SW: Kotor Shadow

by Delerius Jedi

Knights of the Old Republic kotor : Darth Revan has returned to defeat his old apprentice, Darth Malak and reclaim his mantle of Dark Lord. But is it really just power that Revan desires?

2. Shadow's Kiss part 2: Dark Desires

Shadow's Kiss

Chapter 2: Dark desires

Darth Revan stood atop the Rakatan Temple, his dark robes a striking contrast to the grey stones of the ancient construct, cape flaring in the evening breeze.

I have everything, he thought, slightly puzzled, Everything! Now I only need for the Sith to accept the changes I've made and my triumph will be complete! A streak of regret slipped into his mind. Still, I wouldn't be here if not for her I'd either be dead or forever a slave to the Jedi if not for her. But a Sith Lord is not supposed to feel love, especially towards his apprentice. According to tradition, it is her duty to learn what she can from me, and then kill me when she feels she is ready. He shivered slightly at the thought, knowing he'd never be able to raise his weapon against her. No! It will not come to pass. I know she feels the same as I.

The puzzlement and slight despair gave way to cold, hard determination. He looked up, his mask off but his hood still up. The bond we share gives us greater strength than any Sith before; we've both felt it. We belong together, of that there is no doubt! I will never have anyone dictate to me what I can and can't feel about her. Not the Sith, and most certainly not the Jedi. I will be the Dark Lord, and she will be my Dark Lady. It is our destiny!

Confidence restored, Revan turned his attention once again to the scenic view. It was quiet here. The troops that had been present for his and Bastila's triumphant return had returned quickly to their duties, and, for the moment, he could claim the meditative peace of the Temple for himself.

He looked out across the ocean and smiled. The dull yellow glow of the sun descended majestically on the horizon; as he watched, it slowly began to change colour to a dull bloody red. Shaking his head, he could only agree with nature, a perfect symbol to the beginning of his rule.

Absorbed in his thoughts, Revan didn't notice the lithe, black-clad figure slowly creeping towards him from the corridor, masking its Force essence with the skills of a Master. Revan didn't have any warning as the figure stepped up behind him.

He smiled as he felt Bastila slide her arms gently around his waist. His heart beat with increased vigour at the sudden proximity of her smooth flesh. Unable to help himself, he sighed as her presence in the Force slipped into place as she revealed herself to him. Normally he'd be furious at her for doing something like this, but he found her presence soothing. Another un-Sith like trait, he thought with a hint of bitterness.

Bastila slid around him, her movements seductive and feline. The dark robes he'd replicated for her on the Star Forge clung to her curves like water, making her a dark and beautiful sight. Similar in style, but less elaborate than his, they enhanced her regal appearance. They were powerful protection in combat, while at the same time not hindering her movements. As a consequence, her fighting abilities remained implacable.

She wore her hood down most of the time now, letting people gaze at her cold, almost porcelain beauty that inexorably intrigued most men, more specifically foolish dark Jedi with dreams of grandeur. It had only been a few days since the parade, and while Revan had been occupied with making the Temple a viable command post, Bastila had told him that she had already been approached by a dark Jedi seeking to help her topple Revan in return for the position as her apprentice. The fool had apparently even tried to use the Force to persuade her, but it had been he who had ended up spilling all his secrets before he had met his painful demise. Revan allowed himself a smile at the memory; all beings, males in particular, were utterly helpless when she pinned them under her icy, merciless gaze.

Part of Revan was very thankful that she never looked at him like that. Whenever she looked at him, he felt that she could see right through him, and possibly she could. There was, however, never any malevolence, no hatred in her gaze—just burning passions, tempered by Revan's own. When she spoke; her voice was as smooth and sweet as honey, as it was most of the time they spent alone together.

"Revan, my love." She always emphasized love when she was with him, always. "You and I, we are the Sith and I intend to stay true to my word!" Her voice took on a menacing tone. "I will crush anyone foolish enough to try to prevent us from being together as we choose to be!"

He wasn't surprised that she knew what he'd been thinking. Ever since the death of Malak at Bastila's hands the bond between them had been growing steadily stronger. In a strange sort of way, he found it comforting knowing that she'd always be there.

Revan leaned into her and his voice dropped to a whisper. "And how do you want to be together, my Dark Lady?"

It was a question he already knew the answer to, though he didn't expect such a swift response. Bastila had been rather shy during their travels and sometimes he forgot how much she'd changed. So, he was caught slightly off guard when Bastila, in one swift motion, pulled back his hood and fastened her lips tightly against his. He gasped as he felt her hungry, searching tongue slip into his mouth.

"You continue to try to play games with me, Revan," she sent through the bond, her mental voice filled with dark passions as the words echoed though Revan's mind. "You should be punished… severely punished!"

Revan started slightly as her hands moved across his body, especially as she knew exactly where to caress. Every fibre of her being radiated passion, and there was no mistaking the command in her voice when she spoke again, her voice low and seductive.

"Take me to bed… my Dark Lord."

The Temple had a small living area that had been scarcely used, but Revan had set up quarters there. It was quiet and out of the way of meddlers, and that was vital for the moment. He didn't want anyone to know of his special relationship with Bastila… not yet. So, whenever others were nearby, they always donned the Master/Apprentice disguise, though both of them loathed it.

So now they walked according to the old Sith tradition, Bastila with her head bowed a pace or two behind Revan. They were careful to draw no attention to themselves as they walked through the ancient stone corridors, occasionally passing an awed guard, or a respectful, slightly envious dark Jedi. Eventually, they reached the living quarters, and Revan opened the door.

He'd gotten barely five steps into the room before he heard the door slam slut and lock behind him. Before he could even turn, Bastila was on him, using her momentum to push him down onto the chamber's bed. He twisted as he fell, and felt the mattress beneath the soft fabric slam into his back, but his eyes fixed on Bastila, on her body. She started to disrobe; smooth white flesh, slightly pink, yet pale, slipped into view. Her hair tumbled down her back in a long brown waterfall that he yearned to part, to fist in his hands, her stomach smooth and firm, that he wanted to run his lips along and slowly slide down. She was, as he always had known, his goddess.

Grinning, Bastila stepped forward, slowly leaning down towards him. She reached out and gripped the black fabric of his own robes, pulling him to his feet. It didn't take her long to relieve him of his armour, nor of his pants or undergarments. Revan shuddered at the feel of her body heat so close to his. Naked, he growled as she slipped into his body space, turning so her back touched against his stomach. Unable to help himself, he slid his hands along the curve, tracing her body, hearing her gasp as he did so.

With a sudden, forceful motion, he span her around, only to stop as he saw the longing smile on her face. He could feel the passion in her soul; see the burning desire in her eyes. She pushed him gently, so he fell back once more onto the soft covers of the bed and felt the coolness of rare Bis silk on his skin. He sighed with pleasure as she straddled him, her thighs tightening on his waist.

She leaned down towards his face slowly, her free-flowing hair making her seem ever more like a siren of Pendaura. Revan could feel the slight brushes of her hair against his chest, the sweet smell of her almost overwhelming his senses. There wasn't much light in the room, but her marble skin stood out against the darkness. She seemed to glow, as did her Force aura, and he shivered as she traced her lips across his chest, kissing every inch.

He tried to move, wanted to, so he could kiss her back, but she had him completely pinned. Her legs remained wrapped firmly around his waist, preventing him from rising much. She picked up his movement and flashed him a predatory smile as she moved her face up just a few centimetres from his. He could feel her warm breath on his face as she spoke.

"You're mine now, Revan…"

Revan managed to lift his arms, and, just as she began to slip down his chest once more, he reached up and cupped her face in his hands. She frowned, not sure of his intentions. He let her hang in uncertainty for just a moment, ever playing his slight mind games, until he spoke the words that made her tremble with desire.

"Forever, my Lady, forever."

That was all she needed. Exhaling sharply, Bastila gripped his hands and led their strong, smooth fingers down her graciously formed body. With a sudden renewed fury, she planted her hands firmly on Revan's shoulders, and with a motion of her hips that made them both gasp in pleasure, he was utterly hers…

When he awoke later, his body relaxed yet aching from the previous night's passion, he looked at her sleeping face. "She looks…peaceful." He allowed himself a crooked, almost boyish grin. "She wasn't peaceful a few hours ago."

He sighed longingly. It was difficult; he'd lost most of his adult life due to Malak's betrayal and the Jedi mind wipe. Now with her next to him, her chest rising and falling slowly, he felt like a green adolescent.

Part of him -- by the Force, all of him! -- wanted to stay with her forever. I can't allow myself the indulgence…if we stay here too long, someone will notice. I don't want some overeager traditionalist ruining everything! he thought fuming, I'll never give her up… never!

