Waygate + Tinuviel: As for this being an exile/Visas fic, this chapter should answer some of your questions. ; ) It was originally supposed to be one chapter but I had to do it in two.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 6: Discoveries

It was noon on Dantooine. The sun shone brightly against the landscape, illuminating the Jedi Academy in a brilliant golden hue. The place was busy with activity. Jedi of all ages gathered within its walls, busy with completing their daily activities. Among these Jedi, a little girl with shoulder-length black hair was darting to and fro throughout the enclave. She seemed to be looking for someone. Finally she came to a small, isolated room and found another girl with dark brown hair sitting in the middle of the floor. Upon seeing her, the black-haired girl spoke up to get her attention.

"Hey, Bastila, what are you doing there?" she asked with mild sarcasm. Closer inspection of the black-haired girl revealed a set of milky-white eyes. She was blind.

Bastila awoke from her meditations and turned to the doorway to face her. "Visas, I'm meditating. Master Vrook said I should meditate."

"Meditating? All you ever do is meditate! Come on, let's go outside."

"But Master Vrook said-"

"Bastila, you can meditate any time! Come on, we don't have any more lessons today. Let's do something fun, for once!"

"But Visas, Master Vrook told me I'm too passionate. He says I need to do this to calm my emotions."

"You know what? Fine. You can stay there and meditate until you grow cobwebs. As for me, I'm going exploring." She turned and headed toward the academy exit.

Young Bastila glanced nervously first at the floor and then at the shrinking form of Visas. Finally, she stood up and called out, "Hey, Visas, wait up!"

Visas halted in her path and a triumphant smile spread over her face. "I thought you had to meditate," she said to Bastila when she finally caught up.

"Oh, meditating is boring. Let's go outside!" The two young apprentices ran off together.

Bastila was only ten years old, and Visas was almost two years older than she. Visas was a Miraluka – a unique, force-sensitive species that sees everything through the force. As such, they have no use for normal vision. Visas had come from her colony of Katarr to the academy when she was six, about the same age Bastila joined. The two apprentices became fast friends during their training at the enclave.

It pained Visas to think of such times. The joy and vibrancy of her youth had gone, and in there place lingered malice and suffering. Visas remembered her old self and could hardly believe she was the same person. Then again, nothing was really the same for Visas after the destruction of her world. She was there when the tragedy happened. They were all wiped out by a threat they should have seen coming, but didn't.

All her warm memories – the ones of the academy, of Bastila, and the Jedi Masters (except for Vrook) – were buried under memories of horror and darkness. She still remembered the dead bodies, the eerie silence, and the lack of life. For Visas, the experience was like going deaf or becoming devoid of feeling. Only she was left alive, and now she served the very being who destroyed her home.

Her surroundings were a bare, ominous looking room which served as her dormitory. Actually, it was more of a cell than a dormitory. She resided on a ship appropriately named "The Ravager", the flagship of her master. She was kept there when he summoned her. The rest of her time was spent living along the outer rim on isolated planets devoid of life. She had grown to hate life, mostly thanks to her master. He had shown her the true nature of life – and why it must be destroyed.

Visas sat on the floor, meditating to herself when she felt a dark sensation in the force around her. Her master was calling. She stood and approached a small table on which lay a dark crimson veil. She tied her shoulder-length black hair up in place and placed the veil over her head, covering her blind eyes. Not desiring to keep her master waiting, she hurried out of her cell toward the bridge of the ship.

The bridge of The Ravager was an ominous thing to behold. Shadows hung everywhere, and that which was not dark was illuminated in an eerie yellow light. Two rows of slaves, busily working at consoles, filled up two rows on either side of the bridge. At the very end was a huge port revealing the space beyond. In front of the window stood a tall, dark figure clothed in deep black robes looking out into space.

The door to the bridge opened and a corpse-like man entered. His grey flesh was cracked and scarred all over, and the flesh around his one eye was gone, revealing a pale white orb. Darth Sion. He steadily approached the tall, dark figure near the window until he was within a few feet of it.

"Lord Nihilus," said Sion in his inhuman voice, "I have met with Darth Traya as you commanded." At last Darth Nihilus turned to face Sion, revealing a pale white mask with two huge, black eyeholes and streaks of red on both sides.

"Has she done as I commanded?" Nihilus's very words seemed to darken the atmosphere. If Sion's voice was inhuman, then Nihilus's voice was demonic.

