CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DANTOOINE

Revan and Juhani marveled at the multitude of colors that the crystals cast within the cavern. Half a dozen Dantooine Jedi and Juhani's assistant were dispersed around the crystal formations with small laser cutting tools removing sections of the formations for refinement into light saber crystals. It was slow ponderous work, and had to be done with exacting precision or the quality of the crystals would be flawed. The Marine Master Sergeant that had entered the tunnel before with Revan was still with him, moving slowly hanging back a few feet.

"I've never seen a crystal cave." Juhani spoke softly. "It is truly amazing."

"We discovered one on Hoth, but it was tiny compared to this one." Revan said, moving up to the bright white glass like stagnates of one of the larger formations. He lifted his hand to touch the crystal and he could feel the Force pulsing through the formation. Juhani came up next to him, a look of fascination on her feline features as she touched it as well, feeling the energy coursing through her.

"Such peace." She said softy.

Revan nodded. "Incredible isn't it?"

Colonel Zhpyer came down the well lit tunnel now and looked at them. "General?"

Revan turned and looked at him. "Yes?"

"Sir, we've enlarged the hole enough for a man to enter. Do you want to investigate?" Zhpyer asked.

Revan nodded and turned to him. "Yes. Let's check out this discovery."

Revan and Juhani followed him down the two hundred meters of tunnel to where several large light lamps now illuminated the good size hole in the tunnel wall. Revan could see that the darkness on the other side of the entrance was being lit by several probe drones released into the cavern ahead of them. Both he and Juhani looked at one another, sensing the disturbance in the Force that was oozing from the cavern.

"The drones mapped out the entire structure sir," Zhpyer spoke. "There's nothing inside except some broken down droids covered in dust. One door that appears to be smashed open and that opens into another large chamber further back. Should I send a squad ahead?"

Revan looked at Juhani, pulling one of his light sabers from his belt as she did the same. "No. We'll check it out first." Revan replied.

"I'll have a squad standing by as back up." Zhpyer told him.

Revan nodded as he moved to the entrance. He stepped through, with Juhani close behind him. It opened into this chamber which was enormous by itself. It was a rectangular shape with the odd shaped device at the far end. The high ceiling swallowed almost all the light, forcing the probe drones to space themselves thirty meters apart and amplify their light to its maximum setting. The artificial light cast an eerie glow across the large room.

Revan knew immediately they were in some sort of library, as the walls were lined with old data pads and control stations as well as countless bound volumes of written works. He let his eyes wander over the enormous chamber as more and more shelves came into view as the probe droids extended out within the chamber.

"Revan… this is…" Juhani began.

"It's a library." He said finishing her sentence.

"I was not aware that Dantooine had such a facility?" Juhani asked, stepping up to one of the massive shelves and reaching up to touch the dust covered data pads and bound written books.

Revan joined her in the same aisle, looking at the opposite shelf, and pulling down one of the data pads. He blew dust from the thin square disc. His eyes grew a little wider.

"Juhani, this disc is from the archives on Ossus." he told her, his voice filling with awe.

"Impossible. The archives on Ossus were destroyed during The Great Sith War." Juhani replied.

Revan handed her the disc and saw her face narrow and then her yellow eyes grow large. "By the Force! Is this possible?"

Revan turned. "Colonel!"

Zhpyer was beside him in an instant. "Yes sir?"

"Get some engineers in here. I want this cavern reinforced and swept. Contact Master Ban at the enclave again and have her join us here as soon as she is able." Revan ordered.

Zhpyer looked puzzled. "Sir, shouldn't we at least discover what this is? There is…"

"I know what this is Colonel." Revan replied. "Trust me when I tell you we don't want a cave in or some other natural event to destroy this cavern."

Zhpyer nodded his head. "Yes sir."

Revan looked at him. "I will explain later Colonel. But insure this place is secured very quickly."

"Yes sir! I'll see to it myself."

Juhani touched Revan's arm as her Cathar senses detected something. "Wait." she spoke. She started moving around the room, her nose sniffing at different locations within the chamber. She moved behind the several large granite statues. "Revan?"

Revan moved to where she stood in front of a medium sized tunnel behind a large boulder. His eyes grew larger.

Juhani looked at him. "Do you smell it?" She asked, looking down the dark tunnel. She turned back to him. "The ocean."

Revan turned to Juhani, his eyes wide. "We need to speak with my father right now." He said.

"You will speak with no one!" The deep voice boomed, causing Revan and Juhani to whirl around quickly. Standing before them was a human male who looked to be well over a century old, with billowing white hair that hung almost to the floor. The beard he had also was white and stretched to the middle of his chest. He wore simple robes of an era long forgotten, yet there was no dismissing the blazing green light saber he clutched in his hand, or the way he held it.

The Republic Marines finally saw the old man and lifted their weapons, only to have them ripped from their grasp with a wave of the ancient man's hand. He twisted his wrist and froze them in a powerful stasis field, their rifles clattering to the floor. He had never taken his eyes from Revan and Juhani.

Revan's eyes were wide, as he had not even felt a flicker in the Force to indicate this man's presence, yet he obviously had a powerful connection to the force despite his advanced age. Somehow, this ancient man had masked his aura until now, and it was pouring though as Revan looked at him, an aura brighter and more powerful than even his own father.

"Who are you?" Revan asked.

"Silence!" The man bellowed, lifting his hand once more.

Juhani was not able to block the power of the Force wave directed at them, and her body flew across the great chamber to land fifty meters away where she lay still. Revan had closed his eyes for only a fleeting second, drawing deeply on the Force and erecting a wall of his own that absorbed and dissipated the force of the old man's power. He looked at the man, whose deep gray eyes were wide in surprise.

"You deflected my power!"

"I am not an enemy!" Revan spoke calmly.

"You are a minion of Exar Kun!" He screamed. "I will not allow you to taint the archives here!"

"Exar Kun?" Revan gasped. "He has been dead for nearly a hundred years. The Great Sith War ended long ago wise one."

"Lies! You twist perceptions young man! You are strong in the Force, very strong. Even more powerful than the last fool to come here to try and defile this library! But I see through your Sith lies! I will destroy you as I did him!"

The green light saber whipped forward with blinding speed. Revan reacted with all his own reflexes and was barely able to ignite one of his Viridian blades to deflect the old man's light saber enough to keep from removing his head. Revan spun away from him, deactivating his light saber, his eyes reflecting his surprise at the old man's speed.

"I am no Sith old man!" He growled. "Whoever you are, your time here has clouded your mind!" He motioned to where Juhani lay. "You strike down a Master of the Jedi Order without warning. Only a Sith would do something that hateful!"

The old man paused for only a moment as Revan's words echoed in the chamber. He circled Revan slowly, his eyes cunning and measuring. He glanced briefly to where Juhani lay; his eyes returning back to Revan instantly.

