CHAPTER EIGHT

Two of them had the ability and training to conduct Force Jumps for attack.

The second Revan and Bao-Dur left the ground, Mira and Arren stepped next to each other and released a Force Wave and Force Scream respectively. The Dark Jedi that were left standing after the Wave slammed into them, went down screaming in agony from the high pitched sonic wave that hit them. Two of the Dark Jedi died within ten seconds as both Revan and Bao-Dur finished their jumps with powerful downward sweeps with their light sabers. The remaining seven were staggered and looked up in time to see Anja, Corna and Atton come in right after the sonic scream. Master Corna was able to quickly dispatch the nearest dark jedi with a simple Force push that sent the man flying over the railing of the walkway. His screams echoed through the canyons of buildings until he disappeared from view. Anja and Atton immediately attacked the next closest to them. Light sabers clashed on the walkway, two red blades and a Viridian blade and single yellow blade came together. It was quickly obvious that the Dark Jedi were not in the same league as Anja and Atton. Anja had never been beaten in light saber duels in the Jedi Academy, and was considered the finest student in light saber skills to enter the academy in the last decade. After her short duel on Katarr, Anja did not have the tentative movements of someone who had not seen combat. Her skills came pouring through as she battered the Dark Jedi with her unique combination of power and speed. Her attack finally broke through and he screamed as her blade cut into his shoulder. His scream was silenced when Anja completed a spinning slash and decapitated him.

Atton had trained on Dxun with Dacen and Revan, and his skills were never an issue. His tall lanky form belied his strength and speed, and he had put down his foe after five quick attack movements that ended with a sweeping cut through the Dark Jedi's midsection.

Vlaina had her Mandalorian Assault Rifle out as she stood in front of Carth near the ramp of the freighter. She had appointed herself his protector, and though she would admit it to no one, even though he was twice her age, she found herself extremely attracted to him. She did not see Carth step around her, drawing his highly customized twin Mandalorian heavy pistols. The old Carth Onasi came to life as he lifted the weapons with incredible speed and started launching blasts down range. He fired only six times, and Vlaina's eyes widened as two more of the Dark Jedi fell, pierced through their heads with well aimed shots. The look in her eye when she gazed at him was something akin to adoration.

" Now that felt good!" Carth spoke with a grin. " I hate Dark Jedi!"

Revan turned to face the Dark Jedi leader and his remaining team member. All around them, lay his dead and broken comrades. His face was no longer one of confidence… it was now one of fear. He looked back to Revan, who stood calmly watching him. He watched Bao-Dur and the others circle around behind him, while the black haired young women with eyes like emeralds fell in beside the son of Revan. It was then that he noticed her blade was the same color as the twin blades of the traitor's son. The leaders' lone team member let out a piercing scream and raised his light saber over his head and charged. The yellow twin bladed light saber came out of no where and skewered his body with such force it lifted him up off his feet and dropped him on his back fifteen feet from where he stood. The Dark Jedi Leader watched as the blade ripped from his man's chest and flew back to Arren's hand.

The leader turned his eyes back to the son of Revan and the young woman at his side. He motioned to Anja with his blade. " She… she is your woman?" He hissed. " My Master will enjoy turning her."

Revan laughed. " I would like to see him try." He said. " She is as dense as a stand of Carnobian oaks, and as untamable as a Krayt Dragon."

" My Master will see you all die by his hand!"

Revan rolled his eyes. " Are you going to fight… or simply bore us to death with your tired old rants."

The Dark Jedi leader lifted his light saber in a rage and rushed Revan. It was a move by a man who knew he was dead. Revan simply stepped to one side and chopped the man in half. Anja looked at him after kicking away the dead man's light saber.

" Untamable Krayt Dragon?" She asked.

Revan looked at her. " It's the first thing that popped into my head."

" So I remind you of a Krayt Dragon?" Anja stood with her hand on her hip.

" Anja…"

" And now I'm as dense as a Carnobian oak vine as well?"

Revan stepped up to her quickly among the dead bodies and pulled her against him. " I want to kiss you now."

Anja grinned. " Well… you'd better do something. Your compliments aren't exactly something that inspires confidence you know."

Revan leaned over and kissed her hard on the mouth. Corna was shocked with the intensity of the kiss and the passion his young Padawan returned in that kiss. Anja was no longer the quiet, determined Padawan he had trained all these years. Her time with the son of Revan and his associates was turning her into a confident young woman before his very eyes.

" We should go before any friends they have show up." Atton spoke, pulling Mira toward the freighter.

Revan took one more look around, before allowing Anja to pull him towards the freighter. In seconds, the ship was airborne and blending into the traffic leaving the Smuggler's Moon.

