Disclaimer: 26 Chapters, and I still own nothing!

Chapter 25: Forced Confessions

Thoroughly tired, Atton trudged his way out of the cockpit. He couldn't wait to get to his bunk. He'd been piloting for what seemed like ages and was pretty sure he'd memorized the entire layout of the cockpit by now. At the moment, the Ebon Hawk didn't need his piloting since T3 was handling autopilot, and the only thing he cared about was getting some sleep.

As he slowly stepped into the main hold he got a distinct impression that he was not alone. Someone else was there.

"Atton." A voice came.

The pilot spun around and practically jumped at seeing the two large eyes staring him down.

"Woah! Geez, you scared me," Atton said to it, trying to disguise his shock. Saimos stood there in the dark corner of the room, most of his body shrouded by darkness. The sight of him standing there in the dark, eyes glowing brightly, was downright eerie.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to alarm you."

"Uh, no problem…Saimos? Is that right?"

"Correct."

"Okay, see you later." Atton turned around to head for his cabin. Even though he'd been around that creature for a while, it still sort of gave him the chills.

"Atton." it called out before he could make it two feet.

He cautiously turned around. "What?"

"Come here."

Atton shifted nervously. "Uh, why? Is this something important? I'm really tired-"

"Come here," it said more forcefully. It's tone actually seemed slightly threatening.

Atton wasn't sure why, but he felt compelled to obey it. Maybe he was afraid, which wouldn't be a lie. He slowly and cautiously approached, and before he knew it he stood mere feet away from it. It towered over him almost menacingly, its unblinking gaze piercing him to the core.

"The past contains many secrets, Atton," it said to him softly, yet firmly. "Let us see what yours holds."

"Wait, what do you m-" Atton's response was cut off when a weird feeling enveloped him. Suddenly it felt as if some invisible force was wrapping itself around his brain.

"Ah! What are you doing?" he asked while wincing visibly. He instinctively clutched his head with his hands. "Stop it!" He had a strong urge to run away, but his body seemed completely unwilling to respond. Whatever Saimos was doing, he didn't like it.

"Don't struggle," it warned him. Saimos' eyes narrowed in concentration. Atton was now under his control for the moment. Focusing, Saimos looked inside Atton's mind.

"Let me see…" it said slowly. "Just a little further, underneath the barrier. Yes…there lays guilt…much guilt. And regret."

"Stop…" Atton pleaded weakly.

"And what do I see here? Anger. Much of it. And fear. Fear that you will be discovered. Despite this, I also see…hope. A hope that you will be able to redeem yourself. That's why you're here, isn't it?"

Atton didn't respond. He now started swaying dizzily; the effects of having his mind ripped open were now taking their toll. He might have fallen over, but something was holding him up.

"Do not worry, Atton," it continued. "If Revan truly is a Jedi, he will forgive. If he is not…we shall see." He now let go of Atton, who promptly fell to the floor, unconscious.

Saimos knelt and bent over so he was talking into Atton's ear.

"Do not worry, Atton," it repeated. "I will not reveal your secrets. You will do that on your own, or I'll deal with you myself." He knew Atton could still hear him on some subconscious level. "We'll talk about this again soon. Then we'll see where your loyalties truly lye."

With a wave of his hand, Saimos levitated Atton's body off the floor and guided it down the corridor toward the dormitory. Saimos forced the door open with his mind and walked in with Atton floating right beside him. The creature guided Atton softly down onto his bunk, making sure he didn't make a noise. Revan, Quaid, and Jolee were all sound asleep and were ignorant of what had just happened. Without saying a word, Saimos turned and proceeded out of the dorm, closing the door behind him as he left.

Atris could do nothing except nervously pace her quarters. After hearing the news of the Republic's tragic defeat, the Jedi council had been quite alarmed. Her especially, being perhaps the one who had managed to convince them to attack in the first place. Despite the most of the council's insistence that she was not responsible in any way, she still couldn't hold back the feeling of guilt that had come over her. Even worse, she had no idea where Kreia had gone, and now to top everything off, Master Vrook had left. He didn't so much leave as disappear.

He had left a message for the council saying he had to go somewhere, and that it was very urgent. Without even consulting the council, he just packed up and left. The entire council had sunk into a state of near panic. Of course it didn't show, but to some it seemed like things were now starting to fall apart. Kavar's death, Kreia's disappearance, and now Vrook's leave. What would happen next?

