Chapter 3

MEDICAL CLINIC
TARIS

Jaelyn gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the pain rolling in waves off the injured Cathar, battering her mind despite her attempts to shield against it. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she gasped for breath as she focused on the festering gashes in the feline humanoid's arm. She directed the Force, gently prodding the alien immune system, stimulating the production of antibodies to fight the infection.

Dr. Forn watched in amazement as the wounds bubbled, the infection evaporating. Angry red faded and disappeared, new pink skin growing more rapidly than he would have thought possible. He'd never seen such a display of healing, even with Kolto, the miracle medicine. Unfortunately he hadn't received the new supply of Kolto and so was unable to properly treat his more serious patients, most of them battered refugees from the Outer Rim worlds. This Cathar, displaced by the invasion of his homeworld years before had run afoul of one of the nastier swoop gangs in the Lower City. He had been prepared to amputate the Cathar's arm to prevent the spread of the infection when the Jedi walked in, offering her assistance.

The Jedi finally opened her eyes. "How does it feel?" She asked the Cathar male, her melodious voice tinged with concern and fatigue.

The Cathar flexed his arm, his golden eyes widening in shock. "There is no pain." Jaelyn smiled slightly at the almost comical look of amazement. "Thank you, Jedi, I regret I have nothing of value to offer you." He said, consternation evident in his richly accented basic.

"No thanks are necessary, I was glad to help." She shook her head, the movement causing her to sway on her feet, and would have fallen had the doctor not caught her. The male Cathar leapt off the gurney, assisting Dr. Forn as he lead a resisting Jaelyn over to another cot. All the bio-beds were currently occupied and Dr. Forn had been forced to turn his small medical facility into a triage unit. Cots and gurneys crowded the room, the smell of death in the air. It was a small taste of the devastation of war.

"No, I'm fine, just tired." Jaelyn attempted to reassure them, wondering if one could die from embarrassment. This was not going the way she had planned. Her embarrassment compounded tenfold when the front door to the facility hissed open and Alek walked in. He frowned as he saw a very pale Jaelyn sitting on one of the cots, a dark-skinned human in surgical scrubs and a very large male Cathar hovering over her.

"Jaelyn, what's wrong?" He asked, his sapphire eyes telegraphing his concern. He reached out with the Force, feeling for where and how she was injured.

Jaelyn brushed her "nurses" off, and tried to stand, the dizziness threatening to knock her back down. "I'm fine, just tired." She repeated, silently pleading with him to get her out of here.

Alek looked dubious, but waved the two concerned men off, thanking them for their assistance. He turned his attention back to Jaelyn as Dr. Forn discharged the Cathar, instructing him to return immediately if he developed any further symptoms. "Alright, I'll get you out of here but you had better explain what really happened. I know Force Healing can be exhausting but I've never seen anyone react this way." Alek kept a supporting hand on Jaelyn's arm as they left the clinic, waving goodbye to Dr. Forn who was tending to yet another injured refugee.

Jaelyn explained all that had transpired as they walked across the square, her strength returning as they neared the spaceport where Revan's ship was docked. "I guess Force Healing is yet another area in which I am sorely deficient," she complained.

Alek frowned. "You're too hard on yourself." They halted in front of the massive spaceport doors. "Maybe Revan has some insight into why you might have reacted that way."

"Can't we just forget it happened?" She pleaded, her face burning with embarrassment.

Alek sighed, running his hands through his already mussed black hair. "I think it best for you to get her input on this. It truly is a bizarre reaction to Force Healing and I think there is cause for concern. At any rate," He smirked, his tone lightening. "She'll want to know how it went at the clinic and you're not much of a liar."

"I can lie effectively if I really want to." Jaelyn returned, looking a bit slighted as she keyed in the security code and lowered the boarding ramp.

THE SANDPIPER
TARIS SYSTEM

"Let me get these coordinates fed into the computer so I can make the jump to hyperspace, then we can talk." Jaelyn spared a glance at Revan as the Jedi entered the cockpit.

"What makes you think I didn't just come in here for the view?" Revan asked, taking the co-pilot's seat.

Jaelyn shook her head, grinning as she engaged the hyperspace engines and set the ship on autopilot. "That was my next guess."

"I wanted to talk to you about the incident at the clinic."

"I told you everything that happened. I'm just not cut out to be a healer, I guess." Jaelyn shrugged, staring blankly out the viewport.

