CHAPTER SEVEN

TELOS

Revan and Corna stood in the hanger bay of the abandoned Jedi Academy Atris had used as a base during her fall to the dark side. It was within this base that his Uncle Dacen and Aunt Brianna had confronted Atris, and his Uncle had succeeded in returning her fully to the path of the light. The Sith holocrons stored here had long since been removed for study in the more restricted and protected walls of the Jedi Academy on Coruscant. The reconstruction effort on Telos was well underway and bringing about great rewards in the hands of the Ithorians. There were now half a dozen colonies dotting the landscape of this once beautiful world, and everyone was once more working to restore it to its former glory.

Bao-Dur had played a major role in developing the planetary shields used for the reconstruction, and after spending some years shuttling between his home world, Telos and Dxun, he had decided he could better assist the reconstruction effort if he remained here on Telos. He had returned to take over the former academy, and used it as the base for operations across the planet. The last time Revan had been here, there were hundreds of technicians bustling about contributing to the reconstruction.

However as they stood in the hanger bay now, all either of them could sense was death.

" I take it young Revan, that all is not as it seems." Corna spoke, his hand closing around the hilt of his light saber. The two Mandalorian scouts had immediately sensed Revan's increased awareness and change in his demeanor, and had dropped into combat stances.

Revan looked at Corna. " I sense death." He said softly. " This hanger should be filled with activity. Technicians. Engineers. Yet I sense nothing now. Only death."

" Revan?" One of the scouts spoke. He motioned to the ramp going up into the facility when Revan turned to him. There were two bodies just inside the entrance.

The four of them moved quickly to the doorway leading up into the facility. The two men were dressed in blue coveralls, and both were very dead.

" Tremor sword wounds." Corna spoke, gently rolling one man over to reveal the horrendous wound in his chest. " From the size and depth of the cut, whoever did this was quite skilled."

" There is only one species that can use Tremor swords with this type of skill." Revan spoke softly. "Morqukai Warriors."

Corna looked at him. " Morqukai? Young Revan… the Morqukai sect of the Nikto people has been extinct for decades."

Revan met his eyes. " Have they? Or have they simply done the same as the Sith, and remained dormant. They have always hated Jedi. And the bounty on our heads may have been enough to entice them to come here. After Bao-Dur."

" If that is the case, how were they able to find him? Isn't Bao-Dur the one who designed the systems you use to mask force sensitive individuals?" Corna stated.

" I don't know." Revan said.

" Then I suggest we find Bao-Dur and leave this place as quickly as possible." Corna spoke.

" I agree." Revan spoke, rising to his feet and removing his light sabers from his belt. He matched the two ends of the handles together and twisted tightly. There was a small click as the two light sabers became one.

Revan?

Now is not a good time Anja.

Revan what is wrong? I can feel your apprehension, your concern. Tell me.

I will be fine my little kath hound.

Revan… no! Don't shut me…

Revan closed his mind to Anja and focused his thoughts on their situation.

Several light years away on board their ship the others were gathered in the main area of the ship as they flew for Nar Shaddaa. Anja had been sitting to one side, looking through several data pads when she had first felt Revan's unrest. She came forward in her chair now as he shut his mind to her.

" Revan no!" She yelled. This caused everyone to turn and look at her. Only Arren knew instantly what it was and she moved to her quickly.

" Anja… what is it?" She asked.

" They found something on Telos, something terrible. He's concerned, apprehensive." Anja said, looking at Arren. " He said… he said he would be fine… and then he shut the link. Arren… I… I am…"

" Come." Arren said, pulling her to her feet. " We will meditate. It will calm both of us."

Revan entered the deserted command center of the slowly, staying close to one wall, while Corna moved to the other side of the door. One scout moved with each of them, their heavy blasters sweeping the room. They had encountered another twelve bodies enroute to the command center, two of which had been Nikto Warriors of the secret Morqukai sect. They were a group of Nikto warriors that hated the Jedi with a passion, blaming The Jedi Order for the continued civil unrest on their home world, and the two times in recent memory when the Jedi had been called on to fight on their world. The Morqukai sect trained specifically to fight Jedi, with Cortosis enhanced weapons and armor. They were savage warriors and had claimed the lives of many Jedi Knights over the years. The discovery of the two bodies had provided clear evidence that Revan had been right about the weapons used.

" Do they have stealth shields?" Corna asked from his position.

" Let's find out." Revan replied, gripping his light saber tighter. He looked at the scout moving with him. " Now Anjoul."