"Your power exceeds her by much. And you say she is a Master of the Order. I can sense the emotions swirling inside you, the power that you harness within you." The old man's eyes grew confused for only the briefest moment. "You have a deep connection young one. Someone holds your very heart in their hands and is entwined within your life threads. Your emotions course through you unchecked. I can feel a connection to the dark side, yet your aura is one of peace and calm. Not light, not dark. Explain this to me. Quickly."

Revan nodded. "A gift from my parents."

"Your parents? You know your parents?" The old man asked. "You lie!" His hands tightened on the light saber again. "The Jedi separate younglings from their families at a young age. You can not know who your parents are."

"I am not a Jedi." Revan spoke softly.

"Not a Jedi?" The old man seemed thunderstruck. "How can this be? The Force flows through you like no one I have seen in nearly a century! If you are not Sith and you are not Jedi, what are you?"

"I… I am different." Revan spoke softly.

"Your parents? You say you know them? Tell me their names. I know every Jedi Knight to hold the title for nearly three hundred years." The old man said.

"My father is Revan Panlie. My mother is Bastila Shan. I bear the name of my father wise one. I am Revan Panlie Junior."

"Revan!" The old man hissed. "The Prodigal Knight! And former Dark Lord of the Sith! I sensed when he rejoined the forces of good. It was a great day indeed for the Force. Yet he was expelled from the Order nearly thirty years ago along with Bastila Shan. They were expelled for…"

"They were exiled because of the love they shared, and the Force bond that forged them as one." Revan replied. "The Jedi Council brought them together, and when their actions caused my parents to fall in love they tried to rip them apart." Revan's last words were spoken with a considerable amount of venom in them. More than he had intended.

"And I sense you now share a similar bond with someone young Revan Panlie. Someone whose life you saved many years ago." The old man deactivated his light saber and Revan could feel him relax slightly. "She is the one that killed the Nexu in the cavern?"

Revan nodded. "Yes."

"Does she live?"

"She was wounded, but yes, she will live."

"She was impulsive and rash to take on the Nexu within its home. She is lucky to be alive. You two are tied together like none I have ever known. Not even in the archives is there tales of a bond that runs as deeply as the one you share with this woman. Your very beings are entwined."

"She is my center. My light." Revan spoke softly. "May I ask a question of you?"

The old man relaxed visibly and sent a pulse of Force healing cascading over Juhani. She stirred slowly. "I have been here many years protecting these archives. Only one has come before you. He came for destruction and I had to dispatch him. He was young like you, but twisted by the dark side." He motioned to the small pile of bones that rested near the entrance Revan and Juhani had come in. They had not seen the bones because of the outcropping of rock that obscured them. "I apologize for injuring your friend. You walk a fine line young one, but I sense no darkness in you at all, only a tranquil calm and serenity. It is refreshing." He looked at Revan and bowed slowly and deeply.

"I am Adarn Qel-Droma."

Revan's eyes grew large. "Qel-Droma?" He questioned. "How is that possible?"

The man's grey eyes settled on Revan. "My father… it has been so long… my father was Cay Qel-Droma. My mother was an officer in the Republic Fleet of the time."

Revan looked very confused. "But history records no children of Cay Qel-Droma."

"Yes, I know." Adarn said. "My mother kept my identity hidden. Remember young son of Revan, it was during the time of Exar Kun. If he had known my father had a child, it would have put me in grave danger. I have been in this library for too long. What year is it young son of Revan?"

"It has been nearly eighty-five years since the defeat of Exar Kun." Revan answered softly. "The records of Dantooine do not show this library Master Qel-Droma. How is it that it holds history discs from the Ossus Archives?"

"This is where the archives that could be saved were brought. Master Diath saved as much as he could and hid my identity when my mother brought me before him. He placed all he could save from Ossus here in this library with me. I was ten years old." Adarn spoke.

Revan moved to where Juhani was getting to her feet and took her arm before her Cathar instincts took over and she attacked Adarn. He turned back to him. "You've been here in this library since you were ten years old?" He asked incredulously.

"So many years. I have watched and chronicled all that has happen since the defeat of Kun. It was my mission."

Revan stepped up t o him slowly. "You need not stay here any longer." He said. "Return with us to the enclave here on Dantooine."

Adarn looked at him. "It has been so long." He said softly. "You are entering a new war young son of Revan. A war against the true threat that was responsible for your father's fall."

Revan nodded. "Yes. The enemy has made the first moves. It will only be a matter of days before the war is fully engaged."

Adarn nodded. "Then it is time for me to return to the light and help in any way I can. I will not stay here any longer. The archives here must be protected young son of Revan. At all costs."

Revan nodded. "And you have my word they will be."

The combined Mandalorian and Onderonian fleet was the largest in Republic space at the present time. Six hundred ships ranging in size from corvettes to Dacen Vorsut's LICTOR-Class dreadnaught moved in perfect formation. They were spread out in a diamond shaped formation that allowed the best protection and defensive response, and also would not allow more than one or two ships to be destroyed if attacked. They had just cleared the Auril Sector and were moving into the Cronese Mandate. Dacen had small corvettes moving far in advance of his main fleet to provide early warning and attempt to get an idea of the size of the Sith fleet currently attacking Gand. They were still just over a day from Gand, and hopefully still very much undiscovered.

Bastila Panlie stood in the large comfortable lounge, her eyes fixed on some point outside her view port as she watched the stars race by as they were in hyperspace. The coming battle would be a key in this war, and once more Bastila would play a major role in the outcome. She drifted back so many years ago, a small smile on her face as the memories flooded back. It had taken her many years to come to terms with her past, and with Revan's constant presence and love, she had finally come to view the memories without the bitterness of her fall to the dark side. She still remembered that day on the bridge of Revan's ship and her complete arrogance in stating he could not win, when all around her were the bodies of so many Jedi who Revan had dispatched with ease. The members of her strike team that had willingly accompanied her to capture the Dark Lord at the Jedi Council's behest. She knew today that only Malak's betrayal of his Master saved her life, and forever changed it.

When the smoke and debris had settled after the massive barrage to Revan's bridge, only she and the Dark Lord remained. He was seriously wounded, his mask torn nearly in half, blood soaking the side of his face from the large piece of metal that protruded from the side of his head. It was the face that had frozen her in her tracks. It was not the face of a Dark Lord, all twisted and grey. His face was relaxed and perhaps the most handsome face she had ever laid eyes on. His skin was deeply tanned, not deformed in any way, his jaw strong and masculine. She could feel the merest flicker of life within his body, and she saw the images of him back on Dantooine before he had departed for the Mandalorian Wars. It was those images that flowed through her as she reached out with the Force and wrapped herself around that small shimmer of life still inside him. It was that shimmer of life that she held on to and protected with her own essence as she dragged him to an escape pod. And it was that shimmer of life that reached out to her and wove itself into her being.