"I don't know, I've had some time to think it over and I'm certain that there's more to it than that. If you didn't have an aptitude for healing you would not have been able to do it well, perhaps not at all, no I think your healing abilities are not the problem. Tell me, were you consciously using your own life force as fuel?" Revan's forehead creased with concern.

Jaelyn turned to face Revan. "What do you mean?"

"The way I think of it is that you have two different kinds of energy in your body. You have your actual life force or life energy and then the energy that you use when you use the Force. You can use the Force to refresh your body, which is a basic skill all Jedi learn, but I've also found that can work both ways, you can use your life energy to fuel your Force powers. It is a very dangerous skill and not something generally condoned by the Council." She paused, waiting for her Padawan to respond.

After a moment's deliberation, Jaelyn answered. "No, I don't think that's what I did. It was more like I was getting some sort of negative feedback, like when you have a short in the hyperdrive motivator and it sends a feedback charge back into the main engines and blows them out. Does that make sense?"

Revan's eyes brightened with understanding. "I know nothing about hyperdrive engines, but I think I understand. It's related to the bonding you do, you formed a bond while healing the Cathar and so his pain became yours. Like empathy only much stronger. You don't feel the pain of everyone you bond with so I think there must be something about Force healing that magnifies the bond and causes this 'feedback'."

Jaelyn heaved an irritated sigh. "I had my shields up, that shouldn't have happened."

"There's so much we don't know about the bonds, Jae, but for now, I suggest you be very cautious about Force healing. We don't know just how strong this feedback can be. If it can get past your shields-" She let her voice trail off. "Well, just be careful. I'm going to meditate in the cargo bay if you need anything." She stood, heading for the cockpit door. "Let me know if I receive any subspace messages."

Jaelyn nodded, swiveling her seat back toward the control panel. "I'll alert you immediately if anything comes in."

3964 BBY
THE SANDPIPER
HYPERSPACE, RIM

"Oh great," Jaelyn muttered in annoyance, "I'll never get a shower now." She thought she had awakened early enough to beat Revan to the refresher. She banged on the door. "Hurry it up, Rev, you're not getting any younger in there." She had quickly learned why Revan always looked like she had stepped out of a holomag - the woman spent an ungodly amount of time in the 'fresher. With a final irritated bang on the door she gave up and headed to the galley. A chime from the communicator interrupted her meal. Grabbing her cup of caf she headed for the cockpit. "Frack!" She stabbed the toggle for inship communications. "Revan I need you in the cockpit. Flashpoint Station has fallen."

TARIS

Alek looked at his wrist chrono. "I had Bandon contact Lhosan Industries as you requested, they're sending a representative to meet with us. He was also able to make contact with Captain Karath who should be here soon." His forehead creased slightly. "Are you certain this will be enough to produce a response among the Senate?"

"When most of the Senators have massive investments in Lhosan?" Revan snorted indelicately. "It will be enough."

"I guess we'll find out." He smiled tightly, looking at Jaelyn who was seated at the conference table, silently observing. "What do you think?"

Jaelyn hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip as she sifted through the limited amount of data she'd heard. "Without knowing precisely what you are talking about, I can't really give an informed opinion." Her mouth turned up in a slight smile as she glanced at Revan. "But that's never stopped me from voicing my opinion before.

"I'm assuming you've picked up reports of a planned Mandalorian attack against either Taris or its resource worlds. The recent loss of Flashpoint would lend credence to the intel. Obviously Lhosan Industries would be devastated if such an attack were to occur." She paused again, gathering her thoughts. "You need the Republic to commit to the war effort, but so far, the Senate has managed to avoid making such a commitment despite the advice from its advisors in the Republic Navy.

"Taris isn't a member of the Republic, though as you mentioned, most of the Senate have substantial investments in Lhosan." Her voice grew more confident as the final piece fell into place. "When you inform Lhosan of the imminent attack, they will petition the Senate for membership on behalf of the Taris system. The Senate will capitulate, of course, because of their threatened credit accounts, and the Navy will finally be able to fully engage the Mandalorians." Jaelyn finished, raising an eyebrow. "How close did I get?"

Alek cast a sideways look at Revan. "Did you brief her on the way?"

Revan shook her head, looking immensely proud of her student. "Not a word."

Jaelyn shrugged. "It's not that hard to piece together, you gave me more than enough information to go on."

Alek cast an amused smile in Revan's direction. "Perhaps, but that was not-" He broke off mid-sentence, all three Jedi turning their attention to the sealed door. Jaelyn stood, moving to join the others, standing beside and slightly behind Revan.