A soft knocking came at her door, momentarily shaking her out of her thoughts.

"Yes? Who's there?" she called out, trying to disguise her nervousness.

There was no answer. Instead, whoever it was knocked on the door yet again.

Not bothering to ask again, Atris walked over to the door and opened it. The sight of who was there almost caused her to jump back in shock.

"K-Kriea?" she asked, mouth hanging open. "What are you doing here?"

The ancient Jedi merely slinked past her and into her dorm. Atris for some reason closed the door behind her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am sorry, Atris. But I have most urgent news. You are in danger."

"What?"

Kreia turned and faced the white-haired Jedi. "Yes. As you know, I have gone away for a while. But I want you to know it was not without reason."

"You left! You didn't even tell the Jedi what had happened to Kavar!"

"I know, Atris. But let me explain. When you had left, I sensed a presence in this enclave. I fear we are all in danger. The Sith have infiltrated this place. Whoever it was I sensed, they were coming to finish me off. It was one of the Jedi Masters, though I do now know. I was forced to flee. I couldn't come back for fear that they might target me in order to strike at the council."

Atris shook her head. "Kreia, I am not sure of anything anymore. I do not even know if I believe you anymore. Everything has grown so confusing…do you know what just happened?"

"In case you are referring to the Republic's sudden defeat, yes."

"Not just that, but Master Vrook has just disappeared."

Kreia looked shocked. "Is that so? That does not seem like him."

"I know. I fear for our council. Things seem to be falling apart…"

"Do you suppose Vrook could be one of them?" Kreia asked.

Atris looked up in shock. "Vrook? That is not possible! He has been one of our staunchest members since he was elected to council."

Kreia shook her head. "Do not be so quick to assume. I think you should know by now that anything is possible. I fear that if Vrook is indeed working for the Sith, he is only one of many here."

Atris nervously paced her room. "There must be something we can do…perhaps a sweep of the academy. An inquiry…" She paused. "And just what do you intend to do? I trust you're going to reveal yourself to the council."

"That I am not so sure of just yet. Being that my life is in danger, I am not sure if that would be the wisest decision."

"You cannot hide forever! We both have to talk with the council! Something has to be done! After what has happened with the Republic…"

"Which was not your fault, I must point out," Kreia told her.

Atris paused and eyed Kreia. "If you say so. Though I cannot help but feel I am responsible. I also cannot help wondering if I would have convinced the council to take the offensive if I had not talked to you."

At this Kreia merely shrugged slightly. "We can never know. But you could not have known what would have happened."

Atris only looked more disheartened. She faced Kreia once again and looked straight into her eyes.

"Kreia, I must ask you a question. And I want you to give me an honest answer."

She didn't get an answer, however. Kreia stood up suddenly and pointed at the door.

"Someone is here!" she whispered fiercely. "We are being spied on!"

Atris rushed over to the door. She opened it to find a shocked Juhani standing there, looking both surprised and afraid.

"What are you doing here?" Atris asked angrily.

"I…I" Juhani stammered. Her eyes darted between Kreia and Atris.

"It's her!" Kreia pointed. "She was the one who went after me last time!"

"What? What are you talking about?" Juhani protested. She started to back away nervously.

"Is this true, Juhani?" Atris asked angrily.

"No! I-"

"She lies!" Kreia hissed. Atris started to reach for her lightsaber. Juhani beat her to it, and whipped her lightsaber out beforehand and pointed it at the Jedi. Maybe not the smartest thing to do at the moment…

"Please, Master Atris," she pleaded. "I do not know what Kreia is doing, but I did not come here to harm you!"

Atris force-pushed Juhani against the wall, and whipped out her lightsaber. She then lunged at Juhani, who blocked it just in time.

"Do not lie to me!" Atris shouted. "Why were you spying?"

"I…" Juhani was unable to finish her sentence. Atris retracted her lighstaber and swung again at the young Cathar. The two swiftly became locked in a fierce lightsaber duel.

"Please, Master Atris! Stop this madness!" Juhani begged again. The frantic master paid her no heed.

Atris swung fiercely, but Juhani somehow managed to parry every blow. She remained on the defensive. For a moment, it appeared that Atris would overcome the young Cathar. However, she made the mistake of underestimating Juhani's skills with a lightsaber.