Bastila had returned to Dantooine with the severely injured Dark Lord to the universal disappointment of the Masters there. They had hoped to turn Revan back to the light and use him to stop the war that was crushing the life from the Order. It was the Jedi Council that used the link she had formed with the Dark Lord to heal his shattered mind and violate him even more by replacing his memories with a false identity. It was something that needed to be done they said, to save the Jedi and the Republic. Revan had been on the brink of bringing the Republic to its knees, and they needed to turn the tide. She agreed, as any nineteen year old Padawan would bow to the seeming wisdom of the Masters. Over the next year she went on several missions throughout the Republic, gaining fame and honor as she used her Battle Meditation to win some key victories. With Revan gone, the Sith armada became just like their new Master, brutish and cruel in their actions. Malak had no where near the tactical skill of Revan, and it showed in the battles he planned. As she spent that year conducting the business of Jedi, she always felt the bond that had been created with Revan. She could sense his emotions, his despair, his anger, and passion. He had been assigned to a Republic Special Operations unit and she had been amazed at the progress reports. He was a natural leader, reckless yet thoughtful. He had never left an injured man behind, and earned several reprimands for disobeying orders to go after fallen comrades. She shielded herself from his mind however, at the Jedi Council's order, so that they may use her as a means to detect if Revan had any inkling he was the former Dark Lord.

It wasn't until Taris that she truly fell under his spell. That day when he had rescued her from the Vulkars, after he had won the swoop race with some utterly crazy maneuvers and Jedi reflexes, after they had beaten the Vulkar leader and his cronies in a quick but brutal fight. He had stood there, tall and proud and oh so handsome, even under the sweat and dirt from the swoop bike exhaust. And the brightness of his eyes at that very moment was when she fell in love with him. Over the course of the next few months, almost a day didn't go by when they were not together, and she had to fight and hide the feelings and emotions that welled inside her. On Dantooine, when he had swept through the initial Jedi training, stunning Master Zhar with his command of the Force. As his connection to the Force reemerged, Bastila glimpsed the man that Revan had been; so compassionate and full of life; so methodical and always seeking more knowledge; yet always so reckless and headstrong, like he had no care in the world. He had rushed into battle with the Mandalorian raiders on Dantooine with no thought but justice and revenge for the lives they had taken. Yet when he dealt with the Sandrel and Matale incident she could feel the compassion and peace he projected. He had healed a rift between two families that had existed for decades, and done so in the space of thirty minutes. He had brought Juhani back from the darkness that claimed her and readily accepted her as a companion and friend when no one else would.

And then Bastila had witnessed his protective nature towards her as they had searched the temple ruins on Dantooine, Revan shielding her with his body as the killer droids attacked them. All these things, and the never ending wit and remarks that drove her to near insanity, yet made her feel so safe and welcome. He had given her his special nickname that day, his little "Kinrath Pup". At the time it had incensed her, yet every time after that day when he uttered those words it filled her with longing. They battled and traded barbs across three worlds and months before finding her mother on Tatooine. And as each day passed, she watched the power of this man increase until his aura nearly overwhelmed her. It was there that she could no longer deny to herself or to him that she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. They had shared that one kiss, the kiss that had forever cemented her future and her love for him. A kiss that had filled her with so much passion and desire she had barely been able to contain it, a kiss that her Jedi training and upbringing had very nearly destroyed.

Then Malak had captured them and her nightmare had begun.

He had tortured her endlessly, taking sadistic pleasure in her screams of agony and withering body. He had tried to take her on one occasion, but she had fought him like a screaming Shi'rak, until he had become too angry to perform and he had used lightning on her until she passed out. What made it all the more agony for her was that she could feel Revan within their bond. She could feel his devastation at the revelation that he was the former Dark Lord, his despair and pain at her capture. She was stunned that she could sense all this within him even though she knew he was so far away. He was so open to her, dropping all his mental shields and baring his soul to her. It was when Malak had returned that he used a different tactic on her. A mind game that had her screaming in her own despair as he told her how his apprentice Darth Bandon had met and confronted Revan on Korriban, and how Bandon had slaughtered all her friends and the man she loved. Bastila didn't believe it at first, still holding to the thread that was her bond to Revan. It couldn't be true. Her love could not be dead. The only man who had gazed upon her and saw past her snotty wall of arrogance. The only man who had touched a part of her she never knew existed. The man who had brought out feelings of such desire that the sensations of him being in the same room nearly overwhelmed her. He could not be dead.

Until Malak had come in and shown her the blood stained Jedi robes that she knew to be Revan's. Upon seeing them and hearing the laughter from Malak, Bastila snapped. Her screams could be heard throughout the temple on Rakatan where she was being held unbeknownst to her, and the sound sent shudders through everyone there. It was then that she embraced all she hated; it was then that she allowed her repressed emotions to boil over.

It was then that she became the apprentice to a Dark Lord, with only one thought on her mind. A single purpose that drove her more than anything.

Vengeance on those who had taken her love from her.

Bastila had been so shrouded in the power of the dark side; she could barely comprehend what she was doing when she confronted Revan on the Rakatan Temple summit. He professed his love for her with tears in his eyes. She could feel his despair and sadness at her fall to darkness. And it only drove her further away from him. She had retreated to the Star Forge only to have Revan confront her again. And it was here that he had saved her very soul. After a vicious duel where she was so blinded by anger and hate that she nearly struck down the one thing in her life that she cherished more than anything, he spoke the words that saved her from the blackness.

I love you Bastila. And I know you love me. That is how I know you will not strike me down.

He then deactivated his light sabers and dropped to his knees, tears of anguish and love pouring from his beautiful eyes. She could feel him reaching out to her with his love, and the tiny sliver of what she once was grabbed on for dear life, and as she spoke the words to him, the light burst from her being in happiness.

Their lives had been forever intertwined from that day on. Bastila had suffered through the years he had gone to the Unknown Regions, filled with worry and loneliness, but she had never given up hope. They had fought the Jedi Council tooth and nail on staying together after the Star Forge. The Council, after the celebration parties of course, had turned on them, demanding that they part and live their lives separately. If not for Jolee and Vandar, and the support of their friends they would have never made it through those first few months. As their love and their bond grew, they were able to share themselves with each other, and for Bastila, those moments had been more than she had ever imagined. When Revan was gone beyond known space, she had taken comfort with her mother, and rediscovered their relationship. Ignoring the Jedi Council's wish that she not become attached in the process. With the treatments she was able to have on Coruscant, Helena had lived long enough to see two of her grandchildren born. Grandchildren she had doted on endlessly.

Upon Revan's return from the Unknown Region with Dacen's help, the Jedi Council heard his report and promptly disregarded it. They demanded that she and Revan end their relationship or be expelled from the Order. It was an easy decision for both of them to make. At the time they wanted nothing more to do with the Jedi or the Sith and only be together. They announced their plans to the Jedi Council and were summarily exiled, which suited their desires anyway.

They wanted away from the Jedi Council, and found their way to Dxun at Canderous's offer. And they started their lives over.