The locking mechanism beeped twice, the door sliding open to admit two Fleet officers. Revan recognized Captain Saul Karath immediately from their correspondence. He stood taller than herself but nearly a head shorter than Alek, he looked comfortable in his Republic uniform, as if he were born in it. The lights of the lounge reflected off his blonde hair, highlighting the strands of silver. He exuded confidence and authority. Revan liked him instantly.

"Captain Karath, thank you for coming." Revan stepped forward to clasp his hand, her chocolate eyes warm but grave.

"No, thank you, Jedi Revan. The intel you've provided over the past year has been of great value." He shook her hand firmly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, Captain." She stepped back to Alek's side. "Allow me to introduce Jedi Alek of Quelii, the source of much of your intel, and my Padawan, Jaelyn Vallore."

"Captain Karath." Alek shook his hand. "I have a feeling we'll be working closely in the future."

"I hope so, Jedi Alek." He inclined his head to Jaelyn, reaching to take her hand as well. "Jedi Jaelyn, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." Dropping her hand he gestured to the officer beside him. "My second in command and a master tactician, Commander Gavin Toric.

The younger man greeted them all with the customary handshakes and murmured pleasantries. Revan bade them all be seated as she quickly outlined the intelligence Alek had collected.

"I have no doubt that your intel is accurate, Jedi Revan, but my hands are tied; Taris is not a member world of the Republic." Karath's eyes telegraphed his frustration as he scanned the data she'd provided. "As much as I'd love to be able to finally engage the Mandalorians, the Navy cannot interfere without the permission of the Senate until a member world is threatened."

Revan nodded at Jaelyn, who suddenly looked very ill at ease with the spotlight. Jaelyn took a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. "We believe that the Senate will grant Taris membership at the behest of Lhosan Industries." She briefly explained her reasoning behind the statement. Both Karath and Toric seemed impressed by her analysis of the situation.

"When do you plan on informing Lhosan of the danger?" Toric asked.

"In three hours," Alek answered. "That should give us enough time to come up with a rough battle plan to present to the Senate and the Navy Admiralty."

Toric slid three datacards across the table. "Tactical information, fleet movements, ship specs." He explained as the Jedi inserted the cards into their datapads.

The room was silent as they digested the information. Jaelyn was the first to speak. "I don't think it's enough." She said quietly, concern furrowing her brow. "If you pull enough ships to adequately cover this system you'll leave another system vulnerable." She loaded a recent intel document and handed her 'pad to Karath. "Look."

Karath nodded. "You're right, sacrifices must be made." His blue eyes were hard, bitter. "The Mandalorians have been running unchecked through the galaxy for almost a decade, conquering and gaining resources and momentum, while the Senate has us sitting on our hands." He tossed the datapad down angrily. "And now, when we're finally on the verge of defending our worlds, we don't have the resources." He stood and paced away from the table, leaving them in stunned silence. He sighed, turning back to face them, the fire gone from his eyes. "I apologize for my outburst." He said, returning to his seat. "We don't have the time to dwell on the past, we must try to save our future. Do you have any suggestions?" He asked, looking to Revan.

Revan hesitated, warring with herself. Tactically, she knew that it would be necessary to abandon a few systems to stop the Mandalorian advance on Taris, ethically, the situation wasn't nearly as cut-and-dried. Did the end truly justify the means? She looked around at the expectant faces feeling, not for the first time, the enormity and hopelessness of the situation. What would be the final cost of saving the galaxy, she wondered, and was she willing to pay it?

TWO MONTHS LATER
THE SANDPIPER
TOCHIN

"You're up early." Revan commented as Jaelyn entered the small galley.

Jaelyn shrugged. "So are you." She poured herself a cup of caf and refilled Revan's. "Update from Alek?" She gestured toward Revan's datapad as she settled herself into the chair across from her mentor.

Revan shook her head. "Holo-News report. The Senate has granted membership to the Taris system."

"That would explain an encrypted message from Captain Karath." Jaelyn slid her datapad across the table.

"Did you read it?" Revan inquired, thumbing the 'pad on.

"No, I just decrypted it. I figure you'll let me read it when you're finished." Jaelyn grabbed a ruby fruit from the bowl in the center of the table. They had spent the last three weeks on the world of Tochin establishing an intelligence network, and had developed a fondness for ruby fruit, a local delicacy. She was going to miss this peaceful world and hoped it would remain peaceful through the coming storm.