Remember some of what Revan had taught her, Juhani side-stepped and twisted her lightsaber around to force Atris's own saber down. In a rather unorthodox move, she swiftly punched Atris on the side of the head with her fist. The blow sent Atris staggering, and Juhani finally decided to take the offensive.

She didn't have the chance, however. A bolt of force-lightning came and hit her on the side, sending her crashing to the floor. Juhani groaned in pain as she felt the burn that surely ran down her side now. Thankfully it hadn't been lethal, most force-lightning wasn't lethal after just one blow. Kreia stood over her mockingly, with lightning crackling at her fingertips. Atris had now walked over and stood over Juhani.

Atris raised her lightsaber to deal the killing blow.

"Master Atris, please don't do this! This is not you!" Juhani begged.

"Kill her," Kreia commanded.

"Master Atris, please! Think about what you are doing! If you do this, you will not be able to go back…"

Atris now hesitated, her resolute face faltered. Juhani looked up at her, the fear in her eyes plain.

"Atris! She lies! Kill her now!" Kreia barked.

Atris raised her blade higher…

Revan and the rest of the crew were all in the main hold, save for HK-47, T3, and Yuthura. The crew were all sitting around, eating a rather bland breakfast. Normally Atton would be piloting, but Yuthura was giving him a break at the moment.

Yes, even Saimos was there. And for some reason, Revan noticed Atton glance several times at the creature nervously. He was always a little nervous around the artificial being, but now he seemed even more so than usual. The creature as far as Revan could see, did not acknowledge Atton once.

Ironically enough, Saimos wasn't sitting in his usual corner. He instead was sitting with the rest of the crew. Revan had in fact tried to get it to sit with them, but surprisingly, it did this only after Mission had insisted that it join them. Revan had made it a personal task of his to make Saimos feel as welcomed as he could. At the moment, he was listening to Mission speak endlessly about the worlds she had visited, her friends, and her life on Taris. Surprisingly, Mission seemed quite comfortable around Saimos. Any previous fear she had of it was now gone.

She never ceased to amaze Revan.

"I've never seen any planets except Dantooine," it told Mission. "And Nar-Shadaa."

"Ah. You would love Kashyyk. The trees are a little overwhelming at first, but it's amazing. That's where my friend Zaalbar is now."

"Zaalbar? A wookiee, right?"

"Yup! And he's helping his father rebuild the tribes. Good ol' Z. I'm so proud of him."

"And do you miss your friend?" Saimos asked her.

"Yeah," Mission sighed. "But I know I'm gonna see him. Hopefully once this thing with the Sith blows over." She sounded rather depressed at the last part.

"Do not worry, Mission. I am sure you will see him again soon," Saimos told her in a surprisingly comforting voice. "I sense not only wisdom in you, but a lot of bravery and persistence, especially for one your age."

Mission seemed rather shocked. "Really?"

Saimos nodded with a slight grin.

"Gee…thanks." She paused. "I like your eyes too, by the way."

Now Saimos looked shocked. "Really?"

Mission nodded. "Yup. I think they're kinda cute."

"Um…thanks."

Mission chuckled. "No problem. Anyway, as I was saying…"

Revan momentarily stopped listening to look over at Atton again. He definitely seemed on edge. Revan could tell that something was bothering him. He briefly recalled what the two Twi'leks had told him on Nar-Shadaa. He decided then and there he would find out exactly what was going on. But that would have to wait just a little later.

Atton was now back in the cockpit, which had become all too familiar for him. Although for once, he found himself a little glad to be there. Anywhere away from Saimos was good enough for him. Despite trying to concentrate on piloting, he couldn't stop thinking about what the creature had done to him the night before. He didn't no how it did it so easily, but he definitely knew he didn't like it knowing about his past.

When he saw a shadow loom over him, he practically jumped out of his seat. He spun around and his worst fears were realized when he saw two blue eyes looking down at him.

"Wha-what do you want?" he asked it nervously. That was another thing he hated – how that thing was able to sneak up on him without even making a sound.

"I'm only here to remind you," it told him menacingly. "You are going to tell Revan the truth. Everything. And if you really do fear me, you'll do it before we reach Dantooine."