The Mandalorian scout tossed one of the Stealth disruption pods into the center of the room and it sparkled to life. Four pairs of eyes swept the room for any sign that there might be stealth intruders in the command center. After several moments Revan reached out and touched the door control panel, bringing one door down, sealing the way they had come.

" Anjoul, secure the other door." Revan ordered.

The scout nodded, moving for the only other means of entry into the command center, his blasters held at the ready. The others moved into a position to better cover him. Revan went to the control console as the scout secured and locked the door. He adjusted the controls, his hands moving across the panels.

" Survivors?" Corna asked, coming up next to him.

Revan shook his head. " Sensors are pretty scrambled. I'm picking up eight Morqukai warriors here in this chamber, near the irrigation control center. Looks like one life sign inside the center itself."

" Bao-Dur?"

Revan looked at him. " Yes." His hands flew over the controls. " I'll try to contact him using his remote. It has its own communications array."

Bao-Dur worked feverishly to try and get the sealed irrigation tunnel open. He had sealed all these tunnels when he had taken over the base for his reconstruction efforts, and now he was realizing he had done perhaps too good a job. He had dispatched four of the Nikto warriors that had invaded the compound, but they had killed many of his workers before he was able to get the rest of his people out through another of the tunnels. Now he was trapped in this control center, and he had no illusions about how long the thick door would last before they used explosives.

He heard his remote start to chirp excitedly and he turned, just as it projected a picture onto the floor. The relief he felt rush through him at recognizing the figure nearly overwhelmed him.

" Revan!" He gasped, joy in his voice at seeing the son of the most powerful Jedi he had ever met.

" Bao-Dur!" Revan replied. " We feared the worst."

" Yes… well that may still come. Where are you?"

" Command. We saw the Morqukai warriors you killed. How did they get into the compound?" Revan shook his head. " Never mind. There are eight more outside the entrance to the control pod you are in."

" Yes. I have been trying to reopen the tunnel here to make my escape, but it appears I sealed it too well the first time. I can not get the door to release." Bao-Dur replied.

" Can we open from here?"

Bao-Dur shook his head. " When I took over the compound, the first thing I did was to close off the additional tunnels. And I severed them from the main control console. You can't open them from your location."

" So we have to do this the hard way." Revan said.

" Revan… there are eight of them. Even you can't defeat them all." Bao-Dur spoke.

" Well… thankfully I'm not alone." Revan said. " I have Master Corna with me, as well as two of Uncle Canderous's scouts."

" Master Corna?" Bao-Dur asked. " From the Jedi Council?"

Corna stepped into the small area that the remote could project. " It is good to see you again Bao-Dur. It has been a long time since Coruscant."

" Indeed it has Master." Bao-Dur replied to his fellow Iridonian Jedi. " I wish it was under different circumstances however."

" We shall overcome Bao-Dur. Have faith."

" Bao… is the east tunnel still used to channel water to the restoration zone on the other side of the mountains?" Revan asked.

" Yes. Why? That does me no good Revan. They know I am in here." Boa replied.

" But do they know you can't get out?" Revan asked.

" No… how could they?"

Revan grinned. " Then they don't know we have another Iridonian here."

Bao-Dur smiled as comprehension to what Revan intended struck him. " Some of them might survive too." He said.

" Well… forgive me if I am not too concern with their well being. They are trying to kill you and they have taken the lives of innocent men and women. My concern is not for them." Revan told him.

" I concur Bao-Dur." Corna said. " I doubt negotiations would accomplish anything at this point. We need to act decisively."

Bao-Dur nodded. " I know. Revan… can you make your way to the east control pod?"

Revan nodded. " Are you sure about their numbers?"

" They came in a Mark V TSF shuttle from the station. Maximum crew complement is fourteen. The shuttle departed immediately after dropping them off. At the very most thirteen got off. I have killed four. Eight are outside trying to force their way in. If thirteen did get off, that only leaves one unaccounted for." Bao-Dur stated.

Revan nodded. " I can live with those odds." He said. " I'm taking a portable com unit and I will contact you when we are ready."

" Move fast Revan. I do not know how much longer the door will hold." Bao-Dur said.

" We're moving now." Revan said, severing the connection. He turned to the two scouts. " Anjoul… engage your stealth generator. Move to the east control pod. When I give you the signal… flood the tunnels."

" Understood." The Mandalorian scout spoke. His hand went to his wrist and he engaged his stealth unit as he moved off.

Revan turned to the other scout. " Secure this room once we depart. If we do not return, you are to go back to the ship and render this station inoperable permanently."

The scout nodded. " Understood."

Revan turned to Corna. " Shall we?"

Corna nodded. " Let us begin."

