The teenager had been enjoying the brief downtime on Coruscant, even though the bright lights of the big city annoyed Big Z; she loved it. She figured it was a side effect of living on Taris. Even with its dinginess and corruption and horrible attitudes, it was her home and she didn't know of anything different. Till she met Revan, of course. With Revan, she was able to see all the sights her brother Griff had promised her as a little girl and she realized she had a call to roam the galaxy.
Soon, she wasn't surprised when talking to Zaalbar that he felt he needed to go back to his village to help his father rule, as long as Revan didn't need him for assistance. She could tell the big guy didn't want to leave, but he had a duty to his father and village and it was certainly her duty to stick by her best friend. So when the odd pair wandered the hallway looking for Revan to tell him of their decision to leave, they were quite surprised to see a fuming Bastila storming ahead of them to her room. "Hey Bas!" Mission called out, stopping the young woman. The teen could see the Jedi was quite upset, but she schooled her face against any betrayal of that.
"Hello Mission, Zaalbar." She replied, politely. "I haven't seen you two around very much."
"Yeah," Mission said. "Me and Big Z have been exploring the city and all. It's a really big place, you know?"
Bastila nodded, not really listening to the story the girl told about them going in to a seedy part of the section. Her mind was still on the council and Revan's behavior. She couldn't believe his audacity and his rudeness. They were masters and placed on the council for a reason…yet she couldn't deny that she hadn't exactly been at fault for their story. Not once did she correct him on what had happened on Kashyyyk or the conversation after Dantooine. And she knew it would only get worse from here.
"Hello? Bastila? Anyone home?"
"What?"
"You spaced out for a minute or two." Mission replied, a look of concern on her face.
"You look deeply troubled." Zaalbar added.
"You okay?"
"Uh…yes," she mumbled. "Yes, I'm fine. I guess I'm feeling a bit tired from earlier. If you'll excuse me." With that, the young Jedi entered her quarters and shut the door.
"Weird." Mission muttered, shaking her head. The two continued on, stopping only a foot from Bastila's door however, when they saw Revan come around the turn. He too looked fit to be tied, but his features softened when the teenager called out to him.
"Hey guys." He greeted, a tight smile on his face. "What're you up to?"
"Technically we were looking for you." Mission replied. "But we ran into Bastila and she didn't look too happy to see us."
"She looked upset."
"And so Big Z and me were coming to find you, but here you are." She concluded. "Did you guys have a fight or something?"
Revan sighed and ran a hand over his head. "No, not exactly." He muttered. "It's the damn council. We didn't even get through the first part of the story before they annoyed me, which in turned annoyed them and Bastila…" he sighed, shaking his head. "But enough about that," he said, throwing an arm around the teen's shoulders. "I haven't seen you around much, kiddo. What've you been up? Taking the citizens for all their creds, right?"
Mission giggled, giving Revan a side hug. "Nah," she said. "Just exploring. Actually Rev, Big Z and I think it's time to blast this fodder stand. He's gotta get back to his dad and all."
"You guys cutting out?" he asked, sadness in his voice.
"I feel I need to be at my father's side." Big Z rumbled. "Unless you feel my place is here on this planet with you."
Revan shook his head. "Nah," he said. "We're kinda in limbo, huh? The council's beef is with me, not you guys. Besides, I think your right, big guy. You have to at least check and see what's going on, you know?" Giving Mission a squeeze, he asked, "And I bet you're tagging along, right?"
"Yeah." She sighed. "But I meant what I said. You need us for anything and we're right there, no questions asked!" The wookiee howled his agreement.
The young knight laughed, giving the teen another squeeze. "That's cool then," he said. "But I'm not about to let you guys go without a party, yeah? Just so happens, I became the swoop champ today and I'm throwing you guys a goodbye party."
"Really?" she asked. She smiled up at him, before she frowned. "I know it's none of my business and you can say so all, but…are you sure you and Bastila are going to be okay? I mean, you guys don't look too happy to be around each other."