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. With a sigh, he slowly untangled himself from her smooth, tempting, young body, and began to slide out of bed. A sudden gentle pressure made him pause and look down.

A smooth, shapely leg, sheathed in the fine silk sheets, draped across his lower body. He turned his head slightly and looked straight into Bastila's wide awake face, her dark brown hair spilling over the ruby-coloured sheets, her blue eyes gazing at him with amusement.

With a sad sigh, Revan gently gripped the tantalizing leg, and forced it off his torso. A simultaneous hiss of disappointment escaped Bastila.

He stood and crossed to the spot where his armour still lay after Bastila had nearly torn them off him. He'd managed to don the trousers, and was about to reach for the first armour plate, when a sound from the bed made him turn. He shivered as his heart skipped a beat.

Bastila had shifted her position, and now the thin red sheet draped across her entire stretched body length. The curves of her muscular body were clear and as he watched she stretched with a little whimpering moan of pleasure.

She is absolutely stunning, Revan thought, not realizing that a small sigh escaped him as he laid his eyes upon her once more. She's… perfect.

For some reason, the bond or her own intuition, Bastila turned to gaze at him with her dark blue eyes. Although sated by the previous night's exhausting passion, her eyes flickered over Revan's half dressed form with a hungry desire. Her lips parted slightly as she obviously weighed her own exhaustion against her desire to be touched by him once more.

Slowly, sinuously and purposefully, she moved her legs to lie smoothly along the bed on one side, her arm draped invitingly along her body. Revan, unable to help himself, followed her enticing curves to her face, only to stop at her eyes, once more fixed on him like a Ralltiir Tiger eyeing its prey. She was hypnotic.

Bastila smiled seductively and without a single word she tilted her head. Her eyes burned with renewed desire as she reached out for him through the bond. "Come here…"

Revan found himself walking slowly towards her, almost drowning in the depths of her deep blue eyes. With each step, he could feel her hunger growing, the predatory glint in her eyes, the ever so slight wetting of her lips as he approached. He saw how she shifted once more under the sheets as he stepped up to the bed and allowed his eyes to wander across her form once more.

He leaned down and she reached her arms up to embrace him. That was her mistake.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Revan grabbed her hands and forced them over her head. She let out a small yelp and tried to squirm her way out of his grip, only to find that her torso was pinned by his knee beneath the sheets.

Revan grinned slightly. He did care for her, but he needed her to know that she didn't control him. It was a lesson she was clearly not too keen on learning.

He saw her eyes turn dark, determination filling them, as her head lunged forward to kiss him. He held her back down against the bed in response, and her teeth clenched in frustration.

Then; as mist fades before sunlight, the seductive gleam in Bastila's eyes faded, her face turned sad, and Revan saw a tear forming in those smooth blue eyes. She reached out to him through the bond, and he was surprised at how her persona seemed small and scared.

"Don't… don't you want me?" He held her there awhile longer, the smile never once leaving his face. "D... don't you need me?"

"More than anything, my Queen," his mind whispered back to her, "But you must learn! I am the master, you the apprentice, in the eyes of the Sith. In private, in our unity, we share power absolute. Do not try to manipulate my love, I beg of you. You do not control me, and I do not control you."

Slowly, she settled. The hunger was still present, but subdued. She was still twitching, trying to find a way to best him, but he was stronger than she. So, when he slowly released his grip on her and took a step back, she shuddered, and leaned out to grip him, a look of need on her face. Revan pulled away, and let out a slight sigh before he spoke.

"We have no time, my love." He shook his head and smiled at her in apology. "As much as I would enjoy staying here with you, touching you, kissing you, taking you... we will be missed."

Bastila hissed in disappointment and shifted slightly for the last time. Her arms gripped the cloth of the bed and she draped it around her naked, sweaty body as she stood to join him.

"Business always comes between us, doesn't it? First the Jedi, now the Sith. I'm sick of it!" She looked him in the eyes, her gaze seemingly going right to the core of his being. "I don't want to have to distance myself from you because of some foolish old men!"

She was getting aggravated again. He could feel it even before she raised her voice. "I didn't endure a week of torments and the prospect of losing you forever, only to have to bow down to a set of archaic rules!" she shouted in anger.

Revan subtly, delicately probed her mental state through the bond, worried for her, then took a step back in shock. She was angry, certainly, yet there was another, unexpected emotion flooding her--despair! That had been the reason for her outburst. Revan sighed. The room was soundproof, no one would hear her, so he decided to allow her this indulgence, this need to vent against those who stood in their way.

She fears not any Jedi or Sith warrior. She is well aware that she can easily best them. But… she fears losing me, of losing my affection for her. He looked into her eyes, trying to discern her motives when it hit him. She would do anything to prove herself to me, to prove our love! If I ask her to raze a world, to take on the High Council of the Jedi Order, to slay an entire Jedi army, she would. All to prove her devotion to me, all to prove her love for me. She would do it.

He could feel his own desires surging again, triggered by this train of thought, and Bastila's proximity to him. The ruby sheets outlined her beautiful body as she looked into his eyes, and he couldn't resist. He leaned toward her and gently pushed his lips against hers. He felt her nip his lips, and her arms slide round to grip him tightly as he kissed her, both of them revelling in the sensations of each other.

Revan groaned and, with difficulty, he pulled his lips from hers. "Patience, Bastila. Soon, all the pieces will be in place, and we shall be able to reveal our true union." He watched as a smile slowly crept across her face. "And on that note, you need a title, a Sith title... preferably an alias."

"Me?" she murmured, her fingers still twined in his hair. "Why?"

Revan grinned. "I can imagine that the Jedi Council will be cautious in telling their dear young Padawans about what happened to their 'Ideal of a Jedi', but soon it will come out. When it does, you must be ready. A Sith name will help put the fear of the Sith into all those who saw you as their hero. That's a strong incentive for many to join the side you now fight for. The shock will add to that." He shook his head. "I have to admit I can't have that leverage myself, much to my dismay. People know too much about me now. My name and my face still strike fear into the Galaxy, but every sentient being knows of me. I am a Sith, and they know how to deal with that. You, Bastila, on the other hand will be the leverage I need to shatter the Republic for good."

"Yes, my love, I can see that. But why the change of name?"

"I'd still prefer it if we didn't go about flaunting your name, at least not in public." He paused as he contemplated, sensing Bastila's growing puzzlement. "Not until we're ready to show those who would fight against us the true dark power of the Force, that which set you free."

"Yes," she murmured, her eyes twinkling with dark delight. "I can see that."

"Besides, the Sith Masters might get suspicious if I call you by your first name," Revan added as he felt just a tingle of his fears slip across the bond to her. He looked at her with renewed determination. "I've come too far to lose you over something that foolish!"

Bastila put her hands on Revan's bare chest, her warmth spreading through his body as she stepped even closer to him. She looked up at him, her turquoise eyes gazing into his soul, even as she spoke the words.

"Darth Shivana." She paused and stared at him as his face slipped into a satisfied smile. "That will be the name with which I shall stand by your side." She paused briefly and her voice took on a tone of cold menace. "And that will be the name that the Jedi will come to fear!"

"Fear you they shall…" Revan paused and Bastila nodded slowly. "Soon all the Sith will bow before Darth Revan and his Queen, Darth Shivana, who shall unite the Sith and rule as one."

He smiled slyly, a smile that she mimicked as she picked up on his train of thought.

"We shall destroy all that would deny us that, my love!" she purred, before leaning into him and pushing her lips against his. "I am your Queen, you, my Dark Lord. Together, we are invincible!" The bond carried the words while they were occupied in the kiss.

Revan felt himself drowning in the sensation of her kiss once more, both of them determined to make the moment last as long as it possibly could. When they eventually broke the kiss, they looked each other in the eyes. Both felt the determination and affection pouring through the bond to each other and they shared this moment in pleasure. Finally, Revan turned and strode for his armour, while Bastila retired to the adjoining room to clothe herself.

The planet was called Dosuun, a lush and simple world on the borders of Sith space. Known for its rich mineral deposits and beautiful art, it was, despite the mining facilities that periodically dotted the landscape, very much a tranquil paradise. The mineral deposits were, in fact, the reason why the Republic had devoted a substantial portion of its armed forces to ensuring the safety of Dosuun, as well as the shipping lanes leading into the system.

The political situation had always been precarious. The Dosuunian government, realizing that their proximity to the borders of the old Sith Empire would make them a prime target should the Sith resurface, had politely declined membership into the Republic, fearing for their safety.

