(AN: Again I am very sorry for the lateness of this update as I promised it would be posted back in January, sadly real life has become an uphill battle thanks to mainly health but also work and major stress due to work and other issues. I miss the old days of been able to update in days, sadly I can now only do what I can but to compensate you this chapter is extended and is 22 pages long on my pc so a lot more content to enjoy.)
+TR+
(Leviathan)
Malak looked up from his brief meditation of the dark side to find the same underling from before standing before him with Karath by the side of him, both looked uneasy and he frowned wondering just what they had to say even as he assumed it was not good news and thus they feared been punished.
"Speak" he commanded darkly his eyes pinned on them.
"One of our spies in the defence fleet has managed to report back my Lord" the underling replied shifting uneasily from foot to foot and wishing to be anywhere but where he was. "They report the ships that previous attacked the defence fleet bare the mark of the Revanchists, but they now fight alongside the defence fleet against the small fleet you sent to attack them" he admitted finally working up the courage to give the report.
Malak let out a loud growl as he listened before unleashing a powerful burst of force lightning on both men, the very idea that any of Revan's supporters from this fleet still lived and survived his coup sent him into a frenzy. He had planned his coup to the last detail and ensured his people knew to kill every last bleeding hearted true believer in Revan and his damn cause, not one of them should still live to aide him now. He forced himself to stop before he killed Karath and the underling who curled into himself moaning and whimpering from the pain, Karath slowly and unsteadily pushed himself to his feet although his face showed he shared the agony the underling felt. Worse by sending a fleet however small to take advantage of the distraction an attack on the defence fleet had caused, he had given the two rivals cause to join forces. This meant more than likely his own ships would be quickly overwhelmed and destroyed, not that he cared for the lives of those aboard as they were disposable in his eyes.
"Find their fleet" he commanded harshly. "They are hiding somewhere, find them" he spat at the underling who slowly stood weakly after receiving a nudge from Karath and quickly moved to comply.
"You believe the fleet currently above Corusant is not their only ships my Lord?" Karath couldn't help but inquire.
"I do not discount the possibility Admiral" Malak responded glaring at the man making him shift uneasily just as the underling had before him. "But no matter how many of them survive, they are all going to die" he stated as he turned away trying to keep a grip on his anger at the fact the Revanchists survived in any way whatsoever.
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(Leviathan Class battleship Revenge)
Carth sat in the mess drinking ale he had managed to request from the head cook, thankfully like most Republic fleets he had served in before they came fully stocked. Not just with normal food and drink, but also alcoholic drink intended for celebrations or relaxation periods between battles. He was still trying to think about how to approach Denzel once he found him, how bad was his son's resentment of him? Could he even reach the young boy he had last seen just before leaving to re-join the fleet to fight against the returning Malak and Revan. How much had Denzel changed before the Sith had bombed Telos, and how much worse had that change become once he was taken to Korriban and finally how had his Mother's death affected him? Too many questions and not enough answers and he feared what answers he would get once they arrived on Korriban.
In the ships gym Mission once more followed Rikka through a series of exercises, listening all the while as she explained the exact way to not only handle a lightsaber but properly use one in a fight. Whilst a part of her found the subject somewhat boring she payed close attention to what was been said, plus it was more fun than learning to help Rikka with some of her rather more tedious jobs. Time seems to have flown and she was certain a full day had passed if not maybe more since Revan and the others had left for Corusant, still she was certain they'd be back soon. Zaalbar was practicing with Jarael just behind them armed with electro staffs, both were quick but it was clear Jarael was the real master with that particular weapon. Although her Wookie friend's superior strength seemed to level things out, Carth she had not seem since she'd talked to him briefly at her last lesson. She was concerned how things would play out for Carth where his son was concerned, hopefully he would be able to save his son and convince him not to join the Sith.
She faced off with Rikka for a quick practice match which she found somewhat fun except for those points where Rikka pointed out the flaws with her grip or stance, still it was worth listening if by the end of the lessons with the elder Twi-Lek she could wield a lightsaber properly. The practice duel was quick paced but she was quickly overwhelmed by Rikka's superior experience, the older Twi-Lek was fast and agile and it showed in her fighting technique. Mission hoped by the end of their sessions she would be just as fast and agile, if not more so.
"Not bad for a beginner Mission, we'll take a break here and pick up again tomorrow" Rikka told her with a nod of her head. "Clearly the General was correct that you might have the aptitude to learn this, focus is the key" she added as she put her weapon away before heading for the bridge leaving Mission who was pleased by the praise move to watch the end of Zaalbar's match with Jarael once she put her own weapon away.
Zaalbar was trying to use his natural raw strength to overcome Jarael's skill but the lithe young woman easily dodged and rolled under most of his strikes, like Rikka she was fast and agile her Wookie friend could not match her. Finally Jarael made her move and struck out at his legs before sweeping her staff as he lost his balance sending the Wookie crashing to the padded floor, the match was over as Jarael laid her staff against Zaalbar's neck. The Wookie growled in appreciation of the move and dropped his own staff to show he surrendered; Mission clapped as Jarael helped her friend back to his feet.
"Wow you really know how to use that kind of weapon don't you" she said as she moved to join them.
"Years of practice Mission" Jarael responded with a brief smile which faded as old memories of more painful times briefly surfaced. "Granted not all of those years were good, but bladed staff weapons or even simple staff weapons have saved my life more times than I can count" she admitted. "My skill with the staff was put to the test during the darkest part of my life and then again when I met Zayne and ended up aiding him in proving his innocence" she went on as her smile returned as the memory of first meeting Zayne outshone her darker memories. "Zaalbar is skilled with a staff but from what I have seen he primary relies on his bowcaster, hence my skill and agility gave me the edge" she pointed out to which Zaalbar nodded in agreement.