"Yes, my lord. She has infiltrated the Jedi ranks. The fools are too blinded by arrogance to see our plans." Sion ceased his speech for a moment as Nihilus stared coldly at him with his unseen eyes. "My lord," he resumed, "Our assassins have returned from their raid on Dantooine."

"Were they discovered?"

"No, my lord, but they found something I think you will be very interested in."

"Then do not waste my time, Sion. Bring them to me at once." Sion nodded. Within a moment a group of three assassins dressed in masks and black robes entered the bridge.

"Lord Nihlus," said the lead assassin. "We bring you a gift from Dantooine. We found it in Master Trusk's tomb. The Jedi, it seems, wanted this to remain a secret."

"Show me," said Nihilus with impatience growing in his voice. The assassin responded by pulling out an old, worn-out holocron. He pressed the button to activate it and it slowly hummed to life. Its data displayed the records of a long-forgotten trial, and an image appeared of the ancient Jedi Master Trusk. Unlike the one on Coruscant, however, this one was undamaged and complete.

"We buried his creation with him," said the image of Master Trusk. "I only pray this is never discovered. (static) We discovered before its demise that it could drain the force from its surroundings – including living beings." It went on speaking.

Nihilus regarded its data with mild curiosity. A sound that may have been laughter escaped his mouth. He shifted his attention to Sion and the assassins.

"So, the ancient legend is true after all. The Jedi's secret will become their undoing. You have done well, my servants. This new discovery will prove very useful to us. Send a squad of assassins to Dantooine at once. I want that relic brought to me, Sion. Try to remain undiscovered, but slaughter any who stand in your way."

"As you command, my Lord." Sion and the assassins bowed and left the bridge.

Nihilus stood alone and waited patiently for his apprentice, his top assassin, to arrive. Finally, the small form of Visas appeared in the entrance. She approached him nervously, trying not to show fear. She stood before him and bowed.

"My lord, you sent for me?" she asked humbly.

"Have you felt that disturbance in the force, slave?" he asked her coldly.

"Yes, I have. It was but a small echo at first, but it grew louder with each moment."

"Our enemies have awakened. They now move to stop us before we can strike. A lost member of their order has returned to them, bearing news of our presence."

"You mean, the exile, master? Do you believe he is a threat to-" her speech was cut off as an invisible hand wrenched her throat. She put her hands to her neck, desperately gasping for air as she was slowly force-lifted off the ground. She gasped, "My – my lord, y-you are the scourge that brings death to all who oppose you. In your hands, all life is your slave."

Nihilus sent Visas down hard onto the floor. Almost as an afterthought, he sent a wave of force lightning through her body. Visas desperately struggled to not cry out in pain, not wanting to appear weak before her master. All that escaped was a pained moan. She submissively knelt before him on all fours.

"Master, none can challenge your power," she whimpered. "All life dies before your onslaught and my…my life is yours. Please…let me die."

"Arise, foolish apprentice. I still have use for you." Visas painfully stood up before the Sith lord. "No, I spoke of more than the exile, but that is of no importance. Sion is leading a squad of assassins to Dantooine to recover a 'relic' for me. I fear, however, that they may be discovered because of his recklessness. If so, the Jedi will send others to stop him. That must not be allowed to happen. You will go to Dantooine and kill any Jedi who try to interfere. Do you understand, slave?"

"Yes, master. I will do as you ask."

"Good. Now leave."

She hurried out of the bridge. Thoughts raced through her head as she reflected on her new task. Killing Jedi was an expertise of hers, yet she felt a sense of foreboding about this mission. For a split second, she thought of her old friend, Bastila, and hoped she would not have to face her. No doubt Bastila thought Visas died on Katarr along with the rest of the Miraluka.

"But I did die on Katarr…" thought Visas as she returned to her cell.

After Visas left, Nihilus shifted his gaze once again to the reaches of space before him. He beheld the stars, the suns, and the many planets that would feed his power. "All life will fall before my hunger," he thought. "With the Jedi's secret I will wield power unstoppable against them, and their forces will fall as they fuel my power. I shall devour this galaxy from the inside out… until it is a hollow shell."

Bastila sat quietly on the shuttle as it transported Mission and her to the docks which held the Ebon Hawk. Most of the time Mission spent talking about her tour of the Jedi academy. When she told Bastila everything she could she sat silently and stared out a window.

"Mission, why did you want to return to the Ebon Hawk so quickly?" Bastila asked her after a moment of silence.

