CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
YAVIN 4
Corna and the two Mandalorian scouts moved slowly along the outer wall of the Temple. Their advanced Eriadu Stealth Units and Eriadu Stealth Field Enhancers were rendering them completely invisible. Bao-Dur had tinkered with the ESUs and increased their efficiency and power. They had bypassed the half dozen heavily armed Sith soldiers on the only open path to the Temple, and had positioned themselves at the entrance. The massive stone doors were open enough for them to slip through into the coolness of the inner Temple. There was a trail of portable light pods that extended down the stone corridor, and they moved silently and swiftly along the inner wall. The stone was flaking in some spots, and moss was growing in large areas, even extending to the floor in some locations. Thick green vines grew across the high ceilings and down through cracks in portions of the walls. Corna could feel the dark aura of the Temple, but kept his emotions tightly in check and kept his Force aura masked to the level that only a very powerful Force user would be able to detect him.
He had heard of the last terrible battle fought here, and the lives senselessly wasted by Exar Kun as he slaughtered the Massassi tribes that had pledged themselves to him in an attempt to save himself at the last moment. The Great Sith War had nearly brought the Republic and the Jedi Order to its knees. Forty years later the Mandalorians had come, and this time, without the Jedi to assist them, the Republic was nearly destroyed. No one really knew how close the Mandalorians had come to conquering the Core worlds. If not for Revan and the Jedi who followed him, they would have.
Now Corna was working side by side with the same Mandalorians, and doing so with a great deal of pride. Theirs was one of hundreds of reconnaissance missions currently being conducted across the galaxy. They had draw Yavin 4 due to Corna's Master ranking within the Jedi, and his natural warrior instincts and leadership ability.
Corna and his two scouts stopped at the end of the long tunnel, as it branched off in two different directions. Due to their Stealth Field Enhancers, they were able to see each other as shimmering gray shapes. Corna waited at the end of the tunnel, reaching out as much as he dared with the Force. His head turned to the east tunnel as he felt the life essences of the Sith troopers. He pointed with two fingers and motioned down the dimly lit tunnel. The lieutenant didn't hesitate and started down the tunnel, his vibrosword clutched tightly in his hand. Corna went next and the senior cadre brought up the rear. It became even cooler as they went deeper into the Temple, and the growth of the vines and moss was diminishing. They moved silently as ghosts until they came to the large open room. The tunnel emptied into this hall, and they could see the broken and run down stone bleachers that circled the center pool of dark water. They could see the troopers ahead, in an adjoining room on the far end and moved along the wall quickly.
Corna could feel the darkness creeping in the Temple. It permeated the entire structure, and he took care to not even touch the walls. As they drew closer to the door, his eyes narrowed as he recognized several power generators and what appeared to be two dark Jedi sitting on the floor and chanting soft words in a strange language. They watched as the troopers set up what they had been carrying, and then quickly left the room. The power of this Temple could taint any man Corna thought to himself. They must set what explosives they had and get out quickly. Corna motioned to the lieutenant and then to the senior cadre before moving up next to the door. He pulled the Sith war sword from across his back and prepared to assault the room. The two scouts with him also gripped their weapons, ready for whatever action their leader deemed necessary.
Corna listened to what the two dark Jedi were chanting, his eyes widening. "NO!" He screamed, rising to his feet and charging into the room.
The two dark Jedi looked up, their chanting stopping as they saw the stealth shields on the Iridonian Jedi come down. Corna did not pause as his eyes registered that these two were pure blood Sith, their red skin clearly visible as they looked at him. Corna put all his power into the intricate figure eight motion, the Sith War Sword gaining speed as it sliced through the air. On the last downward swing, the gleaming blade bit into the shoulder of the nearest pure Sith and cleaved his body nearly in two. The pure blood Sith had no chance to even raise his light saber.
The second apprentice was faster, as he was able to ignite his light saber, the red casting an eerie glow in the small room. However, the two Mandalorian scouts were already upon him, one slashing down with the vibrosword towards his head. He was able to lift his light saber to parry this blow, but was unable to stop the senior cadre from burying his Echani long sword through the apprentice's chest and ripping downwards.
Corna turned as he heard running in the other chamber. He held out his hand and let loose with a Force wave that slammed into the Sith troopers. Five of them went flying across the room and smashed into the hard stone walls, the sound of their bones breaking very audible in the chamber. He turned back to his scouts.
"Quickly! Set as many charges as possible. We must destroy this room; this entire Temple!" Corna gasped.
"Master Corna… what is it?" The lieutenant asked, worry etching his face.
"Can't you feel it? The darkness of this Temple is nearly overwhelming! It must be destroyed. They were attempting to harness the dark power here. What they were chanting was a Reincarnation Spell. They were using sith Alchemy! We must not let them use this Temple for any reason." Corna spoke quickly.
"Our presence is known. We will have to act quickly!"
Corna nodded. "I will attempt to hold them off. Whatever you do, set the charges, no matter what happens!"
The lieutenant nodded as Corna moved into the larger chamber.
Corna dispatched another Sith trooper with an upward slash of the War Sword, tearing through the armor of his neck and shoulder and nearly severing his head. Corna was splashed with blood, the Sith war sword grip becoming slippery even with the enhanced wrappings. There were an even dozen bodies that lay all around him. Several were missing their heads, while others bore the horrendous injuries of the war sword. The Sith War Sword was a devastating weapon in the hands of someone who knew how to use it, and Corna was such a person. He had trained with it as a young Padawan, and this particular sword was weighted and balanced perfectly for him. He had enhanced the grip and was using a Devaronian blood poison coating on the blades of both ends. Corna's eyes were wide as he searched for more targets, but seeing none. The last four minutes had passed as if they were four hours. The remaining contingent of Sith soldiers on the moon had come rushing into the chamber intent on killing him. As he struck down each man, he could feel the dark taint grow stronger in him. The adrenalin of the battle had given him heightened senses and strength, and he had butchered the Sith with almost an arrogant grace.
Corna turned as his two scouts came rushing out of the room where they had set the explosives. The lieutenant stopped, looking at Corna oddly.
"Master?"
Corna's eyes focused on the lieutenant and he could feel some of the dark taint seep from him. "Hurry… hurry. We must leave this place!"
"Master Corna… are you all right?" He asked, taking hold of his arm.
Corna met his eyes. "The explosives?" He asked.
"They are set."
Corna nodded. "Then we must go, quickly. Before this place corrupts me even more."
The senior cadre came up to them, his eyes wide. "The Sith are all dead." He said slowly. "No more remain."
The Scout Lieutenant had seen much in his career, and he'd also heard stories from more senior Mandalorian troops who had fought the Jedi towards the end of that war. Some had told him of their experience fighting Jedi, and how they had witnessed many fall to this dark side they referred to. The Lieutenant was no fool. The battle here in this temple and the apparent affect it was having on his friend was obvious. He looked at his senior cadre.
"Lead us out Malor!" He said. "Stop for nothing."
The senior cadre did not hesitate and turned to go.
