Pleased with the deal she had made, Juhani moved towards her new ship. It was a newer class glider, brandishing automated weapon controls and was already equipped with a transponder. It had incredible stealth and sensor baffling accessories. The small sleek design would help to evade any sensor sweeps. And the built-in autopiloting, no droids necessary, was perfect for her sub-par piloting abilities.

The larger smuggling ship, that Carth would be flying, would not be ready for a few more days. The delay was largely her fault, due to the modifications she had requested. The merchant would deliver that ship personally, docking it on the Fore Runner to make the final exchange. The ship would arrive completely supplied as part of the deal.

Ther merchant had also provided her with information about the threats to the Jedi and on the current Sith factions, as well as a few contacts who would provide her with even more information. Beginning her pre-flight checks, anxious to return to her friends, she ran over everything in her head. Two ships, supplies, a splicing droid and quite a bit more insight into what is actually happening. Now if only I can convince Carth to give up his Republic command ship!

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The dream played through her mind, fading into a mist, before returning once again.

They were standing on the wasted expanse of a once fully inhabitated planet. Smoke was billowing all around them and it was hard to imagine that a bright blue sky had once surrounded the area.

Screams of panic, running footsteps and frantic cries were emphasized by sounds of explosions, fighter engines and marching troops.

She was furious that Malak had decided to use so many of their resources for such a pointless attack. Not only had it weakened their current battle in the Abregado system and underminded her authority, but it also forced her from there so she could clean up his mess and deliver her punishment in person. Had she just stayed, the damage he had done to her reputation would have eroded her command with the troops.

"What foolish mistake have you made now Malak?"

"I did this for you Revan," he moved closer to her, reaching out to touch her shoulder.

"You did nothing for me! You did this all for yourself. And I have already told you, NEVER to call me Revan again. You will show proper respect."

She was interuppted by a nervous troop, bowing down in front of her, "I'm sorry Master, word has some through from Abregado. We are loosing the battle, the fighters are falling back."

She turned brutally towards Malak, resting the glowing end of her ignited lightsaber inches from his neck, "I should kill you for this!..."

-------------------------

"This is YOUR fault!" her voice growing louder with each word.

Moving towards the shape that was sprawled out at the computer, Carth shook her awake. "Revan."

"Leave me the hell alone!" the words spat from her mouth, a savage look in her eyes.

"Revan, it's okay." His reassuring tone was followed with a hand on her shoulder.

"No, it's not! Get the hell away from me!" shaking her upper body forcefully to remove his hand from her, she glared towards him.

"It's just a dream Rev." Pleading eyes hid the thoughts racing through his mind, Oh force, not again!

She turned on him, her eyes narrowing, "No! It's not just a dream. Get the hell out of here, NOW!" the screaming words flying from her mouth instantly.

What the hell is happening? Confusion and panic swirled around Carth, he didn't know what had caused the dramatic change in her. Dammit Revan, I can't keep doing this!

He was ready to try and soothe her again, taking a few hesitant steps toward her, when a noise in the hall made him stop. Banging and clunking its way into the room was the droid Carth had been working on.

It was just a shell of its former self and didn't respond like it should, but it was the best he had been able to do with it so far. It blurped out something, instead of beeping, causing Carth to turn towards it.

It was trying to spin its top but it would only move an inch or so to the right, then return back to its original position, before clicking and repeating the same fruitless display. Eventually it gave up trying to communicate and just moved out of the room.

Glancing from Revan back to the droid, Carth was torn about which to pursue. The droid was moving down the hallway now and Revan's noticable distaste towards him told him she wished he would follow.

Fine, I'll give you what you want. Regretfully, he exited the tension filled chamber, giving her a final pleading look that was met by a cold, hard gaze. Don't do this again Revan, please.

Seconds later he was staring out the viewport as a small ship neared. Could that be Juhani? Where the hell did she get that ship? Running footsteps echoed towards the docking bay as he rushed to open the doors.

He waited anxiously as the ship lowered itself, cutting its engines as it came to rest in one of the sleeves. The top slid open as Juhani was removing her helmet. Jumping immediately from the craft she went rushing to meet Carth, who had already covered half the distance.

"How's Revan?" was the first thing she said.

"Fine, better, well she was…" His hands turned up, shoulders slumping as his eyes lost their focus, "but she just…"

Her words were barely over a whisper, causing Carth to doubt that he heard her correctly, "I believe it is me."

