Chapter 9

(Ebon Hawk)

Bastila sat in the cockpit beside Carth as they headed for Tatoonie, she felt nervous over having to face her mother once more, she had very few good memories of her mother and even then they were tainted by the rest of her memory of the woman who had given birth to her. The Jedi taught you to put your past behind you, to remove or suppress the emotions one felt, but she had never been able to do that. Her emotions had always been close to the surface. Thankfully she had been able to maintain a look of tranquility to her fellow Jedi so they would not see the truth. She had wanted to be a Jedi so much, that the fact she was in truth breaking one of their highest laws troubled her little. Since joining with Revan she had noted her emotions were even harder to control than ever before, and now with the prospect of coming face to face with her mother well it made it almost impossible to control them.

"You okay, Bastila?" Carth's concerned voice broke through her troubled thoughts and made her glance over at the Republic pilot.

"I'm fine," Bastila lied and she shivered at how easy it was for her to do so. Clearly being joined to Revan was having an effect on her, but she wasn't going to admit the truth to the man next to her. "Just thinking about how simpler things were before everything went to hell," she told him.

"Isn't that the truth," Carth said with a bitter chuckle. "I thought once the Mandalorian war was over I would return home and settle down with my wife and son," he told her and she could hear the bitterness in his tone as he spoke. "Then Revan and Malak, two men I had followed and trusted returned with their fleet and began the nightmare all over again," he continued as he stared out the cockpit window, his eyes were dead as he spoke. "I was called back to the fleet, and I went thinking it would be just like before, but I was dead wrong," he all but growled that last word. "Malak destroyed Telos and my wife and son with it, that traitorous scum Saul Karath turned on us and gave them the codes to the planetary defense screen and the defense lasers, making it an easy victory," he spat.

Bastila shivered as she heard the raw hatred in the man's tone, she recalled what Revan had said about Telos. How it was his first act of rebellion and should have been a wake-up call that his friend had fallen, but he had ignored it, it sounded as if the plan was for Telos to be captured intact, but Malak had ignored that order. But what was the truth? Did Malak truly lay waste to Telos on his own merit or was he simply following Revan's orders? She no longer knew what to think, but for some reason she couldn't see Revan ordering an entire planet raised to the ground.

"Revan may be dead, but his legacy remains intact as long as Malak is alive," Carth's bitter voice made her blink and look back at the pilot.

Bastila wondered what Carth would think if he knew Revan was alive and on this ship, somehow she didn't think it would be a good thing for him to find out. Since meeting Carth when she first took control of the Endar Spire she would never have guessed such bitterness and hatred existed within him, it made her wary of the man she had trusted. Silence fell between them as they both got lost in their thoughts, but now and again Bastila would wonder at what was the truth behind the destruction of Telos and she vowed to get the story out of Revan once they reached Tatoonie.

+TR+

(Leviathan Class battleship Revenge)

Meetra just stared at the video file playing on the large screen in the heart of the battleship she found herself on. It was unlike most of the ships she had seen on her way up from the planet from the view port. It seemed the fleet only had several of this class made from something called the Star Forge Rikka had mentioned before, the rest were a collection of other classes and former Republic ships from the same fleet that Revan had led through the war. The fact the command ship was once more called the Revenge was no surprise, it had become Revan's personal motto after all. Now all her focus was on what she was learning from the video, what Revan, Malak and the others had found when they had followed the fleeing Mandalorians pass the Outer Rim.

She felt a shiver run down her spine as she saw the evidence that proved the ancient Sith still lived, the Jedi and Republic had believed the red skinned Sith were wiped out during the purge at the end of the great Hyper Space War. Clearly that was a mistake that could cost the Republic and Jedi greatly, and may already have if what she was being told by Rikka was true. According to Rikka just before Mandalore's death at the hands of Revan, he had admitted that it was at the Sith Empire's dark Emperor's behest that he had led his people in the invasion of the Republic. 'A first probing attack of the Republic and Jedi's strength or an attempt to weaken their old enemy without wasting their own resources and strength?' she wondered.

