Falling For You
Author's Notes: Ok, this is the last nail in Revan's coffin... this is definitively her point of no return. I'm just being cruel to the poor girl, mwhaahahahaaa! Yes, I'm evil... but you already knew this, didn't you? Besides, it's essential to the plot... how else was I gonna get Miss Goody-Two-Shoes to fall to the Dark Side, eh? You gotta admit, though... this would make you pretty homicidal, if you were in her shoes (what's with all the shoe-references?). Chocolate products for whoever figures out where the Mandalorian clanname came from (hint: same place as one of my Jedi Padawans' names).
The Shadow Priestess: lol, it could have been worse. Thanks.
snackfiend101: What bad images? Thank you, I wasn't sure the map sequence would be accepted - so many people are set in the theory that Dantooine was first. That's not the last we see of our favourite pilot, actually. And thank you for the flattery, it really will get you everywhere with me.
Ozziegrl: Yep, that's who the pilot was. What's Twisted Fates, though?
ether-fanfic: ::grins:: glad you liked it. I love - absolutely adore - writing prophecies in fanfics (and when I'm not prophesying, I'm foreshadowing)... and to understand a prophecy like that, I had to get all the background mythology, too, which was also great fun to write. Heh, I like the Mandies, too - they're cool, which is why I'm trying to show more depth to them. Ch4 was supposed to be disturbing, and I was proud of that torture-scene ::grins:
Darth Arachne: I'd not try it without a spellchecker :p ... my dad can be asked an easy, innocent question on the subject of ancient mythology, and five hours later you'd be banging your head on the table, wishing you'd never said anything, so I know how Malak feels (I still like to use real mythologies as roots for some of what I write - did anyone notice the Basilisk connection?) The word in the map that represents the Force actually translates as: "the universal binding energy of all life", for which they had a one-word symbol, but it wasn't called the Force... actually, its closest Basic one-word translation would be: "Spirit" (and I just realised, if you click on spirit, in MSWord's thesaurus, force is one of the alternatives it offers :p lol)... Revan just made the logical connection (and I wanted it to rhyme, so :p ). Yes, that is the Zabrak in question, but I never said he actually does it, just that it's his fault. Yes, I am debating where to take this fic to... it may even get as far as Malak's final battle with Revan, on the Star Forge, but I'm not sure yet.
Niliav: Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! :look: that was highly inappropriate (this is what you get when I write back to you while listening to Rocky Horror :oops: ) ... but yes: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" - I was hoping someone would notice that. It was me foreshadowing blatantly, again ::grinning happily:: I forgot to offer chocolate, last chapter, but ::hands you a chocolate bar:: thank you for spotting that.
trp0522: Thank you... heh, was the Phoenix that obvious? Glad you liked it.
Rascarin: Thank you ::bows:: here's more.
RollingSkull: Almost? Only almost? His appearance was totally gratuitous, damnit! And of course the prophecies were too-perfect, I all but get off on writing prophecies and foreshadowing in my fic ;) :p ... and actually, the Cassie/Revan thing isn't the only inference of femslash in this fic (though I have no plans to indulge in any form of slash beyond mere insinuation... but such idle comments, when left to the imagination, are usually much more fun ;) .
The Silver Serpent: Well, my sources, regarding Darth Bane, aren't exactly known for being unreliable, but I'd not be surprised if they made a mistake... besides, if I'd not mentioned it in my notes, I doubt anyone'd have noticed the lack of Darthyness :p it's just me being spurious - I do that often :p lol.
"Every now and then I fall apart, and I need you now tonight,
And I need you more than ever, and if you only hold me tight,
We'll be holding on forever, and we'll only be making it right,
Cause we'll never be wrong,
Together we can take it to the end of the line,
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time,
I don't know what to do; I'm always in the dark,
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks,
I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight.
Once upon a time, I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart,
There's nothing I can do, a total eclipse of the heart.
Once upon a time, there was light in my life, now there's only love in the dark,
Nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart."
-Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart.
x x x
Chapter 6 - Shattered
The battle at Xenon went in the Republic's favour, and the Mandalorians retreated to lick their wounds. Revan arrived a couple of days later, and informed the new Admiral, whose name was Zordoc, that they would retake Deralia from the Mandalorians. Malak knew perfectly well that Revan's whole involvement with the war had been building to this moment, but he didn't say anything to the Admiral.
The Admiral approved this course of action, and the Defiant was sent to lead the strike to recapture Deralia.
All went smoothly - the Mandalorians hadn't expected them to attempt to retake Deralia. It wasn't the logical next step. Logically, they would attempt to push back the Mandalorians around Laynara, which was where the Mandalorians had their strongest fleet stationed at the moment.
But Revan wasn't thinking logically on this point. She wanted to take back her homeworld. She was so set on this goal that she took a dozen ships with her. Overkill, considering the poor defences the Mandalorians had set up on Deralia - they weren't expecting this assault, and that certainly worked in Revan's favour.
The two Mandalorian warbirds in orbit were easily eliminated, with Revan's personal touch... she used the Force to manipulate their key systems... they crashed into each other. They then sent several teams down to the surface, landing in the ruined city, to the east of the military base. The Mandalorians had bombed the city, in their approach to the base, but they hadn't bothered to secure it - civilians were no threat. Captain Karath had been surprised by Revan's adamant decision to join her friend's team on this mission... but he had relented when she told him she believed it was essential that she be there.
Revan picked her way through the eerie ruins of the main street. Malak walked a few steps behind her, watching her carefully. 'It looks so different...' she thought distantly.
'I can't imagine how it used to be.' Malak thought grimly. The desolate ruins literally rang with despair.
Revan stopped, and turned to look at him... in spite of the hood concealing her face, their eyes met. He saw in her mind's eye, this street thriving with life. A small girl being led through the crowd by the hand. Aside from the fact the buildings were intact in this vision... memory... they seemed much taller... bright, colourful, and lively. Beautiful. The woman leading the girl by the hand, Malak recognised as the woman in the picture he had seen in Revan's room at the Jedi Temple. The sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling street were indelibly imprinted in Revan's mind, as was the pain of remembering it.
Malak quickly turned his head away, blinking back tears. He frowned, and slowly looked back to Revan... 'I'm sorry...'
'It's not your fault.' she replied, locking that pain away where he couldn't sense it. She turned sharply, and continued to walk the path Malak now realised was terrifyingly familiar to her. To see such a treasured memory so brutally ripped to shreds like this... he shook his head, he didn't even want to try to imagine how deep her pain ran.
Then Revan's attention turned to a small pile of rubble nearby. She sensed a presence there. "Who's there?" she called warily. There was no hostility in the presence... only fear. "We won't hurt you."
Slowly, a small black-haired girl peeked up over the pile of rubble, "Promise?" she squeaked fearfully.
Revan walked over to the girl, emanating waves of psychic reassurance, "I promise. I'm a Jedi. We're here to help. What's your name, little girl?"
The girl stepped out from her hiding place, and eyed the soldiers warily, "I'm Genie. Genie Star." she looked to be about seven years old... and she looked astoundingly like Revan had at that age.
Revan's eyes widened. Star was a common enough surname, but... "I'm Revan Star." she whispered.
Genie gawped at her for a minute, before grinning brightly, "Mommy said you'd come rescue us! She told me all about you!" Revan couldn't believe it... she was literally stunned, and just stared at Genie for a minute, before the girl elaborated with, "You're my sister!"
Revan tried to speak a few times, but no words came out... eventually, she gave up on the idea of speaking, and gave in to the instinct to drop to her knees and hug Genie, desperately clinging to the young girl. Genie hugged her back, eagerly. The moment was shattered, however, when Revan asked, "Where's momma?"
Genie scowled and took a step back, "Mommy and Daddy both got... got killed by the Mandalorians."
Revan started shaking, fighting desperately to keep her emotions from overwhelming her. Malak did his best to lend her some mental support, but it only really served to let Malak feel a taste of her pain. It made him literally stagger back, reeling in shock.
Genie nervously hugged Revan, and Revan clung protectively, possessively, to her. After a few minutes, Revan seemed to gather her emotions back together. She had cried for her family, when she had first heard that Deralia had been hit... she may have held out a faint sliver of hope for them, but she had known in her heart for a long time that they were gone. She slowly untangled herself from the young girl, and stood up, "Are there... are there any other survivors?" she asked tentatively.