" … heading now young Revan?" Corna asked as everyone was sitting in the main hold of the freighter. Almost everyone was drinking caffa, Atton sipping a mug of juma juice. The tension was bleeding off of everyone as they relaxed.

Revan looked at him after lowering his caffa. " Kashyyyk." He replied.

Corna looked surprised. " Kashyyyk? Why there?"

" Because there is a Wookie there that has sworn my father a life debt. He became the leader of his people three years ago when his father died. They destroyed the Czerka trading post there and I believe applied for entry into the Republic. I need to speak with him."

" You understand the Wookie language?" Corna asked.

Revan nodded. " Yes. I spent four years on Kashyyyk. It's a beautiful planet."

" So Zaalbar made Chieftain?" Carth asked from his seat. He held a mug of caffa in his hand. He had originally poured himself a glass of juma juice, but turned to see Vlaina watching him intently, her dark blue eyes intense. Carth had turned back to the drink and poured it down the recycler. He poured a strong cup of caffa, and under Vlaina's approving gaze settled into the chair next to her.

" He didn't want the position that is for sure." Arren spoke. She was leaning against her husband, her head on his chest. " He tried to get out of it, but his people consider him their savior. They wouldn't have it."

Carth nodded. " He did good by his people. It will be good to see him again. Whatever happen to that young Twi'lek girl that always hung out with him?" Carth asked. " Miss… Mission! Mission Vao!" Carth said. " That was her name. Is she still hanging out with him?"

Revan and Arren lowered their heads at the mention of her name. Vlaina reached out and put her hand on Carth's arm. " Your friend… she was lost on a mission. Two years ago."

Carth looked at her. " Lost? Lost how?"

Revan got to his feet and finished his caffa. " We have three days until we reach Kashyyyk. I suggest we use it to rest up and relax. Things will get interesting afterwards." Revan set his mug down and left the main hold area.

Carth looked at Vlaina again. " I may be old… but I'm not senile. Revan's son had something to do with this mission she was on didn't he?"

Vlaina nodded slowly. " He was commanding the strike team. Your friend… Mission… she had infiltrated a slaver group that was known to have information on some uncharted worlds in the Outer Rim. She led the strike team to this groups' lair. The mission was a success, except that the leader of the group escaped, and during his escape he captured Mission. She has not been heard from since."

" We haven't given up hope!" Arren spoke hotly. " We have people out looking for her. We'll find her. And when we do… those who took her will not be happy about who has come to get her back." Arren got up and left the main hold, Dralor close behind her.

Carth looked at Vlaina. " I didn't realize Jedi were allowed to show emotion these days."

" The son of Revan and daughter of Dacen Vorsut are not Jedi." Corna spoke looking at Carth.

" Could have fooled me." Carth spoke. " I've seen enough Jedi to know the difference too."

Anja got to her feet and looked at Corna and the others. " I'm going to retire now." She said setting aside her caffa and moving for the dormitory section.

Corna watched her walk until she was out of sight. He did a count of twenty in his head and then made his exit to the dormitory section as well. Carth looked at Vlaina, her shiny blue eyes focused on him. " What's your story?" He asked.

Corna knelt on the floor of the small dormitory room in the freighter. In front of him were his fellow Jedi Masters gathered in the Council Chambers on Coruscant.

"… currently on course for Kashyyyk." He reported. " We left Nar Shaddaa three hours ago. We seem to have gathered many of these "Lost Jedi" Vandar. All of them have the skills and discipline to hold the rank of Knight in our Order. Yet all of them seethe with emotions. They are controlled… but the emotions are there."

" Is there any reason you suspect for having Senator Onasi among your crew?" Jolee asked. " Revan and he had a falling out when he returned from the Outer Rim. I wasn't aware he and Revan had repaired their differences."

" He is here however. His purpose I have not discovered yet. I am unable to discern a pattern to what young Revan is doing. His movements seem impetuous and unfocused to the untrained eye, but there is meaning to what he is doing. It will take me longer to understand his plan, but it will come to me." Corna said. " I have a question Vandar."

" Yes?"

" Were you or any of the other Masters that decided to proceed with the retraining of Revan's mind aware of the intensity of his bond with Padawan Bastila?" Corna asked.

" Allowed them to sense each other's feelings it did? Share memories. This was the reason we proceeded as we did. Learned something different you have?" Vandar spoke.

" As you know young Revan developed this Force bond with my Padawan because of the events that took place on Dxun, the crash that nearly claimed her life. We accepted her for training even after you detected Bastila's imprint on her." Corna spoke.

" Know this we do." Vandar spoke.

" Vandar… young Revan and I were on Telos. Padawan Tamari was returning from Alderaan. They were able to communicate over that great distance through this bond, as if they were in the same room together." Corna explained.

