CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

NABOO

Humans had not settled Theed until nearly fifty years ago, and population centers were just starting to become centralized. Deeja Peak was the first settlement at the base of the mountains, and was known as the capital, though many of the ministers preferred the more comfortable surroundings of the city of Theed, and spent most of their time there in the Governmental Hall. The King of Naboo, Tarfan Marmele, was a man of great intelligence and patience. He was also no fool. The Nubians had never been directly involved during the Mandalorian and Jedi Civil Wars, but Tarfan also knew that the Republic Senate was as corrupt as anything he had ever seen. When Revan had approached him nearly a decade ago, he had been openly cautious as Revan was the former Dark Lord. It had not taken long however for Revan and his wife to convince him that their intentions now were quite honorable. After their first meeting when Tarfan had told Revan he would need to discuss everything that Revan had brought to him with his Imperial Council, Revan simply bowed and told him to contact him at his convenience. The Mandalorian capital ship that Revan traveled in though left nearly four hundred metric tons of supplies at the Theed spaceport before they departed, to include items that would be vital to improve the way of life for all Nubians. Revan had never spoken of the gift again, and Tarfan never asked. One month later, Tarfan contacted Revan with a formal invitation and request for assistance and aide.

When that aide arrived, the people of Naboo had been stunned. They thought they would receive only military supplies and equipment. What came was ship after ship of engineers, building materials, construction droids, doctors and nurses, and farming supplies. The Mandalorian and Jedi began by building schools and hospitals and then branching into the area of farming, nearly tripling the output of the Nubian farms and settlements. The entire first year, not one mention was made of any military assistance. Tarfan finally came to Revan and asked the question that had plagued him for weeks. Where was the military assistance that Revan had included in their agreement? Revan's response was a smile and something Tarfan had not expected. He was waiting for Tarfan's permission.

Tarfan had laughed for two days afterwards. They had spent the better part of a year proving to the King and his government as well as the people of Naboo that they were friends first, military allies second. And that was the extent of the relationship. A relationship that had blossomed over the last decade.

Visas winced under her shawl as another piece of equipment smashed against the side of the room in the Theed Governmental Hall. Tarfan stood quietly in the same room next to Visas as Canderous roared his outrage at the death of one of his closest friends. Tarfan had waved away aides that had coming running when the first chair went through the large glass window and fell the hundred feet into the lake below. Canderous's rage finally spent, he leaned against the far wall, his hands spread out, his knuckles bruised and bleeding from where he had struck the wall twice. Visas walked up behind him slowly, reaching out to place her hand on his shoulder. His head came up when he felt her warm touch and she felt him take a deep breath and turn to face her.

"We must inform Revan." He said.

"Canderous, he was your friend." Visas spoke softly. "It is not wrong to feel what you feel."

Canderous looked at her face, her eyes hidden by the shawl. This woman had shared his bed and his life now for the last two decades. He did not need to guess what her face looked like under the shawl, her sightless eyes a milky white in color. He knew every scar she bore on her body as well as he knew his own. It amazed him at times how she knew exactly what he was thinking at any given time, or the fact that a few simple words from her could put him at complete ease and draw him back from the berserker brink. He was Mandalore, and he needed to act as Mandalore.

"We do not have time to mourn our dead." Canderous spoke firmly now. "He died as a Mandalorian should; in battle taking as many of the enemy with his as he could. There is no greater honor than that."

"And he died protecting the lives of others." Visas said.

Canderous nodded. "Worthy of the highest honors." He took another deep breath and reached up to caress Visas soft skin. "You would make a fine Mandalorian wife Visas Marr. We could have produced many fine children. Though it was not meant to be."

Visas placed her hand over his on her cheek and she smiled warmly. "Oh I think perhaps the Force would say otherwise Canderous Ordo." She moved his hand down her still very curvy body and placed it over her abdomen. "Our son grows in my womb Mandalore. Your son."

Canderous looked confused for a moment before his eyes showed recognition at her words. He looked at her face and took her in his arms. "Do not jest with me woman!"

