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Chapter 5: Lords of the Sith

"Ian."

The Jedi Exile rose a brow, looking over his shoulder at Revan.

"Yes?"

Revan's eyes rose to the sky as orange streaks began to appear high above the Sith capitol. He had seen it before and knew that Canderous' men were beginning their assault. Bringing his eyes back to his old friend, Revan held out his hand.

"Sorry for trying to kill you on Rhen Var."

Kenobi rose a brow and shook his head.

"I did a foolish thing. I forgot who you were."

Taking his hand, Kenobi shook once and nodded towards the large palace rising within the center of the Sith city.

"Are you ready for this?"

The Exile asked. Revan felt a growing dread. He knew something had to go wrong. It was too easy.

"One way or the other, this is the end of this. The end of all things..."

Kenobi rose a brow. He had heard that before. It took him a moment to recall just where.

"Kreia..."

Revan nodded.

"She always gave me her little speeches about destiny and where my road would take me. I always through she'd be here."

Shaking his head, Kenobi heard Revan add something about Malak under his breath before the former Dark Lord of the Sith took off in a Force-enhanced sprint, leaping over a wall and atop a rooftop. Kenobi quickly made his way around the wall to another section. With two of them moving into the city from separate sides they had twice the chance of success.

The first thing Revan came across within the walls of the Sith city was not what he had expected. A battalion of Sith, a Sith Knight perhaps, not what he did stumble upon. women and children.

The Sith watched him through wide eyes and he could feel the fear rolling off them as they broke away from his path. Trying not to look into their faces, Revan continued onward to the palace looming in the distance. On the edge of his senses he could feel Bastila nearing and breathed a sigh as he effortlessly sidestepped a young Sith and drove his saber into the red-skinned sentient's chest. A child cried out but was ignored as the former Dark Lord of the Sith continued onward. He could already sense that they were no threat to him.

Casting his eyes skyward, Revan frowned.

"I think this plan is going to need some revising..."

Activating his wrist comm, Revan waited until Canderous' gruff voice answered.

"What is it?"

Mandalore asked in an annoyed tone.

"We've got a problem. Women and children down here. We're going to have to be careful who we shoot at."

A long silence followed as Canderous pondered his next words.

"They wouldn't hesitate to kill you."

Canderous replied finally. Revan nodded absently.

"I know but if we're going to survive. If the Mandalorians are going to gain any honor from this war... we're going to have to keep it clean. Be professional, Canderous. That is all I can ask of you."

Canderous was about to reply when the sound of a lightsaber and shouting cut through the other end of the communicator. Cursing, Mandalore ordered his men to load in their pods and prepare for the battle. He would honor Revan's request. They would be what they were born to be, soldiers.

Canderous chuckled to himself as he recalled the argument he had with Carth Onasi years before over the difference between a warrior and a soldier. Maybe there was more to it than just killing and glory.

The Sojourn dropped out of hyperspace into the midst of total chaos. Admiral Onasi cursed as he shouted for his helmsman to break away. The Sith fleet and the Onderonian fleet were locked in a massive battle over Ziost. The Sojourn shook violently as a Sith turret found their stabilizers. Pulling himself from where he had fallen to the deck, Carth shouted for the Republic ships to join in the battle. Turning his eyes to the scene before him, Carth rose a brow as he spotted a Mandalorian heavy cruiser cutting its way through a section of the Sith fleet with smaller Onderonian vessels following in its wake.

The Mandalorian battlecruiser tore through the Sith fleet, unaffected by the fire it received from all sides. Its heavy armor buckled under the stress and its shields burned but it continued onward, paving the way for the Onderonians as they attempted to break through the much larger fleet that surrounded them.

"We're outnumbered..."

Queen Talia muttered to herself as she paced her flagship.
"We have no choice, begin the bombardment. Send word to Lord Mandalore. He needs to pull back and defend the capitol ships from boarders."

The aides quickly filled their Queen's command, trying to ignore the sudden hopelessness that filled them. Just as it seemed they were going to be consumed from all sides, the Mandalorian battlecruiser broke away from the group and began cutting its way mercilessly through the Sith lines. A flash in the distance followed by dozens of others heralded the arrival of the Republic forces. Almost without explanation, the Queen and her soldiers suddenly felt hope rising in them. They had come here expecting to die. Now, they had a chance.

"She wants us to what?"

Canderous bellowed, his face twisting into a furious sneer.

"The Sith fleet is having difficulty breaking through their shields, but they say that several of their ships have already been boarded. What is your order, Mandalore."

Canderous lowered his head, trying to ignore all the anger and emotions burning in him. He needed to think clearly, like a soldier. What would Revan tell him to do. The answer was simple.