Corna sipped the water from the canteen as they heard the remains of the Temple settle to the ground. The explosives had been set deep enough in the structure to bring it down easily and that is what was currently happening. Corna did not even watch as the Temple of Exar Kun was reduced to an obliterated shell of what it once was. He looked at the scout lieutenant.
"Thank you my friend." He said.
The Lieutenant nodded his head. "You would have done the same." He said in reply. "I knew what was happening to you. It is not something I will allow."
"You knew?" Corna looked surprised.
The Lieutenant, Drex Catal, nodded. "You must remember who we follow Corna." He told him. "All of us have either seen or heard first hand accounts of what happens to your kind when exposed to this dark side. It is simply in our interests to prevent that."
Corna smiled. "Revan has told you of such things?" He asked curiously.
Drex nodded. "He and Dacen Vorsut. Lord Revan's fall and redemption is taught in our schools on Dxun. General Vorsut's history of the three Sith Lords he fought is also taught, Lady Shan's fall and redemption as well. We value the knowledge. Mandalorians do not shy from battle this is true, however we are not the blood thirsty butchers so many think we are."
"Why do you follow Revan?" Corna asked.
Drex looked at him for a long moment, so long a moment that Corna did not think he was going to answer. "Lord Revan is our future." He said finally.
"Your future?"
Drex nodded. "Lord Revan was the one who instructed Mandalore to gather the clans when we were all scattered after the war. He instructed him that this battle was coming, and the only way to defeat it would be to be united under one banner. Since Lord Revan defeated the last Mandalore, he was within his rights to name a successor. Clan Ordo has a long and glorious history among our people, Lord Revan knew this, and that is why he chose Canderous Ordo. When Mandalore decided to fight with Lord Revan even after having escaped Taris, he saw something in him. He saw Revan under the guise that your council of old men tried to invent. He saw the true man. Mandalore has told many stories over the years, some have varied with each telling," Drex smiled to himself. "But the foundation of one story is always the same. Mandalore saw Revan in those early days, the fire that burned in his eyes could be no other. Whatever drove my people to battle against the Republic, Lord Revan defeated us. Never had my people been handled so easily. Lord Revan stood up to my people, and even after defeating them, he still held us in high regard.
"Without him and General Vorsut, we would not have what we have today. Instead of scattered and broken, the remaining clans are strong and united, as it should be. What happens to us in the future can not be told. We may die and fade away as a people, or we may flourish once more. Either way… it will be because of what Lord Revan and Dacen Vorsut have done for us."
"And… and what if Revan had not been redeemed. What if he walked the path of a Dark Lord still?" Corna asked.
Drex met his eyes calmly. "Mandalore is fond of a quoting something he once spoke to Lord Revan right after they discovered his true identity. "You were the only one who could best us Revan. We had never met anyone like you before Revan, and never since. How can you even ask if I will follow you? I'm your man until the end Revan." Or something very similar to that; and the words ring true."
"So you would have followed him even as a Sith Lord?" Corna stated.
Drex nodded slowly. "Yes. The man inspires people to be more than they know they can be. He is strong of mind and body and heart. There are six that any Mandalorian would willing give their lives for with no thought. Mandalore, Lord Revan, General Vorsut, Lady Shan, Lady Vorsut, and a Miraluka woman that holds the heart of Mandalore. It matters not to us whether they are dark or light. We don't see things in the absolutes that the Jedi do Corna. And as we all have learned these last weeks, to save the galaxy, Lord Revan would have conquered it. To become the galaxy's greatest hero, he would have become its most vile villain. That speaks volumes all by itself. You and the Jedi say Lord Revan fell to the dark side of your Force… we believe he made a conscious and tactical decision to do so after seeing the threat he faced."
Corna nodded. "Yes. I see your point."
"Make no mistake Master Corna we hold you and the other Jedi among us in the highest of regard. We just feel you limit yourself to black and white, when there is so much gray in between." Drex explained. "When you do that… you unwittingly draw further apart from those you are pledged to protect."
Corna was surprised at the wisdom of this young soldiers words and he shook his head in agreement. "Perhaps I should ask you to speak with the Masters on the Council. Maybe then they would see what it is many of us have tried to tell them over the years."
Drex chuckled. "While the offer is tempting Master Corna, I fear my blaster would not make them see the truth. They are too ingrained in their views and their ways."
Corna echoed his laughter and nodded. "I fear you are right." He got to his feet slowly and held out his hand for the younger man. "I believe it is time we departed this place. The Sith will undoubtedly send someone to investigate. We don't want to be here."
Drex smiled as he took the offered hand and got to his feet. "On that we firmly agree. And we must make contact with Rev Junior and report what we discovered."
"… by the Blade of Mandalore Revan, just spit it out for frak's sake!" Dralor popped. "Before you put us all to sleep!"
Dralor's words caused everyone sitting at the table to burst into laughter as Revan turned a bright shade of crimson, and Anja's face turned white. Jaspar and Lena Tamari could barely contain their laughter, Arren was not having the same difficulties as the others, but she too was on the verge of bursting out laughing. Many of the Mandalorian and Republic troops sitting at nearby tables could not suppress their grins, and the Dxun Jedi simply smiled, while the Dantooine Jedi detachment in the lounge were all very surprised at what was happening.
Revan stood there at the side of the table, his face redder than anyone had ever seen it. He had attempted to express to Anja's parents his feelings for their daughter in the Mandalorian fashion, and was failing miserably. They had left Dantooine six hours before and had come together for dinner and it was Revan's intention to announce his claim on their daughter, and ask them for her hand in marriage, yet now his words were failing him. He had forgotten everything he had gone over with Dralor not half an hour before, and he felt like a complete idiot now. Revan looked at Anja, her face white as a sheet as she could feel his apprehension through their bond, and he took a deep breath and let it explode out of his mouth.
"I am Revan Panlie of Clan Ordo! I ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. I promise to give her strong sons and daughters and to provide for her until my life has left me." Revan blurted out. He saw Lena's face soften and beam at his words, and Jaspar's face become serious. "She is the light that burns in my veins, and my being. Without her I am nothing."
Revan let out a sigh as he finished his prepared words and he stood there watching as Jaspar got to his feet and walked around the table to come stand in front of him.
Jaspar looked at Revan and took a deep breath. "I knew that this day would come for the two of you." He began. "To be honest, I didn't know until this very moment how I would feel. I have seen the way you look at my daughter, and how she looks at you. I must say, all these years I held a lot of hatred for your father over what I thought he had done to my world. After finding out that he was not the one that gave the order, I found I could not hang onto those feelings. And I doubt they would have prevented you from doing this at some point.
"You have given back to me my life Revan Panlie." He said. "Given me the opportunity to do what I love the most, and do it with the woman I love as much as you love my daughter. I can think of no one I would be more honored to call my daughter's husband."
The cheers and clapping would have put a small pep rally to shame, led by Dralor and Arren. Anja hugged her mother tightly before moving quickly around the table to embrace her father. He had small tears in his eyes as he released her, and then watched her fold into Revan's embrace and share a warm and passionate kiss. He felt Lena take his hand next to him and he looked at his wife, as congratulations were passed among the gathered men and women.