"The duel was enjoyable but as you say your greater experience with the staff and your agility and speed more than made up for my greater strength" Zaalbar agreed with a nod of his head. "How are you lessons going?" he inquired.
"There fun even those parts I somewhat find boring" Mission responded with a smile. "Even learning some of Rikka's smaller tasks within the fleet has been fun, new skills are always welcome" she added.
"The lightsaber is not a weapon one can wield so easily" Jarael cautioned her drawing their attention to her once more. "I have done so myself more than once during my time on the run with Zayne, only my skill with a staff aided me in wielding it so easily" she told them. "Be careful Mission and listen to Rikka, if you do then perhaps one day you will be even better than me and even some Jedi" she advised before she left to shower and rest hoping Zayne returned soon.
Mission watched her go contemplating her words before deciding she really would commit herself to learning to wield the weapon, and listening to all the advice Rikka had to give on the subject.
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(Space)
The combined might of the defence fleet and the Revanchists pounded away against the newly arrived Sith now supported by several more ships, more enemy ships arriving was not something either fleet ignored hence they left five ships watching for such an arrival. Fighters collided in wild dog fights trying to out fly and then out shoot their opponents, the defence fleet and Revanchists had begun to converge on the flanks of the Sith fleet penning the enemy in, explosions reigned all over the place as the ships massive weapons fired their wrath.
On the bridge of the defence fleets flagship ship Admiral Tia watched as the flanks were slowly taken, so far her gamble of trusting their still unknown former attackers was paying off but that did not mean she trusted them completely. Once the Sith were destroyed it was possible their former attackers turned allies might turn on them once more to finish the job, hopefully Admiral Dodonna and the elements of the first and second fleets would arrive soon to ensure that did not happen.
"Have the Glory of the Republic and Wrath of the Force, cover our flanks, we cannot afford to take any more hits to our side plates" she ordered. "Order Lieutenant Biggs's squadron to focus their fire on the turbolasers of the Sith's battleship" she added. "If we can blunt their fire this fight will be all the easier" she mused aloud.
"Aye admiral, orders been sent now" Tarlson responded as he moved to carry out the orders.
On the Fireclaw Admiral Stark watched the defence fleet movements carefully before making his own, the flanks were now all but covered but that did not mean the battle was over by any means, The ships that had arrived to back up the Sith fleet contained a second battleship two cruisers and three destroyers adding to the enemy's ability to fight and adding more firepower to their side. The ship shuddered around him as several hits sparked off their shields, he watched impassively as one of the enemy carriers exploded from the constant bombardment it had been under from the Republic defence ships.
"Sir incoming ships detected" Johansson reported after one of the crew gained his attention.
"Do we know who they are?" Stark inquired calmly.
"No yet Admiral" Johansson responded with a shake of his head.
"Have the Lightbringer gather a carrier and two destroyers to watch the point where the ships will come out of hyper speed but order them not to open fire until they confirm if they are hostile or not" Stark ordered.
"Relaying orders now Sir" Johansson quickly shot back before getting to work on carrying out the work.
Captain Tarkin grinned as he watched several of the battleships communications dishes explode as he led his fighter wings in another bombing run, the fighters including the Republic ones were sleek and fast easily outpacing the Sith battleships lasers and cannons. They had only one more set of dishes to destroy before rendering the battleship incapable of controlling the rest of the Sith fleet, he began to turn his fighter around to head the last location when he noted a huge distortion in space where a huge fleet suddenly appeared. Tensing believing them to be hostile until he noted the huge symbol of the Republic suddenly appeared close to the bridge, relaxing he quickly went back to leading his squadrons in destroying the last communication array.
On the large bridge of the Star of the Republic Admiral Forn Dodonna stared out into the battle going on, she frowned as she noted the unknown ships alongside the defence fleet clearly firing on the Sith fleet but that did not mean they were on their side considering according to Tia they had originally been attacking the defence fleet.
"Major Dreis order our fighters to focus on the enemy fighters and keep them away from any of our ships badly damaged" she began to issue orders with focused intent. "Have the elements of the 2nd fleet focus on the enemy destroyers and cruisers, the 1st fleet will aid in dealing with the battleships and carriers" she continued. "Also relay to all our people to for now ignore the unknown ships currently aiding the defence fleet, but they are not to drop their guard in case turn hostile once this battle is over" she concluded with a glance at her second.
"Aye Admiral, relaying your orders now" Dreis responded with a quick nod of his head before moving to the relay station to send out her orders.
Dodonna turned her attention back to the battle as she watched waves of fighters from her fleet drop into action alongside those already engaged with the Sith, hopefully this would be over quickly considering the numbers were against the Sith having any chance of victory. She wanted answers to who the unknown ships belonged to, and more importantly why they had attacked the defence fleet yet seemed to have caused little to no real damage to it. More so clearly Tia trusted these unknowns to aide them even given the fact they had previously been attacking them, something odd was going on and she needed to know what and who was behind it.
Admiral Stark was unsurprised to find the newcomers to be Republic reinforcements, although he was somewhat taken aback by the fact Forn Dodonna was leading them personally. He would have suspected she would stay on the front lines in case of a wider Sith assault, still he welcomed her arrival as she was one of the best officers left in the Republic fleet and he aide would ensure this battle would be over quickly.
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(Jedi Temple)
Revan raked his eyes over the council one by one as he gathered his thoughts on just how much to tell them, he had to be careful not to tell them too much or suffer the very fate he and his followers had feared would come to pass should the Republic learn of the Sith Empire's existence. Finally he stepped forward pausing only as he felt Bastila's tiredness begin to seep over their bond, concerned he decided she had done enough and encouraged her to stop using her battle meditation. A brief comm message reporting re-enforcements had arrived to combat the Sith fleet and combined they should not need the aide of Bastila to tip the battle in their favour, slowly Bastila listened and began to withdraw and release her grip of the battle. She felt more drained than ever before, this whole experience had been a real test of not only her skill but her endurance. As the power left her she found herself collapsing backwards as exhaustion hit her like never before, her limbs felt somewhat numb and she knew pushing her limits like she had had probably been a bad idea but she knew it had to done. Zayne knelt down and offered her his bottle of water which she eagerly gulped down, she knew once they were back at the fleet she'd end up sleeping for a good long while.
