An old friend

- Juhani -


The place felt claustrophobic, like the sweeping granite walls were closing in on me. The feeling had been growing, nurtured by that evil Headmaster's proclamation that we stay away from Dreshdae and focus on our studies if we were to be properly admitted as Initiates.

Cathar didn't do well when they weren't under open skies. We were creatures of the wild, that little I knew of my people.

But I had survived Manaan, and triumphed. And while I would choose a cave over a body of water, this cave was intertwined with a sickening, twisted side of the Force that called to me. Independence. Freedom. Strength. All things I yearned for, and the Dark Side whispered how tantalisingly easy they were to grasp. I feared that the temptation to reach for them would grow.

Revan was walking next to me, a naked look of uncertainty on her face that cut me to the core. She stumbled once, and as I reached out to steady her she shot me a grateful look. What had happened back in the Archives… for a moment, I thought she had truly gone. Her face had been blank, and she had not recognized me.

I wonder if part of her realized her true identity when she saw that holo-recording. And her mind almost broke from the sheer enormity of it. I shivered, and my eyes flicked back to the angry Twi'lek who was leading us silently through the Academy. Revan was shying away from the knowledge now, scrabbling to pull herself together to face whatever was to come.

This was entirely the worst place for her to fall apart.

Her head must be a veritable minefield. I would not, could not, lie to her, if she asked me directly. I did not agree with Bastila about that, no matter that I shared her concerns. Anyone can be redeemed. Everyone deserves the chance. But now was not the place, nor the time.

I glanced back to Revan again, and saw that she had composed herself somewhat, her jaw clenching as she stared intently at Yuthura's back. There was an undercurrent of rage to the Dark Jedi master, and it seemed directed at Revan. But Yuthura had been amenable – if irritated – yesterday when she admitted us, and we had not seen her since.

Yuthura came to a halt outside the Initiates quarters, and turned to face us. Her lip curled in disgust as she very obviously eyed over our clothing.

"Did you not find the proper robes of a Sith student inside?" Her voice was silky and sneering.

Revan raised an eyebrow, and inwardly I admired how quickly she had reclaimed a calm front to the world. No doubt, her psyche was still reeling. "Do Dark Jedi have uniforms then, Master Yuthura?" she murmured, her mouth quirking. I was glad she added on the Dark Jedi's title, though, for it seemed to calm the irate Twi'lek a little.

"It is not compulsory," Yuthura replied, her tone indicating otherwise. "But your bearing and clothing say somewhat about your character and your strength. Wearing Sith robes announces to the world whom you are and the power you wield. Most Sith wear them proudly, although there is the odd exception that prefers to hide in the shadows." Her voice had trailed off towards the end, a disparaging thread obvious.

"Oh?" Revan replied curiously.

"I am referring to Uthar's pet, but I am sure you can find out about the Academy politics on your own time," Yuthura said in dismissal. "Come. Both of you, put your robes on and I will show you the training rooms."

She crossed her arms and waited, and I exchanged a glance with Revan before we silently slipped into our room.

"Are you alright?" I whispered as we both retrieved a set of folded clothing from the only closet. Revan pulled a face at them.

"I fainted, I think. My head aches." She frowned, rubbing at the side of her head.

"You were muttering something," I told her quietly. "I could not make it out. And then you screamed."

Her eyes were deep green pools of uncertainty. "I don't know what happened. It hurts when I try to think of it." She breathed in deeply. "Staria, our Master is waiting for us."

I gazed at her for a moment longer.

"I'm okay," she added. "Bastila's helping through our bond. A lot. I can't- I'm not sure what I saw, back there, but she's keeping me together."

I nodded in assent, watching her critically as she threw a robe on. She did seem remarkably composed, and I wondered if she was riding it out on instinct. My admiration for her swelled, then; for all that she had been through, for the fractures in her mind that must be there, she still managed to gather herself together and keep going because she had to.

I hastily robed myself, looking askance to Revan as she belted hers over the top of that mesh shirt she had been wearing. I did not think one was meant to wear armour beneath a Dark Jedi robe, but I was not going to call Revan out on it.

