was a rock-formation not far from them, and she indicated toward it. She guided her bike in that direction, and it wasn't long until their two swoop bikes were parked in the mouth of a cave where they weren't likely to be seen.
'Uh... Revan...'
Revan looked up to see what Malak sounded so worried about. The Sand People had vanished, and there was a sandstorm moving in on them. 'Oh crap.'
'I think we should stay in this cave until it passes.' Malak suggested.
'Good idea.' they retreated into the cave, dragging the swoop bikes with them.
x x x
Hours passed, and the storm showed no signs of abating.
"How long do Tatooine sandstorms last, anyway?" Malak asked. He was bored out of both his mind and Revan's. It was driving him to distraction, and she had shut his incessant thoughts on speeder mechanics and lightsaber moves - an attempt to not be bored on his part - out of her mind.
"They can last for days. The longest on record is seven days." she answered.
He literally felt the point where his resolve snapped, and he gave in, "All right, Revan. I surrender."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? That was quick."
"I'm willing to listen." he said, his tone resigned.
She grinned, "Great!" she cheered, "All right, then. We can start with Mandalorians."
He actually regarded her with abnormally intent curiosity. Mandalorians were probably the only aspect of this that he would really be interested in.
"Mandalorian mythology." she announced with unnecessary glee. "The Mandalorians believe that the first Mandalore - the one whose true name was actually Mandalore, because all those since were named after him as a title - slew their gods, and took their powers and duties onto himself. Every new Mandalore dons their predecessor's mask and belt - the mask is the more important of the two by far - to claim these powers themselves. The belt, which holsters guns and blades, supposedly belonged to their god of youth, learning, and familial bonds. He wore white armour, as a sign of relative innocence, though he had shed blood, he was still the most naive of the Mandalorian gods... I should note practically every culture in the galaxy - with the exception of the Iridorians, whose innocents wear a gaping wound on their neck where their head should be - believe white is a colour of innocence."
"Nice. Remind me never to go to Iridoria."
"It doesn't have an atmosphere humans can breathe, anyway." Revan noted cheerfully.
"That helps, I suppose." Malak muttered.
"The mask of Mandalore was said to belong to their god of passion, love and war. Technically, both he and the god of youth were neither male nor female, but both... though they both preferred to appear as male." Revan continued brightly. "The god of war wore red armour and a black mask stained red by millennia of his enemies' blood. Both gods wielded awesome powers, commanded the stars themselves, but Mandalore stood alone against them, and lived to tell the tale. But while he was in the land of the gods, he met a more dangerous creature. The angel of death. Like the gods, the angel of death could appear as male or female... she chose a female form. She wore black voluminous robes, that had they been sewn with stars they could have been the night sky. And to gaze into her eyes was said to turn men to stone. Her servants flew Basilisk droids, and Mandalore slew every one of her minions to reach her, claiming the droids as his own, as he did so. The legend said to kill the angel of death, all you had to do was kiss her... but he couldn't bring himself to slay such a beautiful creature, for when she lowered the hood of her shroud, with her eyes closed, he fell in love with her."
"Sounds familiar." Malak muttered, lowering Revan's hood.
She smirked at him, "I could make an obscene reference to parts of you 'turning to stone'... but that would be inappropriate." she noted, amused.
Malak did pick up on her thoughts, however, and spluttered, blushing intensely.
Revan laughed lightly, and continued her story, "The angel returned Mandalore's love, and he fathered an heir by her. But many years later, when their heir was old enough to succeed him, Mandalore's greed overtook him, and he kissed the angel. She opened her eyes, and they both died in that moment. Mandalore's statue still stands on the Mandalorian homeworld... but a few Mandalorians are sceptical over whether it is merely a statue... or Mandalore himself."
"Somehow I doubt a woman can turn a man to stone." Malak said, "Not in the literal sense, anyway." he added in a mutter.
Revan smiled innocently at him, "But she wasn't a woman... she was an angel. And there is a prophecy that says she will return to avenge her demise. When Mandalore's clans overstep their bounds, the angel of death will return to punish them, and only a few shall survive." her eyes were lit up darkly, "She will wreak havoc on their armies, and destroy the droids they stole from her. She will sunder the greatest powers of the galaxy, and only one Mandalorian warrior will survive with his honour intact. That one is referred to as the phoenix, rising from the ashes of the wars, to redeem his people as the angel redeems herself."
"Sounds like a load of posturing and rubbish to me. Prophecies only come true if made by the Force-strong." Malak said coldly.
"The angel and the gods wielded the elements." Revan said flatly, "And the gods made the prophecy with their dying words."
"But these are just legends!"
"Legends I intend to exploit, to terrify my enemy." Revan said, tilting her head back arrogantly.
"You plan to pose as an angel?" Malak chuckled darkly, "You could pass for one well enough, I think."
Revan smiled, "Thank you, Malak."
"Anytime, angel." he said, smirking. 'Now weren't you thinking something obscene not long ago?' he thought, leaning over to her, and kissing her lips passionately.
x x x
The floor of the cave was not comfortable. Revan was both lucky and persistent, in that she was lying on top of Malak, as he lay on his back. He was the one who had to put up with the uncomfortable stone ground. She was fast asleep, but he couldn't get any rest... so instead, he watched her. She really did look like an angel to him... it was why he called her by that pet-name.
The sandstorm had been raging for two days, now. They had enough rations to do them for three more days, but after that there could be problems. Revan opened her eyes and made an incoherent noise that went with the thought, 'Don't wanna be awake.'
Malak chuckled, amused, "Good morning."
"What's good about it?" Revan retorted snidely, "I still see sandstorm out there."
"Yeah, but it is definitely morning." Malak noted.
Revan snorted.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
She groaned as she sat up, "I'm just... tired. I don't know why."
Malak could think of a few reasons. The measly supplies they had did not make good eating. The desert heat could make you drowsy. And Malak's ideas on methods to pass the time were... exhausting... for both of them.
"Yes... that last one." she muttered, having picked up on his train of thought.
Malak laughed, "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult."
"It would be a compliment if we weren't in such an uncomfortable cave." she said blithely.
"I'm the one who has to sleep on the ground." Malak protested.
Revan laughed, and sat up slowly, stretching... she then stood and stretched again. Malak idly considered that the show might be more fascinating if she hadn't been wearing the trousers and undershirt of her Jedi attire. He was still wearing his robes, as well, as he sat up.
"Much as I like your idea of a distraction from the boredom of this situation..." she noted, stretching her arms out in front of her.
He could tell what she was thinking, "You want to meditate, instead?" he asked, trying not to laugh.
"Not so much want... but I haven't had five minutes of free time not spent sleeping, since this war started." she said flatly, "Or... doing other activities in bed." she added without changing the matter-of-fact tone, "Master Kendra would not be happy that I have neglected my meditations."
"I had hoped to use the Tatooine stop to catch up on my own meditation, actually." Malak noted.
"Then perhaps it may help with the boredom." she said, 'And give me time to recover before we try your distractions again.'
'That bad?' he asked in her mind.
'That good, more like.' she replied, her eyes glittering with the smirk she managed to keep off her face.
Malak crossed his legs, and watched as Revan sat opposite him, with her legs crossed so her feet rested on top of her thighs (a feat of physical flexibility that he could never quite accomplish). She rested her hands on her knees, and closed her eyes. 'I thought you said you wanted to meditate?' she asked in his mind.
'I did say that, yes.' Malak thought.
'Then why are you staring at me?' she asked, her eyes still closed.
'Because you're beautiful.' was the first thought to cross his mind in answer.
She opened one eye, and smiled at him... then closed her eyes again, and he could sense her slip into a deep meditative trance. Malak closed his own eyes, and let himself relax, as well. Soon he could reach out into the Force, feel the world around him.
Tatooine was a totally different experience from Coruscant. He wasn't an empath, so these mediations were the only way for him to really sense sentient auras, and nature's ripples within the Force... and Coruscant was the only planet he had meditated on before.