Confusion spread across his face as his eyes bore into hers. "Carth, things are bad, and Revan's fate is even worse."

Carth raised his brow and didn't need to say the words. What the hell do you mean?

"The Sith factions are split. We have multiple threats. Our biggest concern right now is Revan. And the children. Someone going by the name of Darth Gnillihs, he served under Malak, is our concern. That is who the scout was working for."

Juhani shifted uncomfortably before continuing, "Malak didn't force himself on Revan, he injected her with a mind restorative implant. It has slowly been weaving her memories back together. They wanted to know what she had been planning, when she was the Dark Lord. But now, it is working in other ways."

She paused waiting for this to sink in, but the faraway glaze in Carth eyes were telling her that he wasn't hearing anything she was saying. "Carth, listen to me! I do not know for sure but I have some ideas. Either way, the scout made it clear that he believes she is slowly turning back to the dark side! Carth!"

-----------------

Malak didn't force himself on Revan. That's all he heard, his mind moving as he realized what this meant. They ARE my kids. Aaron is my son! Ariana is my daughter! MINE! My kids, Our kids! … And now they are gone. This is Dustil all over again. No, I won't let this happen again. I have to find them!

"Carth, listen to me… she is slowly turning back to the dark side!" He snapped back, shaking his head and speaking loudly, "Did you bring what we need to repair this ship?"

"Carth, have you heard anything I said?" She inquired, noticing the growing resolve displaying itself through his actions.

Moving past Juhani, his brisk pace taking him closer towards her glider, the children were the only thing on his mind. "Where are they?"

Force, he is going to go flying off if I do not stop him! He still does not understand. Knowing she had to relay to him the serverity of what was happening, she rushed towards him, seizing his arm in an attempt to slow him down. His pace actually quickened, not bothering to even turn around or acknowledge her gesture.

Knowing she had to get his attention quickly, she searched for a way to do that without hurting him or using the force.

The familiar hum of a lightsaber drowned out the sound of his footsteps. Noticing the slight pause of his pace she called out, "I really like that ship Carth. Don't force me to damage it."

He turned, scowling at her, "I need to find them!"

They stood facing each other, each one preparing for the others next move. The challenge hung between them, causing ripples of turbulence to dance back and forth.

That man is as stubborn as Revan! The pressure was building towards an explosive end and Juhani tried to avert the inevitable outcome. "Carth, forget about the children for a moment. It is Revan who they want. Revan is our biggest concern right now."

"How the hell can you say that, Revan is here, the kids are with that, that…"

"Sith." She finished for him, noticing the forlorn appearance that washed over him. Closing her lightsaber she resumed, "But for some reason he believes Revan will turn back to the dark side. Carth, do you understand, that is our biggest threat. If Revan turns…"

"Dammit Juhani, she wouldn't do that!" he roared.

"Carth, be reasonable. You have witnessed her actions, her confusion. HE believes she will, and he knows something, something he did not tell me. Revan is the key, we have to be cautious."

"No frack she is the key, she is their mother!"

"Carth, it is much more than that. Something else is at work here. The Scout did something to her, before he took the kids. That is why she was incapacitated. Do you not understand? He can do that to her. Why, I do not know, but something else is going on here. What happens if she is trying to rescue the children and it happens again? He is up to something and he has some dark-side hold over her. He told me these things for a reason. We cannot ignore that. And he wants her to return, as the Dark Lord. He wants her to fight Darth Gnillihs. We have to proceed with caution."

"Juhani, I am sorry, but you just told me those are my kids" his voice rising to emphasize his last two words. "I can not ignore that."

"And I am not asking you to Carth, but Revan remains our biggest concern. What good is finding the children if we lose her in the process. He is setting a trap, one we cannot simply fall into."

"Force Juhani, I can not follow what you are asking. I will not foresake one for the other."

"And right now that is not what I am asking. If you leave now then you will be doing that yourself. Revan would follow you and then you will have lost all of them."

"She, she would never fall back to the dark side!" he exclaimed, trying to convice himself as much as her. "I can't accept that!"

"But you may have to. That is all I am trying to say, Carth. I believe she has already slipped there a few times, with the scouts help. We need to stop her from falling any further, for the sake of the children."

"NO! I refuse to believe that. I just got Revan back, discovered we have a family. DO NOT ask me to give that up."

Her words hung in the air, "I am sorry, Carth."