"Don't worry about it, kay?" he said. "Right now…I don't know. Things will probably be better once the council is done interrogating us about this, but maybe not. But hey, this doesn't change stuff between us, yeah? You need me, you got me. Both of you."
Mission hugged him again and the trio began to walk to the elevators. She had always liked Revan, which was why learning he was who he was didn't change her option of him. This was the guy who had gone with her to help Zaalbar, even when the Beks wouldn't. He had come to comfort her after Taris and he never treated her like a kid. She had, she didn't know when or how, become totally attached to him and even had a slight crush on him, in the beginning of course. But she had seen how things were between him and Bastila and besides, he was totally old for her, even though he didn't act like it.
If anything, Revan was like another brother to her. While Big Z was the strong, silent type that would protect her no matter what, Revan was the funny, silly guy who could make her laugh when she needed it. He had come to her defense, even against Carth, and she knew he'd come to her if anything happened, like he said. That's why she was worried. She had only seen him so sad after they had gotten caught by the Leviathan. He was so…broken, she guessed, learning that Bastila had been keeping something so big from him and then losing her to Malak. Admittedly, she didn't really like Bastila at first, but she had tried to come around for Revan's sake, but she'd admit that if she had been able to get at Bastila, the Jedi would've regretted hurting him the way she had.
But for now, she guessed she could be there for the guy, especially when it looked like he and Bas were gonna break up or something. She was just glad she didn't have to go through this bantha poo doo. Love was so confusing and dumb. Though she couldn't wait to be a full fledged adult, she could wait when it came to love. After seeing what it did to Revan and Bastila and Carth, she didn't want it, thank you very much. Who the heck wanted to fall in love anyway?
The rest of the evening seemed to drag on for Bastila. She had thought about visiting her mother again, but thought it was much too late for visitors. She…needed to talk to someone, she reasoned. The annoyance and irritation she had felt earlier had given way to thoughts of regret and…disappointment. She hadn't seen Revan since they left the council and she wished she could at least speak to him on his behavior and what they would tell the council next.
She had to be honest with herself. Bastila had never really had anyone to turn to and in the recent events, she had a few people she could turn to with her problems. But how could she bring up how she felt? Bastila was a private person who liked figuring out her own problems instead of running to someone else for help. But when she used the Force to keep Revan alive, they had formed a bond that had not only been a blessing, but a curse as well. Though she was able to gather the information that had been requested of her, she had also felt the stirrings of attraction from Revan, which only served to heighten her own feelings. If she thought she could maintain a distance, the current events proved her wrong. She'd come to learn that Revan was not only a very passionate man, but one who rarely took no for an answer.
She paced her room, trying to find some source of entertainment. In the last few weeks, she would've been nervously getting ready for Revan, doing the 'typical' womanly ritual of preparing for a date with someone she had an interest in. And there in lie the problem, of course. She was not a typical woman. She was a Jedi and she had sworn off all of her attachments and baser instincts when she had joined the Order. Or so she had thought. The moment she had met Jayden Korr – Revan – all of those ideas and restraints went right out the window. She couldn't believe how much this man affected her. Soon, she was even saying things that she shouldn't; it seemed every time they talked, he would steer their conversation towards their feelings for each other or worse, misinterpret something she had said.
Though…she supposed that had been partly her fault. More than once she managed to let her true feelings slip within conversations.
Bastila sighed. She wondered what the others were doing, what he was doing. Stretching out with the Force, she tried to locate everyone, but sensed they weren't in their rooms or even the hotel. Pushing down a slight sense of panic, she stretched further, until she was able to lock on to Revan's energy. He was in the cantina and it seemed so was everyone else. What were they all doing in the cantina? And why hadn't she been informed that's where they all were? Well, she had told Mission she had been tired from earlier, but she knew them. They would've checked on her, right? She didn't bother dousing the surge of anger she felt, especially at Revan. They were again set to see the council tomorrow and he was in the midst of throwing a party and further more, he hadn't even bothered to invite her.
