Welcome back! To all of my readers, no matter what you believe in: may the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus be with you all and remain in your hearts in this holy time. Don't be sad in these days; Christ has defeated death and He wants all of us to be a part of this victory. I wish you all peaceful holidays; spend them with your families and those close to your hearts and share the happy news about Jesus' Resurrection with the people you'll meet in your lives. I'm a little late with the wishes but who cares XD? And I also hope you'll like the 8th chapter of 'The Tragedy of Revan'. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 8
They were in the hyperspace for no longer than a few minutes now. From his spot in his quarters, Revan couldn't see the tunnel of the cosmic space but he didn't need it to know that they were steadily approaching Malachor V. He could easily sense the dark presence of that place becoming stronger and stronger. In opposite to most of the Force-sensitive beings in the Galaxy, Revan wasn't scared out by the aura of the system where the last battle of the Mandalorian Wars took place. Was it because of the neural disruptor that he had on his neck for the month predating the battle that dulled his senses to such a degree that he wouldn't even notice the Mass Shadow Generator being thrown directly at him? Or perhaps because when their weapon was activated, he was more focused on fighting Mandalore the Ultimate? The answer was unknown to him and he had a feeling that it would never be given to him to learn it.
He was sitting on the metal floor, cross-legged with his palms resting peacefully on his knees. With his eyes shut, he allowed his mind to pace across the Galaxy, hoping to somehow localize those two mysterious 'children of Malachor', as Traya described them. If what his old master told him was true, they would carry a specific aura with themselves, similar to the one that could be felt at Malachor V. But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how deep he submerged himself in the Force, his efforts were to no avail. He could localize neither the two emissaries nor Meetra.
Master, he sent through the Force, reaching out for a different presence – very familiar and friendly to him. Something wasn't right, he could feel it. The Force was shifting relentlessly around Coruscant, causing a massive agitation. A strange aura was surrounding the entire Jedi Order and the Republic government, or more precisely, the Supreme Chancellor and those closest to him. But he couldn't determine what it meant.
Vandar, please, he begged, directing those words more to himself than to the old Jedi Master, not really hoping to receive a verbal answer. In fact, he didn't know what he expected. He contacted Vandar only once before but then they at least had an established some sort of an eye contact what made the whole thing a lot easier. It was the same with Bastila. Their Force Bond was making it possible for them to establish a connection relatively easily.
Revan had no idea how much time he spent trying to reach the old Master with his senses, but his efforts finally brought results. He sensed Vandar on the edge of his mind. Revan sighed inwardly with relief as his cerebration was rewarded.
Master, he acknowledged the old Jedi.
Revan? Vandar replied with a bit of reluctance in his voice, What has happened that you contact me now?
Bastila. Is she safe? He asked, instinctively reaching to the wedding ring that was still remaining hidden under his glove on his left hand.
Good to know that you still care about her, Vandar replied with a tone that resembled sarcasm.
I always cared about her, Revan replied, clenching his teeth at the suggestion of the Jedi Master. And I'll never stop.
So you say. Then what made you send her to us?
Her safety, Revan replied genuinely. That was my priority.
She's not safe in the Jedi Order, Vandar countered, as always remaining peaceful. Atris hates you and everything and everyone that is somehow connected to you.
That's just one person against the entire Council, Revan replied. Even if she's the Grand Master, she can't do much without the agreement of the other Masters. And, as far as I'm concerned, I've recently reduced the amount of Council members who support her, he added with a wry smirk.
Most of the Council agreed that Bastila must be punished for her betrayal, Vandar countered, doing his best to make Revan see his point.
What betrayal? Revan asked, feeling his anger rising. She was tortured for a whole week! She's been through things none of you can even begin to understand!
She married you, Vandar replied calmly. She betrayed her oath to the Jedi Order by becoming your wife.
The Council has no evidence for that, Revan said, doing his best to remain calm.
She's carrying your child, Vandar replied. The Dark Lord could feel all the blood escaping from his face beneath his mask, leaving it deadly pale. The medical tests have proven that.
