Nope, I still own nothing!
Just a note, be prepared for a lot of rambling later in this chapter. If you're anxious to hear a lot of explanations that are important to the plot, by all means read it. If not, then you might just want to skip a bit. :P Um, Exile/Visas fans, hold your breath.
Chapter 26: Countdown
"Atris! She lies! Kill her now!" Kreia barked.
Atris raised her blade higher…
"Atris! Stop!" a voice commanded.
Atris and Kreia both spun around to see Master Vash, Master Vandar, and a squad of Jedi Knights gathered in the hallway. All of them had their lightsabers drawn and were poised for combat. Atris and Kreia both looked shocked.
"Atris, drop it now," Master Vash commanded again.
Atris looked to Vash then down at Juhani. "You…you…" she stuttered.
"Don't touch her. It's a good thing she called for backup as soon as she heard you and Kreia, or else we might not have made it in time." Vash explained.
"Atris, how far you've fallen," Master Vandar lamented. "But you are the one responsible for this, Master Kreia. Or should I say Darth Traya?"
Kreia looked bewildered. "How…how did you know?"
"Master Kavar was barely alive when we found him, Traya," Vandar explained. "But you didn't kill him immediately as you no doubt intended. He was able to tell us the truth before he passed."
Kreia backed away but kept her eyes focused on the crowd. "Atris, don't give in to them. If you do, they'll kill you. You know this."
"Atris, do not listen to her! It's not too late for you! You can come back to us!" Vash pleaded.
"Jedi lies," Kreia mocked. "You know this, Atris."
Atris looked from Kreia to the crowd of Jedi, then at Juhani who was still lying on the floor. Then a horrible realization came to her. She had caused the death of a Jedi Master. She had maybe caused the death of hundreds of Republic soldiers. And now, she had come perilously close to murdering an innocent victim in cold blood. No, perhaps she could not be forgiven. But…
She switched off her lightsaber and dropped it on the floor. "I…I surrender."
Traya gave her a venomous scowl. "You weak, pathetic fool. You are no better than the rest. Now, you will die along with the others!"
"Kreia!" Vandar snapped. "Your treachery has already cost us many lives. Thousands more are now at risk! But you can save them! Surrender now, and you can help us defeat the Sith! You can help us end this war!"
The Sith Lord cackled. "Spare me your pity, Jedi fool! I have no use for it!"
A wave of lightning erupted from her fingertips and struck the crowd of Jedi. Only Master Vash and Vandar parried it in time, but the rest of the unfortunate Jedi Knights were burned. Kreia seized the opportunity to make a getaway.
"Vash, make sure they aren't hurt. I will follow her!" Vandar commanded. He pursued the fleeing Sith Lord down the hall. He followed her quickly through the winding corridors of the academy until at last he found himself in a familiar place – the Council Room. In the middle of it stood Kreia with her red lightsaber drawn and grinning wickedly.
"This is it, Kreia. You cannot run anywhere," Vandar said sternly.
She laughed again. "You can kill me. But your order is finished. The Republic as you know it is doomed. Your own weakness in apathy will be your downfall."
"Kreia, you have fallen to the dark side. That path only leads to downfall, for you and the Sith."
"You fool. There is no dark side, or light side. There is only the force, and those who are strong enough to command it properly."
"That is a lie, Kreia. That is the dark side's greatest weapon – to make you believe it does not exist and that you can control it."
"I have had enough of you. I have heard enough lies from you and your council, you and your hypocrisy. The Jedi had their chance, but they will be replaced soon."
"Kreia, this is your last chance. Surrender now, and you can live. If you don't, then this can only end in death"
"So be it." Kreia lunged at Vandar and swung her lightsaber hard. The small Master parried her blow and countered with one of his own. The Sith Lord and Jedi Master dueled fiercely in the center of the large room, their motions a virtual blur of red and blue.