"You okay Bastila?" Zayne inquired somewhat worried knowing that pushing the limits of one's abilities could be damaging.
"Tired, never pushed myself so hard before" Bastila managed to reply.
"You will be able to rest soon Bastila I promise" Revan told her as he knelt beside her briefly and gave her hand a brief squeeze before he regained his feet and once more faced the council. "Now you want to know what is true and what is false and what is really going on here, what started this war?" he paused as he asked the last bit. "You believe I fell to the darkside and came back to conquer the Republic for power and greed yes?" he questioned to which Zirrik and Kavar gave hesitant nods of confirmation. "Well I didn't and neither did any of my people at least at the beginning, we came back and started this war to save the Republic not only from the real enemy we discovered deep in the outer regions but also from itself" he countered. "We used the cover of been Sith to hide our true intentions from the real enemy, to make them complacent and think we would weaken you even more than the Mandalorians had" he finished.
"What real enemy Revan, that is the second time you've alluded to some other force that is hostile to us?" Vima inquired from beside him having moved closer as he spoke.
"I will not tell you who the real enemy is due to the very reason me and my followers came back as we did, we feared if we told you what we had found you would do one of two things" Revan answered glancing at her before going on "Either you would ignore the threat as you did the threat of the Mandalorians or worse you would attempt to seek out our enemy and try and futilely negotiate peace when there is no peace to be had" he continued. "Worse were you to attempt such a thing it would signal to our real enemy we are not strong enough to defeat them, and they would attack the Republic in an unstoppable tide of death and destruction even more devastating than what you already endure from Malak" he informed them darkly.
"And that is your only excuse for turning your back on us, on the Republic you swore to defend?" Kavar could not help but stand and growl out. "Some fear we would make a mistake with some unknown foe you think is out there waiting to attack us" he continued only for Revan to cut him off.
"This foe is not something we dreamt up, it is very real Kavar and it hungers not only for the Republic's destruction but the annihilation of the Jedi Order" Revan shot back with a glare.
"We've all seen the proof of Revan's claims Kavar" Jolee stated stepping forward and gaining the attention of the council. The threat is real and the Republic is in no shape to fight it especially as you can barely hold the line against Malak and his forces" he stated coldly.
"Truth in what you say there is but does not excuse your assault on that which you swore to protect" Vandar spoke up in slight protest.
"Perhaps not in your eyes Vandar but in my eyes and eyes of those that followed me it was a justified reason to do as we did as we knew you would not simply listen to us or allow us to do what we intend to do" Revan shot back.
"What exactly is your plan to save the Republic besides attacking us?" Lonna inquired with interest. "I mean exactly say Malak had not betrayed you and you had actually completed your conquest of the Republic, what was your plan to do then?" she asked in clarification.
"First we would remove every corrupt senator from the senate, thus purging it of the infection that is slowly destroying its capability to protect the people they are supposed to serve" Revan answered slowly. "Then once we had replaced them with people actually dedicated to the people, and the ideals of the Republic they swear to uphold we would then focus on ensuring the Republic could withstand an assault from anyone especially the enemy we found out in the darkness of space" he continued. "Using the Star Forge we would rebuild the fleets lost during the wars of old along with fighters, tanks and other such weapons ensuring each planet could be defended no matter how far out it was" he went on amused by the looks Kavar exchanged with Zirrik and Vandar. "We would also use it to build star forts and defensive batteries to be rung around each planet to ensure it was protected and able to hold off an assault for some time hopefully until reinforcements can arrive" he finished.
"This Star Forge is that powerful?" Zirrik inquired leaning forward slightly. "It can really create so many things?" he added.
"More to the point you do not plan to destroy it?" Kavar could not help put in with a frown.
"No I do not plan to destroy it Kavar as to do so would be the worst mistake we could make, it is the key to rebuilding the Republic and bringing it out of the weakened state it has become" Revan countered somewhat harshly. "Retaking it from Malak will not be easy but it will be done, I think you can all see just how much more powerful the ships created by it are to the ones currently used by the Republic" he pointed out. "To answer your questions Zirrik yes the Star Forge is that powerful and yes it can create anything you could think off, it even has a small section designed to create armour and robes" he added.
"How does it work Revan, what powers it?" Zhar inquired stepping forward.
"The force itself is what powers it" Revan answered surprising them all with this answer even Jolee, Bastila and Zayne were taken by surprise by the idea as it was the first time they were hearing it whilst Meetra had already been briefed on the Star Forge by Rikka. "Somehow the ancient aliens who built it harnessed the raw power of the force along with the energy and matter from the nearby star, combined it provides an unlimited supply of material" he explained. "It is truly a unique creation" he mused.
"Note I did not named the aliens who built it you did" Vandar pointed out.
"Of course if I named them you might be able to find some reference to them in the archives somehow and thus locate where the forge is hidden, then you might perhaps believe destroying it is in your best interest and I have no intention and allowing that to happen" Revan explained in answer with a smirk. "The Star Forge belongs to the Revanchists and we will take it back and put it to use in protecting the Republic, that is all you need to know about it right now" he finished as Zayne slowly helped Bastila back to her feet even though it was clear she was barely staying upright.