That is what Revan remembered from earlier in the evening as he gazed at Anja's sleeping form in the bed. Her hair was splayed across the pillow, the sheet clenched tightly to her naked form underneath. Revan lifted the mug of caffa to his lips and took a sip.
"She is surely beautiful young Revan; a blossoming butterfly, with enormous power and potential." The voice spoke.
Revan smiled, recognizing the voice, and he turned slowly. The ghostly form of Ajunta Pall stood in the bedroom with him. Revan had spent long hours with this ghostly apparition of the former Sith Lord his father had brought back to the light all those years ago. Gone was the sickly gray skin and yellow eyes of the former Dark Lord, replaced by how he appeared when he first broke from the Jedi Order millennia ago. His blond hair was shoulder length, his blue eyes bright. He appeared to be in his early fifties, and in excellent shape. He wore the ancient robes of a Jedi Master, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I have missed you Master Pall." Revan said.
Ajunta chuckled. "I'm sure, just as much as you have missed the Tarletian flu." He replied. "Walk with me young Revan."
Revan turned and followed the ghostly form into the living area of his personal quarters aboard his flagship. THE VICTORY had transferred her flag to this improved LICTOR-Class Dreadnought, and they were on course for Coruscant. Revan watched as Ajunta's form went to the large star port, and he settled onto the comfortable couch.
"You are troubled Master. What concerns you?"
Ajunta turned and looked at Revan for a long moment before moving to stand behind the smaller couch. "Of all who know of this threat only you and your father understand the true nature of the evil that is arrayed against you? Not even the Masters on the Jedi Council could hope to understand."
"Vandar sensed it Master, long ago. That is why he cautioned against the Jedi entering the Mandalorian war." Revan said.
Ajunta nodded. "Yes. Of them all, he is the most attuned to the Force. His entire species is Force sensitive. Have you never wondered why only one sits on the council at any given time?"
Revan nodded. "Yes, it has crossed my mind once or twice. I asked my father about it once, and he said that Vandar's species have been members of the Council since the Jedi were formed. That one of his kind may have even been the very first Jedi."
"Your father would be surprised at how close to the truth his words are." Ajunta replied, his spirit form settling onto the couch across from Revan.
"What troubles you Master?" Revan asked again.
"This Sith Lord you face? He is of pure Sith blood as you know… but he is also the personification of evil. There was one in our day who could compare to him in this regard, but he was not as powerful as this Lord."
"Marka Ragnos." Revan said softly.
Ajunta nodded. "For two hundred years he had no equal, and any who opposed him died brutally. Many of the records of his rein were destroyed by the Sith and the Jedi. They feared what one could learn from him and his history."
"Master, why are you telling me this?"
Ajunta looked at him. "This war young Revan, it will be unlike any war ever fought. And far more savage then even the Mandalore wars of your father's time. There may come a time… there may come a time when you will need to seek out Marka."
Revan looked horrified. "Seek him out? Why?"
"Only he will hold the knowledge you will need to defeat this Sith Lord if all else fails." Ajunta replied. "You must discuss this with no one young Revan. Not even your father."
"Why Master?"
"Your father has tasted the dark side young Revan. His spirit still bears those scars. Yours does not. It is still pure. Only one of pure spirit could hope to summon Marka and speak with him." Ajunta replied. "I know this is much for you to bear apprentice, but of all I have seen and trained, you are by far the most powerful young Revan. I can only hope it will not be necessary."
"Why?"
Ajunta waved his hand. "That is another discussion we will have to have. Not now however." He replied. "Do you trust me?"
"Master, why would you ask me that? I trust you as I trust my father." Revan replied.
"Your father gave me the opportunity to correct the mistakes I spent thousands of years regretting." Ajunta spoke. "In you I have poured all my knowledge, all of my skill light and dark. In you I see what I could have been had I not fallen, and I have no desire to see that wasted."
"Revan…" The soft female voice spoke, causing both of them to turn. Anja stood in the doorway, her eyes were wide, and her hands were holding the sheet tightly around her naked body. Her long hair looked wild as she had just awaken, realizing that Revan was not next to her. She had heard voices in the living area and wrapped the sheet around herself expecting Revan to be speaking with someone on the com.
Revan smiled and got to his feet, going to where she stood staring at Ajunta's spirit form. "There is nothing to fear my love." He said. Anja stepped closer to him as his arm slid around her waist.
Ajunta glided across the floor to stand in front of them and he smiled at her. "I am honored to meet you Anja Tamari. I feel I already know you."
Anja looked at Revan quickly and he smiled. "Anja… this is Ajunta Pall. Well… the spirit of Ajunta Pall."
"My lack of physical form has not diminished the fact I have defeated you in light saber duels for most of your life." Ajunta spoke proudly.
Revan chuckled. "A spirit with an attitude." He said.
"Why… why is there a spirit of a former dark lord in our quarters?" Anja asked, without a hint of malice in her voice, only curiosity in her green eyes.
"This is the spirit my father encountered on Korriban during his quest for the Star Forge." Revan replied.
Recognition flowed into Anja's sleep dulled brain, and she looked at Ajunta with new respect in her eyes. "Oh… you returned to the light!"
Ajunta smiled. "I did indeed." He answered. "And it was with great joy and celebration that I was finally able to become one with the Force. However, I have also realized that part of my penance is to assist in the training of this stubborn and sometimes quite dense young man who you seem to have a powerful hold over. And one who you share a bond with unlike any other in history, save his parents." Ajunta stepped up to her, and to her credit, Anja did not back down, which gained her immediate respect in Ajunta's eyes. "He is headstrong and reckless young Anja. I trust having you in his life will temper his wilder instincts."
Anja smiled and glanced at Revan. She looked back to Ajunta with a sly smile. "That is what I find so appealing about him." She answered innocently.
Ajunta's eyes rolled and he sighed heavily. "Yes… this is my penance for certain." He smiled and looked at Revan. "Remember what we have discussed young apprentice."
Revan nodded as he drew Anja into his arms. "I will Master."
Ajunta nodded. "Then I will take my leave of you for now."
Anja stood there in awe as Ajunta's form simply evaporated into nothingness. She looked up into Revan's eyes. "My love, why were you having a discussion with a ghost?"
Revan smiled and lifted her into his arms, heading back for their bed. "Perhaps one day I will share it with you." He told her.
The mood in the officer's mess area the next morning was relaxed and friendly. Revan and Anja sat at a large circular table with Arren, Dralor, Dustil, Mission, and Bao-Dur. There were other Jedi and senior officers in the mess lounge drinking caffa and having breakfast. Dralor was glad to be back among his friends. He felt calmer and more at peace with men and women he knew and trusted. While he and Arren had cherished the time with their children, both of them knew that the men and women they surrounded themselves with understood them and that they had no truer friends. He sensed a calming influence on Arren, and knew it was the proximity to Revan that did this for her. She was a Jedi, and she needed to be around others like herself in order to bleed off the emotions she carried within her. She adored Revan as a younger sister would her older brother, and he knew if either of them ever needed anything they need only turn to one person and he would be there for them.