Traya launched wave after wave of ferocious attacks, but Vandar held his own. He was very quick, especially due to his size, and she had a difficult time landing a blow on his small frame. Vandar swung up and his lightsaber would have cut right through Traya's face had she not blocked it in time. The Sith lord was now starting to get frustrated and was now starting to falter in her attacks. Vandar seized an opening and thrust his lightsaber at her. Traya sidestepped and attempted to strike back, but Vandar was too quick. Before she could react, his lightsaber came up and slashed through her wrist. Before she knew what happened, Kreia saw her own hand lying on the floor, still gripping her lightsaber.
The Sith Lord let out a groan of pain and backed away. Vandar kept his lightsaber pointed at her.
"I warned you, Kreia. The fight is mine. Now stop this before it's too late."
"Never."
"Kreia, do not make me do this. Enough have died already!"
Kreia tried to send a wave of lightning at Vandar, but the small master blocked and absorbed the bolts. He responded by launching a force-whirlwind that picked Kreia up off her feet, spun her, and dropped her to the floor in a heap.
Vandar leapt over to her collapsed form and pointed his blue blade at her throat.
"Stop! Enough! I surrender!" she pleaded.
Vandar backed away and slowly switched off his lightsaber. Behind him, he heard the sound of Vash's squad entering the room. Slowly, Vandar turned his back.
Seeing him off guard, Kreia reached down and drew a sharp object – a poisoned Echani vibroblade, and lunged at Vandar.
With blinding speed, Vandar re-ignited his lightsaber, twisted around to avoid the blade, and swung his lightsaber in a single, graceful arc. When all was done, Kreia now lay on the floor with both hands and a head missing.
"Why, Kreia?" Vandar whispered sadly.
"Vandar! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Vash called.
Vandar shook his head. "I am alright. Just…call the council and get help. We need to move the body. Where is Atris?"
The white-cloaked Master slowly stepped forward.
"Master Vandar…I am so sorry," she whimpered, now very close to tears. "I have wronged you, the council, and the Republic terribly. I…I do not deserve to be a Master anymore. I do not deserve to live."
Vandar approached the grieving Master. "No, Atris. It is not too late for you. We can still end this. The war is not finished yet."
"But I have done so much! I have fallen so far! There is no way I can be forgiven!"
Vandar shook his head. "Yes, you did a wrong, Atris. And yes, you will be punished for it. But you are not lost to us. You can still have a second chance. We all deserve one. Revan, Bastila, and you. Help us, Atris. Show us you are sorry. Show us you are a Jedi. Come back to us."
Atris fell on her knees and now silent tears were streaming down her face. "I…will you take me back? Can you ever forgive me?"
"That I can, Atris. And that I do. Just do not make the same mistake twice. Prove to us that you are not lost to us. Show that you truly do serve the light. Do that, and I promise you will be forgiven."
"What can I do? How can I ever right my wrongs?"
"You can start by helping us. And you can start by telling us the truth. You can tell us what really went on between you and Kreia. And you can help us fight the Sith."
Atris bowed her head. "I promise, I will do that. I promise. I…I thank you, Master Vandar."
The small Jedi smiled warmly. "Arise, Master Atris. Welcome back."
"Visas, are you there?" Saimos called again. The door to the female dorm slid open, revealing not just Visas but the Exile as well. They were both alone, Mission and Yuthura were both in the garage for some unknown reason. Both seemed rather shocked at seeing the creature in the doorway.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I'm not interrupting something…" Saimos apologized.
Quaid blinked and shook his head. "What? Oh, no Saimos. It's fine. We were just talking."
"Yes," Visas nodded.
"Well I'm sorry to interrupt, but I needed to speak with you, Visas. It is very urgent."
"Why? What is wrong?" Visas asked.
"Nothing presently. But I need to talk with you about…your Master."
Visas glanced with her blind eyes at Saimos then at the exile. "Very well."
"Is this only between you and her?" Quaid asked.
Saimos shook his head. "No, Quaid. You can be present if you wish. It is probably better this way, you may need to tell Revan something after we have finished."
Saimos entered in and Quaid shut the door behind him. He and Visas then sat down on one of the bunks, while Saimos stood in the center facing them.
"You can sit down if you want," Visas offered. Saimos shyly took her offer and sat down on one of the adjacent bunks. A moment of silence passed before the creature finally spoke.