Bastila smiled remembering their times on Dxun and Onderon, their nights of endless passion in each others arms, the births of their children. The happy memories were so many she could not count. But they always knew they would have to fight this battle. It was their destiny.

And now it was upon them.

Bastila turned when she heard the door to the lounge open and Dacen walk in. They both wore their version of Jedi robes, but neither wore the cloak and cowl on the ship. Dacen's dual bladed light saber was secured to his belt along with several other pouches, and Bastila's hung from a small clip on her belt.

"We've heard from one of our corvettes." Dacen told her. "They are reporting that at least three complete fleets are assaulting Gand. Reports they have been able to intercept indicate that the Gand are not a happy bunch and are putting up one heck of a fight."

Bastila nodded. "Mercenaries and Bounty Hunters most of them may be, but they are a proud people." She spoke.

"They have nearly a thousand ships Bastila." Dacen spoke some worry in his deep voice. "Will you be able to affect that many?"

Bastila nodded confidently. "I came very close to destroying the Republic Fleet at the Star Forge Dacen. And the forces involved in that attack were significantly larger. And that was without the added control and maturity I have now."

Dacen nodded. "Well I figure they will send two fleets to engage us once we make our appearance. It is what I would do. I will allow them to fully engage us, and then you can start your magic."

"I'll be ready." Bastila replied.

"Heard from Rev?" Dacen asked, seeing the look on her face.

Bastila nodded. "Rev Junior has discovered something on Dantooine, but he also blocked me as he was telling his father. They are so much alike." She said with a smile and shake of her head. "If it is something we need to know, Revan will inform us."

"Well we have about twenty hours before we close within range of the Sith fleet. I'm looping around so we can come in behind them and possibly get the first strike in. I'll let you know when we are about to engage." Dacen said.

Bastila nodded. "I will be prepared."

"There is no record of an Adarn Qel-Droma in the archives here on Coruscant." Vandar spoke, looking at the bluish image of the junior Revan in the center of the Council Chamber. The other Masters were currently helping to organize the Jedi Knights that were flooding into the Temple from all across the galaxy. "Are you sure of the name young Revan?"

"Yes Master Vandar." Rev replied. "Quite sure. He says he is the son of Cay Qel-Droma, but Master Diath made it a point to not reveal his presence. He was born shortly after The Great Sith War began. Master Diath kept his birth a secret so that Exar Kun would not use the child as a tool against his apprentice's brother." Vandar saw Revan smile. "He is very eccentric, and I believe his mind is teetering on the brink due to his isolation, but much of what he says is very plausible. And some of it has even come to pass. He has a powerful command of the Force Master Vandar. He was able to render Juhani unconscious before we were able to detect him. His skill with the light saber is also excellent."

"Can you bring him here? To Coruscant? I would like to speak with him." Vandar asked.

"I can ask him." Rev replied.

"Your father also requests that you come to Coruscant as well once Arren Vorsut rejoins with your company." Vandar said.

Rev looked puzzled even in the bluish light. "Why would my father need me on Coruscant?" He asked.

"He does not share everything he plans young Revan. This you should know." Vandar replied. "How soon can we expect you?"

"Arren arrives in the morning." Rev answered. "We can depart Dantooine tomorrow afternoon and be on Coruscant by the end of the week."

Vandar nodded. "Very well young Revan. I will inform your father and contact you if I discover anymore in regards to our newest Jedi."

Rev nodded. "Thank you Master."

Vandar nodded and looked to where the senior Revan stood along the wall. "Do you think he suspects?"

Revan shook his head. "I can sense no puzzlement from him. He knows I can be secretive at times and he will think it will be for a meeting of some sort with all the senior officers of the Republic."

"Will he accept?" Vandar asked.

Revan stepped up to where Vandar sat. "I don't know." He replied softly.

Anja stepped from the refresher in the quarters she and Revan shared and wrapped a towel around her still sore body. They had brought her back to the enclave and treated her, and she was amused at the way the male medics doted over her, until one had whispered to the others that she was the woman of the son of Revan. After that they still doted over her, but for more professional reasons. They had released her from the medical facility only an hour before and after a short meditation session with Mission and Dustil that had rejuvenated her spirit, Anja returned to their quarters to rest physically. The warm soothing water had relaxed her sore muscles, and she now stood in front of the full length mirror in the bedroom of the small apartment.

Anja had never considered herself pretty by any means. She was a Jedi, and such things had not concerned her. She had never worn her jet black hair in any other fashion except tied up until Vlaina had changed it. It had grown out some in length and she would have to braid it again soon. Her skin was smooth and flawless and tanned; her lips moist and full. Anja thought she had more of her father's features in her face, yet since being reunited with her parents, everyone told her she was the image of her mother. Holding the blanket around her Anja turned sideways to look at herself in the mirror. Until meeting Vlaina and Arren, her body held no particular interest for her. She was in superb physical shape, and it translated to her petite, but extremely firm body. She thought her chest was too large for her size, a fact that did not seem to bother Revan in the least she thought with a smile. The Nexu's claws would leave scars on her side, but they would be faint and not very noticeable.

Anja stared at herself in the mirror and the realization that her life had changed very dramatically over the last few months hit her. She had followed her Jedi master on a quest that she had no idea where it would lead. She had discovered a Force bond existed with a young man she started out hating, almost driving him away from her forever, only to realize she had been in love with him since her childhood and didn't know why. It had taken her weeks to come to grips with that. The Jedi in her had fought the emotions with every piece of knowledge at her command. In the end, the bond proved too much for her to ignore, and she surrendered to the feelings that had nearly overwhelmed her. It was as if she had bloomed into a newly born butterfly. Upon accepting the fact that she was deeply in love with Revan, she also opened herself to all manners of new ideas and thoughts. Some she discarded, yet some she embraced with glee. Anja knew she was still a Jedi, and even though many saw her as turning away from the Order's teachings, Anja found herself understanding them better, and coming to realize that how the Order taught different things was not really in the best interests of everyone concerned.

As the strength of her bond with Revan grew daily, so did her affinity to the Force, and the power she possessed. Her association with Revan and the other Dxun Jedi had altered how she saw things, and it allowed her to channel her emotions and harness the power they could bring her. Anja knew that some of the techniques she now practiced were frowned upon by many of the Jedi Masters. She also knew none of them had expected the bond that she and Revan shared to be as powerful as it was. She knew it puzzled them, for the bond between his parents was just as powerful and they still did not understand that. They had never made an effort to understand the bond between Revan senior and Bastila. All they had wanted to do was separate them and force them to follow the Jedi code, even after knowing that the love they shared had saved them both and quite possibly the entire universe. Anja had come to see of her own accord that many things the Jedi Council did were in their own way very manipulative and controlling, with strict adherence to a code that suppressed human nature by its very definition.