"Do you think the Senate will just let you walk right in and take over Revan like a dictator telling them what to do?" Kavar growled beginning to think once more that perhaps Revan had fallen to the dark side and was just better at hiding it even from Bastila. "Do you think the Republic navy and army will just stand aside and let you do this" he persisted in asking.
"Of course we don't Kavar but if they resist then once more we will fight" Meetra was the one who answered stepping closer to Revan as she did so. "The question everyone will have to ask when Malak and his followers are dead and we turn back to the mission of saving the Republic is where do you actually stand, by the Republic and the ideals that formed it and what it actually stands for the people it is supposed to protect or the corrupt Senate who only care for themselves" she told them coldly inducing silence into the chamber.
"So you will attack us again if we protest or resist your actions?" Zirrik stated with a slow shake of his head.
"If we must but as before we will do so in a manner that will contain the death and destruction as best we can, we are not in this for power or glory but to preserve the very thing we went to war for" Revan shot back. "The very thing so many of our brother and sisters died for out there in the dark whilst you sat here preaching patience and the corrupt Senate sent many to their deaths just to make themselves look good to the people, their blood insists we finish this" he told them in a tone that chilled some of them.
"There has to be another way Revan, one that does not involve fighting" Vima argued unwilling to risk Revan and his people turning on them once more especially as he would have not only Meetra with him a very capable and powerful General but she knew in her heart Bastila would follow him as well.
Bastila's battle meditation was one of the reasons the Republic was even still standing, should they lose her to Revan and he once more decided the only way to complete his mission was to attack them then she did not hold out much hope they would hold out against him for long.
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(Space)
Tarkin once more led his squadrons against the now crippled battleship only this time they were protecting the bombers as they launched salvo after salvo, many of the ships weapons were now nothing but smoking ruin. The weapons of the reinforcements added to those currently already aimed at them doing the extra damage, the battle was now firmly in their favour but that did not mean it was by any means over. The explosion of one of the Sith destroyers made him smile even as he opened fire on a secondary cannon alongside his wingman Hal Tyrell and his smile widened as it to exploded, his fighter was suddenly rocked sideways as an Sith fighter came hurtling towards him but his superior reflexes allowed him to just avoid been killed. Banking sideways he quickly dived after the attacking Sith intent on repaying the favour, protected by Tyrell he focused on lining up a shot and then once he had his target locked opened fire. The enemy fighter exploded as his shots struck its engine, smirking once more he pulled up and headed back into the fray followed by Tyrell.
Admiral Stark nodded in satisfaction as another Sith destroyer exploded as it was set upon by three of his own ships and several Republic ones, the tide was turned and this battle was firmly in their hands. Dodonna's fleet had several battlecruisers in it and they were hammering the Sith ships hard, the sudden explosion in the engine section of the Sith battleship they were currently engaged with almost took him by surprise, he focused his attention on it as several more explosions ripped through the ship after several blasts struck it from both sides as well as the front section from their own weapons. The ship was all but dead, ordering a final salvo he watched in grim satisfaction as the Sith ship was finally ripped apart in a fiery explosion that lit up the darkness of space.
"Sir one of the Sith destroyers is trying to escape" Johansson reported.
"Order Tarkin and his squadrons to cripple it now" Stark ordered quickly knowing Revan had ordered all the Sith were to die, but perhaps a few prisoners might aide them in locating the best places to strike Malak's fleet.
Johansson did as he was ordered and only seconds later they watched as four to five squadrons of fighters shot through the darkness of space to swarm the destroyer as it tried to escape, one of the Republic ships moved up to support them drawing a lot of the fire from the destroyer's weapons and in minutes the ship was not only disabled but disarmed thanks to some very well placed shots.
"The ship is crippled Admiral" Johansson reported with satisfaction.
"Tell Major Schaefer to prepare his platoon to deploy and take the ship, also notify the Republic of our intentions to board and take the ship so they do not destroy it with our people aboard" Stark told him as he noticed one of the Sith carriers explode as it was struck by three sides.
"Yes Admiral" Johansson responded with a nod of his head.
Major Blain Schaefer looked up with a wide grin as the orders came for him to deploy, hefting his blaster rifle he quickly moved to round up his squad. As he suspected he found them in the locker room of their particular platoon already primed for action, sticking a cigar in his mouth he grinned.
"Alright people lock and load we're to deploy and capture a disabled Sith destroyer" he told him gaining the attention of all of his men. "We take a few prisoners as the Admiral thinks they might give up some useful information but for the most part they all die, General Revan has given the order to that effect and these bastards have cost us enough as it is so saddle up and lets go" he informed them and his smirk widened as not one of his people argued the point and looked satisfied with the orders given.
First out of the door was his second Captain Bill Hudson followed by Sergeant Mac Poncho and then the rest of the platoon, Anna Carlos, Jack Apone, Michael Hicks, Jayne Hawkins, Billy Woreson, Jenna Vasquez, Cynthia Crowe, Al Frost, Dillion Farson, Ellen Ross and bringing up the rear Allen Bishop. Each quickly grabbed their weapons and headed for the docking ring their armour already on and secured, they paused as the ship moved into boarding position. Once the lights turned green and the airlock was open his platoon instantly ran forward to engage whatever was left of the Sith on board. Schaefer paused only long enough to light his cigar before he followed his rifle already aimed forward, seconds later he was right where he loved to be in the thick of the action.
Forn Dodonna watched as the WaveSerpent helped cripple the Sith destroyer trying to flee, she was about to order its destruction when the unknown capital ship relayed they were about to send over a boarding party to capture the ship. She hesitated only briefly at this before deciding to allow them to carry out their plan, the added offer of relaying any relevant data found on board helped make her choice easy. Another carrier was destroyed by a prime shot from her own ships cannons and the added fire from another the unknown vessels aiding them, the battle was clearly now under their control. The winding down of the battle made her turn her focus on what to do about their unknown allies, if allies they were considering their previous attack on the defence fleet before the Sith arrived. Tia had said in her communication she felt the attack had been some form of distraction, but distraction from what? She glanced down at the planet below the Capital of the Republic itself. Was it possible something was happening below, frowning she moved towards the communications station.