Yuthura had her arms crossed, a foot tapping impatiently, as we rejoined her. The Dark Jedi's lekku were twitching over her shoulders in irritation, the tattoos snaking as they curled around her neck. I wondered if there was meaning behind them; from the little knowledge I had of Twi'leks, their headtails were a very sensitive part of their being. I believed to mark them in such a fashion must have been very unpleasant indeed.

"Where to now, Master Yuthura?" Revan asked, her voice neutral and possibly not as subordinate as it should have been.

Yuthura's lips pursed as she stared down Revan. Anger was still simmering in the depths of her violet eyes. "I will assess your combat proficiency, and then you will both perform a task for me. Come."

She turned with a theatrical flourish, and we had no choice but to comply.

The practice rooms were close and currently housing an inept duel between two Initiates. They were wielding white practice lightsabers similar to what I had once used, long ago, at the Enclave. With a dismissive motion from Yuthura, the two Rodian students ceased their display and scurried from the room, glancing nervously at the Twi'lek as they passed.

The area was large; a circular room with a dirt-packed floor and only one other exit that was guarded by a Sith soldier. He wore a visor and comm-link, and was not the first armed non-Force sensitive I had seen within the Academy's walls. Revan was eyeing him over curiously.

"Why are there soldiers here?" she asked.

Yuthura sniffed. "We have a taskforce all throughout Dreshdae, as well as the Academy itself. They report to Uthar. There are some areas of the Academy that not even Adepts have access to, and that corridor is one of them. Now, pick up a training lightsaber, the both of you. Show me what I have to work with."

I did not see how soldiers could stop a Force-user intent on going that direction, but perhaps that was a test in itself. Regardless, we were not here to whittle out the secrets of the Academy.

There was a large chest full of training lightsabers; weapons, the blades of which would not cauterize through skin, but merely leave a painful burn. I understood these did not have a crystal core, but instead utilized a neon technology that radiated a beam similar to a true lightsaber.

Revan was already rummaging through the bin, having located two she desired, and powering them on. Her off-hand lightsaber was shorter, and I saw a faint smile of recognition on her face. I stepped forward and hastily took the first available, before following her to the centre of the room.

The last time I had faced Revan was on the sands of Tatooine. She had started our duel with one, sole, vibroblade, and I had nearly killed her before her rage took over and swept away my strength like a dustball in the wind.

Revan shot me a rueful smile, and I could see the memory of it on her face, also.

"Proceed," Yuthura commanded, her voice still tight and angry.

With a nod, Revan stepped forward and gave an exploratory strike. My sole lightsaber blocked hers, before deftly flicking back to parry her off-hand. The weight of the training lightsaber was less than I was used to, and I saw a grimace on Revan's face as she, also, felt the difference.

At the Enclave, this had been my favourite part of training. The lightsaber forms, the ability to lose oneself in the parry-feint-riposte dance as one met an opponent in a ritual as old as time itself. The meditations and the studies had frustrated me, but this… I had spent years training with Master Quatra and, occasionally, her friend Master Atris. Once Atris had mentioned, a cold smile playing on her lips, that I would not have embarrassed myself against an Echani. It was high praise, coming from her.

Revan and I were well-matched; my speed with a single lightsaber off-set by Revan's secondary weapon. And yet we were both just warming up, slowly going through the motions as we tested each other and our own limits.

I darted to the left before lunging forward in a powerful strike that Revan blocked with both lightsabers; she grunted, and pushed her weight against mine; I stumbled, off-balance. She leapt forward to swing at me and I rolled away just in time.

Scrabbling to my feet, I faced her warily as she shot me an amused grin.

"Two lightsabers are better than one," she sang in a teasing voice.

"We shall see," I murmured, and stepped forward again, my weapon held ready in front of me.

She leapt forward, and I dodged sideways, swiping at her legs. She hissed as I landed a blow against her calf; a split-second before which her primary lightsaber struck against my side. I grunted as the heat burned through my loose clothing.

"First hit, Staria. Lethal hit, Ness. Continue!" Yuthura snapped.

We stepped back, circling each other warily. This time I advanced first, and as I went to attack, a powerful wave of Force energy rammed me to the ground. Caught by surprise, I collapsed upon the training saber and howled in pained shock as it scorched a hole through my robe and branded a blazing stripe down my chest.