Genie nodded, "Yes. Mr Tamin set up a safe house in the old Czerka building. I can take you there." she offered Revan her hand, and Revan gripped it firmly. Malak got the feeling Revan had no intention of letting go of Genie's hand until they were both safely away from anything that could even vaguely be classed as Mandalorian.
x x x
Genie led them to one of very few buildings that seemed relatively undamaged. The Czerka corporation building. 'I've never been here... I think Czerka set up here when we were twelve.'
Malak frowned, and looked around him. The place still managed to feel clinically detached, even though it had been attacked along with the rest of the city. It was a small building, by Czerka's standards, only one story tall. Eventually, Genie led them into a large meeting hall, with a low ceiling, two fire-exits, and only the one main entrance, through which they came. Malak gestured for their entourage of soldiers to guard the three doors, as Genie led the two of them over to a small huddled group of adult civilians. There were no children there besides Genie.
"Mr Tamin." Genie chirped, as they approached, "These're Jedi, here to rescue us!"
A tall, middle-aged Twi'lek man, with turquoise skin, stood and bowed to the two Jedi, "Thank the heavens!" he said gratefully, "I had begun to fear help would never come. My name is Natal Tamin. I was a friend of Genie's father, before the Mandalorian attack."
"I am Jedi Revan, and this is my partner, Jedi Malak." Malak raised an eyebrow at the term 'partner'. It could have meant anything from 'partner in crime', to 'lover'... though its most likely interpretation would probably be 'fellow Jedi'.
Mr Tamin examined Revan carefully, though he really could see nothing through the hood of her cloak, "Are you... are you Genie's older sister?"
Revan nodded, "Yes... yes, I am." Revan lowered her hood. Malak was amused to sense surprise from the soldiers, when they realised Revan was a woman. She looked around, taking in the small cluster of civilians. There were only seven of them, including Genie and Mr Tamin. "Are you the only survivors?"
"In this city, I am afraid we are." Mr Tamin said sadly.
Revan sighed. There were several small cities on Deralia, all of which had apparently been decimated by the Mandalorians. The largest city was Revan's home, and had the military base right next door to it. There were likely more survivors... but finding them was not the priority. She would take these people on the Defiant - their next planned stop was Tulak, and it would be safe enough for them there. The Republic embassy there could even look after Genie until the war ended.
But that line of thought was interrupted by Revan's commlink beeping. She picked the comm off her belt with her left hand, as her right hand still clung to Genie, "What do you want?" she snapped into the comm.
"Jedi Revan..." Saul Karath's voice called through the comm, "We have a serious problem... three Marauder class warbirds have breached our perimeter... they're headed your way... Jedi Cassandra reported ill-effects when their lead ship passed dangreously close to the Chronus." The Chronus was the ship Cassie had been assigned to.
"Thanks for the heads up." Revan muttered into her comm.
"Ill-effects." Malak said flatly, "What did she mean by that?"
"I hope what I'm thinking it wrong." Revan muttered. 'Ysalamiri.'
'Crap, I hope you're wrong, too.' Malak thought bluntly.
Revan's lip twitched darkly, "We should leave. Now."
She grabbed Mr Tamin's hand, still holding Genie's hand as well... and took a few steps towards the exit, before it happened. The Force fled the room. Genie squeaked, terrified. Malak groaned in frustration, "Not again." he complained.
Revan shivered in suppressed fear, "Hurry." they started to run for the door, but it burst open before they could reach it. The other two doors burst open seconds later.
There were about two-dozen Mandalorian warriors, outnumbering them three-to-one. Revan backed away towards one corner of the room, positioning herself between Genie and the Mandalorians.
Their armour bore the insignia of Katzof clan. Their leader, wearing the same style of general's armour as Rangar had worn, stepped forward, "Well, well, well... Jedi Malak. I had so hoped to one day meet you."
"And you are?" Malak asked snidely, taking a step back from the Mandalorian, to keep a relatively comfortable distance.
"My name is Tarek." the general growled, "I believe you met my brother... Rangar."
"Unfortunately, yes. I've had the severe displeasure of meeting your brother." Malak said coldly, "How did you know?"
"Surveillance footage."
"So you know he defiled your entire family's honour, by taking a prisoner?" Revan asked coldly.
"Who are you, little girl?" Tarek snarled, turning on her.
She smirked, "The angel of death."
Tarek snorted, "Ha. As if."
"You'd be dead already, if you didn't rely on that evil little pet on your ship to stifle my powers." she growled.
"Who are you, really, little girl?" he persisted.
"My name is Revan. But you really should start considering calling me God. Because you are going to be screaming, 'oh my god, the pain, the pain, make it stop' before I get through with you." she said, the picture of calm as she said it.
Malak snorted with quasi-sadistic laughter, at that image. Tarek, on the other hand, laughed with derision. He didn't believe her. "We'll just see about that, Jedi." with a wave of his hand, his warriors attacked.
Eight of them went for Malak, and managed to pin him down with only five fatalities. Six of them went at Revan and Genie. Revan fought them off as best she could, but failed to strike any of them down, and was quickly overwhelmed, and pinned to a nearby wall. Tarek grabbed Genie by the shoulders, holding the young girl in front of him with her back to him, for Revan to see. The other Mandalorians slaughtered the soldiers and civilians in the room, with impunity, in spite of Revan's cries of horror with each innocent death.
"Now... I still don't quite believe that you, little girl, are Jedi Revan." Tarek said calmly, "I always pictured Jedi Revan as... at the very least, a better fighter."
"My power lies in the Force." she growled.
"I see." Tarek smirked darkly, and looked down at the young girl he held prisoner, "You dared imply you were our angel of death. I don't see anyone here being turned to stone, little girl."
Revan's eyes glittered darkly, "Like I said... my power lies in the Force. Get rid of your pet, and I'll quite happily petrify you."
Tarek laughed, "All right... Revan. How about we cut a deal?"
Malak frowned... his commlink headpiece was still in place. He shifted in his captors' grip, so the button on his belt to activate it pressed against the ground.
"What sort of deal?" Revan asked coldly.
Malak's commlink crackled in his ear, now active. "Cassie... Cassie." he whispered, as quietly as he could get away with. He was eternally grateful that the Mandalorians holding him down were all too busy paying attention to Tarek to notice what he was doing.
"You seem incredibly protective of this child here." Tarek said calmly, "If you surrender your fleet... Revan." he said the name with no small degree of sarcasm and disbelief, "I will let her live."
Revan's eyes widened in horror, "I can't surrender the fleet! I don't have that authority!"
"What is it, Malak?" Cassie's voice crackled in Malak's ear, so only he could hear it.
"Kill Bill." he whispered.
"What?" Cassie asked. She paused for a second. Malak had told Cassie that the Ysalamiri she had killed had been named Bill. "Oh... so that's what was on that ship... ok. I'll get on it as quickly as possible."
"Then you lied. You're not Revan." Tarek said coldly.
"I am!" Revan shrieked, "Please, don't hurt her! Take me instead! Please!"
"You had your chance, little girl." Tarek's hand moved like a flash, and a silver vibrosword ran through Genie's heart.
Revan felt it as if she had been the one stabbed through the heart. And she shrieked in horror and impotent rage as Genie fell to the ground in front of her, dead. Even without the Force, Malak could feel an echo of Revan's pain, and he averted his eyes from the horrific sight of the small child's dead body.
There was deathly silence in the hall, for almost thirty seconds. Then an explosion rang overhead, and the Force flooded back to them. Malak threw off the three Mandalorians who had been pinning him down, with a Force wave, and drew his lightsaber.
Revan's eyes lit up, and she drew physical strength from the Force, shoving away the two Mandalorians who held her arms. She then held up her hands, and the whole room charged with electrical current, which flashed around her, striking out at the Mandalorian warriors with blinding energy.
Malak killed off most of the Mandalorians, leaving only Tarek and two other warriors alive... and the two Jedi were between them and all the exits. Revan held her hand out to Malak, to stop him from attacking them.
"You want to be turned to stone, Tarek?" she asked coldly. Malak looked at her... her face looked ashen, her eyes glowed an inhuman shade of gold. She looked almost frightening. Correction - the word 'almost' really shouldn't have been in that sentence.
Tarek backed up a few steps. Revan grinned ferally, and hissed a string of multi-lingual insults, all of which could be translated as either 'dishonourable' or 'bastard'. She then raised her hand, and... Malak wasn't sure what she did, but it set Tarek on fire. Spontaneous human combustion... it shouldn't have been possible. Tarek screamed and writhed in agony, as he burned alive.