"Mmm…Oh, what?" said Mission as she shifted her attention away from the window. "Um, I just really want to finish something I've been working on with T3. I just want to finish it by tomorrow."

"Oh really? What is it?" asked Bastila with mild curiosity.

"Uh, I can't tell you that. It's kind of a surprise." Mission noticed Bastila raise an eyebrow at her. Mission raised her hands in response, trying to look innocent. "I promise it's not anything bad! It's not something that'll blow up or make you stink for a week, I swear!"

"Alright, Mission." Bastila knew very well of Mission's mischievous nature, but also sensed that she was telling the truth. Mission glanced from the floor to Bastila as a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Hey Bastila, what's Revan doing back there, anyway?"

"At the academy? I don't know. That man can be so unpredictable sometimes."

"Yeah, but at least you can count on him always being there for you. You know, you're lucky to have someone so close to you and willing to do so much for you."

"Oh, really?"

"Oh come on, Bastila. Revan would leap down a rancor's throat for you – and crawl out the other end just to get back to you."

A giggle escaped Bastila's mouth. "I know," she whispered. Deep down, she knew she would do the same for him.

"Oh, look. We're here," said Mission as the shuttle slowed to a stop. "Come on, we'd better make sure HK-47 hasn't started shooting at random dock workers, yet."

Revan was just about to leave the academy when a voice stopped him from behind.

"You there – just where do you think you're going?"

Revan instantly recognized the voice and his heart sank. It was Vrook. He turned to face the master. "I am leaving the enclave. I have business to attend to."

"By 'business' I hope you mean Admiral Onasi. I certainly hope you don't plan on fooling around with that foolish Padawan."

"Yes, Master Vrook, I do intend to meet with Admiral Onasi, as you commanded. As for this 'Padawan' – whom I know is Bastila – I'm afraid that is none of your business."

"Such arrogance." Master Vrook's face flushed red. "You continue to besmirch this order with your actions. Because of you and your 'love', are own Jedi are beginning to doubt the code. You will cause irreparable damage to all we believe in as long as you remain in the order."

"I fail to see how love can pose a danger to the order. Love is what saved me from falling back to the dark side. Love is what brought Bastila back to the light. It was because of that we were able to achieve victory over the Sith."

"Humph. And see what your 'love' has brought. What – you were expecting thanks for what you did on the Star Forge?"

"No, I wasn't," said Revan through gritted teeth.

"And you should expect none! All you did was clean up a mess you made. Even still, you have failed to undo all the damage you caused as the Sith Lord. And now, the very Sith you commanded are regrouping."

"We can still stop the Sith, master." Revan spoke the last word with contempt. "And we cannot help ourselves by this internal bickering. I must leave." Revan turned to exit the academy.

"Bah! If it were up to me, you and Bastila both would have been expelled from the order long ago! Go on and leave. I have no use for you here."

Revan stormed off with his fists clenched in anger. He struggled to contain his fury at Vrook's words. Of all the council members, he was the most arrogant and critical. Why did he have to be such an ignorant slime? He constantly berated others for their faults while refusing to see his own. Every time Vrook saw Revan or Bastila he chided them without end. He had grown gradually more hostile toward them ever since they returned to the order at the end of the war.

"Calm down," Revan said to himself. "Control yourself. He can't help it. It's his nature to be an arrogant Bantha turd. Think of Bastila." Revan gradually vented his frustration as he walked. He pondered how Vrook ever was elected as a council member. "They probably did it so he would stop whining," thought Revan. He laughed at this idea.

As he traversed the walkway he heard someone shout at him. "Hey, kid! What do you think you're doing?"

Revan immediately faced the direction the voice came from. His jaw practically fell off when he glimpsed the unmistakable form of Jolee Bindo approaching.

"Jolee! Jolee Bindo!" Revan ran up to greet his old (no pun intended) friend. "You old coot! Where have you been?"

"Oh, you know random places. Seeing the galaxy. Had to go somewhere to wash the stench of wookie out of my robes."

"Ha ha. What in the force are you doing here?" Seeing Jolee Bindo made Revan forget all about Master Vrook.

"Well, I just had enough of wandering the regions for a while, I guess. I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you were staying out of trouble!"

"Really? Just how did you find me?"

"Come on, kid, this is Coruscant! It's a hotbed for Jedi. I figured you'd be here with the council seeing as what's happened recently with Peragus and the Sith and whatnot. Sure enough, I felt your presence here when I landed."

"Well hey, it's great to see you again, old geezer," joked Revan.