Jerking sideways into a crouch, I took a moment to notice that Revan was still standing, glaring balefully at a smirking Yuthura. That came from Yuthura. I was impressed that Revan had managed to stay upright.

"I have not seen either of you use the Force overtly," Yuthura sneered. "Really, Staria, if you are in a proper duel you should expect anything."

I placed my free hand gently over the charred slice in my robe; my chest was stinging fiercely, but it was not severe. Training lightsabers did not cause major injury, and I had certainly tasted worse in the past. Revan's gaze touched on me before landing back to the Dark Jedi.

"You have witnessed our proficiency, Master Yuthura. Perhaps you would like to enlighten us as to what has displeased you so." Revan's voice was cold, as cold as space, and just like that the fury reignited in Yuthura's eyes.

"If you had just played the game," Yuthura hissed, "then your strength alone would have admitted you into our Academy, sooner or later. But no, you had to charge in like a lust-blind rancor, beating your chest and howling out your challenge to the world."

So it was the incident at the entrance that upset the Dark Jedi, but she hadn't been so blindingly angry then.

"Mekel," Revan murmured as she stalked over to him. The human's eyes were wary, widening when they caught sight of Yuthura behind us. He had a handsome face, for a human, pale and expressive under a crop of jet black hair. "Let us in or face me."

She ignited a short blood-red lightsaber, and came to a halt three steps in front of Mekel. In the distance, I saw only the Bothan huddled next to the entrance, and wondered sadly what had happened to the other hopeful.

Mekel laughed mockingly. "Open the frakking door yourself. Maybe it will work for you this time."

"Aw, is ickle Mekel afraid to fight?" Revan taunted, taking a threatening step forward.

I felt Yuthura's presence as she stood at my side. Her eyes were on the two facing each other, but her words were directed at me. "You stay out of this or you will face me." Her words were mild, but I did not discount the threat behind them.

Mekel sneered, and his hand shot up with a blast of Force energy levelled directly at Revan. She batted it aside effortlessly and smirked at him.

"I'll ask once more, and I'll even do it nicely. Let us in, please," her voice was mildly mocking and I winced. I did not know if she was trying to assist Mekel in saving face or anger him, but I doubted she was achieving the former.

"Frakk off you begging kath-bitch," Mekel sneered. "Used to pleading like a two-cred joygirl, are you?"

Revan actually appeared to be enjoying herself. Mekel, too, although he kept shooting wary glances at Yuthura. I will never understand humans. "Someone needs to take to you with a soap dispenser. Stars, I've pissed in Mandalorian privies cleaner than your mouth."

And with that, she jumped forward and lashed out with the red lightsaber. I tensed as Mekel hurriedly stepped back, withdrawing his own weapon and igniting it. Red met sparking red, and Mekel darted to the left, pulling his blade away from hers before stabbing it viciously at her thigh.

Revan's speed was incredible, she knocked his lightsaber away with enough force that his arm swung backwards under the blow, and he was unprepared for her counter-attack.

Her lightsaber rested gently against his throat, and he froze.

"Let us in," she repeated softly. I felt, rather than saw, Yuthura nod at him from my side.

The doors opened behind them; at first I thought it was some telekinetic energy from Mekel or Yuthura herself, until I saw the pale-haired human waltz outside, giving the exhausted Bothan a careless push as the large ferracrystal doors creaked shut behind her.

"Lashowe," Yuthura hissed from next to me. She sounded displeased.

Revan's attention was caught on the newcomer, a female human who crossed her arms and looked us all over speculatively before loosing a high-pitched laugh. Mekel took the opportunity to jump backwards, turning his head to survey the new threat.

When he looked back at Revan, his face had lost all mockery and held only deadly intent.

"Shall we go again?" Revan murmured, and Mekel snarled as he charged. Revan sidestepped neatly and her off-hand rose, yanking deep on the Force, aiming directly for his feet.

Mekel fell hard on his back, feet in the air and his lightsaber dropping to the side. A loud, malicious laugh sounded again from the newcomer. Mekel snarled, raised both hands, and sparks of pure electrical lightning flowed from his fingertips to engulf Revan.