The Morqukai leader paced back and forth in front of the door as his tribesman continued to try and force the door open. The Nikto were a fierce race, their home world wrought with strife and conflict. He and his tribe were members of the Morqukai sect of Nikto, a secretive clan that believe in a doomsday prophecy for their world. Because of this, they used their violent skills to gather riches to take with them on their final journey. The bounty on this Jedi had been too large for his tribe to look away. Their attack had been perfect, and they had taken many lives until the Jedi realized they were within the facility and he began to fight back with a vengeance. The Jedi had struck down four of his tribe before they cornered him in these old tunnels. He had been a worthy foe, and when he killed this Jedi, it would bring him great honor among his people.

The Morqukai leader glanced down one of the adjoining tunnels and froze, his eyes widening. Standing only fifty meters away was the Iridonian Jedi. He had escaped the room, and now stood in the tunnel taunting him.

" No!" The leader screamed, raising his Tremor sword above his head. " Die Jedi!" He rushed down the corridor with the members of his tribe following him, also screaming out their rage. Corna smiled as he realized Revan's plan was working. He turned and took off at a run for the east control tunnels.

The last Morqukai warrior in the line chasing Corna never saw the figure come down another tunnel just as he came to the intersection. Revan was under a burst of Force speed that took him barreling into the last Morqukai with the force of a moving swoop bike. He lifted the warrior up as he struck him and the warrior's neck could be heard snapping from the force of being slammed into the tunnel ceiling. Revan turned and immediately leaped into a Force Jump. The next Morqukai warrior in line was driven to the tunnel floor under Revan's boot as he landed on the warrior's back from the one hundred meter Force jump. The incredible force behind Revan's jump crushed the Nikto's spine in three places. Revan took off in another direction with a burst of Force speed, leaving the body to cool on the tunnel floor. The six remaining warriors had no idea they had lost two of their tribe.

Arren and Anja sat facing each other on the floor in the small bunk room.

" Arren… he's angry." Anja said softly. " There is pain. Darkness."

" Has he opened the bond Anja?" Arren asked.

Anja shook her head. " No. It's still shut. I can see faint images, feel his anger. He's blocking it from me though. Why?"

" He's in battle Anja." Arren said.

Anja's eyes opened quickly. " Battle?" She almost cried.

Arren leaned forward and took her hands. " He's blocking his thoughts Anja. He's protecting you. He doesn't want you to see what he is having to do."

" I feel the darkness in him." She said.

" He's drawing on the dark side powers he commands." Arren said. " Something terrible must have happen for him to draw on them."

" Arren… I feel so… so alone. Like… like he has left me." Anja said.

" Be calm Anja. Breathe deeply and be at peace. Whatever you feel for him… no matter how small… be prepared for him. He will reopen the link and seek your peace when the battle is over and there is no danger to you. He will need your strength to center himself again Anja." Arren said, holding her hands tight.

Anja took a deep breath and nodded, closing her eyes again.

Corna reached the tunnel entrance and turned to see only two Morqukai warriors in pursuit. He did not question why there was only two, as they were almost upon him.

" Jedi!" The Morqukai warrior screamed, raising his blade to strike.

Corna, using a burst of Force speed squirted between the two larger warriors and turned just as Revan slammed his hand on a nearby panel. The tunnel's blast door came down quickly sealing the two warriors inside.

" Anjoul! Now!" Revan yelled.

There was a deep rumbling throughout the tunnel system as the millions of gallons of water was released. It flooded the tunnels quickly, the pressure of the wall of water crushing anything in its path. Corna turned from where he was catching his breath and saw the body of one of the warriors on the floor of the tunnel further back. His face was twisted in agony as if he had died gasping for air. Further down the same tunnel he saw another body, twisted and sprawled at an unnatural angle. He did not see Bao-Dur pass behind him and go directly to Revan, who was leaning up against the wall breathing deeply. Bao-Dur reached Revan just as Corna turned.

Corna watched as Bao-Dur placed his hands on Revan's shoulders.

" Peace Revan. Be calm of spirit. Let it pass through you my brother. Be at peace." Bao-Dur's words were spoken softly, but firmly. Corna watched Revan take several deep breaths, and then as he had witnessed in the Council Chambers on Coruscant, the dark side aura that had surrounded Revan just seconds before simply dissipated into nothing, to be replaced with a calm spirit.

Revan looked at Bao-Dur and nodded, smiling. " Why is it that whenever you are around, events become exciting?" Revan asked.

Bao-Dur chuckled and held up his energy arm. " It must be my electric personality." He said. They shared a laugh and the older Bao-Dur embraced Revan. " It is good to see you again."