Revan watched with cruel, sadistic dispassion, until Tarek was nothing more than a pile of ashes. She then knelt slowly, calmly, next to the pile of ash, and clenched her fist over it... Force grip... so strong it crushed the ash into diamond. With an almost detached fascination, she picked up the tiny stone, and stood, holding it up for the other two Mandalorians to see, "See... I can turn a man to stone." she said, her voice icy and ominous, "Anyone else care to volunteer?" she asked, smiling cruelly.
The two surviving Mandalorian warriors looked at each other, and then tried to make a run for it. Revan drew her two lightsabers, and sliced them both in half before they could go more than two steps.
Still cold and detached, she deactivated the lightsabers again, and looked around the room. It reeked of death. Malak took a few steps back, out of Revan's way, as she walked slowly over to Genie's body. She fell to her knees next to Genie, and started sobbing over the dead child.
Revan cried herself to sleep, hugging Genie's corpse. Malak felt guilty at the fleeting thought that he was lucky no one else was there to see that he cried, too.
x x x
Deralia was successfully recaptured, albeit without any help from Revan or Malak. Revan refused point-blank to leave her room, for the next few days... during which Malak took the initiative, and suggested they head to Manaan to regroup and stock up on kolto. That was what he told the Admiral, anyway... he was sure the prospect of searching for this unknown weapon to vanquish the Mandalorian threat could get Revan to remember she was alive... there was a line between grief and depression, and Revan crossed it the second her sister was murdered.
Meanwhile, en route to Manaan, Malak entered the holding cells on the Defiant. The son of a rancor that had tortured him was still there... their interrogators had made a few attempts at extracting information from him, but he had refused to cooperate.
"Hello, rancor." Malak said coldly, as he entered the holding cell, "Lovely morning, isn't it?"
"It's evening." Rangar growled.
"No it isn't. It's 0800 hours, Galactic Standard." Malak noted.
"Late sunset, Katzof homeworld time." the prisoner retorted.
"Well you're on our territory." Malak said bluntly, "And I came here to talk about much more important things than the time of day... though how you can keep track of time in this place, I don't want to know."
Rangar grinned viciously, "When I get out of here, Malak..."
"It will be in pieces." Malak finished for him.
"I didn't think Jedi tortured their prisoners?" Rangar asked.
"Exceptions can be made." Malak growled, "I'm sure you know that. Unfortunately, the Republic doesn't make torture cells... so we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way..." he smirked, "I met your brother, Tarek, by the way. And your parents must have really hated you to give you both names like that... did all the children call you rancor and terentatek, when you were at evil-git school?"
Rangar's eyes narrowed, but he chose to ignore the insult, in favour of what he deemed more important, "Where is he?"
"Revan took a serious dislike to him." Malak said, in a too-conversational tone, "He was burned alive... did you know that ashes can be crushed into diamond?" he held up the small stone that was all that remained of Tarek.
"You're lying." Rangar said flatly.
Malak laughed, "If I were lying, would I not come up with a more believable story?"
Rangar blinked, but didn't say anything.
"I'm thinking of making a necklace out of it, for Revan... she'd probably think it fitting. She might even make a habit out of doing this to the Mandalorian generals we meet, if it means she gets expensive jewellery out of it." that was probably not true... but it was scaring and unsettling Rangar, and that was the whole point.
Still, the one thing that caught his attention was, "She?"
"Revan."
"Revan is a woman?!"
Malak gave him a 'yes... duh' look.
"Now I know you're lying." Rangar said blankly.
"Like I said... if I were lying, you'd think I'd come up with something more believable." Malak smirked, "Would you like me to disturb her, and bring her down here? I'm sure she'd be happy to repeat to you what she did to your brother."
Rangar snorted.
"I'll take that as a no." Malak said calmly, "All right, then... how about this?" he held up his hand, and used the Force to pick Rangar off the floor of his cell, levitating him to the ceiling. Malak spun Rangar around until the Mandalorian seemed ready to be sick... then dropped him, using the Force to make the fall much faster than the artificial gravity... and much more painful.
Rangar broke a couple of bones with the fall, and proceeded to actually vomit on the floor.
"That's delightful. You realise you're going to have to lie on that floor." Malak noted brightly. Rangar glared at him viciously, "And you thought you knew how to torture someone. I'm only getting started."
A few hours, many more broken bones, several applications of the Force to heal otherwise mortal injuries (though Malak was careful not to use it to ease his victim's pain), and some creative uses Force lightening, later... Rangar finally broke, and started spilling his secrets.
Malak was a little disappointed that Rangar's will had broken so easily... he had been enjoying this torture session... and there were so many things Force grip could do, but he hadn't even got through with Force lightening yet. Spoil-sport. Well, once Malak got the information he needed, he could continue to torture the prisoner... no... no, dark side, bad. He shook his head "So, rancor... the Ysalamiri... how many of them were there?" he asked calmly.
"There were five." Rangar answered, trying not to gag on his own blood.
Malak scowled, "Two down... who has the other three?"
"Mandalore." Rangar sneered.
Malak nodded slowly, "I'm surprised you didn't give him all five."
"Mandalore only wanted three... my brother and I thought they would give us an edge." Rangar stopped talking to cough up some more blood. It was pathetic, really... to become a Mandalorian general, this man must have been a better fighter and strategist than his peers, and Malak knew from experience that Katzof clan were great, powerful, vicious warriors... for such a powerful man to be reduced to this quivering wreak... it was pitiful to watch. It was also incredibly satisfying, to turn the tables against his tormentor, like this. "We... we never told him about the other two... he has the three he asked for, that is all that matters."
"I thought there was some aspect of your honour-code that demanded some sort of loyalty to Mandalore?" Malak asked, "Oh, don't waste your breath answering that... you've already proven that you consider yourself above the honour-code."
Rangar spat in Malak's direction, but it didn't even reach the forcefield between them. "You Jedi bastard." he growled, "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Actually... hang around Revan long enough, you'd learn a thing or two about your own mythology and beliefs... she studies that sort of thing with unnatural interest. Don't ask me why." Malak said, smirking.
"Go screw a sarlaac." Rangar growled.
Malak raised an eyebrow, "Now that's a new one... and an interesting mental picture, too." he tilted his head to one side, "Very imaginative... I have to give you credit for that one. But it's not my type... maybe you should try it, instead, rancor."
"Funny. Real funny." Rangar muttered.
"So, tell me... what do you know of Mandalore's plans?" Malak asked, his tone too innocent, as he let sparks of lightening dance between his fingertips. Just thinking of his own torture session brought out the anger and hatred needed to create both the lightening and the damaging form of Force grip... it scared him how easily he did it... but this man deserved it.
Rangar stared at the lightening in Malak's hand, for a few moments, before deciding he didn't really have anything to lose by telling Malak what he wanted to know, "I don't know that much... but... but I'll tell you what I know."
Malak was torn between being pleased at getting his victim to talk... and disappointed at not getting to torture him more. Reluctantly, he lowered his hand, and let go of the anger that had conjured the lightening. "I'm listening."
"Well, assuming you've already run into my brother..." Rangar said, eyeing the diamond on the floor with no small amount of disbelief. "Last I heard, Mandalore expected Revan's next move to be Laynara."
"Knew that already. Keep talking." Malak said coldly.
"He plans to take several more of the smaller planets in that belt. There are a lot of Republic military installations there."
"And no civilians..." Malak muttered.
"Yeah... though that doesn't make a difference." Rangar noted, "After that, Tulak, Midos, Aralan, Malachor, and then Bacheron. That's all I know."
"You've been very useful." Malak said, smirking. Even if Revan didn't help him, Malak had a fair idea, now, which worlds to defend. "I'm going to be kind to you, Rangar..." with a wave of his hand, the forcefield deactivated, "Take your best shot."
Most of Rangar's wounds from the torture had been healed by the Force - that was actually the only reason he was still alive - the pain remained, but he was physically capable of picking himself up to his feet, "You have got to be joking."
"Don't you Mandalorians prefer to die in battle?" Malak asked, "I'm giving you an honourable death... because there is no way in this galaxy that you're going to get off this ship alive."