She yelled, taken by surprise, and even from a distance I could see the blinding fury coalesce on her face as she stumbled backwards. My muscles coiled in tension, Yuthura's threat would not deter me if Revan truly required my intervention. But then, as swiftly as it appeared, the rage dissolved as she somehow gained mastery over her emotions and once more threw off Mekel's Force attack.

Mekel's eyes widened; he had not expected such a quick recovery. But Revan was wary now, her face closed as she shifted her lightsaber to her off-hand, and withdrew another.

It activated with a familiar snap-hiss, shining an uncommon, blinding cyan that was a sharp contrast to the blood-red.

"You call that a Sith 'saber?" Mekel spat, but his voice was nervous.

"Blue or red, it's a weapon you idiot," Revan said coldly. "I picked it up from the corpse of a Jedi Master."

Karon's lightsaber, I realized with a gasp.

It had not taken long, from there, for Revan to disarm Mekel and Yuthura to intervene. After a sound dressing-down, the Twi'lek Dark Jedi had directed Mekel to disappear to the Valley of the Dark Lords and not return until he had found something worthy of prestige. Yuthura then admitted us herself, with a complicated weave of the Force creaking the impressive doors inwards.

Lashowe had disappeared as soon as Revan had stood over a prone Mekel, Karon's lightsaber held steadily at his face.

Now, Revan was still glaring at the Dark Jedi Master. "I didn't realize there were rules-"

"You are acting like an imbecile," Yuthura spat. "There are rules for everything. Do you really think you'll survive the Sith for long if you make enemies wherever you step?"

"Master Yuthura," Revan said coldly. The honorific was there, but she didn't sound at all subordinate. Her green eyes had turned to ice, and her spine straightened. "Maybe you should explain what has changed. For, yesterday, you were only mildly irritated at my form of entrance."

Yuthura's lips were pursed, and she looked Revan up and down, considering. I wondered what the Twi'lek was thinking. "We had a witness, if you recall. Master Uthar decided my discipline towards my Adept was lacking, so he added to it. Since your actions are to blame, it is only just that you, also, share in his punishment."

Revan deactivated the training lightsabers, and for some unfathomable reason clipped them onto her belt. I had already retrieved mine, and followed suit, wondering if the weight of four lightsabers would bother Revan at all. Why does she wish to collect training lightsabers?

"Okay," Revan said slowly. "So what, exactly, do we have to do?"

"Go to Tulak Hord's tomb," Yuthura hissed. "Mekel was directed there last night by Uthar, and has not returned. Go, now, and retrieve my Adept."

xXx

We were walking cautiously down a rocky path bathed in the harsh Korriban sunlight, having just been admitted by two stern Sith soldiers who obeyed a nod from Yuthura. Her last, biting, order had been for us was to seek out the Adept Dak in the Valley's excavation, who would direct us to the correct tomb.

The Academy's exit was deep on the other side of the rocky peak from Dreshdae and, glancing behind us, I did not see a convenient way to return to the colony, other than back through the Sith institute.

"At least the doors will open for us now," Revan muttered. "Did you see what Yuthura did, there?"

I shook my head. Revan was pale but composed, with no indication that something mind-shattering had occurred earlier in the Archives. I wondered how much Bastila was aiding her.

"She added our psychic signature to the doors," Revan explained. "She did the same yesterday when we first entered. The doors must be some sort of Force relic that she knows how to manipulate. Uthar too, I'd assume."

I nodded, but my attention was focused on the environment. As we descended down the trail, the valley swept out before us in an eerie panorama of white and yellow. The light here was cold and alien, glaring brightly from the cliff faces on either side. The ground was a coarse sand that shifted under our feet, and ragged outcrops of stone jutted out from the ground in various places.

"Yuthura, for all her rage, strikes as me relatively reasonable for a Sith," Revan continued, her voice begin to ramble somewhat. I wondered whether she was trying to distract herself from an inner turmoil. "She'd sent Mekel to the tombs yesterday, but hadn't been specific as to which one. I wonder why Uthar was."

"Perhaps there is something of import in the Tulak Hord's tomb," I offered.

"Hmm," she responded doubtfully. "I didn't look him up in the Archives. I remember reading about Sadow and Kressh, and then… then Yuthura came."