It's too early to determine if Bastila is truly pregnant, Revan countered, no scientific method can do that.
But the Force can. Your son is very strong in the Force, Revan, even if he's been in Bastila's womb for no longer than a month. But I think I shouldn't be surprised, given who his parents are.
What happened to them? Revan asked, almost too afraid to know the answer.
Atris stated that Bastila should remove the pregnancy. Just as previously he felt his blood escaping from his face, now he felt it returning, bringing with itself pure hatred that boiled in him.
Where is Atris? He asked, instinctively reaching for his lightsaber that was remaining peacefully clipped to his belt.
This I do not know. I was exiled from the Order, just like Lonna Vash. All I know is that neither Atris, neither any of the Jedi is on Coruscant anymore. I can only guess that they headed to Tython.
Where is Atris? He repeated, apparently not hearing what Vandar has just said.
I have no idea, the Jedi Master admitted. But I know that she's far from your wife and your child. Atris demanded abortion but it didn't eventuate. Bastila and your son are safe. I can only guess that right now they are leaving the hyperspace in the Telos System.
Revan sighed in relief. The news somehow calmed his nerves but that didn't last long, though, as he fully comprehended what he's just heard. Are they on their own? He asked in disbelief.
Of course not, Vandar replied, surprised at the insinuation. I wouldn't be as stupid as to send Bastila without any protection. I do care about her and I've made sure to keep her safe just as you asked me. Nomi is with her, as well as the others who accompanied you during your search for the Star Forge. Except for Carth, that is.
Once again Revan sighed with relief. Why were you exiled? He asked when his anger subsided, allowing him to think clearly. Vandar sighed heavily.
That was the consequence of me, Lonna and Nomi helping your wife. The Supreme Chancellor was enraged when he found out that not only we haven't executed you as we claimed, but we also lost our control over you. He gave us the last chance by allowing us to deal with Bastila as our own prisoner but when the news about her escaping Coruscant reached him, he lost all of his patience he had for us. He threatened to burn down to the ground the Temple, with or without us inside.
Did he fulfill his promise? Revan asked, laughing inwardly. During the Mandalorian Wars, he had a close contact with the Supreme Chancellor and the Defense Minister but he never expected anyone of them to make such a demand. After all, the Jedi Order was commonly both feared and respected. Apparently, not anymore, he thought to himself with a wry smirk.
No one can tell, Vandar replied, not sharing his enthusiasm. We left Coruscant before Chancellor had a chance to make his words come true.
And Atris has exiled you for saving Bastila? Revan summed up.
That was the only thing she could do to punish us. She couldn't have just executed us, even if she wanted to. The majority of the Masters share her point of view in many cases, but none of them would agree to kill us.
What will you do now?
I don't know, Vandar sighed. I think I'll remain somewhere in the Core Worlds to at least try to keep an eye on Atris, but I'm not sure if there even is a point in that. Lonna mentioned that she's going to travel to the Outer Rim in case if Nomi would be in a great need for help.
I'm sorry, Master, Revan apologized. I never wished for any of that to happen. I just wanted… I just wanted Bastila to be safe, he added after pondering for a few seconds on what to say.
I warned you, Vandar reminded him. When I first contacted you, back on Kashyyyk, I told you to control your emotions. Not because I believe in what our Code says about love but because I knew that it would put Bastila in danger. If she wasn't pregnant, it would be easier for me, Nomi and Lonna to negotiate a reprieve for her.
Reprieve, Revan hissed. It sounds as if she was a criminal.
In the eyes of the Republic, she is. If it wasn't for her Battle Meditation, the casualties would be far smaller. The Chancellor has announced a prize to anyone who captures her and brings her back to Coruscant.
A few months ago the Republic praised her for the successful mission in the Sernpidal System and now the same people are calling for her execution, Revan hissed again.
She would be much safer with you, Vandar said, hoping to somehow convince the young human to his words. No one would protect and take care of her better than you. Besides, it is your duty as her husband to make sure Bastila is safe.