Revan finished her reading and slid the datapad back to Jaelyn. "Looks like Captain Karath has been given a task force and is headed back to Taris. There's been no word from Alek to indicate a timetable for the Mandalorian attack." She bit her lip, anxiety shadowing her eyes. "I don't even know where exactly he is or what he's doing." She pushed back from the table and paced toward the conservator.

Jaelyn followed her, laying a calming hand on her shoulder. "He's fine and he'll make contact when he can."

"You don't know that." Revan turned to face her apprentice, noting, not for the first time, the wisdom reflected in her hazel eyes. She truly was no longer a child but had matured into a young woman.

Jaelyn shrugged. "I just have a feeling. Besides," she grinned mischievously, "He's too stubborn to die."

"Oh thanks, that helps a lot." Revan shook her head, downing the last of her drink. "After you're awake I'd like to go ahead and lift off. We're finished here and I want to be on Dantooine when the Senate declares war. I have a feeling the council is going to need some persuading to join the fight and besides, I think it's past time for you to take the Jedi Trials." She turned to leave, hiding a grin as her Padawan choked on her caf.

THE SANDPIPER
DANTOOINE

Jaelyn's stomach tightened as she stared out the viewport at the mottled green world below. Dantooine. Home. It had been over six months since she left with Revan but it felt like a lifetime. Six months of traveling from world to world, training, assisting refugees, and covertly establishing intelligence networks. Now, Revan thought she was ready. Finally ready to become a Jedi Knight.

Jaelyn took a deep, calming breath, filling herself with the Force and carefully setting aside her fears. By the time she had the ship settled gently on the Academy landing pad, she had herself settled as well.

She barely had time to descend the landing ramp before she was nearly bowled over by an exuberant green blur. "Keeda!" Jaelyn exclaimed, steadying herself against a landing strut and hugging her friend back. "I guess you got my last transmission."

Revan shook her head, amused. "Don't stay up too late gossiping, Jae, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow." She shouldered her bag and set off across the courtyard.

"Okay, thanks." Jaelyn acknowledged distractedly as she was once again engulfed in a pair of welcoming arms. "Ow, Adon! I do need to breathe." She stepped out of his embrace, tilting her head back to look up into his sky-blue eyes. "How'd you get so tall?"

Adon shrugged, his face reddening slightly as he tried not to grin too widely. "How'd you get so short?" He teased.

Jaelyn rolled her eyes, faking annoyance. "I'm not short, you're freakishly tall." She slung her pack over her shoulder and draped her free arm across Keeda's shoulders, steering the group toward the Academy. "So, what's new? I want to know everything that happened while I was away."

"Not much." Adon complained. "You would not believe how boring it is around here without you to stir things up."

Keeda nodded her agreement. "It was not the same without you. Tell us about your trips, I know they were more interesting."

Jaelyn hesitated, an uncomfortable feeling settling over her as she realized how little she would be able to share with her closest friends about the past year of her life. She shrugged. "Nothing too exciting, mostly training and relief work. There are so many suffering people and so much to do that you don't know where to start and how to help.

Every world was pretty much the same. Too many refugees, not enough supplies to go around, and only so much just one person can do. It was good, though, helping people, feeling as if I were making a difference. I learned a lot, Revan's a good teacher."

"So, is my room still open or do we need to find me another place to crash?" She asked, subtly changing the subject as they neared the wing housing the girls' dormitories.

Adon snorted. "Oh they didn't dare reassign your room, Keeda wouldn't have stood for it."

Jaelyn grinned as Keeda huffed and muttered. "Thanks for looking out for me, Kee." She keyed her door open and threw her bag on the bed. "I'm going to try to get some sleep though I don't see how I'll manage with tomorrow's trials looming in my mind."

"Do not be anxious, you will have no troubles passing." Keeda encouraged, her voice warm. She reached for Jaelyn, pulling her into a hug.

"It's good to have you back, Jae." Adon said, wrapping his arms around them both. "Good luck, Ace, sweet dreams." He ushered Keeda out of the room, the door hissing closed behind them, leaving Jaelyn alone with her thoughts and fears.

SPARRING ROOM
DANTOOINE ACADEMY

There is no emotion, there is peace. Jaelyn allowed that peace to permeate her being as she activated her lightsabers. Peace. The remotes unleashed a devastating flurry of stun bolts. Peace. She met the attack, her blades moving in a blur of colored light, inhumanly fast. Peace. Not one bolt made it past her defenses, though she remained oblivious to this fact, immersed as she was in the Force.