"Contact Republic command planeside and demand to know if anything is happening below" she ordered wondering if these unknowns had actually attacked or staged some sort of disturbance on the capital world which was something not even the Sith had done and if they had who were they.
"Yes Admiral" K'munda responded with a nod of his head and began to speak into the communicator.
Admiral Tia slowly picked herself up after a lucky shot from the last remaining battleship almost took out the bridge, the battle had swung their way but that shot had almost robbed her of seeing the end of it. Swiping her brunette locks from her eyes she ignored the gasp that had opened up on her forehead and focused her attention on the battleship in front of them, it had to go now.
"Tarlson order all remaining batteries to focus their fire on the bridge and engines of that battleship, have our fighters take out their weapons as fast as they can" she ordered even as a medic rushed over to check her out but she waved her aside.
"Yes Admiral" Tarlson responded instantly relaying the orders to D'kor who then relayed it to the rest of their ships.
Minutes later blasts of fire engulfed the battleship joined seconds later by two other ships who had clearly seen the lucky shot that had almost destroyed them, fighters swarmed all around it firing their lasers wildly. She could see the battleship try and escape it's attackers but it was quickly crippled by several well placed shots from the pursuing ships especially as another ship came up from the side and struck it dead centre on the engines. She stepped forward and smiled as minutes later the ship finally buckled under the weight of fire and exploded violently, this happened as the second Sith carrier also exploded sending debris everywhere.
"How many enemy ships left?" she inquired as she finally let the medic see to the gash on her forehead.
"Two cruisers and three destroyers Admiral although one of them has been boarded by our unknown players" Tarlson answered unsure how to really refer to the ships that had at first attacked them only to then turn and defend them once the Sith had shown up.
"Have our ships focus on the destroyers leave the cruisers to Admiral Dodonna and our unknown friends" she decided almost wincing as the medic cleaned the gash before placing a bandage over it.
"Orders sent and Admiral Dodonna has agreed that is the best thing considering the beating we've already taken even though none of our ships have been destroyed they have been badly damaged" Tarlson replied.
Tia nodded as the medic moved away to the next injured crewmen and watched as the fleets moved once more, her own defence ships moved to surround and focus on the two destroyers whilst Dodonna's more numerable ships moved alongside the unknowns to focus on the two cruisers who were already cut off from escaping.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Revan had allowed the silence that had descended to last for several minutes as the council took it what had already been said, but there discussion was by no means over just yet. He had much more to say, he stepped forward once more.
"The secondary reason we have acted as we have is due to the short sightedness of this council, you are obsessed with following a code which is useless now as time has moved on and the Jedi and Sith are different than what we were when the code was first created" he stated them instantly regaining their attention. "You insist we reject and suppress our emotions from the moment we join the Order and refuse to see the damage this does, how it opens up the Jedi to be corrupted later" he told them harshly. "Every species is born with emotions even animals are born with them and yet you think we should suppress them and can do so without any consequences, it is foolish and damaging in the extreme and is why so many Jedi fall" he explained his view of things. "We may suppress our emotions to a degree but they are still there building up within us, and eventually something happens which overwhelms us and all those emotions we've suppressed come pouring out and if we are unlucky plunge us into the darkness with no way out" he pressed on wanting them to see the truth he and his followers even Malak and those who had betrayed them had come to realise. "So many of us fall because we are unable to deal with the emotions that we have spent a lifetime supressing, your very code is one of the main reasons you lose so many of your recruits" he finished.
The entire room bar Meetra and Niks stared at Revan in shock and surprise at his speech on how the code actually helped create dark Jedi and Sith, Bastila at least was taken by too much surprise as she had talked about the code with him before and had seen his thoughts on the matter through the bond they shared but still to hear him tell it to the council was still surprising. The looks of complete shock on the Jedi council members would be amusing if the subject was not so important Meetra thought as she looked at their faces, even Vima, Zhar and Lonna Vash looked taken aback by Revan's words.
"The code needs to change, updated to take in these facts" Revan picked up again as he looked around the room. "The Jedi need to evolve to fit current events, one of the reasons the Sith have always come back stronger is they evolve and learn from their previous mistakes and thus the Jedi need to do the same if they are to stay capable of truly defending the Republic" he told them.
"Instead of letting your ego get the better of you thinking yourselves are incapable of making mistakes you need to realise no matter your understanding of the force, or how wise you think you are even you are capable of making mistakes" Meetra couldn't help add. "Mistakes have already been made which allowed Atris, Vrook and their supporters to launch a coup that would have destroyed the Jedi from within, you have to do better to ensure something like this never happens again" she insisted.
"Much to think about we have" Vandar finally said into the silence that had once more fallen.
"Indeed and discuss it we will we promise" Zirrik agreed with a weak nod of his head. "I restore Vima, Zhar and Lonna back to the council and remove Vrook, Kai-El and Atris for their actions" he declared moving things along and realising he should have done it sooner. "You have aided us Revan when we most needed it and proved there is far more going on than we know, but even though you refuse to name the enemy you seem to be doing all this to fight I think we can agree for now you are not our enemy and thus I give you leave to return to your people" he stated as confidently as he could. "You wish to find and destroy Malak and those that followed him into betrayal, I believe your aide in fighting him will be of benefit to the Republic" he added only to be cut off by Revan.
"Make no mistake Zirrik we will find Malak and his followers and destroy them but not for you or for the Republic not in this, no this we do in the name of all those they betrayed and murdered during their coup" he growled once more full of wrath as he recalled been told how many had died during the mutiny. "Men and women who had trusted them and fought beside them for years and they cut them down like their previous friendships meant nothing, no their blood calls for retribution and they shall have it" he swore even as Bastila weary though she was tried to calm him down using their force bond. "This is personal" he added.