The Republic, in an unusually backhanded way, had made a deal with Dosuun. The Republic would place a contingent of warships and all accompanying personnel near the planet. Officially they would be there to 'monitor Sith activity near the border'. Unofficially, those ships would remain to ensure the safety of Dosuun, in exchange for exclusive trading rights.

The arrangement had been in place since the first Sith War with Exar Kun, forty years ago, and the people of Dosuun had become accustomed to it. Dosuun had nothing noticeable in the way of military equipment. A corps of volunteers and several heavy freighters modified with heavy turbolasers were all that remained of a small military, nothing that could stand up to a Sith warship. On this particular day the status quo was broken. The Republic, having suffered enormous losses at the Battle of the Star Forge, had decided that although Dosuun's resources were valuable, the military presence currently positioned there was badly needed elsewhere. Most of all, the ships in orbit around the planet were needed on the frontlines; hence, the order had been given to evacuate all the military personnel currently on Dosuun, along with the fleet.

The planetary government protested, but the Republic had proceeded regardless, leaving Dosuun demoralized and vulnerable. The mineral mines remained, as did the equipment, but now it was all there, naked.

"Ripe for the picking," Revan thought, as he stood with several Sith commanders in the war room he had set up in the Rakatan Temple. The latest intelligence reports were stating that the Republic withdrawal was nearly 70 complete and that the planet was ripe for conquest.

"I expect that we will be able to control all major population centres within two days' time, milord. The planet has pathetically little in terms of military might. We shall crush them easily. I would suggest orbital bombardment. Easy, vicious and totally demoralizing."

Admiral Vorn Teerad, Saul Karath's former second-in-command, stared at him with obvious delight. Revan shook his head. Where Saul had been a fit and active man, always honing body and mind, Vorn Teerad was not. He was nowhere near as active or fit as his mentor had been. The man was portly, with a heavy face that seemed to embody arrogance.

It was the arrogance that annoyed Revan. The man seemed to care little about collateral damage that his plans would cause. The obvious reason for taking Dosuun, which would be to capture the planetary mining operations as quickly as possible, seemed to elude the Admiral—or at least not register on his arrogant mind.

Ferrying in new equipment to replace the needlessly destroyed machinery would take considerable time. Time Revan didn't have. He needed a symbol of his new rule, he needed it before the Sith convocation where he would finally dispense with the shackles of the Master/Apprentice tradition and sit on the Sith throne with his chosen Queen, and he'd chosen Dosuun for very specific reasons. He decided that it was time to end Teerad's ranting.

"No," Revan said, his voice filtered to a deep and intimidating tone by his mask. He looked over the people assembled in the room and felt their sudden anxiety. "Dosuun shall not be... crushed, as you so eloquently put it, Admiral Teerad. The resources available on that world will benefit the Sith, and I want them intact, not bombarded to pieces." He paused just long enough to see a sneer of contempt strike across the Admiral's face.

"My Lord," Teerad began, "I honestly cannot understand why you wish to go to such length to acquire this world. The Star Forge requires minimal resources; for every ship we lose, three new ones take its place." He paused and looked around at his fellow Admirals. "We even know that the Republic has lost their precious little Jedi Bastila Shan and her vaunted Battle Meditation." Several of the other Admirals around the table were starting to nod at his sentences, ever so slightly, and rightly so: he was the most senior Admiral now that Karath was dead, he had fared well under Lord Malak, and Lord Revan would just have to accept his tactical advice. Admiral Teerad snorted as his tirade ended.

Obviously, it had worked, as Revan just stood there, unmoving, the mask staring at him quietly. Not a single word was uttered from the Dark Lord, and Admiral Teerad sat back in his chair with satisfaction.

A sudden sensation on his shoulders made him jump slightly, only to have his body forcefully pushed back into the chair with smooth, steely power. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing nothing… he could have sworn that he'd felt a pair of soft hands pressing him down.

"My Master grows tired of your ranting Admiral Teerad," an icy female voice murmured in his ear. Again, he looked over his shoulder, seeing nothing. "If this continues and you do not listen to his superior tactical skills… well, I may have to rid the Sith of a useless chunk of male flesh." Again, Teerad looked around seeing nothing. It's in my head.

Until he could suddenly feel a presence, as if someone were holding a weapon against his flesh. The voice came again. "Do you have any objections to my Master giving you instructions?"

Teerad felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead and he managed to shake his head ever so slightly. "Goood, I am so pleased." The female voice left his ear and the pressure on his shoulders melted away.

Teerad looked around, trying to get some indication of what had just happened, when he suddenly became aware that Revan was speaking to him, and the other Admirals were staring at him.

"Admiral Teerad, is something wrong?" the Dark Lord demanded, tapping a finger against the table.

Teerad tried to gather himself, but couldn't keep the stutter out of his voice as he replied, "I… no, of course not."

The Dark Lord's mask was as impassive as ever, but Teerad could swear that it was laughing at him when Revan spoke.

"I see. Well, if you've quite finished staring into thin air, we can continue..."

Teerad was still trying to regain his composure when the door to the war room opened, and he suddenly felt more cold and frightened than ever before:

The woman who entered was young, her dark robes flowing around her as she entered the room. Dark red armour plates on her chest and arms matched her every regal move, her strikingly beautiful face, framed by auburn hair arranged with twin pony-tails in the back caught Teerad's attention, and even managed to awake a part of him that he'd long thought gone, until he looked into her turquoise eyes. His blood froze…the eyes! Suddenly he felt as if the presence from a moment ago was back, looking right through him, capable of taking his life on a whim.

The woman paid little attention to the assembled Admirals and addressed Revan.

"I apologize Master. Am I late?"

Teerad felt his heart skip a beat at the sound of her voice, the voice that had just been inside his mind a few moments ago. He had no doubt; it was her. She moved gracefully as she stepped over to stand by the Dark Lord.

"Admiral Teerad, " Revan said. "This is my apprentice, Darth Shivana."

"We've met!" Teerad blurted out with a gasp before he could stop himself. All the other Admirals looked at him in shock over this outburst, but he kept on speaking. "Weren't you the one that Malak…"

The woman's face whirled towards him and her eyes flashed with frozen fire—a coldness mirrored by her voice. "I beg your pardon, Admiral Teerad?"

"Well, you... you're Basti..." he began, choking suddenly as something invisible clasped around his throat.

He looked up and saw her staring back at him, with more menace in her eyes than anything he'd ever seen during his time under Darth Malak, as she leaned down towards him and spoke.

"I find your nature tiring, Admiral. I must admit, I do not see why my Master should be forced to put up with it."

The force around his throat increased, and Teerad let out a whimper as his vision began to go dark from lack of oxygen. The woman didn't pay his distress any heed. I'm going to die, Teerad managed to think with his last bit of consciousness.

"I am Darth Shivana and I have two rules that you should all learn."

She stepped back to gaze at the assembled Admirals and Teerad suddenly fell forward with a choked intake of breath.

"One, never mention Malak's name in my presence, ever again! Two, I will protect my Master and deal harshly with anyone who argues with him without providing solutions."

A collective gulp seemed to emanate from every Admiral in the room. Teerad was somewhat comforted by the fact that he was not the only one visibly frightened by this woman, this… Shivana.

He watched as she casually stepped over to stand to the right of and just behind Revan's chair at the head of the table. The Dark Lord, obviously amused by the collective reaction of the Admirals, let the silence hang in the room just a moment before he spoke.

"Darth Shivana is my right hand. Listen to what she says." Revan paused and let his mask glance around at each of the assembled Admirals in turn; Teerad flinched ever so slightly when the mask gazed at him. "And obey, gentlemen. Disobey and, well, I can be unpleasant. I suggest you do not tax Shivana to demonstrate the various… techniques she has learned from me, lest you share Darth Malak's fate!" The Dark Lord rose from his seat and stepped over to the tactical map before he spoke again. "Is that perfectly clear, gentlemen?"

"Quite clear Lord Revan!" They all spoke as one.

"Good. Admiral Teerad!"

"Yes, my Lord?" Teerad sprang to his feet, snapping to attention. He would have remained seated had he not glanced over at Darth Shivana. She was still standing completely still beside Revan's chair, arms folded across her chest, her eyes glittering with cold malice. He was even more aware of her words now, not wanting to give any indication that he did not have the deepest respect for Revan. With a small sigh, he turned his attention back to the tactical map, just as the Dark Lord resumed his briefing.

