"Heads up, Juhani!"

The Cathar Jedi ducked her head as a blaster bolt from Mira sizzled over her and struck another Emperor's Wrath in the chest. The dark warrior staggered, and was swiftly cut down by Juhani. "Nice," Mira commented and turned her attention to another Sith behind her. Whirling her aqua colored lightsaber and blaster pistol in tandem the former bounty hunter pressed the attack.

Around the tomb, the other Force-sensitive members of Revan's team were fighting for their lives. A brutish warrior standing at seven feet attacked Atton and Brianna at once, swinging two crimson lightsabers wildly.

Atton was down to his knees by a vicious overhead strike from the Emperor's Wrath, but seconds later Brianna's blade erupted from his stomach. Atton quickly recovered and beheaded the Sith in a flash.

Jolee's indigo lightsaber was locked with the blade of another warrior. The older Jedi strained against the seemingly inexhaustible warrior growling, "That the best you got, freak?" As if to answer him the Emperor's Wrath finally shoved his lightsaber away and thrust at his chest.

With a grunt of pain Jolee was able to lean back far enough so that the Sith's lightsaber grazed his left shoulder. It wasn't a serious wound, but it still hurt. Jolee reached out through the Force and lifted the Emperor's Wrath from the floor. He looked around him rapidly.

Most of the others were still holding their own, but across the room he saw Mical being tossed against the wall by a burst of Force-lightning. Moving with impossible speed Jolee sliced off the hand of the Sith in front him, tossing his lightsaber at Mical's attacker. The dark warrior was split in two without a sound,

Jolee ran to Mical's aid and they regrouped with the rest of the team, who had reformed their circle at the middle of the tomb. Some of them were breathing heavily, others clutching shallow wounds. Many of the Emperor's Wrath lay dead around them, but the others remained. The terrible enhancements granted to them seemed to have made them impervious to pain or fatigue.

Visas Marr's senses were overwhelmed with the aura of the Dark Side, and even as the her group redoubled their attack she felt herself growing more weary by the moment.

I only hope Meetra and the others fare better.


Meetra raced forward towards Scourge, rapidly battering at the brainwashed Sith Lord's defenses. Scourge emotionlessly parried each attack with one hand, holding Bastila in a deadly chokehold with the other. Having taken them by surprise Scourge was pushing both Jedi to their limits.

Desperate to free Bastila from Scourge's grip before she passed out Meetra trapped his lightsaber in a lock and gathered her energy. Before Scourge could counter she delivered a crushing punch to his midsection. The blow was enhanced with the Force but she nevertheless gritted her teeth in pain as her knuckled collided with the armor on Scourge's chest.

The black plating buckled beneath her strike and Meetra saw Scourge's grip on Bastila slacken. The other Jedi took hold of Scourge's arm and twisted. There was a gruesome that caused Meetra's stomach to turn but Scourge did not even flinch.

Bastila kicked Scourge backwards several feet and retrieved her lightsaber, sharing a grateful nod with Meetra. They moved in on Scourge and began to strike in tandem; each Jedi's move reflecting to other. Scourge was a powerful fighter even when cornered, and his combat style was a simple but effect series of blocks and counter-attacks. He was stronger, but Bastila and Meetra were more agile.

Meetra's senses suddenly blared and after stunning Scourge with a kick to the jaw she turned around. The other side of the Emperor's throne room Revan and Vitiate were grappling with each other, each grasping the other's weapon arm.

And Vitiate was winning.

Without thinking she cast a blast of Force energy towards the Sith Lord. Her attack was enough to throw Vitiate off balance and Revan sent him flying across the chamber. But Meetra grimaced as he wavered in place. Her friend's armor was scorched from Vitiate's assault and Revan was drawing deep, ragged breaths.

Meetra looked back at Scourge and Bastila, who were clashing just feet away, then at the Emperor who was advancing towards Revan, then back again. Who was she supposed to help? Bastila dodged a fierce swing from Scourge and as his lightsaber buried itself in the floor beneath her eyes locked with Meetra's.

A look of understanding crossed her blue eyes and Bastila nodded grimly before blocking Scourge's next attack.

Meetra's fist clenched and she turned her full attention to the Emperor, calming herself as she raised her lightsaber.

Revan ignored the pain in his limbs, keeping his guard up. As the Emperor drew closer Revan tried to think of some way to overcome his overwhelming Force powers. Vitiate's lightsaber form was unfamiliar and archaic, but no less deadly for it. The Sith dragged the tip of his colorless blade across the floor frighteningly, causing sparks to fly outward as he began to moved towards Revan faster.

By the time Vitiate had broken into a run Revan had switched to Shien, waiting for his next move. But out of the corner of his eye he saw a blur of green. In a split-second Vitiate's thrust was knocked to the side as Meetra flew overhead. Revan took advantage of the opportunity and summoned a Force-wave.

As the Emperor crashed into a pillar Revan glanced at Meetra angrily. "Why didn't you stay with Bastila? She needs your help more than I do!" The Exile rolled her eyes. "You're welcome," she said breathlessly. Pointing to Revan's wife and the Emperor's Wrath she continued, "I think she can handle herself." A flash of blue light punctuated her sentence, illuminating the chamber.

Nearby Bastila had caught Scourge's lightning attack and redirected it, staggering the massive warrior. Revan forced himself to stay where he was, even as every instinct told him to help her. "Just hold on, Bastila…" A terrifying roar caught his focus, drawing his gaze back to the Emperor.