Revan nodded. " Give me a moment." He said, and opened his mind to Anja.

Anja?

Revan! Is… is everything alright? Are you ok? What happen?

I am fine. We are all fine. A band of Nikto Morqukai Warriors were here when we arrived. We had to deal with them and rescue Bao-Dur.

Master Corna?

He is here Anja. We are not hurt.

Revan Panlie… you opened this bond with me! If you ever close it like that again you unfeeling Bantha farmer… I will never speak to you again! I… I was…

I'm sorry Anja. There was no reason for you to feel what I needed to do. I wanted to protect you.

I don't want you to protect me. I felt lost. When you shut the link… it was as if I was plunged into darkness. Promise me… promise me you will never do that again.

You have my word Anja. If that is your wish, I will not close the link anymore. I…

Oh… shut up you… you pile of mynock droppings! Just leave me alone!

Revan looked at Corna as he stepped up to him. " You look pained."

" I believe Anja is just a little upset with me right now." Revan said.

" Your bond?" Bao-Dur asked. " With the young woman?"

" Does everyone know of this bond Young Revan?" Corna asked. " They speak as if they already know Padawan Tamari."

Bao-Dur looked at him. " We do. She has been part of Revan's life since that day on Dxun. She was upset?""

Revan nodded. " I closed my end of the bond so she would not have to experience what we had to do here. She was not very happy I did that."

Corna looked stunned. " You can speak with her? Even now. At this distance?"

Revan nodded. " Within the Force. Yes. It's as if we are together."

" And this is the bond your parents share?" Corna asked. " This is the bond that happen when Bastila saved your father's life?"

Revan nodded again. " Yes. You sound surprised."

" I do not believe the Council was aware of the power the bond has. I think they assumed it to be similar to that between a Master and apprentice. But this… this is much more." Corna spoke. " What do you feel from Anja young Revan?"

Revan chuckled. " At the moment? A whole lot of anger. Directed at me for cutting her off."

Anja?

I told you to leave me alone you insensitive jerk!

Revan nodded. " Yeah. She's quite mad at me. Better I should leave her alone for a time."

Bao-Dur squeezed his shoulder. " Come. Let me gather some things… and I need to speak with my people on Citadel Station and inform the TSF. Then we need to leave. I don't want to put them in further jeopardy by remaining longer than needed."

Revan nodded. " I agree."

" He is fine." Anja said, opening her eyes and looking at Arren. " All of them. They are fine."

Arren sighed heavily. " Would you do me a favor and tell him if he pulls a stunt like that again… the next time I see him… I'll kick his butt all the way back to Dxun. Would you tell him that for me please?"

" I believe I expressed my… our… displeasure at his actions rather extensively." Anja said. " Perhaps I made my point too strongly."

Arren shook her head. " No. You let him stew about that. He had no right doing that to you. Did you tell him he is a jerk?"

" Yes." Anja replied.

" Did you tell him he is insensitive and over protective?"

" I made that quite clear. I also called him an unfeeling bantha farmer, and a pile of mynock droppings." Anja said.

" That about covers it. I'll let you hit him first when we see him on Nar Shaddaa. Then you hold him while I punch his lights out." Arren spoke.

" That's a deal." Anja said.

ROON

Beyond the Cloak of the Sith nebulosity

The edge of known space

The EBON HAWK drifted near the small asteroid, its maneuvering thrusters keeping the ship from smashing into the asteroid and other cosmic debris that drifted around the planet nearby. The senior Revan sat alone in the cockpit, the others just waking in the dormitories behind him. He felt Bastila call out to him through their bond and he told her where he was. She appeared moments later with two steaming mugs of caffa.

" You are up early my love." She spoke, handing him one of the mugs as she took the seat next to him.

" I woke early to work on the starboard stabilizers with T-3." He replied, sipping the caffa. " And because our son was troubled."

Bastila looked at him. Her husband and son shared certain places in their bond where they could close her off. She had always respected that and never asked her husband about it. She reached out with her mind and could feel Revan junior and Anja. She could also detect the unrest between them. She looked at Revan.

" Now would not be a good time for you and your son to close yourselves to the women you love." Bastila said calmly. " What happen Revan?"

Revan looked at his beautiful wife and knew she was right. While he felt he knew his wife and all her little quirks and moods, he had discovered that she could throw him off at nearly every turn.