"Break orbit, recall all of our men and split up amongst the fleet. Its time to crack some Sith skulls."

The Mandalorian saluted his leader and quickly passed on the command. Canderous sent a message to Revan and Kenobi, hoping that both of the former Jedi would get the withdrawal order.

Ian Kenobi frowned as his comm beeped. Ducking quickly into the forests outside of the walls of the Sith capitol, the Jedi Exile checked his message and frowned. Things weren't going as well as they had planned. The bombardment needed to happen and fast. Sighing heavily, the Exile turned and began sprinting for his ship, hoping the Sith hadn't discovered it yet.

Revan scowled as he tossed aside his damaged comlink. Brushing the dust from his robes, Revan gathered the Force around him and leapt atop the roofs once again. He'd have to be more careful if he was knocked off the wall again by the Sith guards. He could have lost more than just his communicator. Looking skyward, the former Sith Lord nodded to himself as he noticed the bright streaks of the Mandalorian dropships had fallen away. He's have reinforcements soon enough. A surge of adrenaline within him told him that Bastila and the other Jedi had arrived and that she had begun using her Battle Meditation. Smiling to himself, Revan looked ahead towards the Sith palace. It would all be over soon and then he and Bastila could sit down and have a nice, long chat about their relationship.

Their relationship. Revan quickly shook the thought away. He couldn't think about that now, regardless of how much it made him want to turn around and leave just so he could be by her side. He had a duty to fulfill. One that had cost the galaxy trillions of lives and one that had cost him his best friend, his Master and had nearly cost him Bastila. He wouldn't be distracted by this now. Clearing his mind, Revan pulled both of his lightsabers from his belt and activated the crimson and azure blades as he dropped down to the street and began cutting his way through a group of surprised and enraged Sith guards.

Bastila felt Revan fighting at the edge of her senses on the surface of Ziost and unconsciously channeled more of her power than was needed into aiding him.

"Its not much."

Bastila mentally assured herself, knowing that her concentration could be divided between the space battle and the land battle. Even if the land battle was being waged by only one man.

Jedi Knight Juhani pulled her fighter into a tight spin as she flew through the debris of an Onderonian cruiser. Concentrating fully on the battle before her, the Cathar Jedi ordered her attack group to fall in place behind her and attack one of the Sith capitol ships as one. The other Jedi and Republic fighters acknowledged the Knight and followed her as they broke off into smaller groups and began tearing away at a Sith cruiser's deflector shields and its engines.

On board the Republic cruiser Marauder, Jolee Bindo frowned deeply. They had intercepted the communications from the Onderonian ships and he knew Canderous was withdrawing from the plan Revan had set out to aid the ships in orbit. It was a wise tactical move since their ships were key to their initial plan, but the Jedi Master could not shake the sense of foreboding building within him. The world that loomed ahead of the Republic fleet as it began exchanging volleys with the Sith fleet was dark. He knew, deep down within him that this would not be an easy battle. Or a clean one. The face of his fallen Padawan flashed briefly in his mind as well as the sadness and bitterness that went along with remembering the young woman, the girl he had left in the care of his friend Revan. Shaking off his dark thoughts, Jolee turned his attention to the battle, trying his best to advise the captain of the Marauder. Things were beyond Revan's control when Fayne was killed. He had to look past it.

"This isn't going to work."

Mira frowned as she checked the readings again.

"Of course it will work."

Atris assured the former bounty hunter. The red-haired woman shrugged, shaking her head.

"Alright, but if the engines explode its your fault."

Atris gave a bemused glance at the bulkheads surrounding her.

"The Ebon Hawk has been through far to much to meet its end here in this place."

Mira sighed, wiping some sweat from her forehead as she watched Bao-Dur try to repair the old ship.

"I'll go get Brianna and Visas. I'm sure Atton wouldn't mind handing Bao his tools?"

Without waiting for a response, Mira dumped the tools in Atton's arms and took over, grumbling something about a long shower. Atris turned to Atton, narrowing her eyes.

"Sure. Why not."

Atton sighed, crouching behind the Iridonian mechanic as he attempted to repair the shattered power coupling.
"I can't believe the General was able to fly this thing to Rhen Var and back to Citadel."

Atris smiled.

"Don't forget he landed on Korriban as well... An impressive ship."

The two men ignored the Echani Master, both wary of her presence since the incident on Telos. From behind her, Atris tensed as she sensed the approach of what she had begun to call Revan's pet demon.

"Dejected Statement: Master is exterminating a large number of Meatbags and I am not present. This is unacceptable."

Raising a brow, Atris stared at the droid until it turned and left the room.

"Is there a reason that... that thing is still on board?"

Atris asked. Atton shrugged, noticing Bao-Dur was too busy to answer.

