"The interrogation will begin now. Each time you refuse to answer or give me a false answer, Bastila will suffer," Saul sneered
"I will not betray the Jedi Order, even to save Bastila,"
"My pain is meaningless. Tell him nothing!"
"I tire of these games – now I want answers! On what planet is the Jedi Academy at which you were trained?"
"Alderaan. It's on Alderaan,"
"Alderaan is nothing but a planet of artisans and philosophers! There is no training academy there! You must think this is a game. Very well. This is the price of your resistance,"
Bastila screamed.
"This first question was a test. Obviously Malak knew the Academy was on Dantooine, and it has since been blockaded by our fleet! Dantooine will become an empty graveyard. Nothing will remain but a smoking ruin and the charred remains of your former Masters!"
"You will pay for this crime, Saul! You and all the Sith!"
"More empty threats. We Sith prefer to let our actions speak for us. Perhaps that is why we are winning this war. Now… tell me your mission. How were the Jedi planning on using you to stop Lord Malak and our Sith armada?"
"We have been sent to assassinate Lord Malak,"
"Do you take me for a fool? The Jedi are not assassins – they would never devise such a plan! Perhaps you need a reminder of the consequences of refusing to cooperate."
Bastila screamed in agony.
"Now I will ask again - on what mission did the Jedi Council send you?"
"You are a sick and evil man, Saul Karath."
"Perhaps another lesson is in order?"
Bastila passed out.
"I am surprised she did not pass out sooner. Rarely have I seen someone withstand such punishment and remain conscious. I see I am wasting my time here. When Malak arrives you will learn my interrogation techniques are considered merciful among the Sith.
"I will leave you here in your cell with a small taste of the horror you will suffer when Lord Malak arrives."
Revan and Carth scream in anguish.
Technicians spoke in hushed tones at their stations, if they spoke at all. Soldiers crept along their patrols, desperate to pass unnoticed. Why? Because the tension onboard the Leviathan needed a lightsaber to cut through. Several days in hyperspace were further stretched by the friction emanating from Revan and Karath as they stalked the halls, performing their duties and tentatively avoiding each other.
Revan spent his time assessing the abilities of his soldiers and Dark Jedi and analysing the capabilities of the battle droids stored in the various KT-400 Military Droid Carriers onboard. HK deemed the droids satisfactory in a 'mocking statement,' and Canderous simply laughed at the state his new 'army' was in. Both gave assurances that they would be capable of taking Dantooine from the Jedi, provided the Dark Jedi did most of the heavy lifting.
Saul busied himself on the Bridge, deftly navigating the Leviathan through the challenges present within the Unknown Regions. While not directly piloting himself, he presided over the delicacies required when dealing with hyperlanes that shifted and closed at random and hyperspace anomalies that had never been charted. Being the officer with the most experience travelling in this area of space, he led them at a reasonable speed with no difficulties.
Both realised the problem they were creating by avoiding each other and allowing their issues to fester. So, when Revan called Saul into his personal chambers, he almost breathed a sigh of relief at being summoned. Soon after, the connotations of being summoned to see a Sith Lord caught up with him and dread set in quickly.
"Admiral, please, come in." Revan curled his hand in a beckoning gesture. "I trust we are on course?"
"Yes, Sir. We should be arriving in a few hours. With your permission, I will bring the ship up to combat alert status as soon as we exit hyperspace and transmit orders for the blockade to do the same. With Phaedacomm already seized, we will be ready for ground assault as soon as we enter orbit," Saul rattled, barely pausing to breathe. Behind his back, he wrung his hands and stiffened his posture as the Dark Lord turned his gaze upon him.
The chambers were bare, stripped of any decoration or trophy Malak had displayed here. Like those on the Star Forge, it was steel grey and metal, with a desk, a terminal, and accompanying chairs. With his back rested against the chair, gloved hands gripping the arms and one leg crossed over the other at the knee, Revan intimidated Saul.
"Tell me, Admiral, why I should allow the man who tortured my lover into unconsciousness, who tortured me into agony, to not only live but command a portion of my fleet?" Revan probed with poise.