"Now, Admiral Teerad, I do have a task to which you might be suited, given your affinity for aggressive tactics." The Dark Lord turned to face him. "Just because I have no intention of causing extreme damage to Dosuun itself does not mean that I am prepared to allow a Republic fleet group to slip through my fingers." He pointed to a spot on the map. "Our spies report that most of the fleet will make a layover here, at the Laasari supply station." The sector map zoomed in to reveal the details of the Laasari system. Revan indicated a spot near the inner part of the system. "The supply base is located here, in high orbit around the fifth planet. It consists of five Class 3 docking platforms, capable of berthing up to cruiser class vessels, as well as the attending accommodation facilities for traders, work crews and so forth." He paused and touched a switch, bringing up several highlighted lanes on the map. "Because Laasari is a binary system, the gravitational forces restrict entry and exits from the system to these two routes." The Dark Lord glared at Teerad through the mask, causing the Admiral to flinch. "The Republic fleet will enter the system in standard convoy formation, single file. I want you to take twelve Destroyers and set an ambush for them."

"M-m-m my Lord." Teerad stuttered. "Twelve Destroyers against an entire Republic fleet detachment?"

"Indeed. I am confident that your tactical abilities will allow you to think up an appropriate strategy." Revan paused, and looked over at his apprentice "Or will I need to send Shivana to accompany you, with her… special skills?"

Teerad swallowed hard before replying. "No, my Lord. I will do you and the Sith proud!"

"I never doubted it," Revan said, any sarcasm that might have been in his voice filtered out by his mask.

"You are dismissed, gentlemen."

The Admirals all rose and bowed as they exited the room, Teerad breathing a sigh of relief once he was out and the door had shut behind him. Those eyes... was the last thing he thought as he moved out to his shuttle.

The door closed behind the last of the Admirals, and Revan found himself alone in the war room with Bastila. She looked at him with a mixture of puzzlement and fury

"Why did you stop me from killing him?" she hissed. "That presumptuous fool deserved no more than the same painful death that Malak received!"

Revan looked at her in amazement. How could she not know?

"You mean, why did I not allow you to arbitrarily execute a senior member of the command staff? One who has several men who are personally loyal to him and his ways, however misguided they may be?" Revan's voice was filled with disgust and it boomed from his mask with a fury that made Bastila flinch slightly. He sighed behind his mask; barely noticeable… at least to anyone else. She is not the target, nor the source of my frustration, he thought, as he cautiously probed the Temple for any indication of other Dark Jedi nearby. When he found none, he reached up to his face, undid the metal clasp, and removed his mask. He looked at Bastila with apology in his eyes as he opened himself to the bond and let her wrap her mind around his, like before.

"We couldn't kill him here Bastila. It would have caused too many complications, and biased several of the other fleet commanders against me… against us." He stepped over to her and took her hands in his; they had both removed their gauntlets and savoured this brief physical contact. The bond made it all the more intimate.

"But…but he'll betray you!" Bastila's thoughts were mirrored by the anguished look on her face as she squeezed Revan's hand tighter. "I saw it in his mind, my love; he plans to take his crew and run. I don't understand why you would let a traitor live."

Revan smiled and leaned slightly into her, felt her body tense and her arms snake around his back as she held him close. "I suspected that Teerad would attempt something. But people like him never act. Not unless their back is against the wall." He pulled back slightly to look into her beautiful eyes before continuing. "What I did was force him against that wall. He will be outnumbered at Laasari. Given his nature, he would either throw all his resources into a pointless frontal assault, or he'd make sure that the crew of his command ship were completely loyal to him… and then run."

She looked at him in shock, a feeling that sent ripples through the bond "But if you suspected, then why did you…" she began.

"Why did I let him go? Simple, my Queen." He felt a distinct sense of dark pleasure flow across the bond from her when he addressed her as that.

"However this plays out, he will be a failure! He will either die on the field of battle, having squandered the lives of his entire Destroyer detachment in a pointless suicide run…" Revan let just a slip of his plan into Bastila's mind; but it was enough.

"Now, when he runs, I will terminate him as a traitor." Her aura was swelling with sadistic pleasure at the prospect of being able to silence that fool forever. "Either way, none of the other commanders will hold him in any regard, and we will have cemented our control over the Sith military."

"Precisely." Unable to restrain himself at the overwhelming flow of emotions, Revan leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. At first it was like kissing a wall, she was not prepared, but then her own dark desires took over and she kissed him back fiercely, her teeth gently biting his upper lip, her arms tightening around his body. He heard her snarl in the back of her throat and suddenly felt a pressure on the back of his leg. Glancing down he saw that Bastila had snaked her own leg around his and was squeezing him close to her; each squeeze matching one of her bites.

"Not here…" he sent at her with regret. "Not now." She pulled back, disappointed, but knowing he was right.

He paused and looked directly into Bastila's eyes. "I assume that you will be able to monitor the situation, and sense his intentions through the Force? You do have the strength, and your Battle Meditation has already taught you how to focus across great distances." He watched a smile creep across her lips. "I trust you will be able to… make an example of the Admiral, when he attempts to flee?"

Her smile grew even colder, and her eyes twinkled with dark thoughts as she spoke in a low growl, like a predator. "It will be my pleasure, Revan."

"In the meantime," Revan stated as he put his mask back on and pushed a button on the conference table, "Dosuun awaits."

The door to the war room opened and a young, muscular, light-haired man entered. He carried himself with an air of confidence, which was to be expected after five years in service to the Sith. Unlike Admiral Teerad, however, this man had no trouble discerning that his loyalty was to the Dark Lord first and foremost, and not to his own agenda. This was evident as he snapped to attention the moment the door closed behind him.

"You summoned me, Lord Revan!" It was not a question; the man's voice was cold and methodical, the voice of a career soldier.

"Commander Amonn, I want you to outfit twenty Destroyers for departure in fifteen hours." Revan took a datapad and handed it to the Commander. "I want the Destroyers packed to breaking point with the items on that list. I shall be leading the fleet myself. Do you understand?"

The Commander saluted Revan with razor-sharp precision. "Yes, my Lord! It will be done!" With a bow, he turned and left the room.

"I still do not understand, Revan," Bastila said once Amonn had left. "Why would you want to load up twenty Destroyers with food and medical supplies before heading into battle?"

Revan glanced at her. "If I am correct, then Dosuun will not be a battleground. I have something they need. And I intend to convince them that the Sith can offer them what the Republic could not." He chuckled; a horrid sound through the mask. "In the end, they'll beg for our help in rebuilding." He clenched his fist and smiled behind the mask as Bastila finally comprehended his plan. "I imagine that the planet's populace is quite anarchistic at the moment; we could offer them stability once again." He felt his lip curve upwards at the thought. "They will join us willingly, and Dosuun's resources will be ours without us even having to fire a turbo laser."

Bastila began to smile as she continued his sentence. "And we strike a blow against the Republic's morale as well. The Senators will insist that Republic ships be posted at the Outer Rim worlds, just to show them that Coruscant hasn't forgotten about them. And they will spread themselves thin in the process."

"Exactly."

"When do we leave?" Bastila asked, her voice eager and her face bright at the subtle genius of Revan's plan.

"I will leave with the fleet in fifteen hours." Revan sighed as he looked at her. "You are going to Korriban," he said as he braced himself.

"What! Why?" The thought flew at him across the bond.

"You need to get the pieces into place for the convocation, Bastila." He paused, trying to get her to see the logic of this. "No one else can go." Frustration crept into his voice. "I cannot simply joyride to Korriban before the convocation. You, on the other hand..." he gestured with his hand toward her. "No one will question that the Dark Lord has sent his apprentice to Korriban to study the ancient Sith secrets buried there. It has been tradition for millennia; we might as well use it… before we dispense with it!"

"But, but Dosuun!" Bastila whispered to him, eyes hurt. "You need me there."

"Bastila, I always need you." Revan reached out and touched her arm. "And I always will. But I can't trust anyone else to get to Korriban."

"I... I." Bastila sighed and Revan saw her shoulders slump ever so slightly. "Very well. I will depart for Korriban."

"Good," Revan's amplified voice softened. "I need you there, Bastila. I can trust you and you alone. Have you forgotten?"

"Revan?" She was puzzled. "Forgotten what?"

"Our guest list comprises some powerful Sith Masters. I'm sure you remember our little discussion about how lightsabres will be left at the door, ours too?"

"Oh," Bastila glanced around the room and then, looking back, nodded. "Yes, my love I do. I remember very well."

"I would like to leave that little detail in the hands of Yuthura Ban. I would very much like to trust her." Revan watched as Bastila's lip curled in slight annoyance. "What?" he asked her.

With lightning speed she stepped right up to him and with a swift gestures undid the metal clasp and removed his mask, her turquoise eyes boring into his chestnut brown ones as she spoke.

"You want to trust her, or you find her attractive?" Bastila demanded, and then rocked back at his sly laughter.