Revan brought his hands to his foreheads, aiming to massage it, though his mask was making it impossible for him. He sighed heavily before replying.
She won't be safe with me. I explained it to you previously.
So at least return to her one day, Vandar begged. She may be young, but she's been through a lot and she'll need your help in recovering, not to mention the fact that at some point in the future she'll be giving birth to your son.
I'll do my best, Revan promised, though he had a feeling that a safe return would not be given to him.
May the Force be with you, Revan, Vandar said, signalizing that he considered their conversation to be over. The Dark Lord of the Sith didn't reply in any way, allowing their connection to disappear. Now he was back in his quarters in the Star Forge. Revan could now feel the dark presence of Malachor V much closer, almost overwhelming him. Indeed, a long time has passed since he last visited the battlefield of the last battle of the Mandalorian Wars.
He quickly left his quarters, heading directly towards the Command Center. He could hear the information about leaving the hyperspace being spoken through the Star Forge's communication system but he didn't need it to know that they were about to reach their destination. On his way to the Command Center, he passed many soldiers and staff members walking in every direction; each and every one of them saluted him. Each time he returned the gesture with a simple nod of his head.
Immediately after reaching the Command Center, Revan could clearly hear Noma's voice who was giving the orders to those who served under her. Though surprisingly, Darth Traya was nowhere to be found. Not that he missed her company much, no matter how great her knowledge was.
"Attention on deck" Noma ordered literally less than a second after Revan appeared in the Command Center.
"At ease" the Dark Lord replied, just as he usually did. No matter how many times he spoke to his Admirals in the past, none of them ever agreed to ignore the formalities. He guessed he was forced to live with that then.
"What are your orders, My Lord?" Noma queried, maintaining her official posture, keeping her back straight and her hands entwined behind.
"Stabilize the Star Forge on the star's orbit and prepare my ship to travel to the surface of Malachor V. Where is Darth Traya?"
"It will be done, my Lord. Darth Traya hasn't said anything about where she was heading to" Noma replied, subconsciously correcting her uniform, brushing off the invisible grain of dust. "No longer than an hour ago she just stood up from the place where she was sitting and left, not saying a single word."
"It doesn't matter" Revan sighed, rolling his eyes beneath his mask. "Proceed with your orders, Admiral. Enable the production of the Mark V Battle Droids as well as that new project of the HK series that was introduced a few months ago. Also, enable the stealth generator with full power and pass this order to the Navy Generals. Our fleet cannot be detected by anything nor by anyone."
"It will be done, My Lord" Noma replied, bowing her head lightly. Immediately she proceeded to repeat the orders she's just received from Revan. The Dark Lord turned around, knowing well that the freshly appointed Grand Admiral will do as he told her. Turning around on his heel, Revan left the Command Center.
"HK, meet me in the hangar," he said through his wrist communicator, directing the command to his assassin droid.
"Answer: Of course, Master" Revan heard the rusty droid replying before turning off his communicator.
Reaching the hangar in practically no time, Revan was pleased to see HK-47 already there, waiting for him with his favorite rifle ready. The droid's head was turning horizontally, stopping three times before beginning to turn in the opposite direction. The Dark Lord of the Sith was certain that the droid's eyes brightened up a little when HK noticed him, though he doubted if that was even possible.
"Statement: HK-47 is ready to serve, Master" the droid greeted him. "Query: Is there someone that you need killed, Master?"
"Not necessarily, HK" Revan replied. Once again he could swear that he saw something similar to disappointment in his droid's eyes. "But I do have a task for you."
"Statement: Yes, I've heard, Master. I'm supposed to travel with the old female meatbag and one of the meatbag assassins to find that Jedi General referred to as 'the Exile'."
"Not exactly, HK" Revan replied. "Indeed, I planned to send you with them, but there is something much more important that you have to attend to… and, it will possibly involve killing some meatbags" he added, causing droid's eyes to once again brighten up. "You will travel to Telos IV" Revan announced. "It is crucial that your presence there remains a secret. Somewhere on that planet is my wife – Bastila Shan – the one that was with us on the Ebon Hawk. Your mission is to protect her at all cost."