"Old geezer! Come on, I don't look a day over twenty!" Jolee was not above jokes either. "Anyway, I just thought I'd ask you, what are you up to now?"

"It's a long story. You sure you want to here it?"

"I'm old, for crying out loud! I love long stories."

As the two walked together, Revan told Jolee of all that had happened recently. He told him of his recent reunion with Mission and Carth. He spoke of the exile and Master Kreia and his meeting with the council right up to Bastila's knighting ceremony, all while Jolee listened with mild enthusiasm.

"So, Bastila's going to be a knight, eh? About time. You can tell her I said congratulations."

"Thanks, Jolee."

"By the way, where is the little lady, anyway?"

"She's on the Ebon Hawk with Mission."

"Oh? Why aren't you with her?"

"Well, I just had to do some things."

Jolee instantly grew suspicious. "Come on kid, what are you up to? You never did tell me what you were doing when I found you."

"Alright, alright. Just promise you won't tell Bastila, okay?"

"What, are you buying her a present?"

"Kind of. It's a…" he whispered it into Jolee's ear. Jolee's eyes widened to the width of comets.

"Well, well, well. So you really intend to go through with it."

Revan nodded. "Actually, I've been planning it for a while, but I really think tomorrow will a great time for it. I just want to hurry up and select one before her ceremony tomorrow. Got any advice you think I should here?"

"My advice? My advice is go for it. You don't meet a woman like Bastila every millennium, you know. Let me tell you something." He put an arm around the back of Revan's neck. "Impressing women is like breaking into a weapon's cache. It takes skill and strategy, and sometimes you need some thorium charges. They're also a little like fish. Don't ever let a good catch slip through your net. Just always remember how lucky you are to have a girl who loves you as she does."

"Point taken, Jolee."

"Do you have any ideas as to what she might like?" Jolee asked him.

"I have an idea. I wouldn't be a good lover if I didn't have at least some clue."

"Well, what do you say I help you select one now? I have plenty of time."

"Alright. There should be a good place nearby to get one."

At last, the two Jedi arrived at a store above which stood a sign which read "Zorbrak's Jewelers".

A long while later Jolee and an satisfied-looking Revan emerged from the store with a small package. Revan let loose a breath of relief.

"Well, I'm glad that's over with. All I can say is, she had better like it," said Jolee.

"I think we'll be fine. If I know Bastila, which I do, she'll be satisfied."

"What do you want to do now? You have to sneak it into your ship somehow."

"That won't be hard." Revan glanced at the time. "I don't want to return just yet, though. I should really meet with Admiral Onasi, but I think I'm going to do that tomorrow before her knighting ceremony. What do you say you and I hit the cantina for a while? We can talk some more there."

"Sounds good to me. I haven't had a good drink in weeks!"

"Hold up. Let me just call Bastila and tell her what's going on."

"Alright, just don't take too long. I've seen how long you two can talk."

Revan pressed a button on his communicator and the transmission was sent. A second later, the soft voice of Bastila answered.

"Yes, Revan, what is it?"

"Hey, Bastila, I'm just letting you know that I won't be back at the Ebon Hawk for a while."

"Why so?"

"I'm meeting with an old friend of ours. Do you remember an old kath hound by the name of Jolee Bindo?"

"Jolee Bindo? Revan, that's wonderful! Tell him I said hello."

"Hello to you, too, Bastila," said Jolee.

"How are things at the Ebon Hawk?" asked Revan.

"Everything's fine. Mission's playing around with T3. HK-47 is just being a nuisance, as always."

A mechanical voice cut in over the communicator. "Objection: A nuisance! Need I remind you that I am a highly-sophisticated and fully functional assassination protocol droid? I have far too many uses to be labeled a 'nuisance'. Mockery: And at least my posterior is not so overly-swollen that it poses an obstacle to others' paths."

Bastila resumed speaking. "Revan, my love, please do not be too long. I would hate to have to turn your favorite droid into a red pile of scrap metal."

"Alright, Bastila, I'll do that. You should try to get some sleep. You have a big day, tomorrow," Revan replied.

"I'll do that, Revan. Bye."

"Objection: To turn a highly capable droid such as I into scrap would be such a waste of useful protocols, don't you agree, master? My talents at meatbag extermination are unparalleled and I-"

"Bye, princess," said Revan and he switched off the communicator. "Ready, old geezer?" he asked Jolee.

"I've been ready, kid. Let's go."

Uneventful, I admit, but Chapter 7 will be here very soon.