"How big was this empire, Rikka?" Meetra finally asked once the video stopped playing.

"Huge, at least on par with the Republic as it stands now," Rikka answered as she sat down at the large command table where she and the fellow commanders and captains discussed their options. "We saw large fleet yards building huge battleships, the designs beyond anything we've seen before," she explained. "What few scouts returned reported large multiple training academies for their Sith as well as their normal troopers," she went on. "If they would attack now I'm unsure if we could defeat them, even if we were not currently at war with Malak's false Sith and the Republic," she stated.

"What do you mean at war with the Republic?" Meetra demanded to know as she stared at Rikka hard. Things were even worse than she thought. Something had gone terribly wrong after she left.

"After finding the empire we had a meeting to decide what to do about it," Rikka explained carefully. "It was long and involved a lot of arguing, Revan allowed everyone to have a say," she paused here as she considered her words. "In the end we had three options open to us, one was to return home and warn the Republic and the Jedi of what we had found, but that was dismissed," she went on. "We had already seen what the Jedi would do and the Republic senate would follow their lead and ignore the threat until it was at their throats," she told her, almost growling at the last few words. "We all chose to ignore that choice, there was not one soldier who wished to go back," she said, emphasizing her words to ensure Meetra knew she was serious about this.

Meetra frowned as she considered this before nodding in understanding, having seen the Jedi's actions during the war as well as the Senate's mishandling then it was no surprise no one trusted them to take action if they had gone back to report what they had found.

"The second choice was to attempt to attack the Sith full on before we were discovered, but that choice was dismissed by Revan and Malak and the others agreed," Rikka began again. "We did not have the forces available to us to do enough damage. All it would do would be to cost us lives and ships and maybe in the end bring the Sith down on the Republic while it was still vulnerable after the Mandalorians were defeated," she explained. "This choice was argued over a lot, but in the end the others saw Revan's point. They knew we were not expendable cannon fodder to him and that he would not waste our lives on such a pointless attack," she paused as she remembered the meeting. "What was agreed on were more scouting missions, although we had to be careful as the rumors the others had brought back were disturbing," she picked up again.

"Disturbing how?" Meetra inquired listening to everything that was said carefully.

"The first few scouts brought back reports that this mysterious Sith Emperor could bend a person's mind corrupting them into a mockery of what they used to be," Rikka informed her with a slight shiver. "We could not prove it and we stayed away from the great black temple that was said to be his personal retreat," she added.

Meetra frowned as she considered this and wondered if there was not some truth to this rumor. It might explain why Malak turned against Revan. But then again Malak had been different even before she left the fleet. He had been questioning Revan's orders more and more. He could have just decided he was better off in charge of the fleet than Revan himself, she felt a slight headache forming as she considered things.

"We can discuss the rest later General," Rikka finally said as she noted how tired the other woman looked. "I will have quarters prepared for you," she told her as she stood to leave.

"Before you do that Rikka, I want teams on every world these so called Star Maps are on," Meetra ordered deciding not to argue with her. "If the Jedi have Revan and he still lives there is only one thing they want with him and that is this Star Forge you mentioned," she explained as Rikka looked at her in confusion. "I still don't understand why it is so important, but it strikes me that if it is the center of Malak's war effort, then the Jedi will want to destroy it and the only way they can do that is with Revan," she continued.

"Would Revan actually lead them to it considering his own plans for the Star Forge?" Rikka inquired as she considered Meetra's words.

"He may not have a choice," Meetra countered and a frown marred her features as she considered ways in which the Jedi could force Revan to aide them, she felt anger building up within her. "You said you are at war with the Jedi and the Republic even if for now we are on the side lines until we find Revan, they will treat him as a prisoner of war," she stated before pausing, wondering yet again why they were at war with Republic and the Jedi before deciding to find out before she turned in. "Rikka what was the third choice?" she asked.