"My sweet Bastila." Revan chuckled and rubbed a thumb across her lower lip gently. "I do believe you're jealous of her!"

Bastila's eyes blazed with icy menace at his words. "If I were jealous, her rotting corpse would be decorating the Grand Hall at the Sith Academy!" Her voice was still neutral, though a slight hint of menace didn't elude Revan's keen senses. "Can she be of use to you, in areas where I can't?"

Revan was usually patient when it came to his love, but this time even he could not hold back his anger as he frowned and spoke in an angry, dark voice. "Did you train at the Sith Academy? Are you familiar with all the students and which of the Sith Masters they favour?" He saw Bastila flinch slightly at his tone, and her expression filled with defiance, but she couldn't find the words, so with his eyes narrowed to almost slits, Revan drove his attack home. "I thought not…" why am I saying this?

With a tone that was more snarl than actual speech, Bastila intoned, as fire burned in her eyes, "Do you require trained dancers in your ranks?"

How dare she!? I'll…What am I thinking? His expression softened slowly as he spoke in a low, almost inaudible tone…inaudible to anyone except for the person with whom he was joined through the Force. "No dancer could ever be a match for you, my Dark Lady. I love you and you alone." Revan watched her face soften at his tone, at the truth she knew he was telling her. "I have eyes only for you, passion only for you, I... trust you with my life, and I always will."

"So, Ban..."

"Is a means to an end. She runs the Academy, is a powerful Sith. I want her to be an ally, a confidant, and someone I can trust to train the students in our new ideas of the Sith in our coming empire."

"And if she isn't?" Bastila tilted her head and raised a single eyebrow at him. "What would you have me do?"

"There are always teachers there, yearning for promotion. Do I have to say any more?" Bastila grinned viciously and shook her head, but Revan held out a single finger. "But I want you to promise that you will only remove her if truly necessary. I don't want her dead because you dislike her."

"Spoilsport."

"It would be beneath you, my love, and a throwback to Malak's rule." He watched as her eyes flashed. "So, strike only if she is intent on betraying me. Besides, I do have another reason as I said for sending you. You never visited Korriban while we were there, so I think it's time you did."

"Hmmm, you have a valid point. I'm sure there are some trinkets I can find, some rare items to interest us..." Bastila touched his shoulder with a sly grin, her passion heating.

"Bastila, you have changed!" Revan turned to stare at her, and she felt his bemused desire trickle into her. "But that image will keep me going while you're gone."

"I hope so," she whispered and smiled. "Keep you warm at night."

A sudden banging on the door made them both look up.

"Yes?" Revan called, his voice booming once more as he hurriedly put his mask back on. Bastila pulled her hood up, her eyes cooling to the icy gaze that she now habitually wore.

The doors clicked open and a Sith soldier stepped in and saluted. "Lord Revan, the loading of supplies is ten percent complete. Commander Amonn requests the pleasure of your company as we will depart for Dosuun as soon as loading is complete, with your permission."

"Excellent." Revan nodded at the soldier and raised single finger as he turned to leave. "Remind Commander Amonn that the new Sith empire does not punish efficiency or forward thinking. If he has suggestions on matters of tactics or strategy, tell him to feel free to voice them to me." The soldier nodded but Revan wasn't finished. "Also, tell Captain Amonn that excellent work does not go unheeded or unrewarded."

"Yes, Sir!"

"You may go."

"With your permission, my Master," Bastila bowed and Revan felt amused at her inner laughter. "I shall go and select a ship to take me to Korriban."

"Of course, my Apprentice." Revan nodded. "Take care, my love," he finished through their bond.

Dosuun, four days later.

"President Malca've!" Arie Malca've looked up from her desk and frowned as her aide, a young Twi'lek called Sert, burst into her office. "They're here, here now!" The young man was a faithful assistant and a trusted confidant. He was well educated and knew the mechanics of politics on Dosuun. And in all the time he'd served as her assistant, never once had she seen him lose his composure. Now… now he was standing before her, exhaustion and fear clearly evident on his face, lekku twitching almost uncontrollably: the Twi'lek equivalent of an anxiety attack. Even now, with Dosuun in near anarchy, and in critical need of food and medical supplies, the situation was dire Damn the Republic, they claim to protect us, but abandon us altogether when it suits them, she thought bitterly. Leaving our planet to rot and decline into chaos. People are looting and the sick have nowhere to go, because half the medical staff were Republic soldiers and they were pulled off-planet despite my pleas that they be allowed to stay.

She'd gone back to her desk after looking out her viewports and constantly seeing the screaming masses below her office roaring for food and medical supplies. She had watched the videofeeds in horror, as the masses had stormed and ransacked the vacated offices of the Republic Embassy, hoping to hoard anything the so-called ally might have left behind. Despite her bitterness, she was at least happy that no Republic personnel had been in the building at the time; she wasn't sure she would've been able to control the masses, and no one deserved to be lynched. She would have cleared the masses, but the planet's scant police force was spread out all over the provinces, putting out brush fires. Though she had made an appeal to her people for civility and order, it seemed her pleas went unanswered. Arie sighed-the planet had been utterly unprepared to deal with chaos of this magnitude.

"Who are?" Arie asked, as her hand scrubbed at her long, silver hair. Her green eyes gazed up at him with a sympathetic look to then and she pursed her lips. "Calm yourself, and try again, Sert."

"The Sith!" Sert panted and Arie felt her blood chill. "They're in orbit now! A Sith Interdictor!"

"I see," Arie whispered and Sert shook his head.

"Ma'am, he's on there!" The Twi'lek yelled, his face pale. "He appeared on my comm and asked to speak with you! That mask, it's horrible, like staring into a droid's face! The voice, oh benevolent Aether... I don't want to die!"

"Sert!" Arie snapped at him, and regretted it almost as fast. He was scared, she shouldn't be angry at him for that. "Who was trying to comm me? What did they want?" Her voice was calm and soothing as she tried to calm her friend.

"Revan! The Dark Lord Revan!" Sert whimpered. "He wants to speak to you, he's waiting on channel three."

Arie felt her blood pool in her stomach, face pale and beads of sweat slip onto her skin. She gazed around, only to see her aides backing out of the room. So, this was how much loyalty her followers would give her.

"I see," She forced her voice to remain soft, yet commanding. I thought he was dead…

"Well, I'd better see what he wants."

Reaching forward, with Sert's eyes watching every little move of her fingers, Arie activated her comm pad and flicked it to channel three. With a hiss, the screen flickered to display the familiar bridge of a Sith Interdictor vessel. The man who stared out at her was no mere Admiral, however, which puzzled her—usually the Sith were big on ominous introduction, having their lackeys announce them by their elaborate titles. The man who looked at her, if it was even a man, was completely shrouded by a demonic looking mask , a hood pulled tight around his head, dark robes that seemed to radiate power and intimidation, presumably intentional.

"Yes?"

"Ahh, would I be speaking to President Malca've?" The figure asked her, the voice surprisingly mellow despite the filter. "I asked to be put through to her."

Arie frowned. Where were the threats usually given to her by the Sith?

"Yes, I am President Malca've," she cautiously told the figure as she sighed inwardly. This is it…they've come to finish what they started. Dosuun had nothing in terms of a military force, they had been dependent on the Republic for protection, and with them gone, all Arie Malca've felt she could do was to try to ensure that her planet, and her people, didn't suffer any further. Straightening up in her chair, she said in her most diplomatic voice "And, I hereby plead you to spare Dosuun bombardment, whilst we negotiate the terms of our surrender. May I ask to whom I am surrendering?"

"Lord Darth Revan, Madame President." The figure bowed slightly before he continued. "And I feel I should apologise. I realize our arrival here may have further upset your population, but I can assure you, your surrender is quite unnecessary."

Arie felt weak, the exhaustion of the past weeks peaking in this final overwhelming event. She noticed she was not the only one in the room who was acting so, given the reaction of the remaining staff members behind her. Arie managed to keep a diplomatic and business like tone as she replied, "So why have you come, if not to conquer us?"

"I wondered if I could provide some relief aid for you?" Revan's figure gestured once more and the fuzzy figure which had been lurking behind him stepped into view—a commander, who Revan muttered a few words to. He bowed and with a glance at her on the screen, walked out. "I have over two hundred metric tons of food and medical supplies to distribute to you and your people."

"What? Why?"

"The Republic withdrawal has left your planet in near anarchy, you have no significant police force, and your medical staff was dependent on the facilities the Republic installed, and then disassembled and took with them. I…" He stepped back and spread his arms slightly away from his body, "I wish to help you, Madame President".