Corna could see the other Masters murmuring among themselves. " Your Padawan allowed this bond to continue Corna?" Atris spoke, the disapproval evident in her voice.

" She has accepted it fully, yes." Corna replied. " Even before that… she was able to detect his emotions. It has progressed beyond that now."

"Beyond?" Another Master spoke.

Corna nodded. " She is becoming very close with young Revan. Traveling with him has brought out a confidence in herself I had not seen before now." He said. " Her skills are improving more rapidly than I have ever seen in a Padawan, and while her emotions are boiling underneath the surface, I also sense a great calmness in her."

" And you believe this bond with young Revan to be a factor?" The Twi'lek Master spoke.

" I believe it to be the largest factor, yes." Corna said. " The compound on Telos was over run by Morqukai Warriors."

" Morqukai? We were under the impression that sect of Nikto to be extinct. Their dark practices destroyed." Atris said.

" Yes I know. However… they were there. We battled them. I witnessed young Revan strike down six of them without so much as raising a sweat."

" Six you say?" The Twi'lek spoke, shock very evident in his voice.

" Yes… I was amazed as well. His skills are unmatched Vandar. I doubt any of us could stand against him in single combat. And just recently as we were departing Nar Shaddaa, a unit of Dark Jedi ambushed us." Corna explained. " I felt… inspired… my senses more keen than I ever remember. It was as if something was assisting me."

" Bastila's gift was battle Meditation." The Twi'lek Master spoke. " Could she have passed it on to young Revan? Or her other children? We should test them Vandar."

" I would not recommend that." Corna asked. " If their other children are trained even half as well as young Revan and Arren Vorsut… well I do not believe we should violate the trust they have put in us to protect their children."

" But if you were attacked by Dark Jedi… then the Sith have returned. They have put us at risk by bringing their children here!" Atris snapped.

" So the Council will not provide assistance should it be necessary?" Corna asked.

" The council's decision stands Corna." The Twi'lek spoke. " It must."

" We have faced Morqukai warriors and a squad of Dark Jedi and that is not enough to make the Council realize that we must provide support. There is a war coming, my friends. And it will not be as the Mandalorian Wars were. We will not be able to win this war if we wait for three years before entering it fully. This is going to be unlike anything we have seen. And if it is not met quickly and decisively, it could well spell the doom for the Jedi Order and The Republic."

" Consider your report we will." Vandar spoke.

Corna bowed his head slightly. " I will contact you again when I am able."

The ship was quiet except for the hyperdrive which hummed along propelling them to their next destination. The only sounds came from the main cargo hold where Bao-Dur had set up a bunk and promptly gone to sleep. He was uncomfortable in enclosed spaces, and the dormitory rooms were not large at all. Anja crept along the corridor until she reached Revan's room and touched the panel. The door slid open and she entered quickly, the door sealing behind her. The room was dimly lit, but she could see his form on the bed.

" Revan?" She spoke softly.

His head turned on the pillow. " I'm awake. What is wrong Anja?" He sat up, reaching above his bunk to increase the illumination. The sheet covering him dropped and Anja found herself staring at the chiseled muscles on his shoulders, arms and abdomen. She wore only her normal sleeping garments, which consisted of the long white shirt and black shorts. She moved to the side of the bunk and looked at him.

" I couldn't sleep." She said, sitting on the edge of his bunk.

" Yes… I can see that."

" I was thinking… I was thinking about you."

Revan smiled and reached up to stroke her cheek. " That's a good thing isn't it?" He asked.

Anja stared at him with her bright green eyes. " Revan… I want to sleep with you…" She said, almost embarrassed by the admission.

Revan sat up and leaned close to her. He kissed her shoulder. " I can assure you the feeling is quite mutual."

" But… I don't know if I am ready for 'that' yet." She finished her statement. She looked into his sapphire eyes, seeking any sign of rejection in them. " I want to feel… I want to feel your skin against mine. Your arms around me… but I've… I've never…"

Revan put a finger to her lips stopping her words. " Neither have I." He confessed to her. " I also understand completely what you are saying. Anja I will do nothing you don't want me too. I will take nothing you don't offer to me. Your emotions are confused, and jumbled. I can sense that in you." He stroked her long hair. " Perhaps… perhaps what happen on Nar Shaddaa should have been avoided. It put pressure on you. That is not what I wanted to do."

Anja looked at him. " Then why does it come so natural? Why does it feel so natural? The longer I am away from Coruscant and the Jedi Order, the more I begin to see things differently."

Revan shook his head. " The Order's teachings are not wrong Anja. How they are taught is where the conflicts come in."

" That's what Arren said."

