Disclaimer: Star Wars is not one of my personal inventions… I was born too late, rats.
Chapter Seven- Refuge
Yoda's return went unmarked. With his return to Coruscant, he brought a peace of mind and the panic was lifted slightly. After the deaths on Utapau and then the Sith Lord's transmission, a sense of alarm had slowly been building, and the Jedi found themselves stretched thin as they sought to calm the population of not just Coruscant. The Jedi's minds harbored many of the same thoughts. These thoughts only intensified when the Sith Lords seemed to evaporate, leaving no trace. The Jedi and the Republic had nothing to do but wait.
Yoda slouched back in his little chair in the council chamber. The council had been holding none-stop meetings ever since it had been realized that the attackers were Sith Lords.
"How do we protect the galaxy against them?" Strass Allie asked.
"For one we must make peace with the Separatists." Ki-Adi-Mundi replied. "Together we are stronger."
"The Supreme Chancellor will not argue," Shaak-Ti added. "Since Utapau, he has been like a dead man."
Mace turned to Qui-Gon. "You must aid the chancellor. He will need all the help he can get."
Qui-Gon frowned. "He has been too long in office. Perhaps, there should be elections now, before the plunge."
"No, that would destabilize the Republic!" Strass Allie said hurriedly.
Yoda remained silent. It was apparent that he was deep in thought.
"Master-." Qui-Gon was interrupted by the council chamber's door opening.
A Jedi knight entered the room and bowed. "Masters, we have received an urgent transmission, from a woman who wishes to land here."
"Patch it through." Mace Windu said swiftly.
A feminine voice filled the room. "This is Ravelin Shan of the freighter 'Cutlass', asking for permission to land."
Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke first. "And what business do you have with the Jedi Council?"
"I have a Jedi, who belongs to you, on my ship. I believe his name is Obi-wan Kenobi."
Qui-Gon started immediately. His eyes widened in silent hope. 'What if this only breaks my heart, again?' "Are you certain?"
"He is unconscious, I almost lost him, but he has stabilized. He needs medical attention."
Yoda woke from his daze. "Good it is to hear you voice again, Ravelin. Grant you permission to land we do." Qui-Gon started to rise, but Yoda motioned for him to stop. "Go you will. But space give you to the healers."
"Thank-you, Master." Qui-Gon said before he left.
His feet moved quickly toward the healers, just as his heart did as the doors came in sight. The flustered talks of the healers penetrated through the doors, which he opened. The head healer, Master Lina Jamil's, eyes landed on him.
"Just like old times, eh, Master Qui-Gon." Master Jamil called. "Your padawan always seemed to end up in our care."
"So it is Obi-wan." Qui-Gon said excitement entering his voice.
Master Jamil nodded.
Qui-Gon frowned suddenly. "But I felt the bond we share break."
Master Jamil eyes closed briefly. Her lips moved but stopped, increasing Qui-Gon's dread. "He can no longer feel the Force."
Qui-Gon backed up. "How can that be?"
"I will tell you what I know."
It was the first time he noticed her. Her tired gray-blue eyes gazed at him from where she stood supported by rust colored droid. Her clothing was unique with its wrinkled, colored skirt and black leggings. The top was the same shade of black and fit her tightly. Its arms dangled at the bend of her arm.
"The technique Nebulous and Detritus used on Utapau drains the Life Force from its victims. The only way to survive such assault is to separate oneself from the Force. It is not something learned."
"Is he awake?" Qui-Gon asked Jamil.
Before the healer could answer, the woman did. "No, he will live, but it is his choice to wake."
The healer and Jedi master exchanged looks. "Why do you say that?" Qui-Gon asked.
The woman felt her forehead. "A bond was formed between us, when I gave him some of my life force. That is how I knew his name."
"A bond?" He prevented his emotions from escaping.
She nodded her head. "I need to see the Council. I know how much he means to you, if you wish to talk to me later you can."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes. "Thank-you, perhaps later I will seek you out."
He watched silently as the young woman left the room with her droid.
"She is quite the character to be sure. She absolutely refused to be treated, even after giving away such an amount of life force." Master Jamil stated. "I'll show you to Obi-wan's room."
He dreaded entering the room, but longed for it more then anything. It was a miracle Obi-wan was even alive. 'Alive, but not. He is dead to the Force. I will be there for him in this time.'
The pale face that rested on the pillows almost blended into its surrounding. Qui-Gon reached down and took one cold hand into his own warm hand. Obi-wan looked calm in his dreams, but Qui-Gon was not sure he was finding peace. His former padawan's face would furrow as if in deep thought or in pain.