He reached out into the Force, outside the cave... the weather itself writhed with energy, and the sentient life sheltering from it seemed to melt into the sand. But after a short while, he sensed something in the back of his mind. Something within the cave itself. They hadn't thoroughly investigated their shelter, but Revan had declared that there was nothing alive in it. But whatever he sensed, it was... persistent. Come to me. I'm waiting for you.
x x x
Malak's eyes snapped open, and Revan was gone.
He reached out to her with his mind, an innocent query to where she was... but she deliberately shut him out of her mind. He frowned, and stood up, using his Force senses to detect life... if the two of them were the only living things in this cave, and the storm still raged outside, he should be able to find her this way. He took note of the fact her cloak and robes were also absent, likely meaning she was now wearing them.
He walked cautiously deeper into the cave. That... that presence he had sensed in his meditation... it was still in the back of his mind. It called to him... and he couldn't swear to it, because she had constructed an impenetrable mental defence, but he was sure it called to Revan as well.
The light from outside did not reach this far back into the cave, so Malak produced a glowrod from his utility belt, and held it up to see where he was going. The stone walls of the cave seemed almost too angular and consistent to be natural, and the eerie blue light of the glowrod just made it seem even more surreal.
Then the light shone onto a figure, standing with her back to him. It had to be Revan, but she was still blocking him from her mind. Her hood was lowered, and her hair fell down over her cloak. Her full attention was focused on a dark, sinister object before her.
A tall spire of jet-black metal, supported by three feet spread out on the ground, which mirrored the shape of the spire itself. Malak could sense waves of power radiating from this object, whatever it was. It seemed to suck in the light around it... and as it did so, it felt almost as if it were sucking in a piece of his soul, as well. He shivered, and realised that this part of the cave was abnormally cold for a desert.
He stopped a few feet behind Revan, "What is it?" he asked quietly, breaking the oppressive silence.
She was noticeably startled, and dropped all her mental defences, letting him see into her mind again. It was as if this object had wrapped tendrils of its power around her heart. Malak made a deliberate effort to undo that, and for the most part he succeeded.
"I don't know what it is, Malak... but it... it's beautiful." she raised a hand, and touched the tip of the black spire. A palpable wave of power washed over both of them, and a low hum could now be heard from the object. Revan slowly traced a single finger down the side of the object. A click, followed by a whirring sound... and the spire split in three, flowering out towards the three feet of the base.
Revan simply watched as two of the segments of the spire spread out on either side of her. Malak, however, took a fearful step back, and mentally urged Revan to do the same. She didn't react to his plea.
Lights erupted from the base of the object, engulfing Revan from the waist up, and coalescing into a sphere of glittering sparkling points of light around her. She looked around herself in wonder... 'It looks like...'
"A galaxy." Malak said quietly.
Revan took a quick step back, out of the middle of the lights, and began examining the image from a better angle. "Our galaxy, Malak... look, the Core Worlds-" she ran her hands through the lights, indicating Coruscant, Alderaan, and the other Core Worlds, "-the Outer Rim-" she swept her hand over a large semi-circle of stars, "-this is where the war is being fought-" she indicated another area near the Outer Rim. "- this is amazing." she continued to examine the projection.
Malak circled around to get a better angle to look at the image from... but he didn't move any closer, "What's that at the bottom?" he asked.
Revan's gaze dropped to the odd designs at the bottom of the projection. "It could be writing." she knelt, and began studying it carefully.
"It's three-dimensional." Malak said flatly, as if that negated the chance of it being writing.
"Some ancient Sith writing used the z axis to portray the Force in words." she mumbled, still studying the images.
Malak folded his arms, and started pacing irritably, "Sith?"
"Any Force-sensitive group that has its own language could do the same. Isolated pre-Jedi could have created a similar concept. It's not inconceivable." she looked up at him. He was giving her a blank look, "I mean it's not necessarily Sith. I was just giving an example."
Malak visibly relaxed, but continued his irritable pacing.
It took Revan about half an hour to announce, "I think I've figured it out."
"What does it say?" Malak asked immediately. He had eventually sat, leaning back against the wall, and just staring blankly at Revan and the map. But now, he was looking at her intently.
"'A world of dark, and a world of light,
Hold two of the keys to ultimate might.
Five keys unlock the gates to the source,
Earth, air, fire, water, and the Force.
The way is paved with good intentions,
Unleash the powers of ancient inventions.'"
Malak's brow furrowed, "I don't like the sound of that."
"Why not?" Revan asked.
"Something about it... the subtext... feels ominous." he said warily. Revan's mind had conveyed the Force meaning from the third dimension of the words... fire had been emphasised, almost saying 'you are here'. It felt as if it wanted to lead, not just guide... and the Force meaning had implied darkness, as well as power.
"Oh don't be so paranoid." Revan said blithely, "Look." she indicated a world on the map.
"Where is that?"
"Water." she said, frowning, "Manaan, if I remember my stellar cartography lessons correctly."
"What has Manaan to do with this?" Malak asked, confused.
"Five keys, to unlock 'ultimate might'." she looked up at him, "If we could find this... this 'source', think how valuable a weapon it must be. Ultimate might. We could have the Mandalorians quailing in terror!" the glitter in her eyes, the hope and enthusiasm in her tone... it could work. They did need all the luck they could get against the Mandalorians, and this map had just been dropped in their laps. How could they possibly pass it up?
"So you're saying there's another of these 'keys' on Manaan?" Malak asked.
"Yes... the other locations are corrupted data, here. The only other one I can make out clearly is referred to as 'the Force'." she looked up at him, no longer so gleeful, "It's Korriban."
"You have got to be kidding me." Malak said coldly, "Korriban is a Sith world!"
"The Sith Lords that ruled it died off a thousand years ago, Malak. It's a ghost town."
"With real ghosts." he retorted.
She rolled her eyes, "We can at least investigate Manaan. What do you say?"
"It couldn't hurt to make a detour... even if we don't find anything, there's no such thing as too much kolto."
Revan nodded, and took a datapad out from a pocket in her robe. She proceeded to copy the verse, annotated with the meanings of its third dimension, then she took down the incomplete coordinates, and finally the coordinates of Manaan and Korriban. As soon as she deactivated her datapad, the map clicked and whirred again, and the deceptively delicate looking spire resealed itself.
x x x
The storm passed over by nightfall, and Revan decided going out at night would be safer than high noon, given the heat of the twin suns. They left their swoop bikes concealed in the cave, and walked in the direction in which Revan detected sentient life.
It didn't take them long to find the Sand People. The battered shelter constructed of animal hides did blend with the desert, in colour at least, but it was still relatively unmissable as they reached the end of the group of rock formations. 'Put up your hood, Malak.' Revan thought pointedly.
'Why?'
'Sand People wear those bizarre wrappings to conceal their entire bodies... well I intend to attempt to respect what little I know of their beliefs... now make sure you're completely covered.'
Malak frowned, but pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head, careful to ensure his face was concealed just as Revan's was. He kept a few steps behind Revan, as she cautiously approached the Sand People enclave. She scanned the area with her mind, and informed him that there were about fifty Sand People living there, but it was unclear because they tried to blend their auras with the sand itself. 'Perhaps we should try that? They may see it as a sign of benevolence.'
'How do we do it?'
He sensed her lower her aura to the ground, a desire to be in harmony with the sands, and to be at peace with the world around her. She focused her thoughts into respect for the nature of the world, and she found the centre of calm within herself, which allowed her to project an air of peaceful intent.
Malak did his best to copy what she had done, but his imitation was poor at best. 'It should be good enough.' Revan thought reassuringly, 'Considering you're not an empath, it's very impressive, actually.'
'Thanks.' he replied, smiling. He knew she sensed his smile, even though she couldn't see his face. She led him down towards the Sand People enclave.
