Juhani finally convinced Carth to continue the exchange in a more private location, with Revan present. At first he had resisted, insisting Juhani give him some details first. She told him what she could before he finally agreed to include Revan in the conversation.
"Let's get Revan." He finally said.
"Thank you Carth. You lead the way, I'm not exactly sure where she moved us…"
"Follow me."
They walked in complete silence covering the distance at a rapid pace. Juhani moved to the front when Carth stopped outside the door, gesturing that this was the room.
---------
"Juhani, I'm sorry about my outburst. I just couldn't stand sitting there any longer, being ignored like I wasn't even in the room…" she stopped speaking when she noticed Carth standing behind her. "What is going on?"
"Revan, I told Carth about the message from the Council."
Her mouth dropped open but she quickly recovered. "Okay, sure. I guess there are things we need to discuss. Come in."
"Are you sure this is appropriate?" Juhani cast her eyes towards the children. They were sitting in the corner of the room, legs crossed, hands resting on their knees.
Revan grinned, "I picked better accommodations, there's an adjoining room." She nodded over her shoulder. "I'll be right in."
Juhani and Carth moved towards the room as Revan began speaking with Aaron and Ariana.
"I have some important things to discuss. Stay where I can see you, I'll leave the other door open. Remember what I said about using the Force. You will have to speak quietly and out loud to one another from now on."
They nodded to her before looking to the man that stood staring at them.
Carth had not even realized he had stopped moving. He watched as Revan moved to the children before his eyes fell on Ariana for the first time. The first thing that struck him was how much darker her hair was compared to Aarons. It is the color of Revan's hair.
His gaze turned to Aaron. He had big brown eyes that were as round as any Carth had ever seen. They matched his round face perfectly. His fine, light brown hair fell delicately over his forehead. Carth imagined it would feel soft to the touch and he found himself wanting to reach out. Instead he turned back to Ariana.
Her hair was longer. It was parted in the middle and each side held a small lock of hair tied with a crimson red ribbon. The rest fell loosely, just below her shoulder. Her face was also round but she had a more defined jaw line and chin. The wide, round eyes of Aaron contrasted with his sisters. They were narrow and sank closer together at the outer corners, giving her the appearance of someone who was suspicious of others. Overall she was a beautiful child and Carth could see a lot of resemblance to Revan. It was much more difficult for him to see any resemblance to himself from either child.
While he had waited for the Scout to undergo his health screen, Carth had acquired some pictures of a young Malak. He could not see any resemblance there either. Force I'm not good at this kind of thing.
He noticed the children were now looking at him and he felt a flash of heat rise in his cheeks. Revan came to his rescue.
"Aaron, Ariana, this is Commodore Onasi."
They both replied, "Pleased to meet you Commadoora Nasi."
Carth let out a small chuckle as Revan tried to correct them, stressing her words more carefully.
Ariana looked up at her mother and whispered quietly, "Ma'ma is he that hero?"
Carth moved closer, crouching down on one knee in front of them, "Now what hero is that?"
They both remained quiet before looking up at their mother. She nodded her approval and watched as they started to slowly, quietly at first, tell Carth about how they were going to be great Jedi Masters one day.
Revan stood beaming as she watched Carth and the children. She was surprised at how quickly they had opened up to him, talking like it had never been a problem for them. This is how it was supposed to be. This is as close to a family moment as I'll ever get.
"It is our destiny" Ariana retorted.
"Oh it is, huh? Well, just be careful along the way, alright?" Carth had shifted his position and was sitting cross legged in front of them. The banter continued back and forth and Revan continued to be amazed at how well the younglings were relating to Carth. The children were now asking him about his destiny.
"I'm afraid there is no mystical force that controls my destiny." He replied.
They stiffened at this and Revan quickly took over. "We have to have our talk now, remember what I said and stay where I can see you both."
Carth rose and followed Revan into the other room, where Juhani had been patiently waiting.
"Should we put a force barrier around room?" she asked when they entered.
"No, it's too risky, we will just have to keep our voices low."
They stood talking about what their next move should be. No one seemed to be in agreement about much.
"How much do you know about the scout?" Revan asked.
"Personally, not much, but he has high level Republic clearance." Carth replied.
"Yeah, and that's reassuring." She remarked. "What did you find out about Ackertan?"
"Similar to Mos Eisley Spaceport. You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."
"Sounds perfect" she replied, her face lighting up.
"Perhaps the scout should go" Juhani inserted.
"NO, I don't trust him." Revan insisted. "I will go."
