Ihave one hour before departure. I'm trying to jam this out! I'll be gone at least a week, maybe a month. Thanks so much to BaM for great insight.
The Republic Fleet in Orbit Around Malachor V – Three Days Later
Revan sat in her command chair aboard the Republic Naval Ship, Eagle, and surveyed the conquered world of the Mandalorians, which was now a toxic, poisonous shell thanks to Malak and his inventive technician, Bao-Dur. She had slain the most deadly warrior in the unified clans in single combat and the ragged survivors of this proud race lay prostrate before her, calmly awaiting her judgement.
After her victory against the Mandalore, she had gathered the leaders of the defeated clans to the site of the battle. In her melodramatic manner, Revan swept her arm across the devastated landscape. "All of this now belongs to me. However, warriors of Mandalore, you fought well and so deserve my respect. I have no desire to annihilate you. That has no honor. Those, wishing to join me in seeking glory, bow before me, and I will lead you to songs of victory. The rest of you," she added with disdain, "may scatter to the galactic winds. I care not."
Nearly nine tenths of the Mandalorians bowed to Revan. However, the red clad warrior, Sherruk, did not budge. He had stood as the Mandalore's Second in the duel and would not serve the woman who had slain his master. Geratt too, would not bow, nor would proud Ergeron; they would seek their fortunes elsewhere and ply their trades as mercenaries, hoping to resurrect the glory of the Mandalore.
Revan, Malak, and Mai-Lyn returned to Coruscant, covered in glory. Arriving at the Capitol of the Republic, the victorious heroes shuttled down to the planet past orbital stations and solar energy panels that flashed magnificent greetings. As Revan's shuttle landed, fireworks exploded overhead in a showery display.
On the great steps of the Galactic Senate, the Mandalorians formally surrendered in a grand ceremony. Despite the growing festivities, however, Revan and Mai-Lyn seemed preoccupied…distant. The images of the slain haunted them and they longed for the simplicity of Dantooine.
A burst of fireworks overhead brought them back to the task at hand.
On an enormous platform, nestled between massive duracrete spires, the victorious admiral stood alongside of Malak, Mai-Lyn, and Bandon, surrounded by dignitaries. As the joyous occasion began, Captain Saul Karath led a troop of elite marines forward and they bowed to Revan. Together, the entire group turned and bowed to the aged Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Ptolomeus.
Flanking the Supreme Chancellor were his coterie of political sycophants to include the Minister of the Navy and his insufferable aide, Brutus Ergot, along with Ergot's son, a young lieutenant in the fleet.
High in the stands, Carth Onasi, a dark-haired starfighter pilot sat with his commander, Forn Dodonna, trying to get a view of the proceedings.
One by one, the leaders of the Mandalorians were brought onto the stage and paraded around before the screaming Republic crowds. Each knelt in turn before Revan and kissed her hand as she stood on a pedestal.
The Supreme Chancellor looked down from his lofty pavilion and smiled warmly at Revan, waving his withered hand. However, dark expressions formed behind him on the faces of the ministers and admirals.
The Minister of the Republic Navy shook with barely concealed rage. "The Mandalorians refused to surrender to anyone but her…and she accepted. This is unforgivable," he whispered to Admiral Vrex, the man who was soundly defeated by the Mandalorians at the start of the war.
Vrex brushed his perfect hair and turned his nose up in distaste. "She thinks that winning battles is everything. She willfully ignored all political considerations. Surely I would have won the war eventually and without this mess that we have here."
Minister Locarno nodded with a sinister grin. "And so you shall win this war, my friend, and so you shall."
As the line of Mandalorians diminished, a tall, powerfully-built warrior, dressed in blue armor, awaited his turn to humiliate himself. This warrior had been captured on Malachor VII in the savage battle for the outpost of the Malachor System and had only just heard of the death of his beloved leader and the scattering of the clans. He looked around for his close comrades, but no familiar faces revealed themselves in the vast herd of beaten warriors.
"I wonder what became of Ergeron," he whispered to no one in particular.
As he stepped onto the stage, Captain Karath looked him over with a haughty expression. "Canderous of the Clan Ordo, you will kneel before Revan and kiss her hand. Do not look upon her face…avert your eyes."