'There aren't any large weapons that I can detect.' she thought, frowning in concentration. She was using Force clairvoyance to see into the enclave, 'Some of them have blaster rifles, but most only carry primitive gaderffii staffs. If a fight becomes unavoidable, at least they shouldn't pose too great a threat to us,'
Malak nodded in answer, and continued to follow her towards the enclave.
A loud howl sounded, and three Sand People charged toward to them. 'Evasive tactics only.' she projected clearly in his mind.
The first Sand Person came at Malak, swinging a gaffi stick at his head. Malak ducked, and circled the Sand Person, without even raising a hand. Revan was successfully evading the other two Sand People. Malak's opponent lunged at him again, and he held up his left arm defensively. The gaderffii slammed into his armour wristband with phenomenal force, giving off sparks, and would likely leave a nasty bruise on his arm.
All right, change tactics - they're strong, so play that against them. He stepped back, and jerked his arm down - the strength the Sand Person had been exerting against Malak's armour sent it staggering, as Malak backed away another step. He checked his hood was still secure - Revan seemed adamant that it was important here.
Malak saw Revan fall to her knees before one of the Sand People... but she was unharmed, and his opponent was taking another swing at his head. He ducked, and had to fight the instinct to kick out at the offending Sand Person.
"We come in peace!" Revan announced, still on her knees. Malak could sense the intentions of her words projected as emotions, to the Sand People. He didn't know if it worked, though.
One Sand Person took a swing at her, roaring angrily - Malak sensed the Sand Person had understood her intent, but believed it a lie and a trick. Revan ducked it, and made a show of cowering on the ground. The Sand Person swung his gaderffii at her head, intent on crushing her skull... but she caught the weapon in her hand. "Please, give me a chance!" she pleaded, once again projecting her meaning as emotion.
The two other Sand People had ceased fighting, though they still appeared incredibly wary. Neither Revan nor Malak had attempted to harm any of them, only defend themselves. This emotion, Revan detected as one roared to the one that had attempted to smash Revan's skull. The one looming over her pulled its weapon sharply away from her, and roared at her.
"I cannot understand what you say... but I wish peace." yet again, she conveyed her words as feelings, and the three Sand People looked at each other. They conversed with each other, and Revan could sense confusion, curiosity, and fear.
Fear of outsiders. Fear of those whose will can be heard. Fear seemed to win out, and after a few minute's debate, the three of them attacked Revan in unison. Malak interposed himself between Revan and the Sand People, and blocked two of their gaderffii with his armoured wrists. The third changed aim mid-swing, and moved to strike Malak's torso while he was unable to use his arms to defend himself. Revan sent a wave of the Force at the three Sand People, sending them all flying several feet across the desert.
One Sand Person roared, and the others responded in grunts. Fear. Terror. Petrifying dread of those who command the elements. The three of them turned and ran.
Revan frowned, as she stood up. 'Why do you suppose they did that?'
'It felt like they thought they'd seen a seriously pissed off mythical creature.' Malak noted.
Revan nodded, still frowning, 'Ability to use the Force... it does scare many primitive species.'
'What now?'
'I suppose we should go to their enclave...' she sighed dejectedly, 'If they are this terrified of us, I am loathe to fuel their fear... but I doubt they will listen to reason from something they so fear.'
x x x
The Sand People were no challenge to eliminate. Revan did try her best to reason with them, but without the ability to comprehend their language, there was no hope of peace with them. They were too savage to outsiders, and they refused to give the two Jedi a chance.
Zerlon was not pleased, when they returned to Anchorhead... but they explained that they had tried their best.
The rest of their stay on Tatooine passed peacefully... either through mediation, or... Malak's idea of distractions.
x x x
Author's Notes: Carthoholics, the bit before Tatooine in this chapter is for you. Sort of an apology for the DS ending of SCHV. Sort of. My beta pointed out something about prophecies rhyming, even when they're translated from alien languages... gotta say, I don't have a retort to that one.
Lord Valentai: ::bows:: thank you. I prefer to focus on the darker aspects of the story, in this fic... which is probably why that chapter wasn't as bad as the others (the love thing turns dark later on ::straightens her halo... the horns were making it look crooked:: .
snackfiend101: ::grins gleefully:: glad to be of disservice... though if you though those were bad mental pictures, just wait until after they find the Star Forge... it just gets sicker and sicker from there. ::hands over a chocolate bar:: yep, that reference was a bit blatant, wasn't it? Funny you should mention Carth.
Trunxluvr82190: Um... well, now that question is very difficult to answer. The way I see it, a bond formed between total strangers should be malleable enough that if the relationship changes so does the nature of the bond. Bastila gave Revan a new life, when the bond was formed. By that technicality, it would start as a parental bond (in spite of Bastila being the younger of the two)... but as soon as the two got to know each other, it would turn into one of the other two forms.
RollingSkull: lol - cute description. Thank you. Yeah, as I write this very review-response, I have just finished writing some more "disturbing" Malak-torture... in chapter 11 :D The Shadow Priestess: Um... ::tries to think of something to say to that review:: ... hi, Whisper.
Ozziegrl: Thank you. Actually, if you look at the last part of the DS ending of SCHV, you'll get your answer ::grins:
yeth: Glad you liked it. Heh, yeah... pesky things, emotions, eh?
Darth Arachne: ::hands over a chocolate bar:: Cassie's last name isn't Kiddo. The Mandalore-fight will be in chapter 8.
sammie teufel: ::hands over a chocolate bar:: I know I'm tough on the guy... I'm sadistic towards my fictitious characters. The thing with Rangar, well... it takes something particularly "disturbing" to scare such a brave warrior as Malak... and I needed to do it to help pull him towards the dark side. You think I'm sick and twisted? ::blushes:: you flatter me.
Prisoner 24601: Thank you. I'm glad you liked it :D
"It's been a long night, trying to find my way,
Been through the darkness, now I finally have my day,
And I will see my dream come alive at last,
I will touch the sky,
And they're not gonna hold me down no more,
No they're not gonna change my mind,
Cause I've got faith of the heart,
I'm going where my heart will take me,
I've got faith to believe,
I can do anything,
I've got strength of the soul,
And no one's gonna bend or break me,
I can reach any star,
I've got faith, I've got faith, faith of the heart."
-Russell Watson, Faith of the Heart.
x x x
Chapter 5 - Angel
They made it quickly to the bridge, and Revan immediately demanded, "Report."
Revan had enough authority within the fleet, now, that the crew respond to her orders as if she were their captain. "Three Mandalorian destroyer class warbirds dropped out of hyperspace on all sides of us. We're totally surrounded and outgunned. The Leviathan and the Valiant were due to meet us here in two hours, and we've sent a distress call to them... but the chances of surviving until they get here are-"
"Five thousand six hundred and fifty-five to one." Malak said flatly.
"Our computers said seven thousand eight hundred and ninety-two to one... actually." the ensign retorted.
"Your computers don't account for Revan." Malak said pointedly.
Revan waved her hand to silence the argument. "Scramble the fighter pilots. Malak, find Derrin and join them. Go."
She didn't have to tell him twice. Malak bolted off the bridge.
He wasn't looking for Derrin, but he did run into him on his way to the docking bays. "Hey, horn-face!" Malak snapped, grabbing Derrin's arm and not breaking stride.
Derrin fell quickly into step with Malak, "What is it, hair-brain?" he asked.
"The Defiant is under attack, or hadn't you noticed?" Malak said snidely.
"I'd noticed... hence I was headed for the blasters." Derrin retorted.
"Well Revan wants us both with the fighter pilots." Malak informed him.
Derrin pulled his arm away from Malak's grip, and continued running next to him, "All right. Let's show those Mandies who's boss, shall we?"
"Sounds fun to me." Malak said bluntly. Derrin had a knack for being derisive about pretty much everything. Malak considered it highly likely that to call a Mandalorian by the nickname Derrin came up with, to his face, would be just asking to be dismembered and disembowelled, slowly and painfully.