Was he that upset with her? Surely he wouldn't make everyone stay away or ignore her just because the two of them weren't getting along. Would he? It certainly seemed like it, didn't it? And really, would these friends of theirs truly turn their backs on Revan? Of course not, but they would turn on her. Yes, it was possible. After all, she hadn't been the most…friendly towards everyone. She usually kept to herself aboard the Ebon Hawk and didn't really socialize with the crew. Oh, there were those far and few times when Revan insisted her presence be needed during a meal time or when he and Mission proclaimed certain nights as 'No Holds Bar Pazaak'.
There had even been that time when he and Carth had challenged Canderous to an arm wrestling contest. Both lost to the Mandalorian, of course, but Revan did put on an impressive show for her benefit; flexing his biceps and boasting his win would be dedicated to her. And when he lost, she enjoyed telling him so, but not before she had given him a smile that said she was indeed impressed by him.
Falling back on her bed, Bastila sighed. How did she manage to find herself in this kind of predicament? She shouldn't be feeling what she was and it certainly wouldn't matter to another Jedi that the crew was off in the cantina having fun without them or that they could be losing the man of their dreams; no, not any other Jedi. But once again, Bastila wasn't exactly like any other Jedi in the fact that she was hurt and slightly embittered that the crew was off in the cantina having fun without her and that she couldn't shake the feeling that she and Revan were drifting apart and that they may not be able to fix the rift that had suddenly come between them.
There was no talk the next morning as Bastila and Revan found themselves once again in the elevator taking them up to the council chambers. She was still hurt by the rejection she felt at not knowing that Mission and Zaalbar would be departing and not having been invited to their going away party. Revan, for his part, seemed particularly grumpier than he had ever been. It had taken an effort, but he was able to block the bond at nights, allowing Bastila some peace, while he tossed and turned. He had the most horrible nightmare the night before, though he was uncertain if it was indeed a nightmare and not something else. To top it off, he felt frustrated, angry, and he couldn't really pinpoint the exact cause either. He hated being in the presence of the masters and somehow, his mind couldn't let go that Bastila had been a part of this…this sham in order to retrieve his memories; in order to save their own skins.
He could feel the hurt in her now and had felt it through out the night when she had come to realize where everyone was. A part of him just wanted to fall at her feet and beg forgiveness; for what, he didn't know. Then the other part, the larger part of him, reminded constantly what she had done, what she had been asked to do and even now he wondered if their feelings truly were a side effect of the bond she had forged with him. Why would she ever love a monster such as he? He could see it on the faces of the masters; every outburst he made caused them to recoil, as though in one snap he would somehow revert back to the dark lord. And he felt that way sometimes. The feelings he must have had during the Mandalorian War; feelings of anger, of hate; the deep seeded darkness that Vrook and so many could see just waiting to be unleashed.
"Revan?"
He stiffened when he heard her call, feeling the concern from her. Realizing his own emotions were swirling, he took a calming breath. Sighing, he said, "I'm fine. I…I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Something troubles you." She stated.
Revan closed his eyes, concentrating on blocking her from his emotions. Of course she could feel his trepidation, but he wanted that to be the only thing she felt. Shaking his head, he again said, "I'm fine. Meeting with the council is…nerve wracking at best."
"Not for you." She whispered. "Never for you."
The door opened, thankfully stopping any more of their conversation. They both stepped out into the hallway and headed towards the chamber doors. Bastila put her hand on his arm. "What do we do?" she asked, her slight fear at revealing the truth clearly on her mind.
"We tell as much of the truth as we see fit." He said. "However…I can't stop you from saying anything. Nor will I."
"Revan, something's wrong." She said, giving his arm a squeeze. "I know there is."
"With me?" he whispered. Gesturing his head at the door, he asked, "With them?" before removing her hand from his arm. "Or with us?"
"You." She said. "Us."
Before he could speak, the doors to the council chamber opened, the masters all awaiting their entrance. "We sense there is something disquieting about you, padawans." Dorril replied, nodding his head in a greeting.