Master Zhar called a halt to the sequence, the sudden cessation of the onslaught startling her from her reverie. She glanced at the wall chrono and noted the time with surprise. An exercise that seemed to have lasted only minutes had taken nearly an hour.

She surreptitiously checked herself for injuries as Master Zhar programmed the combat trainer droids. No praise, no reassurance, on to the next exercise. She faced the first of the droids; a small part of her consciousness identified its programmed form as that of Makashi while the greater part of her mind was deeply submerged in the ocean of the Force. Utilizing the power of Djem So, she was able to quickly overcome the subtle grace of the Makashi form and deactivate the droid. She battled droid after droid, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the seven lightsaber forms, utilizing each form's strength and exploiting the weaknesses.

As she deactivated the last droid she thought she detected a glimmer of a smile on Master Zhar's face.

"You are quite proficient at disabling machines, Padawan. I wonder how you will fare against a sentient being." Master Zhar stepped into the combat ring, shedding his outer cloak and unclipping his lightsaber from his belt.

Jaelyn's eyes widened with surprise and more than a little trepidation. She drew on the Force to banish the fatigue from her limbs and immediately went on the offensive, flipping over Zhar to attack from behind. Zhar blocked the attack easily, countering with a series of powerful blows that Jaelyn met with astonishing speed and strength. Utilizing her short lightsaber in a guard position, Jaelyn delivered a powerful kick to Zhar's wrist, sending his lightsaber flying. Zhar threw himself into a backflip to avoid Jaelyn's other blade and used the Force to call the 'saber to his hand.

Activating it, He barely got it into position to block another flurry of blows from Jaelyn's blades. Zhar Force Pushed Jaelyn, slamming her against the far wall and stunning her momentarily. Before Jaelyn had a chance to fully recover, Zhar was on her, pressing her with increasingly powerful attacks. Jaelyn staggered under the weight of his assault. Rather than try to regain her balance, she allowed herself to fall, sweeping a kick against Zhar's legs, toppling him. Using the momentum of her fall, Jaelyn hit the mat hard and sprung back to her feet, Zhar followed suit and their 'sabers met again with renewed intensity.

Master Zhar used the Force to leap into the air and flipped bringing his 'saber down on Jaelyn's lightsaber, it flew from her hand and slid to a stop against the far wall where it lay inert. Inwardly cursing her weak telekinetic abilities, Jaelyn readied her short 'saber into the forward position and countered Zhar's next strike. She delivered a swift kick to his left knee to create some space and got out of range through a series of backflips. Taking advantage of the momentary break she shifted her short 'saber to her left hand and called her long saber back to her right hand. The brief reprieve over, Jaelyn met Zhar's downward strike with both sabers crossed protectively in front of her face. She pushed him off easily and kicked him back again.

"Time," a melodious voice called out from the observation deck. "Trial of Skill is now complete," declared Master Sunrider.

"It is the decision of the Council that your heroic acts in service of the Republic over the past year have served as your Trial of Courage." Master Zhar's voice was carefully neutral but he could not hide the pride in his eyes. "We will begin your Trial of Spirit this evening."

JEDI ACADEMY
DANTOOINE

The cold struck her first. Searing, penetrating, setting her teeth to chattering and robbing her of every last trace of warmth until she felt she would never feel warm again. As painful as the cold was, it was the dark that was truly unbearable. She blinked several times and finally brought her hands to her face to confirm her eyes were indeed open. She unclipped her short lightsaber and flicked it on, feeling a slight lessening of discomfort as she was bathed in the gentle green light. Soft footsteps interrupted the stillness as Adon stepped into the ring of light.

"Adon," she gasped, "what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I love you, silly girl. I came to help. You shouldn't face this test alone." He stepped close, reaching a hand out to tuck an errand curl behind her ear.

Jaelyn shook her head. "Stop it. You shouldn't be here. You're not real. Go." She urged, shoving him back. "Go!" The shout echoing as he faded back into the blackness.

She resumed scanning the darkness, frustration mounting. What kind of test is this? Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar snap-hiss of a lightsaber being activated. She spun to face the sound drawing her second longer blade. The silver beam sprang to life, widening the circle of colored light to reveal Adon, a red blade at his neck, the wielder of the blade shrouded in a black cowl. "No, Adon!" Jaelyn sprang forward to knock the blade to the side but she felt as if she were made of stone, limbs paralyzed, helpless to reach him.

His eyes were sad but held no trace of fear. "Jae, it's okay. It is my honor to die for you. My life, for yours."

