Please stay safe during these tough times.
I am upping my update schedule for the time being, meaning updates will come more often. It is my hope to update this story two more times this month. Hopefully I can keep with such a schedule.
"Nothing?" Revan frowned as he looked around the senator's apartment.
"I've not seen or sensed any Sith," Meetra repeated.
Revan placed his hand on his chin. "Odd." Yes, very odd indeed. Granted the Sith hadn't acted as though they were hunting him, Darious, and Jasper. Only gleeful to have found the three of them there. And shocked at seeing Revan. "Darious, they still haven't targeted the ship?"
"I've heard nothing," Darious replied. "The communication is still strong."
"Is it possible we weren't their targets this time? Or the two women?" Meetra asked.
"It is, but who could have been their target at the diner? The only ones always there are Alan and Rana," Darious stated. "The only other thing is they could have learned Darrell and Mark would be there and were targeting the head of security and his second."
"That would only throw them into chaos for a little while though. Especially given Admiral Onasi is here," Meetra pointed out.
"True." Darious shook his head. "I can't imagine what they would want with Alan and Rana."
Revan straightened. "Alan had to have come from the empire." It only made sense given where his ex and daughter had come from.
"But again, he's only diner owner." Meetra shook her head. "He's never really carried himself as soldier."
"And his actions point to him not being a spy, so it couldn't be he stole information from the empire. Then there is the fact he is working as diner owner and doesn't appear to be a Republic informant as this is the first time we've heard of the empire." Darious sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"It can't be Rana," Meetra argued back. "Which means there is something Alan is hiding."
Revan closed his eyes.
His vision buckled giving way to darkness. The loud thrum of a hyper drive filled the air. The space shook around Revan.
"Where are we going?" a small voice asked.
"To the Republic. We'll be safe there, Justin," the man's voice was steady. Far too steady as if he had practiced keeping back all his emotions. The voice was familiar.
The space grew brighter, enough for Revan to make out a figure huddle near to the hyperdrive. He held a wrapped bundle in his arms. A small boy was curled against the man. His hair matted with mud and eyes wide.
"Master?" Meetra's voice echoed to him.
Revan's eyes snapped open.
"What did you see?" Darious asked.
"It was Justin and Alan stowed away on a ship," Revan confessed. He shook his head. "They were running from something. Justin couldn't have been older than five." This made the bundle Alan had held Revan. Well, that was a creepy thought.
"Running then." Darious shifted, frowning. "It doesn't make sense. Why would they be after him now?"
"Maybe they didn't know where he was?" Meetra suggested.
Three people moved towards them. Revan looked towards the entrance into the hall. Sure enough, the three children stood there.
Tina stepped forward. "Master Darious," she started, holding her head high, "we discussed joining the Order with our parents and between ourselves. All three of us want to join."
So Darious had spoken with the three of them. Revan eyed his oldest friend out of the corner of his eye. It was true the three were Force sensitive, yet, he hadn't wanted to broch the subject right now given they were still in talks with senator over gaining support for the Order.
"You are aware, you three will be leaving home?" Revan asked.
"We are." Tina straightened. "I would have been in a year as it is, given I wanted to join the military. This is another way to serve the Republic."
Hanna moved to stand at her sister's side. Her gaze locked on the floor. "Uncle Alvar," she started, voice soft, "Master Darious said a healer is a lot like a doctor." She took a deep breath and looked up, her eyes locking with his. "Is this true?"
"In a sense," Revan started. "The largest difference is the fact, while they will use kolto, it is more common to use the Force to heal wounds or ailments. Imagine it this way, rather than a doctor preforming surgery you are using the Force to see inside the body to find the injury and reaching out with the Force to heal it."
Hanna's eyes widened. "So, there is less pain and recovery time?"
"It depends on the type of injury, but there is no recovery time from surgery."
"Then, yes, I want to train as a Jedi as well." Hanna grinned, her eyes shining.
"Tch." Nalin glared at Revan. "I'm going to train as a Jedi to do what you never could."
Ah, what?
"And what was it I could never do?" Revan asked, smiling at the boy.
"You couldn't protect the Republic! You lied to everyone the moment you turned against the Republic. I won't make that mistake."
Revan shivered.
The amount of rage in this boy…
Revan looked at Darious.
Darious bowed his head.
"Calm down," Meetra told the boy, "or you'll never be a Jedi."
Nalin stiffened. "I will be."
"Anger leads to the dark side," Darious informed the child. "You'll have to learn to move passed the rage and anger you feel towards Alvar if you're ever to become a Jedi."
A vain pulsed on Nalin's temple. His eyes narrowed.
"Breathe," Revan advised.
"I don't need advice from you," Nalin snapped.
"Well, you're going to find training difficult then," Meetra stated, "given Master Tarvon is in charge of training the apprentices."
Nalin gaped. His mouth closed and opened again.
"You can dislike what I did. However, learn from it, don't follow a path of resentment and anger. You can rise above it and become a great Jedi if you let go." Revan held up a finger. "This is the first lesson you must learn."