Rangar drew himself up, as tall as he could. Malak was unarmed, save for the lightsaber that always hung from his belt... but he wasn't trying to draw his weapon. He stood almost at ease, as the prisoner charged at him. Malak took a step to the side, bringing his fist up into Rangar's stomach, using the Manalorian's own momentum as the force for the blow.
Rangar stumbled, winded, and tried to lash out at Malak. Malak evaded the swing, and grabbed Rangar's arm, twisting it behind his back, and slamming him against a nearby wall. Rangar elbowed Malak in the gut, with his free arm, right where he had stabbed him before. Malak winced, but didn't let Rangar go. He wrapped his arm around Rangar's neck, releasing the Mandalorian's arm, and snapped his neck.
Malak felt the life slip away from his victim, and slowly let the body fall to the ground. He kicked the corpse, for good measure, then left the brig... it wouldn't take long for the guards to discover the body, and he really didn't want to be bothered with awkward questions.
Malak passed on the information Rangar had given him to Captain Karath. Together, they came up with a plan for what to do next, and relayed it, via some seriously heavy encryption, to the rest of the fleet. Karath did ask what was wrong with Revan, but Malak was evasive, until the Captain gave up on that line of questioning.
x x x
They were due to drop out of hyperspace at Manaan, in a few hours. Malak decided it was time to try to wake Revan again. His two previous attempts had met with various objects (harmless... a couple of cushions, and a pillow) being hurled at him, along with orders to leave her alone.
He knocked tentatively on the door to Revan's room, but she didn't answer... so he sliced the lock (a skill she taught him when they were teenagers), and slipped into the room, closing the door behind him. "Revan?" he asked warily.
The room was untouched, perfectly neat as usual, except the bed. The bedsheets were twisted in knots, and Malak could sense Revan was buried under them... though she must have been curled up in a foetal position, judging by the shape of the sheets. Malak was more nervous of disturbing an upset Revan than he was of storming a Mandalorian stronghold. But this had to be done.
Malak walked over to the bed, and warily sat on the edge of it, "Revan?" he repeated.
"Go away." Revan's mumbled voice replied from the pile of bedsheets.
"Why do you want me to do that?" Malak asked calmly.
Silence. She didn't want him to leave, but she didn't think he should want to be near her.
"Revan, will you at least look at me? Please?" he persisted.
No response.
Malak sighed, and grabbed the top corner of the bedsheets, pulling them quickly back. She tried to grab the sheet before he pulled it off her, but she wasn't fast enough. It was only then that Malak realised she was totally naked. He wasn't sure when she had undressed and bathed, but she must have bathed recently, because her hair was still damp. Then, her mind informed him that she undressed the first time she woke since she was left in her room alone, and she showered... but she didn't see the point in getting dressed again. She didn't see the point in breathing, either, but she at least planned to 'leave a good-looking corpse'... hence the reason she had showered daily.
"Revan, please, don't think like that, love." he pleaded.
"Everything I love dies." she whispered, wiping futilely at the tear-stains on her face, "My family, my homeworld, my Master..." she looked up at him for the first time - her eyes were an odd shade of green... when he looked closely, he saw they were mostly their natural blue, but the unnatural veins of golden yellow - her dark side shining through - gave them a green hue. "Perhaps I should just wither up and die, before someone else I love gets killed, too."
"No. Revan, I love you." Malak took her hand in his, gently, "I need you."
She looked away from him, frowning.
"Please, don't do this to yourself, Revan." he whispered.
She sighed, and started crying again... sobbing silently, the only sound she made was the occasional sniff. She buried her face in her arms, and tried to hide from Malak. He tentatively placed his hand on her shoulder, and turned her over onto her back. She just stared at him, her eyes pleading for some relief from the mental anguish she was suffering.
He sighed, "I have no idea what to say or do to help you, Revan." he said quietly, "All I know is that you can't beat yourself up for something you had no control over. I know you have to grieve for her... but you can't destroy your own life... you're still alive for a reason."
"And she's dead for a reason?" Revan growled, "You're working on the everything-happens-for-a-reason principle. So why is she dead? Why did the Force want her to die?!"
"The Mandalorians are notoriously Force-blind, at the best of times." Malak said, frowning, "And with the Ysalamiri... fate can only be exacted by the Force, and free-will is a bitch."
Revan stared blankly at him, "So you're saying fate controls everything... but you're still saying there is such a thing as free-will? Wow, your philosophical beliefs are really screwed up, Malak." she sighed, "But I do get what you're trying to say. I'm still needed... I can't just let myself join everything I love that has died."
"Not everything you love has died, Revan." Malak said gently, running his fingers through her hair... she leaned into his touch.
"That's true." she looked at him for a few moments, then sighed, and looked away, "I feel like I'm cursed... like everyone I care about gets killed just because of me. I don't want you to get hurt, Malak."
"I can take care of myself, Revan." he said blithely, "But I don't think I'd particularly want to without you."
She raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't say anything. She just started at a nearby wall, as if it was fascinating.
"Revan, have you actually eaten anything since we left Deralia?" he asked bluntly.
"No."
"That's not good." Malak muttered.
"Why not?" she asked, turning to look at him, with an icy stare that dared him to argue with her. Normally, it would make him back down, but this time it was for her own good.
"Because you need to eat. Believe it or not, it's a function of being human. If you don't eat, you'll die."
"Good."
"No. Not good. I really do not want you to die, Revan."
"Everyone dies eventually... it's just a matter of how and when."
"And why..."Malak added pointedly, "And you should not let yourself die just because you lost someone you barely knew. I can't even begin to understand the grief you are feeling, but if you let it consume you, then that Mandalorian who killed your sister has won! He wanted to break you, and look how spectacularly well he's achieved it!"
Revan looked up at him, glaring viciously. Her eyes flashed completely gold, for a moment... then returned to their greenish colour, "You're right." she whispered... it was probably why she couldn't stay angry at him, even though his words had been designed to metaphorically slap her in the face. It certainly snapped her out of it. She sat up, watching him carefully, "I've been here for three days-"
"Three and a half, actually." Malak corrected.
"That cursed Republic-issue alarm clock woke me up three times, at 0600 hours. That's all I've been going by." Revan noted flatly.
Malak bit his lip so as not to laugh at that. It would not be appropriate. "Well it's 1700 hours, now."
"Right." Revan muttered, "The point I was trying to get to is... where are we? What has been happening while I've been... while I've been wallowing in my own misery?"
"We're about to drop out of hyperspace at Manaan, in about an hour." Malak answered, "I interrogated our Manalorian prisoner, and convinced him to give me a great deal of information... several of Mandalore's plans... and the fact that there's another three of those Force-forsaken creatures, in Mandalore's clutches."
"Great... just great." Revan muttered, "Well, we can work with this... I assume you have informed the Admiral of this information?"
"Yes. The fleet has moved to defend the Laynarian belt, Tulak and Midos - Mandalore's next targets."
Revan nodded, "Good. That's what I would do." she said quietly, "And why are we at Manaan?"
"I told the Admiral it was to regroup and restock on kolto." Malak said, shrugging innocently, 'I thought you might like to look for that map thing.'
"That sounds like a good idea, yes." she smiled weakly, "I like the way your mind works, Malak."
"Thank you." he said, also smiling weakly - he was afraid an outright grin would upset her, considering she wasn't really recovered from her misery yet.
He felt something push him from behind, causing him to land on top of Revan, who smirked. 'Force pull.' she thought, with an innocent look on her face. The golden gleam in her eyes belied any impression of innocence, however.
"Your eyes..."
"What's wrong with them?"
"They're glowing." Malak said quietly.
Revan set about unfastening the Jedi robes he was wearing. It would be easier if she didn't have to unclip the armour plates on his forearms as well, but she made good time, all the same. Malak had no intention of stopping her. "The Sith texts I took from Master Kendra's office said that eyes glowing is a sign of passion in the soul. The eyes are the windows to the soul, you know."
"And you believe the Sith texts?"
"It's a theory." she threw his robe across the room, and began working on removing his trousers, which was more trouble, since he was lying on top of her. "The Jedi equate glowing eyes with the Sith... but the Sith say, and I quote: 'not all whose eyes light up golden are destined for the dark side. It is a sign of passion, true... but it can be a sign of lust, or even love, just as easily as it can be a sign of bloodlust and hatred'."