I shot her a sideways look; she had an ugly grimace on her face, one eye squinting like a piercing migraine was biting deep into her head. Can she not recall the holo-recording? I felt foolish for not realizing there would be information on Darth Revan here. I saw just enough to understand it was the recent opening of the Academy, but I certainly had not known that Darth Revan had been the one to initiate it.

"I found some information on Tulak Hord," I said quietly, hoping to draw her attention away. "He was a powerful Sith Lord who lived millennia ago, and was known as the Master of Hate."

"How charming," she muttered sarcastically, picking her way through a pile of rocks that had slipped to cover the path. "What is it with Sith and their monikers? You don't have Jedi running about calling themselves the Master of Love and Fluffiness."

"Perhaps it is vanity, or merely the desire to intimidate," I replied. "But Tulak was, by all accounts, very powerful. There are rumours he was researching methods to drain strength from his opponents, and use it to extend his lifespan."

Revan stopped, turning to face me, her face a picture of disgust. "Vampiric Sith rituals… probably none too surprising."

"I do not believe that is possible." I heard my voice drop. "The very idea… it is an abomination."

"You won't hear me argue," Revan replied, jumping over a larger boulder that was jutted in our way as we descended further. "Well, Yuthura directed us to go seek out this Adept Dak, so let's find him. Although, I'd meant to ask Yuthura more about our supposed training," Revan murmured. "Like, do we have scheduled classes? Do we get detention if we're late?" She snickered.

I frowned at her inability to take the situation seriously. "I believe we do as she commands. In that respect, it is not so dissimilar to the Order."

"Other than the torturing," she muttered. "And I'm willing to bet the Jedi get better food."

"Food is fuel." I replied, uncertain what her problem with the synthesizers was. In my youth, I would have given my sword arm to have a free, infinite source of nourishment.

The ground had levelled out by now, and on both sides rose steep, impregnable cliffs. I could make out a handful of dark, visible caverns, granting admission to nightmares awaiting beyond. The Force itself twisted malevolently around us, whispering offers of power and freedom. This entire place set my hackles rising.

The valley wasn't deserted by any means; sparse groups of Sith-clad soldiers were trudging throughout the valley, and I even noticed a couple of what looked like civilians. Somewhere beyond, lay the Adept who would direct us to Mekel's destination.

I lifted my chin in determination, and glanced at Revan to find her staring at me. She gave me a small smile.

"You never know, we might find what we're really looking for today. Let's go find this Dak, okay?"

I nodded, and followed her silently, deeper into the expansive valley. But there was something else bothering me, that had tugged on my memory since Kel had first named the Adepts and introduced us to the Sith politics that resided within the Academy.

It is a very common name in the Core, I reminded myself. It was one of those names that transcended species, for on Dantooine alone I recalled a Rodian trader named Dak, the Falleen Master Dak, and also my old… friend.

I did not make friends easily. At the Enclave, my only one had been Belaya. And, once, Dak Vessar. Before he had run, to leave the Force behind and study at a Technic Institute, he'd told me bitterly. It will not be the same Dak.

And yet, as we walked closer to a sole figure bending over a malfunctioning utility droid in the middle of the valley, a tremor ran through me. The harsh Korriban sunlight doused the human in a bright light, and he straightened as he heard us approach.

The man, dark haired and dark eyed, wore a closed expression on his bronzed skin.

"Dak," I said helplessly.

He blinked, and his composure shattered. "Juhani?"

Revan stiffened, shooting me an incredulous look. I stared at him in shocked silence for several seconds, and he was just as stunned as me. More so, probably, for I'd had some forewarning even if I had not believed this encounter possible.

"Did… did you fall to the Dark Side?" I mumbled through numb lips.

His expressive eyes tightened, and a flash of anger chased away the surprise. "I didn't fall, Juhani... I had my eyes opened. And don't look at me like that… here you are, wearing the same robes as me." His lips twisted, and the same look of angry disappointment he'd worn years ago reappeared. "I can't believe you're actually here. On Korriban." He laughed bitterly. "I expected you to still be mooning over Quatra."

My eyes closed in remembered despair. "I struck her down, Dak. During my Knight trials… I failed, and I almost killed her."