They reached the docking bay, where the fighters were lined up, ready to go. The ship shuddered again. "Derrin, go with blue squad, I'll take red."
Malak leapt into one of the fighter ships that had a red symbol on it. "What about gold?"
"Not enough Jedi to go around. Revan's more useful from the bridge, and the three of us are the only Jedi that're on the Defiant at the moment." Malak replied coolly. There were only three fighter squadrons resident on the Defiant, referred to by colour-code: red, gold and blue. Gold was the elite, which was why Malak considered them able to look after themselves.
Derrin shrugged and made his way over to blue squadron.
As soon as they were all ready to launch, the docking bay doors swung open, and they all swooped out towards the enemy ships.
"Red squadron, head for the lead Mandalorian ship." Revan's voice called over the comm, "Gold, starboard flank. Blue, go for the other ship."
The other fighters confirmed the order, and when Malak was sure his whole squad had acknowledged it, so did he.
'Fly safe, love.' the thought rang in his mind, with Revan's voice. It didn't surprise him, but he did smile.
'I will.' he thought, in response.
The battle was hectic, to say the least. The Mandalorians' aim was frightening... but they didn't seem to have brought their war-droids, which were usually only used within atmospheres, and this was a space-battle. That, at least, was a small mercy luck, or the Force, afforded them.
Revan gave direct instructions to all three squadrons, and because of that, they did manage to take out some essential systems in the Mandalorian ships. Shields on the ship blue squad were fighting were the first thing to go.
Derrin's whoop of joy at striking the first blow was short-lived, as two of his squad were shot down almost immediately after.
"Derrin, aim for their weapons next!" Revan's voice ordered over the comm.
"You got it, boss." Derrin replied.
Six more pilots - three from gold, two red and one blue - were shot down before gold squad succeeded in crippling the ship they were targeting. Malak only evaded the enemy blaster fire through either luck, the Force, or... he could feel Revan's mind guiding him as he piloted the fighter ship... she was protecting him.
'On the bright side, we're distracting them from the Defiant.' Malak thought bitterly.
'I'm doing my best to distract them from you.' Revan replied, her thoughts perfectly calm, in spite of the torrent of emotion they could both feel around them.
Gold squad joined red, to attack the lead ship. Derrin's squad lost five more ships, leaving only Derrin and one other pilot to try to take out their opponent.
"Gold six, seven and eight, go help blue out." a voice called over the comm. Malak assumed the voice was gold-leader, because only the three squad leaders gave orders like that in a situation like this.
"Yes sir."
"On it."
"Yes sir." the three fighters in question replied, before veering off to join blue squad.
With their help, Derrin eliminated their opponent's weapons... not before gold seven and the last blue ship bit the dust as well, though. Derrin flew, a zigzag course that barely dodged a volley of blaster fire from the lead enemy ship, heading over to join the assault on the lead Mandalorian ship, flanked by the two gold ships. The Mandalorian ship shot down another six gold-squad ships, and the rest of red squad.
Only the two Jedi, and gold-leader were still alive.
"This is getting hairy." Derrin muttered.
"Someone take out those blasters." Malak snapped, dodging another round of fire.
"Can't with their shields up." gold-leader noted.
Suddenly, and quite inexplicably, the shield generator exploded, "That help you boys?" Revan asked over the comm.
Before they could thank Revan, gold-leader had dived in towards the main gun-turret, while it was aimed at Malak's ship, and blasted it into oblivion. He barely dodged a volley from another turret. Derrin mimicked him, taking out the offending turret while it was aiming at gold-leader.
Malak circled around, and fired at the bridge of the Mandalorian ship, causing a hull-breach. Now that's how to cripple an enemy ship.
This time, because the fight was actually over, Derrin had plenty of time to whoop, cheer, call the now-dead Mandalorians all the obscene names he could think of, and offer to buy Malak and the surviving fighter pilot a drink.
"Derrin." Malak said pointedly.
"Huh?"
"Just because you know how to shoot things, it doesn't make you a good fighter. Knowing when to shut the hell up helps!"
He heard stifled laughter over the comm, and it wasn't Derrin's.
Malak smirked faintly - clearly the gold-leader had some semblance of a sense of humour, "Let's just get back to the Defiant, all right?" he asked.
"Fine by me." Derrin said, turning immediately to fly back to the ship.
"That's got my vote." gold-leader added.
"Race you." Derrin cheered.
"Immature brat." Malak muttered. Yet he turned his ship around to pursue Derrin as fast as he could.
Again, the other pilot laughed, and followed them.
x x x
"Wow, Malak. You really kicked ass, out there." Derrin cheered. The three of them - the survivors of that firefight - had disembarked onto the Defiant. Derrin had proceeded to do a victory dance. "I've never seen anyone fly like that. I mean wow!"
"Derrin, you insensitive prat." Malak growled, "If you didn't have sharp horns on your head... and if I weren't a civilised Jedi... I'd whack you in the ear."
"I'll whack him for you. It'd be worth the medpacs." the pilot who had led gold squadron said coldly.
"What I do?" Derrin whined, "We did win, didn't we?"
"And you're acting like those pilots who died in the fight don't count!" Malak snapped.
The other pilot leaned against the nose of his fighter, watching the two Jedi carefully. He had auburn hair, and brown eyes - he seemed to have a fairly amicable aura, but he was being incredibly wary of the Jedi, like he didn't know how to act around them.
Derrin sobered quickly, "You're right. It's just that we whooped three warbirds' asses with only thirty fighters."
"Twenty-seven of which didn't make it, so quit celebrating." Malak snarled.
"The point..." the other fighter said tentatively, "as far as I can see, is that we're still alive. Sure we shouldn't be happy the others are dead... but at least we're the ones alive, and not those Mandalorians who attacked us."
Malak smiled weakly, "You're right."
"And I sure wouldn't turn down your offer of a drink, Jedi." the pilot added.
Derrin laughed, "Good point. Let's go to the mess hall. Come on, Malak." he grabbed Malak's arm, and dragged him away from the fighter ships. The pilot followed a short distance away.
x x x
As they sat in the crew lounge, which had a small bar attached to it, for just such a celebration, Malak sat petulantly glaring at Derrin. Derrin was doing his best to get both himself and Malak drunk... as far as Derrin cared, the other pilot could either get drunk or not, as long as he didn't spoil Derrin's fun.
"You're acting like a moron, Derrin." Malak said pointedly, "Though that's nothing new. But I thought you had learned how to behave like a proper Jedi?"
"I've been taught... doesn't mean I learned anything."
"Immature brat." Malak muttered, "There is no reason to be so hyper after a fight like that."
"It was just such a rush, is all. I've never been in a space-battle before." Derrin replied.
"Battle-lust is beneficial to a Force-blind fighter, but for the likes of you and I, it can only lead to the dark side." Malak growled. He had also felt a rush during the fight, but it sure hadn't been battle-lust... he had felt battle-lust before, and this was different... he wasn't certain, but he thought it was probably Revan's presence in his mind, helping him, protecting him, that had given him that feeling.
Derrin rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
Malak scowled at Derrin for a second, then turned to the surviving pilot, "I apologise for my comrade's behaviour."
"Everyone deals with this sort of situation in a different way." the pilot said calmly, "It doesn't really bother me."
Malak shrugged, "Well, if that is your opinion... I suppose you're right. You fought well, out there, soldier."
"Thank you, sir." the soldier replied, seeming to stiffen in his seat, as if he wanted to stand to attention and salute.
"Hey, look at you." another voice, which Malak quickly realised was attached to a younger human man, with sandy coloured hair... the human in question was standing near the fighter-pilot, "Buddying up with the Jedi."
The fighter pilot waved him off, muttering something Malak didn't quite hear.
"So are you gonna get Malak's autograph, or something?" the younger man asked, a little too loudly.
