Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: Got a good critical response from a reader. They asked if I had said in a previous chapter if the Star Forge had collapsed due to Revan and Malak's absence. As of yet Malak has not returned to their galaxy and I have the paragraph right here from the previous chapter as to the fate of the Sith in the SW galaxy.
For close to two years the Republic would not know what became of the Jedi strike team sent to infiltrate the Sith flagship, or of Darth Revan and Darth Malak. All the Republic would know would be two years of victories as the Sith Order of the Star Forge crumbled and fell away to infighting and their own fleet. The fate on those onboard the Revenge and the Interceptor would be in the hands of their crew.
Just to clear any confusion... I know its been a while but there is a point to all of this... I think...
Additional Note: Whoops on posting my other chapter for KOTOR: The Power of Choice before. My bad, I was tired when I posted.
Chapter 11: Sith Persuasion
Gray material, similar to duracrete stood in stark relief against the brown rocky cliffs and green vegetation of the small island that Revan had tracked Spartan 117's strike force to. Slowly the side of the Sith dropship opened and four black-armored forms leapt from the back, repulsors cracking to life as they slowly lowered the Delta Legionaries to the surface of Halo. Bodies of Marines and Covenant littered the ground and the structure was painted in splatters of red, blue, violet and orange blood. Hovering over the dead bodies, the Deltas spread out, dividing into two groups as they landed on the ground with soft clicks of their armor. The repulsor packs died down, falling silent and the Deltas moved, back to back with their partners as they swept the outer part of the Forerunner facility. A hand raised and moved in a circle and the Deltas fell back from the interior of the structure, regrouping as Atton, the leader of the squad held a hand to the side of his helmet, resting his blaster rifle on his right shoulder.
"Structure is clear. The UNSC vehicle is cold but we're setting to stun in case we run into any humans."
Revan received Atton's transmission and moved to the crowded aft section of the transport, loaded with Sith, supplies and a single Jedi.
"Take us down."
Revan ordered before turning back to his sad remnants. Of nearly a hundred thousand soldiers that had been stationed on the massive Revenge only twenty-five remained aside from the Sith Elites and the Deltas. Glancing at Aven, Revan nodded and the Twi'lek Dark Jedi moved to the side of the transport, leaping down in a silent crouch before she moved off the support the Deltas. Stealth field generators activated and the four Deltas moved slowly into the structure, their forms barely visible as distorted blurs. Aven reached out through the Force, sensing only a few humans in the general vicinity and motioned to the transport. The transport landed on the outcropping of the Forerunner facility and the ramp lowered. Twenty Sith troopers with the four red-armored Elites moved out in four groups, securing the perimeter while the remaining waited in the transport.
"Alright, start unloading."
The transport's engines died down and Revan moved outside, a blaster pistol in his right hand as his lightsaber hung on his belt. Glancing behind him, Revan waited for Doctor Halfan and Bastila to exit before ordering the other five Sith soldiers and the pilot to begin moving supplies into the structure. The material looked similar to Duracrete but it was also a type of strange metal and Revan had a feeling it would be a lot safer than sitting out in the open in a valley on a plateau. Especially if the Covenant had air superiority. The Sith transport rose again, its engines a steady roar as it turned, backing into the narrow shelter provided by the structure and an overlooking ridge. Two Sith fighters slowly approached, their wings folding as they lowered their landing gear and took their places on the structure's platform.
"What were the UNSC looking for here?"
Bastila asked curiously. She felt rather left out and was trying to stay out of the way. Revan's Sith were well trained and were moving very quickly to get their tasks completed. The Sith pilot had managed, somehow to hack into the Pillar of Autumn's communications relay to get a message to Malak and Bastila watched with apprehension as a Sith battle droid was unpacked from a crate and Revan moved to the droid, reprogramming the cybernetic soldier to move the leftover Covenant cargo containers and devices in the area into battlements. The droid's bulky form moved along with two massive arms, pulling its single center leg in the same manner an injured humanoid would use crutches before it retracted its arms, moving the discarded Covenant cargo containers and crating fairly effective barricades to the entrances. A series of pops and cracks alerted Revan to their proximity to UNSC forces and the Sith Lord smiled grimly as he entered their makeshift base.
"Why are we choosing this position?"
Bastila finally asked, unfamiliar with warfare and curious. Revan glanced at the Padawan through his mask, his features fairly relaxed as he ignored the pain his movement caused his still healing wound.
"I had one of the techs with my earlier landing squad analyze the Covenant communications chatter. They were looking for a map on Halo called the Silent Cartographer. From what the tech gathered it is in this general area..."
Revan glanced down at a dead UNSC soldier, nudging the body aside with his boot.
"Its fairly obvious that the UNSC was here before us and we're going to find that map and get to the weapon before they do..."