From afar, he could see the woman, who had slain the Mandalore, standing on the pedestal like a goddess, looking down upon the beaten warriors. Her black hair fluttered in the breeze around her pale skin. Canderous grunted without emotion, but his skin flushed red. On cue, he walked proudly to the conqueror of the clans and knelt, never looking upon her face.
When the ceremony was done, the Republic stood as master of the Galaxy once more.
As the massive clearing emptied, the politicians went to their soirees to boast of 'their' victory and push their agendas with their newfound influence. Awards would go to the non-participants and they would tell bold stories of the exploits of others. Earlier, when Revan had reviewed the self-promoting battle reports of her nemesis, Admiral Vrex, she stated that it was the finest piece of fiction ever written.
Looking at the milling crowds now, Revan thought, I tire of these games. The politicians go back to their machinations and bickering. It is as if the war never happened. It is as if all that I have done has been for naught. Why did I abandon the Order? What was it all for?
The Grand Hall of the Minister of the Republic Navy
Hundreds of VIPs swarmed the elegant ballroom, replete with crystal chandeliers over hardwood floors. Servant droids walked, hovered, and wheeled about, creating an atmosphere of sheer perfection within the hall. Men dressed in their finest suits or uniforms while the ladies sported magnificent gowns. The feeble Supreme Chancellor sat in a grand seat, surrounded by political lapdogs. Some were bent on slurping up grains of power upon the old man's demise. Others, like the ministers of the most important departments whispered into his tired ears, influencing the course of Galactic events.
Now that the Mandalorians were brought to bay, the business of personal gain could be resumed.
Amid the ostentatious display of power and wealth, Admiral Revan approached, flanked by Malak, Mai-Lyn, Bandon, and Saul Karath. The group were attired in simple uniforms, devoid of flash and medals. To the onlookers, Revan seemed subdued despite the great triumph. Tired and contemplative, her earlier obsession with power was fading. Something in her had changed…perhaps for the better.
Sensing her inner struggle, Malak put his hand on her arm and asked, "Is there anything wrong, Admiral?"
Revan took a deep breath and exhaled. "All of the death…all of the devastation…. I should be use to it by now, but I think it caught up to me. I…I was actually thinking of returning to Dantooine and begging the Order for forgiveness. I…I must be tired."
Malak nodded. "I too, had been thinking the same thing. Your confidence and insight has always been a pillar for me. Perhaps this is the will of the Force?"
Mai-Lyn overheard this and gave them a reassuring smile, her heart yearning for them to follow that course.
There was something in Revan's eyes that her friends had not seen since she had beaten Master Vrook on Dantooine. Mai-Lyn tried to search her leader's heart, but Revan quickly looked away and faced the Supreme Chancellor. Revan bowed before the leader of the Republic and kissed his hand. "Your wisdom has saved the Republic, Supreme Chancellor. I am your humble servant."
Aged Ptolomeus took her hand and raised her up. "Revan, I am sorry for the loss of your father. He was like a brother to me and I think of you as a daughter. You have brought great glory to the Republic. This is your victory," he said in his raspy voice.
Ministers with perfect hair glared at her from afar while Admirals Vrex and Burnslider flared their nostrils in disdain.
"You are too kind," answered Revan. "What I did was for the greater good."
Ptolomeus smiled. "We should all embrace your philosophy, Revan. It would make the Galaxy a better place. What do you propose to do now that there are no more enemies to defeat? The Sith and the Mandalorians are no longer a threat."
"I was thinking on returning to the Jedi…if they'll have me, that is."
"They'd be fools not to accept you."
The young woman bowed again and the Supreme Chancellor kissed her forehead. Fighting tears, Revan withdrew, while ministers, generals, and admirals gathered to fill the void; a political coup was brewing.
The political sycophants who ran the Republic behind the scenes gathered out of earshot of the Chancellor. "Now that Mandalore is dead, we no longer need this young upstart," voiced the Minister of the Navy. "She defied me at every turn, implementing her reforms."
Brutus Ergot nodded with his son. "We have lost most of our ability to influence the fleet because of her, costing us political power on Coruscant. Yes, she wins wars, but that isn't everything. Besides, her arrogance is offensive."
Admiral Vrex scowled. "She demeans the rank that she holds. Imagine, an admiral dining and speaking with the lower ranks…preposterous."