"You…you do?" Arie felt a tiny tremor of relief, even as her mind screamed to be cautious. "What do you wish in return for the medical supplies and food, then, Lord Revan?"

"I request an audience with you," Revan plainly stated in a tone that certainly didn't sound like a request to Arie.

"I... I need to address my people to prevent further panic," Arie managed, feeling the world begin to slip from under her feet. "Will you let me?"

"I was under the impression that you had already attempted that, and that it had little effect" Revan said in a low tone. Arie barely managed to stop herself from flinching at his discovery of her attempted deceit. I should have known he'd be aware that. How stupid of me! They've probably been monitoring our transmissions. Now I have to agree, or he will know that I've lied. "Yes, Lord Revan that is true," she stuttered. "However, I meant it as a courtesy. But you are obviously a busy man, and I wouldn't like to take up more of your time than absolutely necessary." A crude recovery, but it would have to do.

"Ahh, excellent. I shall send a shuttle down; we can hold our talks aboard my vessel."

Arie's heart skipped a beat at the thought of being alone aboard a Sith warship with the Dark Lord of the Sith. "Lord Revan, I would like to invite you to come down and view our planet instead. It is only fitting that we show you hospitality after your journey and gracious offer." Arie said in her most diplomatic voice. Agree, please agree.

The impassive mask simply stared at her for just a second, then the Dark Lord spoke in an almost casual manner. "Of course, Madame President. That sounds acceptable. I look forward to speaking to you in person. Shall we say in one hour's time?"

Arie, having regained her composure and her diplomatic tone, replied "Of course, Lord Revan. An hour it is, then. Now if you will excuse me, I must prepare for your arrival."

"Very well, Madame President." Revan smoothly bowed once more, and the connection broke off.

Arie sat and stared at the empty monitor for awhile, not sure what to think, much less to say to the aides that had assembled in the room and who had wisely refrained from commenting during her conversation with the Dark Lord. The aides were responsible for much of the daily management of the planet, but they trusted their President. At least they used to. Arie mused. They fear the Sith more than anything, The Republic was our safeguard against them, and now they've gone. We have nothing left.

She sighed heavily before she rose and addressed her aides. "Well? Speak to me, please."

Kaivus Hodar, an elderly man deeply rooted in the politics of Dosuun, stepped forward. "You shouldn't believe him, President. The Sith are liars and butchers. If you let him come here, he will kill you, and most likely all the other members of the government as well, and he'll have his troops take control of the planet."

And you wouldn't want to have your little powerbase uprooted, would you now, Kaivus? Arie thought bitterly. Kaivus was an opportunist, and a political vulture. He had been quite opposed to the idea of someone as young as Arie serving as President, but the public had spoken, and their voice was still greater than his. She put on her political stone-face and looked Kaivus dead in the eyes and she spoke in a low voice. "You forget, Kaivus, that Revan could have already done that. Our sensors show nineteen more Interdictor destroyers on the outer edge of the system, more than enough firepower to blow this planet to an inhabitable rock for the next decade." She paused, and noted that Kaivus' shoulders seemed to slump slightly.

"No Kaivus—if he wanted us dead, we would be so already." She took a step back and raised her voice to address all her aides. "You have a right to be afraid, and to voice your opinion. And I am not entirely sure about Lord Revan's motives." She paused to gauge the reaction of her aides, most were still dead-quiet and listening intently to her. "Nevertheless, what he said was correct. We are in dire need of food and medical supplies, and to reject an offer of aid based solely on their source would be madness, given our current predicament." A few of the aides were slowly nodding, giving Arie the encouragement to go on. "I say we let him land. We let him speak, and we listen. If we decide that he has nothing to offer us, then we send him on his way." Her voice was becoming eager; she had always been passionate about trying to do her best for her people. "I won't lie to you, there are risks. But please, let us not reject him outright. Let us give him the chance to speak, as it should be in a democracy. Wouldn't you agree?" She looked around and allowed herself a smile as most of the aides consented, with the exception of Kaivus Hodar and a few of his followers. After a quick vote, Arie was given solitude and the blessing of her cabinet to invite Lord Darth Revan to Dosuun.

Arie sat in the relative calm of her office, having just sent the message to allow Lord Revan to land and now musing about what a Dark Lord of the Sith could want from her. Dosuun itself had resources, true. But Lord Revan had addressed her by name, and seemed to go out of his way to be courteous to her.

What do you want, Darth Revan… what do you want? She threw back her head and let her platinum blonde hair flow downwards. It bothered her to be this indecisive. She usually was able to compose herself and be objective and methodical in her preparations whenever she had to meet with someone important. So why couldn't she focus now? Arie shuddered slightly, something she did not often do. The Sith methods of making people cooperate were well-known. Her hand went to her throat and she rubbed it gently.

A rumble in the distance made Arie glance out her view port in time to see the shadow of a Sith shuttle slowly swim past the windows of her main receiving lounge. He was coming. The sound of the shuttle was accompanied by the unmistakable sound of two Sith fighters, flying as escort. For a moment, her heart rate increased even more at the mere sight of the fighters. Their dagger-shaped designs had been created to strike fear into the heart of enemies; she'd seen holovids of endless waves of fighters sweeping down on planets and ships, twin laser-cannons blazing.

The crowd gathered below her window suddenly looked up towards the sky, and at the sight of the Sith ships, a cry went up as people began to run for their lives, trampling all over the once beautiful gardens of the presidential grounds. Arie, helpless to do anything other than hope that no people were crushed beneath the mob, sadly recalled the time of her childhood, how she'd marvelled at the skill of the sculptors and gardeners who had attended to these grounds, seeking beauty and tranquillity in everything. Now… This chaos doesn't belong here. We are not a violent people. Why can't they see it? I have to restore the peace. I have to help them-and help myself and the planet. We are a planet of artisans, not warriors, we should be cultivated enough to stand together in trying times, not turn into mindless mobs. Arie shook her head and tried to clear her mind for the coming session; she would need to be on her toes.

The sound shifted, and Arie glanced up to see the two fighters breaking off from their escort and speed upwards towards their carrier in orbit, once again. She took a deep breath and stood, straightening her gown and putting on her most diplomatic face as the doors to her office opened and a dark clad figure stepped through. Black cape flaring behind him, Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith, entered and headed straight for her with long, purposeful strides. Arie quickly dried the sweat from her hands as she offered the traditional Dosuunian greeting which consisted of a bow and an extended hand for the guest to shake.

"Madame President, thank you for having me."

Arie almost started at the sound of his voice. It's not filtered, she managed to think, before Lord Revan reached up and pulled back his hood.

Arie, expecting a horrible face, as powerful Sith often had, was slightly stunned at the sight of the handsome, rugged man who held his hand out for her to shake. He was a little scarred, a few hints of stubble, deep brown eyes, but he was a huge change from the masked figure that she had talked to. Shaking herself, Arie reached out and shook his hand. She could feel his intense aura and magnetism.

"Welcome to Dosuun, Lord Revan," Arie whispered and the young man smiled, a confident smile though, not a warm one. There was no sagging grey skin, no damage as far as she could see. Why was he so... normal?

Malak had chilled her to the bone with his constant threats and hateful, bile filled comms. She had seen him as a Sith, to be hated and feared. She vividly recalled how he, frustrated by the Republic's protection of Dosuun, had arranged the kidnappings of family members of several key government members, demanding that Dosuun denounce the Republic, or pay with the lives of the hostages. Arie, after consulting with the commander of the Republic forces, one General Har'nass, had decided not to give in. The day after she'd declared this in an address to the planet, a holorecording had arrived showing, in ghastly detail the deaths of the hostages, some electrified to black husks, others choked to death by sheer force of will, and other even more gruesome deaths even worse than that. She had vowed then to do everything in her power to ensure that her people would never again have to suffer such horrors. Now, with this Sith claiming to be Revan, a Revan who wanted to talk peace, she could only stare at him.

"Madame President?" Revan murmured smoothly, and Arie felt a slight shiver of shock as her knees trembled ever so slightly at the cultured, persuasive, and above all charismatic tones. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Shall we get down to business?" Revan asked Arie and, at her nod, smiled. "Excellent."

Arie, now composed and playing the role of hostess offered Revan refreshments, that he accepted with the diplomatic smoothness that seemed to define all his recent actions.

"Well, Lord Revan. You know the question I must ask you is: 'Why are you here?'"

Revan smiled calmly and Arie's feet shuffled nervously under her desk. I'm playing a dangerous game, but he won't lull me into a false sense of security.

"Well, Madame President, I suppose the simplest thing to say would be that I can offer you your future."