" My father and mother believed in all the Order did when they were young. Our code is not so different than the Order's. We just believe that a person's emotions are more of an asset than a weakness, if that person learns to control their emotions. Harness the power those emotions can produce. We are sentient beings… and repressing the emotions that we as sentient beings feel on a daily basis… well, that seems to me to be more of a path to the dark side." Revan leaned over and kissed her softly. " It is late and you should get some rest."

" Can I stay here? With you?" Anja asked him. " I feel safer."

" Anja… there is only… there is only this one bed."

" We can share it."

" Ah… ok. Hand me my clothes and I will move over."

" Why?' Anja asked.

Revan looked at her. " I… I don't usually wear clothes when I sleep. It would not be appropriate for…"

Anja stood up and in one motion had pulled her shirt over her head, exposing herself to his eyes. She touched the illumination controls and waited until the lights were back at the level they were when she entered and then she crawled into the bunk with Revan. She settled onto the bed, pressing her body to his and resting her head on his chest.

I trust you. She spoke through their bond.

Revan calmed his passion for her, and put his arms around her pulling her close. He heard her contented sigh and could feel the tension leaving her body. He sensed her breathing slow and within minutes she was asleep. Revan thought about the emotions that were surging through him as well, and what she did to him. Her eyes alone were enough to make him want to give her the galaxy.

You realize in the morning that everyone will know you slept in my quarters. He told her just before sleep claimed him.

Anja nodded her head sleepily. I don't care.

Bao-Dur walked into the main hold the next morning and saw most of the crew lounging around in the seats drinking caffa and waking up. " Anyone seen Padawan Tamari? He asked, looking at everyone. " She's not in her dorm, and I downloaded a message for her from the Jedi Council."

Arren perked up quickly. " Not in her dorm?" She asked.

Bao-Dur shook his head. " No. I checked. It's empty. Doesn't look like it was slept in either.

Arren looked at Dralor. " You don't think…"

Dralor laughed. " You couldn't resist me for very long." He said.

Corna looked at them confused. " What are you saying Arren?"

Arren looked at Bao-Dur. " Try Revan's dorm." She said with a smile. " You'll find her there."

Bao-Dur nodded, not thinking anything of it and moved down the other corridor. Arren waited for a few moments before there was a large crashing noise.

" Get out!" Revan and Anja's voices combined echoed through the corridor, as well as the two pieces of furniture that had been Force tossed at the door when Bao-Dur entered Revan's quarters.

Bao-Dur came moving quickly back down the corridor into the main hold. He looked at Arren. " Yeah… ummm… she's there. I'll wait for her to get… ummm… just tell her to come see me when she can."

Only Corna did not burst out laughing at Bao-Dur's embarrassment. He didn't understand what everyone else seem to know, and realization didn't dawn on him until twenty minutes later when both Revan and Anja came into the hold. He had only a loose pair of training pants on… and Anja wore one of Revan's shirts which engulfed her, but stopped just above her knees. She clung tightly to his hand as they made their way to the counter to retrieve caffa, and he watched as Anja leaned against him as they drank, resting her head to his bare chest.

Master Corna turned back to the data pad he was reading. He was a Master Jedi, honored to have sat on the Council, and now honored to be serving the son of a friend. No one saw the small smile that played across his face at the happiness he could feel radiating from his Padawan. He nodded to himself.

" Perhaps you were right Revan my friend." He whispered to himself. " Perhaps you have always been right."

" Don't understand why they would want to speak with me." Anja told Bao-Dur, an hour later. She had used the refresher in Revan's quarters and changed into clean clothes, and when no one was watching, she had moved all her belongings into Revan's quarters. She had changed into a simple dark gray jumpsuit she had purchased on Alderaan, with a matching cloak.

Bao-Dur shrugged. " They seemed quite anxious. When I told them you were sleeping they said to have you contact them immediately."

" You didn't… you didn't tell them where you found me did you?" She asked.

Bao-Dur shook his head. " Not their business." He told her. " That's yours and Revan's business. I can set up the transmission if you like."

Anja nodded. " Yes."

Bao-Dur moved to the communications station and punched in some commands quickly. " This is Mandalorian ore freighter RSD-913. I have a secure com level four transmission from Padawan Tamari to the Jedi Council. Please advise."

" How did you obtain this channel? Who is this?" The voice spoke.

Anja stepped forward. " This is Padawan Anja Tamari of the Jedi Order. Pass Code 67145.9. Please connect the transmission immediately."

" Yes ma'am. Right away."

Bao-Dur looked at her. " I'll leave you alone."

Anja nodded and turned back to the holo imager as Vandar's face appeared. " Ah… Padawan Tamari. You are looking well."

Anja bowed her head slightly. " Master Vandar. I… I was under the impression I had been expelled from the Order for following Master Corna on this mission."