"The Republic should use the time we buy you once Malak has turned his attention to us to rebuild and resupply your fleets and armies" Meetra suggested. "Once he knows we still survive as a fighting force he will forget all about the Republic and put all his attention into wiping us out" she added with a grim smirk.
"You seem very certain of that Meetra" Lonna pointed out wondering if it was possible Malak would indeed focus all his attention on Revan and his people once he knew they were still active even to the point of ignoring the Republic he aimed to conquer.
"I know Malak better than you do even if I have not seen him for some time whilst I was exiled, I still know how his mind works" Meetra shot back with certainty.
"Meetra is correct, Malak is obsessive and the fact he failed to destroy all of the Revanchist during his coup will drive him mad with rage" Revan cut in. "He will not be able to take that fact and thus will seek to ensure we are all dead before he returns his attention to the Republic so use the time we buy you well" he informed them.
"What would be the point Revan if you plan to should you succeed in killing Malak and his people turn on us straight after" Zhar said as he moved to retake his seat but Vima and Lonna remained where they stood both feeling cut off from the council after what had happened.
Silence once more hit the room as Revan considered Zhar's point and what to say in response, in a sense he was correct once Malak and his people were dead and the Star forge was once more in his hands he planned to return to his original mission just as he had already told them he would which was to bring the Republic under his control so as to rebuild it strong enough to deal with the True Sith one way or another.
+TR+
(Space)
Admiral Stark watched as the last Sith carrier exploded in shards of debris after been pelted by a dozen cannon blasts as well as torpedoes from their fighters, the battle was all but over although so far they had not heard from Major Schaefer and his platoon just yet. However he was not worried as the Major was one of the bets combat leaders they had, he and his platoon had been together since the middle stages of the Mandalorian Wars. They were a unit in the truest sense of the word, turning his attention to the two remaining Sith destroyers he was pleased to see one was nothing now but a burning wreck whilst the second was been pounded from all sides by the Republic defence fleet.
"Contact General Revan and inform him the battle is over and we have secured the planet" he ordered. "Also inform him of Major Schaefer's mission to capture the third destroyer" he added.
"Yes sir" Organa responded quickly feeling some satisfaction at seeing so many of their betrayers die, friends he had lost were finally avenged.
As he waited he saw the last destroyer go up in flames and calmness return to the space above Corusant, now he wondered what would happen with the defence fleet and Admiral Dodonna's reinforcements. Technically they had shown they were not true enemies but they had attacked the defence fleet before the Sith had shown up, Dodonna might decide to attack them to ensure they could not repeat the feat first.
"Sir I have General Revan for you" Organa reported gaining his attention.
"Admiral, Organa informs me the battle is over" Revan stated over the comm.
"Indeed General all Sith ships have been destroyed bar the destroyer I ordered Major Schaefer to capture, I believed it may give us locations on the Sith fleets and their missions either from the ships data banks or any prisoners we could take" Stark explained in response.
"Good thinking Admiral, contact the defence fleet and let them know we no longer intend to continue our attack and we will be leaving soon" Revan ordered sounding very satisfied by the outcome of the battle.
"General it is not just the defence fleet here but the reinforcements as well" Stark reminded him. "Admiral Dodonna herself is aboard the capital ship leading them" he reported.
There was silence for a few minutes as Revan contemplated the information on who had led the reinforcements into the battle, he knew Dodonna very well and knew she was perhaps the last best commander the Republic had.
"Send the message to both fleets and if Dodonna does not believe you put her through to me, we will be leaving for the Ebon Hawk shortly" he finally decided. "Signal Canderous and get him back on board, be prepared to leave quickly" he added.
"Yes General doing so now" Stark replied before turning to order Organa to comply with Revan's orders.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Revan put his comm away before turning back to the watching Jedi council who were still somewhat stunned by his speech on the errors of the code, whilst he still had more to say they had run out of time. He was certain by now Republic command had realised something had happened near the Jedi temple and troops might be on their way although he was surprised they had not already arrived. Best they leave now whilst they still had things mostly under their command, hopefully their intervention would wake the council up to their mistakes and their weaknesses.
"For now Zhar you don't have to worry about me and the Revanchists, our only focus is destroying Malak and his fellow betrayers" he said finally responding to the Jedi's point of what he had said would happen once Malak and all his forces were dead. "We can discuss anything else at another time, we have to go now but I suggest you do not release Vrook and the others at all until this is all other and their betrayals can be dealt with properly" he added. "
"And be sure to keep an eye out for Atris because I assure you none of us have seen the last of her" Meetra warned them. "And be sure to send out an all-points bulletin to all Jedi and the Republic about her fall and her removal from the council along with Vrook and Kai-El's own removal or they can try and use their position to gain assistance, best cut off the problem before it starts" she added in a grimmer tone to which Zirrik nodded in agreement.
"I'm coming with you Revan" Vima declared surprising most of the room.
"Vima you can't" Kavar began to argue but she cut him off.
"Yes I can Kavar, one I want to see my daughter and she is back on Revan's fleet" Vima shot back voicing her main reason for wanting to go. "Two I can act as a go between and hope we can negotiate some kind of cease fire once Malak and his people are dead so we do not end up having to fight Revan or his followers again" she continued explaining her secondary reason for going.
"I'm going with you Vima, I can watch your back and no offence but I cannot trust this council after Kavar and Kai-El betrayed me when I tried to defend Master Zirrik" Lonna quickly voiced her own desire to leave with them even though she did not know if Revan would accept them joining him or not.