"All will be well," he whispered as he stroked Obi-wan's cheek. "You are safe now."
Ravelin stumbled. She was thankful for HK-47's aid. She doubted whether she would have made it without him. She stared at the entrance to the Jedi Council Chamber. Ravelin had never been inside the Jedi temple before, but due to her bond with Obi-wan, she felt as if she had been raised there. Slowly, she detached herself from HK.
She gracefully walked through the doors. Her eyes meeting those of Master Yoda. Ravelin bowed deeply.
"We have failed."
Yoda frowned. "Good to see you again it is. Feared the worse I did."
The council members exchanged curious glances.
Shaak-Ti was the first to break the silence. "Do you know this young woman?"
"Met we did on Duro. Ravelin told me much of her people. Descendents of the Jedi Knight Revan and Kora Fitzu, the Exile they be. Ravelin is directly descended from Revan and Bastila Shan."
"I am told I honor her face," Ravelin whispered. "I have Revan's eyes."
Ki-Adi-Mundi started. "So you are Jedi?"
"No, we are the exiles of the Jedi order. Our ancestors were and we continue,as such, in their memory." Ravelin paused and then began to explain. "During the Mandalorian Wars, Revan came across the ancient Sith empire. He sought a way to protect the Republic from this threat, and in doing so, he became a dark lord out of necessity. His good intentions led to his eventual and complete fall at Malachor V. Eventually, he was redeemed by the Jedi. Shortly after Revan's redemption and defeat of Darth Malak, however, he vanished. The Jedi believed they had failed in his redemption. The Jedi Council became covinced that he could not walk away from war. Why else would he leave, abandoning the Republic once again? Where Revan went, he could not take anyone he loved. Battle against the Sith was what called him, but it was not out of any love of war that he went. He knew they should never be allowed to return to known space. He fought alone until the Jedi exile found him. More followed and Bastila caught up with him as well."
"So this war has been going on for generations?" Mace said slowly.
"Yes."
"How did these Sith escape?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
"We have been spread thin of late. They had us out numbered, and penetrated our defenses. Many died in that effort, so this would never happen, but it did." Ravelin pushed down her emotions. "A few of us were sent to retake them, but we could not reach them before they caused the destruction of Utapau, and their forces were larger then we had first believed."
"Why did not all of you come?" Ki-Adi-Mundi pressed.
"There are more. In Sith territory there are four distinct houses, in all reality only three, because one has become an overlord."
"Your Grandmother." Yoda whispered silently.
Ravelin nodded. "Morana is a watcher. She no longer feels the need to be an active player; instead, behind the curtain she silently moves the pieces. The other lords fear her. She is one of the few that believe in family succession, and thus she depends on me. For that reason, the other lords won't touch me."
"Are you Sith?" Mundi's next question came.
"Query: Master, should I blast this irritating meatbag?"
Ravelin saw Master Mundi's eye brows significantly rise."No, HK, he is fine." Ravelin, then, answered the Jedi Master's question. "Their blood runs through my veins. My mother was a pure-blood, who turned from their beliefs. She had me, thus she was no longer essential to my grandmother. You ask me if I am Sith. I am, but I do not hold their beliefs."
"You said four houses," Mace said more seriously.
"Yes, the Second House belongs to Darth Nebulous, he has taken the rule of master. The Third belongs to Detritus, he's now the 'apprentice'. The Fourth House is severely weakened from in fighting between the three houses, and is no longer a real threat. But if the First House would enter known space, the galaxies fate would be sealed in darkness. That is why the majority remained behind."
Mace's brow furrowed. "What kind of warfare should we expect."
"Expect a war of force wielders," She answered. "For in each house, there are hundreds of Sith. The Sith empire also possesses many slaves that will fight to the death. They fear their masters more then they fear death."
"How come you by Obi-wan?" Yoda asked.
"I felt the echoes he created, and followed those echoes to him. Detritus had done the same, but I was able to stop him from killing Obi-wan. They will not risk using that technique again in fear of creating another wound. They never meant to create a wound in the Force. It reminds them of the Exile. They will seek to kill Obi-wan, he may even be their prime target. Then when he is gone, their attention will turn to your Chosen One."
"How can you be sure." Strass Allie asked pessimistically.
"In the two, they will see the past. They will stop at nothing to prevent another Revan and Kora Fitzu."
Ravelin paused suddenly. She felt the presence around the bond she and Obi-wan shared. His panic filled her. Suddenly, he grabbed on to the bond they shared and held tightly. The strength behind this effort caused Ravelin to physically sway and then collapse before the council.