Visas smiled warmly and kissed him softly. "I have given you a reason to remain among the living Canderous of Clan Ordo. I expect you to honor your traditions and insure you conquer many of the enemy, but you return to raise your son. And if you do not, I expect you to die in the manner befitting the legacy of Clan Ordo so that your son is able to embrace that legacy when he is born. I will insure he continues that legacy."

Canderous's face showed his shock at Visas adhering to the Mandalorian code. He watched as she turned and walked away from him. She had informed him she would bear him a child, a heir. And now, as in the Mandalorian Way, she would avoid him for three days enabling him to celebrate with his warriors. Then she would return to him, and they would continue their life together.

Canderous turned to Tarfan, who was smiling. "Congratulations my friend." Tarfan said stepping up to him.

Canderous took a deep breath and felt his chest swell. He felt thirty years younger at this very moment, and he had a war to help direct and fight. "We have much to do Tarfan. I believe we should get to it."

The King of Naboo nodded. "Indeed."

Revan stood in the Jedi High Council Chambers with the other Jedi Masters and Carth. In the center of the room was the hologram image of Canderous and the King of Naboo.

"… been getting word for several hours now Canderous." Revan was speaking. "Ryloth has fallen. The Sith butchered many of the remaining civilians when the Rylothian Prime Minister told them to basically stick their plan of converting Ryloth in their collective ears. I am sorry about Kelborne my friend. Have you contacted Dralor and Arren?"

"I will do so after we finish here." Canderous replied. "Republic, you got anything to send my way?"

Carth stepped forward. "Two hundred additional ships are leaving tomorrow and being chopped to you. Including five Interdictor capital ships."

Canderous nodded. "I'll use them wisely." He said.

"We have them coming in on two corridors Canderous. In the Arkanis sector where Ryloth has already fallen; and they have also entered through The Centrality where it appears they are heading for Gand first." Revan told him.

Canderous nodded. "They are weaker planetary systems, but have plenty of resources. Revan we will not be able to protect every planet, you know this."

Revan nodded. "They are bypassing many of the populated Rim planets, Mon Calamari being the largest example. I believe their intent is to cut them off, starve them into submission."

Mandalore nodded. "Not a sound tactical move." He spoke. "But when you have overwhelming numbers on your side, it makes sense. They can ride the Corellian corridor all the way to Coruscant, and stifle all traffic on the Perlemian Trade Route. It also allows them to reinforce many of the positions they will no doubt establish."

"We're getting unconfirmed reports from the Raioballo Sector of large concentrations of smaller Sith ships in the area." Revan spoke. "I'm going to contact Rev Junior and have him conduct a search. Right now we have to react to their moves, but as it stands they appear to be using the corridors I predicted."

"Their ships are tough!" Canderous said. "Kelborne's last report sent back plans and such. Their capital ships are based on the Interdictor ships the Star Forge was churning out. Heavily shielded and armed. Kelborne was able to destroy one ship with a full missile barrage, but it took nearly a hundred missiles to do it. The few witnesses to his death said three of the Sith capital ships fired some sort of energy weapon that brought down his aft shields almost immediately. From there they simply pounded him."

Revan could sense the anger in Canderous's words; and the despair. "Canderous, I can send Dacen to your location if that is what you choose."

Canderous looked at him through the holo imager and shook his head. "No. I'm too old to be leading an attack fleet. My skills are best used in planning our operations. I know that. And it is also something you should know as well. I thank you my friend, but this war is not for conquest. This is for survival. There are precious few of us who have seen combat as we have, and we can not go off on missions of vengeance. We need to direct our forces. I will remain on Naboo, and use delaying tactics. I will hit them at every turn, every asteroid field and every moon, all the while building up the defenses we agreed upon, and ushering the refugees to safety. I will whittle away their will and make them sloppy. When the time is right, then I will crush them and make them regret they ever started this foolhardy mission."

Revan nodded. "Their numbers are superior Canderous. We need to find out where they are hiding their shipyards. I fear that we may be dealing with shipyards similar to the Star Forge but not on as grand a scale."

Canderous eyes grew a little wider. He nodded however. "That makes sense. If this Sith pig is as evil as you say, then the Star Forge would not have been his only means of mass producing and constructing the forces to crush us. I will dispatch small strike teams from our Dxun Jedi to search for these shipyards."