Revan exchanged looks with his whole party and saw no real objection to either Jedi coming with them, thinking it over quickly he decided perhaps their presence could be helpful in the future so just nodded his head in acceptance before turning to leave with the others.
"Bastila, leave you cannot much to discuss have we" Vandar protested as he noted Bastila move to follow Revan and his party.
"I will not stay here Vandar after learning you not only drugged me to keep from feeling Revan's pain but you lied to me about the whole thing" Bastila shot over her shoulder refusing to use the man's title as she felt he no longer deserved it but did not stop moving away from them aided by Zayne as she was still feeling weak. "I stand with Revan and his people now, we will stop Malak and his followers and then we will return and deal with what you did to me and to Revan" she stated coldly. "Whatever happens then just remember you helped create this situation and you forfeited my trust and loyalty when you used those things to try and murder Revan" she finished leaving four very disturbed Jedi Masters in her wake.
Zirrik watched them go with heavy heart wondering if Vima's hope of stopping a second conflict with Revan once Malak and his people were dead was possible, worst if a second conflict was inevitable the loss of Bastila would cost them so very dearly. Either way, he was in for a very long discussion with what was left of the council and then the Chancellor of the Republic over what had happened. Kavar and Vandar exchanged looks of distress at losing Bastila along with Vima and Lonna, with Vrook and Kai-El in prison and Atris was now an enemy the council was now more split than ever broken in ways never believed possible. Zhar stared off into space feeling somewhat alone now that Vima and Lonna had left to join Revan and his people, Bastila's defection was inevitable once she learned what they had to her and how they had abused her trust and perhaps that dishonesty would doom them if Revan and his people chose to make war on them once more
+TR+
(Space)
Admiral Dodonna stared at the image of a man he had long thought dead, it was not possible he could still be alive and yet there he was calmly waiting for her to speak. What was even more troubling was the fact he claimed to be following another man she thought dead, one who had once been a great hero to the Republic before turning against them and coming back to destroy them although Stark claimed that that was not what Revan had intended at all. That things were not as she believed them to be, rubbing her eyes she wondered just what to say.
"I understand this is not easy new to take it Dodonna but it is the truth, the Revanchists and Revan are still loyal to the Republic but a Republic free of the corruption that is crippling it" Stark spoke up breaking into her thoughts. "We wish to remove that corruption and rebuild it and make it strong once more, there is another threat out there as I am sure the General has informed the Jedi council and it is that threat that made us act as we have as we knew no one would listen to us had we returned and informed them of this fact we used the Sith to hide our true motives to fool this enemy into thinking we were doing their work for them in weakening the Republic" he explained as best he could. "Look at your records of when Revan commanded the attack and you will see there was very little damage to the planets we conquered, we tried not to destroy the military infrastructures of the planets we struck and we did our best to keep the number of those who died to a minimum amount" he went on.
"That does not excuse what you and Revan and all those who followed have done Stark" Dodonna finally snapped harshly. "I thought you were one of my best students, someone who would stick by the Republic to the very end and yet you have betrayed us all" she growled.
"No I haven't Dodonna I just have a different perspective on what I am loyal to and that is the ideals of what the Republic is supposed to stand for" Stark countered. "Loyal to the people who look to the Republic to protect them, I do not stand for a Senate that is corrupt and more interested in making themselves more rich and powerful than protecting the people who put them into office" he insisted. "A Senate I will remind you sent dozens of our fellow soldiers to their deaths only to make themselves look like war heroes when they were not heroes at all as the planets they sent us to were not important to the war effort and hampered our efforts to win" he finished his eyes locked with Dodonna's.
"Admiral, we are detecting two ships heading for the ship Admiral Stark is on" Dreis reported having watched the exchange silently until one of the bridge crew had gained his attention.
Dodonna knew now one of those ships had Revan on board and she briefly toyed with the idea of ordering both ships blasted into pieces, but what stayed her hand was the fact they already were been pushed to the limits by Malak and his forces they could ill afford to make whatever was left of Revan's own followers their enemies as well. Whilst them been allies in any manner was up for debate, until she talked with the Chancellor and got some answers from the Jedi Council she was unwilling to do anything that could make this war any worse for them than it already was.
"Let them go but Stark make no mistake we are not just going to forget you are out there" she said first to Dreis and then turning to the watching Stark. "We maybe on the same side where Malak and his people are concerned but that does not mean I trust you and I especially do not trust Revan, and depending on what the Senate decides do not be surprised if we cross paths again" she warned him.
"The future is always in motion Admiral Dodonna as the Jedi like to say" Stark responded with a smile before he cut the connection leaving Dodonna staring at the screen wondering if she had made the best choice or the worst mistake of her career.
Admiral Stark looked away from the holo imager a little surprised that Dodonna had backed down but he was not going to press the matter, he moved away towards the centre of the bridge.
"Sir Major Schaefer has reported they have taken the destroyer and captured several prisoners" Organa reported.
"Tell him to move the prisoners over to our ship and then blow the destroyer, if he has recovered any information on the Sith fleet movements from the computer have him transmit it to both this ship and Dodonna's before he blows it" Stark ordered with a nod of satisfaction.
"Ay sir issuing orders now" Organa responded.
Stark waited patiently as the Ebon Hawk and the Firestorm docked inside the hangar, now all they needed was for Schaefer and his team to transport the prisoners from the destroyer aboard and blow it and then they could depart. Five minutes later the signal came from Organa that Schaefer and his team had rigged the destroyer and were now back on board.
"Pull us away from the destroyer and then order all ships to go to hyper speed once our fighters are all back on board" he ordered as he placed his hands behind his back smiling at a good job.
"All fighters are confirmed on board sir apart from ten who have been confirmed to have been killed" Johansson reported grimly.
"Then order all ships to jump to hyper speed following the prearranged path back to the fleet, lets ensure we not tailed back to the others" Stark ordered.