Dralor felt Arren squeeze his arm and he glanced at her with love in his eyes. She smiled up at him and kissed his cheek softly. She let her eyes move to where Rev and Anja sat close together, and she marveled at the auras they were projecting. They both nearly pulsed with the power of the Force in them, and sitting together as they were, it seemed as if they were nearly one being, so powerful and alike were their auras.
Dralor sipped his caffa and leaned back in his chair. "Why has your father called everyone back to Coruscant Rev?" He asked. "It seems a tactically unsound idea to have both of you and Dacen all on Coruscant at the same time. And your mother will be there as well."
Revan looked at him. "I don't know. I'm assuming it has to do with some information that my mother and Uncle Dacen discovered during their encounter with the Sith forces near Gand. I felt her emotions spike for a moment at one point, but then she threw up a mental shield." He leaned back in his chair as well. "I'm as much in the dark as you."
"It will be nice to finally see my father again." Dustil spoke. "It's been far too long."
Mission looked at him. "What do you think he'll say when we tell him we married on Dantooine?" She asked with a smile and look of love on her face. The last two weeks had been good for her. Constant meditation with Yuthura and Revan had allowed her to come to grips with the fact that the Force now ran through her body. Though her training in the dark arts had been extensive, and she was quite powerful, she was adjusting exceptionally well to the peace and serenity that the Force could bring to her as well. And Revan had been teaching her how to not repress her emotions but bring them out and talk with others about them. She and Dustil had rediscovered their love for one another, something the dark taint could not purge from her.
Dustil chuckled. "Who is he to talk? Last I knew he was doting over Dralor's sister Vlaina." He said, poking Dralor in the shoulder.
Dralor laughed and nodded his head. "My sister appears to be quite taken by your father Dustil. It will be good to see them both again and see just how far things have progressed."
The door to the mess lounge slid open and Victor walked in slowly, his eyes sweeping the large room. He stared hard at their table, his eyes mostly lingering on Anja before he moved to the long counter to get a tray of food.
I don't like him. Anja spoke to Revan through their bond as she sipped her caffa. Nor do I trust him.
Revan lifted the fork of food to his mouth so it appeared they were not having a private discussion. Juhani thinks highly of him. He has been with her for nearly twenty years my love.
When he looks at me I feel shivers course through me Revan. Like some sort of evil is sizing me up.
Juhani told me he once had deep feelings for you. He told her, causing Anja to look at him.
Feelings for me? I hadn't met him before that day on Dantooine!
He was on Coruscant at the Temple training while you were there. He had come to study with another Master. According to Juhani… he tried to approach you… but you never acknowledged him.
So he is angry over that? We were Jedi! I was so overwhelmed with the training Master Corna was putting me through I didn't even notice one day to the next. And I lived and breathed the Code then. I would not have even considered a relationship with anyone, let alone him. He isn't my type.
Your type?
Anja looked at him, a seductive glint in her eyes. You are my type Revan.
I believe he is under the impression you felt he was beneath you. And my entrance into your life appears to have not made things better. Your association with me has caused your abilities in the Force to increase nearly ten fold because of our bond. You have grown stronger than him, and I believe he resents that. And he resents me as well for being in your life.
Well that's just too damn bad!
Revan chuckled and swallowed the food in his mouth. Do you want me to talk with him?
No. Anja replied, shaking her head. I will bring it up to him when I feel the time is right.
Revan nodded. I will help if you desire.
Here he comes. She said, causing Revan to turn and see Victor approach their table. He stopped in front of Revan.
"May I join you?" Victor asked.
Revan motioned to the open chair across form him. "Please." He said. He watched as Victor settled into the chair, his gaze lingering on Anja for a few moments longer than he should have, and Anja saw the contempt for her in his eyes.
Victor looked at Revan. "I understand we are heading for Coruscant." He began. "It will be good to see the Temple again."
Revan nodded. "I'm sure it will be."
"I was wondering if I might ask a question." Victor spoke.
Revan took the mug of caffa from Anja's hands and brought it to his lips, sipping from it. Anja dug her nail into his thigh under the table.
Revan! Don't antagonize him! She snapped.
"What would you like to know Knight Paal?" Revan asked, handing the mug back to Anja. He grinned inwardly when he saw the briefest flash of anger in Victor's eyes.
"I'm curious… I'm curious how you felt when you discovered that your father and mother were once servants of the dark side and were responsible for the deaths of millions of people?" Victor asked the question rather loudly and with obvious contempt dripping from his voice.
As if someone had suddenly flipped a switch, the entire mess lounge became deathly quiet, as hands froze in the motions of drinking or eating and many even stopped chewing as their heads turned to the table Revan sat at. Everyone sitting at Revan's table was stunned into silence at the intentionally harmful way the question was asked.
All except Arren.
She leaned forward in her seat, her face twisted in a mask of anger and she stuck her hand out at Victor. "How dare you think you have the right to ask that question!" She hissed at him. "You have no idea of what you--"
"Arren!" Revan's voice was firm, but held no hint of anger.
"Revan… he…"
"He has a right to hear an answer Arren." Revan replied looking at her. His face was a picture of calm. Arren sat back in her chair, her face still red with anger as Revan turned back to an unfazed Victor. "How did I feel?" Revan sat back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Victor Paal's face.
"Yes."
"I went on a trip with my father when I was fourteen years old Knight Paal. This trip took us nearly five months to complete. On this trip we traveled to twenty-seven different planets; the first twenty-seven planets that fell to the Mandalorians in the first year of that war. Most were backwater planets along the Outer Rim, planets not able to properly defend themselves from mercenaries let alone an invading army. Onderon was the first to fall. Nineteen million people lost their lives. Cathar was next… nearly forty million lives extinguished. Rutan and Eriadu fell next, nearly eighty million lives combined. Andath, Andoth, Roon, Rishi, Bothawui, Ord Mantell, combined nearly three hundred million lives extinguished. Those are only a few of the twenty-seven that fell. Nearly nine hundred million lives wiped out, the Republic that the Jedi Order are sworn protectors of screaming for help, and the Jedi turning a blind eye to all of it because they sensed a darkness. They sensed the true enemy had not shown themselves. They were correct to a point. The true enemy had not shown himself, and he didn't need too, he had enough influence among the most war like species in the universe to goad them into attacking helpless worlds. Attacking and butchering countless millions that went against the very essence of the history of this race.
"While the sworn protectors of the Republic sat idly by and let it happen. Do you know what the final total was Victor? Seven billion lives lost before my father ended the threat of the Mandalorians. Seven billion lives extinguished. What they failed to see… what my father realized as soon as he entered the war was that the true enemy had no intention of showing himself as long as he could influence the Mandalorians. He had no need to expose himself when others would do his bidding. That is what my father saw all throughout the war. The countless piles of bodies stretched across countless worlds. Men, women, and even children, slaughtered like so much fodder. My father saw this… and he saw what the true enemy was capable of, and he realized that the Republic, corrupt as it was, would not have been able to stand against this true enemy. So he made a decision." Revan leaned forward in his seat, and heads turned all over the room as pieces of eating utensils began to lift off the surrounding table and gravitate to the center of the mess lounge.