"Canderous… all the republic shipyards have gone to full readiness. We're going to be churning out ships as fast as we can. We have engineers flocking to Coruscant and every shipyard in the Republic to speed the process." Carth spoke now. "I'm even pulling many of our mothballed fleet out for refit."

Canderous nodded. "I have informed our Mandalorian shipyards to speed production as well. Concord dawn is sending a hundred LICTOR-Class dreadnaughts, but it will be several weeks before they arrive in Republic space. I have also sent out messages to every corner of the galaxy requesting that any Mandalorians who have turned from the path of honor to come to Naboo. I have given them a chance to redeem themselves, and it could very well swell our ranks. I know there are thousands out there still, living the pathetic lives of mercenaries. I'm giving them to chance to redeem themselves now."

"Master Vandar is sending you a hundred Jedi from the Temple here on Coruscant." Revan spoke. "More are still returning from across the Republic, but they are ready to move now. They understand they will be under your command."

Canderous nodded. "I'll put them to good use."

"Dacen is commanding our largest task force." Revan continued. "His plan right now is to sweep wide through Hutt space and then hit the Sith forces while they assault Gand. Bastila is with him and we'll see how they stand up to her Battle Meditation."

"Good. I do not want to be on the receiving end all the time. Make sure he has Kelborne's information before hitting them." Canderous turned in the image and spoke to someone out of their sight quickly. He turned back. "The survivors from Kelborne's fleet are arriving. I want to debrief them myself. I'll contact you with any new information."

Revan nodded as the image faded and he looked at where the Jedi Masters had sat quietly in their chairs.

"What is it Revan?" Vandar asked. "We sense concern in you."

"I need you to recommend to the Chancellor to leave Coruscant." Revan said after looking at Carth and receiving the nod. "This Sith Master was able to infiltrate too much of the Senate over the years. I fear he will have spies everywhere. The Chancellor needs to be in a safe location with men he can trust at his side."

"You don't trust his aides Revan?" Atris asked.

"No. There is too much risk that one of his aides is a spy." Revan answered. "I want him removed to an unknown location with Jedi as his aides. I trust the Jedi, I have no reason to trust any who say they serve him. We can recommend he take as many of the senior Senators as he wishes, and provide them with whatever they need."

Carth nodded. "I concur." He echoed. "Coruscant is the ultimate target. Militarily it makes the most sense to sow confusion and chaos in the enemies' capital. With the Chancellor gone, it takes away a very soft target."

"It also eliminates the possibility of the politicians interjecting their views to you as the war progresses." The Twi'lek Master spoke.

Revan nodded. "Yes it does. They need to allow us to run this war. I can't be bothered with political motives that do not benefit the entire Republic. And they will come."

Vandar nodded. "Undoubtedly." He spoke. "I also agree. I will contact the Chancellor Revan. You and I will present this to him."

Revan nodded. "Very well."

"I believe with the added defenses provided by our Wookie allies that the Temple here is safe for the moment." Vandar spoke. "However, inform all within our walls they are to be prepared to disperse at a moment's notice. We received a message from Yuthura on Dantooine. It appears young Revan has discovered Sith of pure blood acting as pilots on the transports sent there. They have also discovered what appears to be a previously undocumented crystal cave that is tainted by the dark side."

Revan nodded. "He informed me as well through our bond. He and Master Juhani are investigating the cave now."

"Revan, we have heard nothing from Master Corna." Atris asked. "Where is he?"

Revan looked at her and smiled. "I was wondering when someone would ask me that."

DANTOOINE

Revan junior moved slowly down the cave tunnel, his hand gripping the hilt of his lightsaber tightly. He estimated they had gone nearly two hundred meters into the tunnel, with the light slowly slipping away causing them to use luminary grenades as they went. Their eyes had adjusted well enough they could see the walls of the tunnel, but not much past a twenty meter distance. There seemed to be some sort of glow coming from the rock walls themselves, but not nearly enough to see clearly. The tunnel was roughly ten meters wide, and they moved down either side very slowly. Anja was across from Revan, and he could feel her apprehension through their bond. Both of them could feel they were getter closer to the source of the darkness they felt, and it was growing stronger as they got closer. They were moving like ghosts, making no sounds as they measured each step. Both Revan and Anja were masking their Force signatures, compressing their auras until they were barely discernable.