Anja's thoughts turned to Revan and she smiled. Her Revan. The very essence of his love staggered her at times, threatening to sweep her away. Bastila had told her once what she had said to Revan's father that day on the Star Forge when he had brought her back from the brink.

You aren't afraid to love anymore? He had asked her.

Nothing could make me feel safer than to be loved by you.

Feeling his love for her through their bond, his desire for her, his passion for her, it filled Anja with a feeling of contentment that she had never known could exist. She would never be afraid to love him back with the same fervor he loved her. That is how Anja felt now. She trembled in her Revan's arms, melting into his embrace as if it was the most natural thing in the universe. She drew power from him, as well as a calm and serenity she had never known before. And it only made her the stronger for it. She reveled in his scent and the raw passion for him that coursed through her, and she wrapped herself around his aura, drawing strength and love from him.

Anja smiled to herself and left the washroom after pulling on her undergarments. She used the towel to continue to dry her hair as she walked into the living area of the apartment. She came to an abrupt halt when she saw Revan sitting in the room on the couch. She grinned as he ceased masking his presence in the Force, and his aura filled her senses.

"How long have you been there?" She asked.

Revan stood and walked up to her. "Not long." He answered, reaching out to brush some wet hair from her face. "How do you feel?"

Anja smiled at the concern in his voice and she squeezed his hand. "I'm sore. That is all Revan, really."

Revan looked down to where he saw the scars and he got to his knees in front of her, tracing the scars on her abdomen ever so gently. The skin was still sensitive and it caused her to reach out and grab his shoulders as she felt his lips kiss her skin. He stood back up and pulled her to him tightly. Anja sighed in pleasure feeling his arms encircle her.

"I'm sorry." He said softly.

"There is nothing to be sorry for my love." She told him, her head pressed to his chest tightly enough that she could feel his heart beating. "This is our duty. We both know that. And we have accepted that. Just as your mother and father have. It is what Jedi do."

"I am not a Jedi." Revan said quietly.

Anja pulled away and looked up at him. "Revan, you are more a Jedi than half those who claim the title. Never doubt that."

"I have a surprise for you." He asked, tracing her chin with his finger.

"What?"

"Arren and Dralor are returning tomorrow morning. They stopped on Dxun and picked up a pilot and navigator team. It seems this team impressed Queen Talia enough that she gave them both commissions in the Onderonian fleet."

Anja looked at him. "My father and mother?"

Revan nodded with a smile. "Your father raised enough of a stink to get himself assigned to my fleet, by order of the Queen."

Anja couldn't help but laugh. "That sounds like my father." She looked at him. "You don't question his abilities do you my love?"

Revan shook his head quickly. "No. I didn't before, and I certainly don't now. He re-qualified for flight status with the highest rating of any in his class. How do you feel about it?"

Anja took a deep breath. "They are my parents, and part of me wants to keep them safe. But I can not control what they do, nor do I wish to. And we need all the pilots we can get."

Revan nodded. "Those were my thoughts as well." He looked into the pool of her eyes and took her face in his hand. "Would you be interested in possibly spending the rest of your life with me?"

Anja's eyes grew a little wider. "Revan are you asking me to marry you?"

Revan smiled. "Yes, I suppose I am."

Anja's face beamed and she tossed her arms around his neck. "Nothing would make me happier Revan."

"If we do this, you have to realize that the Jedi Order will probably officially expel you." He told her. "I want you to be sure."

Anja squeezed him as tightly as she could. "I do not need to think about it Revan." she replied without hesitation. "I have come to realize that I never truly fit in with the Jedi."

"You fit in very nicely with me." He said with a smirk.

Anja gave him a small shove. "Pervert!" She exclaimed with a smile. "When?"

"As soon as we can." Revan replied. "Arren and Dralor will be here tomorrow. My father wants me to come to Coruscant for some sort of meeting. I want them with us. We can find a holy man on Coruscant I'm sure."

"What about your mother? We can't get married without Bastila. I won't allow it." She said. "They should be there."

Revan tapped his head. "She is with Uncle Dacen right now. I can find out when she thinks she might be back on Coruscant?"

Anja's face beamed and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you Revan Panlie."

"And I love you Anja Tamari."

Revan gripped Arren in his arms, their foreheads touching. It had seemed like months when in reality it had only been days since they parted. They were as close as any brother and sister could be. They had grown up, trained, and fought together for nearly a decade now. Anja greeted Dralor in much the same manner, their foreheads touching in the Mandalorian fashion of family. No one on the landing pad wanted to interfere, and they kept a respectful distance from the four of them. All of them knew that Dralor's father had been killed on the Outer Rim in the first major battle of this war.

Revan took Arren's face in his big hands and looked into her pale blue eyes. "I feel your unrest Arren." He said softly.

Arren nodded. "I am getting better." She replied. "It was a lot to absorb Rev. I loved him almost as much as my own father."

"Dralor?"

Arren chuckled. "He's a Mandalorian. When have you ever known him to show emotion? He waits until he is in my arms at night and then he weeps."

Revan nodded. "They were very close."

Arren took a deep breath and smiled at him. "I've missed you Rev." She said. "Imagine my surprise when I step off the transport and I'm nearly overwhelmed by you and Anja. You two move within the Force with such power, yet with barely a ripple."

"We are going to marry as soon as possible." Revan said.

"It's about time." Arren said.

"I want you and Dralor to stand with us, as our seconds." Revan said.

Arren looked at him slightly surprised. Standing as a second to a new bride and groom was a great honor in Mandalorian tradition. "I… I thought you would want your father and mother Rev?"

Revan shook his head. "No. They are my parents, but I am closer in more ways to you and Dralor."

"Revan… I don't know what to say." Arren spoke.

"Say yes."

"Yes!" Dralor's voice bellowed. They turned to see the tall Mandalorian holding Anja under one arm and a wide grin on his face. "We would be honored Revan!" He spoke, setting Anja down.

Revan smiled and turned to face him. They touched foreheads and then embraced. Revan held him at arm's length. "He blazed a path for us, my friend; a path of honor and glory. A path we will continue."

Dralor smiled and nodded his head, his eyes moist. "You honor me with your words Revan."

"He meant a great deal to all of us Dralor." Revan replied. "He took me on my second hunt with Uncle Canderous. Of course, they taught me to drink, and not to hunt." Dralor burst out laughing and squeezed Revan's shoulders. "How is your mother holding up?"

Dralor nodded. "She is strong, and she knows what this war is all about. She remained with Lady Brianna in the hospital after the word reached her. And then Lady Brianna and she honored his memory that night with a great bonfire."

Revan nodded. "As it should be. I wish I could have been there."

Dralor nodded. "We will honor my father with a victory in this war my friend."

Revan nodded and they turned to where Arren and Anja were embracing. "My father has asked that we come to Coruscant. I don't know why, but I assume it is for a tactical meeting with the other officers. Uncle Dacen will be engaging the main Sith fleet assaulting Gand in a few hours."