I heard him gasp and step closer. Oh, how he'd detested my devotion to my strict Master. Belaya, too, had been quietly disapproving, but Dak was not shy in expressing his feelings. He had begged me to leave with him, exposed the depths of his feelings – emotions which I did not desire nor deserve – but still, I had been tempted. I had found the restrictions of the Order difficult, and I had cared for him, in my own way.

His hand touched mine fleetingly, and I looked at him again, this time through moist eyes. There had been a time when Belaya, Dak and I had been happy.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "You know what I think of that ice-cold dragon… but I'm sorry regardless. I guess Belaya's still there?"

I nodded briefly, half-aware of Revan intently focussed on the two of us, all but forgotten by Dak. "She is a Knight now, Dak. Knight Belaya Linn. She is a credit to the Order."

His mouth twisted again, whether in resentment or rueful acknowledgement I did not know. "She always was the best of us three. She loved you too, did you know that?"

I blinked as surprise coursed through me, and took an awkward step back from him. "We were good friends, Dak, but you are surely mistaken-"

His mocking laughter cut through my trail of stuttered words. "What a frelling joke. Me and Belaya, both dreaming of your affections while you were hopelessly in love with that Zabrak scow."

"Dak," I said warningly. Perhaps Revan was correct, perhaps Quatra had been the wrong Master for me, but I would not stand for insults toward her. And he must be wrong about Belaya; she who was my truest friend, once.

Dak's dark eyes were burning with emotion, but he shook his head, as if conceding to my unspoken request. "So, Juhani, you're a new Initiate then?" his eyes flicked to Revan. "And your… friend?"

"I am Ness Jonohl," Revan said smoothly, stepping forward and offering a hand. Dak stared at it as if it were a sandsnake. "Juhani is known as Staria. I am sure you can understand her desire to keep her past private."

Dak turned to face me again and I saw Revan's hand drop uselessly. "Your friend a fallen Jedi too, then?"

"Yes," Revan cut in. "We have both decided the rigidity of the Order is not the place for us. The Sith offer so much more potential, after all." Her face was smooth and blank, but the wariness was evident in her eyes.

Dak shot her an irritated look; I could sense he wished for her to leave. If only you knew her identity, my old friend. You would not find her so easy to dismiss then. "Juhani, I am one of the few Adepts here. You do know what this means?"

I nodded briefly, and was about to say something but he spoke over me. He hasn't changed in that regard. Dak was always the talker between the three of us. "Juhani, this place isn't like the Order. You have to be careful who you ally with." He aimed an obvious sideways look at Revan, who rolled her eyes in disbelief.

Sometimes, her inability to take matters seriously was ridiculous.

It was time to cut to the chase. There were so many things to say between the two of us. "Dak, have you ever considered leaving this place?"

He started, jerking back in surprise, and I saw Revan's eyes close slowly in exasperation.

"Leave?" he said tightly. "Why?"

"This place… it is bad, Dak. Surely you can feel it." I said quietly. "I know the Order had its restrictions, but this place… the place is worse."

"Juhani, surely you aren't trying to redeem me or some such banthacrap?" he spluttered. "No… you can't be, you've left as well." He frowned. "I admit the thought of leaving with you is desirable, but you can't just ditch the Academy." He laughed. It was a hollow sound. "Force, Juhani, those that try generally end up dead. I'm an Adept here - I have some measure of security now."

He reached for my hand, and clasped it tightly. His grip was warm. "Juhani, I can take care of you here. I know how to play the game. Trust me."

His gaze was intent upon mine, eyes as black as the Dantooine night sky, and I recalled those past days when we had been friends. Dak was quick with words and more studious than I; in some ways, he made me feel a safety I'd not known before. But my drive, then, had been to impress my stand-offish Master.

Revan's polite cough broke the spell; I blinked, and looked back to her. An angry scowl settled over Dak's face.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Yuthura's sent us on a mission," Revan said mildly. "I'd prefer to get it over with."