" Revan and Corna ran into trouble on Telos when they went to get Bao-Dur." He said, leaning closer to his wife. " They had to do battle with a dozen Morqukai warriors that had entered the Reconstruction compound. They are fine." He spoke feeling Bastila's next question. " However… Revan…"

" He shut her out… didn't he." Bastila said with a knowing smile. " And now she is angry with him, extremely angry with him. And he fears he may have lost her?" Bastila saw her husband nod slowly. " Sounds like something I am familiar with. Is it an inbred trait among the Panlie men to try and shield the women they love from everything that may not be pleasant?"

Revan looked at her. " It appears so." He replied sheepishly.

Bastila laughed at the look on his face. She sipped her caffa. " Have you told him we can communicate with her already?"

Revan shook his head. " That is not something I will reveal to him." He said with something akin to horror in his eyes. " If he knew that…"

Bastila nodded. " Yes. I know. He might never speak to us again." She said with a smile. She reached out and touched her husband's hand. " I will talk with her. Let me wake fully." She sipped her caffa. " But you need to explain to our son that she is a strong young woman. And if he truly loves her like we know he does… then he can not close her out like did. It is… painful almost. It leaves a gap. A chasm that is empty and void of anything."

Revan looked at his wife, his dark eyes filled with love for her. " You have never told me that." He said. " I did not realize that is what happen."

Bastila nodded. " Because I knew you loved me and you were only trying to protect me. When you shut me out, it's nearly empty my love. I can sense faint emotions from you, but not much else. And it is a frightening experience."

" But when you are angry with me… I do not feel that." Revan said. " I can still feel you. Feel your love for me."

" I can't begin to explain it. And you have not done that since you left all those years ago." Bastila told him. " Tell him Revan. Tell him to share everything with her. Leave nothing out. She is stronger than he thinks. And whether she will admit it just yet or not… I can feel her love for him grower stronger each day."

Revan nodded. " I can too."

Bastila got to her feet and kissed her husband's head. " I will jump in the refresher and then I'll talk to her. I sort of like playing matchmaker." Her husband's quiet laughter filled her ears as she moved back toward the dormitories.

Anja lay in her bunk as they made their way towards Nar Shaddaa. She was staring at the ear rings and dress still thrown across the chair, and thinking of the emotions coursing through her. These people had changed her in the last few days. She had always considered herself strong and filled with conviction. Yet after just a few days, being in the company of these men and women had changed her. They were so much stronger and confident. They did not fear emotions. The same emotions that were racing through her and that she was trying to sort out.

Anja?

Anja sat up in her bed and put her back to the bulkhead with a sigh of relief.

Bastila. I had hoped you would come.

Revan told me what happen. I should have warned you.

He shut the link! It was like he slammed the door in my face. It left me… it left me so…

Empty. Bastila finished for her.

Yes! How did you know?

It appears my son shares many of his father's traits Anja. Foremost among them is to protect the ones they love. Even when we don't want them too.

I could sense his anger. His fear. But… it was so faint. Almost like it was drifting away from me.

Unlike what the Jedi Order teaches Anja, because of what we have experienced over the years, we have taught our children to draw on the dark side of the force when faced with an enemy that was savage or evil. We have taught them to not hold back the powers they can command. It goes against everything you have been taught I know, but when it comes to survival, they will use everything they know. Revan… Revan did not want you to see that part of him. Like his father… it is a part of them that rarely comes out… but when it does… well… to most it is not a pleasant thing. He was protecting you from that.

But I don't want him to protect me. I want to share everything with him.

Light years away, sitting in the main hold of the EBON HAWK, Bastila smiled to herself.

It took me several times to finally pound that into 'my' Revan's head. The Panlie men are quite dense it seems.

I called him an insensitive jerk and a pile of mynock droppings. Among other things.

Bastila nearly choked on her caffa as she burst out laughing, spraying her caffa over the deck plates. T-3 chirped loudly in the background.

Anja… dear. You are a woman after my own heart!

He deserved it!

Yes he did.

Bastila… these emotions seething through me. I… I can't control them. I have worried about him since Katarr. I don't… I don't know what to do.

This was not how Revan wanted to share the bound with you Anja. He was going to open himself to you gradually over time so as not to overwhelm you. Events… however… made that impossible. Just know that it is as new to him as it is to you, this bond you share.

I'm falling in love with him aren't I?

That is not a question I can answer for you Anja. You will follow your heart and what it tells you to do.

It goes against everything I have been raised to believe.

Yes it does. Ultimately… only you can make the decision.

And he is going to continually hound me isn't here.

Bastila laughed. The Panlie men are dense Anja, but giving up is not something they will do.

Will… will you help me?

Of course child. Always. Regardless of what you choose Anja… you are part of our bond, and I will never turn you away. Ever.

