Chapter 52:
Revan did not relish the idea of going back out onto ocean floor, most especially knowing that the mother of all firaxan sharks lurked directly where the Nagai needed to go to activate the Star Map and to shut down the harvester.
What was it Nolan said? Something about reprogramming the harvester to over-pressurize the cells of oxidizing fuel, thus causing the fuel tank canisters to rupture resulting in the entire machine destroying itself?
The scientists used hydrolian gas of one to three million Sagon- a liquid at about four million Sagon and a solid above that. According to Nolan the liquid form was very explosive. If Revan injected enough of the hydrolian gas into the tank, the pressure will be so great that it will turn into the liquid form and start a chain-reaction inside the machine.
Now if she could just get to the harvester without becoming fish food, it'd be perfect plan of action… more or less.
Almost immediately out of the station, Revan spotted one of the kriffing sharks hovering... no, make that two. The Jedi's reaction was swifter than the sharks darting in for a quick meal. Firing the sonic disrupter she managed to stun both sharks before moving on. Following the massive pipelines made it relatively easy for Revan to remain on target and not become lost so close to the rift.
She only had to go five meters before she spotted the harvester's control panel. Fortunately there was no sign of big bad Mamma shark... yet. Luckier still, whoever designed the control panel had the bulky pressure suits in mind as the interface had an overly large keypad.
Revan risked a swift look about her before activating the panel. Okay... now all she had to do was to get the hydrolium at four million Sagon.
Should be easy enough.
Fill the first container to max pressure, which was three of three million Sagon. Transfer the gas from the injector to the container pod causing it to go from 0 to five of five million Sagon.
Done... Revan paused to look around... still no big Bad Mamma... that was good.
Okay fine... Now to continue... She filled the injector to max pressure once more and made another transfer of the gas to the container pod which currently was at two of five million Sagon. Another empty of the container pod and another transfer of gas from the injector to the container pod would then fill the injector pod to max pressure... WAIT... the water was moving... churning... a shadow...
Skye's heart thudded against her breastbone. Revan could feel the menacing presence of Big Bad Mamma closing in on her...
Shit, shit, shit... move faster...
She transferred the gas to the injector pod...
The screen on the panel flashed a bold letter warning that the pressure in the continent unit was unstable, explosion imminent.
KAAAAAAAWOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFF!
The water muffled what must have an incredible wave of sound as the harvester blew up in a plume of black smoke that quickly dissipated in the sea water as did the fiery blast. The explosion might have been more impressive had it not coiled in upon itself- not unlike a backdraft.
Revan shot her head up and saw far above her, and several meters away, the results of her efforts. The harvester was indeed destroyed. She allowed herself a small whoop of successful pride in the results before slamming down the expected detached Jedi demeanour- though a soft smirk still tugged at the corners of her lips.
The Jedi wasted no time at all to move as quickly as she was able along the mettle mesh walkway along the scaffolding of the harvester towards the Star Map. As she did, she saw over her left shoulder the gargantuan mother of all firaxon sharks simply loitering just within chomping range. The hostility Revan felt before had evaporated. Indeed there was no sign of hostility in Big Bad Mamma now, even as its eyes followed the tiny two legged invader she made no move; she simply allowed the yellow-smooth scale to pass by.
Revan cast a single last glance over her shoulder and hurried as swiftly as she was able to the map. She would be wholly glad after this was all over never to go deep sea diving again. Give her The Black any day. At least out in the 'Verse the Jedi knew what she was doing. Spacewalks were a hell of a lot easier on the nerves then dealing with hungry crazed sharks and fishmen. Part of her laughed then thinking of the little guy in the locker jesting that if they- meaning the Jedi and their companions- were fast enough, they could be fast food.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
Sitting upon the cold ferrocrete floor, Bastila gasped and released it in great sigh of relief. Her grey eyes snapped open and gentle as an almost serene smile graced her heart-shaped face. It wasn't the rumble of the explosion, they felt both in the underwater currents of the sea and in the Force, or the tremors that vibrated within the building's durasteel struts and the flooring that broke the trance.
