The TSF officers escorted Ilza into one of the executive modules aboard Citadel Station. These modules were typically reserved for high-level diplomats and ranking members of the Telosian government, but these quarters had been given for use by the Republic Fleet commanders.

Toward the far end of the room, looking out to the planet's surface, was Admiral Carth Onasi. He was tall, with brown hair. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. He was dressed in what looked like modified Republic armor.

He turned to face her, a warm smile on her face that Ilza couldn't help but think made him look foolish. She knew better than to judge by looks alone, though.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked her, facing the planet once more. "I couldn't be here to protect her last time. I'm glad I was able to now."

Ilza glared. "Maybe next time you'llget here a little faster," she muttered under her breath.

The admiral apparently heard this, because he seemed to decide to drop the pleasantries. "I'm going to be honest with you, Ms. Rossill. You helped to save Telos, and that is the only reason you haven't been arrested. You instigated and aided the armed overthrow of the Onderonian government. You helpd a usurper take one of the Republic's most important worlds out of the glactic community. My superiors wanted to have you imprisoned and tried for war crimes."

Ilza rolled her eyes at him, not bothering to hide her contempt. "I don't see what the problem is. From what I understand, Vaklu hasn't even begun seccession procceedings, and I know for a fact that he sent soldiers to help protect your precious planet. If I were you, I'd be grateful he hasn't declared war yet."

"Yeah, we'll see about that, won't we?" That's not the point. I brought you here to ask you something. I..." His face softened, and for the briefest of moments she saw right into him, through a sea of grief. "...I need to know if you found any trace of Revan during your exile."

At this, she raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with anything?" The images of Revan she had fought on Korriban were fresh in her mind, and she suppressed a shudder.

"I served with Revan, like you did." She noticed his shoulder tense momentarily. "It was toward the end of the Jedi Civil War. We met on a ship called the Endar Spire, over the planet Taris..."

----

"...We saved the galaxy, but for Revan, it was like the war never ended. She kept remembering things, things she'd done during both of the wars. The Jedi Council tried to help her reconcile her real memories with the false ones they put in her, but even then she was...different. The tiniest things would set her off. And then a year later, she left altogether. I think she remembered something big, something she did, and she went to stop it. We haven't heard from her since. The only thing she'd say was to ask me to protect the Republic, to keep it strong."

Ilza had listend impassively to his entire story. It explained a lot. She hadn't understood, what master Ell had said before, about redemption not being Revan's choice, but it made sense now.

"That's...quite a tale. It explains a lot of what I've seen since I've been back. You said that the only tace of her you found was in Mandalorian space?"

"Yes," he said sadly, "She switched ships there. After that, the trail went cold."

'Hm, this is interesting. That's quite close to Malachor...'

"I already know about your ship. Wherever it's been, so has she."

"The Ebon Hawk? That would explain why the navicomputer was voice-locked."

Carth gave a grim smile. "Yes, that sounds like something she'd do. Listen, I don't know where you're going, but all I ask is that if you find Revan, please tell her that Admiral Onasi is following orders."

Ilza frowned. This man, she felt a connection to him. It was like he knew waht it was to lose everything. Something inside her wanted to help him, even though the rest of her was screaming at her to tell him to shove it.

"If I find her...I'll give her the message." With that, she spun on her heel, and made to leave, but he spoke up once more.

"This time...you gave me a second chance. Thank you."

She paused for a moment, but did not turn around. A second later, she left the room silently.

----

Carh sighed as she left the room.

"You should not have let her leave."

He didn't bother to turn and face Bastila. "You may be right about that. But still, I can't help thinking that she's out best hope of finding Revan. Even if she's dark, she's got the best chance."

Bastila slumped into a chair tiredly. "I know you miss her Carth. I do too, but I do not trust that woman. She has felt the call of the dark side, and she had heard the teachings of the Sith."

"So did you, once," he reminded her gently. She stiffened in her seat, her short tenure as Malak's apprentice still a sore subject.

"That was different, Carth. I had people to help me back. I fear that is not the case for the Exile..."

-----

A/N: Holy crap! Ten chapters! This is like a milestone for me. For all of us here at FREAKSHOW actually. I wish the others were here to see this.