"No! No, no, no, please, no!" Jae sobbed as his head rolled unceremoniously to her feet. Over her keening she could hear the sound of more lightsabers springing to life, hundreds if not thousands surrounded her. At the end of each one of them was a fellow Jedi. Keeda. Henton. Bandon. Zez Kai Ell. Kavar. She spun but was met with a sea of red illuminated faces of Jedi, some she didn't even recognize.

"My life, for yours." Keeda whispered as her body hit the floor.

"My life, for yours. My life, for yours. My life, for yours." The vows echoed through the chamber as bodies slithered to the floor, drowning out her sobs.

Slowly the paralysis faded and she surged to her feet, fire in her eyes. "Why?" She demanded of the cloaked figure, her voice hoarse. "This is all so pointless."

The figure raised a scarlet blade into battle ready stance in reply. With a growl Jaelyn launched herself at the figure and brought both blades crashing down onto the single blade of her opponent. The apparition struggled as the scarlet blade inched toward its face. The edge of the cowl hissed as the blade touched it, smoke curling upward. The apparition pushed back with renewed strength, throwing Jaelyn off and flipping backward out of range of her dual blades. Hissing in anger Jaelyn leapt toward the figure once more, her blades spinning in a beautiful dance of light. One of her blades found a hole in the figure's defense and it gasped as her blade slid through its stomach without resistance.

Jaelyn jerked the cowl off and sank to the ground in disbelief burying her face in her hands. The figure gave a low chuckle and knelt before her, reaching long slender fingers to gently raise her chin, peel back the cold hands covering her face. Reluctantly Jaelyn opened her eyes, meeting the same hazel gaze she saw in the fresher mirror every morning. Eyes identical to her own and yet completely unrecognizable, soulless and empty.

With a start she was brought back to the present. Her legs numb from sitting on the hard floor of the Council Chambers. Her heart was racing uncontrollably and a tremor had settled into her limbs.

"Welcome back," Revan smiled.

"Revan, the vision, I-"

"No," Revan interrupted, "the Trial of Spirit is deeply personal, not to be shared even with your master. Know only that you emerged with your mind intact, triumphant, and be at peace." She rose smoothly to her feet and extended a hand of assistance which Jaelyn gratefully accepted, wobbling a little as she willed circulation back into her limbs. "Your final test is one of Insight." Revan steered the fatigued young woman toward the dorms. "Get some sleep. Meet me in the archives at 0600."

Jaelyn stared at her bed a moment in trepidation, wondering what dreams may visit her after the horrors of the vision but she fell into a deep dreamless sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

ARCHIVE ROOM
DANTOOINE ACADEMY

"It's been three days, what could she be doing in there," Adon wondered, his voice tinged with worry.

Keeda laid a reassuring hand on his arm. "Relax. She's fine. I'm sure she'll-"

The archive door hissed open and a bright eyed but clearly sleep deprived Jaelyn emerged. "It's finished," she announced to Master Vandar who was standing vigil. His weathered face crinkled in a smile.

"Well done, Jedi Vallore. Your trials are now complete. I declare you a Knight of the Jedi Order."

Author's Note: The planet Tochin and ruby fruit are the intellectual property of ms mara jade. Her story Republic Commando: Knight of Honor is one of the most beautiful and well written pieces of Fan Fiction I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It is well worth (several) reads and you should check it out! Thanks to this amazing author for allowing me to use a bit of her work 3

This is my first "new" chapter but does contain some content from my old chapter two. This chapter took eight years to see completion. I do hope I can maintain a better rhythm for the remainder of the story. This story is obviously alternate universe as my Revan is female and I'm using my own player name for my version of the Exile/Meetra. I'm definitely cool with critical reviews but please don't flame me for any canon deviations - I am thoroughly unrepentant about any liberties I've taken. I've also deviated a bit from established content but I'm trying to remain true to the Mandalorian Wars timeline. Relying heavily on Wookiepedia here ;) I have not yet decided whether to upload my completed chapter 4 now or wait until I have finished the story to avoid another eight year cliff hanger. Input will be taken under consideration. I appreciate any readers who are coming back to this despite the long hiatus as well as any new to this story. I'm writing for myself but I can't deny reviews do make this more fun. Thank you 3 Oh! I am unsure as the war progresses whether or not I should keep this T or bump it up to M. Upon re-reading the guidelines I'm not sure a T rating would allow me to be true to my original vision but at the same time I hate to limit my audience by rating it M. Thanks for any input on this as well. Until Next time!