"She did it. She got to the Star Map!" Bastila announced excitedly. She felt her lover and bondmate reach their goal and the essence of the Dark Side of the Force being released as the Star Map was activated.
Juhani shared the expression of relief and exhaustion. For the past hour the pair of them had been locked in deep meditation, one trying to tap into the maddened minds of the firaxan sharks and send them away from Revan- or at the very least ignore her- while the other used her Battle Meditation, reaching out with the Force as far as she was able to in the slim hope that she might befuddle both shark and Selkath alike. Now, at the very least, the companions could return to the blessed safety of the surface and leave Manaan and all the shifty backroom politicking behind them.
Of course it would never be as simple as all that. It never was.
Answers would be sought after both by the Selkath government and by the Republic. Both parties will want to know about what happened many fathoms below.
Words floated from a distant memory- from a different Revan- into her present day incarnation: In what seemed an age ago, General Revan stood before a holo projection of the galaxy map and at her right side was her most trusted General and lover, Meetra Surik, while on her left was her closest friend Alec. They were planning their next move against the Mandalorian horde. They had many victories out of the sacrifice of many battlegrounds.
War is primarily a game of skill. It is a contest of mind matched against mind, tactics matched against tactics. But there is also an element of chance that is more suited to games of cards or dice. A wise tactician studies those games, as well, and learns from them.
The first lesson of card games is that the cards cannot be played in random order. Only when laid down properly can victory be achieved.
Revan was an extraordinary card-player.
In this case, there were but four cards:
The first was played on Tatooine at the entrance of the cave with the death of the bounty hunter Carlo Nord. The second was played when Darth Bannon fell within the Shadowlands; the third was played with the death of the dark Jedi Elassa and the consequences of Sunry's trial and his acquittal. The fourth was the destruction of the harvester device for the sake of the Progenitor's sanity and life. That card was now going to be played.
Revan turned to her team, her friends... her followers. "Return to the ship and get her prepped for take off, we'll be heading towards Korriban next," she half smirked, "not as hospitable as a "world of water", this dead land we go to. After the ship is prepped and supplied we'll take a day here for furlough."
"Ha! Republic softness," Canderous scoffed. "A Mandalorian is always ready for battle."
"Yeah how'd that go for you, Mandy? A weapon always half-cocked will always misfire." Carth said.
"Wow, ye hear that Whelp? He's been hanging around Robes so much he's starting to sound like them."
"Is that an insult? Or a complement?" Carth smirked. "If we get a day off before we head off into that sarlac pit of vipers then I'm all for it."
"Me too," Mission said. "I want to have some fun."
"No worries there, Kiddo. You, Zaalbar and Bastila will be staying here until we get the map from Korriban." Revan said.
"What?" Three voices said as one causing Revan to raise up her hand.
"Hear me out; Korriban is no place for you two." This was clearly directed to Mission and Zaalbar. "I know you faced a hell of a lot up until now but Korriban is going to be different. It's jammed to the brink with Sith and Dark Side force users that will think of nothing of torturing innocents if they think they will gain favour from their Masters. And Bas... you know you can't go. The power you wield, that's not going to be easy to ignore. It's a radiant beacon. There is no way you're stepping foot on that dead rock."
Bastila opened her mouth to protest, "Re... wait one moment." She swiftly altered the word she was first going utter.
Canderous and Carth looked at one another and slowly both men started to back way. "Orange Coat, I think this is one talk I say we stay well out of."
"You don't say?" Carth nodded vigorously. "You know, we can we always get a head start on that requisition run."
Mission and Zaalbar both agreed that some private discussion was needed. They, like the humans before them, decided to go into another part of the bay. "We'll help." Mission grabbed the young Wookiee by the arm and urged him to follow. "Come on Big Z. Let's uh... not be here. But I'm with Bastila on this one Skye, we shouldn't break the team up. Just 'sayin."
Juhani and Jolee looked at one another and then to their fellow Jedi. "Perhaps we to should give the both of you some privacy, but for what this old man's word is worth, I suggest that for Bastila to not go to Korriban is a good move."