"Do you know how many lives my father took during his rein as Dark Lord of the Sith Knight Paal?" Revan asked.
"I…" Victor started to answer.
Revan cut him off quickly. "Eight million, four hundred twenty-nine thousand, six hundred and fifty eight." Revan spoke, his words now coming out with considerable emotion in them. More eating and drinking utensils were beginning to lift from tables all around them, and Victor noticed as those utensils on their own table began to lift. "Of that number… only one hundred nineteen thousand were innocent civilians. The rest were soldiers and Jedi, who conveniently and quickly decided that my father was the greatest evil to ever threaten the galaxy and the Republic. To hear some of those same Jedi talk, more evil than even Exar Kun, who slaughtered billions for sport.
"This is the same Jedi Order that sat on their backsides while the Mandalorians butchered seven billion citizens of the Republic they were sworn to protect! This is the same Jedi Order that preached patience then leaped into an ill thought out plan to capture my father, losing nearly every one of the hundred Jedi sent in the assault on his ship. The same Jedi Order that rushed into trying to reprogram my father's mind after my mother had saved him. The same Order that rushed into putting a nineteen year old Padawan with considerably less training than you in charge of trying to draw out secrets from my father's shattered mind. The same Jedi Order that rushed them into a search for the Star Forge, knowing full well that ignorant and completely dumb as a Gitza Darth Malak would annihilate anything that stood in his way of destroying the Republic and capturing my mother, who was the only one, by the way, who handed him his sorry pathetic backside every time she met his brainless Sith minions in battle.
"The same Jedi Order who wanted to separate my parents, when they knew that their love for each other was the only thing that saved their precious Order!"
The eating and drinking utensils had all formed a huge circle in the middle of the mess lounge and the pieces were spinning at nearly an unbelievable speed.
"How did I feel when my father told me this entire story Victor?" The utensils smashed together with a huge clanging and clinking noise and began to twist and warp into the shape of something. "I felt nothing but pride in what my father had the guts to do, while the Jedi Order simply sat and watched. I felt the same sorrow as him at the lives lost because of the decisions he had to make… decisions the Jedi Order was too frightened to make, decisions that still haunt him to this day." The twisting and wrenching of the once recognizable food ware continued in the center of the room.
"You would not… you could not begin to understand what I felt after walking the surface of those once shattered planets. Planets that now teem with life again because of the decision he made to take the mantle of Dark Lord. Sometimes the only way to kill an enemy… is to become just like your enemy, regardless of what it costs."
"To save the galaxy, Revan Panlie would have conquered it." The deep voice reached out into the silence of the room except for the swirling and twisting of the mass of metal in the center of the mess lounge. All eyes turned to where Master Corna stood with his Mandalorian scouts flanking him, Lieutenant Drex beside him. And it was silent as he repeated the words Drex had spoken to him only hours before on Yavin 4.
"To become the galaxy's greatest hero, Revan became its most vile villain."
Corna looked at Revan as the realization of his comments came to him fully. "A Jedi's life is sacrifice… when compared to the innocent." He said softly. "A Jedi's life is sacrifice."
The twisting and screaming former plates and silver ware came together finally in a screeching torrent, and dropped to the floor of the mess lounge as Revan came to his feet, his eyes burning in passion as he stared at Victor.
"That is how I felt Jedi Knight Victor Paal!" Revan nearly shouted the words before pushing away from the table and walking quickly from the mess lounge.
Anja was the first to recover her senses from Revan's speech and she hustled after the man she loved more now than when she walked into the mess lounge, if that was even possible. She did not see what everyone else was looking at in the middle of the floor with shocked expressions and in some cases complete awe.
It was formed from every piece of serving ware in the mess lounge, and now in the middle of the floor stood a small statue, in gray metallic color, of a young girl kneeling on the ground, her face held high but with tears streaking her cheeks, as she clutched the leg of a man. A man that stood over her protectively, his face a picture of grim determination in a sea of violence, and in his hands he brandished what could only be described as utterly amazing. In his hands he held the blade of a Jedi Guardian, the silver model lightsaber blade casting an almost sparkling glow on the young girl's face.
And the face of the Jedi was that of Revan Panlie.
Arren bent over slowly and lifted the small statue almost reverently. Her pale blue eyes settled on Victor, who was now standing.
"My suggestion to you Jedi," She spat. "Remain in your quarters for the remainder of the trip. It could very well save you some embarrassment."
Anja moved up to where Revan stood in the corridor of the ship. He was facing the wall, his palms spread out flat against the bulk head, and she could see he was breathing deeply, trying to maintain control of his emotions. She reached out and put her hands on his broad back, feeling the tension in him begin to fade almost instantly as her hands came in contact with him.
Anja smiled and her passion and love for him filled her as she noticed the effect she had on him.
My love?
I wanted to crush his throat! I wanted to see him suffer as others have suffered! To see the horror and agony the inept Jedi Council allowed to happen!
Revan what are you talking about?
He turned to face her, taking another deep breath as he regained control of his emotions. He took her hands in his. It is nothing.
No! It is not nothing! I can feel the anger in you. I can feel the pain and agony. Anja looked at him her green eyes full of worry. Revan I love you! Share with me what you feel! Please.
Revan took her face in his hands. It is not something you need to see or be burdened with.
Anja's jaw took on a determined set to it and she glared at him. You promised me you would never keep anything from me. Ever.
Revan sighed heavily. They… they are my father's memories Anja, of what he saw during the Mandalorian War. I keep them locked away… I only open them when…
When what my love?
When I need to be reminded of what we fight for.
Anja reached up and caressed his cheek. Share them with me Revan. They are a part of you, as I am a part of you. And you a part of me.
Revan gazed into her eyes for only a moment. "Come." he said, taking her hand.
"What? Where?" She held tightly to his hand as he pulled her along the corridor. "Revan, where are we going?"
Revan led her to the observation lounge near the top of the ship and using the Force he shoved everything over to one side of the room. He opened the outer shudders on the view ports to expose the bluish tunnel of hyperspace as it raced past them. Anja could see several other ships maintaining parallel courses to THE VICTORY. Revan led her to the center of the room and they sat lotus style facing each other. Revan held up his hands and looked at her as she placed her palms flat against his.
Are you sure Anja?
Anja took a deep breath and nodded. Yes.
They closed their eyes and fell into each other within the Force. They were standing together, holding hands and Anja could feel the Force swirling around them, passing through them. She turned to Revan in the near dream like state and saw his essence glowing with a brilliant white light, the waves of the Force pulsing through his very being. She gasped when she looked down at her own being and saw the same thing.
Suddenly it all vanished, to be replaced with rocky terrain mixed in with green fields and majestic mountains rising in the background. She could see the fingers of the clouds just touching the tips of the mountains against the backdrop of the bluest sky she had ever seen. The impressive sight nearly took her breath away.
The bridge officer looked at his console as several screens flickered and were awash in white static, and then the view changed form the tactical sensors to the view of the serene mountain valley. His eyes furrowed and he turned to his senior officer.
"Sir, you'd better look at this."
The Republic and Mandalorian deck officers moved to the man's station and both of
their faces twisted in confusion.