"Visas, I know this will be hard for you," it began. "I need you to tell me about your past. I need you to tell me about how you met your master and what you know about him. And I need for you to tell me what powers he possessed that have allowed him to seize power."
Visas meekly lowered her head and took a deep breath.
"I know this will be hard for you," Saimos repeated. "But I need to know this. Please."
Visas raised her head and straightened out. "Very well."
And so the former Sith spoke and poured out her past to the creature who listened silently, speaking only when he had a question. Visas told about her past and her training on Dantooine, and her friendship with Bastila Shan and her eventual move to Katarr. When she reached the part about the destruction of Katarr, Visas couldn't stop her tears from coming, and frequently had to pause to cry out her pain before going on. More than once she found herself crying into Quaid's shoulder while he held her in a comforting embrace.
'How I wish I could cry,' Saimos thought sadly as she wept.
Finally Visas told about how Darth Nihilus had found her and had twisted her mind. She told how she fell to the dark side and grew to hate life, and how served as Nihilus' top assassin during her days with the Sith. She also told about Nihilus himself and what she knew of his origins, as well as how he had originally seized power.
When she was finally done speaking, Saimos appeared to be buried deep in thought.
"And you do not know how your master possesses this power of his? How he is able to wipe out and absorb life on such a large scale?"
Visas nodded. "I do not know how. But I know that he can and he uses it frequently. It is how he was also able to defeat the Republic fleet. It is also what gives him strength."
Saimos pondered for a little longer. His false eyes seemed to be alive with thought.
"It seems that your master is like me."
"What?" Visas and Quaid asked in unison.
"Your master. He seems to be able to steal life from others at will in order to fuel himself, the same ability I possess. It seems to me that your master has developed a way to feed on the life-force others. You mentioned that he, like the exile, was present at Malachor V. Malachor V was a cataclysmic tragedy, but even worse for force-sensitives as they are in touch with the aura of all living beings. Thus, Quaid and Nihilus could both feel the pain of all those who had died at Malachor. It also seems to me that he and Quaid developed a different way of coping with it."
"How so?" asked Quaid, now a little curious at having been brought into the conversation.
"Quaid, you, Visas, Bastila, and even Nihilus all share something – and that is the ability to form connections to the lives around you. Quaid of course can form force-bonds more easily than most. During Malachor, the pain you, Quaid, felt was so great you needed a way to deal with it. So you cut yourself off from the force. However, in doing so, you also opened yourself up. When you re-connected, your connection to the force was also changed. You were now much more sensitive to life. You can feel what others feel, their pain becomes your pain, and their happiness becomes your happiness. It is much like the bond Revan and Bastila share, though not quite as strong."
He shifted his gaze to the crimson-cloaked Visas.
"Visas, you also have that connection, but in a different way. You can feel others and see into their souls. This goes beyond more than just the force-sight of your race. You can read the minds and souls of others. You can judge motives and character, all with a mere glance. When you see someone, you see not just their physical appearance, but also the content of their character. It is what also allowed you to trust the exile so easily when he spared your life."
"Bastila also has that connection. As you may have known already, it is what allows her to influence others. It is what makes her so skilled at Battle Meditation."
"And finally, Visas, that brings me to your master. He too has that connection, but in a different way. When Malachor happened, he needed a way to cope. Though unlike Quaid, who formed a 'shell' around himself, Nihilus opened himself up and allowed the pain to pierce and pass through him. Although that allowed him to cope with it, it also opened him up. His presence became an open sore, almost a wound in the force. He became a vacuum. Because of this vacuum, he leeched onto the life-force of others in order to sustain himself."
"Over time he developed and honed this technique, until he was able to form stronger connections and on a much broader scale. He did it to the point to where he was able to drain entire worlds of their life in order to make himself stronger. It is the same thing he did just recently when the Republic fleet tried to defeat his fleet. Nihilus latched onto them and drained them all of their life. He can do this at will, and it is what allows him to influence others and keep control over the Sith. The being Sion, the one who serves him, is a product of what Nihilus can also do with his powers. He trapped Sion in a state between death and life, where Sion is a virtual shell of a being, whose soul belongs to Nihilus. It is how Nihilus can control Sion, and how Sion can remain alive even when he should be dead."