"Objection: Master, I'm not a bodyguard" HK protested. "Out of all meatbags in the Galaxy, you best know that I'm a protocol droid with highly advanced personal combat programming."
"You misspelled 'assassination protocols" Revan allowed himself to tell a small joke, though it seemed that HK didn't possess a programming that would give him the sense of humor.
"Objection: Assassination is such a cruel word, Master. I prefer the term 'personal combat'."
"Returning to what I was saying, your mission is to make sure nothing happens to her," Revan said, changing the topic back to the one he raised at the beginning of their conversation. "She will be tracked down by the bounty hunters as well as the Republic will be searching for her. You have my permission… and even my order to eliminate each and every meatbag you find suspicious. There are few who travel with her, though" Revan added after a few seconds of pause. "Others who were with us on the Ebon Hawk: the blue Twi'lek, the Wookiee, the old Jedi Knight and a Jedi Master from the High Jedi Council. She is in your database under the name of Nomi Sunrider. You are not allowed to harm them in any way. Is that clear?"
"Commentary: Ah, perfect. Once again I'll be sentenced to spend time with the somewhat mentally unstable Talravinian woman. Just what I wished for since the day you've created me."
"Watch your words" Revan hissed, pointing his finger at the rusty droid. "She is my wife, therefore, your Master, and you are not allowed to say a bad word about her, understood?"
"Resigned statement: Oh yes, Master" HK sighed; his eyes losing some of their original brightness. "Query: Can I speak with you, Master, about one more thing before I set off to the meat… I mean, to your wife?" he corrected himself, though Revan was sure that it did cost HK much to do so.
"What is it?"
"Answer: I allowed myself to go through the database of the Star Forge and I found some… unsettling projects in the main computers of the factory."
"That is?" Revan asked, intrigued by HK's words.
"Answer: I found the project titled 'HK-50' and I must say that the content of the files terrified me. Master, are you planning to replace me?"
Despite all the things that happened recently that occupied his mind, Revan laughed genuinely at his droid's question. For the first time since Bastila's capture, something was able to cheer him up, though he doubted for it to be possible. But on the other hand, was there anyone better to make him laugh than HK?
"No HK, I'm not planning to replace you" he replied, letting out a small chuckle. "But those droids are indeed going to be produced. Now, don't get me wrong, they aren't the better version of you. I improved a few things in this new model but I did it only for the purpose of creating an army. Think about it, HK. You alone are an unstoppable killing machine. Now, have the army of thousands like you. They will be a force that will wipe our enemies until there is no one left. Think about it this way: your… descendants will shake the Galaxy."
"Objection: As far as the idea of a mass extermination sounds ultimately pleasing to me, I don't like the possibility of me not taking a crucial part in it. And I do not like the idea of thousands of my copies walking freely across the Galaxy."
"You are the one and only HK-47" Revan replied. "And nothing will change it. There will be a lot of HK-50 droids but none of them is going to be you. You shall preserve your uniqueness, I promise it to you."
"Commentary: I find this answer… unconvincing, Master."
"You must believe me, HK. Now go. The more time you waste here, the higher the possibility is that once you reach Telos, you'll have no one to protect. And her safety is my priority. Remember, no one can know about your mission."
"Commentary: Master, you underestimate my skills. It is true that I'd rather go eliminate a meatbag than protect one but I still can use my programming to fulfill the given task."
"Good, HK" Revan commented, smiling beneath his mask. "Oh, and send the Ebon Hawk back to me if you'll have a chance to do so" he added, watching his droid disappear in one of the countless shuttles that were located in the hangar. He knew that HK heard him, even if he didn't receive any response from the rusty droid.
He turned on his heel and proceeded towards one of the ships, which's engines were beginning to come to life. Just as he expected, Atton, Wolfie, and Fox were already there, waiting for him.