Bastila and Revan didn't break eye contact. "Your concern is noted, Jolee." Revan said.
"Yes thank you." Bastila echoed in a much colder tone.
Once the two women were alone Bastila crossed her arms and glared.
Revan did too.
"You're not going."
"Yes I am."
"No."
"Yes."
"NO!"
"Do you think to command me as a Master? Or have you mistaken our relationship for marriage?"
Revan gave a playful smirk before responding, "Is that you're way of proposing? If so then hell yeah, I'll marry you." Revan smiled.
Bastila took a step forward and shoved her lover in the shoulder. "I'm being serious!"
"As am I," Revan's hand caressed the pale softness of Bastila's cheek. "You can't go there, Princess."
"And you can? You. Are. Revan. A Dark Lord of the Sith they think dead. They will know you."
"No. They will only see only a Nagai- a Blade. The Revanchist was never seen without her mask on; the same is true of Darth Revan. They will not know me."
"You protected me from the ocean and the creatures swimming in it. Now you protect me from the Sith creatures on Korriban?"
"From Malak, from whatever lurks beyond the Outer Rim that had me sacrifice what I was as the Revanchist to become one of the Dark Lords."
"You cannot make such promises my love…" Bastila moved into the hand and held the hand to her cheek, savouring the touch. "And don't you think that I would make the same promise to you? If Malak were to ever get his hands upon you... the torture you'd suffer would be unfathomable. Beyond even a Jedi's endurance- even yours. Revan, the last time... you defied death. He would never allow you to live, discrediting his myth that he killed his Master even if he stole that myth from my making."
Both their minds flashed to that fateful day on the bridge of the Ravager: the flagship of Darth Revan.
"A spark of life, a single breath of life barely held within your lungs… a single chance at life. I won't let Malak take it from you, take you from me again." Bastila vowed.
Revan pressed her lips to Bastila's, savouring the taste, "Then perhaps while we're protecting one another Juhani and Jolee should go in our stead. But that whole kriffing vision thing with at least one us opening the Star Map negates that idea, and you cannot go to Korriban."
"I can go. I simply cannot leave the ship," Bastila pressed her forehead to Revan's before pulling away. "And I agree with you about Mission, she should not leave either. And where she goes Big Z is sure to follow, though if you command him to go with you he will. I do not relish being stuck on the ship for however long it takes you to locate the map and recover it with a brooding teenager, much less a stir-crazy Wookiee. In fact, having a Wookiee bodyguard isn't a bad idea even for a talented Jedi."
"Exactly! That's why I said the three of you should stay here on Manaan. Or maybe go back to Kashyyyk. Less chance of becoming stir-crazy in either place. Once we have the final piece we'll rendezvous and then go to wherever the hell the map leads us—to the Star Forge.
"And as for Big Z? No. If I need a bodyguard I'll use someone that I don't truly care if dies or in his case, gets destroyed. HK-47 is useful and if I'm play-acting the part of a "Jedi wanting to become a Sith", having a personal assassin droid may not be a bad idea to sell the whole masquerade. But even still, the clanker is far more expendable than anyone else on the crew."
"Including Carth?" Bastila teased
Revan gave her lover a scathing look. "I may not like the guy or he like me, but yes that includes the Orange Coat. He's not an expendable member of the team. You know I would give my life to save him even if I can't stand the guy."
Bastila wasn't so sure the sentiment would be returned once the Commander found out the truth of who he thought Skye Ravensong was. You didn't have to be a Jedi to foresee that was whole lot of drama ready to burst open like the floodgates of a dam when the truth finally did surface.
"You know Carth is going to want to be at your side to get to his son."
"I know. The only issue there is Onasi's anger issues. If that doesn't give us dead away I'll be surprised." Revan intoned.
"Maybe he'll manage to keep it under control if he thinks his son's life is in danger if he sheds the necessary masquerade."
"That seems unlikely..." Revan paused as the sliding blast door opened on the other side of the docking bay of the Republic Base. All eyes shifted to the intruders. They consisted of their companions and behind them a contingent of Selkath security forces and three Republic officers.