Dodonna watched the ships of Revan's fleet jump away still very unsure of how to reconcile the fact both he and Jon Stark were still very much alive, the Jedi Council had much to answer for and she would get those answers once she got planet side.
"Admiral before they jumped away we received a brief transmission burst detailing Sith fleet movements" Dries informed her just as the cripples Sith destroyer exploded.
She nodded as that was exactly what they had told her they would do if they found anything useful in capturing the destroyer; rubbing her eyes once more she turned to face her second.
"Have the fleet secure the planet and see if any of our ships were too badly damaged including those of the defence fleet, also tally how many fighters we lost" she ordered. "Have Admiral Tia meet me planet side as have a lot to work out not only with Chancellor but also the Jedi Council" she added before heading for the hangar bay.
+TR+
(Ebon Hawk)
Revan sat beside Bastila who was quickly losing the battle to stay awake as he had known she would be, she had pushed herself to the limit and probably beyond by keeping her battle meditation going for so long on three separate battles. It was very impressive an showed how powerful Bastila truly was, with time she would truly outshine even some of the so called Jedi Masters they had just left behind. The fact she had declared her loyalty to him and his cause made him feel very giddy although he'd never admit that fact to anyone, he still wished he'd had more time to rake the council over the fire with their mistakes but the longer they took the more chance they'd end up surrounded and captured by Republic troops on their way to secure the Temple.
"Where do you think Atris will go?" Bastila asked sleepily.
"If I had to guess her supposed secret academy on Telos and there she can remain for now" Revan answered quietly. "We have bigger issues to deal with than that insane witch; at least she no longer has any power over the Jedi, thus her ability to do any real damage is contained for now" he told her.
"As long as the council send out a warning to all Jedi about the changes" Bastila pointed out.
"Meetra did suggest that to them and Zirrik seemed to at least take it on board Bastila" Revan assured her placing his hand on her arm and giving it a good squeeze" "Before you sleep Bastila you need to purge yourself of whatever negative emotions have crept in from what you learned the Jedi did to you, if you do not then you risk beginning to truly fall to the dark side" he told her moving onto a subject he truly felt was important. "One of the reasons I am able to slip in and out of the dark side is that I purge myself through meditation, I recentre my force aura as I did after I rescued you and the others from that Hutt back on Tatoonie remember" he pointed out as she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position about to argue before she remembered him saying just that after they left the desert planet.
"Can you show me how you do it?" she requested.
Revan nodded and using the bond once more connected with her mind, Bastila almost shuddered in delight at the contact but managed to focus on seeing what he wanted her to see. The process was fairly simple and she now saw how he managed to keep himself from truly falling into darkness, as he slowly withdrew from her mind she almost reached out to stop him but realised this was not the time for dealing with their personal issues just yet.
"Now centre yourself purge the negative emotions and realign your aura just as I have shown you, we'll talk more once we are back on the fleet although I will have to leave pretty quickly first to get Canderous his mask and then I will have to take Carth to Korriban to get his son" he told her. "And no you will not be coming to Korriban Bastila, one you need to rest after pushing yourself so hard and two it is far too risky taking you there as every Sith knows your face" he added.
"I do not feel like arguing the fact Revan and Korriban is the one planet I think I do not wish to see" Bastila agreed not even bothering to token argue the matter.
Revan nodded and moved to leave her to meditate and purge herself, he paused at the door and watched as she began the process then with a nod he walked away into the main hold where Zaalbar, Zayne, Mission and Jolee sat resting. Making himself something to drink he found himself looking for Meetra and found in the far end quarters.
"I think you me and Bastila need to talk once we reach the fleet" he said gaining her attention.
"I would think so because I have no intention of stepping away from you Revan I meant what I said down there when I told the council I was your lover, we never formally ended our relationship and I do not intend to end it" Meetra told him in agreement. "However I also know you and Bastila and developed feelings between yourselves as well and she also does not intend to step away, so you are going to either have to choose one of us or convince her to share you with me" she continued. "Or I suppose Bastila and I could just fight each other for you and see which one wins" she added cheekily with a smile.
"I love you both equally Meetra so I will not choose between you as for you two sharing me between you I suppose that might work if Bastila will agree to it, fighting each other is out of the question joke or not I need you two to get along as I think you would make great friends if you tried" Revan admitted.
"Maybe but I think whatever is decided will not be done so easily" Meetra replied as she sat on her bunk.
"No more than likely not" Revan agreed as he turned and headed for his own bunk to rest before they made it back to the fleet wondering just how to approach this subject with Bastila.
+TR
(Telos, hidden Academy)
Atris entered her academy ignoring the Echani handmaidens who served as her loyal acolytes, although she did notice the youngest one was absent and she briefly wondered where Brianna was. Brianna was the only one of the six sisters who caused any trouble due to been not only the youngest but also born from a different Mother thus making her only a half Sister to the rest of the handmaidens. Atris had known Brianna's Mother Kae and once considered her a friend until she broke her oaths just like Revan, Malak, Meetra and a dozen others. So far Brianna had shown no inheritance of Kae's force ability but she kept a close on her just in case she showed any affinity for it, one of the reasons she used the handmaidens as acolytes was their inability to use the force thus making them more trustworthy than Jedi who could be swayed to the darkside.
Entering her hidden sanctum she headed straight for her chair and sank into it warily, so much had happened and she needed to think long and hard on how to save the Jedi from themselves. Revan and Meetra had not only embarrassed her but caused her to lose her seat on the council for daring to try and stop them corrupting the Jedi from within with their darkness, stopping them would not be easy and she knew the answer lay in the holocrons she had managed to secure before she had lost control. She would study them long and hard and slowly not only increase her power but her knowledge of the force, she would save the Jedi no matter what it took.