"Revan, I will go with the scout, together we will…" she was immediately cut-off.
"No Juhani, I don't trust him, whether you are down there or not. And especially if you are down there with him. We need more information, I can get that information. We can't return to Coruscant, at least until we know more."
Carth spoke up, "We are already enroute to Coruscant and there are people in the Republic that I still trust. I need to finish this mission before anyone gets suspicious…"
Revan interrupted, "Then stop our course! YOU of all people should know about the dangers of misplaced trust!"
Carth winced at her words. The hurt plainly displayed across his face.
They argued back and forth about who would head to the planet, if anyone, where they would travel to, if anywhere. Nothing was getting accomplished and time was being wasted. They were all growing frustrated at their lack of agreement.
"Look, if someone is seeking out all Jedi I really don't think you should be going, either of you." Carth looked back and forth between the two women before continuing, "We don't know the extent of this threat and until we do I cannot allow it."
Giving him a smug questioning glare Revan asked, "Well, then how do you suggest we are going to find out?" He found the ridicule in her voice extremely annoying.
Juhani tried to reason with both of them, "It has to be serious if the Council has sent all the Jedi into hiding. Perhaps Carth is right."
Carth took the opening "We need a smaller ship, supplies, crew members. We will return to Coruscant, get what we need, then come back."
"NO, I'm not landing on Coruscant!" Revan exclaimed. "How can you be sure that someone isn't already aware that Juhani, and perhaps even me, are on board with you? Not to mention, the simple fact, that there is no one else on that planet that we could even trust to join us. I'm not even sure I trust you Carth!" she realized she was serious about this revelation.
He simply stared at her in disbelief. "I don't believe you! Since when did you get so paranoid?"
"Maybe" she said mockingly, "When I was betrayed by someone I loved."
His mind reeled, Who does she mean? Me? Malak? Or maybe both of us!
"Enough you two, the children are just in the other room" Juhani spoke in a cautious tone.
Reason found its way into Revan's mind and she replied calmly. "Juhani is right. Carth look, I don't think this is going to work. Just drop us off on Ackertan, head back to Coruscant, finish your mission."
"NO WAY!" he shot back quickly.
"You have your orders, I have mine. We will take one of the ships on board. You can have someone from the Republic pick it up later. Once we arrive on Ackertan we won't be using it anymore."
"And how would you get off the planet?" he questioned.
"I'll worry about that later." Her voice was even and authoritative.
"And the kids?" he pressed.
"I'll make sure they stay safe. I can take of them, I always have."
The strain of their indecisiveness was wearing on all of them. That, coupled with the current unknown threat, was eating away at Revan and Carth's patience. Only Juhani seemed to remain calm. And then all of a sudden the situation spiraled out of control.
He couldn't believe what she was saying, what she wanted to do, the danger she was willing to put everyone in. He fought back his anger and instead tried to reason with her. "Rev …" No, now isn't the time to call her Rev. Somehow the nickname he had always used to persuade her, comfort her, just didn't seem right.
He stopped and tried again, "Revan, things are not like before, you have two kids to worry about. You cannot be running into dangerous situations, light sabers blaring. It's too dangerous. I won't allow it."
"YOU won't allow it?" she spat the words back at him, emphasizing each word, her tone rising.
"This is getting out of hand. I think perhaps you should leave Carth. Revan, you need to control your emotions."
Revan turned her head violently towards the sound. Her words were filled with venom, "Shut the hell up Juhani! Perhaps you are the one who should leave. I don't care about controlling my emotions anymore! I have never been very good at it before, so guess what? I am done trying! I'll go back to what I'm good at – hunting for Sith!" her eyes blazed, causing the Cathar to take a few steps back.
"I will take the kids for something to eat – I hope you are acting more sensible when we return!" She turned her head, nodding briefly, "Good luck Carth." Juhani turned and exited the room, feeling Revan's cold stare on her back.
She watched until Juhani had left, the children going with her. Then Revan whipped her head back to Carth. Her eyes were still blazing but her tone was icy,
"You once said you didn't own or control me. That you were sorry if you ever came across that way. Well, you are doing that right now!"
Carth leaned closer to her, matching her stare and delivering his own icy reply "And YOU said I needed to find another cause for my, let's see, sad pathetic life, I believe is how you phrased it."
He stared her directly in the eye, his jaw forming a hard line, "Well, guess what, I HAVE! Those kids," he pointed to the other room that was now empty. "And you should know all about how once I get something into my thick skull, NO ONE can stop me!"
"You leave them out of this! Who the HELL made them your business!" her hands were flying in frantic gestures as she pointed at him.