"What's this?" The Republic officer asked.
"I don't know sir. One second my tactical screens are there… the next I get this."
"Are we intercepting something off the holonet?" The Mandalorian officer asked.
"Not that I can tell sir!" The tech looked around, checking his other instruments. "Sir, this is happening all over the ship. Every sub system with a monitor is broadcasting this feed. Wherever it's coming from."
"Can you determine its source?"
"Yes sir. It's coming from deck nine, the in port senior officer's lounge."
"Contact the General. Inform him we may have intruders aboard who are attempting to access our systems."
The tech looked at him. "Sir, General Panlie is the one in the lounge. Him and Colonel Tamari."
"Have a team of Jedi move there immediately. Insure the General and Colonel are not in any danger. Have them report back immediately."
Anja turned to Revan in their dream like state. "Revan my love, I don't understand. This is beautiful. What could…"
The explosion to her front caused her head to snap around. The noise was so loud it was if they were there. She watched as Mandalorian soldiers poured from the far tree line, as more explosions began erupting within the deep timber itself. The Mandalorian troops were emerging by the hundreds from the wood line, many wounded, and bloody, some even carrying wounded comrades. But they were all moving toward them, screaming out war cries in a language she didn't understand. Weapons fire began to rip past their heads, and while Revan didn't flinch, Anja ducked and turned, her eyes widening as she realized they were standing on a ridge inside Republic troop positions. She could see the trench line as it stretched for hundreds of meters, packed full of Republic troops. She could see the heavy weapons platforms set up every fifty meters or so. She looked just behind the trench line and saw a small group of Republic officers standing together watching the hoards of Mandalorian troops advance. Her eyes grew even wider as she recognized Revan senior and Dacen, and then in a blink she was next to them and could hear as they spoke.
"Discovered you are here Admiral!" The Republic Colonel told Revan in a dispassionate voice. "Their main assault is centered on our lines here!"
The faces of the men were drawn and tight, weary with battle and exhaustion. The Jedi robes Dacen wore were tattered and dusty, the robes and armor and gauntlets Revan wore in similar condition.
"We must hold them here Dacen." Revan spoke from under the mask. "Take half your force and come in from their left flank along the river."
"That will leave your line incredibly thin my friend." Dacen said.
Revan nodded. "For a time. Malak approaches with the remains of the Second Division. They will strike from the south. Your force will hit them on their eastern flank and drive them into our heavy weapons."
"This is not like the Mandalorians Revan. They are throwing thousands of troops at prepared defensive positions and against superior firepower. They will be slaughtered." Dacen spoke. "They are a warrior race yes, but these attacks are pure suicide. They throw away lives."
"It is the darkness that drives them. Whatever has driven them to begin this war, it is driving them to do things against their very nature." Revan replied.
"This is the darkness that the Council foresaw?"
"Bah! In their silver tower on Coruscant? Yes… they sensed the darkness, but our true enemy… the enemy driving the Mandalorians to commit these senseless acts… that enemy will not show itself unless we force it too." Revan spoke, his words laced with bitterness. "The Order is content to watch millions die until they see this true threat. That is not acceptable to us… and when they finally see this true threat… it will be too late."
The images blurred all around Anja and then came into focus again.
It was the same battlefield, but now the flowing green field was awash in the blood of hundreds if not thousands of bodies, Mandalorian and Republic alike. Smoking craters filled the scorched earth where plasma mortars or rockets had struck, the first two hundred meters of tree line burned of all life, leaving the trees blackened and barren of anything green. Bodies were strewn all over, in various states of death; bodies without limbs, sightless eyes frozen in grimaces of agony, horrible wounds from swords and light sabers. Among the dead were dozens of Jedi, some still clasping their deactivated light sabers, surrounded by corpses of those they had stood against.
Anja's nose nearly wrinkled as if she could actually smell the foulness of death after battle. She turned and saw Revan and Dacen standing with others, all of them covered in blood and carrying light sabers and swords that were slick. Anja could tell Dacen had been crying, his face streaked with the paths of where the tears fell. Standing slightly to his side had to be Malak… she remembered him as a tall muscular Jedi from the archive pictures of him. His face was a mask of pain and anguish, and then she heard the raspy voice of Revan as he spoke from under the mask of black and red. She knew without a doubt he had been crying from the sound of his choked up voice.
"May the Force accept the sacrifices of those friends we lost today." Revan spoke softly. "They have not given themselves to the Force in vain."
Anja turned and looked Revan who had not said a word as she witnessed a small part of history. "Revan?"
The images blurred again and suddenly they were within towering buildings, smoking with fire, gaping holes blasted from the structures. Anja whirled around and could see the shattered remains of Basilisk War Mounts spread across the broken cityscape extending far into the distance.
"Montu Codru!" Anja gasped.
The screams brought her head around and she now saw the hundreds of bodies that littered the streets, men, woman, and even children. Shattered and broken bodies lay all around her and now she could smell the stench of death distinctly. She could see the survivors that were clutching the crushed and bloody bodies of loved ones in their arms screaming in despair.
"We couldn't stop them!" The female voice cried out. She seemed to be yelling directly at her. "Save us! Save my baby!" She held up the obviously mortally wounded child that couldn't be more than three years old.
Anja turned around and saw the figures of Revan and Malak again, along with a Republic officer now.
"Casualty reports are still coming in Admiral Revan, but initial estimates indicate nearly a ninety percent fatality rate within the city proper. Montu Codru's capital was home to nearly six million people." The human man spoke, his voice filled with the horror of the news.
"Thank you Captain Karath. I will…" The com on Revan's belt chimed and he took the holo emitter in his hand and activated it. The human officer appeared in the bluish holo image.
"Admiral, I have the Supreme Chancellor as you requested."
"Transfer the com signal here Ensign." Revan replied, setting the emitter on the medium size chunk of paracrete as the image of the well dressed leader of the Republic came into view. He was a human man from Alderaan, distinguished and regal.
"Supreme Chancellor Ortela." Revan said.
"Admiral Revan! I must say this is a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you Admiral?"
"Chancellor, I would like to know why my request for the Republic Third and Fourth Fleets to move into the Tion Hegemony was not acted on?" Revan asked.
"The Third and Fourth Fleets are currently involved with moving refugees to other locations." The Chancellor replied stiffly.
"You mean they are evacuating members of the Galactic senate who are too cowardly to remain there on Coruscant with you?" Revan hissed, his voice dripping with contempt.
"I assure you Admiral Revan that is not the case." The Chancellor replied.
"Isn't it? Then why did the commander of the Third Fleet contact me this morning and request he be transferred to my command? Chancellor, while you and the politicians sit safe on Coruscant, you deny us the means to protect the Republic. If my request had been acted on, the millions dead in this city would still be alive!"
"Admiral, please watch your tone when addressing the Chancellor." The Twi'lek aide spoke, moving into the picture.
"Remove yourself from this transmission worm!" Revan's voice now held nothing but contempt. "If you had dispatched those men and ships to me when I requested them, I could have saved these people this suffering!"