"Guess him and the tin can over there just like the place."

T3-M4 beeped a series of whistles and whines, clearly disagreeing with Atton.

"Oh I'm sure he's keeping you here at gunpoint."

Atton shot back. T3's head swivelled as he chirped an affirmative. Choosing to remain silent to that, Atris moved to the quarters of the ship, sensing the lingering presence of Kreia. Frowning deeply, the former Jedi Councillor knelt on the floor and reached out with her senses.

"Blast, they've already started fighting."

Bao-Dur grumbled something while Atton sighed.

"Figures. We're going to have to get there fast if we're going to be any help."

Mira returned with a frown.

"Why wouldn't Ian allow us to go with him in the first place? Its not like any of us are defenseless."

Mira jumped as a deep roar resounded through the Ebon Hawk and paled as a tall Wookiee climbed up the ramp. For a moment she thought it was Harnhaar but then noticed he was slightly lighter than her Wookiee nemesis. And that he was dragging a young Twi'lek behind him.

"Who the hell are you?"

Mira asked warily. HK-47 entered the room and gave a mechanical groan.

"Annoyed Statement: Great, the carpet meatbag and the blue one."

HK's eyes flashed in annoyance.

"Pleading Statement: Master is not here, I have to endure the presence of other meatbags. Please do not add to it."

Mission Vao ignored the droid, staring instead at the others.

"I'm Mission Vao and this is Zalbaar. We were on Citadel trying to find one of our friends and heard what's going on. We want to help."

Not really having an established leader, the Ebon Hawk crew exchanged glances.

"And why would you wish to help?"

Atris asked cooly. Mission smirked.

"You're a Jedi, I can tell already so I'll be frank. I haven't seen Rev or Bast in a long time and I wanted to see them. Next thing I know Rev is off gallivanting around the galaxy while Bastila is stewing over him leaving her. Then she's a Jedi Master and Carth is an Admiral and Canderous is Mandalore and geeze! Com on I just want to say hi to my friends without having to wait for five years!"

Mission managed to get the last part out in a single, rushed breath. Atris rose her brow, nodding.

"I see no problem with them joining us. We could use the assistance."

Mission smiled happily, sprawling herself on a seat while she glanced at Zalbaar.

"Wanna try that pacifism program we've been working on for HK?"

The young Twi'lek asked with a grin. HK quickly left the room, not withing the blue meatbag to interfere with his ingenious programming. Mira laughed at this and walked over to the newcomer.
"You're not so bad, kid. Name's Mira."

Mission took the offered hand and began explaining her and Zalbaar's experiences on the Ebon Hawk and what it was that had attracted them there.

"This weapon is your bloody life."

Revan muttered to himself as he cast a glance down at his remaining lightsaber. The other had been knocked from his grasp as he rushed through yet another seemingly endless group of Sith guards. Tightening his grip on the crimson bladed weapon, Revan looked around warily. He was in the courtyard of the palace. A clear run to the other side would find him within it and he hoped face to face with the Sith Lord.

Calling the Force around him, Revan broke into a Force-enhanced sprint towards the building. Part of his mind wondered where the Mandalorian dropships and their crews were. Ignoring that doubt in his mind, Revan continued onward, stopping to gather himself as he finally entered the palace itself.

"Mandalore's forces have returned. We've received word from General Kenobi, he's leaving the surface now. Still no word from Revan."

Queen Talia rose a brow, wondering why Revan hadn't made it back to his ship yet.

"Send another transmission to Rev-"

The Queen's ship listed heavily as it was struck from several sides by Sith fire.
"Blast! Send the transmission. Get Admiral Onasi on the line. We have to do this fast if we're going to do it at all."

The bridge crew quickly worked through their orders, still getting no response from Revan. Fearing the worst for the former Dark Lord of the Sith, Queen Talia ordered her ships to bombard the Sith capitol.

Ian Kenobi landed his fighter on the Onderonian Queen's flagship and leapt from the canopy, landing in the midst of a dozen Sith warriors. Within moments, the Sith were all dead and the Jedi Exile nodded his thanks to the Mandalorians and Onderonian soldiers gathered in the hangars before making his way to the bridge. Still feeling Revan on the world's surface, the Exile frowned.

"Why is he still down there?"

Reaching through the Force the Exile sensed that Revan was still unharmed and shook his head.

"Probably taking his time."

Reaching the bridge the Exile frowned as he noticed the position of the Queen's ship.

"What-"

The Exile's eyes widened as the Queen's vessel began bombing the world's surface.

"What the blazes are you doing?"

Ian shouted. Queen Talis turned, frowning.