"Ah, Skye we got a problem." Mission stated before any of the rest of them could utter a syllable.
"I am Gelba Methaia. Republic Representative of Manaan, taking over for Roland Wren. This is Nilko Beaas of Alto City Security," the human man didn't bother to introduce the four officers flanking Beaas.
Nilko was a recognizable face. He had been the one who went to the companions to learn why the Republic had been hiring machineries. At the time he had 'hired' the companions he had not made his true position known. Now things became very clear- but then duplicity wasn't an unknown trait among the Selkath. Knowing Nilko was in fact an officer with the Alto City Security Force made things... easier and far more difficult.
"You went down to the Hrakert Station, there are reports from Roland Wren that state there were some unexplainable disappearances of personnel and a complete lack of contact and you went there to investigate. Can you tell us what happened there?" Gelba all-but demanded.
"Most assuredly," Skye said evenly. "The construction efforts on the harvester woke something up, causing both the Selkath and the firaxan sharks to go insane. So much so that the Selkath turned on the Republic scientists and the mercs sent there by Wren to find out what happened and they well... began to eat them."
"What?!" This came from the horse-faced man that claimed to be Roland Wren's replacement.
The Selkath officers were also perturbed by what they had heard.
"Selkath do not feed upon other sentients." One of the fish-man officers said in an outraged voice.
"I was there and we took footage. See for yourself. The proof is all there," the Jedi handed over a data pad.
The Selkath didn't look at the pad as he handed it to one his aides (who had spoken up earlier) who then immediately began to scroll through its contents. Was it just Revan or did the green-scaled Selkath turn even more green? He looked as if he wanted to vomit as he saw his insane fellow Selkath feast greedily on the mangled bodies of the Republic scientists.
Revan's eyes narrowed as she saw the skin around Gelba Methaia's eyes grow wide, his skin had paled, the muscles in his throat were tight, and there was a thin coating of perspiration on his face. You know don't you. Revan surmised.
"That's horrible!" Methaia said almost theatrically for benefit of the present Selkath. "A disaster we could never have predicted in a million years." His voice carried a mix of tension and interests that indicated sudden understanding.
"Really. I find that difficult to believe." Bastila interjected, taking the Representative to task. "Your scientists indicated they knew the sonic seismic charges had a visible effect on the local firaxan population. Was it any wonder their matriarch would rise up and take exception to her progeny being afflicted? I had no choice but to destroy the harvester."
"You did what? No! This is terrible! This will set our work back for years! It may even cost us the war!"
"What is this harvester you keep speaking about?" Nilko demanded.
"It is a construct built near the Rift by the Republic to harvest more than the allotted kolto."
"That is the hallowed home of the Progenitor!" Nilko railed. "What became of her? Was that what the explosion came from?!" The four guards moved swiftly towards the companions of the Ebon Hawk. It was difficult at the best of times to read the expressions of the elongated fish-faced Selkath. But it was more than evidently clear their intent. They meant to take Revan and her squad mates into custody. Revan gave no outward reaction. Her face was a mask of complete and utter indifference.
The Jedi's calm demeanour flowed over the others in waves, and almost immediately all- including those of the Ebon Hawk- calmed. Revan's connection to her lover flared brightly and the Nagai realized that the human was using her Battle Meditation to influence everyone.
The former Dark Lord was very grateful.
"Like I said, she drove all the Selkath insane. Those poor souls were not responsible for their actions. Unfortunately there were only a handful of survivors of their attack on the Republic Base and the ones afflicted also did not survive. Your Progenitor, however, is alive and well and had returned to the Rift.
"And the cost of destroying the harvester may cost us the war. Is the life of one shark worth the lives of so many soldiers? So many Jedi!?" Gelba lamented.
"If the Legendary Progenitor had perished Representative Gelba Methaia, know this: Manaan would banish the Republic from our world forever and we would no longer trade with your government.
"The Hrakert Rift is the most precious resource on Manaan, and anything that threatens it or the kolto it produces threatens our entire species. In fact, such an unforgivable crime might well urge us to align with the Sith. You are fortunate this Jedi chose the life of 'one shark' over the machinery. The Great Mother isn't just "some shark"! The Progenitor is the life-bringer of our species!