Revan stopped when he saw that the tunnel became brighter and opened up about fifty meters in front of him. He could see the shining crystal formations in the distance, and felt the power they radiated within the Force. As they moved slowly forward, the tunnel curved slightly, and Revan's eyes grew wide when he realized the tunnel opened into a huge cavernous chamber. There were crystal formations dotting the floor and sides of the chamber all around them, and what appeared to be an underwater pool of some sort that stretched as far as they could see.

Revan's eyes saw the small stack of salvaged equipment on the other side of several crystal formations, and the covered figured of someone lying down on the dirt. He was about to take another step when something bright red flashed in front of him. Only Revan's near inhuman instincts allowed him to lean back far enough to not lose his head as he recognized the snap hiss of a lightsaber blade.

"Die scum!" The black clad dark Jedi screamed, rushing forward, his crimson blade glowing in the tunnel.

"Eat this!" The Master Chief barked, pulling the trigger on his rifle.

The Dark Jedi stopped, and easily deflected the bolts wide. He lifted his hand slightly to unleashed a storm of Force lightning but stopped when the two Viridian lightsabers ignited with a whoosh and Revan and Anja stepped fully into the crystal cave.

"Jedi!" He hissed.

"Do you greet everyone like this?" Revan asked his voice calm. He moved to his left as Anja moved to her right, their lightsabers gleaming in the cave.

The Dark Jedi drew back his cowl, revealing his features. This was no normal Dark Jedi, Revan knew immediately. Standing before him was a Dashade warrior. He clutched his crimson lightsaber in clawed hands, his high forehead shimmering in the dim light, and his lamprey like mouth glittering with razor sharp teeth. His amber eyes gleamed with hate as he stared at Revan.

The Dashade were thought to be extinct, destroyed during the Cron Drift super nova during the Great Sith war. It was painfully obvious that information was wrong as standing before them was a Dashade warrior, who was obviously very strong in the Force, and physically imposing as well. He was heavily muscled, his form nearly bursting from the dark robes. Revan's mind flashed with information, realizing that Dashade warriors were partially immune to some force based powers. Long ago the Jedi and the Sith had used this species for different reasons, either as instructors or assassins, because of their special abilities.

"Stand down." Revan spoke. "We can provide medical attention to your friend. But this cave is completely surrounded."

"Surrender?" The Dashade laughed. "To you? Never!"

"I do not wish to kill you." Revan continued.

"It is your blood that I will spill in this cave." His amber eyes flicked to where Anja stood ready. "Perhaps after I have crushed you I will take the female and use her for my pleasure before I carve out her heart and feast on it!" He reached out with his clawed hand and unleashed a storm of Force lightning at Revan.

Revan flicked his lightsaber over and felt the blade soak up the energy and deflect it away, crashing into the cavern wall. The Dashade Jedi sent a surge of lightning at Anja, who also caught the lightning on her lightsaber and deflected it harmlessly off to the side. The Dashade hissed loudly and reached out his hand to the large boulder on the ground near her, and sent the hundred kilometer boulder hurtling at Anja with blinding speed before leaping to attack Revan with his lightsaber.

Revan parried the leaping blade with ease, stepping to the side with equal speed and waving his hand at the Dashade warrior. The extra Force push sent the warrior sprawling forward, barely able to maintain his balance at the unexpected maneuver. Revan glanced quickly to Anja, who had ducked easily under the boulder and was moving to assist him.

Anja! Take the Master Chief and the others and secure the Sith pilot. I will keep our friend busy! Revan sent to her through their bond.

Anja didn't hesitate and looked back to where the Republic soldiers were trying to get clear shots at the Dashade warrior.

"This way!" she shouted to them.

The Master Chief turned and saw her motion to him and he ushered his team forward and followed them.