"We have felt your emotions," Veroba stated. "And they are troubling."
"We can discuss that after we have heard the rest of the story." Vandar replied, holding up a hand to stop the Falleen. Looking at the two Jedi, he said, "Please continue from yesterday."
"You had said you helped the wookiees on Kashyyyk," Dario began. "What was the problem there exactly?"
"Zaalbar's brother had been making illegal deals with the Czerka Corporation for selling wookiees to slavers." Revan said. "When Big Z found out, he attacked his brother with his claws, an action that is forbidden. He tried telling his father, but being the youngest, his words weren't heeded, so he was exiled. While we were there, we were able to place his father back as a chieftain and drive Czerka from the planet."
"And that was it?" Veroba asked, arching an eyebrow. "Nothing else?"
"No."
"Actually…" Bastila began timidly. "We…there was…something else." She took a deep breath, watching as the masters nodded for her to continue. "I…we…were stopped by a friend of my parents, who informed me that…my…my father had been killed in a hunting expedition and that my mother was gravely ill."
"And what did you do with this information?" asked Vrook.
"I insisted that as soon as we left Kashyyyk, we head to Tatooine." Revan supplied. "We needed to go there anyway and I felt the sooner the better."
"So you pushed aside your mission in order to go look for Padawan Shan's mother?" Veroba spat.
"Personal attachments are forbidden for the Jedi, Bastila." Vrook admonished.
"I know." The young woman whispered, her head down.
"It was a side quest." Revan inserted, through gritted teeth. "I didn't push anything aside, but I felt Bastila seeing her mother was as equally important."
"More important than the galaxy?" the Falleen asked.
"Just as." He grunted.
"So you made the deserts of Tatooine your next stop?" Titus asked.
"Yes sir," Revan replied. "Like I said, we would be headed there anyway, but I felt Bastila needed to see and talk to her mother. Despite the whole no attachments thing." He added, cutting off anything the Falleen wanted to say. "I may have been a Jedi, but I was a 'new and improved' Jedi. Meaning I didn't think the way I used to."
"Oh, but I believe you do." the Falleen sneered.
"And did you find your mother, padawan?" asked Pernin, trying to defuse the growing tension between the knight and the master on the council. "And is she all right?"
"Yes," Bastila said, slightly relieved to have one master who seemed concerned on other matters. "I…I did find her and told her to…to…go find the best medical help she could and that I would…um…hope she would feel better in the future."
"Are you attempting to placate us?" Veroba asked. "Surely you and Revan do not think you are so far above the Jedi Masters to try to lie to us? You may have been able to manipulate those you traveled with or those you met in contact, Revan, but it is in poor taste to try and use the Force to alter our thoughts!"
Bastila looked at Revan, who shrugged. She could feel his ire at the council and his guilt, not at the very notion of deceiving the council, but the fact that he had gotten caught.
"Calm yourself, Vero." The green skinned Twi'lek replied. "I don't think he meant any harm. And besides," she continued. "It is more important we know the story of the Star Forge, is it not?"
"The whole story, Master Pura." Vrook rebuked.
"Then let us allow them to finish it." Titus replied, nodding to the two younger Jedi.
Revan took a breath, continuing on. He told them how they needed to do a job for Czerka in order to be allowed outside of Anchorhead. Veroba naturally huffed at the very idea. Bastila, sensing Revan's growing resentment, took over, saying how they needed to speak to the Sand People of Tatooine through a very interesting language droid. "Interesting?" asked Villard. "In what way?"
"He's an assassin droid." Revan commented, causing shock waves through the council.
"And where exactly did you acquire an assassin droid?" asked Ali.
"From the local droid shop."
"A likely story." Veroba sneered. "Droids of that type are virtually outlawed in Republic space."
"Are you calling me a liar?" asked Revan.
"You are a former Sith." The alien replied. "And a dark lord at that. How do we know this is the truth?"
"I was with him." Bastila said.
"Hmmm yes." Veroba murmured. "Must I remind you of your earlier deception, padawan?"