"We had to deviate from the plan, General. We do not have the resources to sustain this orbital battle for long. The Sith have already destroyed a third of my fleet. I cannot allow the rest to fall. We won't have enough ships otherwise to destroy the world."

Ian gaped at the Queen.

"Destroy the- now wait just a minute. Revan is still down there and-"

The Queen sighed, lowering her head.

"Darth Revan is dead, General Kenobi."

Ian lowered his head, closing his eyes and reaching out to Revan. Try as he might, the Exile could not get through to his old friend.

"Give me ten minutes, Queen. I'll take a ship back there and if-"

"Its too late, General."

Carth Onasi furrowed his brow as he watched what remained of the Onderonian fleet slowly position itself around the Sith homeworld.
"What are they-"

The Telosian Admiral's eyebrows rose as he realized what he was seeing. He had seen it before on Telos and Taris.

"Send word to all ships. Cover the Onderonian fleet. We need to buy them time to wipe out the Sith threat."

Barely making the connection with that he was doing and what Darth Malak had done to both Telos and Taris and a dozen other worlds, Carth continued ordering his ships to cover the exposed Onderonian ships. For a moment it seemed like the Sith were going to attack the Onderonians but Bastila's Battle Meditation caused mass confusion within the Sith ranks and their ships broke formation, panicking as they attacked randomly against their much more organized opponents.

Revan decapitated a Sith guard and used the Force to send another flying into a large set of double-doors, causing them to fly open to reveal the chamber of the Sith Lord. The Patron slowly rose from his throne and walked casually towards his opponent, taking a lightsaber from his belt as well as his sword.

"Leave us."

The Patron ordered the twelve gathered members of the Sith Council. The Twelve Sith remained where they were, watching the newcomer curiously.

"This is the end, Patron. The twelve houses... the Sith will end here. We all know this. Give us this last right."

The Patron bowed his head in acceptance.

"Very well."

Advancing on Revan, the Patron activated his crimson blade and crossed it with the former Jedi's. Following through with a powerful swing of his sword, the Sith Lord was rewarded with a loud clang as it connected with Revan's armor.

Ignoring the shock that coursed through his body at the powerful strike of the Patron's blade, Revan sidestepped the Sith's lightsaber, deflecting the sword as he thrust for the Patron's chest. The Patron backed away, recovering his balance and blocking Revan as the two foes continued their duel through the chamber.

"Surely you must know this is your end."

Revan ignored the Sith, backing away from the Patron's strike and kicking the Sith Lord's chest. Thrown off balance, the Patron barely recovered as he crossed his blades over his head and blocked Revan's downward strike that would have split him in two. Struggling against the saber lock, Revan glared into the Sith's eyes.

"A mistake."

The Patron smiled as he moved to parry Revan's blade and skewer the former Jedi on his other. Revan quickly side-stepped and forced his blade parallel to the ground, knocking apart the Patron's crossed blades. The Patron wore a surprised expression as Revan's lightsaber sliced off his right hand and then followed through quickly, decapitating him. Or nearly decapitating him. Revan flinched as he saw the Patron's lower jaw melt away. It was the same move he had used against Malak, except he had spared Malak's hand when he had done it before.

The Patron dropped to the ground, howling in agony as he grasped his face. Revan swallowed the lump rising in his throat as he moved forward and decapitated the Sith Lord. The other Sith stool by calmly and watched, knowing no matter what they did they were dead, their people were dead. A rumble broke through the long silence that followed the Patron's fall, followed by a series of explosions and more rumbles as blasterfire rained down on the world from above.

Revan rose his eyes, surprise coursing through him.

"You see now, Jedi?"

One of the Sith Councillors spoke, his voice barely above the noise surrounding them. Revan turned his eyes to the Sith, confusion on his features.

"We aren't that different. The Jedi and the Sith."

A section of the ceiling fell through, crushing the Sith and Revan quickly turned and began running through the palace and into the streets of the Sith city. Revan panted heavily as he paused, watching the destruction unfold before him as the city burned and collapsed under the fire of the Onderonian ships. A feeling began to grow within Revan's chest and it took him a moment to realize what it was. It was the same thing he had felt when Taris was destroyed by Malak's fleet. It was the same thing he had felt when he had ordered the destruction of a dozen other worlds as the Sith Lord. It was as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were silenced.

The former Jedi Knight dropped to the ground on the courtyard, his eyes following the destruction. His thoughts fell to the women and children he had seen on his way into the city. Casualties of war the Republic would call them. Revan lowered his head and allowed a tear to drop as he felt the destruction around him. The Sith's last words echoed in his mind as he felt himself begin to vomit. Maybe he wasn't that different from the monster he had been and the monsters he believed the True Sith to be. Maybe the Jedi, the Republic were the ones that were wrong...