Vandar shook his head. " No Padawan Tamari. This is not the case. The Council determined having you and Master Corna accompany young Revan to be a wise move. I sense emotions Anja Tamari. Coursing through you, yet you are calm. At peace."

" I have learned quite a bit since beginning this mission Master." Anja said.

" So it seems. Word I bring young Padawan… of your parents!"

Anja's eyes widened. " My parents!"

Revan! Anja called out with her mind.

I'm here. He replied to her, moving up behind her almost immediately, putting his hand on her shoulder.

" Ah… young Revan. Hear this you must." Vandar alone stood in the transmission line, but the other Masters on the Council could see Revan and Anja. All of them saw her reach up and squeeze Revan's hand. " We have received a report from Ord Mantell. There has been an attempt on the lives of your parents."

" What! When? Are they alright?" Anja erupted with dozens of questions in her mind.

" Injured your father was, but not seriously. Your mother is unhurt. The attackers appear to be Bounty Hunters. Your father has many friends on Ord Mantell it seems. The attack did not succeed." Vandar spoke. " The Council will dispatch a knight to provide security for your family Padawan Tamari. We…"

" No!" Revan spoke quickly. " I will send people!"

" Unnecessary this is young Revan. The Order can provide assistance."

" Assistance?" Revan spoke. " Master Vandar how did they find out Anja was with us?"

" This is unknown." Vandar replied.

Revan nodded. " It's unknown because you have a spy working in the Temple docks!"

" This is not possible young Revan." Vandar spoke. " Full security measures are taken."

" Master… I mean no disrespect… but you'll forgive me if I do not trust in the Council's security measures. The only individuals who were aware that Anja and Master Corna would be accompanying us are the members of that Council… and the personnel in the docks that saw them come aboard our ship. Now… I prefer to think it is someone in the docks… and not someone on the council. Which would you prefer?"

Vandar nodded. " You are correct. I will order a re-evaluation of all dock personnel. The Council will still send a Knight to investigate."

" Fine." Revan said.

" We are not pleased by these events young Revan." Vandar spoke. " We would like to speak with you again, the Council and I."

" What would that accomplish Master Vandar?" Revan asked. " You and my grandfather I trust. The other members I do not. This threat has to be met. You can not wait for something to jump out and hit you in the face before you act."

" Will you honor our request young Revan?"

Revan sighed. " Very well Master. I will return to Coruscant in two weeks time to meet with you."

" Excellent. Where will you go now?"

Revan looked at Anja. " Ord Mantell." He replied before ending the transmission. Revan punched another panel. " Dralor! Contact Uncle Canderous. I want a full platoon of troops on their way to Ord Mantell yesterday! I will contact him from there. And alter course for Ord Mantell as fast as this crate will take us!"

" Shall I contact Zaalbar and inform him we will be delayed?"

" Yes. And have Bao-Dur prep two of the Pursuers! Vlaina is going to take Senator Onasi to Coruscant now! I want you and Arren to continue to Kashyyyk after dropping us off." Revan said.

" Dropping you off Revan?"

" I'm taking a Pursuer and going to Ord Mantell." Revan spoke. He turned to Anja. " Go to my quarters and pack a few things for both of us if you would. I'm going to transfer some supplies into the Pursuer."

" Revan… you…"

" They are your parents Anja." Revan spoke, bringing her hands to his lips and kissing them.

Anja smiled and leaned up to kiss him deeply. " I'll only be a few moments."

Revan nodded and headed for the cargo hold.

The Mandalorian Pursuer was a thirty meter long patrol ship. There were four of them tucked under the belly of the freighter, with access to the cockpits through the cargo hold. It was armed with twin blaster cannons in the front and a proton torpedo launcher. It held a crew of two, with cargo space in the rear for supplies or an additional three passengers. The crew members sat one behind the other, with the rear crew member controlling the ship, while the forward crew member controlled the weapons and other sensors. These craft had been heavily modified since the end of the Mandalorian Wars, and were now very fast and heavily armored as well. Dozens of them patrolled the space around Onderon and Dxun.

Carth stood looking at Revan. " … sure about this?" He asked. " I don't know if you are aware, but I'm not real high on the Senate's list of favorite people."

" You are a Republic Senator. Make them listen. And quickly." Revan said. " Vlaina will look out for your safety. And once on Coruscant I would imagine you will have Jedi protection as well."

" Listen… I…"

Revan shook his head. " You have nothing to apologize to me for Uncle Carth. You are and always have been a part of our family, whether you knew it or not."

" I can't begin to describe to you how much I have missed your father and mother." Carth spoke, his voice seizing up.

" I would imagine the same as they have missed you." Revan said.