"Amazing…" Quaid whispered. "It all connects…I never would have thought."
"But there is one thing I don't understand," Visas asked. "Why me? Why did my Master spare me? Why did he not kill me as well?"
"Visas, you are very skilled in the force and you made a very good assassin for him. But I think your talents are only part of the reason he spared you. Of course, your mind was young, fragile, and more malleable, which made you an even better prospect for a servant. However, I believe there is something else which Nihilus never told you. I believe he didn't kill you because he couldn't."
"What?" Visas asked in shock.
"Yes. Nihilus killed his victims by latching on to them, then absorbing their essence into himself. However, as I said, you have a connection to the life around you. Nihilus saw this and new. You could connect to him as well. When he tried to absorb you, you two unintentionally became bonded. So Nihilus could not consume you, or else he would end up hurting himself. However, he didn't kill you because he knew he could exploit this bond. It was also this bond that allowed him to warp your mind more easily. He knew that you and he would be connect also, and he would know of your actions though you did not know his. It is how he was able to sense your betrayal as soon as you vowed to follow Quaid and leave the Sith."
Visas' mouth hung open in shock. She never would have believed the truth. But now, it made sense. There was one thing left now…
"So, how can we use this to fight him?" Visas asked.
"When the time comes, it may be you and Quaid who have to fight Nihilus. With your connections, he will be unable to consume you. He is still very powerful, but he will not be able to absorb you, at least not easily. If we can exploit this, then it is possible we can defeat Nihilus. I see know other alternative. While he is like me in that he can absorb lives, he cannot maintain and hold it, as I can. Therefore, he has to repeatedly replenish himself, or he would quite literally starve to death. Although he does not have to eat very often, and when he consumes entire worlds like he did with Katarr, he does not have to eat for a very long time. And like me, he cannot be killed through conventional means. His connection to the force must be severed before we can kill him. If we can momentarily sever his connection with the souls he has absorbed, then kill him, he will be finished."
"Well, it's a long shot. But I'm in," Quaid said firmly. "And you?"
"I knew that you and I would meet Nihilus again, and I was right. I would not do it any other way. Wherever our path takes us, I am ready. And I will do it by your side, Quaid." Quaid took notice of the fact that she referred to Nihilus as 'Nihilus', and not as 'master'.
Saimos smiled faintly. "Very well. We will discuss this Revan later. But for now, we must rest. I will leave you two now." The creature slowly stood up and exited the room.
Visas and Quaid sat there for a moment in silence. Finally Quaid spoke up.
"I never would have thought about it. But if we had never met Saimos, then we might have never known how to defeat Nihilus. Then all would have been lost."
"The Force works in mysterious ways, exile. Perhaps he was resurrected for a reason. Perhaps it was all meant to be."
"I think you're right, Visas. Tell me, what do you see when you look at him?" Quaid asked curiously.
"He is…different. When I look at a normal being, I see them and their connection to the force. But his aura is different. When I look at him, it's almost as if he is not truly a separate being. It is a little like Nihilus. When I see him, it's as if he is part of the force and the force is a part of him, as if they are just one being. Yet I also see a thinking, living being. He has his own soul, but it is almost as if it is already one with the force but just acting through his body. It is very…unique."
"Hmm. Interesting." Quaid looked over at her. "And tell me, what do you see when you see me?"
The Miraluka faced him and stared with unseen eyes. "I see…a person whom I can trust. I see a great leader, but also a great friend. I see someone who cares about those around him, and whose heart is pure. I see a greatness."
Quaid reached over and delicately traced his fingers over one of her cheeks. "Visas, I…"
"You do not have to say anything. It is the truth. And I must tell you, Quaid, how much I thank you for all you've done for me."
"What? What did I do for you?" he asked.
"With the destruction of my home world, I had given up. I had forgotten my past, I forgot my friends, and I even forgot who I was. I felt I could no longer be anything but what my former master wanted me to be. But you showed me something else. You showed me that I did have a choice. And when I thought no one would ever accept me again, you did what I thought was impossible. You accepted me. When I had fallen, you did what I thought no one would do. You dared to care for me, Exile. And that touched me more than you could ever know. You gave me…hope. A hope that I could redeem myself. A hope that all was not lost, that life was still precious…that there were still things worth living for. When you spared me, Quaid, you saved my life in more ways than one. And for that, you have my eternal thanks. And I don't think I shall ever be able to repay you."