Atton raised his hands weakly. "Look, I'm not looking for trouble. I'm on your side. I won't hurt anyone, I promise…"

Saimos shook his head. "That's not good enough. You must tell Revan. If you are ever to be worthy of his trust, you must do that. And believe me when I say this: running from your past will not erase, nor make it any better. If you want to redeem yourself, you must first face your past."

Atton lowered his head in defeat. "Alright. Though, what if he decides to…I don't know."

"I cannot tell you what he'll do. I do not think he'll kill you; Revan has let his enemies live before. But this is your duty. I will not do this for you. I know you're afraid of Revan. But as I said, if you fear me, you will do this."

Atton sighed and nodded. "Okay. I'll do it."

Saimos grinned ever-so-faintly and took a step back. "Good." He was about to turn to leave, but stopped. "And Atton…"

"Hmm?'

"I must tell you that I am willing to put your past behind us. I know how we are so different, but I would rather we be friends in this. If you are willing, then so am I."

Atton sat silently as he seemed to think about what had just been said. He didn't get a chance to respond, however, as Saimos turned and left without saying another word.

It wasn't very long until Revan stepped back into the cockpit, with a rather inquisitive look on his face. "What just happened? I saw Saimos coming out of the cockpit not five minutes ago and he the weirdest grin on his face. I asked him about it but he wouldn't say anything. He only told me to ask you if I was curious."

Atton let out a very long sigh. He wasn't ready for this. But this had to be done. He knew Revan was starting to get suspicious of him as well.

"Look, Revan," he said while spinning around in his chair to face him. "We need to talk. I mean, like now."

"Is this important?"

"It's very important," Atton assured him.

"Alright, sure. We can talk." Revan folded his arms and leaned against the wall.

Atton drew in a breath and folded his hands. "Look Revan, I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell you this, but I can't really keep this a secret any longer."

Revan said nothing.

"Thing is, Revan, that uh, I haven't been completely honest with you about my past."

"Oh really?" Revan asked him. Though his tone indicated that he wasn't surprised.

"Yeah and…well, first of all, this is very serious, and I need you to listen to me closely." He took another breath before moving on.

"First of all Revan, I need you to know that I never intended on harming you or any one of your friends. I came with you cause I was hoping to turn over a new leaf. And I gotta tell you, my past is pretty dang gruesome.

"I have been there before, Atton," Revan said calmly. "Try me."

"Revan, I lied when I said I was a Republic soldier. Well, I was a soldier at one point, but only for a little bit. I…I was a Sith."

Revan's eyes widened slightly, but beyond that he made no move.

"Yes, I was a Sith. After the Mandalorian Wars I wondered around a bit, but when the Sith returned, I joined them. I…served Malak during the Jedi Civil War."

"And just what did you do?" Revan asked. His voice still remained emotionless, which actually ended up making Atton even more nervous.

"The Sith hired me as an assassin and an interrogator," Atton began. "Everyone said how Jedi are hard to kill, but for some reason, I found it easy. Slip a little poison in their food, plant a detonator in their quarters; I was good at it. Then there were those that the Sith had me interrogate. You probably know all about the Sith torture techniques. Well, I took part in it. I tortured Jedi to break their will, and I was good at it. And I liked it, Revan! I liked it!" He looked at his hands as if he couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

"So what happened?"

Atton took another breath. "There was this…girl. One of the Jedi I captured. I took her back to the Sith after I captured her so I could torture her for information. It started off easily enough, but there was something different about her. She started off with her usual Jedi talk, trying to get me to turn away from the dark side, to redeem myself, all that stuff. And I ignored her, of course. But she just wouldn't stop. I tried everything I could on her. I tried to get the information I wanted, but she wouldn't brake. And every time I tried harder, she did the same. It…it didn't feel right."

He rubbed his face in his hands as he took a moment to pause. Revan noticed his hands were trembling slightly.

"I tried to make her hate me," Atton said. His voice was now starting to pick up volume. "I tried to get her to at least be angry with me, but she didn't. No matter what I tried, she refused to be angry. She refused to hate me. She said…she said she felt sorry for me. Ironic, huh? She was the one strapped to a table, being tortured, and she said she felt sorry for me. And then she did the weirdest of all things. She told me that I wasn't evil, that I didn't know any better. She told that to me while I was pumping near-lethal bolts of electricity into her!"

"Do you think she was telling the truth?"