He was right in her face now, "YOU DID! When you started talking and acting like a stupid, wreckless fool."
The thoughts ran through his head but held back from saying them aloud. And when you left me to think that they might be MY kids. That you only BELIEVED Malak was their father.
They were both staring hard at each other, neither one wanting to back down. Finally Carth continued,
"Why don't you stop trying to be a fracking Jedi and act like their damn mother!"
Her nostrils were flaring, eyes set in a cold fury. He could feel her quick hot breaths as they stood face to face. He couldn't believe she was the same person and was thankful that Juhani had taken the kids to the galley. I think you went too far this time, Onasi.
But it was too late now.
Revan reached up, roughly grabbing his face in her hands. Then she did the most shocking thing.
She slammed her lips against his, pressing hard. So hard he stumbled back from the ferocity of the kiss. A look of disbelief covered his face.
She simply smirked, a guttural sound coming from her throat before raising her eyebrows, "Afraid I was going to leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?"
"Dammit Woman, if you even think about taking one of my ships I'll…"
"You'll what Carth?" She stared at him, challenging him before replying, "Now get the hell out of my room."
"NO!" He shouted so loud she thought she felt the ship shudder in response. He walked over to where she stood and gripped her left arm. The pressure from his thumb made her wince.
"You hate me now, don't you?" She raised her eyes questioningly. "Well guess what? I don't care anymore." Her voice turned as she played with his emotions, "I loved Malak, just as much, if not more than I love you. I can't change that and I don't think I would want to. He was twice the man you are!"
Carth actually felt like he wanted to hit her right then. He fought the urge to bring his hand up and strike her. What the hell is happening? Why was she doing this?
She could read his thoughts and she didn't care if she was using the force. "Go ahead Carth, DO IT! You know you want to."
He stood there in complete silence. He was staring at the woman he loved but couldn't comprehend any of it. He wanted to leave but his feet would not move. Slowly, he replied with the only thought that had been screaming in his head, "I don't know you anymore."
"No, you don't." she replied before leaving the room.
--------------------------------
The scout smiled as he returned to his quarters. He had only listened briefly to the exchange, afraid of being discovered, but he had heard enough.
He had known the Cathar that rescued him was a Jedi the moment she had tried to force heal him. Since being on the ship he had felt other small things in the force, but the one that had caused him to leave his room had just recently happened.
He had felt pure hatred flowing and his curiosity had caused him to take the chance. He was now glad that he had. She is the one. My Lord was right. Lord Malak, you would have been pleased, everything is proceeding as you had foreseen.. He laughed uncontrollably and had to stop as he felt the ship lurch from his force.
He reached for his wristband and entered another message. Now all he had to do was sit and wait for his next orders.
----------------------------------
Revan had initially headed towards the galley but decided against it. She didn't want to face the children right now. Didn't want to see Juhani.
Instead she moved to the cargo hold, figuring no one would bother her there. Why did I say those things? How could I have been so awful! I just wanted to keep pushing him until he finally admitted how he truly felt. Why couldn't I stop? Force, what is wrong with me?
And then she remembered….
They stood together on the deck, Revan's hand was brushing up and down his arm. The ongoing war was visible outside the huge viewports. The battle was at its turning point. The Mandalorians were winning.
"Malak, it is time."
"Are you sure Revan? Have you thought about what this will mean?"
She laughed at the absurdity of his words. "I find your lack of faith disturbing. Do you have regrets Malak?"
He turned to her, bringing her into his arms, "Never, I just want to make sure you know what you are doing."
"You wonder if I know what I am doing? She asked sarcastically. "Don't be stupid Malak, of course I know what I am doing." She looked at him, her eyes narrowed, "Do you question me?"
"No, never."
"But you have doubts, don't you?" she purred.
He nodded, "This will dominate our destiny."
"Fool, everything we have done has dominated our destiny!" Her voice turned cold as she moved away from his hold. "How do you really feel Malak? Are you afraid you will hate me? Do you hate me?"
"No, never. I will follow you always. I will love you until the end of the galaxy."
She laughed, "Or to the beginning of it, to the beginning of OUR galaxy. Do it Malak, send the order. Prove to me that you don't hate me. That you won't be able to hate me, because you will be the one who makes the choice."
"As you wish." He turned from her, moving to the troops in the command center. "Send the orders, it is time. Initiate the Mass Shadow Generator."
Revan gripped her head frantically, shaking it back and forth, trying to remove the memories from her mind. "Noooooo" she cried, "Nooooooooooooooooo."