"You shouldn't, Sir,"
"Bold words for a man so close to death. Did Malak break you so completely that you wish for death?"
"No, Sir,"
"Then where is your defence? You are a soldier; I expect a counterattack,"
"I don't believe in suicide, Sir. We have always had a problematic relationship. If your torture is to be the final nail in my coffin, so be it. I will not waste either of our time by pleading for my life." Saul met Revan's scrutiny with fierce defiance. It gave Revan pause.
"You know about my… treatment at the hands of the Jedi –" Revan stood from his chair, hands clasping behind his back, "– after our last encounter." He sneered.
"You mean your… memory loss?" Saul stuttered, eyes following Revan as he stalked around the room.
"Yes, that. Many of my memories have returned –" Revan paused, focussing on Saul as his eyebrow raised. "– yet many are still clouded. You are a particular source of difficulty."
"I see,"
"So, why do you call our relationship… problematic?" Revan pounced, moving closer to him instantly, invading what little personal space the Admiral had. Sweat slipped from the man's greying hairline as he jolted back. Regaining some semblance of composure, he straightened his jacket.
"Surely you must remember Telos, Sir?"
"You mean your first massacre of an innocent world?"
"Malak's first massacre, Sir,"
"You followed his orders, Saul. You are just as complicit,"
"Orders I believed came from you!" Karath shouted, anger inflaming his face. Revan blinked, stunned into silence. "My deepest apologies, Sir, I shouldn't…,"
"Explain yourself. Now," Revan seethed. Saul's eyes widened for a fraction before he began.
"The three of us were on the Star Forge discussing our first target for the war. We agreed upon Telos; it was lightly defended yet reasonably well-known across the Republic. You also cited the existence of a Jedi retreat hidden on the planet's surface and the presence of the Agricultural Corps,
"When Malak and I left the Star Forge, our orders were to conquer the planet, convert the Force-sensitives and seize the Academy. However, before we arrived, Malak told me you had contacted him. Intelligence revealed that the Republic was setting a trap for us at Telos, that someone had leaked our plan. To prove that I was not the leaker, my orders were to destroy the planet as quickly as possible before the Republic could spring their trap."
"All lies," Revan spat.
"When we returned, I was imprisoned immediately on charges of treason. I was released and absolved shortly after Malak lost his jaw. You and I worked on the Raid of Foerost together and agreed to put Telos behind us." Karath let himself slouch briefly.
Revan's brows furrowed. On the one hand, this tale was wholly believable and would explain what changed between Malak and himself to push Malak towards attempted assassination. On the other hand, Saul could be using his amnesia to his advantage, trying to exonerate himself and save his own life. And there was always the possibility that it was both.
"I have heard what you've said, Admiral, and I thank you for informing me." Revan leant back onto his desk. "While I will never forget our time as your… 'guests,' I believe I can work with you and allow you to continue to prove yourself,"
"Thank you, Sir." Saul bent his knee and lowered his head.
"But, if you ever fail me, you have already had your chance. I will not tolerate further failure." Revan whispered. Saul simply nodded. "Now leave, and prepare for combat alert status,"
"Yes, Sir." Saul rose and left as quickly as he could.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken,"
"The Force shall free me,"
"Master, I'm sorry, I didn't see you enter." Bastila drops to her knees in a bow.
"Wise words from Sorzus Syn, one of the original Lords of the Sith. Tell me, what does it mean to you?" Revan approached the centre of the training room. The room was dotted with punchbags, dummies and mats, with racks of blunted vibroblades and stun blasters. Usually full of Dark Jedi honing their skills, preparations for the coming battle left the room hollow.
"It means the Sith use their anger and hatred to fuel their power. It makes them more powerful than the Jedi," Bastila recited.
"And who told you that? Malak?" Revan chuckled. Bastila's face darkened, and her brows furrowed. She rose to her feet and placed her hands on her hips.
"I believe it has served me well, regardless,"
"It has served you well thus far, but it's not the whole truth. You see, the dark side is not simply powered by anger or hatred but by all emotions. Love, passion and even compassion can be used to power our abilities. Some emotions are stronger than others, but anger is not always the strongest one,"
"Then why would Malak have me believe otherwise?"