"How could it be true, dammit? I knew what I was doing! I knew I was hurting her, that what I was doing was wrong. But I still did it! Before I knew it, I was torturing her just to get her to stop talking! I don't know what it was, maybe it was anger, maybe despair, but I wouldn't stop. And finally, before I knew it…she was dead. I tortured her to death."

Revan shook his head in a way that made Atton cringe. "Atton…"

"But that wasn't the worst part…right before she died, she did something I never forgot."

"What?"

"She…she forgave me." There was a long pause. "It was the last thing she ever said." And then, after that…I just felt different. I never felt the same after that." Atton shook his head again. "I never tortured anyone after that. I just…couldn't. Her words ended up haunting me. Finally, I left. I left the Sith. Left my past."

"What happened then?"

"Well, first I went into hiding. Seeing how I was wanted by the Republic and the Sith, I decided it'd be best to lay low. Then as you know, the Sith got defeated. I drifted for a while, not sure what to do or where to go. I ended up on Nar-Shadaa. I was pretty much starving and homeless. That was where I ran into the Exchange. I don't know, maybe I felt like I had to be a criminal, or something. But I took a job with them. I didn't want to do anymore killing, so I just went into smuggling. It went fine, paid pretty well, that is until I got caught. Then, of course, I ran into you."

Revan sighed. "Atton, why didn't you tell me this?"

"I don't know…I couldn't! I mean, if you were I, how do you think a Jedi'd react to knowing he was harboring a former Sith torturer? I admit I was kinda afraid for my life."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that."

"What?"

"I won't kill you, Atton. Or turn you in. Your secret's safe with me."

Atton gaped in awe. "You…you mean it? Why?"

"First Atton, tell me, why did you come with us?"

"Because I was sick of running, sick of being a menace to society. Yeah I got a little tired of being in prison, but that was only part of it. I thought that if I followed you, I might have a chance of starting over. Turning over a new leaf, you know? I thought with you, I could at least make something of myself. Do at least a little good. So I came with you."

Revan approached Atton so he was standing right over him. "Look at me," he commanded. Atton obeyed.

"I forgive you," Revan said softly, but firmly. Atton looked at him in shock.

"Really? Why?"

"Atton, we all deserve a second chance in our lives. Look at me, I'm living proof of that. Not many people get that chance. Just look at my past. You know what I've done. But I've been forgive for so many crimes, so many atrocities. It would be wrong and hypocritical of me to not forgive you as well. If I can have that right, so can you."

Atton stood up weakly. "Thanks… So, what now?"

"I won't have you tell the others, yet. But I want you to know, that I'm willing to put this behind us. The past is in the past. For now, we have to focus on the future." He extended a hand to Atton. "So, friends?"

After pausing for a moment, Atton took it and shook gratefully. "Friends."

Revan smiled warmly and nodded. "Alright. I'll let you go for now. Come to me if anything else you need to talk about."

"Will do. Oh and Revan?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Atton returned to his usual routine of piloting, but for the first time in a while, did so happily. He had been dreading revealing his past, but now it felt great, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. It felt great.

"So?" asked a voice, causing Atton to jump again. He turned around in his seat.

"You know, you get really annoying when you do that?" he told the creature.

Saimos merely smirked in response. "Well?"

Atton sighed. "I told him."

"And?"

"He…forgave me. Everything's fine."

Saimos nodded contentedly. "Good. I am glad this worked out for you. I will leave you now." He turned to leave, but Atton stopped him.

"Saimos, wait." The creature stopped and turned around.

"I just wanted to say, about what you said earlier…" Atton stood up. The creature still creeped him out a little, but he found he wasn't as afraid of it as he was.

"I just wanted to say, thanks. And if you wanna be friends, then I have no problem with that." He offered Saimos his hand, and he shook it.

"Thank you, Atton." Not needing to say anything else, Saimos turned and headed out the cockpit.

Well, he couldn't' do much as of now. But Saimos had decided to take Revan's advice to heart, and at least make a purpose for himself in the little time he had left. But he still had things to do. Walking slowly up to the female's dormitory, he stopped at it and rapped slightly at the door.

"Visas, are you there? I need to speak with you."

Yeah, I know, I'm evil. Stupid cliffhangers. Well, don't worry, hopefully the next chapter will be up in a couple weeks. And hopefully they'll finally reach Dantooine come next chapter. This is gonna be a 30+ chapter fic, I can tell. As always, let me know what you think.