Quaid felt a sad smile spread over his face. "Visas…you don't ever have to repay me. Seeing you happy is repayment enough. I only want what's best for you. And if you ever need a friend, I'm always here for you."
"Thank you. And I too am glad you see me that way. But tell me exile, what do you see when you look at me?"
"I see a wonderful person. I see a young woman who cares deeply about life, even if she does not think she does. I see a great friend and a terrible enemy. More than that, I see someone whom I too can trust. And I mean it, Visas. I would trust you with my life. Visas, you have a good heart. And you are a strong, amazing person. Don't let anyone, even me, tell you otherwise."
Visas seemed slightly taken aback. "I…did not know you thought of me that way. Nobody has ever said that to me before…thank you." Her blind eyes were starting to water underneath her veil.
"Visas, why do you wear that thing" Quaid asked.
"It is a veil typically worn by my people. It is mostly to conceal my eyes."
"But why? You don't need to hide yourself. You don't have to be so meek."
"I…nobody ever seemed to care what I looked like. And being a Miraluka, my eyes are not fully developed. Most would consider my eyes to be strange. So I just wear it."
"Then, would you at least let me see what you look like?" Quaid asked humbly. "You do not have to if you don't want to."
"No, it is okay," Visas assured. She put her hands to her veil, but seemed hesitant, almost shy. Finally, she slowly pulled the veil over and off her head. Her hair, which had been held in place, now fell down to her shoulders.
Quaid stared at her in awe. He had considered her attractive before, but now that he could really see her, she was beautiful. Her face was practically flawless. Her black hair hung in shiny tresses down to her shoulders. Her eyes, as he expected, were a milky white. She could not see, so her eyes had never fully developed. But he found he did not care. They did not take away from her attractiveness at all.
Visas seemed to know he was staring, for she suddenly grew timid and sought her veil's concealing affects again. Quaid however stopped her before she could put it back on.
"Don't. You don't have to do that," he assured her. "Visas, you're beautiful."
Visas timidly shook her head. "I…I'm not beautiful."
Quaid placed a hand on her shoulder and used the other to raise her head so she was looking at him.
"But you are."
Visas stared at him dumbstruck, but finally a genuine smile spread across her face.
"Quaid," she said. "I wish I could see you."
Quaid reached down and took her hands in his. "Visas, do you want to know what I look like?" he asked. She nodded. "Here, go ahead."
He raised her gloved hands to his face so she was touching him. He let go and she slowly traced the outline of his face with her hands. After a moment, she removed her gloves so she could see what he felt like. Ever so slowly, she felt and traced every curve, every surface of his face, drawing his picture in her head. Then, for just a moment, their minds touched. For a moment, Visas was opened up to Quaid's mind and could see as he saw. And in that moment, she saw him. She could see his face; the color of his skin; the deepness of his eyes. He was as handsome as she imagined him to be. She saw his smile, and that made her smile even wider.
Both of them were now aware that their faces were practically touching. Both their hearts raced, neither of them sure what to do at this point. It was as if they were no longer in control of their bodies. Before they knew, their lips met in a blissful, loving kiss. It was shy at first, but they both quickly gained confidence and deepened it. Visas' arms instinctively snaked around Quaid's neck and pulled him close. Quaid responded by wrapping his own arms around her waste tracing circles along her lower back. Neither one of them tried or even wanted to stop. Sure it was sudden, but it felt right. Oh Force, it felt so right…
As Revan walked toward his dormitory through the garage, he noticed Saimos standing next to the window and stopped. The creature was looking out the window at the passing space, his eyes looked as if they were deep in thought.
"There you are. Where have you been?" Revan asked curiously.
"Just…making a purpose for myself," Saimos answered. This remark caused Revan to smile warmly. "And you may want to talk to Quaid and Visas. They probably have important information to tell you."