Anja heard the alarm sounding and sat up in the bed.

We are approaching Nar Shaddaa. I must go.

Follow your heart Anja. It will not lead you astray. Mine did not.

Thank you.

We will see you in person soon. Then I can embrace your physical self as well. Be safe. And watch out for my son.

I will.

NAR SHADDAA

Atton and Mira Rand welcomed Revan with warm embraces as he exited the freighter alone. They had been living on Nar Shaddaa for the last twelve years. At Dacen's request they had remained on Dxun for a time after he returned from the Outer Rim with the senior Revan. They had trained under both of them for several years, before the freedom and independence of a new Nar Shaddaa beckoned them back. They had not planned on returning together, and they had not planned on falling on love, but as they both now knew, the Force worked in mysterious ways, and it drew them together. They eventually married, unable to deny their relationship anymore, and three children had followed through the years. They had built a respectable business on Nar Shaddaa, and though both were careful about what they did, they were recognized as two individuals who had changed the face of Nar Shaddaa. Three times over the course of the years the crime syndicate The Exchange, had tried to have them murdered. All three times failed miserably. It wasn't until Goto had finally stepped in and ordered them off limits that they began to breathe a little easier. It was a surprising move on his part, but he owed them for what they had helped Dacen do and he knew it.

The defeat of the Sith at the Second Battle of Malachor V was not something that Goto had wanted, but that defeat had opened other avenues for The Exchange and Goto, and it worked out for everyone's benefit. In the end… he could not put bounties on the heads of the very people who had helped him climb even higher within the criminal syndicate. So Atton and Mira, while never fully trusting anyone, had some semblance of a normal life over the last decade and a half. Now… however, they both knew that the final battle was fast approaching, and that they would play roles in it as members of the "Lost Jedi".

The Refugee sector on Nar Shaddaa had also been transformed for the better since Dacen's battle with the Exchange. No longer were the men and women restricted to one part of the moon. They could travel and go to the many shops and cantinas. Many had jobs within the shadows of the Smugglers Moon that allowed them to improve their quality of life. Instead of shacks and old storage containers, the Refugee Sector had expanded and built up. The residences were not lavish by any means, but they were a far cry from the days of old.

Bao-Dur and Corna remained on the freighter to monitor Revan's movements on the Smuggler's Moon. The less attention they drew, the better off they were. Corna was amazed at the seemingly endless list of friends and associates that Revan and Bastila had cultivated in the last three decades. The trust and friendships he had seen so far only reinforced his beliefs that if the Jedi Council had been more open to helping at the beginning of the Mandalorian Wars, the Jedi Order itself would not be in the position it was today. Though they had been able to rebuild many of the enclaves, and were training new students, there were only some 300 Jedi Knights that could be called on in an emergency.

"… arrived a short time ago." Atton said, shaking Revan's hand. " They are waiting for us near the Swoop Track."

" Your children?" Revan asked.

" We sent them to the Sanctuary right after Dacen informed us what was happening." Mira replied. Her flaming red hair was longer now, but her blue eyes still held that fierce determination in them as when they did fighting with his uncle.

" They will be safe there." Revan said.

" Have you talked with your father?" Atton asked as they walked.

Revan nodded. " They are on the third leg of their journey." He replied. " When we have completed our tasks, we will rendezvous at the pre-arranged coordinates."

Atton nodded. " Good. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get on with our lives."

They left the dock area and entered the center of the Smuggler's Moon. Hundreds of men and women bustled back and forth to the shops and taverns. Bartering was being done every second, and the voices of some could be heard arguing for lower prices. The mass of bodies and thoughts raced through Revan as they neared the center pit.

" Rev…" Atton spoke softly.

" I see them." Revan said, his eyes glancing at the six men from under his hood. Their eyes had been on the trio since they had entered the Refugee Sector, and they were following at a distance.

" Bounty Hunters." Mira spoke softly. " Three Devaronians, two Rodians and a Duros. I don't recognize them. They must be free lance."

" The others?" Revan asked.

"No way have they been identified. Arren changed the color of her hair, Dralor looks like he always does, a Mandalorian mercenary, Vlaina, Senator Onasi and a female Jedi." Atton said.

Revan nodded. " They are following anyone that comes here. I do not sense recognition in any of them. They are searching. We need to throw them off."

" Suggestions?" Atton asked.

Revan nodded. " Yes. Follow my lead."

Anja could feel him getting closer as she and the others waited where Arren's friends had left them. She tried to pick him out of the crowd of people moving back and forth but the mass of people and emotions prevented her from centering herself.