Malak nodded. This made sense. He was certain that at least some of the gleam in her eyes was due to the things her hands were now doing to his body... even if hatred for the Mandalorians was a factor, could he really blame her after what happened to her?
x x x
Author's Notes: Ok, this is the last nail in Revan's coffin... this is definitively her point of no return. I'm just being cruel to the poor girl, mwhaahahahaaa! Yes, I'm evil... but you already knew this, didn't you? Besides, it's essential to the plot... how else was I gonna get Miss Goody-Two-Shoes to fall to the Dark Side, eh? You gotta admit, though... this would make you pretty homicidal, if you were in her shoes (what's with all the shoe-references?). Chocolate products for whoever figures out where the Mandalorian clanname came from (hint: same place as one of my Jedi Padawans' names).
The Shadow Priestess: lol, it could have been worse. Thanks.
snackfiend101: What bad images? Thank you, I wasn't sure the map sequence would be accepted - so many people are set in the theory that Dantooine was first. That's not the last we see of our favourite pilot, actually. And thank you for the flattery, it really will get you everywhere with me.
Ozziegrl: Yep, that's who the pilot was. What's Twisted Fates, though?
ether-fanfic: ::grins:: glad you liked it. I love - absolutely adore - writing prophecies in fanfics (and when I'm not prophesying, I'm foreshadowing)... and to understand a prophecy like that, I had to get all the background mythology, too, which was also great fun to write. Heh, I like the Mandies, too - they're cool, which is why I'm trying to show more depth to them. Ch4 was supposed to be disturbing, and I was proud of that torture-scene ::grins:
Darth Arachne: I'd not try it without a spellchecker :p ... my dad can be asked an easy, innocent question on the subject of ancient mythology, and five hours later you'd be banging your head on the table, wishing you'd never said anything, so I know how Malak feels (I still like to use real mythologies as roots for some of what I write - did anyone notice the Basilisk connection?) The word in the map that represents the Force actually translates as: "the universal binding energy of all life", for which they had a one-word symbol, but it wasn't called the Force... actually, its closest Basic one-word translation would be: "Spirit" (and I just realised, if you click on spirit, in MSWord's thesaurus, force is one of the alternatives it offers :p lol)... Revan just made the logical connection (and I wanted it to rhyme, so :p ). Yes, that is the Zabrak in question, but I never said he actually does it, just that it's his fault. Yes, I am debating where to take this fic to... it may even get as far as Malak's final battle with Revan, on the Star Forge, but I'm not sure yet.
Niliav: Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! :look: that was highly inappropriate (this is what you get when I write back to you while listening to Rocky Horror :oops: ) ... but yes: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" - I was hoping someone would notice that. It was me foreshadowing blatantly, again ::grinning happily:: I forgot to offer chocolate, last chapter, but ::hands you a chocolate bar:: thank you for spotting that.
trp0522: Thank you... heh, was the Phoenix that obvious? Glad you liked it.
Rascarin: Thank you ::bows:: here's more.
RollingSkull: Almost? Only almost? His appearance was totally gratuitous, damnit! And of course the prophecies were too-perfect, I all but get off on writing prophecies and foreshadowing in my fic ;) :p ... and actually, the Cassie/Revan thing isn't the only inference of femslash in this fic (though I have no plans to indulge in any form of slash beyond mere insinuation... but such idle comments, when left to the imagination, are usually much more fun ;) .
The Silver Serpent: Well, my sources, regarding Darth Bane, aren't exactly known for being unreliable, but I'd not be surprised if they made a mistake... besides, if I'd not mentioned it in my notes, I doubt anyone'd have noticed the lack of Darthyness :p it's just me being spurious - I do that often :p lol.
"Every now and then I fall apart, and I need you now tonight,
And I need you more than ever, and if you only hold me tight,
We'll be holding on forever, and we'll only be making it right,
Cause we'll never be wrong,
Together we can take it to the end of the line,
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time,
I don't know what to do; I'm always in the dark,
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks,
I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight.
Once upon a time, I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart,
There's nothing I can do, a total eclipse of the heart.
Once upon a time, there was light in my life, now there's only love in the dark,
Nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart."
-Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart.
x x x
Chapter 6 - Shattered
The battle at Xenon went in the Republic's favour, and the Mandalorians retreated to lick their wounds. Revan arrived a couple of days later, and informed the new Admiral, whose name was Zordoc, that they would retake Deralia from the Mandalorians. Malak knew perfectly well that Revan's whole involvement with the war had been building to this moment, but he didn't say anything to the Admiral.
The Admiral approved this course of action, and the Defiant was sent to lead the strike to recapture Deralia.
All went smoothly - the Mandalorians hadn't expected them to attempt to retake Deralia. It wasn't the logical next step. Logically, they would attempt to push back the Mandalorians around Laynara, which was where the Mandalorians had their strongest fleet stationed at the moment.
But Revan wasn't thinking logically on this point. She wanted to take back her homeworld. She was so set on this goal that she took a dozen ships with her. Overkill, considering the poor defences the Mandalorians had set up on Deralia - they weren't expecting this assault, and that certainly worked in Revan's favour.
The two Mandalorian warbirds in orbit were easily eliminated, with Revan's personal touch... she used the Force to manipulate their key systems... they crashed into each other. They then sent several teams down to the surface, landing in the ruined city, to the east of the military base. The Mandalorians had bombed the city, in their approach to the base, but they hadn't bothered to secure it - civilians were no threat. Captain Karath had been surprised by Revan's adamant decision to join her friend's team on this mission... but he had relented when she told him she believed it was essential that she be there.
Revan picked her way through the eerie ruins of the main street. Malak walked a few steps behind her, watching her carefully. 'It looks so different...' she thought distantly.
'I can't imagine how it used to be.' Malak thought grimly. The desolate ruins literally rang with despair.
Revan stopped, and turned to look at him... in spite of the hood concealing her face, their eyes met. He saw in her mind's eye, this street thriving with life. A small girl being led through the crowd by the hand. Aside from the fact the buildings were intact in this vision... memory... they seemed much taller... bright, colourful, and lively. Beautiful. The woman leading the girl by the hand, Malak recognised as the woman in the picture he had seen in Revan's room at the Jedi Temple. The sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling street were indelibly imprinted in Revan's mind, as was the pain of remembering it.
Malak quickly turned his head away, blinking back tears. He frowned, and slowly looked back to Revan... 'I'm sorry...'
'It's not your fault.' she replied, locking that pain away where he couldn't sense it. She turned sharply, and continued to walk the path Malak now realised was terrifyingly familiar to her. To see such a treasured memory so brutally ripped to shreds like this... he shook his head, he didn't even want to try to imagine how deep her pain ran.
Then Revan's attention turned to a small pile of rubble nearby. She sensed a presence there. "Who's there?" she called warily. There was no hostility in the presence... only fear. "We won't hurt you."
Slowly, a small black-haired girl peeked up over the pile of rubble, "Promise?" she squeaked fearfully.
Revan walked over to the girl, emanating waves of psychic reassurance, "I promise. I'm a Jedi. We're here to help. What's your name, little girl?"
The girl stepped out from her hiding place, and eyed the soldiers warily, "I'm Genie. Genie Star." she looked to be about seven years old... and she looked astoundingly like Revan had at that age.
Revan's eyes widened. Star was a common enough surname, but... "I'm Revan Star." she whispered.
Genie gawped at her for a minute, before grinning brightly, "Mommy said you'd come rescue us! She told me all about you!" Revan couldn't believe it... she was literally stunned, and just stared at Genie for a minute, before the girl elaborated with, "You're my sister!"
Revan tried to speak a few times, but no words came out... eventually, she gave up on the idea of speaking, and gave in to the instinct to drop to her knees and hug Genie, desperately clinging to the young girl. Genie hugged her back, eagerly. The moment was shattered, however, when Revan asked, "Where's momma?"
Genie scowled and took a step back, "Mommy and Daddy both got... got killed by the Mandalorians."
Revan started shaking, fighting desperately to keep her emotions from overwhelming her. Malak did his best to lend her some mental support, but it only really served to let Malak feel a taste of her pain. It made him literally stagger back, reeling in shock.
Genie nervously hugged Revan, and Revan clung protectively, possessively, to her. After a few minutes, Revan seemed to gather her emotions back together. She had cried for her family, when she had first heard that Deralia had been hit... she may have held out a faint sliver of hope for them, but she had known in her heart for a long time that they were gone. She slowly untangled herself from the young girl, and stood up, "Are there... are there any other survivors?" she asked tentatively.