"Hmm. Okay, I'll do that. By the way, what are you thinking about?"
Saimos shrugged. "We will be on Dantooine very soon. The culmination of all that we have been working for is now coming upon us, Revan. Soon, battle will be upon us. Then, we will have to decide who we truly are."
"You sound a little worried, my friend."
The creature smirked. "Why would I worry? If we lose, I become a tool of the Sith and bring about the destruction of the Jedi. If we win, I die."
Revan felt the pains of guilt and sympathy fill his gut. He could only imagine what must be going through Saimos' head. "Saimos…I'm sorry. I wish things were different."
"Don't be. Though I'm convinced my re-awakening was on accident, it is probably better this way." He paused. His voice seemed to falter. "Tell me, Revan…will I dream?"
Revan walked forward and placed a reassuring hand on Saimos' shoulder. "Saimos, you are a thinking, living being. You have a soul. Death will not be the end for you."
Saimos slightly lifted his head. "I have been near death before. But near death is not true death."
"Saimos, there is no death…"
"There is the force," the creature finished with a smirk.
"Even though your body might die, your soul will live on. I know you have one. Death will be just another step for you." He paused and bit his lip. "I've heard stories before, how some souls come back after they die, how some come back to life in a different form. Sometimes if the person did not live a true life, the force gave them another opportunity."
"So are you saying…I could be reborn?"
"I don't see why not. It could happen. You deserve that, Saimos. You deserve another chance to live."
"Hmm…I don't know. If such a thing were possible, I do not think I would mind being brought back as a human. Though I also would not mind being an animal, perhaps as one of your species of birds. Tell me, do you think that is strange?"
An image of a bird flashed through Revan's mind. A bird flying high, near the sun, wild and free. "No, I don't think that's unusual at all," Revan said. "Saimos, whatever happens, I'll never forget you. You'll always be a friend to me. And to the others. We'll never forget you. You've helped all of us in more ways than you know."
Saimos turned so he was facing Revan, a warm smile spread across his artificial face. "Thank you, Revan…my friend."
Finally, a familiar sight came to the Ebon Hawk – a calm, fertile world. Dantooine.
"This is it," Revan said to the entire crew who were in the main hold. "It's gonna be tough. But if we're quick and play our cards right, we can end this right now. But we can only do this together. I'm going to need all of you to help on this."
"We'll never leave you, Revan. We'll fight by your side until the end," Quaid said.
"Revan!" Atton called from the cockpit. "Quick, you gotta come see this."
Revan rushed to the cockpit to see what was the matter.
"Revan, the Ebon Hawk has picked up a signal. It's the Sith fleet. They're headed here…and they'll be here soon."
"Damn," Revan cursed. This would be a race to the end. There would be no room for mistakes here. "Atton, set a course for the polar regions. We're going to have to do this fast." He quickly ran back to the main hold.
"Guys, the Sith are on their way. I was hoping we could avoid fighting them for a while, but I guess we're gonna have to."
"They can bring it on!" Mission shouted. "I'm not afraid of them! They'd better watch out for us!"
"Here here," Jolee agreed silently.
"Exclamatory: Oh, I am looking forward to the prospect of combat, Master! My blaster has all but cooled down after our last battle. I am already quivering with excitement at the thought of spilling meatbag bodily fluids again!"
"Well, HK, you'll get your chance," Revan said. "You'll all get your chance."
Saimos stepped forward. "We are in this together. Until death." He outstretched his hand and put in the center of the group. Slowly, Revan stretched out his hand and placed it on top of Saimos's. Mission reached out her hand and did the same. Then Quaid, then Visas, then Yuthura, then Jolee.
"Until death!" they shouted in unison as the Ebon Hawk hurtled into Dantooine's atmosphere.
Oooh! The suspense builds! Countdown to zero hour! Well, what did you think? You know what to do, press go at the bottom of the screen and submit a review. I notice a lot of people are reading this story, but not many are reviewing. Please, if you're reading this, at least let me know what you think, even if you've only read this one chapter. (anonymous reviews are accepted, in case you didn't know) Thanks for reading this, and hopefully the next chapter will be up soon.