Anja turned just as the tall figure walked up to her. Arren and the others knew almost immediately that it was Revan.

" Bounty Hunters!" Revan hissed the words before scooping Anja into his arms and covering her lips with his own before she could speak.

At Revan's warning, Arren instantly turned to her husband and they shared a deep kiss. Vlaina grabbed Senator Onasi, pinned him to the wall he was leaning against and pressed her body and her lips to his.

Anja's eyes were wide in shock at feeling Revan's lips on hers. She gripped the front of his cloak, and was about to shove him away.

Bounty Hunters Anja. He projected into her thoughts.

Anja immediately relaxed in his arms at the warning. She knew she was playing a part, and they needed to remain unnoticed. What she was not prepared for was Revan pulling her even tighter against him, his kiss becoming more intimate, and the sudden tingling warmth that was racing through her entire body. Anja's hands, gripping the front of Revan's cloak, suddenly spread out over his broad shoulders to encircle them. Almost instinctively, she pressed her supple body even harder against his muscular form, and a small whimper of delight escaped her throat when his arms lifted her off the ground and crushed her to him.

The bounty hunters stopped upon seeing this display and reasoned that no one that was being hunted would initiate such an act. After watching the two humans for several moments, they turned and drifted back into the crowd.

Atton and Mira were the first to break their embrace, followed by Arren and Dralor. Carth looked at Vlaina with wide eyes as she drew back from his embrace slowly. She smiled shyly. " Forgive me." She said, licking her wet lips.

Carth smiled." What for? I'm not complaining."

Arren and the others turned to stare at the only two who had not broken their embrace. Revan and Anja were oblivious to everything else around them, and were holding to one another as if their very lives depended on it. Arren stepped up to them quietly.

" Rev…" She whispered. Her softly spoken words had no effect on the couple. " Anja!" She hissed louder.

Revan's eyes popped open, Anja's slowly opening dreamily. They both realized everyone was watching them, and immediately their faces flushed red.

" They are gone." Anja said with a smile. " Can you two untangle yourselves now."

Revan slowly lower Anja back to the ground, releasing her from his embrace, embarrassment very obvious on his face. He looked at her, his eyes filled with an adoring love. " Sorry… sorry about that." He whispered.

Anja slugged him as hard as she could in the chest. " That's for doing what you did!" She snapped. " I was worried half to death you… you…"

" Insensitive bantha farmer?" Revan said with a smile.

" Yes!"

Revan took her face in his large hands. " I'm sorry."

Anja nodded, still not able to bring herself to take her hands from his chest. " Me… me too." She answered looking up at him.

Her face was flushed, her lips shiny and moist, and her eyes shone with a brightness he had never seen. Her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly and Revan couldn't help himself anymore. He leaned down and kissed her again, drinking in the feel of her soft lips. He could taste the caffa on her lips, and realized she liked it sweeter than most. Arren couldn't help but laugh as Anja responded to his kiss with just as much need and new found passion, pulling him to her by the front of his cloak.

Arren finally had to step between them. She put a hand on Revan's chest and pushed him back slowly. " Enough you two. I think we convinced them. Can we at least find some place a little more private, then you can continue. We're starting to draw attention."

Revan met her smiling eyes and nodded. " Yes. You are right." He lowered his hands, drawing Anja's smaller hands into his.

They could hear Atton chuckling and they turned to see him leaning against the wall, his arms across his chest. Mira was leaning against him, a huge grin on her face.

" I take it that this is the little kath hound we've heard so much about." Mira spoke.

Everyone noticed that Anja blushed even more, but did not release Revan's hand from her own.

Carth walked a little closer, his eyes on Revan, a look of shock on his face. Vlaina did not move far from his side, and her possessive body language did not go unnoticed. Revan turned and met Carth's eyes. " My god!" Carth spoke.

" Senator Onasi." Revan spoke, taking a deep breath and bringing his raging emotions back under control. " My father and mother speak very fondly of you."

" If I didn't know any better, you would be him." Carth said. " It's almost scary, even though you do have your mother's eyes."

" We can talk more later. Now… we should do as Arren has suggested and find someplace a little less open."

" C'mon folks. Let's head over to our place." Atton said. " It's private, well stocked and defensible. Besides… it's going to rain soon."

" Bao-Dur says we should leave just as the storm starts to break. He says about four more hours. You know how these storms can be here."

Atton was speaking with Revan in the confines of their residence. They were in one of Mira's old safe houses, but it was well stocked and had only one way in that needed to be defended. There was another, smaller hatch towards the rear which would take them to the tunnels below if they needed.