"Aunt Bastila will test her Battle Mediation against them?" Arren asked.

Revan nodded. "Anja and I are going to find her parents. You have a few hours before we need to depart."

"Jaspar Tamari is bringing down the next load of technicians." Dralor spoke. "He should be landing at the other pad across the compound."

Anja looked at Revan and he nodded. "Go my love I will join you in a few moments."

Anja kissed him softly before beginning her walk across the compound. Revan turned to Arren and Dralor.

"Tell me how Master Corna is doing?" He said.

Corna lowered the macrobinoculars and let his grey eyes quickly readjust. He passed the binos to the Mandalorian Lieutenant that lay next to him and watched as the young soldier lifted them to his eyes.

"Their routine has not changed." He spoke softly, even though the Sith soldiers they were watching were more than a kilometer away.

Corna slipped the small piece of condensed energy bar into his mouth and chewed. He was laying on the ridgeline of this Yavin 4 hilltop watching their enemy. He and this small unit of Mandalorian scouts had been here for nearly two weeks now, documenting any activity they witnessed at the site of the old Exar Kun Temples. Corna had been surprised at first that Revan had sent him on this mission. It was purely a reconnaissance mission, with limited weapons and communications. The Mandalorian scouts were the finest he had ever seen in action, and he questioned why Revan had selected him to go, until he realized where they were going. Yavin 4 was a place scarred into the memories of the Jedi and the Republic. It was where the last battle against Exar Kun had been fought, and it was heavily saturated with a dark side essence. Revan knew of Corna's familiarity in history and his skills at stealth, and he had chosen him to lead this expedition for that purpose. Corna found he fit in quite well with the Mandalorian scouts, and they looked to him as not only their leader, but a fellow warrior.

Corna was not aware how much the remaining Mandalorian warriors respected the Jedi that had defeated them in their war. There was admiration and a little awe in how they treated him, and looked to him for guidance. They had rightly assumed that any Jedi who held the respect of Lord Revan was worthy of their devotion. They had been instructed by Lord Revan and Mandalore to follow Corna's orders and learn from him in the process. Corna had been a Jedi Guardian before becoming a Master, and that was the true warrior caste of the Jedi Order, they had been told.

Over the past two weeks Corna had earned their respect. Their insertion into Yavin 4 had been in small one man droid capsules launched from the normal space lanes. The 70 kilometer plunge through the atmosphere had been harrowing to say the least, as they had come in directly into a hurricane. Corna had maintained control of his team, locking all their homing beacons into his onboard computer and keeping them within one kilometer of each other even in the zero visibility of the raging storm. Upon landing, he had quickly brought them all together and they had buried the capsules deeply, sinking them into a small lake. He had led them across fifty kilometers of dense and hostile terrain to the location of their base camp, which was set up inside a small cave with a mountain surrounding it and only two ways in or out. Over the course of the next four days they had established passive sensors all around the deserted temples off in the distance, and they were finally paying off, as the Sith had landed on the planet five days before. They had been monitoring their every action since arriving on the planet.

The Lieutenant lowered the binos and turned to Corna. "Do we go tonight?"

Corna nodded. "They have been here long enough I think. Now it's time to see what it is they are doing within the temple itself. You, myself and one other will conduct the mission. The rest will provide support should we need to leave quickly. Whatever they are doing inside the Temple, it can't be good. We will take explosives and some other equipment. We travel light as well. Just blades. No blasters."

The Lieutenant didn't bat an eye. While he would have preferred to bring much heavier weapons, he and his men were just as deadly with vibroswords and blades. And their intent here was to gather information, not kill the enemy.

"I recommend Senior Cadre Malor." The Lieutenant spoke immediately. "He is quite skilled with blades, and an expert in explosives."

Corna nodded. "Excellent choice." He took back the binos and tucked them away. "We should get back and break the camp down in case we have to depart."

Dacen looked at the holo image displayed before him on the bridge of his ship. The Sith had begun an orbital bombardment of Gand, and the communications channels were alive with distress calls and screams for help. The chart gave him the position of every Sith ship currently in the system. Two of the Sith fleets were laying off, providing only fighters and support. None of the capital ships were involved. An occasional Ion blast from the planet reached out to impact a Sith ship, smashing into the shields and sending small explosions all along the superstructure. It wasn't enough to deter the efforts of the Sith, as any return fire from the planet was immediately answered with barrages from half a dozen capital ships in orbit.

Dacen saw that they were using a dozen of the Leviathan class Interdictor ships as dedicated planetary bombardment platforms. It was a sound tactic, and something that was new to the Sith. It was a system that Revan had put in place almost immediately after taking over the Republic Fleet in the Mandalorian War. This new tactic gave them more freedom of control, and would allow much faster support to be applied if needed. Whoever was commanding these Sith forces had done his homework, and was a very skilled leader. He was using standard Sith frontal tactics, mixed in with Republic and Mandalorian maneuvers used during their war.

The Republic general assigned to Dacen's fleet came up next to him. He was a grizzled older man who had seen combat in the Mandalorian War and earned a reputation as someone not to be taken lightly.

"All our transports are loaded." He spoke.

Dacen nodded. "We'll hit them here." Dacen lifted his finger to a point between the two fleets not engaged. "Loop your echelon around the back side of the moon here and begin landing your troops. You'll have nine LICTOR-Class capital ships and twenty-four cruisers in your detachment. Do not engage any ships unless they are a direct threat to the ground troops. The remaining Gand militia will meet you at the prearranged coordinates."

"Any word on how many troops they have landed?" The General asked.

"Between the intercepts we have and the Gand militia reports, we put their number at just over one million." Dacen answered.

"Against my hundred thousand?" The General said quietly.

"We're not here to retake the planet." Dacen said. "We evacuate as many of the remaining civilians as we can and you get off the surface. We are here to put a dent in the Sith fleet as much as we are able and to determine what kind of tactics they are using and how they react to Bastila's Battle Meditation. Revan does not like it anymore than I do, but we can't save every planet."

The general nodded his head. "I know." He looked at Dacen, meeting his eyes. "I just want you to know General. I'm damn proud to be serving with you and Revan again. If anyone gives us a chance, it's the two of you."

Dacen forced a smile. "Hopefully this will be the last war we have to fight, in our lifetime anyway."

The General nodded and saluted crisply. "My transport is leaving in fifteen. We'll see you on the back side of the moon."

Dacen nodded. "May the Force protect you." He turned to his senior aide as the General headed off the bridge. "Inform the fleet. We're going in."

"Yes General."