Rikka hesitated but the look in Meetra's eyes convinced her to answer. "The last choice was to return home and take command of the Republic and the Jedi, once that was done we were going to build both up into a strong impregnable stronghold that would be strong enough to either withstand the True Sith when they came or to actually invade their empire and destroy it," she told Meetra. "Revan intended to wake the Jedi up to their errors and their blind obedience to rules that are long out of date. He intended to make them stronger by adding a little darkness into their precious code," she explained. "Force them to evolve as the Sith have," she finished.

Meetra stared at Rikka as she digested the answer she had been given, it sounded like something Revan would choose to do if he felt it was necessary. And considering how badly the Jedi and the Senate had acted during the war, well she could see him thinking it was necessary. So that answered how things had come to stand as they were, but it still didn't answer why Malak and half the fleet had turned on Revan and his most loyal followers.

"Everyone agreed with this choice General," Rikka said softly. "Not one person disagreed, we felt it was the only way to save the Republic and the Jedi, not only from the True Sith, but also from the stupidity and corruption they suffered from within," she told her before leaving the room to carry out her orders and to get quarters prepared for their new leader at least until Revan was found.

Meetra watched her leave before slumping back into her chair and wondered what she would do to Revan once they had found him and they were face to face once more. She had a lot to think about now she knew what had happened since she had been gone, but one thing she knew was if Revan was dead then Malak and whoever else was responsible for it would pay. Rikka returned shortly afterwards and led her to her quarters, while she had a shower and got some more sleep word quickly spread through the fleet of her return. It was seen as an omen by many, even those who had begun to lose hope of Revan being alive saw it as a sigh that there was still hope they could complete their mission and even of finding Revan if he lived.

+TR+

(Ebon Hawk)

Revan considered the problem before a smile soon grew as he realized where some of his new allies would come from. We would use Canderous and Mandalore's mask to recruit an army of Mandalorians to fight with them. Canderous was sharp and cunning, he was fast on the draw and willing to kill when necessary. But he also had a code. He did not kill innocents or non-combatants during any attack. He was not like Cassus Fett and his ilk. Canderous would rally those like himself to him and from there help him retake the Star Forge and from there help him take the Republic. In turn this would allow Canderous to save his people from the slow death they now endured. 'The question was would Canderous and his fellow Mandalorians wish to fight for the man who had destroyed them?' He had no clue. Time was against him now. The True Sith must know by now what was going on and they had to see this entire region of the galaxy was open to attack. But they hadn't yet, he wondered why?

Still even with the Mandalorians on their side it would be a hard fight, unless he could find more help. Perhaps he could find some willing allies from within the Republic and Jedi and maybe even Malak's Sith. Risky he knew, but maybe worth it in the end. He could also recruit some mercenaries, some of the best fighters could be found within their ranks and as long as he had enough credits he could hire as many as he could find. Thankfully he'd had enough foresight to set up multiple accounts which only he knew the access codes for. Those accounts Malak had access to was only a small number he had decided to share with his former friend at his insistence. Malak was not a man who thought long term, that was one of his major weaknesses and one he intended to exploit.

"Hey Jaks, Carth told me to tell you we are coming up to Tatoonie," Mission called through his door. "No sign of any Sith presence so far," she added before falling silent clearly waiting for his response.

Opening the door and staring down at the young Twi'lek he couldn't help but be reminded of his aide Rikka during the war. Rikka had been a slave he had saved during the first month of his entrance into the war. He had found a group of Mandalorians of Fett's caliber using the slaves for fun in death matches. He and his men had butchered them in a wild fury, Rikka and her fellow slaves had pledged their loyalty in return for their freedom. Rikka would go on to save his life during one bitter engagement on Dxur. It had cost him many men and almost his own life, but Rikka had pushed him out of the way and took the blast to her side almost killing her in return. He had killed the attacking Mandalorians and then quickly brought Rikka to the medical tent where her life was saved. In honor of her actions during that fight he had given her a lightsaber of her very own even though she had no force connection. He had even trained her himself to use it. Mission had many of Rikka's mannerisms and both were brave and resourceful even in the face of great danger. The main difference was Mission was a Rutian Twi'lek and blue skinned which was more frequent on Ryloth; Rikka was a Lethan Twi'lek with the rare red skin. Thinking about Rikka made him wonder if she had survived Malak's betrayal, if not then he vowed to ensure Malak suffered just that much more.

