Several Sith Buzzard-class starfighters rip through space only a few dozen meters from the top of the Interdictor Cruiser, the Dying Sun, and bank heavily to the left. The Buzzards veer in a downward arc, racing down to join a massive battle ensuing over the Republic world of Carida. From above, the Dying Sun's turbolasers rain down heavy fire onto an already crippled Hammerhead-class Cruiser, bombarding its ruined surface with brief but devastating explosions. Escape pods jettison from the vessel, only to be fired upon by the pursuing Sith Buzzards.

Thirty Republic warships form a tight, protective wall against the tide of would be Sith invaders - a wall that Lord Glovoc, recently promoted by the Dark Lord himself, intended to shatter. Clad head to foot in heavy robes, the human watches a basic holo of the ensuing battle, observing the Republic's tactic with growing impatience. Blast the ministers of war and logistics for only allotting him with seven Derriphan-class Battleships and three Interdictors! Sure, the numbers were evened out by the dozen or so Hammerhead Cruisers and Foray-class Blockade Runners that had been seized when Onderon surrendered - or, rather, when Glovoc killed the Queen and installed her top general, Vaklu, into power via a clever coup.

General Vaklu and his minion, Colonal Tobin, were more than happy to pledge themselves to the Sith. All Vaklu needed was to be named King; and a puppet, whether wearing a crown of gold or a crown of mud, had its uses. In exchange for only a few Interdictor Cruisers, Vaklu readily provided the ships. In at least three prior engagements, Glovoc had used the vessels to get behind Republic lines, catching the fools in two-pronged strikes that devastated their defenses.

Until now, that is.

Lord Glovoc narrows his eyes at the holo display as one of his Forays begins blinking for a moment, and then the small triangle goes dark - a sign that the ship had been destroyed. Growling, Glovoc stands and crosses the bridge, stopping a foot or so away from the forward viewport to watch the actual combat. So far, his ambush had failed, resulting in the loss of three Forays and allowing the Black Claw to endure heavy damage from Republic bombers. Carida was supposed to be a fairly simple task - but their information was devastatingly lacking, and Glovoc would see whomever was responsible for the lack of information strangled slowly. Darth Revan would be expecting an invasion report, something that Glovoc was determined to make happen.

"Lord Glovoc..?" came a tentative voice from behind the Sith. Glovoc turns slowly, settling his golden eyes on a dark-skinned woman. Her grey uniform is neatly pressed, very well kept, and displays a plaque just under the left side of her sternum, marking her as a Lieutenant Commander.

"What is it, Commander?" Glovoc replies in accented Basic.

"Mi'lord, we've received a transmission from Intelligence - they claim that the Republic is sending reinforcements from the Lannik System." the woman reports. Her voice shakes ever so slightly, but her posture remains fully professional.

Glovoc's face contorts in a snarl, prompting the Lieutenant Commander to take a nervous step back. Blast damn them!

"Get Admiral Varko on the holotransmitter! NOW!" Glovoc explodes, curling his fingers into a tight fist. Were it not for the gloves, his fingernails surely would have pierced his palm. The woman hurries to comply with Glovoc's command, leaving the raging Sith to turn back to the battle. This battle was taking too long as it stands, and if the Republic is able to take his forces from behind, then it would be lost! A few minutes later, the Lieutenant Commander returns.

"Mi'lord, Admiral Varko is waiting for you." the woman tells Glovoc, who irritably marches past her and back across the bridge. He can see the Admiral's flickering holo-image floating a few centimeters above the conference table. Once Glovoc reaches it, he slams his fists on the table, causing the image to flicker violently for a split second.

"Lord Glovoc, I see the battle isn't proceeding as planned." Varko says in reply immediately.

"Our information was idiotically incorrect, Admiral!" Glovoc spits furiously. "The Republic was only supposed to have a token force here; instead I am battered by a full blockade of nearly three dozen Republic cruisers! And now my people tell me that the Republic is sending reinforcements from the Lannik System?! You lost the Lannik System?!"

"The Lannik System was not lost, it was planned." Admiral Varko replies, his tone remaining confident. Varko clasps his hands behind his back, and observes Glovoc passively. "The system will be retaken, of course. But it needed to be properly prepared first."

Glovoc blinks, his brows furrowing in concentration. Realization suddenly seems to hit him after a moment.

"You... you knew about this blockade, didn't you?!" Glovoc growls in an accusing tone.