"Well, I don't remember you being there, so I guess you wouldn't really know, would you?" Revan retorted.
"Such arrogance! Such disrespect!" Vrook exclaimed.
Dorril held his hand up, commanding silence in the room. "In order for our students to learn respect, Master Vrook, it is the duty of the masters, as we are, to also show the proper respect. These two have already been through an ordeal and here we treat them to an interrogation." The bothan then looked at the two Jedi. "But you must admit, Revan, this new fact intrigues us. Where exactly did this shop retrieve this droid?"
"I…I don't know, Master Dorril." He replied, instantly feeling at ease with the bothan. "But…the significance of HK, the droid, will be revealed if we may finish this up."
The Mon Cal nodded for him to continue. Revan looked to Bastila, a silent request that she continue and tell the council everything. The young woman sighed, but nodded. She told them how they had met her mother in the cantina and how she learned of her father's death. Her mother requested that they find a holocron of her father's, which she initially refused to do. However, Revan suggested they look for it while looking for the Star Map. The trio then left Anchorhead for the Dune Sea, where the Sand People lived. Using HK, they were able to speak to the chieftain, who required them to buy water moisturizers from Czerka before he would answer any of their questions.
Revan than again took up the story, saying they delivered the goods to the chief, allowing them to not only live, but to cut down on their attacks on the Czerka miners. Making that vow, the chieftain told them they had found an enclave with the Star Map, but it was inhabited by a krayt dragon, the same dragon who had killed Bastila's father. "And the holocron?" Dario asked. "What did you do with it?"
Bastila sighed. "After much debate and…guidance from Revan," she began. "I gave the holocron to my mother, as she asked. I…I then suggested she come here, to Coruscant, in order to receive the treatments she needed. I…later discovered that I had not given her enough, but a…mysterious stranger apparently gave the medical facility the rest of the credits needed for her treatment."
Revan kept his head down, trying to hide the blush that came to his face. He hadn't told Bastila he was the one who put up the credits to help her mother. And he wasn't sure if he ever would. Looking up, he saw the Twi'leks looking at him, small smiles on their faces; while the Falleen looked at him in contempt.
They left, Star Map in hand, and returned to the Ebon Hawk, where they discovered a stowaway. After Revan figured out the girl's language, he realized this was the girl a Twi'lek on Dantooine had been looking for.
"Ah," Vandar said, nodding. "The young girl Sasha. Her parents came to thank us for sending you to their aid, young Revan." The knight nodded, politely and continued his story with the ship heading for the Sith planet of Korriban.
"And how was it on Korriban?" Pernin asked, clearly interested. "It is said you and Malak went there while you were in the Sith."
"Did you feel the dark take hold of you once again, Revan?" Vrook asked.
Both Revan and Bastila were at a loss for words. Their trip to Korriban had been the catalyst for their feelings. "May…may I have a word with Bastila?" he asked. Dorril nodded and watched as the two went to a corner to discuss something. Titus tapped the bothan, giving him a look. Dorril nodded, sighing. Of course he felt their emotions spike when speaking of the Sith world, but it wasn't the kind of reaction he – they – had wanted to see. The two returned, their emotions still high, and though they had reached a decision, it was clear Revan was not happy about it.
"We…we have something to tell you." Bastila stated, a strong resolve trying to override the fear she had.
"You wish to tell us about these…feelings you have for one another." Vrook said.
"You know already."
"You know as well as we, Revan," Titus replied. "Many things can be felt through the Force. And it seems that the topic of Korriban arises some…intense feelings from both of you."
The two Jedi were silent before Revan spoke up. "I'm in love with Bastila." He said. "And she's in love with me."
"Is this true, Bastila?" asked Pura.
The young woman was hesitant about answering, her emotions battling against the logic she knew they wanted to hear. She knew her hesitancy was…upsetting to Revan, but she couldn't help it. She was still unsure of where this could be headed, but yet she couldn't deny that she did indeed love him. "It's true." She whispered.