The pilot glared at him, "You are kidding me, right?" The younger man shook his head, giving him a 'duh' look. The pilot rolled his eyes and smiled innocently, "Allow me to introduce you. Aaron, this is Jedi Derrin. You'll get on great together." he stood up and made to leave, "Have fun." he hastily made his exit from the lounge, and Malak quickly stood and followed him.
"Thank you." Malak muttered, glancing over his shoulder to ensure that neither Derrin nor Aaron were following them.
The pilot jumped slightly, and turned to face Malak, "No problem, Master Jedi." he said, smirking slightly.
"I'm not a Master." Malak said - it had become an automatic response, since so many people see any Jedi and assume the title 'Master' goes with them.
The pilot shrugged, "Sorry, sir." Revan and Malak were technically not a part of the fleet, but they had been given the authority of Vice Admirals, within the fleet. The title 'sir' was just about acceptable to Malak... though he would prefer it if the pilot just dropped the formalities altogether. Though, the fleet soldiers did find it difficult to see the Jedi for what they were - just regular humans (well, except Derrin, but he's still a sentient being... just about), with different skills to them.
"You're not the first person to make that common error. Don't worry about it." Malak said, shrugging, "Revan and I are only Jedi Knights. No Masters were sent with us, because the Jedi Masters did not approve of us being here at all."
The pilot nodded, "I heard that's why so few Jedi came out here."
Malak nodded.
'Hey, lover... get your gorgeous ass up to my briefing room... the Admiral wants to talk to us.' Revan's voice declared, in his mind... it was most disconcerting.
'Must you make such lewd remarks where I cannot pretend I didn't hear them?' he thought back.
'Yes. Not get the aforementioned ass up here now! I want something nice to look at while I talk to the Admiral.'
Malak had to struggle to keep his expression neutral, but he managed it, "I have go, now." he nodded to the pilot, "Thanks, again."
The pilot saluted, as Malak turned to walk away. He made it around the corner before he realised he hadn't even found out the pilot's name. He made a point of knowing the names of everyone he worked with. Meh, he could ask the next time he saw the pilot in question. It may be a big army, but the odds were good that they encounter each other again, eventually.
x x x
That would be the last time Revan or Malak ever saw the Admiral. The Valiant, Admiral Var's flagship, was destroyed in another attack, similar to that on the Defiant, two weeks later. The Defiant and Leviathan both received the distress call, and just dropped out of hyperspace in time to see the Valiant's hyperdrive being hit by a volley from the lead Mandalorian ship, causing an unstoppable chain-reaction that destroyed the ship. No one survived the explosion.
The three Mandalore warbirds then turned on the Defiant and Leviathan. Knowing the Defiant held three of the Republic's Jedi warriors, they charged the Defiant, taking out their shield generators and sublight engines, and causing a hull breach in the aft cargo bay, before jumping to hyperspace, knowing better than to really chance their luck against the Jedi, without backup.
The Leviathan was left undamaged, and Revan ordered it to go on to their destination. They had been planning to meet up with a larger fleet, to defend Xenon - a civilian world on a vital hyperspace route. The Mandalorians were likely to try to take it for strategic value, and Revan didn't want them to kill any more innocent civilians, if she could stop them.
The Defiant was in no condition, however, to go on. Revan sent Derrin with the Leviathan... and Cassie would be meeting him at Xenon. Then the Defiant limped to the nearest planet capable of repairing them. They sent down a shuttle to negotiate the price for repairs.
"Five thousand credits?!" Revan demanded. She and Malak stood before a representative of Czerka Corporation, the company that owned the mining facility and small shipyard on this Force-forsaken rock. Tatooine.
Revan's near-white robes and cloak had been replaced by clothing that was identical besides the colour - it was actually possible that she had dyed the originals to create these. They were blood red. He never asked her, but he still knew, through their bond, that she believed white was for innocence. She chose the red colour because she was no longer a virgin. The three colours: white, red, and midnight blue-black, signified three incarnations of the goddess which had been worshipped by ancient people on Deralia - the maiden, the nymph, and the crone. The red had the added advantage of concealing blood.
Malak still wore his dark blue Jedi robes, though the small unobtrusive pieces of armour on his forearms, which weren't enough to inhibit his use of the Force, were cortosis weave, strong enough to block vibroblades and lightsabers alike. He had also managed to root out a light grey cloak from the bottom of the pile of clothing in his room, to help protect him from the twin suns of this world... but he really did not like wearing cloaks, so it would likely be dumped somewhere as soon as they got off this pit of a world.
"Your vessel is larger than our docking facility can accommodate. It is expensive to repair a vessel without the proper docking facilities." the representative explained. Malak was surprised to see that the Czerka rep kept her emotions as unreadable as a well-trained Jedi. She seemed almost droid-like.
"We don't have five thousand credits." Revan growled. Her voice was low, and if Malak hadn't known her, he might have thought she sounded masculine. That was probably deliberate, though - Revan did like to confuse people about her gender. The fact that Derrin had very recently picked up on this, and happily obliged her trickery by spreading libellous rumours about Revan and Cassie, had helped perpetuate the illusion.
"You should consider yourselves lucky you are dealing with us, rather than the dominant Hutts on this planet. They would only accept Hutt Gold." the Czerka rep said coldly.
Malak could feel Revan roll her eyes, even though he could not see her face, "There must be some form of compromise or barter you would accept?"
"We do accept spice, weapons, fuel, droids, and bio-acquisitions." the Czerka rep said calmly.
Revan's eyes narrowed to vicious slits, and Malak sensed revulsion from her, "Bio-acquisitions... you mean slaves?"
"Well, yes." the Czerka rep said, as if this should have been obvious.
Malak now understood why Revan was so disgusted - he felt the same way. "We cannot afford to part with any droids, weaponry or fuel." Malak growled, "And we are not so disreputable as to deal in spice and slaves. There must be another alternative."
The Czerka rep seemed unruffled by Malak's insult, "Perhaps there is something." she evaluated the two Jedi before her, carefully, "We have been having some difficulties regarding the local savages. Sand People. If you could, ah, take care of them, we would gratefully reduce the price of your repairs."
"Five hundred credits is all we have to spare." Revan noted pointedly. It wasn't technically a lie. The Defiant did have about three thousand credits, but they couldn't afford to spend all of it here. They may need it later. Five hundred was a reasonable price for repairs. Czerka were just being greedy.
"If you eliminate the Sand People problem for us, that amount will do nicely." the Czerka rep said, too cheerfully, "The tribe that has been bothering us is to the north of here. Here are your hunting licences, to allow you to leave the city. Have a nice day."
x x x
"Have a nice day." Malak mimicked snidely, "You know where those Czerka prats can stick their bloody repair charges."
Revan chuckled darkly. The mental picture Malak had conjured, which happened to involve a Sand People gaffi-stick, had been passed through the bond quite effectively. "That, I might pay to see." she replied, "I cannot believe the nerve of those fools. They have the tenacity to attempt to purchase spice and slaves from us."
"Jedi just don't get involved in that sort of thing." Malak added. It had been her thought, but he agreed with it strongly enough to say it himself.
"Exactly." Revan agreed.
Malak examined the hunting licence carefully. It was a small piece of laminated card, and he added it to the gaffi-stick, in the twisted mental picture. Revan gave him an amused look, "You have a sick mind, Malak."
He shrugged innocently, "That Czerka rep just has one of those 'punch me' faces."
"And her voice doesn't help." Revan noted.
"Nor does her attitude." Malak added.
Revan sighed, "Well, we shall have to find a way to settle this problem. We cannot afford their prices without this barter."
Malak sighed, and grabbed Revan's arm gently, pulling her into the nearby cantina. They found a table in a corner, and Malak sat with his back to one wall. Revan sat with her back to the other wall. 'What?' she asked in his mind.