"The Lannik System is remote, but useful as a staging ground. Our forces were ousted by the Republic after it mustered its strength at Rodia." the Admiral explains, ignoring the jab. "We are preparing for an offensive with fresh Interdictor Cruisers to take the system back, and beat the Republic back to Rodia, but for that to work, the Republic needed a distraction."

Admiral Varko leans forward, placing his hands on an unseen surface.

"Carida is a vital Republic world, and we are keeping the Republic on the defensive in all nearby systems." Varko continues, speaking deliberately slow. "Their only option for viable reinforcements to send, are from all the way back in the Lannik System. It will take them several days to reach your location - more than enough time for you to secure space there. You will then hold those vessels in that system while we launch our offensive to take back the worlds we lost."

"You should have told me of this plan!" Glovoc spits venomously. "Perhaps then I could have properly taken this system!"

"You were not meant to take Carida without a long fight." came another voice. This one is cold, filled with deadly authority. To Glovoc's horror, Darth Revan steps into the holo next to Admiral Varko. "Your purpose was to goad the Republic into moving their forces away from the Lannik System. This will leave the other worlds we lost, such as Bothawui, Ando, Mon Gazza, and Manda, vulnerable. A dozen ships for a handful of systems is more than an acceptable trade. By allowing the Republic to take the Lannik System, we forced them to expend tens of thousands of lives and resources. Now, they will have to split up their forces to protect those worlds and send a viable reinforcement to Carida."

Revan tilts his head to the left slightly, regarding Glovoc with cruel eyes.

"You did not need to know about the plan. You needed to attack Carida in a convincing manner, and that has been achieved." Revan continues.

"This plan could cost you the Thirteenth Fleet!" Glovoc barks, too angered and shocked to use caution. "I am not some disposable pawn for use in these war games of yours!"

Admiral Varko's expression reels in surprise, and shifts from anger to fear as he glances at Revan, whose own expression is like stone.

"You feel, perhaps, that you are being treated unfairly?" Revan asks, his tone unchanged, but the air around Glovoc suddenly feels like a wintry chill had fallen over him, sapping the Sith of his anger completely.

"I... n-no, Lord Revan..!" Glovoc replies, tripping over his words, realizing the mistake he had allowed himself to make. "I merely... merely wish to fulfill my given orders to take Carida... I mean't no disrespect..!"

"No. Of course you didn't." Revan replies, straightening his posture, though his voice retains its cold venom. "Which is why Lord Kalatosh Zavros will be arriving at your location shortly. He will be arriving in... three standard hours, with a further six Interdictor Cruisers, and sixteen Derriphan Battleships. This, of course, will entice the Republic to hasten their own pace to rally to Carida's defense, opening the way for our own offensive. I gave Lord Zavros the orders to deploy at a specific point in time after your fleet had been moved into position. Do you feel... informed enough now, Lord Glovoc?"

Glovoc immediately lowers himself onto one knee, bowing his head to placate the Dark Lord.

"Yes, of course, Lord Revan." Glovoc replies, his voice still fearful, but tinged with some degree of relief.

Revan coldly regards Glovoc for a moment, and nods at Admiral Varko before walking out of the holo-image. Admiral Varko visibly swallows, and glances from Revan back to Glovoc, who sheepishly stands back up. Glovoc, fighting down his embarrassment, nods to Varko, who replies the same way. The transmission is cut off, and Varko's flickering image disappears, leaving Glovoc, humbled, to return to commanding the fleet.


Admiral Varko lets out a weary sigh, rubbing his left temple as he walks to rejoin Darth Revan at the tactical display. Until the interruption, he and Revan were partaking in an important war plan discussion with several of the other Admirals via holo-transmission. He hears the Dark Lord assure the Admiralty Board that the disturbance had been handled, and they were to continue discussions.

"Apologies, gentlebeings. Now then, you were saying, Admiral Sentex?" Varko says, stepping up beside Revan and smoothing the front of his uniform. Admiral Sentex, a human female with light olive skin, her hair kept up in a tight bun, nods at Varko.

"Yes, as I was saying, the Selkath Council of Manaan have been opening up more to discussion regarding the sale of Kolto to our forces." Admiral Sentex explains. "After the debacle with the Selkath Force Sensitives, Manaan closed its services to us and became officially aligned with the Republic. However, we managed to convince the council that the situation was a plan set forth by Darth Malak. With his death, and Lord Revan's reclamation of leadership, the Selkath were more amenable - particularly since it was Lord Revan's efforts that uncovered both a murder against a Sith operative by a former Republic war hero, as well as his discovery of the Selkath Force Sensitives. Lord Revan's name alone held considerable weight in the Diplomatic Branch's efforts."