"Besides intentionally trying to weaken you? –" Revan smiled "- Malak spent several weeks torturing you, conditioning you to hate him, whilst telling you that your only chance at survival was to embrace the dark side. When you gave in and allowed all the anger and hate to control you, it ended your torture and completed your conditioning,"
"I have not been conditioned to hate." Bastila sputtered.
"I seem to recall you wanting to 'rend the flesh' of Juhani and Jolee. I imagine you have also spent the last few weeks allowing your anger to run wild, building hatred towards anyone you believe has wronged you, such as the Jedi Council, Malak, Saul… even me." Revan began to pace around Bastila, who stood shocked in the centre.
"I don't hate you, Master. I'm simply having trouble controlling myself…,"
"We are about to attack Dantooine and fight the Jedi stationed there. You will be fighting friends and former colleagues. I want to take the opportunity to begin your training." Revan stopped in front of her.
"Of course, Master. I am eager to learn from you!" Bastila cried in anticipation.
"Then, for your first lesson, I wish you to surpass the anger and hatred you hold for the Jedi, for the years you spent as their pawn and their tool, and I want you to try and find your most potent emotion. Take the opportunity to experiment and let yourself explore what comes from liberating your feelings. You may surprise yourself." Revan took Bastila's hands and placed them in his own, gloved thumbs gently caressing the backs of her hands. "You may even surprise me."
"And if I only feel anger and hatred?" Bastila looked up into Revan's eyes, worry and fear of disappointment filling her. Her first chance to prove herself worthy of being his apprentice and her task is one she believes is impossible.
Revan was right. Since her capture, she had slowly lost control of her anger. She had wanted to kill Juhani and Jolee for the simple pleasure of it; she did feel used and abused by the Jedi Council and sought revenge. When she learned that Saul Karath had survived, she wanted nothing more than to subject him to a horrible fate. How was she to fight her way past these strong desires? And more importantly, how was she to find a replacement for them, something she did not believe existed?
"As I said, you may surprise yourself." Revan gave a knowing smile before he turned and left. "Oh, and Bastila?" he called out as he reached the door.
"Yes, Master?"
"I have reached a ceasefire with Karath and allowed him to retain his position. I have made my displeasure at his presence and my desire to kill him incredibly clear. I would like your thoughts if you are willing to share,"
"If you believe he has a purpose, Master, I will abide by his presence,"
"My dear Bastila, perhaps I haven't been as straightforward as I thought. I suppose we haven't had any time to talk about ourselves." Revan approached Bastila again and took her hands in his again, feelings of love pouring through their bond. "Saul Karath is a tool to be used. A good tool, yes, but not an indispensable one. His life is in your hands. He shall die if you want him dead, and the Empire will continue without him. If you can tolerate him for now, he has some use left which we can exploit, but his life is always in your hands,"
"Yes, Master," And with that, an alarm sounded throughout the ship, and the Leviathan exited hyperspace.
All on the Bridge of the Leviathan stood at attention as the vessel hurtled towards Dantooine. Directives were communicated to the established blockade causing armies to assemble. Revan, flanked by Bastila, Saul and HK-47, is in command of it all, overseeing the preparations through the various monitors and terminals spread around the room. With a simple nod towards one of the Technicians, his voice was broadcast across the ship, across the fleet and across the Empire:
"We are setting out to fight the same war we've fought many times before, but the outcome will be different. Because we are different.
"The Sith Empire is a place of tradition and conviction, a place where the strongest rule and those who achieve the most receive the greatest rewards. That is what sets us apart from our enemy.
"In the Empire, war is a way of life. Conquest is a right. The strongest are entitled to everything they claim. The Empire is ruled by the strongest. The Empire is the strongest. You are soldiers of the Sith Empire, the greatest army to ever march across the galaxy.
"Take up your weapons, charge into the heat of battle, and win. Now, the Republic will face the true strength of the Sith Empire. Now, they will face you!"