'Aside from the fact I wanted to get out of the sun for a bit, you mean?' he replied, smirking faintly. He had lowered the hood of his cloak, but she had not lowered hers.
'Don't play innocent with me, Malak. I can read your mind, remember?' Revan noted, amused.
'How could I possibly forget?' he asked. He didn't wait for her to answer... it was a rhetorical question, and she knew it, "I just thought that perhaps it would be more comfortable to sit down to discuss our plans, regarding the Sand People." he said out loud, though his voice was low enough that he reckoned those at nearby tables wouldn't hear him.
"I suppose you are right. It is cooler in here... and I do prefer not to stand around all the time." she agreed.
"It seemed obvious to me that the Czerka thought they were hiring killers." Malak noted.
"I got that impression too." she sighed, "I don't like the idea, but what else are we to do? Lose the war? It's not like the Sand People are really sentient, anyway..."
A Duros at the next table stood up, so sharply that his chair fell to the floor, and he turned on Revan, shouting angrily in his own language.
Malak was about to tell the Duros to sod off and mind his own business, but- 'Let me deal with this, Malak.' Revan then spoke to the Duros, in soothing tones, but in the Duros' own language. Malak didn't follow a word of it.
He tried to reach into Revan's mind, to understand what she was saying... but that didn't help... she was literally thinking in the language she spoke. He could sense her feelings, which were intent curiosity, and some hope as well. He couldn't tell anything beyond that, and it annoyed him no end.
The conversation lasted for a few minutes, during which Malak tried to pretend he either knew what they were talking about, or didn't care... or hopefully both. Eventually, the Duros, who seemed much calmer now, nodded to Revan then turned and left.
"What was that about?" Malak asked her.
Revan looked up at him, and smiled, "His name was Zerlon. He's a conservationist, who has apparently been arguing with Czerka over their Sand People problems, for the last several years. He believes it should be possible to settle the situation without violence, though it would be incredibly difficult."
"Sounds like a good idea." Malak agreed, "I would much rather not kill, if I could avoid it." In truth, he had become disturbed by the glee, however fleeting, that he had felt when killing their Mandalorian foes during the war. He had hoped this stop on Tatooine would be a break during which he could meditate, and reign in his bloodlust. Killing Sand People, sentient or not, would not help him in this.
Revan smiled, "Indeed." she was unaware of his thoughts. It was possible for them to block each other in the bond... Revan didn't seem to be trying to, though there were parts of her mind he hadn't tried to pry into yet. Malak did prefer to keep his darker thoughts locked up, though... he knew Revan had enough dark thoughts of her own without his problems on top of it all.
"So... what do you suggest we do?" Malak asked.
Revan frowned, though he still couldn't see her face, "I suppose we should go out into the desert. We do have swoop-bikes on the shuttle. It will make it easier than walking."
"Swoop bikes?" he asked, surprised, "Why do we have swoop bikes?"
"Would you want to land on a vast world, and your strike team get exhausted walking to the enemy? Swoop bikes are useful even in war."
"Hmmm... true." he smiled, "This mission suddenly sounds a lot more fun."
x x x
Revan's bike made the now-familiar click-hiss as it stepped up a gear and shot ahead of Malak. She let out a whoop of delight at the adrenaline and speed. Malak smiled, and shifted up a gear, catching up with her. The speeds they reached might have made a seasoned swoop racer blanch in terror. Revan's hood had fallen back within seconds of leaving the city, and her scarlet cloak and jet-black hair flew out behind her, as she streaked across the desert.
Of the dozen swoop bikes, Revan had chosen the only one with crimson paint - there were also green ones, tan ones, and white ones, designed to camouflage in different terrains - but Revan picked the red one. Malak's bike was painted a tan colour, for the desert.
After a few minutes of their exhilarating race, Revan looked up sharply, and clicked out of gear, applying the breaks to her bike. Malak slowed a bit more sharply, downshifting through all the gears, like the manual says you're supposed to. Revan glided to a graceful stop, and pulled her hood up, 'Over there...' she was looking out to the northeast.
Malak followed her gaze, and saw a dozen figures running across the dunes. They were all covered from head-to-toe in sand-coloured wrappings, and carried gnarled primitive staffs. Their auras, Revan's mind told him, tried to blend with the desert itself. 'Sand People.' Malak though, watching them.
Revan nodded, and scanned the area. There was a rock-formation not far from them, and she indicated toward it. She guided her bike in that direction, and it wasn't long until their two swoop bikes were parked in the mouth of a cave where they weren't likely to be seen.
'Uh... Revan...'
Revan looked up to see what Malak sounded so worried about. The Sand People had vanished, and there was a sandstorm moving in on them. 'Oh crap.'
'I think we should stay in this cave until it passes.' Malak suggested.
'Good idea.' they retreated into the cave, dragging the swoop bikes with them.
x x x
Hours passed, and the storm showed no signs of abating.
"How long do Tatooine sandstorms last, anyway?" Malak asked. He was bored out of both his mind and Revan's. It was driving him to distraction, and she had shut his incessant thoughts on speeder mechanics and lightsaber moves - an attempt to not be bored on his part - out of her mind.
"They can last for days. The longest on record is seven days." she answered.
He literally felt the point where his resolve snapped, and he gave in, "All right, Revan. I surrender."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? That was quick."
"I'm willing to listen." he said, his tone resigned.
She grinned, "Great!" she cheered, "All right, then. We can start with Mandalorians."
He actually regarded her with abnormally intent curiosity. Mandalorians were probably the only aspect of this that he would really be interested in.
"Mandalorian mythology." she announced with unnecessary glee. "The Mandalorians believe that the first Mandalore - the one whose true name was actually Mandalore, because all those since were named after him as a title - slew their gods, and took their powers and duties onto himself. Every new Mandalore dons their predecessor's mask and belt - the mask is the more important of the two by far - to claim these powers themselves. The belt, which holsters guns and blades, supposedly belonged to their god of youth, learning, and familial bonds. He wore white armour, as a sign of relative innocence, though he had shed blood, he was still the most naive of the Mandalorian gods... I should note practically every culture in the galaxy - with the exception of the Iridorians, whose innocents wear a gaping wound on their neck where their head should be - believe white is a colour of innocence."
"Nice. Remind me never to go to Iridoria."
"It doesn't have an atmosphere humans can breathe, anyway." Revan noted cheerfully.
"That helps, I suppose." Malak muttered.
"The mask of Mandalore was said to belong to their god of passion, love and war. Technically, both he and the god of youth were neither male nor female, but both... though they both preferred to appear as male." Revan continued brightly. "The god of war wore red armour and a black mask stained red by millennia of his enemies' blood. Both gods wielded awesome powers, commanded the stars themselves, but Mandalore stood alone against them, and lived to tell the tale. But while he was in the land of the gods, he met a more dangerous creature. The angel of death. Like the gods, the angel of death could appear as male or female... she chose a female form. She wore black voluminous robes, that had they been sewn with stars they could have been the night sky. And to gaze into her eyes was said to turn men to stone. Her servants flew Basilisk droids, and Mandalore slew every one of her minions to reach her, claiming the droids as his own, as he did so. The legend said to kill the angel of death, all you had to do was kiss her... but he couldn't bring himself to slay such a beautiful creature, for when she lowered the hood of her shroud, with her eyes closed, he fell in love with her."
"Sounds familiar." Malak muttered, lowering Revan's hood.
She smirked at him, "I could make an obscene reference to parts of you 'turning to stone'... but that would be inappropriate." she noted, amused.
Malak did pick up on her thoughts, however, and spluttered, blushing intensely.
Revan laughed lightly, and continued her story, "The angel returned Mandalore's love, and he fathered an heir by her. But many years later, when their heir was old enough to succeed him, Mandalore's greed overtook him, and he kissed the angel. She opened her eyes, and they both died in that moment. Mandalore's statue still stands on the Mandalorian homeworld... but a few Mandalorians are sceptical over whether it is merely a statue... or Mandalore himself."
