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Chapter 12: No More Masks

The Kolto must flow. Or so someone with an overactive imagination and too much free time had once said. Revan, of course could care less for Kolto when the more advanced and much less smelly Bacta was in ready supply. But of course it was not in ready supply since his holdings on Nar Shadda under his alias Raven were all being watched by his fellow bounty hunters and the Sith. Instead of dipping into his hard earned funds, Revan decided to have some fun and perhaps scare the hell out of Bandon by activating his old accounts that he had established while being the Lord of the Sith. A painful and cramped two day trip from Tatooine to Manaan followed where Revan wrapped his ribs as best he could and tried not to overtax himself while Eric and Helena Shan would visit with him, he preferring they talk since talking hurt like Hell. Revan was mainly content to do as little as possible while his ribs healed much too slowly for his tastes.
Tempted to reach for the Force on several occasions out of a childhood habit, Revan had nearly asked Eric Shan to fit him with a neural disruptor for the remainder of the trip. Despite the possibility that the Force could heal him well before those two days were up, Revan recalled a very unpleasant headache that he was beginning to think was a seizure brought on by some missing chunk of his mind Nihilus had taken from him. Whatever the case, Revan was not comfortable reaching for the Force in the condition he was in. A good day or two in a kolto tank would be just what the Healer ordered.

"How much longer..."

Revan grumbled to the older man that had forced his way into the Bloodraven's small hold that acted as a set of bunks and storage space. Revan was sitting on the floor, his back against the bulkhead as he tried not to jar himself.

"I'd say another hour if we stay on the main hyperspace routes and another to get to Manaan's surface from the edge of the system."

Revan closed his eyes as he attempted to concentrate through the haze of pain clouding his mind.

"That's a lot of open space not under Manaan's protection for my liking. So long as the violence doesn't take place in the inner system they really don't care..."

Eric Shan nodded, taking Revan's word on the matter. Obviously the younger man knew what he was talking about.

"That display on Tatooine. When the other bounty hunter attacked you... How- what exactly happened?"

Deciding that pain was better than stupid questions, Revan opened one eye, giving Bastila Shan's father a dark look before raising his left hand from his side where he had been cradling his ribs and waving it in the air in a ridiculously mocking motion.

"The Force!"

Revan gasped in a whisper, calling on a long lost weapon, a long lost power and to his utter surprise, feeling it answer him. Staring blankly at the cargo container he had lifted from the ground at a single thought and unneeded gesture, Revan met Eric Shan's hardening eyes with a surprised expression.
"I don't... I don't understand..."

Revan finally muttered, using the Force to set the object down. It had been three years since he had touched the Force and Revan had nearly forgotten the feeling. A sense of lightheadedness filled him as he grunted and closed his eyes, delving deeper and being met not with pain, but with a stream of steady and massive power. A power lost to him for years and then suddenly open to him. Delving deeper, Revan recalled the techniques taught to him by his late Master and poured more and more energy into his body until the very air around him hummed with static.
Opening clear brown eyes, Revan smiled suddenly, the pain in his body numbed by the Force and steadily healing at an accelerated rate. Much to Eric Shan's surprise and dismay, Revan was instantly on his feet, letting out a laugh that could be considered evil and insane, or perhaps overjoyed.
"Oh you wonderful, terrible bastard! Calo Nord if you were alive I'd kiss you."

Furrowing his brow in both frustration and confusion, Eric Shan backed away slowly from the raving lunatic he was trapped with and turned to find the blaster Revan had given to him and neglected to take back. As he leveled it to the former Dark Lord of the Sith, Revan turned to him, his smile dropping at the sight.

"I can't let you become Darth Revan again. I can't subject the galaxy to that once more."

Revan's jaw clenched as he finally understood the situation he was in. His lightsaber was in the cockpit and he was still too wounded to do much dodging. The answer to his problems came when a blaster power pack hummed and he turned to the rust-colored droid that seemed to appear from the bulkhead.