Carth nodded. " I won't let your father down again."

" You never did Uncle Carth." Revan said.

Carth looked at him. " You know what was on that message cube don't you?"

Revan nodded. " I do. Father showed it too me several years ago."

" I heard talk through the years. I never believed it until now. This changes a lot Revan."

Revan shook his head. " I don't believe it will change things as much as you or I would like it too. Far too many lost their lives. But perhaps it will go a long way to healing things."

Carth nodded. " Watch your six Rev."

" I will."

Carth nodded and looked down into the cockpit of the Pursuer where Vlaina was already bringing the systems on line. He lowered himself into the seat behind her. " All right. let's see what this piece of junk can do!"

Revan watched as the clear dome closed over them and sealed. Carth looked up and gave a sloppy salute before triggering the release switch and the Pursuer dropped from below the freighter. Carth watched out the canopy as the freighter sped away and then turned back to his controls.

" All set?" He asked.

" Hyperspace course is plotted Senator Onasi." Vlaina said.

Carth leaned forward and put his lips next to her ear. " I think after last night you can dispense with the Senator Onasi thing. Carth sounds much better coming from you." He spoke softly, turning to blow softly in her ear and then nibble the lobe of her ear which had turned her to jelly the night before.

Vlaina smiled to herself at the memories of the night before and cocked her head towards his warm breath and lips on her skin. " You realize Carth… that you have marked me. I'm yours now. My father will want to test your honor."

Carth Onasi closed his eyes and for the first time in thirty years he felt like a young man again, a man with a second chance at redemption, a second chance at life.

He took a deep breath and smiled, the youthful glint returning to his eyes. " That is a test I look forward to beautiful!" He told her softly, just as he engaged the hyperspace engines. He didn't see Vlaina's eyes close in blissful relief, or the smile of satisfaction that split her face.

"… rendezvous back with you in three days." Revan spoke with Arren. He was sitting in the cockpit of the Pursuer, his hands bringing the systems on line.

" Revan… you know that if they targeted Anja's family… it was only a ploy to draw you out." Arren spoke.

Revan nodded. " She has not seen her mother and father in nearly a decade Anja. I have to take her."

" I know. Just be extra careful. At least until the troops from Uncle Canderous arrive." Arren said.

" I will."

Dralor came over and lowered the bag into the cargo compartment. " I added some extra items to Bao-Dur's list Revan. Just in case."

Revan smiled knowing that Dralor had probably equipped him with everything including planetary cannons. " Keep an eye on Arren Dralor."

Dralor looked at his wife and grinned. " That has never been a problem Revan. You know that."

Arren touched his shoulder. " May the Force guide you."

" And you." Revan replied.

" Anja!" Corna called, following along behind her heading towards the cargo hold.

Anja stopped in the corridor, slinging the bag with additional clothes for her and Revan over her shoulder. " Master… Revan is waiting. I have to hurry."

Corna came up to her. " I know. Be mindful of your surroundings young Padawan."

" I will Master."

" When in doubt… turn to your love for young Revan." Anja looked at him surprise in her eyes. He smiled. " You don't think I noticed. You think it doesn't permeate your being Anja, your aura. I know you still fight the emotions swirling inside you. You are strong in the Force Anja Tamari, and that strength is due in part to your love for young Revan. When all seems lost… turn to that love. Revan will not lead you astray."

" Master... I… I did not think you would approve of my feelings for Revan." She said.

" The will of the Force is unpredictable Anja." Corna spoke. " It has brought you and Revan together… as it brought his parents together. There is always purpose."

" Thank you Master Corna." She said.

" May the Force be with you."

Anja settled into the seat in front of Revan and secured her shoulder straps. Revan reached forward with his hand and placed it on her shoulder. " Think you can stand being alone with me for twenty-six hours?" He asked.

Anja turned her head and kissed his hand. " I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be."

Revan smiled and brought down the canopy. He adjusted the console and gripped the release switch.

" Here we go!"

Anja closed her eyes as she felt the Pursuer drop from the belly of the freighter.

CORUSCANT

Carth helped Vlaina down from the Pursuer, and they both stretched their limbs, trying to work out the kinks. Carth looked around the lading pad at all the towering buildings and the traffic zipping past them.

" It's been a long time since I was here." He said.

Vlaina turned as she spotted the figures appear from the building. Her hand dropped to rest on the butt of her heavy blaster. Carth stepped up next to her, his hand also dropping to his holster.

The two Twi'leks and the young human man came up to them. " Senator Onasi, a pleasure to have back on Coruscant." The human said. " I'm Cal Noura, Senator Kamas' personal aide. She has asked that I see to your needs."