"It's been a full year - we should just move in and conquer the blasted planet!" another human, a male of advanced age and sporting whispy white hair, argues irritably. "Should have done so the instant they chose to end their neutrality!"

"The Selkath have warned that an invasion would result in them destroying the sources of their Kolto, Admiral Rall." Admiral Varko reminds the man. "Our best option is to continue allowing the Diplomatic Branch to do their work. Once the Republic is too weakened to protect Manaan, the Selkath will be convinced to support us instead."

Admiral Rall scoffs, but otherwise shows that he has nothing else to say.

"Also, Lord Revan, I have received a report from our people in Hutt Space." Admiral Sentex continues, her holoimage turning towards the Dark Lord. "The Hutt Council is humbled by your gift, and are open to discussing an official alliance. It was relayed that they would prefer to speak with you personally, rather than through proxies."

"I will consider it." Revan replies in a level tone. Admiral Sentex nods at this, and opens her mouth to continue, when Admiral Rall throws his hands in the air.

"We don't need an alliance with a bunch of slimy gangsters, my Lord!" Rall all but hollers. "We're crushing the Republic just fine as it is!"

"I agree." Revan replies, raising a brow at the Admiral. "But it is better to keep the Hutts under our watch. The Hutts like to play both sides of any war; but they ultimately are only loyal to themselves. Even after the Republic falls, conquering Hutt Space is a waste of time. Governors and other officials can be easily bribed and manipulated by the Hutts, making it more fortuitous to settle for an alliance. But they will understand that their ability to continue their operations will hinge heavily on maintaining a status quo after the war is over. Otherwise, we can, and will, burn their worlds and seize their fortunes with our forces finally unhindered with battling the Republic."

"My Lord, I must express concern regarding your choice of representation for the Diplomatic Branch." the third, and until only unspoken Admiral says. His features are gaunt and wiry, as if the man had not slept in days.

"I chose Mission Vao for her aptitude for no nonsense, and her empathy." Revan replies curtly. "She was raised on Taris, and hopes to prevent what happened to it from happening to other worlds. I am inclined to agree - Malak's methods were too destructive; his blood lust and total war mentality was far more of a detriment than a help. I intend to conquer the Republic, and keep the worlds we conquer intact."

"I understand, mi'lord, but my concern stems not from your motives, or the girl's, but from her age and her... choice in companionship." the Admiral says, offering a placating bow of his head. "A Wookiee is not typically what one would expect to find participating in diplomatic meetings. Given their... temper."

"Zaalbar owes me a life debt - one that I respect - and he is a much better choice for Mission's personal protection, as the two already have a history." Revan replies, his tone even and calm. There was no way that the Admiral would have questioned Malak's choices - but the familiarity with which these Admirals speak towards Revan gives the Dark Lord a strong impression that they served under him before, and understood his own temperament. "I trust them to act as I command faithfully, just as I trust all of you to fulfill your roles. I ask that you give them the same trust."

The Admiral nods, having nothing further to ask, or add to his concern, prompting Revan to switch the holoimage of the galactic map. Admiral Varko suppresses a grin; it was incredible how different Revan was than Malak - and indeed, how different the man is when compared to how he spoke and acted before Malak's betrayal. There were things that remained completely unchanged, of course, such as Revan's tactical mind. But now the man was more accepting of challenges to his orders, as long as they were brought up as concerns for discussion. Outright defiance, on the other hand, had already cost Admiral Sentex's predecessor his life.

Just as impressive, Revan was still able to direct the war effort while they were personally hunting down supporters of the supposed Sith Triumvirate. Already, they had tracked down Darth Sion, a being considered by lesser Sith and Dark Jedi to be immortal. Revan did away with that threat just as he did with Malak - now they hunt the two remaining lords. But from the way the Dark Lord spoke of them, the mission was beginning to appear far more dangerous. Darth Traya, according to Revan, had already been betrayed and banished by Darth Sion and Darth Nihilus - leaving only Nihilus himself. But Revan's unease in how they were going to confront Darth Nihilus was beginning to scare Varko.

Fortunately, many of the Sith troopers who joined the Triumvirate were quick to re-pledge themselves to Revan. Dismantling the Triumvirate was so far far simpler a matter than actually tracking down Darth Nihilus. For all Varko cared, Nihilus could just stay out in the Unknown Regions, or Wild Space, and out of their way. But a confrontation was inevitable, and Revan made it clear that they needed to destroy Nihilus while it may still be possible to do so. With the challenging Sith Lord's forces dwindling, it was now only a matter of time.