"Amused Threat: As if Master would be threatened at all by a useless meatbag such as yourself. How is it you can stand all those organs and water sloshing about? Perhaps if I free them you will feel better."

"HK."

Revan warned quickly, drawing the droid's attention.

"Shut down."

The assassin droid's eyes flashed defiantly, its lust for bloodshed and will to protect its master conflicting with its orders but in the end the assassin droid's eyes dimmed and vanished as its powerful frame slumped and stood motionless. Turning back to Eric Shan, Revan was tempted to just snatch the weapon from the other man's hand through the Force but he wasn't entirely certain he was up to it as his side screamed in a suddenly distracting pain and his hands clenched into fists.

"I'll say this once..."

Revan began, his tone filled with ice. Eric Shan's face wore surprise for some unfathomable reason that Revan didn't bother deciphering by reading the man's mind.

"You do not want to do this. I can force you easily and I can kill both you and your wife and then hunt down your daughter and make her literally my slave if I wanted."

As if to prove his statement, a bolt of blue-white lightning snaked around Revan's right hand as his persona darkened considerably and his eyes filled with a golden light, reflecting like mirrors in the small hold.

"I can make you all suffer a pain that will eat at your very skin and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't enjoy it. You are weak, powerless and blind to this strength..."

Revan paused, the light leaving his eyes as they darkened to brown once more.

"But I do not want to do that. What I said before on Tatooine still holds true. I don't want to enslave Bastila anymore. I don't want you or your wife dead and most certainly am sick of being a bloody target to the Sith as I am. I don't need the added trouble though... I daresay it would be good laugh to frighten a few of the bastards. No, I haven't changed since I was the Dark Lord of the Sith but I have changed my priorities. My... previous strategy was weak and perhaps a little hasty. Despite what I've seen and what I know that much was true. If you lower that weapon I will tell you my goals..."

Eric Shan, unnerved did not move; instead keeping the blaster trained on Revan's face. By this point, Helena had heard all the commotion and had come to stand by her husband's side, watching the young man with a mixture of sadness and fear.

"How about you tell me your goals then I-"

Eric Shan's demand was cut off by a wave of energy that stunned him. Without any visible effort, Revan raised his hand and called the blaster from Eric Shan's hand to his own and holstered the weapon. Silence filled the room for some time after that before Revan finally recovered enough strength to keep his voice strong. He in no way wanted to appear weak to this man.

"I respect you and I had hoped after Tatooine that you would respect me-"

Revan was cut off by the other man's voice.

"I can't respect someone who kills without conscience."

Revan rose a brow, smiling at an old technique he had used to break Jedi once, long ago.

"There is no emotion. There is peace. The Jedi kill without conscience. Are you telling me you sent your little girl to be a mindless killer?"

Uncertainty filled the air surrounding the two parents and Revan allowed them their own private thoughts, not bothering to invade their minds since he could read them so easily through their expressions.

"I still have my honor... for the most part so I'll tell you now. I don't intend to hide anymore. Being blinded to the Force is so much more than you can understand. All of your senses are dulled so greatly you can barely see or feel or breath... all- I can't even begin to tell you how it feels. I am not bitter though, it needed to be done to open my eyes. I would not have survived on the road I previously took and this is my second chance. We're going to drop out of hyperspace over Manaan and I am going to get your wife treatment and I am going to be Darth Revan once more but not as before. I'm not doing this for power, power I have plenty of. I'm doing this because its right and in the end... I think that is all that truly matters. Not numbers and strategy and sacrifice. What matters is if its right..."

A haunted look clouded Revan's eyes as he thought of all the people who had died because of him. It was a pain he buried beneath the thought that in the end it would be better. In the end, when the threat of the True Sith was vanquished and so many more would be alive than had been dead in his visions, then it would be enough and he could die in peace. That was not true though and Revan could not deny it any longer. This time, he wouldn't exploit his power, this time he would do not what was needed of him, but what was right.
"You two get some sleep... I have a few calls to make."