My, my Lord Revan…you do enjoy these little games, don't you? "Oh?" Arie asked, whilst trying not to sound as if she were mocking him. Her own diplomatic sense had always kept her on her toes, and everyone knew that insulting a Sith Lord could quickly be fatal.

Revan leaned forward, never taking his eyes away from Arie, who was doing her best not to look away. "I know what the Republic withdrawal has done to your planet. How your population is in near anarchy, your citizens go without proper medical care, people are hoarding goods, creating food shortages." He paused, and Arie watched with disbelief as she listened to the passion in his voice.

"I want to help you end the suffering of your planet."

Arie was startled, though she did not let that show on her face as she calmly stated, "In my experience, the Sith have never cared much for the wellbeing of the planets they subjugate, beyond resource extraction." She paused and noticed a slight grimace cross the young Sith's face. "Why should I believe you, Lord Revan?"

The Dark Lord seemed to pause for just a moment, before he, with a slight smile, replied in a tone as calm as if he were ordering his dinner

"I only ask that you give me the benefit of the doubt, Madame President. And that you judge me by my actions towards you, and your planet. I should point out that I have not initiated hostilities or made demands of you."

"Not yet." The words flew from Arie's mouth, before she could keep them back and she cursed herself for losing her tact. Anxiously she reached down and nervously straightened her gown, knowing that she might have just incurred the wrath of the Dark Lord.

But again, Revan surprised her when he didn't even flinch, but leaned forward in his chair calmly. "I know what is happening here, Madame President. I am aware that your encounters with the Sith in the past have been…unpleasant." Arie noted how carefully he weighed the use of the last word. "Nevertheless, I can imagine that seeing your planet in such a state of chaos must be most distressing to you."

She smiled her most radiant smile, one that had on several occasions earned her the eager attention of a few Republic officials. "We are having a tough time of it now, true." If Revan was influenced by her sudden change in behaviour, he didn't show it. "Your offer of food and medical supplies is indeed most generous, but I still don't see that the Sith could offer my planet anything on a long term basis asides from a mining contract."

"Tell me, Madame President, is Dosuun a technologically developing world? Have you been expanding your agricultural areas in pace with your increase in population during the last years?"

Arie wanted to retort, to tell him he was wrong, but her words failed her. Instead, she set her face in a diplomatic mask, to hide her emotions.

Revan smiled at her lack of response and continued to drive home his point. "Who will you arrange imports with? Smugglers? The Hutts? The Commerce Guild? They all charge horrendous amounts of credits to do a simple shipping run. Now…" His smile grew even wider. "Can you imagine the fees they would charge, if they were to send their ships to a defenceless world on the borders of Sith space?"

Arie was about to open her mouth and protest, but Revan calmly held up a hand for her to allow him to finish.

"Quite simply, Madame President, I am your only hope. And I am not asking for you or your people to bow and scrape before me, and I have no interest in strip-mining your world or to conscript your children for war."

"Then…" Arie managed to stutter through her amazement, "What do you wish?"

Revan spoke calmly and apparently sincerely. "A partnership. I wish to offer Dosuun a place in the Sith empire. With all the obligations and benefits therein."

Arie, suddenly cautious again, suspiciously replied "What sorts of obligations? Will you be wanting to take over this?" She gestured around with her right arm, encompassing the presidential office and all that the room implied.

Revan shook his head, which completely stumped Arie. "Not at all. What I mean is that with the membership, you retain your planetary government, but I will post warships here to guarantee your safety. You will, of course, be held accountable to me, but if you ever require my council, I shall be readily available. And if you are threatened, then I will make sure you are protected." He paused and locked eyes with her. Arie felt completely lost in the depth of his dark brown eyes. "And as for your minerals, I will be content with exclusive shipping rights. You will not have to risk your planet's ecological balance by opening more mines. The yield you have been producing up until now will suffice."

He paused just briefly, and softly put his hand across hers, whilst never taking his eyes off her, sincerity and appeal radiating from him as he spoke. "Let me help you, Arie-let me help you and your people recover from the Republic's exploitation and abandonment."

Arie, her carefully cultivated diplomatic mask shattered by the touch of his hand, took a while to speak. "I…I need to bring this before the rest of my government. I shall have an answer for you in two days."

He smiled as he withdrew his hand and stood. "Of course, Madame President," he said as he bowed and pulled his hood up around his face once again, but letting her look into his sincere eyes one last time before he did so. "I shall return to my ship and leave you to your deliberations. I will await your reply." He inclined his head once more and then headed for the door. But just as he reached it, he turned towards her and said in an almost wistful voice, "I hope you can convince the ministers to make the right choice, Arie…" And then he was gone, leaving a befuddled Arie Malca've in his wake, scrambling to organise a meeting of the government a meeting that, she was certain, would decide the fate of her planet.

Two days later

Darth Revan stood aboard his flagship, the Glorious, datapad in hand, the dark setting of the bridge completely contrary to his current mood. The Dosuunian government had decided to accept his offers and President Malca've had addressed her people via holonet to assure them that the Sith were not here with hostile intentions, after Revan had sent troops to work under Dosuunian command to help restore order, that was. Revan, as a courtesy, had agreed to only bring one destroyer at a time into orbit, offload it and then bring in the next. It lengthened the procedure of distributing the supplies considerably, but he was a patient man. And the contents of the datapad he was currently holding, a datapad that he had received from President Malca've during a brief session just a few hours earlier, made the wait acceptable.

It was filled with all the lengthy legal and diplomatic verbage without which no government in the galaxy seemed able to function, but one sweet sentence in the document was everything he had come for: "Dosuun formally requests entry into the Sith Empire"

He smiled beneath his mask. The young President had been a difficult opponent, but he had known that her desire to see her planet restored to an orderly state would be her weakness. It had been a tight vote, but the Dosuunian government had agreed 52-48 to join the Sith, and that was the only result that mattered. He did not doubt that there might be repercussions, but that was for the President to sort out. She seemed capable.

More than capable. Revan was amazed that someone so young could rise to lead a planet, and through an electoral process at that. Arie Malca've could not be much older than twenty standard years, and she was already a seasoned Dosuunian politician. He remembered with amusement how she had tried to charm him during their session, not doubting that any other man would have gone out of his way to appease her. She was certainly beautiful…but she was no match for his Dark Lady- a Dark Lady he longed to hold again, and savour the presence of. Soon…soon, now that Dosuun is ours, the rest of our plans will proceed without delay, and then -- he smiled determinedly -- the Galaxy will be ours...

Hyperspace, location unknown.

Hyperspace…solitude…nothingness, Vorn Teerad mused, as he stared out the bridge viewport of his flagship, the Sith Interdictor Conqueror. Fresh off the Star Forge's assembly line, the destroyer still reeked of sealants, a trait Teerad had hoped was restricted to conventional ship-building.

I cannot believe I am doing this; I am actually going to get away with this ship and its technology. Teerad allowed himself a slight smile, a most rare occurrence. One did not advance through the ranks of the Sith and reach the rank of Commodore to Lord Malak himself by smiling and nodding. Malak had been most clear that he would not tolerate any sorts of disloyalty, which meant that anyone who had been foolish enough to question anything he said had met an untimely demise, just as the predecessor to Saul Kareth had. Teerad had fared well under Lord Malak; the Dark Lord had favoured Teerad's straight forward approach: fire first, analyse later.

Teerad grabbed the support rail as the ship shook slightly. Damn these new hyperspace motivators, they'll take forever to break in, he silently cursed through clenched teeth.

His plan was brilliant in its simplicity. A slight miscalculation of the hyperspace jump coordinates would leave his ship well out of the battlefield at the Laasari repair station. None of the commanders of the eleven other destroyers in Teerad's command would question this explanation, and any doubts they might have would quickly be drowned out in the coming battle. A battle that Teerad was quite sure would lead the commanders and all their men to their doom. If they want to die at Revan's whim, let them! Teerad thought with bitterness, a bitterness that he actually let shine through on his face, something he never did in front of other soldiers. But this crew was different; Teerad had handpicked every single officer, and they had in turn handpicked each and every crewmember for their respective sections. This procedure had allowed Teerad to assemble a crew completely loyal to him, and not to the bittersweet romantic ideas of a Dark Lord who should be long dead.

Revan is a fool, Teerad mused as his smile slowly returned. And he's an even bigger fool if he thinks the other Sith Masters are going to stand by and allow such lack of discipline! The Sith do not ask…the Sith take! That had been the tradition for as long as he could remember and Lord Malak had honoured that. But Revan…Honestly, I don't know what Shivana sees in a Master as weak as he… Teerad's mind raced back to his encounter with the Dark Lord's apprentice…an encounter he would not care to repeat. It's a small miracle that I'm even alive after what she did to me. As he mused, his hand reflexively went to his throat, where not long ago, Shivana's mere presence hadseemed prepared to deny him his life.