Bastila Shan lays her head against the wall, again feeling rather drained, but if she felt like drawing on the power of the dark side right now to replenish her strength, she doubted she would succeed - not with this absolute feeling of joy thrumming throughout her entire being. This was a gift - a beautiful gift - that she and Revan had. Their bond through the Force ensured that they would be together, and now a new bond was forming within her. At this point, nearly four months into her pregnancy, it was becoming difficult to hide the bulge of her belly. Flowing dark robes did well to keep it hidden for as long as it has, but she could not bear to keep the news from Revan any more.

Not that she would be able to for much longer any way.

The young woman looks down, her grey eyes settling on a box resting on her lap. Before Revan had whisked her away on his mission to hunt down and eliminate the Sith Triumvirate that had risen after Malak's death, she paid a hefty sum of credits to a series of smugglers and bounty hunters to retrieve her meager belongings from her quarters in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Several of the beings died, but that mattered little as long as she was able to reclaim her belongings. The child growing within her was Revan's gift to her, now she intended to give him a gift in return.

For months after the box had found its way back into her possession, Bastila agonized over whether or not to give her lover the box. But at long last, she had finally come to a decision. And the time had finally come.

Bastila senses Revan's presence approaching, and stand up from the bed, placing the box on the nightstand behind her. She waits, taking a nervous breath, for Revan to enter the room. She hears the locking mechanism click, and the soft SWOOSH of the door as it opens. Seconds later, Revan enters the room looking wary but calm. Through their bond, Bastila could feel Revan's growing impatience and anxiety in the anticipation of the inevitable confrontation with Darth Nihilus - if they could find the demonic being. Revan glances at Bastila, giving her a well practiced smirk. But the look on her face must have betrayed her, because his eyes turn from steely confidence to guarded curiosity.

"Is everything alright, Bastila?" Revan asks, setting his lightsabers on the dresser and walking up to his wife. Bastila's brows furrow, but a glowing smile appears on her face.

"Yes, yes of course, my Lord." Bastila replies, taking Revan's right hand between both of her hands. She looks away from his gaze, dropping her eyes to the floor for a few seconds before raising them again, locking her grey eyes with Revan's own dark brown eyes - a sign that his focus with the dark side of the Force had relented in their privacy. Revan's free hand raises up to touch Bastila's chin, his eyes trying to pry out the reason for her behavior. Hiding her pregnancy from Revan was by no means an easy feat, especially with their bond. "My Lord... Revan... I need to tell you..."

"...Yes? What is going on, Bastila?" Revan says after a couple seconds of silence between them. He could feel the young woman gathering the strength to say whatever was going through her mind, but she was blocking him out.

"Revan... I'm pregnant." Bastila finally tells the Dark Lord, causing Revan's eyes to widen in surprise. The corners of his mouth twitch, and his eyes dart from side to side before locking back into her gaze. His hand, held between her own hands, softly grips back, and Revan places his free hand against the back of Bastila's head, pulling her forward to press his forehead to hers.

For the first time since Revan had reclaimed his title as Dark Lord, Bastila feels elation emanating from the man - completely different from the closely veiled hatred and anger Revan used to strengthen his connection to the dark side. He begins to laugh, his arms suddenly wrapping around Bastila as he lifts her from under the shoulders and spins her around before setting her down again. In his expression, Bastila could see genuine happiness, and excitement. It was as if the man standing before her now was not the Dark Lord of the Sith, but a man as common as any other, elated to being given the news that he was going to be a father. His happiness is contagious, further strengthened by their bond in the Force.

"That's wonderful!" Revan tells his wife, visibly fighting back tears, making his cheeks and eyes redden and puffy. "When did you find out? How far along are you?"

Bastila laughs at the speed of Revan's inquiries, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"I've known for a few months now..." Bastila replies, but seeing a glint of puzzlement in Revan's eyes, quickly adds, "But I didn't know when to tell you. What with tracking down Darth Sion, and now Darth Nihilus... Plus you're trying to lead the war effort. I didn't want to distract you."

"Distract me?" Revan barks a laugh. "This is the best news I've heard in so long. But if I'd known you were pregnant, I'd have-"

"Left me somewhere safe?" Bastila interrupts, guessing at his words. "Never have brought me to Malachor? No, my love, my place is right here, with you. Always."