Revan didn't wait after telling her what to do and he turned back to face the Dashade warrior, drawing out his second lightsaber and igniting it. The Dashade warrior stopped at seeing this, while he clutched his single blade, his mind racing through options. This was obviously not an average Jedi he was facing. He could sense the great power in this man, and it was drawing from all spectrums of the Force. He lunged forward again, stabbing outward with his lightsaber. Revan leaned to one side and batted the blade away with his shorter lightsaber while sweeping his combat blade in from the right. The Dashade warrior was fast, nearly as fast as Revan's father, and he was able to parry the Viridian blade before it sliced into his side. He danced to the side, his crimson blade slashing the air in front of him in an intricate dance. He sent small rocks flying at Revan as he moved, finding himself impressed as the human deflected them all away with barely any effort. This Jedi was calm and in control, his every movement full of confidence and grace. The warrior could feel the power of the Force swirling through this young human as he'd seen only once before, in the presence of his Master.

He watched warily as the young human brought the two ends of his lightsaber together forming the double bladed shaft, one end slightly longer than the other. He could see the female Jedi moving with the humans toward the Sith pilot it was his duty to protect. She flowed with the Force as well, nearly as powerful as the human he was fighting. This was not expected. The mission to destroy and slaughter the Jedi in the enclave here on Dantooine had been simple enough, however they had not counted on the Mandalorian Pursuers or the mass of Cathar troops that had crippled their lines.

"I can feel the indecision in you." Revan spoke, his eyes never leaving the Dashade warrior. "We need not fight."

"I will crush you Jedi, and then I will take the woman and have my way with her!" The warrior spat, trying to illicit a negative reaction from his foe.

Revan felt the small smile cross his face. "Did your Master teach you to fight as well? Or are you only able to spew forth meaningless words."

The Dashade warrior screamed his rage and leaped at Revan again, his lightsaber cutting through the air. Revan brought up the longer edge of his dual blade and slapped the crimson lightsaber aside, while twisting the shorter end around with near blinding speed. The blade slammed into the Dashade warrior's shoulder and Revan noted that his body armor was coated with cortosis. The blade sparked as it scrapped the armor, but the blow carried enough power to knock him to the side and sent him rolling on the ground. Revan watched as the Dashade warrior came to his feet quickly, bringing his lightsaber up. His armor was smoking from where Revan's blade had connected, and his eyes went to it quickly. His amber eyes glared at Revan with the fury of hate filling his being. He unleashed a Force wave of incredible power that caught Revan in mid step. The wave lifted him up and tossed him against the wall of the cavern. Revan grunted in pain as he felt the force of the impact, even through his armor. He got to his knee as he heard the Dashade warrior chuckling to himself.

Revan leaped at him, seeing the Dashade warrior do the same. Revan twisted in mid air and kicked out with his boot, catching the warrior square in the chest with the Force assisted kick. He could feel the crunch of bones through the bottom of his boot as the Dashade warrior was smashed against the side of the cavern as Revan had been moments earlier. The only difference this time is that his body armor's integrity had already been compromised due to the lightsaber blow. When his body connected with the cavern wall, his shoulder buckled and snapped in three places. He was unable to right himself before falling with a painful grunt to the ground. Revan settled to his feet and spun his dual lightsaber in front of him.

Anja and the Marines made it to where the wounded Sith pilot was lying. She pulled back the blanket that covered the Sith and winced when she saw the damage the crash had caused. The entire right side on his body had been ripped open, blood soaking his uniform. His right arm had been severed clean off by the twisted fuselage. The wounds looked as if they had been cauterized and she realized that the dark Jedi must have used his lightsaber to stop the bleeding. Her senses were alive and as she felt Revan fighting the Dashade warrior, and the presence of the crystal cave was causing everything to reflect back to her. Her head came up when the darkness they had sensed earlier reared up stronger than ever, and she turned. She could just make out Revan and the Dashade fighting, but the darkness wasn't coming from the dark Jedi as she had first thought. It was coming from someplace else, and it was growing closer. Her eyes scanned the darkness around them as one Marine began to slap Kolto bandages on the wounded Sith. She felt vibration in the ground, as if someone was walking with heavy footsteps towards them.