The Minister of the Navy pursed his lips. "Yes, she commands too much love from the rabble. This is what I propose. We need to limit Revan's impact on the military. We'll quietly revoke her reforms and get our friends back in key positions. We need to reduce training and equipment to fund these personnel changes…besides…no one can threaten us now. I'm going to remove Revan as the Fleet Commander and we'll start a media campaign to show Vrex and Burnslider as our Republic's heroes. In a year, she'll be just another asterisk in the Republic's history books."
Little did Minister Locarno know how wrong he was.
Deep in the night, after the soiree had ended, Revan and Malak returned with the others to their luxurious quarters in the Upper Levels of the city planet. Transparisteel windows wrapped around the outside of the apartment, giving them an unparalleled view of the metallic world below. They sat with Mai-Lyn, Bandon, and Saul in silence for a moment, sipping a vintage brandy as Revan activated her stereo. A somber orchestral piece began, playing out long, deep notes intertwined with edgy, stringed instruments.
Captain Karath stood and looked out of the long, clear window onto the glittering lights of the eternal city. Peering down, his breath coated the transparisteel in a mist of vapor. "Admiral Revan, I am eternally grateful for your patronage. You have led us to victory and I have seen how you have brought order to the fleet. Your vision has revolutionized the Galaxy."
Revan drained her brandy glass in one long gulp. She shook her head. "No Saul, I am already seeing things return to the old ways. Though I love the Supreme Chancellor like a father, his days are numbered. All that we had worked for will fall into ruin."
Bandon sneered. The once scrawny boy had grown fierce with the fires of war. He had tasted victory and power and he found that it agreed with him. "You are still an admiral, Revan. You can keep the reforms moving with your influence. I know what you are capable of…. We could make the Republic a place of honor and strength. You have our backing," he declared with a clenched fist.
Sunk deep into a plush couch, General T'Sing struggled to hide her horror. For her, the war was over. There would be no more slaughter…no more destruction. The dark cloud that passed over her face went unnoticed by all, hidden by a bottle of Tarisian Ale that she consumed.
Malak nodded and raised his hand, staying further discussion. "Revan is tired. We'll talk more in the morning."
Mai-Lyn, Bandon, and Saul bowed and withdrew, leaving the two powerful Jedi sitting in the dim lighting of the room. Revan and Malak sat together for a time in silence, listening to the even, ordered notes of the music, until Revan closed her eyes and spoke, "I always love this part. It gives me a sense of order and peace…something I have not seen in some time. How do you think Master Vrook is doing…or Bastila?"
Malak gave her a wry smile. "It is likely that they will never speak to us again."
Revan's expression was bittersweet. "I'd like to go and say I told them so, but it's not within my heart now."
"What is in your heart?"
The young woman gently turned Malak's face toward hers. "Why, you are…."
At that moment, the stars above Coruscant shined brighter and the future looked clearer than it had been hours ago.
Coruscant – Republic Naval Headquarters
Following her sense of duty, Revan attended to fleet matters, preparing her force for her eventual departure. The young Jedi would spend much of her time among the ranks, laughing and joking with the crews. She always made sure to recognize superior work and the troops worshiped her.
As Admiral in command of the Republic military forces of the Mandalorian Campaign, she elevated Saul Karath to the rank of Rear Admiral and groomed him to assume command.
"Saul," she told the older man one night in her office, "remember to use the initiative in battle. Do not neglect logistics or the morale of your people. Spend time with them. They are like your family. As their father, show them who is in charge, but treat them with respect…even down to the lowest crewman."
"Revan, you have always shown us the way," he replied, inclining his head to indicate his understanding. Then, his face darkened. "I hate to be the one to break this to you, but the Ministry of the Navy has reduced the budget for training and equipment by half."
"What?"
"They feel that with the Mandalorians now defeated, our services are no longer needed. The credits are being diverted to political causes and private interests."
Revan sighed and hung her head. "We are dooming ourselves to the same situation as when Mandalore invaded. Fools…."
Saul bit his lip. The young woman sitting before him had never failed him and had earned his undying loyalty and trust. He would return the favor and keep her informed of the happenings within the upper echelons of the fleet. After all, they had made many friends through victory.