Nalin huffed.
"Nalin," Tina scolded.
"Alvar, I'll help the children prepare for heading to the Sojourn." Darious turned to Revan. "You should return to the diner."
Revan bowed his head.
He left the apartment without a word and headed back through the streets towards the diner. The streets were crowded, but otherwise normal. There was no feeling of the Sith nearby. They had simply vanished.
Revan gave a small laugh.
There was no such thing as vanishing. It was more likely the few who remained were hiding, waiting for the right moment to strike. Yet, who was their true target? And why had the woman been so shocked to see Revan at the diner?
The questions needed answers and the surest means to those answers were Jeri and Sighta. Perhaps Jeri alone would be willing to speak with Revan. Yet, there was the way she had stopped Sighta from attacking this morning. The woman's stance was clear, she sided with the child she'd raised far more than one she knew nothing about.
No matter her views on Revan, he needed to try to speak with her.
Revan stepped into the diner.
"Any sign?" Jasper asked as he stood from his seat at the counter.
Laila and Mark had been seated close to him. The only ones who remained at the table were Varnons including their daughter Rane.
"No," Revan stated.
"So, they weren't after the senator after all." Mark sighed. "That's good news." He frowned. "But there's no possible way they could have known the three of you were here, right?"
"It's unlikely we were their intended target. However, there is no telling who they could have been targeting at the diner."
"But the Sith and her mother aren't here," Jasper pointed out.
"Sith?" Laila gasped. "There's another one?"
"She was handed to the Order for retraining," Jasper explained. "She's not much of a threat right now nor the target this time around."
"What?!" Laila leapt to her feet. "I refuse to let you near a Sith, Jasper. It is far too dangerous."
Jasper blinked. "Um, what?" he laughed.
"Mother." Mark placed his hand on her shoulder.
"She's right it is too dangerous," Kayla said as she stood. Her gaze snapped from Revan to the door and back. "Where's Darious?"
"He stayed at the senator's," Revan informed her.
"Summon him here," Kayla ordered.
"Why?" Revan's eyes narrowed.
Kayla drew herself up to her full height. "We failed to protect him as a child, it's not going to happen again."
A small laugh sounded from behind the counter.
Kayla turned, jaw set.
"The two of you," – Alan's gaze moved from Kayla to Laila – "seem to forget they are grown, and both are strong Jedi to have survived both the Civil War and the purge. The three of you need their protection far more than they need yours." His tone was even and smooth, gaze almost sad as he glanced towards Revan. "None of us, myself included, know the full extent of what our children have gone through since they joined the Order."
"That may be true," – Laila drew herself up – "but I am still his mother."
Well, this was awkward. More for Jasper than Revan, yet, to have someone so overprotective of a Jedi… It made sense considering what had become of the Order.
Jasper shook his head. "I take it you have plan to learn what they're not targeting," he returned to the topic at hand.
"I do." Revan bowed his head, smiling. "I'm going to speak with Jeri."
"Makes senses, she wasn't shouting death threats at you." Jasper nodded. "I guess you want me to remain here just in case they return."
"No, Mira and Atton should be sufficient protection for the diner." Revan turned to the padawans. "I know you two are capable, but if one of the Sith makes an appearance here, contact your masters before you engage."
Atton scowled and muttered something under his breath.
"Finally," – Mira grinned – "a little action."
"Jasper, you'll help Darious get the new apprentices settled in."
"Wait, we have apprentices?"
Alan chuckled. "I take it Tina, Nalin, and Hanna spoke with you?"
"They did."
"You're letting your grandkids join!" Laila whorled on Alan. "Alan, as your friend of many years, I'm tell you to draw a line. You'll be more likely to lose your entire family at this rate."
"It was their and their parents' decision," Alan informed her. He turned to Revan. "Besides, I trust Alvar to keep them safe until they're trained."
Revan bowed his head to Alan.
"If it is all right with you," Alan continued, "I would like to join when you speak with Jeri."
It would have been easier to speak with her alone. There was also the fact the history between Alan and Jeri might be enough to get her to talk. Well, perhaps this was true. Their history would also be steeped in unsaid feelings left from when Alvar had been a baby and Justin only five. Having Alan come could also lead to an understanding over the vision Revan had.
"Very well. I'll be heading to speak with her shortly."
"That's fine, Rana is capable of running the diner."
"I am!" Rana poked her head out of the kitchen door.
Alan smiled. "You are."
Revan led the way out of the diner. The sound of cane and footsteps told him both Alan and Jasper were following.
"I take it you want me to speak with Admiral Onasi over rooms for the apprentices?" Jasper asked as he caught up and fell into step with Revan.
"Yes. And once they arrive, help Darious to get them settled on the ship."
Still, there was no feeling of a danger nearby. What could the Sith be after if it wasn't the Jedi or Alan. No, he couldn't rule either out. While they might not have been the target, there had to be a reason the Sith had gone to the diner.