Anja turned and reached into the Force, no longer masking her Force presence. Her eyes widened when she felt the cold horrible sensation of death touch her. Her eyes settled on the darkness to her front as she watched the large tooth filled maw poke from the darkness. The razor like teeth she saw were easily six to seven inches long and filled the wide mouth from edge to edge, with dozens of smaller teeth dotting the drooling mouth. She spotted the four gleaming yellow eyes atop the light brown fur, and the long curving quills that extended down the muscular and sinewy back. This creature exuded darkness on a scale she'd never seen before, as the clawed feet brought it closer and closer to her and the Marines.

"A Nexu!" She gasped.

Her words made one of the Marines turned and his eyes nearly bugged from his head when he saw the Nexu. His rifle came up in an instant and he pulled the trigger. The Nexu was far faster. His screams died between the jaws of the Nexu as its leap carried it over Anja to land on top of the Marine and it savagely tore the man's head and upper body from the lower body, splashing blood all over the area. The Master Chief turned at the petrified scream of his man and nearly lost his stomach at the site before him. The Nexu was gulping down the remaining part of what used to be his fellow Marine, his teeth and jaws covered in bright red blood. He fell back, lifting his rifle and unleashed a flurry of shots that burned into the flesh of the creature causing it to howl in agony and turn to face him.

Anja plunged her light saber into the creatures' side, the smell of burnt flesh and singed hair entering her nostrils as the Nexu roared in rage and pain. It swiped out with an enormous paw, it's four razor like claws digging into Anja's side tearing through her armor and biting deeply into her skin. She screamed in agony, her lightsaber dropping from her grasp as she curled into a fetal position, clutching her torn side.

The Master Chief lifted his assault rifle and unleashed a full power pack at the Nexu, the blaster bolts ripping into the creature from short range, punching through its body. He took his finger off the trigger only when his rifle began to overheat from the constant and sustained burst. His eyes strained to see through the stars he had created with his light show, only to hear the Nexu whimpering in pain, but still alive.

"Sith's spit!" He cursed as the Nexu came back into view, blood pouring from at least a dozen wounds, one of its front legs blown clean off, but still very much alive. He raised his rifle again just as the Nexu prepared to leap and end his life. He don't know where the massive boulder came from, but it fell upon the Nexu quickly crushing the creature's spine into the damp earth, pinning it to the ground. The Chief's eyes flicked over to where Anja now leaned against the cavern wall, her hand over her bloody side and a look of agony on her face. She was trying to use the Force to stop the bleeding, concentrating hard, and hoping that there were no other creatures in the area.

"Check the pilot!" She grunted through clenched teeth, pulling herself into a better position against the wall.

Revan felt Anja's agony through their bond and his heart beat quicker as he could feel her healing herself with the Force. She was weak however and he needed to end this battle now. The Dashade warrior faced him, favoring his left shoulder, and holding his lightsaber in his right hand. He glared at Revan, as they circled one another.

"We can treat your injuries." Revan spoke. "We don't have to fight. You'll be treated as a Prisoner of War."

"Never!" The Dashade warrior screamed, rushing forward at him.

Revan held his ground as the dark Jedi battered at him with his lightsaber. His blows were powerful, but poorly timed. Revan was able to deflect them with minimal effort while looking for the opening he needed. In a last ditch attempt to kill him the dark Jedi unleashed a massive attack of Force lightning. The cavern lit up like it was day time, as Revan was able to absorbed most of the attack with his lightsaber. One thin pencil of lightning however escaped Revan's blade and punched a hole clean through his body armor and shoulder. Revan grimaced and stepped back momentarily, smelling his burned flesh. He ignored the immense pain and struck out with an Echani warrior's curved palm. The knife edge of his hand struck the dark Jedi in the side of the throat bringing him up in piercing agony. His hands went to his throat only to see Revan's left foot lifting off the ground at him. He tried to dodge the kick, and managed to slide under most of it, but the heel of Revan's boot scrapped his temple enough to stagger him back. It was the opening Revan had waited for.