Carth looked at him. " Good. Arranged a suite for me in the Senate Towers, and have fresh clothes sent up. I want a list of every Senator currently in the capital, and then I want you to have Senator Kamas arrange an emergency meeting with the Senate."

The young man nodded. " Senator Kamas said you would not be here unless you had a mission. She has asked if she may join you I your suite later to discuss what it is you intend."

Carth nodded. " That would be fine."

Noura looked at Vlaina with a look of disgust. " I will have servants quarters arranged for the Mandalorian you travel with Senator. She will…" The man stopped because Carth was suddenly standing four inches from his face, with a vicious looking snarl on his face.

" My companion is a Mandalorian Captain, Mister Noura. She is the only daughter of Kelborne of Clan Ordo, and Commander of Mandalore's Crimson Guard. She is also the most important thing in my life right now, outside of the message I carry for the Senate. If you ever refer to her as a servant again Mister Noura, you will find yourself waking up in a Kolto tank for at least a month's worth of recovery. Do I make myself clear?" Carth's voice was clear, calm and exceptionally deadly in its tone. Vlaina felt the warmth pass through her from his words and she smiled sweetly.

" My apologies Senator." The man spoke.

" Vlaina will be staying with me in my suite." Carth said. " Is there a problem with that?"

" No Senator. I will see to it. Do you wish a case of your usual Tarisian Ale delivered to your suite as well? "

" No." Carth said immediately. " I would like some of the chef's best caffa brought up though, along with two dinners from the kitchen."

" Yes, sir."

Carth nodded. " Good. And while you're doing that, I want you to arrange for the finest woman's tailor to come to my suite as soon as we arrive. I need a few dresses made."

Noura nodded. " Yes sir." He motioned with his hand. " Please… follow me."

Carth turned to Vlaina and took bag from her hand. " Did I get that right?" He asked with a smile.

Vlaina nodded with a bright smile. " I did not think you would have memorized it so quickly." She said.

" Yeah… well don't forget. I traveled with Canderous Ordo for a few months; he kind of rubs off on you." Carth said.

" Carth… what happen between us. I apologize for being so forward. We are taught to go after what we want." Vlaina said. " There was never an intention that you would be required to…"

Carth put his finger tips to her lips to stop her. " Believe me… I may be old… but no one has ever made me do something I don't want to do. This… I want to do. You are part of the reason I have my life back."

" You are not old Carth Onasi." Vlaina told him. " No one has ever left me a whimpering mass of pleasure as you did."

Vlaina started to follow Noura down the walkway as Carth felt his chest expand in that knowledge. He followed her, a new found step in his walk.

" What is the meaning of this Carth?" The older man asked him three hours later. " You show up here after nearly twenty years away from Coruscant! You demand an emergency meeting of all Senators in residence! My aide tells me you threatened him! Are you reverting back to the brash young military officer you were all those years ago?"

Carth handed the man a glass of Tarisian Ale, and saluted him with the mug of caffa. This did not go unnoticed by the older Senator. " You're not drinking anymore?" He asked.

Carth shook his head. " My life has taken some rather sharp turns the last few days Matais." He said. " And for however long is left of it, I will lead it the way I was suppose to."

" Left of it? Carth, are you sick?" The older man's concern was genuine, as Carth knew it would be.

The door to the bedroom of the suite opened and Vlaina stepped out wearing a stunning one piece wrap around dress in pale blue. The dress left her abdomen bare, and made the color of her hair and eyes stand out like never before.

" Carth it's beautiful!" Vlaina spoke before realizing someone else was in the room. She glanced at the older man. " Oh… I'm sorry. I'll leave you to your business."

" No Vlaina." Carth said, holding out his hand for her. She smiled brightly and walked over to him. " This is an old friend. Matais… I'd like you to meet the Commander of Mandalore's Crimson Guard. Vlaina, daughter of Kelborne of Clan Ordo."

" A Mandalorian!" Matais spoke without a trace of hostility in his voice. " And a stunning woman as well, if I do say so myself." He bowed to her slightly and took her hand, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Vlaina's smile was bright. " Thank you Senator."

" Ah… if only I was younger."

Vlaina smiled again, taking Carth's arm. " I'm sorry to disappoint you Senator, but someone has already claimed me for his own."

" As well he should." Kamas spoke with a smile. " Good for you. He's a good man. I had heard of a Mandalorian frigate docking at the Jedi docks. Caused quite a stir so I'm told. Were you part of that young lady?"

" Yes. I was."

" Interesting. So tell me Carth… what is it that brings you to Coruscant with such urgency, with a beautiful young Mandalorian woman on your arm, only a few weeks after a Mandalorian frigate docked at the Jedi Temple. Other than finding a dress for this stunning young woman of course? Why do you need an emergency meeting of the Senate?" Kamas turned and settled into the comfortable couch in the middle of the room.