"We will not tolerate threats to our neutrality, our existence, and our way of life! But your actions, Jedi... cast your previous actions in a new light- both on your actions, and on what we must do in response. Legends say the Progenitor is the source of kolto, or at least she is its guardian. The fact you saved it will go well for you. The Council will need to hear of this. I will act as your advocate during the proceedings.
"I know the Council will not be able show their gratitude overtly, but you will earn their respect. I do not wish the Republic to be banned. I see the Sith for that they truly are; ruthless and evil. The Republic had always respected our independence, but if they fall, the Sith will be quick to send an invasion fleet to conquer Manaan.
"But I cannot simply ignore what the Republic has done. Now you know the Hrakert Rift is the source of Manaan's kolto and I fear the science station might have damaged the delicate resource. But you stopped it. The ancient mysteries once shadowed now have light. Before, even we Selkath did not comprehend such things. I fear the awakening of the Progenitor will have very significant repercussions. I think she would have been best left undisturbed.
"But perhaps the Republic or perhaps the even the Jedi and we Selkath may eventually solve the mystery. I will instruct my agents to keep this conversation secret so that the vile Sith will not gain from the Republic's foolishness. I only hope my silence does not lead to disaster for Manaan."
"You and I both." Revan said.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
While Revan went with Nilko Beaas to speak with the Alto City council over what had happened at the Rift, the rest of the companions worked to fulfil their obligations to ensure the journey continued.
Supplies would be necessary for the coming weeks it might well take for the Jedi to locate the last Star Map. Neither Revan nor Bastila had had a vision of the map's location as of yet, but it was only a matter of time before the location made itself known to them.
It was simply easier to avoid both attention and the cost if the companions went to the Manaan open markets. Darth Malak's spies no doubt had already heard of a group of Jedi and Republic agents (though only one non-Jedi fit that description) asking questions about ancient artifacts.
And of course the attack on the Sith Base was not something Malak would ignore.
The companions had spent the last hour and a half purchasing all the previsions they thought they may need for their time on Korriban. If they forgot anything, or if their stay on Korriban was prolonged for unknown reasons, only then would a trip to Dreshdae prove necessary.
Before she left, Revan turned and whispered to Bastila who, (gave a strange look to both Mission and Zaalbar) then turned back to her lover and nodded.
A leader is responsible for those under their authority. That is the first rule of command. She is responsible for their safety, their provisions, their knowledge, and ultimately, their lives.
Those whom she commands are in turn responsible for their behavior and their dedication to duty. Any who violates her trust must be disciplined for the good of the others. But such discipline is not always easy or straightforward. There are many factors, some of them beyond the commander's control. Sometimes those complications involve a personal relationship, other times it is the circumstances themselves that are difficult.
There can also be politics and outside intervention involved.
Failure to act always brings consequences. But sometimes, those consequences can be turned to one's advantage.
Bastila watched the younglings just knowing that Mission was going to burst with boiled up frustration any moment soon, and she wasn't disappointed. Mission came back down the Hawk's gangplank empty-handed ready to take yet another duroplast barrel with antigrav locks.
The young Twi'lek huffed and stomped up Bastila. The action gained the attention of not only the human, but also Juhani, Jolee and Big Z.
"I don't get it- and it's not fair!" Mission fumed. "Why is it Skye thinks we're not ready for this? We faced all sorts of dangers. Hell, I was in the sewers with her when we killed Fido. We fought hordes of rakghouls and Gamorreans, Sith, Dark Jedi, bounty hunters, Carlo Nord and- and-"
Mission screeched out in sudden- and crippling- pain as a wave of purple lighting shot out of Bastila's hand. The Force fueled Bastila's preternatural senses and she avoided Big Z's rushing charge. Juhani was there in an instant but she did not send a Force wave out towards the Jedi Sentinel, but towards the wookiee. He was hoisted up into the air, twisting and twirling. It was a more passive technique than the more powerful Force Push.