Revan stepped forward and planted a straight heel strike into the Dashade's chest. The blow carried all of Revan's strength fueled by pain and worry for Anja. It connected just under his sternum and instantly shattered most of his ribs. His eyes went wide when he felt the pieces of his ribs splinter inside his body and several pieces punctured his three lungs and heart. He dropped his lightsaber as the nerves in his body screamed in protest over the pain. Revan stepped into his body and drove his forehead into the twisted face of the warrior, blood erupting from his crushed nose. He staggered even further back, and through pain filled eyes was unable to prepare for the Force wave that Revan directed at him. The power of the wave was fueled by Revan's own pain and emotions and lifted him off his feet and sent him hurtling into the cavern wall. There was a moment of intense pain upon contact, and then nothing, as the concussive force of the wave pulverized his body against the unmoving cavern wall, crushing every single bone in his batter body.

Revan turned quickly and dashed over to where Anja leaned against the wall, her eyes filled with pain.

"Anja?" He whispered.

"It hurts my love." She grimaced. "Can't focus."

Revan lifted her hand from the wound and could see the four deep tears in her otherwise perfect flesh. He placed his palm over the wounds and closed his eyes, channeling his healing power into her. Anja placed her hand over his, her grimace lessening as the pain began to slowly fade. Revan turned his head. "Chief? Toss me a Kolto patch!"

The Master Chief looked up from where he was helping his remaining team member apply Kolto bandages. He tore open his combat vest and drew out another of the life saving patches and tossed it to him. Revan tore open the package and placed it over the wounds in Anja's side. "Hold this." He told her.

"I'm ok now." She said the strength in her voice returning. She saw the lightning wound in his shoulder and reached for it. Revan stopped her.

"Concentrate on yourself." He said with a warm smile. "I am in no danger." He moved her hand over her own wound. "Draw from me if needed. But worry about yourself for now."

Anja nodded slowly and looked down at the wound in her side. "I zagged when I should have zigged." She said with a pained grin. "Nexu's are not native to Dantooine." She spoke. "How did that one get here?"

Revan looked at the now dead creature pinned to the floor of the cavern. "I don't know." He said in reply. He turned back to her and reached out to caress her face. Anja's green eyes smiled at him. "I'll be right back."

Anja nodded. "I know."

Revan moved over to where the Chief and the female Marine were working on the Sith pilot. "What's his condition?"

The female Marine shook her head. "The Kolto is having a small affect, but his wounds are terrible. The only thing that will save him now is time in a Kolto tank."

"Listen!" The chief spoke, holding up his hand.

They became quiet and could hear the low whine coming from down the tunnel. They turned to face the noise.

"Sounds like a laser drill." The chief spoke.

Revan nodded. "Indeed it does."

As they watched they saw the thin beam of a laser drill burst through the rock wall a sizeable distance down the tunnel that they had not yet traveled. It cut in a circular motion until the wall collapsed, nearly blinding them with the sunlight that poured through. They saw figures burst through the new opening.

"Revan!" Boa-Dur's voice carried down the tunnel.

"Here!" Revan shouted, relief evident in his voice.

The Chief looked at Revan as more figures came through the new entrance. "General, I'd like to make one request."

Revan looked at him. "Name it."

"Can we avoid deep dark places for awhile?" The Chief said. "I'm not real fond of the dark all of a sudden."

Revan smiled and nodded his head. "Chief, I could not agree more."

"Careful!" Revan popped as the Republic medic pulled his scorched robes and armor from his wounded shoulder.

"Sorry sir." The medic spoke, his hands shaking. He would have preferred to treat the female Jedi that lay only a few yards away, but the other medics that had arrived nearly fell over themselves to get to her first.

The area where Bao-Dur and the others had cut into the side of the Dantooine hill was rapidly filling up with Jedi and Republic personnel. Yuthura had arrived to take the body of the second Sith pilot back to the enclave where he would go into a Kolto tank. He was barely alive and they could only hope he survived. Republic Marines from Zhpyer's command had locked the area down and were presently combing the inside of the cavern which turned out to be much larger than they first thought.

Juhani joined Revan on the ground. "A Dashade Dark Jedi Revan?" She spoke. "I am suitably impressed."

Revan looked at her, groaning somewhat at the soreness of his body. "Don't be. I got lucky. He nearly broke plenty of bones. I've read about them. They were used as close combat instructors for Jedi before the Great Sith War. I now know why?"