" Do you remember Jedi Knight Revan Panlie?" Carth asked.

Kamas's head snapped around. " Is that a joke? Of course I remember him. He was our savior turned villain. He rescued us from the Mandalorian invasion and then turned on us the next year." He looked at Vlaina. " No offense young lady."

" None taken Senator."

" Then something happen during the Jedi Civil war, and he ended up saving the Republic again." Kamas finished.

" Do you know what happen during the Jedi Civil War?" Carth asked.

Kamas shook his head. " The details were never given out. You know how the Jedi Order is in regards to secrets. I heard he left for the Outer Rim a year after the Civil War ended. He returned nearly five years later and then was expelled by the Jedi Order for falling in love if my information is correct. With one of the Jedi who helped him destroy the Star Forge."

Carth nodded. " Yes… that is all true. What you don't know Matais… is that I was there as well. Alongside Revan on the Star Forge." The older man's eyes went wide as he looked at Carth. " I was there when he saved the woman he loved, and I fought beside him for the four months prior to that battle."

Matais came to his feet. " Four months prior? I don't understand. I thought Revan had somehow turned back to the light. That he used his knowledge of the Sith to destroy the Star Forge and most of the Sith Fleet."

" That is true… but there is quite a bit you don't know Matais. And now you need to know. Revan went against the Jedi Council's decision to enter the war because the Mandalorians were slaughtering us."

Matais nodded. " I know that! Without the Jedi that sided with him in the war, the Mandalorians would have destroyed the Republic."

" The Jedi Council would not enter the war because they sensed something deeper was involved. They felt something had encouraged the Mandalorians to invade the republic, goaded them into attacking us. Until that threat was revealed, they had no intention of entering the war."

" But they did enter the war. It was nearly over, Revan had swept them from republic space by that time, but they did enter the war." Matais said.

" They entered the war because the Jedi Order was staggering under the loss of its Knights. Many had chosen to follow Revan… and many did not return. They chose instead to follow Revan." Carth explained.

Matais nodded. " And then Revan fell to the dark side of the Force and became a monster. Carth… you aren't telling me anything I don't already know."

" Matais… what you don't know is that three years into the Jedi Civil war Revan Panlie was captured in a daring raid carried out by the woman he eventually married." Carth began. He joined Matais on the couch. " That raid was successful but there were complications."

Matais had put aside his drink and was staring intently at Carth. " Go on…"

" Malak betrayed Revan during that strike and fired on his ship just as the Jedi Strike Team reached his bridge. They…"

Carth went on for an hour, with Matais asking for and receiving three cups of caffa, his ale forgotten. Vlaina too was enthralled by the events, knowing most of the story, but not hearing some of the details through Carth's eyes before. When Carth finished speaking the room was deathly quiet. Matais slowly got to his feet and paced in front of the couch for several moments. He was one of the senior senators on the senate, and though not force sensitive, he believed deeply in the force and what it could do.

" Carth… Revan was responsible for the death of your wife. He separated you from your son. Yet you fought beside him when he came back to the light. Why?"

" I didn't know it at the time Matais… but I fought beside him then because he would do anything to save the Republic. And I can't begin to tell you of the things he did during our time together. He saved my son. He saved hundreds of people on Mannan; assisted the Wookie race in freeing themselves from slavery. And when his memories returned to him, his only thoughts were of the Republic and ending the war that was destroying it. And saving the woman he loved. And he would have killed her Matais… he would have killed her to accomplish that goal. I also just found out that…" Carth took a deep breath. " I just found out that it wasn't Revan who ordered the attack on Telos. It was Malak."

" Where did you obtain that information?"

Carth held up the blue message cubes given to him by Arren on Alderaan. " There are two logs on these cubes Matais. Two personal logs recorded by Revan. One just before that last battle on Malachor V. The other six weeks before he was captured by the Jedi. They were given to me by Revan's son."

" His son!" Matais gasped.

Carth nodded. " Yes. His son. Who just happens to be a near twin to his father if not for his mother's eyes."

" What's on these cubes Carth?" Matais asked. " What is so important and frightening that would have brought you all the way to Coruscant to demand an emergency meeting of the Council?"

" These cubes… Matais… these cubes hold the reason the Mandalorian Wars began, the reason Revan Panlie chose to become a Sith Lord… and the reason the republic needs to mobilize for war once again." Carth told him.

" Carth! Get down!" Vlaina's voice screamed.

Carth turned in time to see her launching herself through the air at him, bringing both Matais and him down to the floor just as the outer window of the suite erupted in a mass of glass and steel. Something hard struck his head, there was a flash of pain, and then blackness washed over him.