The overall Sith Commander sat in the chair on the bridge of his ship calmly reading the reports pouring in from the surface. His red skin announced his pure Sith blood to all who gazed at him, his yellow eyes narrow and able to pierce the façade of any enemy. Though he was born with the dark energies of the Force flowing through him, he had instead chosen to be a leader of troops. The troops his Master had been preparing for the last three decades. The destruction of the Star Forge had put a crimp in his Master's plan, and removed the single largest production facility they had, yet it was still only one facility. They had dozens of smaller ship yards built with the same technology that were churning out new ships every day, enough to overwhelm even the vaunted Republic Fleet. He was a student of history, and had studied every holocron available pertaining to Republic tactics, and military strategies of his Master traitorous former apprentice Revan. He had incorporated them into his own strategies, and they were working to perfection now as his forces were sweeping across the surface of Gand with little resistance.

With the destruction of the Star Forge and the betrayal of Revan, their were hundreds of thousands of Sith followers willing to swear allegiance to the True Sith Lord. The only Sith Lord of pure blood. While most of the regular troops and officers were former Sith followers, nearly all the ranking officers and leaders were of pure Sith blood. They were present to insure loyalty and the following of orders. Many of the converts were all of a single mind it seemed, their only desire to be the one to kill Revan. It was a tool his Master used well.

The destruction of the base on Kessel had set back their invasion by only a few weeks, though the Master was extremely upset at having the base discovered, and one of his most promising apprentices killed. He did not understand what his Master saw in the blue Twi'lek female. Any of non-pure blood were considered inferior, yet for some reason his Master had seemed to like the female, enough that she had shared his bed on several occasions, though how she had survived he did not know. His Master had been enraged when the attack on Dantooine had failed, and his apprentices on the Republic Senate exposed and butchered. It was this incident which had prompted them to advance their invasion schedule and strike Gand first. His Master wanted to make an example of the planet, by laying waste to everything on it.

His head snapped up when he heard the small chirping alarm sound. He watched his senior bridge officer rush to a panel and gasp.

"Commander! We are detecting hundreds of Republic ships dropping from hyperspace directly between our two support fleets!"

The pure Sith officer came to his feet. "Impossible!" He barked moving to the holo map. "To conduct such a maneuver would be reckless and infinitely dangerous!" He stopped when he saw the hundreds of blue icons appearing between his two support fleets with precise and exact positioning. His eyes grew even larger when nearly all the ships unleashed barrages of anti-ship missiles.

"Order them to engage the Republic ships!" He snapped. Destroy all of them!"

Bastila knelt in the small room directly off the bridge of Dacen's ship, her eyes closed, and her hands folded across her lap. All around her were dim lights casting a soft shadow into the room. Bastila was already deep into her meditation, aware of the entire battle as it began. She could feel the fear and anxiousness of every man and women within their fleet, yet also their determined resolve to succeed. She could sense many of them, numbering in the thousands, to be extremely happy that Dacen was leading this battle and the Jedi were among them. They knew this would not be like the Mandalore Wars. They knew they had not only Revan and Dacen, who many considered legendary, but they knew that every Jedi was now fighting alongside them, and they weren't alone. Bastila could sense all the fears, all the emotions, and earlier in her career as a Jedi this would have nearly overwhelmed her. Now with her maturity and even more improved skill with her gift, she found herself smiling as the thoughts and emotions of thousands flowed through her. It actually gave her strength to see that so many looked to the Jedi as leaders and heroes.

Bastila wasted no time in extending her power to envelope the two Sith fleets as Dacen brought his forces out of hyperspace. She could sense the hatred and rage of thousands of Sith soldiers, but she also could sense something much darker. She probed cautiously, not yet ready to reveal her presence to those Force sensitive individuals who were surely within the Sith ranks. As she probed deeper, she was well aware of the battle taking place all around her, and in small measures, she assisted where Dacen had instructed her. This unknown presence in the Force however drew her attention. Its mental shields were powerful, as she probed lightly, minimizing her Force aura to almost nothing so that it would not alert whoever she was probing. She found hundreds of these minds stretched across both fleets, deducting that they were either dark jedi or pure Sith species. Only those two would have the ability to have the type of mental shields she was encountering. She increased her probe delicately, slowly moving past the first layer of mental shields. Her training with Revan had helped her own control immeasurably, allowing her to test her skill against the most powerful mental shields of any Jedi she had ever encountered. Revan and their son could close off parts of their minds and lock them away, and she had practiced countless times over the years trying to breach these places where she could not go. Revan and their son had been angry with her at first, which only caused her to do it more, and over time it became a game to them. To this day, she had never been able to breach the mental shields of either of them, but she had become quite skilled at bypassing mental barriers. It was this skill she used now, subtly pushing past the first layer or so of mental shields.

What she discovered caused her to physically gasp. She could sense the vile hatred and rage, and the unmitigated evil coursing through these minds. She maintained her composure and control however, breathing deeply and calming her mind. She saw places and events that pulsed with dark power and evil. Beads of sweat began to form on her brow as she maintained her control, keeping her Force aura miniscule in size. She could sense the battle all around her as Republic fighters engaged the Sith snub fighters. Dacen was on the bridge directly the battle with unerring calm, issuing orders to his two fleets as they engaged.

Bastila withdrew from the minds of the pure Sith slowly and expanded her view over the battle, feeling the minions of the Sith on their ships as they scrambled to deal with this new threat that had arrived suddenly in their space. She could sense the confusion and surprise at having this many ships appear within the heart of their two fleets without causing innumerable collisions and loss of life. She could also sense however the degree of professionalism of the Sith officers and crew as they reacted to the attack. Orders were being issued, and followed, but Bastila heard them all, and using her Battle Meditation was able to slow their responses to a degree, allowing Dacen and the Republic ships to continue to hammer the sith fleet.

"Left flank, close up!" Dacen shouted the ordered. "Automatic reload, all missiles batteries! Starboard laser batteries commence firing. Target the Interdictor ship at 5923 mark 4!"

Dacen's ship, The Brianna, banked hard to the left, its laser batteries unleashing a hellish volley of fire that slammed into the Sith capital ship nearest them. Several nearby cruisers joined in the pummeling of the Interdictor ship, their lasers pounding the shields of the ship, causing them to overload in different sections. It was these sections that Dacen targeted.

"There! Target missiles on the downed shields! Full volley! Maximum charge on all warheads!"

The Brianna unleashed nearly sixty anti ship missiles at four different points across the Sith ship. With no shields to impede them, the missiles ripped into the hull of the ship, causing massive explosions that blew huge chunks of the superstructure out of the ship. Dacen knew immediately that they had destroyed the weapons and inertia dampers of the ship as its weapons fell silent and it began to list horribly to port.

"She's done! Have the second echelon pull up and begin working on the cruisers!" Dacen barked. "Acquire the next capital ship, and give it a full spread! Have Admiral Warren come in from port and batter the command ships from his side! Direct the Third fleet to cover our flank! Remember, target only the capital ships! Let our fighters deal with the cruisers!"

Dacen punched a control on the panel nearest to him. "Bastila! Now!"

Even deep in her meditation, Bastila heard Dacen's words over the com in the room. The Bastila Shan of old would have begun to weave her magic by stripping the Sith of their will to fight and equally inspiring the republic forces. She was not however the Bastila Shan of old.