"You are both just confused." Veroba stated. "You are aware, of course, that Jedi are forbidden to love, for it leads to the dark side. These feelings are obviously easily attributed to the bond you both share."
"And how do you know that?" Revan asked. "You don't know anything about me or Bastila! Is it so hard to believe from atop your precious temple that two people could fall in love with each other? Or is it that you find it hard to believe that a former dark lord could feel anything other than hate?"
"Please Revan," Vandar pleaded. "Do not look at the situation like that. While we think that you are capable of these feelings, they are forbidden for us."
"How exactly did this happen?" asked Vrook.
Bastila admitted that she too thought the bond was to blame for their feelings, but soon she couldn't deny that there was indeed something there between them. "His love saved me." She added. "When…when I fell. And I don't think anything short of that really could've helped me."
"Is it not possible that this…love…you share also led to your falling to the dark side?" Veroba snarled.
Titus stopped any protests or further arguments. "I believe we are getting ahead of ourselves." He said. "While this information is important, we must allow them to continue."
Bastila sighed, starting the story again, this time talking about how she had commended Revan on his path of light and that she was happy to have him around. That of course lead to a discussion on how he felt about her. She said Revan had professed his love to her and while she did not deny that she too felt those stirrings, she didn't exactly confirm them either. She also didn't mention the kiss they had shared within the hull of the port dormitory, something Revan had picked up on, but seemed to also be evident to Veroba and Vrook.
Because they were on a Sith world, it was suggested that Bastila stay within the Ebon Hawk, least any members of the Sith recognize her. Revan took over from there, saying how he, Juhani, and Carth had been given sponsorship to become Sith from Yuthura Ban, the apprentice to the master of the school. When the Falleen smirked at the irony of it, Revan quickly pointed out that was the only way to enter the tombs, which both he and Bastila had seen in their vision of the Star Map. After performing various tasks that Uthar had sent them on, Revan was finally able to earn enough prestige to do the final task: entering the tomb of Naga Sadow.
"Naga Sadow was one of the most lethal Sith lords." Vandar said. "In fact, it is believed that you and Malak were the ones to discover her tomb and that of the other lords as well."
Revan nodded. "That's what Yuthura told me as well."
"You have no knowledge of this, young knight?" asked Dorril.
Revan shook his head. "I have no knowledge of anything really, before I was assigned to the Endar Spire." he whispered, feeling Bastila send her support to him. He continued saying that for his test, he needed to find the Star Map that was at the back of the tomb, along with a lightsaber that was hidden there. He then came back to meet with Uthar and Yuthura. He told them how earlier Yuthura had approached him with a means to kill Uthar, which he of course took if it meant he could gain the prestige quicker. Of course, when he finally met the two and Uthar had fallen in battle, Yuthura turned on him. He spared her though, allowing her to leave the tomb and head back to the Sith Academy.
"You spared her, but did not turn her to the light?" asked Veroba.
"Would you I rather had killed her instead?" he spat. "If we ever met again, I'll take it upon myself to discuss it with her. At the time though, I really wanted off that planet."
"Then you could feel the pull it had on you?" Dario asked.
"I could." He whispered. "I didn't know why at the time, but being there made me…uneasy. I just figured it was because I was in a place of the dark side, no more or less."
"And then some time after this, you were taken by Malak's flagship?" asked Dorril.
Revan nodded, saying they been ambushed coming out of hyperspace. The ship was being headed by Adm. Saul Karath, a former Republic officer who had joined with Malak and Revan. He was, at one point, Carth's commanding officer and the man responsible for the bombing of Telos. In that attack, Carth had lost both his wife and son.
"Is a Dustil Onasi related to your friend?" asked Ali.
Revan nodded. "That's his son."
"A few days ago, we received a strange message from a Republic officer." Dario began. "He said that he had been contacted by a Dustil Onasi, who was currently in hiding with some of his friends. Apparently, the news of your great deeds extended to him and he saw fit to come from hiding. Tell me, does Commander Onasi know his son was a member of the Sith?"