Genie nodded, "Yes. Mr Tamin set up a safe house in the old Czerka building. I can take you there." she offered Revan her hand, and Revan gripped it firmly. Malak got the feeling Revan had no intention of letting go of Genie's hand until they were both safely away from anything that could even vaguely be classed as Mandalorian.
x x x
Genie led them to one of very few buildings that seemed relatively undamaged. The Czerka corporation building. 'I've never been here... I think Czerka set up here when we were twelve.'
Malak frowned, and looked around him. The place still managed to feel clinically detached, even though it had been attacked along with the rest of the city. It was a small building, by Czerka's standards, only one story tall. Eventually, Genie led them into a large meeting hall, with a low ceiling, two fire-exits, and only the one main entrance, through which they came. Malak gestured for their entourage of soldiers to guard the three doors, as Genie led the two of them over to a small huddled group of adult civilians. There were no children there besides Genie.
"Mr Tamin." Genie chirped, as they approached, "These're Jedi, here to rescue us!"
A tall, middle-aged Twi'lek man, with turquoise skin, stood and bowed to the two Jedi, "Thank the heavens!" he said gratefully, "I had begun to fear help would never come. My name is Natal Tamin. I was a friend of Genie's father, before the Mandalorian attack."
"I am Jedi Revan, and this is my partner, Jedi Malak." Malak raised an eyebrow at the term 'partner'. It could have meant anything from 'partner in crime', to 'lover'... though its most likely interpretation would probably be 'fellow Jedi'.
Mr Tamin examined Revan carefully, though he really could see nothing through the hood of her cloak, "Are you... are you Genie's older sister?"
Revan nodded, "Yes... yes, I am." Revan lowered her hood. Malak was amused to sense surprise from the soldiers, when they realised Revan was a woman. She looked around, taking in the small cluster of civilians. There were only seven of them, including Genie and Mr Tamin. "Are you the only survivors?"
"In this city, I am afraid we are." Mr Tamin said sadly.
Revan sighed. There were several small cities on Deralia, all of which had apparently been decimated by the Mandalorians. The largest city was Revan's home, and had the military base right next door to it. There were likely more survivors... but finding them was not the priority. She would take these people on the Defiant - their next planned stop was Tulak, and it would be safe enough for them there. The Republic embassy there could even look after Genie until the war ended.
But that line of thought was interrupted by Revan's commlink beeping. She picked the comm off her belt with her left hand, as her right hand still clung to Genie, "What do you want?" she snapped into the comm.
"Jedi Revan..." Saul Karath's voice called through the comm, "We have a serious problem... three Marauder class warbirds have breached our perimeter... they're headed your way... Jedi Cassandra reported ill-effects when their lead ship passed dangreously close to the Chronus." The Chronus was the ship Cassie had been assigned to.
"Thanks for the heads up." Revan muttered into her comm.
"Ill-effects." Malak said flatly, "What did she mean by that?"
"I hope what I'm thinking it wrong." Revan muttered. 'Ysalamiri.'
'Crap, I hope you're wrong, too.' Malak thought bluntly.
Revan's lip twitched darkly, "We should leave. Now."
She grabbed Mr Tamin's hand, still holding Genie's hand as well... and took a few steps towards the exit, before it happened. The Force fled the room. Genie squeaked, terrified. Malak groaned in frustration, "Not again." he complained.
Revan shivered in suppressed fear, "Hurry." they started to run for the door, but it burst open before they could reach it. The other two doors burst open seconds later.
There were about two-dozen Mandalorian warriors, outnumbering them three-to-one. Revan backed away towards one corner of the room, positioning herself between Genie and the Mandalorians.
Their armour bore the insignia of Katzof clan. Their leader, wearing the same style of general's armour as Rangar had worn, stepped forward, "Well, well, well... Jedi Malak. I had so hoped to one day meet you."
"And you are?" Malak asked snidely, taking a step back from the Mandalorian, to keep a relatively comfortable distance.
"My name is Tarek." the general growled, "I believe you met my brother... Rangar."
"Unfortunately, yes. I've had the severe displeasure of meeting your brother." Malak said coldly, "How did you know?"
"Surveillance footage."
"So you know he defiled your entire family's honour, by taking a prisoner?" Revan asked coldly.
"Who are you, little girl?" Tarek snarled, turning on her.
She smirked, "The angel of death."
Tarek snorted, "Ha. As if."
"You'd be dead already, if you didn't rely on that evil little pet on your ship to stifle my powers." she growled.
"Who are you, really, little girl?" he persisted.
"My name is Revan. But you really should start considering calling me God. Because you are going to be screaming, 'oh my god, the pain, the pain, make it stop' before I get through with you." she said, the picture of calm as she said it.
Malak snorted with quasi-sadistic laughter, at that image. Tarek, on the other hand, laughed with derision. He didn't believe her. "We'll just see about that, Jedi." with a wave of his hand, his warriors attacked.
Eight of them went for Malak, and managed to pin him down with only five fatalities. Six of them went at Revan and Genie. Revan fought them off as best she could, but failed to strike any of them down, and was quickly overwhelmed, and pinned to a nearby wall. Tarek grabbed Genie by the shoulders, holding the young girl in front of him with her back to him, for Revan to see. The other Mandalorians slaughtered the soldiers and civilians in the room, with impunity, in spite of Revan's cries of horror with each innocent death.
"Now... I still don't quite believe that you, little girl, are Jedi Revan." Tarek said calmly, "I always pictured Jedi Revan as... at the very least, a better fighter."
"My power lies in the Force." she growled.
"I see." Tarek smirked darkly, and looked down at the young girl he held prisoner, "You dared imply you were our angel of death. I don't see anyone here being turned to stone, little girl."
Revan's eyes glittered darkly, "Like I said... my power lies in the Force. Get rid of your pet, and I'll quite happily petrify you."
Tarek laughed, "All right... Revan. How about we cut a deal?"
Malak frowned... his commlink headpiece was still in place. He shifted in his captors' grip, so the button on his belt to activate it pressed against the ground.
"What sort of deal?" Revan asked coldly.
Malak's commlink crackled in his ear, now active. "Cassie... Cassie." he whispered, as quietly as he could get away with. He was eternally grateful that the Mandalorians holding him down were all too busy paying attention to Tarek to notice what he was doing.
"You seem incredibly protective of this child here." Tarek said calmly, "If you surrender your fleet... Revan." he said the name with no small degree of sarcasm and disbelief, "I will let her live."
Revan's eyes widened in horror, "I can't surrender the fleet! I don't have that authority!"
"What is it, Malak?" Cassie's voice crackled in Malak's ear, so only he could hear it.
"Kill Bill." he whispered.
"What?" Cassie asked. She paused for a second. Malak had told Cassie that the Ysalamiri she had killed had been named Bill. "Oh... so that's what was on that ship... ok. I'll get on it as quickly as possible."
"Then you lied. You're not Revan." Tarek said coldly.
"I am!" Revan shrieked, "Please, don't hurt her! Take me instead! Please!"
"You had your chance, little girl." Tarek's hand moved like a flash, and a silver vibrosword ran through Genie's heart.
Revan felt it as if she had been the one stabbed through the heart. And she shrieked in horror and impotent rage as Genie fell to the ground in front of her, dead. Even without the Force, Malak could feel an echo of Revan's pain, and he averted his eyes from the horrific sight of the small child's dead body.
There was deathly silence in the hall, for almost thirty seconds. Then an explosion rang overhead, and the Force flooded back to them. Malak threw off the three Mandalorians who had been pinning him down, with a Force wave, and drew his lightsaber.
Revan's eyes lit up, and she drew physical strength from the Force, shoving away the two Mandalorians who held her arms. She then held up her hands, and the whole room charged with electrical current, which flashed around her, striking out at the Mandalorian warriors with blinding energy.
Malak killed off most of the Mandalorians, leaving only Tarek and two other warriors alive... and the two Jedi were between them and all the exits. Revan held her hand out to Malak, to stop him from attacking them.
"You want to be turned to stone, Tarek?" she asked coldly. Malak looked at her... her face looked ashen, her eyes glowed an inhuman shade of gold. She looked almost frightening. Correction - the word 'almost' really shouldn't have been in that sentence.
Tarek backed up a few steps. Revan grinned ferally, and hissed a string of multi-lingual insults, all of which could be translated as either 'dishonourable' or 'bastard'. She then raised her hand, and... Malak wasn't sure what she did, but it set Tarek on fire. Spontaneous human combustion... it shouldn't have been possible. Tarek screamed and writhed in agony, as he burned alive.