"Just because we can't see them Mission that does not mean they aren't close by," he finally said, hoping to make sure she took this point on board. "Malak's people are good at staying in the shadows, keep that in mind," he pointed out. "In fact it is a wise policy to always be on your guard, no matter if things look safe or not," he added as he passed her on the way to the cockpit.

"I understand Jaks," Mission said to his back. "But I'm always alert, how do you think I survived before I met big Z?" she asked him almost sarcastically causing him to turn to face her, admiring her spirit. Not many would dare to shoot a question back to him in such a manner, unable to help himself he smiled at her before departing.

Mission smiled herself knowing she had earned some respect from the tall Jedi. She was no kid even if she was only seventeen. She had seen too much, done too much to be considered a kid. Turning she headed back to her cabin before bumping into Zayne and Jarael, as she stared at the former exile she suddenly realized she had known him back on Taris when she was still a young kid barely five if she recalled right.

"I know you," she said stopping Zayne in his tracks and making him turn to face her. "I met you when you helped the resistance on Taris against the Mandalorians. I helped you rescue the constable's kids from that slime dung Brejik and my brother Griff," she continued.

Zayne frowned as he considered the Twi'lek before the memory surfaced, that happened during the time he split up from Jarael for a time and just before he met Celeste Morne. He remembered the small Twi'lek who had helped him expose Brejik's scheme to ransom the kids of the local constable to make her do what he wanted. She had clearly grown up now. He almost chuckled when he remembered some of her first words to him.

"I remember you now," Zayne finally said. "Mission Vao isn't it?" he inquired with a smile as Jarael looked on wondering what they were talking about. Clearly one of his adventures he hadn't told her about yet. She sensed no threat from the Twi'lek just genuine interest in seeing someone she knew from the past.

"That's right," Mission agreed with a nod of her head making her leku shake. "Kinda strange running into you again during all this chaos," she mused. "Also kinda odd that you would be the ones Bastila's mom would hire to bring her message to her daughter isn't it?" she asked.

"You are cautious," Jarael noted with a smile deciding he liked the young Twi'lek. "But we mean no harm to any of you, it seems we are all at risk from Malak," she continued. "We knew him of old, he helped us many times during our time on the run and now he has become as evil as the Mandalorians and the Covenant put together," she went on and Mission could hear the sadness in her tone as she spoke. Clearly Malak's fall pained her, she understood he had once been a good guy, but now he was a monster and one that needed killing quickly as far as she was concerned. "Joining forces may help us all stay out of his clutches, something we did not think about until your friend brought it up," she admitted.

"We did not take into account Malak may still hold a grudge for Jarael snubbing him when he tried to come onto her," Zayne said with a dark frown still glad after all these years that Jarael had chosen him instead of Alek. "In the end maybe the force chose us to be on Tatoonie to meet Bastila's mother and bring her message to her so we could join up with your crew," he speculated aloud.

Mission frowned at that one before deciding she had no clue about the force, plus Zayne had been a good guy the last time she had met him and Jaks had asked them to join them in this quest so she doubted he would be hostile now. It was another change this war had brought about, knowing who to trust as so many Jedi or former Jedi had joined Malak's forces, but she trusted Jaks and if he wanted Zayne and his friend with them then she would trust his choice. Nodding she left them and headed for her cabin, once she reached it she lay down and tried not to think about Taris. It hurt to think about all her friends who were now dead, all the Hidden Beks as well would have perished and she had considered them almost family as they had taken care of her as a kid during the war. The tears came anyway, crying softly she fell into a troubled sleep.