Mission's cries lasted less then three seconds, but it was enough for the girl to nearly lose all control of her bladder. Her tiny body curled into a fetal position, her whimpers echoing in the hanger bay.
The action stunned the human males, Carth drew his blaster but his hand was stopped but by Jolee's withered hand on his. An unspoken command in the old man's voice 'don't interfere' echoed in Carth's mind.
Canderous understood what he was witnessing. There were times when a Mandalorian whelp needed to be beaten down only to be rebuilt in their commander's imaginings- forged into a better warrior.
"That-" Bastila said with cold efficiency, "is only a taste of what the Sith will do to you, youngling. I was gentle, Sith acolytes will not be. Even if you posed as a slave for Re... Ravensong, being a Twi'lek, despite your youth, they will think you a body slave. In order to keep her cover as a Jedi convert, she would have to display such power- and it will not be as kind." Bastila knelt by the girl and cradled the child's head into her lap and stroked the girl's lekku as might a mother soothing night terrors. "I am sorry you had to suffer, but you had to feel the touch of the Dark Side to know why Skye wishes to keep you safe.
"She cares deeply for you and for Big Z and she will always strive to protect you, as do I, Juhani and Jolee. Carth as well will see you protected. He tired to intervene but knew a father's wisdom in allowing a child to touch a hot stove in order to know never to do so again. In essence "fire bad".
"Dark Force users have no such protective instincts; their souls are filled with pure raw malice. Remember that pain, Mission. Remember your inability to aid your 'sister' Zaalbar and that was only a minor taste of what the Force is capable of. It will keep you both alive. Do not rail against Skye's or our desire to protect you. Whatever she asks of you, do so without protest on your lips. Can you both do that?"
Mission was still twitching from the tiny spark of Force Lighting that had coiled around her body moments earlier. Her blue eyes opened and she looked at the warm gray eyes looking down at her.
"Ye... yeah." Mission nodded slowly, her body still aching. "I get it."
Zaalbar grunted a sound that had no translation but the meaning was very clear. "I owe Skye a lifedebt. I must always do as Skye asks of me no matter if I want to or not. I go and do as she bids me."
"And what of you Bastila?" The question came from Jolee. The old man had released his grip on Carth's arm and he took a step forward. "Will you follow your own advice?"
"I will acquiesce to our leader's bidding," came her reluctant answer. "I can do no less than what is asked of Mission and Zaalbar. She's correct- the three of us cannot go to Korriban. Even if we stay on the Hawk it will be uncomfortable to say the least. Skye suggests with we three either stay here on Manaan or hire a transport to go back to Kashyyyk… I think the latter would be the better of the choices open to us.
"Don't you believe I wish to fight at Skye's side? To always be there with her? But I know the dangers of Korriban. The Dark Side is powerful and its influence can take even the most guarded mind. If I step foot on that planet Malak will know within an instant and all our efforts will be for not."
Bastila looked from face to face, all now listening to the Sentinel. Her eyes fell most pointedly upon Carth then turned to Mission and Zaalbar. "Trust Skye," she said using the Force to instil these simple words into her companions' minds. So powerful was her suggestion that it became ingrained upon the subconscious.
TRUST SKYE. Under that, Bastila used a flicker of her Battle Meditation to implant another far more subtle suggestion: TRUST REVAN.
Leadership and obedience are the two legs on which a warrior's life is balanced. Without both, victory can not be achieved. Leadership depends on information and comprehension. Not so, for obedience. Sometimes a commander may choose to share details of her plan. Often she may not. In either case, obedience must be instant and complete. Such automatic response relies on trust between commander and those commanded.
And that trust can only be obtained through leadership.
Bastila had to trust her lover as much as she was asking of the younglings and the rest of the crew of the Ebon Hawk- even though her heart protested and the Force gave her the foresight to know something lurked within the shadows that would hit before the companions even reached Korriban. It was that knowledge that had unnerved the Sentinel to her very core.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
AN: Borrowing heavily from the book Thrawn by Timothy Zahn, I believe in Revan's hay day when the Great Jedi turned Dark Lord were at their greatest power would mirror Thrawn's insights thus his words are now Revan's.