"Yuthura?" Dak questioned, his voice twisting over the name. "Juhani, Yuthura's not the power here. Come with-"

"She's Uthar's first apprentice," Revan spoke over him, her voice harder than before. "I understand you are allied with Uthar Wynn, and perhaps that will be an interesting discussion later as we have not formed any alliances. But regardless, we have been directed to enter the tomb of Tulak Hord by Master Yuthura, and I don't think we can disobey such an order."

Dark frustration gathered on his face with every word, and I could see that here was one person whose first impression of Revan was not a positive one. When she dropped the name of the dead Sith Lord, however, Dak's face paled and he took an involuntarily step backwards, dropping my hand.

"Tulak Hord?" he gasped. "What did you do, piss in her tea?"

"Uh-"

"Juhani, no, you cannot go there. No one returns, not from Tulak Hord's tomb. Not past the first chamber, and that's been picked clean. Why in the Outer Rim would Yuthura order you there?"

"I- uh, may have had something to do with Mekel being sent there," Revan muttered. "So that's the worst tomb then, huh?"

Her face was tight, wary, but I saw the gleam in her eye. If the crypt is so dangerous, then perhaps that is exactly where the Map is housed. I shivered. Dak's apprehension was not something to be ignored.

"Mekel," Dak said in disgust. "If he's been sent there, it's on Uthar's doing. Yuthura's on her way out, Juhani. Let your friend clean up her own mess, and come with me. Trust me, Uthar is the real power here."

Revan was quiet, watching the both of us, and I wondered what she was thinking.

"There's something in that tomb that kills every person who sets foot in there," Dak continued. "It's the only one that Master Uthar avoids. Doesn't that tell you something?"

"It tells me that Uthar sent Mekel to his death," Revan muttered. "And maybe I had a part in it. I'm going in, Staria. You don't have to."

"We are a team, Ness," I said quietly. "Dak, which tomb is Tulak Hord's?"

He was frowning angrily at me, before an exasperated sigh escaped him. "Talk to me privately, first."

I gazed at the bronzed face of my old friend, and then nodded to Revan. With a brief pointer at the nearest tomb from Dak, Revan walked towards the entrance before turning to watch us, well out of earshot.

"Juhani," he began, stepping close to me. His hands settled on my shoulders, warm and comforting. He was my height; tall for a human, and more muscular than I remembered. Older than the Adepts we'd encountered so far; he seemed out of place on this corrupt planet. But then, so does Kel Algwinn. "You don't know how happy I am to see you. I never thought… I never thought we'd meet again. Especially after hearing about Dantooine."

I'd barely had time to digest the news about the Enclave's destruction so soon after the devastating bombing of my homeworld. The only silver lining was the reports suggested that the destruction was not widespread. On Manaan, Karon had assured me that Malak's forces had been run off after obliterating their primary target: the master Star Map.

Dantooine would have less to rebuild than Taris, and the casualties were not as severe as Malak would have planned. But to have the two planets that meant the most to me so viciously attacked invested me fiercely and personally in the war.

I looked up at Dak, whose face was warm and intent, and felt myself smile. "I, too, am happy to see you Dak," I said softly. "But I wish our reunion was not here. Dak… this is not the place for me. Or for you. I wish we were back at the Order."

A pained resentment flared in his dark eyes. "I have forsaken the Order, much as you have, Juhani. Even if I could go back, I don't think I would want to. Juhani- there is power here. Power to be who you want, if you just play the game. Stay with me. Ditch your friend. Maybe, one day, we could leave Korriban together."

"Dak," I said gently. "I will not abandon Ness. We must go into this tomb."

"You always were too damnably loyal," he said in frustration. "Just- just don't go far, okay? If you come out, and act sufficiently meek, then that should suffice. It's the greenhorn's initiation, don't you see? The recklessly stupid die, and the cowards run in fear and don't get far. But if you come back, if you crawl to Yuthura – or better yet, Uthar – then you'll make it back. Make it back, Juhani."

"I will," I promised.

He looked afar to Revan, who was staring hard at us from a distance, a deactivated lightsaber held ready at her side.

"You should choose me over her," he muttered. "I've got a bad feeling about her."

I stepped away from him, then, leaving the memories of warm Dantooine nights and companionable laughter behind. We had both changed immeasurably since then.

"I hope to talk to you again, Dak." I whispered, and walked away, towards Revan.

xXx