"That is a story you have not told me," Jarael said as they headed for the cockpit.

"It happened when me and Gryph went back to Taris when we split up the group the first time," Zayne told her. "Brejik was second in command of the Hidden Beks back then and he decided to hold a couple of kids hostage to force the local constable to do his bidding. I rescued them and exposed Brejik thanks to Mission," he explained with a smile. "The leader of the Hidden Beks Gadon Thek was not pleased and had some words with Brejik, it earned me their trust for a while which helped when dealing with the insane Ranna Tey and Shay," he continued. "I at least convinced Shay I didn't murder her brother, but there was nothing to be done for Tey as she was completely insane by that point," he stated with a shiver as he remembered the look on the Torgruta Jedi's face as she tried to kill him.

Jarael seeing this took a hold of his arm and pulled him into a quick kiss. Zayne quickly forgot his memories and just enjoyed kissing his fiancee. Breaking away Jarael rubbed her fingers over his hand. "Let the past stay the past, we have a future to fight for," she whispered. "A future together with a family of our own," she added. Zayne smiled and nodded his head before moving them along.

Zayne and Jarael reached the cockpit to find Carth and Bastila at the controls with Jaks watching over their shoulders, the sand filled planet covered the windows as they descended.

"I really dislike this world," Revan couldn't help mutter aloud as he stared at the sand covered world in distaste.

Bastila turned around in her chair to stare at him as she felt the dislike he held for this particular planet. There was something more than his disliking of the a world covered in endless sand. Something she couldn't fully grasp, finally she felt something give and images poured into her mind. Now she understood his distaste for Tatoonie, it was one of the planets controlled by the Hutt's and the Hutt's were well known for their slave trading. And knowing his hatred of slavers she could well imagine what he thought of the Hutt's, even she was not ignorant of the Hutt's business dealings in that regard. But as with everything when in the temple it was far away and had nothing to do with the Jedi, it was the Republic's business to deal with the Hutt's. Only now that she was on a mission of her own did she realize that it was the Jedi's business as well. This was the sort of the thing the Jedi were supposed to be against. The Masters said as much whenever the topic was raised, and yet they did little to actually combat the Hutt's empire or hunt down their slave masters.

This was the truth Revan and his followers had found during the war she realized, the Jedi had allowed themselves to become too distant to the galaxy outside the temple walls. They had dismissed any problem, but the ones dealing with the Sith and other rogue force users as unimportant. She was begging to see how wrong the Masters she had long believed in were. Turing away from Revan as she tried to refocus her troubled thoughts, Revan almost smiled as he sensed Bastila's current thoughts and knew he was slowly destroying her belief in the Jedi and their precious code. She was coming to see the same thing he and all those Jedi who had followed had seen. The Jedi had grown far to inwardly and didn't see that their help shouldn't be restricted to only those things dealing with the force. They shouldn't ignore the suffering of the thousands of slaves that existed in the galaxy, just because it was supposedly outside their jurisdiction. Nor should they refuse to aide in a war that threatened the very thing they had sworn to protect.

"Coming in for landing now," Carth's voice broke up his thoughts and he refocused on the cockpit. "Bad news guys, Czerka has a presence here," he informed them, causing both Revan and Bastila to frown.

"Do you think they have any idea what has happened to their people on Kashyyk?" Bastila inquired as she pushed her troubled thoughts aside and focused on the possible threat they were facing.

"I don't think they had any chance to send a distress signal when the attack started," Carth was the one who answered.

"Don't take anything for granted Carth," Revan cautioned the pilot. "We go in prepared for anything," he ordered. "Get everyone up and ready just in case," he added turning to Zayne and Jarael who both nodded and left the cockpit.

The Ebon Hawk descended into the atmosphere and headed for the star port. None of those aboard her were aware how everything would change from this point forward.