"Set the course to the Trayus Academy" he ordered from the main hold, not even entering the cockpit. The next thing he heard was a roar of the engines that lifted their shuttle from the hangar floor and proceeded to carry them to the Malachor's surface.
"I must say, Chancellor, that I'm impressed with what you accomplished," Admiral Dodonna said, observing the distant Jedi Temple from the windows of the Senate building. "I never expected the Order to agree to what you told."
"They had no choice" Tol replied calmly. "I'm sure they must have felt that even Coruscant's citizens weren't fond of their presence here. Let us drink to that, shall we?" he proposed, passing the bottle of the red wine to the Grand Admiral of the Republic Navy. Forn poured herself a small amount and passed the bottle further to the Defense Minister. Koa Delko filled his glass, almost risking spilling some on the Chancellor's office's floor. "Let us remember this date as the day the Jedi were finally cast out from Coruscant," he said, lifting his glass high into the air. Both Admiral and the Defense Minister mimicked his gesture and brought their glasses to their lips at the same moment, slowly sipping the red liquid.
"What will happen to the Temple?" Koa asked after moving the glass away from his mouth. He was still holding it in his hands and scrutinized it closely as if he was searching for a non-existent imperfection.
"It will be sealed" Tol announced, placing his own glass on the table. "Leaving it open wouldn't be wise. There is no need in allowing our citizens to enter the Temple."
"You warned Atris that it will be burned to the ground" Forn reminded him, emptying her own glass and placing it on the table, right next to the Chancellor's glass.
"It was a bluff" he replied simply. "I was improvising back then and I had to sound convincing. I've heard about those strange Jedi powers with which they can enter the minds of normal people. Besides, we have much more serious things to focus on."
Koa nodded his head in agreement, emptying his glass just like Forn did seconds ago. "Revan" he commented.
"And Bastila" Dodonna added, once again turning her gaze in the direction of the, now empty, Jedi Temple.
"She isn't that important" Tol countered. "She's just a child."
"A child that carries the offspring of the Sith Lord" Dodonna replied, looking directly at the two men who were sitting at the table. "She might as well search for Revan and reunite with him. And if she gives her Battle Meditation to him… I don't think there would be anything we could do to defend ourselves."
"Hasn't Revan's fleet disappeared from all the fronts across the Galaxy?" Tol asked, looking at her intensively. "The reports say that a single Sith ship hasn't been seen in the Republic Space in the last few days."
"I don't believe that they just disappeared" Koa commented, voicing his doubts. "They had the advantage when Malak was in charge. Now that Revan reclaimed the mantle of the Sith Lord it's obvious that he'll somehow exploit the advantage that his Empire has over us."
"He could have done it already" Tol observed. "I studied the records of the Battle of the Star Forge. Revan had a possibility to crush our forces there and he could have done it with Bastila's help. But nothing like that happened. In fact, he sent the Padawan back to us, as if he didn't want her."
His words caused both Koa Delko and Forn Dodonna to go silent. None of them knew how to reply to that. They had to agree that Revan's actions in this matter were… strange, to say the least.
"Defense Minister, Grand Admiral," he said, addressing both people with their formal titles. "I propose to call it a day. A lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours and I have a feeling that even more is about to come. I think it will be wise if we go to rest now and return to our discussion tomorrow."
With that, the Supreme Chancellor gave them both a signal to leave the office. They complied, leaving the most important person in the Galactic Republic to his own thoughts.
I did as you asked.
Sorry guys for the fact that I haven't been updating for a while, but writing AU stories is far more difficult than I expected XD. To top it off, I have a lot to do at school and I don't like the idea of not passing to the next class so I focus mainly on learning and stuff. Perhaps around the summer, I will be writing a lot more but not until then. But check the bright side: at least this story will be with you much longer XD. Thank you for understanding and see you in the next chapter that will be written in around a month XD. And who knows… perhaps in two or three more chapters, we'll enter the events of KotOR 2? So stay tuned guys.