"Yes, I've read of them as well, though I've never heard of one that was a Jedi." Juhani said. "And a Nexu. Trouble seems to find you young Revan."

Revan chuckled. "Yeah, I'm finding that out too." He glanced over to where Anja lay on the stretcher, several medics fawning over her. Juhani smiled.

"She will be fine. The wounds were deep, but between the Kolto and the Force they are not severe. I understand she dropped an eight hundred kilogram boulder on its back, crushing it." Juhani said.

Revan nodded. "That was the darkness we sensed. The creature was twisted with the dark side somehow." He said. "It killed one of my Marines before Anja and the Chief were able to finally kill it."

"I would very much like to discover how it found its way to Dantooine." Juhani spoke. "And how exactly it came to be in this cavern."

"The Sith pilot?" Revan asked.

"Yuthura has returned to the enclave with the Sith. There are several Republic doctors standing by. The one from the ship is being studied as we speak." Juhani replied. She met Revan's eyes. "Have you spoken with your father?"

"No. Not since we entered the cave, why?"

"The Sith have begun their invasion along two corridors. Casualties are high."

"Juhani?"

"We lost nearly five thousand Mandalorians when they tried to intercede on behalf of some refugees near Ryloth. Commander Kelborne was lost." Juhani said softly.

Revan closed his eyes slowly and let out a deep breath. "More lives you will suffer for." He said softly. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "The crystals in this cave seem to be of very high quality. I recommend we have some Jedi begin removing them and processing them for lightsabers."

Juhani nodded. "Yuthura is already taking care of it. My assistant is leading part of the procedure. He has worked extensively with crystals found on Cathar."

"He does not hide his distaste for Anja very well." Revan spoke. "Why is it he targets her? Does he know her?"

Juhani nodded her head. "He does not know I am aware, but he was at the academy with her on Coruscant for a time while he was a Padawan. He had… strong feelings for her. She never reciprocated those feelings. Now we know why. That is when Jolee decided to send him back to me to finish his training."

"Does she know?" Revan asked.

"It appears she does not even remember him." Juhani said with a shrug. "And it also disturbs him to see how powerful she has become in such a short time while he has worked so long and is inferior to her still."

"Inferior?" Revan asked.

"He is a strong Jedi Revan." Juhani said. "Yet he lacks the control that it appears Anja has mastered."

"That is due to our bond Juhani, not because he lacks control." Revan told her. "Our bond has enabled her to master things she would not have mastered by this time. The Council would have held her back. They can deny it all they want, but they felt my mother's imprint on her when she came to the Academy. They've held her back all these years because of it."

"Then she draws off of you as your mother drew from your father?"

Revan nodded. "Yes."

"This is not something that I realized. I will have to inform Victor of this." Juhani said.

Revan looked down as the medic finished putting the Kolto bandage on his shoulder and wrapping it tightly.

"I would change it out in several hours General, just to prevent infection." The medic said.

Revan nodded and got to his feet. "Thank you." he said, flexing the soreness out of the joint, but knowing he was going to be sore for a few hours. The medic nodded and gathered his things before moving quickly to inform his fellow Marines that the green eyed Jedi was not someone they should be trying to get to know.

Revan looked at Juhani just as Colonel Zhpyer came running out of the cave, slightly out of breath. He spotted Revan and ran up to him quickly.

"General we've found something that you need to see." He said.

Revan nodded and walked over to where Anja lay on the lift bed. The medics quickly parted when he approached. He took the hand she held out to him and leaned over to kiss her softly. "They have discovered something else in the cavern." He said. "Have them take you back to the enclave. I will see you shortly."

"Sounds like a good plan to me. I feel like I was run over by a herd of dew backs." Anja said with a grin. Be safe my love.

Revan smiled and leaned over again to kiss her soft lips and touch his forehead to hers. When have you ever known me to be safe?

Anja laughed as the medics activated the lift bed. She squeezed Revan's hand as the lift bed glided toward the transport.

I'll be waiting for you my love.

I'll see you soon.

Revan turned to Juhani as the lift bed went up into the transport. "Shall we take a look?"

Juhani nodded. "Indeed."