Revan's shoulders sag, and he embraces Bastila. After a moment, Bastila lightly pushes him away and turns to the nightstand next to the bed. She walks over and picks up a box, seeming to weigh it in her hands. Revan could sense her apprehension. She turns back to Revan and approaches him, holding the box against her chest.

"It took a while, but I was able to get you something." Bastila tells him, handing the box over to Revan gingerly. Revan takes the box, and glances at Bastila. She only gives him a nod, and gestures at the box. The box is made of some type of wood, with one side connecting the lid to the bottom with hinges. Revan presses a clasp on the front, making the lid pop up slightly, and pulls the lid the rest of the way back. Within the box is something covered by a dark cloth. The cloth, oddly, felt familiar to the touch as he unwraps the contents. Revan's smile slowly disappears, his eyes staring with disbelief into the box. "I... I took this... when the Jedi strike team I led captured you, and brought you to the Jedi Council. I don't know why... but I kept it."

As if handling a fragile artifact, Revan pulls a narrow mask from the box. Its surface is scarred by flecks of light chipping, giving it a well worn appearance. The mask is heavy, the dark metal painted with a red pattern around the visor and down the middle - the mask he found on Cathar. The mask once belonged to a female Mandalorian who dared to stand up to her commander, trying to prevent the unnecessary genocide. She was killed along with the fleeing Cathar people, who had been driven into the water. Years later, he discovered the mask, and swore to avenge the brave warrior and the Cathar by ending the Mandalorian threat. He had, apparently, continued to wear the mask when he began the war against the Jedi and the Republic.

Revan brushes his fingers across the surface of the mask, as if mesmerized by it, and finally looks up at Bastila wordlessly.

"I would have returned it sooner... But I didn't want it to change you. I wanted to keep you as I have come to know you." Bastila rationalizes, but her eyes show the sorrow she felt. "But when I realized that I was pregnant... I also realized that it isn't my place, or my right, to choose that for you. I was afraid of losing you... But I know now, that no matter what happens from here on, I won't. You will always be you, and I love you."

Revan's expression towards her made him look like a tired man, but also beamed with his love for her. He looks back at the mask, and pulls it out of the box. He sets the box on the dresser next to his lightsabers, and takes hold of the mask with both hands. The mask radiates with the dark side of the Force... and its weight almost seems to double; the history of this mask, his history... He feels somehow compelled by it, as if the Force itself was screaming to him through the visor. He couldn't understand why, or what truly was compelling him to do so, but Revan turns the mask over and slips it over his face. He feels the familiar cold touch of the beskar'gam against his hairline.

Unbidden, and unexpected, Revan's body suddenly seizes up, making his fingers curl across the surface of the mask as the Dark Lord suddenly draws his breath in a loud gasp, making Bastila jump in surprise. Her surprise turns into panic as Revan almost falls to the floor, clutching the mask to his face with one hand as he falls to his knees, using his free hand to brace himself. All at once, tens of thousands of images, faces, names, places, and events ravaged the Dark Lord's mind - his memories inexplicably ripped out of whatever blocks the Jedi Council had created when they forcibly altered his mind, swarming his mind. Everything he had seen, everything he had experienced, and everything he had learned about the Force came crashing back, threatening to overload his mind.

Had he been in any form of compromised health, the event surely would have thrown his mind into shock. But Revan draws on the Force even as decades of his life return to him, allowing him to remain conscious. Bastila rushes to his side, trying to help keep him from falling to the floor completely. She could feel him drawing strength from their bond, and does her best to aid him. After what felt like an eternity in her panic, Revan's bodily seizes finally ease up, and eventually stop. Terrified for her husband, Bastila helps Revan stand back up, and places her hands on Revan's cheeks as he pulls the mask off.

His eyes are closed, and his breaths are ragged, but the man raises his free hand and presses his palm against the back of Bastila's left hand.

"...Revan..?" Bastila asks tentatively, terrified that returning the mask may have actually ripped away the man she loved so dearly. Revan's steadies his breathing, and opens his eyes. To her relief, his brown eyes connect with her own gaze.

"I'm still me..." Revan replies, then chuckling and giving a shrug. "Well, I'm more me now than I was. You know, I'm a talented guy."


Hello! I'm sorry for the horrendously long wait! Besides having issues with fits of writer's block, I was struggling with finding the right way to express this next addition to the story. There's not much action to it, but I felt that the emotional weight of the situation needed much more refinement and attention. I hope that you are all happy with the results! I've gotten so much positive feedback, and even people guessing at what they wonder could happen, and I'm very happy that the story has entertained you so! Hopefully, the next installment doesn't take literal months to complete!