"This is going to be a big change for them. We should make it as easy as we can." Thus, Revan would be avoiding them outside of their lessons. In theory this should help Nalin get accustomed to Revan being his teacher without Revan hovering as a constant reminder to the boy on what he hated. He would have to assign another master to council Nalin on how to move passed his rage. Out of all of them, Darious or Meetra would be the best option. Perhaps having them team up would be for the best here.
They entered the ship.
"I'll see to the rooms." Jasper waved as he moved off to find Carth.
Alan tensed the further into the ship they walked.
"Are you certain you want to be there while I speak with Jeri?" Revan asked.
"I am." Alan glanced at Revan.
Both Jeri and Sighta had been placed in separate rooms with a guard just in case either of them tried anything. This way they also didn't have contact with one another to keep them from planning something during the time before the duel tomorrow.
Revan entered Jeri's room.
Jeri looked up from where she was seated on the couch. Her eyes narrowed. There was nothing of the motherly warmth in her gaze she had when she'd first heard Justin's and Revan's names. The gaze was steel coated ice.
"Come to ask how to beat Sighta?" she asked. "I'm not going to tell you, so don't waste your time."
Revan took a seat on the couch across from her. "On the contrary, I've come to ask about the empire."
"I may be on the run," – Jeri's lip curled, eyes flashing – "but I won't be a traitor."
"Being on the run from them, makes you a traitor. You have nothing to loss and everything to gain by answering my questions," Revan persuaded, reaching out with Force to steer her in the right direction.
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't even try it," she snapped. "I've been trained to resist Force persuasion."
"Is that so?" Revan smiled. It would have been far too easy to get the information he wanted if she caved to the smallest influence by the Force.
"If you want information about the empire then speak with him." Jeri glared at Alan.
"You seem far more upset over this situation than you did this morning." Revan leaned back; hands folded together.
Jeri took a deep breath and relaxed. "Of course, I'm upset, you ask me to betray the empire I would die for."
"Yet, you ran," Revan pointed.
"I ran to protect my daughter and the future of the empire," Jeri countered. Her eyes glittered as she looked at Revan.
"All I ask, is to know who outside of the two of you and the Jedi, would the emperor's personal guard be targeting?" Revan asked.
"I don't know." Her gaze flickered to Alan.
"Ah, I see, they're targeting Alan."
Jeri stiffened.
"Why?"
"Ask him." Jeri's gaze locked with Revan.
"As far as they should be concerned, I died over forty years ago in the wilds," Alan stated. "The only way they would know this is false is if they learned you and I had been together, and I would take the surname name Tarvon."
Jeri's gaze flickered to the ground.
"They know, then?" Alan asked.
Jeri bit her lip.
"There is more to it than that," Revan pressed. "Why else would they target someone who fled so long ago?"
"They're after him to get to Sighta," Jeri confessed.
"Why?" Revan leaned forward.
"Because," – Jeri took a deep, shuddering breath – "because there is a prophecy."
Revan frowned. "A prophecy?"
"Tch." Jeri snorted and glared at Revan. "Yes, one which surround Sighta. It says the child born of a slave who rose in power among the Sith would be the emperor's down fall." Her eyes softened with a smile. "And I know Sighta is that child. She will take the emperor's place as the new ruler of the empire."
"I've never heard of this prophecy," Alan stated.
"Of course you didn't," Jeri snapped. "You fled before the soldiers were told to kill any such child on the spot."
Her eyes locked on Revan. "If I had known of it then," she trailed off, pain leaked into her voice and slumped her shoulders.
"You would have killed me to protect Sighta," Revan finished for her.
"Yes." Jeri closed her eyes. "It would be necessary to protect the one with greatest chance at making the dream for a better empire a reality."
Alan stepped forward. "How could you even consider such a thing? Alvar's our son!"
"You were the one who fled. A coward who cares nothing for the empire and its future!" Jeri leapt to her feet. "I'm just happy I took the strongest of our children and raised her to fulfil this prophecy, to become the empress and lead the empire into the dream we once shared. While you took the two best means to protect her. One who was meant to die to keep the secret and the other I was raising to be solder!"
Alan's jaw tightened, then relaxed. He straightened. "What is done is done. Justin is a senator and Alvar the grandmaster of the Jedi Order."
Jeri's eyes blazed as she turned to Revan. "Tomorrow will prove which of you the prophecy spoke of." She smiled. "It will be clear to you then how much stronger Sighta is than you."
"Regardless of which of us wins," – Revan stood – "my priority is and has always been the protection of the Republic." Revan turned and left the room. He heard and sensed Alan follow him.
So, Alan had once been a Sith. Yet, perhaps, Sith wasn't the right word for it as the man never once came off as one to have fallen to the dark side.
(Author's note: I tried to get the duel into this chapter but realized it was supposed to be the following day… The duel will be in the next chapter. Sorry about that. Also, I am sorry for missing a chapter last month. Life got a little chaotic and no it has nothing to do with what's going in the world at this time.)