Revan watched with cruel, sadistic dispassion, until Tarek was nothing more than a pile of ashes. She then knelt slowly, calmly, next to the pile of ash, and clenched her fist over it... Force grip... so strong it crushed the ash into diamond. With an almost detached fascination, she picked up the tiny stone, and stood, holding it up for the other two Mandalorians to see, "See... I can turn a man to stone." she said, her voice icy and ominous, "Anyone else care to volunteer?" she asked, smiling cruelly.
The two surviving Mandalorian warriors looked at each other, and then tried to make a run for it. Revan drew her two lightsabers, and sliced them both in half before they could go more than two steps.
Still cold and detached, she deactivated the lightsabers again, and looked around the room. It reeked of death. Malak took a few steps back, out of Revan's way, as she walked slowly over to Genie's body. She fell to her knees next to Genie, and started sobbing over the dead child.
Revan cried herself to sleep, hugging Genie's corpse. Malak felt guilty at the fleeting thought that he was lucky no one else was there to see that he cried, too.
x x x
Deralia was successfully recaptured, albeit without any help from Revan or Malak. Revan refused point-blank to leave her room, for the next few days... during which Malak took the initiative, and suggested they head to Manaan to regroup and stock up on kolto. That was what he told the Admiral, anyway... he was sure the prospect of searching for this unknown weapon to vanquish the Mandalorian threat could get Revan to remember she was alive... there was a line between grief and depression, and Revan crossed it the second her sister was murdered.
Meanwhile, en route to Manaan, Malak entered the holding cells on the Defiant. The son of a rancor that had tortured him was still there... their interrogators had made a few attempts at extracting information from him, but he had refused to cooperate.
"Hello, rancor." Malak said coldly, as he entered the holding cell, "Lovely morning, isn't it?"
"It's evening." Rangar growled.
"No it isn't. It's 0800 hours, Galactic Standard." Malak noted.
"Late sunset, Katzof homeworld time." the prisoner retorted.
"Well you're on our territory." Malak said bluntly, "And I came here to talk about much more important things than the time of day... though how you can keep track of time in this place, I don't want to know."
Rangar grinned viciously, "When I get out of here, Malak..."
"It will be in pieces." Malak finished for him.
"I didn't think Jedi tortured their prisoners?" Rangar asked.
"Exceptions can be made." Malak growled, "I'm sure you know that. Unfortunately, the Republic doesn't make torture cells... so we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way..." he smirked, "I met your brother, Tarek, by the way. And your parents must have really hated you to give you both names like that... did all the children call you rancor and terentatek, when you were at evil-git school?"
Rangar's eyes narrowed, but he chose to ignore the insult, in favour of what he deemed more important, "Where is he?"
"Revan took a serious dislike to him." Malak said, in a too-conversational tone, "He was burned alive... did you know that ashes can be crushed into diamond?" he held up the small stone that was all that remained of Tarek.
"You're lying." Rangar said flatly.
Malak laughed, "If I were lying, would I not come up with a more believable story?"
Rangar blinked, but didn't say anything.
"I'm thinking of making a necklace out of it, for Revan... she'd probably think it fitting. She might even make a habit out of doing this to the Mandalorian generals we meet, if it means she gets expensive jewellery out of it." that was probably not true... but it was scaring and unsettling Rangar, and that was the whole point.
Still, the one thing that caught his attention was, "She?"
"Revan."
"Revan is a woman?!"
Malak gave him a 'yes... duh' look.
"Now I know you're lying." Rangar said blankly.
"Like I said... if I were lying, you'd think I'd come up with something more believable." Malak smirked, "Would you like me to disturb her, and bring her down here? I'm sure she'd be happy to repeat to you what she did to your brother."
Rangar snorted.
"I'll take that as a no." Malak said calmly, "All right, then... how about this?" he held up his hand, and used the Force to pick Rangar off the floor of his cell, levitating him to the ceiling. Malak spun Rangar around until the Mandalorian seemed ready to be sick... then dropped him, using the Force to make the fall much faster than the artificial gravity... and much more painful.
Rangar broke a couple of bones with the fall, and proceeded to actually vomit on the floor.
"That's delightful. You realise you're going to have to lie on that floor." Malak noted brightly. Rangar glared at him viciously, "And you thought you knew how to torture someone. I'm only getting started."
A few hours, many more broken bones, several applications of the Force to heal otherwise mortal injuries (though Malak was careful not to use it to ease his victim's pain), and some creative uses Force lightening, later... Rangar finally broke, and started spilling his secrets.
Malak was a little disappointed that Rangar's will had broken so easily... he had been enjoying this torture session... and there were so many things Force grip could do, but he hadn't even got through with Force lightening yet. Spoil-sport. Well, once Malak got the information he needed, he could continue to torture the prisoner... no... no, dark side, bad. He shook his head "So, rancor... the Ysalamiri... how many of them were there?" he asked calmly.
"There were five." Rangar answered, trying not to gag on his own blood.
Malak scowled, "Two down... who has the other three?"
"Mandalore." Rangar sneered.
Malak nodded slowly, "I'm surprised you didn't give him all five."
"Mandalore only wanted three... my brother and I thought they would give us an edge." Rangar stopped talking to cough up some more blood. It was pathetic, really... to become a Mandalorian general, this man must have been a better fighter and strategist than his peers, and Malak knew from experience that Katzof clan were great, powerful, vicious warriors... for such a powerful man to be reduced to this quivering wreak... it was pitiful to watch. It was also incredibly satisfying, to turn the tables against his tormentor, like this. "We... we never told him about the other two... he has the three he asked for, that is all that matters."
"I thought there was some aspect of your honour-code that demanded some sort of loyalty to Mandalore?" Malak asked, "Oh, don't waste your breath answering that... you've already proven that you consider yourself above the honour-code."
Rangar spat in Malak's direction, but it didn't even reach the forcefield between them. "You Jedi bastard." he growled, "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Actually... hang around Revan long enough, you'd learn a thing or two about your own mythology and beliefs... she studies that sort of thing with unnatural interest. Don't ask me why." Malak said, smirking.
"Go screw a sarlaac." Rangar growled.
Malak raised an eyebrow, "Now that's a new one... and an interesting mental picture, too." he tilted his head to one side, "Very imaginative... I have to give you credit for that one. But it's not my type... maybe you should try it, instead, rancor."
"Funny. Real funny." Rangar muttered.
"So, tell me... what do you know of Mandalore's plans?" Malak asked, his tone too innocent, as he let sparks of lightening dance between his fingertips. Just thinking of his own torture session brought out the anger and hatred needed to create both the lightening and the damaging form of Force grip... it scared him how easily he did it... but this man deserved it.
Rangar stared at the lightening in Malak's hand, for a few moments, before deciding he didn't really have anything to lose by telling Malak what he wanted to know, "I don't know that much... but... but I'll tell you what I know."
Malak was torn between being pleased at getting his victim to talk... and disappointed at not getting to torture him more. Reluctantly, he lowered his hand, and let go of the anger that had conjured the lightening. "I'm listening."
"Well, assuming you've already run into my brother..." Rangar said, eyeing the diamond on the floor with no small amount of disbelief. "Last I heard, Mandalore expected Revan's next move to be Laynara."
"Knew that already. Keep talking." Malak said coldly.
"He plans to take several more of the smaller planets in that belt. There are a lot of Republic military installations there."
"And no civilians..." Malak muttered.
"Yeah... though that doesn't make a difference." Rangar noted, "After that, Tulak, Midos, Aralan, Malachor, and then Bacheron. That's all I know."
"You've been very useful." Malak said, smirking. Even if Revan didn't help him, Malak had a fair idea, now, which worlds to defend. "I'm going to be kind to you, Rangar..." with a wave of his hand, the forcefield deactivated, "Take your best shot."
Most of Rangar's wounds from the torture had been healed by the Force - that was actually the only reason he was still alive - the pain remained, but he was physically capable of picking himself up to his feet, "You have got to be joking."
"Don't you Mandalorians prefer to die in battle?" Malak asked, "I'm giving you an honourable death... because there is no way in this galaxy that you're going to get off this ship alive."