"Admiral, my military advisors reported to me those additional forces would not have made any difference in the outcome and very likely would have been lost completely." The Chancellor spoke.
"Your military advisors have never served a single day in combat against the Mandalorians!" Revan roared. "Who are they to advise you on anything? They are political appointees within your inner circle only because of their political or family connections! Do you take me for a fool Chancellor? The members of the Republic Senate are running to hide, using resources that could save lives on the front lines! They are neglecting the very people they have sworn to serve! The corruption and infighting needs to end Chancellor, or there won't be a Republic for them to serve in!"
"I will take your advice under advisement Admiral. I'm sorry, but the transmission seems to be breaking up on your end. I look forward to your next written report Admiral!" The Chancellor spoke, emphasizing the word written.
Revan swore under his breath as the transmission was severed from Coruscant. "To the pits of Korriban with them!" Revan barked. He whirled. "Saul, you have contacts within the Third and Fourth Fleets correct?"
"Yes Admiral Revan! Many contacts! I helped to train most of them." Saul Karath replied.
"Captain Karath you are hereby promoted to Colonel. Contact those men and women you know. I want a meeting with them." Revan spoke. He looked at Malak. "If the Chancellor won't give me the forces I need to defeat the Mandalorians… I will take them!"
Anja watched as the men turned and began the long walk back through the blood and gore and destruction to their transport. She could still hear the wailing of the innocent in the background.
"… No way to stop this sir! It's going out all over the ship! I can't help it. Somehow, his power is cascading to these secondary systems and using the monitors as some sort of internal holonet!" The tech spoke.
"Sir, the Jedi team sent to the lounge report that General Panlie and Colonel Tamari are meditating sir. There is no security threat."
The Republic bridge officer looked confused and undecided for only a few moments. "Chief! Record it. Record all of it!"
"Sir?"
"These are memories Chief! They have to be! Revan's memories during the Mandalorian wars! Didn't you recognize Admiral Karath? It was him before he sided with Revan and later Malak. These are the memories of Admiral Revan! Record them!" The officer barked.
"Aye sir!"
The swirl of images whipped around Anja again, and she looked at Revan almost serene face again. Suddenly the images stopped and she found herself on a ship. She was in a lounge area and she turned seeing Revan's father near one end of the lounge. Her eyes widened when she felt the darkness swirling around him, yet it was unlike the darkness enveloping any dark Jedi she had ever encountered. Their emotions boiled over with hate and were uncontrolled. What she felt from Revan senior was a mass of dark power held tightly in check by force of will alone. She noticed the eight bluish images in front of him and she recognized the old Masters of the High Jedi Council, Vandar among them. She also heard Revan speaking…
"I have shown you what I am capable of!" Revan spoke, his words measured and calm. "I do not wish to do battle with the Jedi Order; however the Republic as it is will not survive the threat I have seen. The Jedi must insist that the Chancellor resign and every Senator with him. The government needs to be realigned and rebuilt. The corruption within it has rotted the halls of the Senate to the core."
"You dare contact us and make demands!" Master Vrook spat from his chair. "You return at the head of a massive Sith armada, claiming the title of Darth Revan, and you issue demands to us!"
"Shut up Vrook!" Revan snapped, causing Vrook's face to open in shock, his eyes wide. "You are the biggest fool on that Council! You cling to archaic rules which do not apply to the changing times or the obvious corruption staring you in your face. You hold back the training of the greatest weapon the Jedi have with Bastila and her Battle Meditation!"
These words caused Vrook's face to show surprise and Revan smiled. He did not wear his mask for this communication, wanting them to see that the dark side had not twisted him beyond recognition, and that he had harnessed its power, controlling it and not letting it destroy him.
"You don't think I know of Bastila's power? I knew of it before I left for the Mandalorian War you idiot! It was manifesting itself even then. We could have used her gift to defeat the Mandalorians quickly and save billions of lives!" Revan spoke. "Lives that the Jedi were sworn to protect and sacrificed for teachings! Teachings that have been out of date for hundreds of years! Do not dare to sit there and judge me Vrook! You and the entire Jedi Council have more blood on your hands than I ever will! You allowed the Mandalorians to butcher innocent lives because you sensed something else. A different enemy. You were right. And I have seen this enemy. And only the combined might of the Jedi Order and the Republic together can stand against this foe.
"I have contacted you to reach an arrangement. Join with me. Help me to make the Republic strong enough to defeat this threat! Aide me in this fight, and when we are victorious, I will return to Coruscant for whatever punishment you deem necessary. On this you have my word."
"Your word holds no credence with us Revan!" Master Atris spat, vile venom in her words.
"Ah, yes Atris, one of the Masters who had the chance to understand why we went to war. He stood before you, you know; the answer to the question you sought above all else. And instead you chose to exile him for what he did! Where was the vaunted Jedi wisdom then I ask? You had before you a man who could answer all the questions you desired to ask, and you did not even attempt to understand."
"You abandoned the very foundation and ideals this Order was founded on!" Master Kavar spoke now.
"I have not abandoned them! I have embraced them! A Jedi's life is sacrifice! I have given up everything I hold dear to me to wage this battle. None of you have given up anything! You sit in your tower and pronounce judgment on me when your own sins are far greater. Vandar… of all the Council, I hold you in the highest regard. I know you have sensed this darkness. I know you feel its presence. Please… if you do not join with me the Jedi Order will fall. If not by my hand… then by the hand of the monster that gave me the power I now have. I stand before you once more, begging you for your assistance."
Vandar's large eyes closed and he looked to be deep in thought. They opened after a minute and he shook his head.
"We cannot Revan." He replied sadly. "We can not allow you to corrupt the Jedi. The dark side is strong in you. Stronger than even Exar Kun. You…"
"Look at me! I have harnessed the power of the dark and the light. I have allowed my passions to flow through me. I wield a greater power than any four of you combined! Do I look twisted? Do I appear insane? We can teach all Jedi what I have learned, and be stronger for it. Stronger so that we may fulfill the most sacred edict of our Order! The preservation of the Republic!"
"Our order! You are no longer a Jedi Revan. You are Sith! You are the enemy!" Vrook found his voice again.
Revan's face turned hard at that moment and he sighed heavily, looking at the deck. "I had hoped we would be able to reach some sort of arrangement." He said. "I see now that was a mistake!" He looked up, his dark eyes alive with a fire none of them had seen before. "I will defend this Republic until my dying breath. If that means I have to conquer it to complete that goal. Then so be it. We will never talk again, nor will I ever make this offer again. I will see the Republic survive! And if I have to destroy the Jedi Order to do so, I will."
The images of the Jedi Masters faded and Anja turned to Revan wide eyed. The images swirled once more and suddenly, she found them back in the lounge area. Revan opened his eyes and looked at her.
"By the Force Revan, you keep this bottled up inside you?" Anja asked unbelieving.
"Most of my father's memories that I have are of the death wrought by the Mandalorians and then the Sith after that. My father and I keep them locked tightly away. We use them whenever we grow despaired over what is happening. It returns the steel we need to go on."
"Your father has these memories too?"
Revan nodded. "That is why he will never fall to the dark side again Anja. He need only look into his own memories for the strength he needs."