"Somehow I doubt a woman can turn a man to stone." Malak said, "Not in the literal sense, anyway." he added in a mutter.
Revan smiled innocently at him, "But she wasn't a woman... she was an angel. And there is a prophecy that says she will return to avenge her demise. When Mandalore's clans overstep their bounds, the angel of death will return to punish them, and only a few shall survive." her eyes were lit up darkly, "She will wreak havoc on their armies, and destroy the droids they stole from her. She will sunder the greatest powers of the galaxy, and only one Mandalorian warrior will survive with his honour intact. That one is referred to as the phoenix, rising from the ashes of the wars, to redeem his people as the angel redeems herself."
"Sounds like a load of posturing and rubbish to me. Prophecies only come true if made by the Force-strong." Malak said coldly.
"The angel and the gods wielded the elements." Revan said flatly, "And the gods made the prophecy with their dying words."
"But these are just legends!"
"Legends I intend to exploit, to terrify my enemy." Revan said, tilting her head back arrogantly.
"You plan to pose as an angel?" Malak chuckled darkly, "You could pass for one well enough, I think."
Revan smiled, "Thank you, Malak."
"Anytime, angel." he said, smirking. 'Now weren't you thinking something obscene not long ago?' he thought, leaning over to her, and kissing her lips passionately.
x x x
The floor of the cave was not comfortable. Revan was both lucky and persistent, in that she was lying on top of Malak, as he lay on his back. He was the one who had to put up with the uncomfortable stone ground. She was fast asleep, but he couldn't get any rest... so instead, he watched her. She really did look like an angel to him... it was why he called her by that pet-name.
The sandstorm had been raging for two days, now. They had enough rations to do them for three more days, but after that there could be problems. Revan opened her eyes and made an incoherent noise that went with the thought, 'Don't wanna be awake.'
Malak chuckled, amused, "Good morning."
"What's good about it?" Revan retorted snidely, "I still see sandstorm out there."
"Yeah, but it is definitely morning." Malak noted.
Revan snorted.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
She groaned as she sat up, "I'm just... tired. I don't know why."
Malak could think of a few reasons. The measly supplies they had did not make good eating. The desert heat could make you drowsy. And Malak's ideas on methods to pass the time were... exhausting... for both of them.
"Yes... that last one." she muttered, having picked up on his train of thought.
Malak laughed, "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult."
"It would be a compliment if we weren't in such an uncomfortable cave." she said blithely.
"I'm the one who has to sleep on the ground." Malak protested.
Revan laughed, and sat up slowly, stretching... she then stood and stretched again. Malak idly considered that the show might be more fascinating if she hadn't been wearing the trousers and undershirt of her Jedi attire. He was still wearing his robes, as well, as he sat up.
"Much as I like your idea of a distraction from the boredom of this situation..." she noted, stretching her arms out in front of her.
He could tell what she was thinking, "You want to meditate, instead?" he asked, trying not to laugh.
"Not so much want... but I haven't had five minutes of free time not spent sleeping, since this war started." she said flatly, "Or... doing other activities in bed." she added without changing the matter-of-fact tone, "Master Kendra would not be happy that I have neglected my meditations."
"I had hoped to use the Tatooine stop to catch up on my own meditation, actually." Malak noted.
"Then perhaps it may help with the boredom." she said, 'And give me time to recover before we try your distractions again.'
'That bad?' he asked in her mind.
'That good, more like.' she replied, her eyes glittering with the smirk she managed to keep off her face.
Malak crossed his legs, and watched as Revan sat opposite him, with her legs crossed so her feet rested on top of her thighs (a feat of physical flexibility that he could never quite accomplish). She rested her hands on her knees, and closed her eyes. 'I thought you said you wanted to meditate?' she asked in his mind.
'I did say that, yes.' Malak thought.
'Then why are you staring at me?' she asked, her eyes still closed.
'Because you're beautiful.' was the first thought to cross his mind in answer.
She opened one eye, and smiled at him... then closed her eyes again, and he could sense her slip into a deep meditative trance. Malak closed his own eyes, and let himself relax, as well. Soon he could reach out into the Force, feel the world around him.
Tatooine was a totally different experience from Coruscant. He wasn't an empath, so these mediations were the only way for him to really sense sentient auras, and nature's ripples within the Force... and Coruscant was the only planet he had meditated on before.
He reached out into the Force, outside the cave... the weather itself writhed with energy, and the sentient life sheltering from it seemed to melt into the sand. But after a short while, he sensed something in the back of his mind. Something within the cave itself. They hadn't thoroughly investigated their shelter, but Revan had declared that there was nothing alive in it. But whatever he sensed, it was... persistent. Come to me. I'm waiting for you.
x x x
Malak's eyes snapped open, and Revan was gone.
He reached out to her with his mind, an innocent query to where she was... but she deliberately shut him out of her mind. He frowned, and stood up, using his Force senses to detect life... if the two of them were the only living things in this cave, and the storm still raged outside, he should be able to find her this way. He took note of the fact her cloak and robes were also absent, likely meaning she was now wearing them.
He walked cautiously deeper into the cave. That... that presence he had sensed in his meditation... it was still in the back of his mind. It called to him... and he couldn't swear to it, because she had constructed an impenetrable mental defence, but he was sure it called to Revan as well.
The light from outside did not reach this far back into the cave, so Malak produced a glowrod from his utility belt, and held it up to see where he was going. The stone walls of the cave seemed almost too angular and consistent to be natural, and the eerie blue light of the glowrod just made it seem even more surreal.
Then the light shone onto a figure, standing with her back to him. It had to be Revan, but she was still blocking him from her mind. Her hood was lowered, and her hair fell down over her cloak. Her full attention was focused on a dark, sinister object before her.
A tall spire of jet-black metal, supported by three feet spread out on the ground, which mirrored the shape of the spire itself. Malak could sense waves of power radiating from this object, whatever it was. It seemed to suck in the light around it... and as it did so, it felt almost as if it were sucking in a piece of his soul, as well. He shivered, and realised that this part of the cave was abnormally cold for a desert.
He stopped a few feet behind Revan, "What is it?" he asked quietly, breaking the oppressive silence.
She was noticeably startled, and dropped all her mental defences, letting him see into her mind again. It was as if this object had wrapped tendrils of its power around her heart. Malak made a deliberate effort to undo that, and for the most part he succeeded.
"I don't know what it is, Malak... but it... it's beautiful." she raised a hand, and touched the tip of the black spire. A palpable wave of power washed over both of them, and a low hum could now be heard from the object. Revan slowly traced a single finger down the side of the object. A click, followed by a whirring sound... and the spire split in three, flowering out towards the three feet of the base.
Revan simply watched as two of the segments of the spire spread out on either side of her. Malak, however, took a fearful step back, and mentally urged Revan to do the same. She didn't react to his plea.
Lights erupted from the base of the object, engulfing Revan from the waist up, and coalescing into a sphere of glittering sparkling points of light around her. She looked around herself in wonder... 'It looks like...'
"A galaxy." Malak said quietly.
Revan took a quick step back, out of the middle of the lights, and began examining the image from a better angle. "Our galaxy, Malak... look, the Core Worlds-" she ran her hands through the lights, indicating Coruscant, Alderaan, and the other Core Worlds, "-the Outer Rim-" she swept her hand over a large semi-circle of stars, "-this is where the war is being fought-" she indicated another area near the Outer Rim. "- this is amazing." she continued to examine the projection.
Malak circled around to get a better angle to look at the image from... but he didn't move any closer, "What's that at the bottom?" he asked.
Revan's gaze dropped to the odd designs at the bottom of the projection. "It could be writing." she knelt, and began studying it carefully.
"It's three-dimensional." Malak said flatly, as if that negated the chance of it being writing.
"Some ancient Sith writing used the z axis to portray the Force in words." she mumbled, still studying the images.