Without bothering to take in their responses, Revan stepped past the two and left them alone, HK-47's shadowy form standing silent watch over their conversation.

"I don't trust him..."

Eric Shan finally muttered, earning a look from his wife.

"Eric he had been nothing but honest with us and has saved our lives twice. I may not like it but- but my heart is telling me to trust that man..."

Eric looked annoyed as he nodded his agreement with his wife. Revan had been nothing but kind, generous even to them at least following his initial terrifying appearance. A question as to why Revan became what he had called in the back of Eric Shan's mind and he shook his head, turning to his wife with a new outlook.

"He has lied to us..."

At Helena's look he continued before she smacked him, or interrupted him.

"He said he could torture and kill us and he would enjoy it but... I don't think he would have... I don't think he ever did enjoy it. There's something hidden, some reason he did what he did and I intend to find it. Whatever it may be it concerns all of us, not just him."

Helena nodded, seating herself on a cargo container out of emotional and physical exhaustion as she looked up to her husband.

"Did we do the right thing sending Bastila to the Jedi? I- I can't help but wonder what has become of her. I know Revan spoke highly of her but- what if she isn't... what if she's forgotten about us?"

Eric Shan looked to his wife and then to his feet as he remained silent. He could not answer simply because he didn't know.

On Dantooine, Mira broke into a sprint as she rushed towards the Jedi Council Chambers. Without bothering to speak to the Padawan standing at the door, Mira ignored the four Councillors that stared at her and went straight to Bastila Shan.

"We have a problem."

Mira stated, handing a datapad to the other woman as she attempted to catch her breath. Mira had been looking over recent bounties to see if there were any opportunities on Dantooine when she came across a very large bounty on herself, Revan and much to her disgust, Bastila Shan's parents. Bastila looked at the Masters before turning to Mira and taking the datapad. The gasp she gave was unavoidable and the young woman reddened with anger.

"Peace, Bastila."

Zhar Lestin called, his voice unheard as Bastila turned her suddenly steel gray eyes to Mira, her features stone.

"Contact Revan immediately. I want him to find them and protect them. I don't care how he does it or how much it costs. I will give him anything he asks."

Looking extremely disturbed by this, Vrook Lamar stormed over to Bastila, snatching the datapad from her hands and ignoring the blank look she gave him. Reading the datapad, Vrook sighed, the situation growing steadily worse.

"There's been a bounty placed on the heads of Bastila's parents. If they are within the borders of the Republic we are obligated to find and protect them. We'll speak of your emotional control later, Bastila but right now we need privacy as we confer with the High Council as to our course of action. We cannot have Jedi families being targeted. It would be too dangerous and could lead to the utter collapse of our order..."

Scrolling along the list, Vrook's stern countenance saddened as he saw that Bastila's weren't the only Jedi family targeted.

"This is... this is beneath even Revan and Malak."

Vrook stated at last, disgusted by Darth Bandon. Turning to Mira, Vrook nodded his thanks and returned to the other Masters who looked extremely troubled by the new turn of events.

On Coruscant, the former apprentice of Darth Revan, Malak tilted his head slightly, as if listening for a distant sound. An enigmatic smile crossed the former Sith Lord's face as he felt Revan for the first time in three years. More to himself than the other Jedi that stared at him questioningly, Malak spoke in his deep, though mechanically scarred voice.

"Welcome back, my old friend."

Atris rose a brow at Malak's words but said nothing, reaching into the Force for answers and finding them as a bright presence that had been absent and diminished for three years was firmly reestablished.

"By the Force, Malak. Are you sure that he is- trustworthy?"

Malak turned his dark eyes to Atris and nodded slowly.

"Revan and I have our secrets, Atris. But I do know he had been gone far too long. He had a destiny before him and I tried to steal it. I am glad I did not for it would have turned me into a madman likely worse than Darth Bandon but I can say for certainty Revan always had a reason, a damned good one for his actions and-"

Malak was cut off by a beep from Atris' wrist communicator. Answering the comm, Atris and Malak listened as the Council's Grandmaster Nomi Sunrider filled them in on the situation. The Jedi Archives had been compromised by a Sith insurgent and the names of the families of the Jedi fighting against the Sith were being broadcast over the Bounty Hunter's guild.