Anja had tears in her eyes now as she took his face in her hands. She kissed him softly on the lips. "I will be by your side always my love. Nothing will keep us apart, or take you from me. We will triumph Revan."
Revan smiled and returned her kiss. "Yes we will."
CORUSCANT
JEDI TEMPLE
The Jedi Temple docks were swarming with activity as Jaspar Tamari brought the transport in expertly and settled the ship onto its landing struts with barely a bump. Everyone waited and gathered their things as the engines powered down and then the side hatch was open and the rush of air from the atmosphere of Coruscant filled the transport. Dralor dropped the ramp and then reached for Arren's hand as they began to descend.
There were a dozen waiting to greet them, among them Hanna and Yusanis, who immediately set about embracing their older sister and her husband. Revan walked down the ramp, Anja's hand firmly in his and he saw his father standing tall and proud next to Jolee and the small form of Vandar. He felt Anja's hand tighten in his grip and he looked at her.
Anja?
I'm ok. I just never thought I would be allowed back here. I sort of missed this place. She replied to him.
Vandar stood with Jolee as greetings were continued and once more Vandar had to marvel at the likeness of father and son. The fact that Padawan Tamari had exited the transport holding Revan junior's hand did not escape Vandar's keen eyes. He was also very surprised at the Force aura radiating from Anja now. It nearly equaled that of the younger Revan, and she moved with a fluid grace. Vandar couldn't help but smile to himself, knowing the decision he had come to was the right one.
Revan junior walked up to Vandar and dropped to one knee in front of him, bowing his head. "Master Vandar. It is good to see you again." He spoke, his words carrying true feeling in them.
Vandar padded the younger Revan's shoulder. "Seeing you and the others gives me hope as well young Revan."
"Adarn Qel-Droma agreed to accompany us Master Vandar. He will be arriving in the next transport." Rev spoke.
Vandar nodded. "Good. I have many questions for him. His condition?"
"He is lucid most of the time Master. He slips back occasionally."
Vandar nodded and his eyes settled on Anja. He watched her closely as she knelt on one knee in front of him. "Master Vandar… I…"
Vandar held up his hand silencing her. "I learned long ago to never question the Will of the Force. And that is what brought you and young Revan together. As it did his parents. I sense you have grown powerful Anja Tamari, despite the emotions that swirl within you. I am proud of you. You have come further than any of us would have guessed."
Anja's face was bright as Vandar touched her arm with a smile. "Thank you Master."
"Let's get inside the Temple." Revan senior spoke now. "Your mother and Dacen will be joining us this evening."
He ushered everyone towards the Temple entrance and they blended into the mass of Jedi and troops moving between the docks and the Temple.
Revan walked with his son along the halls of the Temple later in the day after everyone had settled in. To avoid any unnecessary ill will, Rev and Anja took separate rooms. Father and son wandered through the halls dressed nearly identically. Revan senior wore his loose fitting dark gray Jedi robes with Mark V ArmorPly underlay, and Val Verphine Fiber armor chest covering and gauntlets, his gray cloak pulled back from the front of his body, but sweeping the floor at his feet. Revan juniors' robes were light brown, the Mark V ArmorPly giving his shirt an almost leather like appearance. His dark brown cloak and cowl was also drawn away from the front of his body, and his armored chest coverings and gauntlets were forged from Echani Fiber armor. They both wore utility belts with several pouches, their twin light sabers very visible to all those who saw them.
And they turned heads no matter where they walked.
The Jedi Temple was filled with Padawans and Jedi Knights from every corner of the universe, and most of them spent their days doing meditation and training until they were assigned somewhere. Whenever Revan senior and Revan junior appeared, all activity stopped as eyes followed their movements. They were deep in conversation within the bond they shared.
You and Anja took separate rooms? Revan asked his son.
Rev nodded with a grin. It seemed the appropriate thing to do. You taught me to never gather more attention to yourself than needed. Besides, both of us are proficient in stealth tactics.
Revan smiled at his son and shook his head. The Council has approved accepting Zhar and Dorak into the Order Rev. As well as Hanna and Yusanis.
Rev looked at him. Good. They deserve it.
You are not upset?
Father, you should know me better than that. It may be the title that I have coveted all my life, but I am also intelligent enough to know it can never be. I am too much like you when you were younger. Rev replied with a smile.
Revan senior chuckled softly. His face became serious after a moment. They fear you my son. And Arren.
Rev nodded. I assumed as much. You and mother were once Jedi. Arren and I are enigmas to them. They can't control us, and they understand us less. Father why have you gathered us all here? It is not a tactical decision you would have made, having us all together, so I am assuming someone else wanted you to call this meeting.
Revan senior nodded. They want to have a ceremony. The Padawans that assisted in the defense of the Temple they want to promote to full Knight Hood. Vandar believes it will instill pride in the Jedi once more.
Revan shook his head. The only thing that will do that is if the Council admits to the mistakes they have made in the past and at least tries to make changes for the future.
Vandar convinced the Chancellor to depart Coruscant. Revan senior said. The Chancellor did not want too, but Vandar convinced him. You should have seen it. He told the Chancellor that if he chose to remain here, and the enemy attacked Coruscant, he would not spare the Jedi to protect him. You should have seen the look on his face. It was priceless. Remember this is not Chancellor Ortela.
Do you trust him father?
He is a politician. I don't trust any politician. However he does seem to have the good of the Republic forefront in his mind. After our little display in the Senate chambers he cleaned house within the ranks. Anyone he felt was not pulling their weight, or dragging their feet, he banned them from the chambers and demanded their home world send him someone who actually wanted to help the Republic as a whole and not line his own pockets. Revan senior let a smile cross his face at the memory of that.
What else? Rev asked, knowing his father wasn't telling him everything.
The Jedi Council wants to meet with you son. And only you.
Me? Why would they want to meet with me? With the exception of Master Vandar and grandfather I like none of them! And they aren't too fond of me either.
Just meet with them Rev. For me. Revan senior asked.
Rev sighed and nodded. Very well father. For you.
Good. I understand you will need a holy man while you are here.
Rev looked at him. You know?
You don't expect something like that to remain secret do you? Not for very long, and most assuredly not on a ship. It's been whipping through the halls of the Temple ever since you arrived. Why do you think Anja's friends spirited her away so fast. Revan senior spoke with a large smile.
Rev chuckled. I should have seen that coming. I would imagine that is why they want to see me. They are going to demand I give up Anja. I know it.
That is not something I think you will allow.
Damn right I won't allow it. Rev snapped. I…
Rev stopped when he saw where they were and he looked to his father. They stood outside the elevator to the High Jedi Chambers in the central spire. Revan senior smiled sheepishly and squeezed his son's shoulder.
Join me when you are finished. I will be at the tavern just outside the north wall with your Uncle. It has become the haunt so to speak for senior Jedi and republic officers. Revan senior spoke.
Revan junior watched his father turn and start to walk away. He turned back and saw the Jedi Knight motion him into the elevator. His face was expressionless, revealing no emotion. Rev shook his head and stepped into the elevator.