"What?" the two Jedi exclaimed.
"Young Dustil wanted to be put in touch with the Temple," Titus continued. "He said he had discovered something recently that made him question his alliance. He then took it upon himself to tell those he knew would follow him to leave the Sith and seek help elsewhere. Soon afterwards, he saw the holo news with you and the crew of the Ebon Hawk. His father was the pilot, yes?"
Revan nodded, somewhat stunned. Did Carth know this? "He didn't know." He said. "About Dustil. He's been searching for him for years."
"We have been…discussing what to do with these youngsters." Vandar replied. "They are trained in the Force, but in the Sith way."
"Is he here?" Revan asked. "Dustil, I mean."
"No." Vrook said. "He is still in hiding, we presume. We await word from him even now."
"You must not tell Commander Onasi about his son." Villard replied.
"I can't do that." Revan stated.
"You must." Pura said.
"I won't." Revan persisted. "This is his son. He hasn't seen him in four years. Hell, he thinks he's dead!"
"Then he must continue to think that." Veroba replied, hauntingly. "We do not condone attachments."
"Well, that's tough, cause I'm going to tell him."
"Do you have a personal enjoyment of disregarding everything we say!" The Falleen exclaimed.
"I'm doing pretty good so far." The young knight smirked. "Two for two, third times the charm."
"Insolence!" Vrook cried. "Is this what we allow in the Order now? Even a memory wipe can not take the rudeness and impertinence from this one."
"Peace." Dorril held his hand up again. "We have our reasons for the rules we have, Revan. Commander Onasi may be your friend, but if his son wishes to undertake in our knowledge of being a Jedi, he must let go."
"That's assuming Dustil wants that," Revan stated. "And whether Carth will even allow it."
The bothan sighed, knowing that the younger Jedi's mind was made up and it took a lot to make the man change his mind on anything. He motioned for the two padawans to continue their story.
Realizing that he, Bastila, and Carth would be the ones Malak would be interested in, Revan told the council how he had nominated Juhani to try and find a way past the guards in order to rescue them. He told of how Adm. Karath deemed himself their torturer and for every false statement Revan told, Bastila was tormented with the electrical shocks from their force cages. Bastila took up the story, saying somehow Karath - and Malak for that matter - found out who Revan was, culminating in the admiral telling Carth on the bridge as he lay dying. "I…I didn't think we would run into Malak." Bastila whispered. "I had hoped to explain everything to everyone once we were back aboard, but the dark lord stopped us."
Sighing, she turned to Revan. His eyes were closed and she could feel his anger, his betrayal at learning of his true self. Facing the council, she told them how Malak had revealed everything to Revan and how the former dark lord had turned on her for her deception. She went on, saying Malak had put both her and Carth in stasis and had apparently gone on to fight Revan. She said that when she was able to break free, she found Revan and Malak ahead of her; Malak about to deliver a fatal blow to a paralyzed Revan. Throwing out her lightsaber, she told the two men to flee, while she held off Malak.
"And then you were captured by the dark lord?" asked Vandar.
"Yes sir."
"We would like to hear about your time in his presence, Bastila." Vrook replied.
"I will answer any questions I can," Bastila said. "But I'd like to say this without Revan in the room."
The young knight looked at her in shock. "What?"
"I can't do this with you here," she whispered. "It would be too hard."
"But Bas…"
She laid a hand on his cheek, momentarily not caring that they were before the council. "Please Revan." She begged. "I don't want you to hear this."
He worked his mouth, trying to bring up some sort of rebuttal, but in the end, he couldn't ignore the look of desperation in her eyes. She didn't want to relive what happened any more than he wanted her to. But she had the strength to do it in front of the council; something she didn't have for him. She was afraid; for his reaction, for the reaction of the council, for herself in having to go through it again. She just couldn't bear for him to see that.
With a sigh, he nodded. "I'll wait outside until you're finished." He gave her other hand a squeeze, before walking to the chamber door, giving her a look before finally leaving.