Vitiate was on his feet again. A whirlwind of Force-lightning was coursing around him and he stretched his hands toward Revan and Meetra. "You will all fall before me!" he bellowed. Even behind his visor Revan's eyes squinted at the bright light as Vitiate unleashed the torrent at them.

Time slowed down and he brought his arms up. Meetra did the same, and standing shoulder to shoulder the Jedi cast a protective shield from the lightning. Revan gasped as the crushing weight of the Emperor's attack bore down on him. His mind linked with Meetra's and the two conferred mentally.

Vitiate won't let up. He's stronger than either of us.

Revan shook his head. We can't give up now. If we can't push his power back, we redirect it.

Meetra's eyes brightened. Like Bastila did against Scourge?

The pillar, he thought.

The pair looked through the storm towards Vitiate. Behind him was the column Revan had sent him towards just minutes before. It was cracked dangerously, and the full force of the blast, if directed towards it, would destabilize the throne room's support.

And perhaps bring the chamber falling down.

Revan forced himself not to think about it. The Ebon Hawk would detect any potential collapse, and it would be there to evacuate the others if need be. Regardless, Vitiate had to be stopped no matter the cost. He sensed Meetra gathering her strength, and Revan followed in turn.

Do it.

Screaming from exertion Revan and Meetra opened themselves to the Force, the Emperor's lightning coursing through them. He felt his mask begin to sizzle even as the surge began to course away from them and towards Vitiate. An earsplitting crack echoed through the throne room as a blast of energy shattered the pillar, and all fighters present was thrown off their feet.


"Woah! HK the tower just…"

"Interruption: Yes, I see it. My optics are not malfunctioning, meatbag! The tower is damaged, dangerously so." HK-47 activated the Ebon Hawk's flight controls and began raising the ship. "Declaration: Approaching the Emperor's tower if extraction for my master is necessary."

Carth activated the speakers to the ship. "Be ready for action, everyone."

The Ebon Hawk raced to the tower and Carth gripped the edge of his seat until his knuckles were white. At the top of the ancient structure it looked like part of the wall had been blown out, and cracks were quickly spreading across its black surface. "Let's hang by the cliff," Carth ordered. "We'll need to get them out fast."

"Affirmative: Affirmative."

"Just hang in there, Revan." Carth muttered to himself. "We're coming."


Everything around Bastila was obscured by a cloud of dust. Her ears were ringing as she regained consciousness, and Bastila looked around her groggily. Part of the throne room wall had collapsed, and the red light from Korriban's surface was shining through a massive hole near the throne.

"Revan! Meetra! Where are you?"

Bastila's voice was hoarse and she coughed before standing up. It took a moment before she realized that she was back in the tomb below. She looked up in shock to see an entire section of the ceiling gone, having obviously given way thanks to whatever blasted the tower open.

She shook her head, trying to regain her senses. Bastila heard a groan behind her and whirled about. Bao-Dur was lying in a heap, his mechanical arm lying in pieces next to him. Next to him Visas Marr was trying to lift him up but kept falling because of a gash on her left leg.

"Give us a hand."

Bastila did so, and supported the former bounty hunter carefully. "Where are the others?" Visas tilted her head behind them. "Brianna and Jolee are helping the others. Most can barely walk, and I fear Atton lost a leg." Bastila grimaced as she saw the rest of the team. They were covered in bruises and cuts, and to her horror even burn marks.

"What happened here?"

While they moved the unconscious Zabrak to the hole in the wall Visas explained, "When you went to face the Emperor we were ambushed. The Emperor's Wrath were lying in wait, and they had us trapped when that explosion tore through the tomb. Your handiwork?" Bastila shook her head.

"No. It was something Revan and Meetra did."

Visas grinned. "Whatever it was, the Wrath collapsed almost instantly." Bastila felt her heart skip a beat. "But if they are finished, that has to mean…" She stretched her senses, and although Bastila sensed no immediate danger there was still a lingering darkness present in the tower. Her spirits fell.

The Emperor was still alive.

She and Visas carried Bao-Dur to the opening, and the hot dry air of Korriban swept her hair back. It was almost a relief after the smothering darkness inside. Everyone was assembled there, and to her relief Bastila saw Meetra at the head of the group. The Exile was clutching her arm gingerly. "The Ebon Hawk is ready to pick us up," she said, sounding exhausted. "This tower is in bad shape, but it will last long enough for everyone to get away safely."

Bastila smiled, but as quickly as it had come her expression faded. Realizing who was missing she looked around in alarm, but she could not see him anywhere. "Meetra, where is Revan?" she asked desperately. Meetra's gaze fell. "I don't know. We couldn't find him anywhere."

With her eyes watering, Bastila looked back at the wreckage of the tomb and Vitiate's throne. She could sense that he was still alive, but Revan was nowhere to be seen.

Where was he?


Author's Note: Don't you just hate cliffhangers?

Our heroes are in pretty bad shape, but it's hardly over. We'll see what's happened with Revan and the Emperor next time around, as the story starts to reach it's climax.

Will Bastila go back for him or be forced to leave? Will the Ebon Hawk have to bring the whole tower down? And what became of Revan, Vitiate and Scourge?

You'll have to find out next time. Post any thoughts below if you like, and stay tuned!