"I think you picked a good time to give Revan back his strength, Malak. It proves you can touch the light and he is going to need all the strength he can get..."

Malak nodded somberly, standing and following Atris as she stood to join the rest of the High Council. At Atris' questioning look, Malak finally came to his decision.

"He needs my help and if it means revealing our secrets to get that end. So be it."

Atris nodded, wanting to go herself but knowing the Council had other concerns, mainly the war and the recent addition of bounties on Jedi families.

"Very well. I am certain you will be met by the Council with fairness. You have my vote my friend."

Malak offered a smile, his scars along his face still visible though still healing with the aid of the Force. The light suited Malak well and for the first time since losing his jaw to Revan's anger, he felt at peace and whole again.

"I can tell you now the Council won't like it."

Atris shrugged, offering a hollow laugh.

"How much worse can it get?"

Seeing that Malak was not smiling, Atris' own smile vanished. Malak nodded as understanding flooded the Echani Jedi Master's features as he casually threw and arm around her shoulders and directed her towards the lift to the Council chambers.

"Famous last words, Atris. As Revan would say: It can always get worse."

Across a great expanse of war and nothingness, Revan stepped off of the Bloodraven, his features obscured though completely recognizable. Aside from the replacement of his own vambrace with two wrist gauntlets, Revan's battle robes he worse as the Dark Lord of the Sith and his very recognizable mask remained the same. The Selkath sent to greet Revan could only gape at the former Dark Lord of the Sith as Revan casually paid the Selkath and spoke in a voice the entire galaxy knew and wished they had heard for the last time three years before.

"Do take care of my ship my good man. I would hate for any unpleasantness to rise because of... incompetence."

The Selkath stuttered in its native language, a sound Revan found both painful to listen to and hilarious. Resisting the urge to laugh, Revan waited calmly as Eric and Helena Shan followed him down the landing ramp and into Ahto City, their faces a mixture of fear and amusement.

"Well... he certainly is a bold one..."

Helena Shan decided finally. Eric Shan gave a nervous laugh. Despite the guarantee from Revan that Manaan was the safest place in the galaxy because of its neutrality, he still had his doubts and the appearance of a holonet reporter and holocrew did not ease his fears.

"Bastila!"

Carth shouted as he rushed into the Council chambers, his features were tense and his eyes darted about as if he was expecting another Sith Lord to just appear out of nowhere. The exasperated looks on the four Dantooine Councillor's faces went unnoticed by Carth as he tossed a holocron to the floor and watched it activate.

"I don't think Raven is going to find your parents... This was broadcast over the holonet not ten minutes ago and I just got off the line with Fleet command. They've identified both humans with Revan as Helena and Eric Shan... your parents... I'm so sorry, Bastila..."

Carth looked up, expecting to see either a Jedi mask or devastation on Bastila's face but instead was met by a relieved smile. Turning to the Council members in confusion, Carth noted they didn't look incredibly concerned.

"I must speak to Mira immediately..."

Bastila said aloud, bowing to the Council members and leaving a completely confused Carth behind. Looking on in concealed amusement, the Council called the lost Republic officer to their little circle and began filling the Commander in on the missing parts of the bounty hunter Raven's history.

"We have every confidence that Darth Revan is seeking atonement for his crimes... As he is not a citizen of the Republic being a member of the Jedi Order, the High Council exercises its jurisdiction in this matter and refuses any extradition of Revan or Malak to the Republic."

Carth took about two minutes to finally respond to that.

"Hold on a second. Malak? MALAK too? What is this, a Night of the Korriban Zombies, Sith Lord Style? What the Hell is going on here?"

Sighing at the man's outburst, Vandar Tokare, cleared his gravely throat to explain the details of what the Council on Coruscant had learned from Malak over the last three years and more importantly what he was revealing at that very moment.