Bastila was now the wife of Revan Panlie, and the mother to his children. She had once been tortured horribly, allowing her to succumb to the temptations of the dark side, killing thousands in the process. She had once nearly destroyed the only man who she cared for more than anything else in the universe. She was no longer Bastila Shan the Jedi Padawan and poster child for the Jedi Order. She was now Bastila Panlie, and with that name came the fortitude and ideas to wage war with no hesitation.

There was no preamble as Bastila ripped the will to fight from the Sith. Pilots locked in combat suddenly found themselves forgetting how to fly their fighters, many slamming into their own comrades or their own ships as something gripped them against their will. The Republic pilots and crews found themselves uplifted with an unequaled will to fight and win, inspiring them to load their missiles faster, fly their fighters harder, and target their lasers better. republic fighter pilots whipping amongst the huge ships found their reactions were crisper and faster, their minds driving them to unbelievable feats. The bridges of the Sith ships became madhouses as officers and crew forgot how to do their jobs, and watched in horror as their ships collided with others or plowed nose first into a sister ship. The members of the pure sith on board these ships were helpless, as no amount of screaming and butchering fellow officers could help. And then suddenly, they were on the decks of their ships screaming in agony, holding their heads, as Bastila reached into their minds and with all her power of the Force, began to rend their thoughts to shreds.

On his bridge, Dacen smiled.

The commander of the Sith fleet stood and watched in horror as his two support fleets were being slaughtered before his eyes. It seemed as if they had forgotten how to fight, and were letting the Republic ships and fighters blast them from the stars freely.

"The Witch!" He exclaimed. "The Jedi Witch Shan is here!" He turned to his second officer. "Order all ships not engaged with bombardment to turn and attack the Republic forces!" He snapped. "And have Darth Natal come to the bridge immediately!"

"I'm here already Admiral Seelok." The voice announced from behind him.

Seelok turned and looked at him, dressed in his dark clothing and cloak. His cowl was drawn up around his head. "The Jedi Witch Shan is here in the system! She is using her powers against my fleet. Find her! Now!"

Natal closed his eyes and reached out within the Force. He disregarded the Force auras of the untrained and focused on finding the well trained and powerful ones. It did not take him long, as Bastila had lowered her masking to bring the full brunt of her power to bear. He also detected the other Force aura of near equal power. And they were both on the same ship. He opened his eyes and walked to the holo map. He found the ship he wanted and pointed.

"She is here." He told the Sith Admiral. "She is on this Mandalorian ship with the Jedi known as Dacen Vorsut. The Exile who murdered Sion and Nihilus."

Seelok turned. "Inform all ships to target that Mandalorian capital ship! They are to destroy it at all costs!"

Bastila's eyes popped open suddenly and her intake of breath was very audible in the small room. She scrambled to her feet and moved for the door, forcing it open with the Force, not bothering with the control panel. The bridge was controlled chaos, and she marveled how Dacen stood in the center of it all, calmly issuing orders. That passed quickly as she walked directly up to him.

"Dacen, we need to leave! Now!"

Dacen looked at her. "What? Why? We have them right where we want them! We've destroyed more than half their capital ships and cruisers! We can save Gand!"

Bastila shook her head. "That wasn't the plan Dacen, you know that! We've been discovered. You and I. The Sith know we are here. I've felt a powerful presence in the Force; a dark presence."

Dacen took a deep breath and closed his eyes quickly, reaching out in the Force. His eyes snapped open after a moment and he looked at her. "I've… I've never felt evil like that! Even… even Nihilus wasn't this dark."

Bastila nodded. "I believe it's an apprentice. We need to go Dacen. We need to pull back. I feel they will be calling for reinforcements. They will target us."

As if on cue, Dacen's second in command rushed over. "General, the Sith warships are turning. They are coming right at us!"

Dacen didn't blink. "Send out the abort code! We've done what we came to do! Helm, full power turn! Take us to the jump coordinates!"

The Mandalorian helm officer didn't hesitate and sent The Brianna into a gut wrenching turn for a ship of its enormous size. Bastila grabbed Dacen's arm to keep from losing her balance as The Brianna defied all laws of physics with the maneuver. It also confused the Sith officers on the ships turning to engage her. They saw the Republic ships all executing radical turns while unleashing massive salvos of anti-ship missiles.

"Admiral the Republic ships are turning away! They are retreating!"

Seelok looked at his display, his anger causing him to shake as he realized his additional reinforcements would not arrive in time to cut off the escape of the Jedi Witch. He turned as the aide brought him a data pad. He read it, his eyes growing darker still. He screamed in rage and lashed out with his hand at the aide, his clawed hands ripping open the throat of the young man. He turned to Natal.

"While their ships kept us busy, they were able to land troops on the other side of the planet! Nearly a hundred thousand troops!" He screamed. "They destroyed the remaining space port and were able to evacuate the remaining civilians off the planet, to include the entire Gand political structure!"

Seelok threw the pad across his bridge in his fit, watching as it shattered against the bulkhead.

Natal stepped up slowly. "You have studied the tactics of Revan and Vorsut." He said calmly. "They are renowned for their ability to make the unorthodox work to perfection. I believe even you have said to always expect the unexpected from them. We had no reason to believe the traitor would risk his woman in battle. She was able to turn the tide in their favor."

Seelok looked at him taking a deep breath. "We must inform the Master that we will need Hunters sent out with every fleet from now on. She is only one person, and she can not be at every battle, and the Hunters will give us the ability to combat her power should she use it again."

Natal nodded. "Do not underestimate her Admiral. She is far more powerful then she demonstrated today. And Vorsut is unlike any commander you have faced up until now. And even he pales in comparison to the traitor Revan."

Seelok looked around his bridge. "I do not intend to underestimate her again, or any of them. Ever." He turned to his second in command. "What are the casualties?"

"One hundred nineteen capital ships lost or crippled Admiral. Nearly the same amount of attack cruisers lost and almost five hundred fighters." The aide replied, fearing for his own life.

Seelok nodded as he brought his anger under tight control again. "Return to the orbit of Gand. Instruct our ships to use poison missiles. Saturate the entire planet. I want nothing left alive when we depart. Not even microbes!"

The officer nodded and moved away quickly as Seelok returned his gaze to Natal. "We must report to the Master."

Natal nodded slowly. "I will join you momentarily. I have some instructions of my own to pass on to several of our agents."

Seelok nodded, knowing that Natal alone held the identities to at least a dozen Sith agents buried within the Republic; buried so deep, that only a full scale investigation by the Jedi would have any hope of uncovering them all. Natal watched Seelok leave the bridge of his ship before he turned and went to the communication console and entered in several coded messages. He looked around once more before pressing the button on the control panel that sent the messages speeding on their way.

Messages that would lead to the deaths of quite a few Jedi and perhaps even someone close to the traitor himself.