The turbulence increased slightly. Teerad tightened his grip on the support rail as the ship shook again. Damn this! If this continues, the entire bridge crew will be sprawled on the floor. He glanced around the bridge, the sleek design always reminding him of the beauty of a deadly warship, and was surprised to see that every member of the bridge crew were still in their chairs, sitting erect almost like statues.

Another glance to the back of the bridge revealed that the trooper captain guarding the entrance was also standing stiff, and he didn't move, even though he had nothing to hold on to.

Puzzled, Teerad started towards the captain, wanting to enquire about his condition, when the hyperspace exit alarms suddenly flared to life. His face set in an expression of utter shock, Teerad glanced up at the timer hanging off the ceiling monitor-which showed ten standard minutes until their scheduled hyperspace exit. The blue/white tunnel visible through the front viewport suddenly erupted into a frenzy of elongated stars which shortened rapidly as the Conquerer dropped into sublight, finally settling into space's familiar black curtain.

"Navigator!" Teerad barked. "Report! Has the hyperdrive malfunctioned? Where are we?" When he heard no reply, Teerad spun around, his face a grimace of anger and irritation.

"I gave you an order, Navigator! Report!"

Teerad stalked to the crew pit and grabbed the navigator by the collar. "Now you listen to me. If you want to avoid execution, you will tell me this instant where we are and why we dropped from hyperspace."

The navigator stared back at Teerad with glassy eyes, then spoke in the most monotonous tone Teerad had ever heard, almost like an old droid. "You should have listened, Admiral…"

Patience gone, Teerad dropped the navigator to the floor of the crew pit and stalked towards the trooper captain. "Captain, your weapon!" he barked. "I need to teach this maggot that I won't tolerate disobedience." But the trooper did not move; he didn't seem to have heard a single word Teerad had just said. Instead, he just replied in that same monotonous tone, which sounded even more frightening through his helmet filter, "The Sith do not tolerate disobedience…you should have listened, Admiral"

Teerad stopped dead in his tracks. He felt he was beginning to sweat, something that he only recalled having happened once in recent time. He gave a frightened glance around the bridge, only to find the entire bridge crew looking at him with that same dead, lifeless gaze.

Suddenly, the communications officer spoke up: "Incoming holo-trans, Admiral."

Before Teerad could give the order, the full-figure sized holoemitter at the centre of the bridge flared to life.

"Ahh, Admiral Teerad." Vorn felt his blood freeze as he looked into Darth Shivana's face. She was smiling, yet that made him feel even more afraid. The holo-trans did nothing to diminish her turquoise eyes. Their icy gaze fixated on him with a hint of amusement.

Trying to regain his composure, Teerad stammered: "Milady, we have had a hyperdrive failure, we are stranded and some sort of debilitating affliction is affecting my crew." I might as well use her to get us out of here, then I can re-think my plan. "We request assistance, our coordinates are…"

"I know what your coordinates are!" Shivana snarled with such menace that Teerad recoiled from her holoprojection. How could she? No…

Obviously amused by his bewilderment, Shivana stepped closer to him, her robes flowing around her as she took advantage of the bridge's integrated hologrid, which meant that the person communicating could walk around freely within the room. "I know…because it was I that selected them".

Through every ounce of self-control in his body, Teerad managed to avoid having his jaw drop.

Suddenly, he found that he couldn't move as Shivana slowly stepped up to him, a predatory gleam in her eyes, her body tensing like a Correllian Sand Panther about to leap onto its unsuspecting prey.

"Don't try to insult my intelligence, or the intelligence of my Master," she growled. All Teerad could do was to watch with utter horror as his second in command suddenly stepped up in front of him, drew his blaster pistol and pushed it against his own temple.

Shivana gave the man a heartless, cold look as she spoke with hatred in her voice. "Look at this man, Admiral. Young, ambitious and skilled. Exactly the type of man who could have a promising future in the Sith." She paused and looked briefly at Teerad who was still trying to keep himself from screaming out in frustration and impotence. "But, alas," she said casually, "That can never be, for you made him betray his Master and myself." She paused and her gaze grew even more menacing. "And if there's one thing I despise… it is a traitor." She raised her right hand, extended her index finger, forming the rough shape of a blaster, and lazily pointed it at Teerad's XO. Teerad didn't even had time to scream out before his officer pulled the trigger and the blaster bolt burned through his head.

Teerad tried desperately not to vomit as the corpse of his most trusted officer fell to the floor of the bridge with a deafening thud, the singed smell of burning flesh finding its way to Teerad's smell receptors.

Shivana looked at the corpse with disinterest, and then turned to Teerad as pure sadistic pleasure filled her eyes. "Hmm…a pity, really"

Then, as Teerad helplessly watched, she mercilessly gestured to each member of his bridge crew in turn. Each time, the crewmember put a blaster to his or her own temple and pulled the trigger.

As the slaughter progressed, Teered was unable to hide his distress, involuntarily crying as he begged Shivana to stop, but finding no mercy from the Dark Jedi. All she did when she pinned him under her merciless gaze was say, "Oh please, spare me the tears, Admiral. Try to at least die with dignity," in a voice that would have put the Sith Lords of old to shame.

After the final blaster shot had sounded on the bridge the, crew pit was a poll of broken corpses, with what little of their features that remained forever imprinted with the lifeless gaze with which they'd all met their horrific, self-inflicted death.

Teerad was released, and collapsed onto the floor, sobbing from the horror he had just witnessed. Somehow, he managed to summon the strength to look up at Darth Shivana's holographic representation which stood with her arms folded across her chest, dark, twisted amusement clearly evident on her regal face.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Have one of my crew blast me, or make me do it myself!" Teerad managed to state in defiance, something that clearly did nothing to affect Shivana.

"Please, if I wanted you blasted, then you would have been the first one…but I wanted you to witness the suffering of these promising people, whom you convinced could get away with betraying Lord Revan and myself."

"So now what?" Teerad stuttered. "Will you send me off to spread the word of what will happen to anyone who disobeys you?"

The Dark Jedi ignored him, and asked in an almost casual manner, "Tell me, Admiral. Have you ever had the Idroxian Flu?"

"I…what?"

Shivana smiled her vicious smile as she continued. "Oh, yes. I remember seeing in your military record that you had it as a child. I'm so glad you were able to get treatment, because that is an especially painful disease if left unchecked." She paused and walked slowly around Teerad's fallen form, her voice slowly taking on more malice as she continued, "One of the most painful symptoms, of course, is the extraordinarily high fever that untreated Idoxian Flu patients experience." She'd come full circle, and was now facing him again. Teerad glanced up in time to see her make an upward motion with her left hand before he suddenly found himself suspended in the air a few centimetres above the deck of the bridge.

Shivana coldly regarded him as she took a single step closer and with a voice as cold as her look; told him, "It's a pity you decided to make your attempt at betrayal when I was so far away…I would have loved the chance to use my lightsabre on you." She shrugged casually and held out her right palm towards him. "Oh well, it doesn't matter. I have something equally elaborate in store for you, Vorn Teerad."

Teerad was still feeling the chill of her gaze, but suddenly it felt as if the room had gotten ten degrees or so colder. He started cold-sweating heavily and began to shudder at the cold.

Shivana was smiling as she calmly spoke to the shivering Admiral. "What you are feeling now is the fever I mentioned earlier." She paused and slowly twisted her wrist, making Teerad shiver and sweat even more "The Force is such a wonderful tool…I can use it to suck the essence of life from a person, or I can fry their synapses with lightning, or..." She paused and, though Teerad would have thought it impossible, her gaze became even more filled with sadistic determination, "...or I can make a person's blood boil inside their body."

Teerad could only gag at her now, as his powers of speech had left him and he was so cold that he couldn't stop his teeth from clattering.

"And now…I will enjoy watching you die the most excruciating death as the memories of your failure, and of the people who died because of that, haunts you in your final moments. And don't worry about your crew. They are experiencing the same thing at this moment," she said whilst still wearing that sadistic smile on her face.

The last thing that Teerad managed to stutter out before the blood in his body started bleeding out of his veins as the hot fluid sought release, was, "What…what are you?"

He vaguely registered Shivana twisting her hand and the holocomm flashing for just a second, indicating that a recording device had been deactivated. Her image leaned into his face and the last thing Vorn Teerad ever heard before the blood spilled from his body was the cold, vicious voice of Darth Shivana.

"I, Admiral Teerad, am the Dark Lady of the Sith!"

To be continued…