Revan shook his head. " It's fine. I think everyone needs the rest. We have all been operating under duress, and a few hours down time and sleep is what we need."

Atton nodded. " Sounds good to me." He turned and headed over to where everyone was sitting.

Revan turned to where Anja stood, looking out of one of the small windows. He walked up behind her slowly.

Anja?

I… I can't calm my heart. Her words filled his head.

Can I help?

Anja turned and looked at him. Will you hold me?

Revan pulled her into his arms tightly and Anja felt his peace fill her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, folding her body into his embrace, amazed at how naturally her body fit into his arms. She pressed her head to his chest a small smile on her face, as she felt a calmness of spirit she had never experienced wash over her.

Anja, what happen in the refugee sector? I did not mean for that to happen the way it did. Revan told her.

She looked up at him. I'm not complaining Revan. By the Force… how could I complain about that? I wanted it just as much as you did, perhaps even more. I have never felt as alive as I did when your lips were on mine.

Does that frighten you?

Revan… I've never experienced the emotions I have racing through me right now. I have been taught for so long that they are wrong, that I could only find peace in the Order's teachings that emotions are the path to the dark side. She wrapped her arms around him tighter, if that was possible. And she felt his arms draw her closer. But how can these emotions be wrong… when the only place I have found peace is in your arms? This bond we share. It has opened my mind to so many things I would never have experienced before. How can that frighten me?

This is not the way I had intended to reveal our bond to you Anja.

Bastila's words came to her then and Anja smiled. I know.

I will not force anything upon you Anja.

I know that as well Revan.

You like your caffa sweet don't you?

Anja looked at him. How do you know that?

Revan ran a finger gently over her lips. I could taste it.

Will you do something for me if I ask it of you?

For you Anja, I would conquer the galaxy.

She smiled at his words. Not that. Something much simpler.

Ask me. He said.

Will… will you kiss me whenever you want?

Revan looked into her breathtaking green eyes. That might well happen quite often.

Anja smiled, looking up at himhis eyes causing her heart to sing as she saw and felt the love and desire for her from them. The more often the better.

Revan lowered his lips to hers and pulled her closer to him.

They walked briskly down the walkway to the ship. Anjoul had the freighter's engines already warming up, and three Mandalorian scouts waited at the end of the ramp with Corna and Bao-Dur. Revan led the group, Anja's warm hand tucked into his.

Corna and Bao-Dur met them halfway down the walkway. Master Corna saw Anja's hand firmly in Revan's palm, and he looked at her. Anja met his gaze of disapproval with her own gaze of defiance, standing a little straighter and holding her head high. Corna was slightly taken aback, as he had never known his Padawan to meet his disapproving stare. This time however it was different. He nodded his head to her knowingly.

" We transferred all the equipment from the other ship." Bao-Dur spoke. " It is going to be a tight fit… but we are ready."

Revan nodded. " Then let us…"

" JEDI!" The voice called from behind them.

While everyone turned to look, Revan did not. He had already sensed them approaching. He turned only his head to look at them from under his hood. There were nine of them, each of them wielding a glowing red light saber.

" Dark Jedi!" Corna gasped.

Revan turned slowly to face them, reaching up to lower his hood.

" You bear the face of your traitor father boy!" The dark Jedi leader hissed out. " My Master will be pleased that I have found you. My instructions were to find and capture you! Your companions I will have the pleasure of killing."

" You should have attacked when you had your second to do so Sith scum!" Revan snarled.

" You are alone boy! You can not stand against nine of us!"

Revan turned and looked into Anja's eyes. She was drawing from the calmness within him, and her eyes smiled back at him. Revan turned back to the Dark Jedi with a smile. " Alone am I?" Revan tossed back his cloak with one movement and his twin light sabers lifted from his belt to slap into his hands.

Vlaina pushed Carth toward the ship. " This is not a battle we can fight Senator. We will do more harm than good. This is a battle of Jedi."

Revan settled into a smooth Echani fighting stance. " If I am so alone, then come get me. Boy!" Revan taunted. His twin blades ignited and spun gracefully in the hot humid air.

The Sith Jedi leader took a step forward and froze at the sound he heard next. The six figures standing with the son of Revan stepped quickly to either side of him in a phalanx. Six cloaks joined his on the ground. Standing to one side of the betrayer was a brown haired woman; to his other side was a black haired woman. Two Iridonians stood beside the black haired female, and two humans beside the other. That he had help did not concern the Sith Jedi. His concern began when all six of the others standing with the son of Revan ignited light sabers. Two twin bladed yellow ones, and four single bladed sabers.

The Sith Jedi paused for three seconds. It was three seconds too long.