Rangar drew himself up, as tall as he could. Malak was unarmed, save for the lightsaber that always hung from his belt... but he wasn't trying to draw his weapon. He stood almost at ease, as the prisoner charged at him. Malak took a step to the side, bringing his fist up into Rangar's stomach, using the Manalorian's own momentum as the force for the blow.
Rangar stumbled, winded, and tried to lash out at Malak. Malak evaded the swing, and grabbed Rangar's arm, twisting it behind his back, and slamming him against a nearby wall. Rangar elbowed Malak in the gut, with his free arm, right where he had stabbed him before. Malak winced, but didn't let Rangar go. He wrapped his arm around Rangar's neck, releasing the Mandalorian's arm, and snapped his neck.
Malak felt the life slip away from his victim, and slowly let the body fall to the ground. He kicked the corpse, for good measure, then left the brig... it wouldn't take long for the guards to discover the body, and he really didn't want to be bothered with awkward questions.
Malak passed on the information Rangar had given him to Captain Karath. Together, they came up with a plan for what to do next, and relayed it, via some seriously heavy encryption, to the rest of the fleet. Karath did ask what was wrong with Revan, but Malak was evasive, until the Captain gave up on that line of questioning.
x x x
They were due to drop out of hyperspace at Manaan, in a few hours. Malak decided it was time to try to wake Revan again. His two previous attempts had met with various objects (harmless... a couple of cushions, and a pillow) being hurled at him, along with orders to leave her alone.
He knocked tentatively on the door to Revan's room, but she didn't answer... so he sliced the lock (a skill she taught him when they were teenagers), and slipped into the room, closing the door behind him. "Revan?" he asked warily.
The room was untouched, perfectly neat as usual, except the bed. The bedsheets were twisted in knots, and Malak could sense Revan was buried under them... though she must have been curled up in a foetal position, judging by the shape of the sheets. Malak was more nervous of disturbing an upset Revan than he was of storming a Mandalorian stronghold. But this had to be done.
Malak walked over to the bed, and warily sat on the edge of it, "Revan?" he repeated.
"Go away." Revan's mumbled voice replied from the pile of bedsheets.
"Why do you want me to do that?" Malak asked calmly.
Silence. She didn't want him to leave, but she didn't think he should want to be near her.
"Revan, will you at least look at me? Please?" he persisted.
No response.
Malak sighed, and grabbed the top corner of the bedsheets, pulling them quickly back. She tried to grab the sheet before he pulled it off her, but she wasn't fast enough. It was only then that Malak realised she was totally naked. He wasn't sure when she had undressed and bathed, but she must have bathed recently, because her hair was still damp. Then, her mind informed him that she undressed the first time she woke since she was left in her room alone, and she showered... but she didn't see the point in getting dressed again. She didn't see the point in breathing, either, but she at least planned to 'leave a good-looking corpse'... hence the reason she had showered daily.
"Revan, please, don't think like that, love." he pleaded.
"Everything I love dies." she whispered, wiping futilely at the tear-stains on her face, "My family, my homeworld, my Master..." she looked up at him for the first time - her eyes were an odd shade of green... when he looked closely, he saw they were mostly their natural blue, but the unnatural veins of golden yellow - her dark side shining through - gave them a green hue. "Perhaps I should just wither up and die, before someone else I love gets killed, too."
"No. Revan, I love you." Malak took her hand in his, gently, "I need you."
She looked away from him, frowning.
"Please, don't do this to yourself, Revan." he whispered.
She sighed, and started crying again... sobbing silently, the only sound she made was the occasional sniff. She buried her face in her arms, and tried to hide from Malak. He tentatively placed his hand on her shoulder, and turned her over onto her back. She just stared at him, her eyes pleading for some relief from the mental anguish she was suffering.
He sighed, "I have no idea what to say or do to help you, Revan." he said quietly, "All I know is that you can't beat yourself up for something you had no control over. I know you have to grieve for her... but you can't destroy your own life... you're still alive for a reason."
"And she's dead for a reason?" Revan growled, "You're working on the everything-happens-for-a-reason principle. So why is she dead? Why did the Force want her to die?!"
"The Mandalorians are notoriously Force-blind, at the best of times." Malak said, frowning, "And with the Ysalamiri... fate can only be exacted by the Force, and free-will is a bitch."
Revan stared blankly at him, "So you're saying fate controls everything... but you're still saying there is such a thing as free-will? Wow, your philosophical beliefs are really screwed up, Malak." she sighed, "But I do get what you're trying to say. I'm still needed... I can't just let myself join everything I love that has died."
"Not everything you love has died, Revan." Malak said gently, running his fingers through her hair... she leaned into his touch.
"That's true." she looked at him for a few moments, then sighed, and looked away, "I feel like I'm cursed... like everyone I care about gets killed just because of me. I don't want you to get hurt, Malak."
"I can take care of myself, Revan." he said blithely, "But I don't think I'd particularly want to without you."
She raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't say anything. She just started at a nearby wall, as if it was fascinating.
"Revan, have you actually eaten anything since we left Deralia?" he asked bluntly.
"No."
"That's not good." Malak muttered.
"Why not?" she asked, turning to look at him, with an icy stare that dared him to argue with her. Normally, it would make him back down, but this time it was for her own good.
"Because you need to eat. Believe it or not, it's a function of being human. If you don't eat, you'll die."
"Good."
"No. Not good. I really do not want you to die, Revan."
"Everyone dies eventually... it's just a matter of how and when."
"And why..."Malak added pointedly, "And you should not let yourself die just because you lost someone you barely knew. I can't even begin to understand the grief you are feeling, but if you let it consume you, then that Mandalorian who killed your sister has won! He wanted to break you, and look how spectacularly well he's achieved it!"
Revan looked up at him, glaring viciously. Her eyes flashed completely gold, for a moment... then returned to their greenish colour, "You're right." she whispered... it was probably why she couldn't stay angry at him, even though his words had been designed to metaphorically slap her in the face. It certainly snapped her out of it. She sat up, watching him carefully, "I've been here for three days-"
"Three and a half, actually." Malak corrected.
"That cursed Republic-issue alarm clock woke me up three times, at 0600 hours. That's all I've been going by." Revan noted flatly.
Malak bit his lip so as not to laugh at that. It would not be appropriate. "Well it's 1700 hours, now."
"Right." Revan muttered, "The point I was trying to get to is... where are we? What has been happening while I've been... while I've been wallowing in my own misery?"
"We're about to drop out of hyperspace at Manaan, in about an hour." Malak answered, "I interrogated our Manalorian prisoner, and convinced him to give me a great deal of information... several of Mandalore's plans... and the fact that there's another three of those Force-forsaken creatures, in Mandalore's clutches."
"Great... just great." Revan muttered, "Well, we can work with this... I assume you have informed the Admiral of this information?"
"Yes. The fleet has moved to defend the Laynarian belt, Tulak and Midos - Mandalore's next targets."
Revan nodded, "Good. That's what I would do." she said quietly, "And why are we at Manaan?"
"I told the Admiral it was to regroup and restock on kolto." Malak said, shrugging innocently, 'I thought you might like to look for that map thing.'
"That sounds like a good idea, yes." she smiled weakly, "I like the way your mind works, Malak."
"Thank you." he said, also smiling weakly - he was afraid an outright grin would upset her, considering she wasn't really recovered from her misery yet.
He felt something push him from behind, causing him to land on top of Revan, who smirked. 'Force pull.' she thought, with an innocent look on her face. The golden gleam in her eyes belied any impression of innocence, however.
"Your eyes..."
"What's wrong with them?"
"They're glowing." Malak said quietly.
Revan set about unfastening the Jedi robes he was wearing. It would be easier if she didn't have to unclip the armour plates on his forearms as well, but she made good time, all the same. Malak had no intention of stopping her. "The Sith texts I took from Master Kendra's office said that eyes glowing is a sign of passion in the soul. The eyes are the windows to the soul, you know."
"And you believe the Sith texts?"
"It's a theory." she threw his robe across the room, and began working on removing his trousers, which was more trouble, since he was lying on top of her. "The Jedi equate glowing eyes with the Sith... but the Sith say, and I quote: 'not all whose eyes light up golden are destined for the dark side. It is a sign of passion, true... but it can be a sign of lust, or even love, just as easily as it can be a sign of bloodlust and hatred'."
Malak nodded. This made sense. He was certain that at least some of the gleam in her eyes was due to the things her hands were now doing to his body... even if hatred for the Mandalorians was a factor, could he really blame her after what happened to her?
x x x