Malak folded his arms, and started pacing irritably, "Sith?"
"Any Force-sensitive group that has its own language could do the same. Isolated pre-Jedi could have created a similar concept. It's not inconceivable." she looked up at him. He was giving her a blank look, "I mean it's not necessarily Sith. I was just giving an example."
Malak visibly relaxed, but continued his irritable pacing.
It took Revan about half an hour to announce, "I think I've figured it out."
"What does it say?" Malak asked immediately. He had eventually sat, leaning back against the wall, and just staring blankly at Revan and the map. But now, he was looking at her intently.
"'A world of dark, and a world of light,
Hold two of the keys to ultimate might.
Five keys unlock the gates to the source,
Earth, air, fire, water, and the Force.
The way is paved with good intentions,
Unleash the powers of ancient inventions.'"
Malak's brow furrowed, "I don't like the sound of that."
"Why not?" Revan asked.
"Something about it... the subtext... feels ominous." he said warily. Revan's mind had conveyed the Force meaning from the third dimension of the words... fire had been emphasised, almost saying 'you are here'. It felt as if it wanted to lead, not just guide... and the Force meaning had implied darkness, as well as power.
"Oh don't be so paranoid." Revan said blithely, "Look." she indicated a world on the map.
"Where is that?"
"Water." she said, frowning, "Manaan, if I remember my stellar cartography lessons correctly."
"What has Manaan to do with this?" Malak asked, confused.
"Five keys, to unlock 'ultimate might'." she looked up at him, "If we could find this... this 'source', think how valuable a weapon it must be. Ultimate might. We could have the Mandalorians quailing in terror!" the glitter in her eyes, the hope and enthusiasm in her tone... it could work. They did need all the luck they could get against the Mandalorians, and this map had just been dropped in their laps. How could they possibly pass it up?
"So you're saying there's another of these 'keys' on Manaan?" Malak asked.
"Yes... the other locations are corrupted data, here. The only other one I can make out clearly is referred to as 'the Force'." she looked up at him, no longer so gleeful, "It's Korriban."
"You have got to be kidding me." Malak said coldly, "Korriban is a Sith world!"
"The Sith Lords that ruled it died off a thousand years ago, Malak. It's a ghost town."
"With real ghosts." he retorted.
She rolled her eyes, "We can at least investigate Manaan. What do you say?"
"It couldn't hurt to make a detour... even if we don't find anything, there's no such thing as too much kolto."
Revan nodded, and took a datapad out from a pocket in her robe. She proceeded to copy the verse, annotated with the meanings of its third dimension, then she took down the incomplete coordinates, and finally the coordinates of Manaan and Korriban. As soon as she deactivated her datapad, the map clicked and whirred again, and the deceptively delicate looking spire resealed itself.
x x x
The storm passed over by nightfall, and Revan decided going out at night would be safer than high noon, given the heat of the twin suns. They left their swoop bikes concealed in the cave, and walked in the direction in which Revan detected sentient life.
It didn't take them long to find the Sand People. The battered shelter constructed of animal hides did blend with the desert, in colour at least, but it was still relatively unmissable as they reached the end of the group of rock formations. 'Put up your hood, Malak.' Revan thought pointedly.
'Why?'
'Sand People wear those bizarre wrappings to conceal their entire bodies... well I intend to attempt to respect what little I know of their beliefs... now make sure you're completely covered.'
Malak frowned, but pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head, careful to ensure his face was concealed just as Revan's was. He kept a few steps behind Revan, as she cautiously approached the Sand People enclave. She scanned the area with her mind, and informed him that there were about fifty Sand People living there, but it was unclear because they tried to blend their auras with the sand itself. 'Perhaps we should try that? They may see it as a sign of benevolence.'
'How do we do it?'
He sensed her lower her aura to the ground, a desire to be in harmony with the sands, and to be at peace with the world around her. She focused her thoughts into respect for the nature of the world, and she found the centre of calm within herself, which allowed her to project an air of peaceful intent.
Malak did his best to copy what she had done, but his imitation was poor at best. 'It should be good enough.' Revan thought reassuringly, 'Considering you're not an empath, it's very impressive, actually.'
'Thanks.' he replied, smiling. He knew she sensed his smile, even though she couldn't see his face. She led him down towards the Sand People enclave.
'There aren't any large weapons that I can detect.' she thought, frowning in concentration. She was using Force clairvoyance to see into the enclave, 'Some of them have blaster rifles, but most only carry primitive gaderffii staffs. If a fight becomes unavoidable, at least they shouldn't pose too great a threat to us,'
Malak nodded in answer, and continued to follow her towards the enclave.
A loud howl sounded, and three Sand People charged toward to them. 'Evasive tactics only.' she projected clearly in his mind.
The first Sand Person came at Malak, swinging a gaffi stick at his head. Malak ducked, and circled the Sand Person, without even raising a hand. Revan was successfully evading the other two Sand People. Malak's opponent lunged at him again, and he held up his left arm defensively. The gaderffii slammed into his armour wristband with phenomenal force, giving off sparks, and would likely leave a nasty bruise on his arm.
All right, change tactics - they're strong, so play that against them. He stepped back, and jerked his arm down - the strength the Sand Person had been exerting against Malak's armour sent it staggering, as Malak backed away another step. He checked his hood was still secure - Revan seemed adamant that it was important here.
Malak saw Revan fall to her knees before one of the Sand People... but she was unharmed, and his opponent was taking another swing at his head. He ducked, and had to fight the instinct to kick out at the offending Sand Person.
"We come in peace!" Revan announced, still on her knees. Malak could sense the intentions of her words projected as emotions, to the Sand People. He didn't know if it worked, though.
One Sand Person took a swing at her, roaring angrily - Malak sensed the Sand Person had understood her intent, but believed it a lie and a trick. Revan ducked it, and made a show of cowering on the ground. The Sand Person swung his gaderffii at her head, intent on crushing her skull... but she caught the weapon in her hand. "Please, give me a chance!" she pleaded, once again projecting her meaning as emotion.
The two other Sand People had ceased fighting, though they still appeared incredibly wary. Neither Revan nor Malak had attempted to harm any of them, only defend themselves. This emotion, Revan detected as one roared to the one that had attempted to smash Revan's skull. The one looming over her pulled its weapon sharply away from her, and roared at her.
"I cannot understand what you say... but I wish peace." yet again, she conveyed her words as feelings, and the three Sand People looked at each other. They conversed with each other, and Revan could sense confusion, curiosity, and fear.
Fear of outsiders. Fear of those whose will can be heard. Fear seemed to win out, and after a few minute's debate, the three of them attacked Revan in unison. Malak interposed himself between Revan and the Sand People, and blocked two of their gaderffii with his armoured wrists. The third changed aim mid-swing, and moved to strike Malak's torso while he was unable to use his arms to defend himself. Revan sent a wave of the Force at the three Sand People, sending them all flying several feet across the desert.
One Sand Person roared, and the others responded in grunts. Fear. Terror. Petrifying dread of those who command the elements. The three of them turned and ran.
Revan frowned, as she stood up. 'Why do you suppose they did that?'
'It felt like they thought they'd seen a seriously pissed off mythical creature.' Malak noted.
Revan nodded, still frowning, 'Ability to use the Force... it does scare many primitive species.'
'What now?'
'I suppose we should go to their enclave...' she sighed dejectedly, 'If they are this terrified of us, I am loathe to fuel their fear... but I doubt they will listen to reason from something they so fear.'
x x x
The Sand People were no challenge to eliminate. Revan did try her best to reason with them, but without the ability to comprehend their language, there was no hope of peace with them. They were too savage to outsiders, and they refused to give the two Jedi a chance.
Zerlon was not pleased, when they returned to Anchorhead... but they explained that they had tried their best.
The rest of their stay on Tatooine passed peacefully... either through mediation, or... Malak's idea of distractions.
x x x