Fixing Revan with a calculating look, Bastila crossed her arms and rose a brow.
"And what is the position of the Republic in your new order?"
Bastila asked warily. If she were going to help Revan any further than saving his life it would have to be for more than just some weapon. She couldn't, in good conscience work with the Sith to help them enslave more worlds or kill more people.
"Shared power. The Sith will withdraw after a series of concessions and we will only keep our holdings on Rakata, Korriban, Roon, Malachor V, Manaan and Ziost. The space is connected of course and will be heavily controlled by the Sith... but... Aside from security measures I would see no reason to use this weapon... whatever it may be. We may be able to reason with the Sith if we prove to be a significant threat to them... until then I would prefer to have a bit of leverage in case we fall under their ire... well... more so anyways."
Bastila reached through the bond, surprised that Revan did not bother blocking her. The Dark Lord was telling the truth and for a moment, the Padawan could sense a flicker of sorrow in the man's mind. Catching on to the Jedi reading his thoughts, Revan closed off his mind slowly as to not cause Bastila any mental pain. If he was going to be bonded to the girl, he would at least try to be civil. Seeing Bastila's curious and open gaze, Revan shifted uncomfortably. Bastila's eyes widened slightly, imploring Revan to speak.
"That is a dirty trick."
Revan snapped, glaring at the Padawan with no real anger. Sensing the weariness in Revan's aura, Bastila held out her arm, smiling slightly as Revan reluctantly took it and allowed the Padawan to hold up some of his weight.
"We'll find a place for you to sit down..."
Bastila reassured Revan, causing the Dark Lord to shake his head in disgust at his own weakness.
"It seems such a waste... The war with the Republic. This weapon can be the answer to the threat of the True Sith... It just... seems such a waste... the war on the Republic..."
Shaking out of his thoughts, Revan pulled his arm from Bastila's balancing himself on the wall of the Forerunner structure and sitting down on a Covenant cargo container. Knowing she wouldn't get much more out of Revan, Bastila moved to where Aven was speaking quietly to Doctor Halfan to see if there was anything she could do to be of use. The Sith and the droids they brought with them seemed to have the situation under control and the Padawan sighed in resignation as she worked her way back to Revan, scowling at the Dark Lord's masked features.
"Since when did I become his bloody bodyguard."
Catching the Padawan's stray thought, Revan smirked beneath his mask, closing his eyes as he channeled the Force into his body to help heal his injuries. Bastila, sensing Revan's intents allowed part of her essence to flow around Revan's; surprised slightly at the clarity and ease at which the Force came to her in that moment.
"I- is that how you always feel when you touch the Force?"
Bastila asked, amazed at the ease at which the Force responded to her touch. Revan nodded slowly, glancing over at Doctor Halfan as the Cathar all but forced Aven to sit down. The Doctor pulled a small medical scanner from her coat and scanned Aven's previous injures before injecting the Twi'lek and giving a small lecture of being careful. Looking rather sullen, Aven moved to the ramp that descended deep into Halo with a frown. The Deltas had not returned though their life-forces were still strong and Aven glanced at the two dozen Sith working on making the building secure. The three pilots of the transport and the fighters stood near the entrance of the structure, speaking to one another in low tones as they divided parts for their craft amongst themselves. With a sigh, Aven resigned herself to watching the ramp for any signs of the Deltas as she rested, Doctor's orders.
"Ship is repaired and clear for jump."
Malak frowned deeply. It had only taken a few hours to repair the Rakatan drive fully. Obviously the Rakatan technology's ability to repair and regenerate itself was a valuable tool and the Sith Lord turned his thoughts from his anger at his prisoner and to the task at hand.
"Set calculations and jump when ready. Once we are in our galaxy again, get our bearings and jump to the Star Forge. Immediately."
Few Sith outside of those closest to Revan and Malak knew of the Star Forge. Malak was fairly certain the trail of supplies from the Forge to the front had stopped altogether without any orders from he or Revan. Stumbling slightly as the Interceptor jumped into hyperspace, transitioning instantly across the vast emptiness between galaxies, Malak frowned as a thought occurred to him. The Sith would likely be under the control of a Lord on Malachor or Korriban and, with a shudder, Malak wondered if he'd have to start killing the opposition before he could get anything done. Darth Revan's word was law and no Sith questioned that. At least, no Sith that was within his reach.
"Captain, the bridge is yours."
The captain bowed deeply to Malak as the Sith Lord moved with rapid steps through the Interceptor. With a deep scowl, Malak felt a twitch of a sneer on his face as he boarded the lift to take him to the detention block. Linda 058's strike against his chest had cracked a few ribs and bruised his lung. Nothing too serious after a simple healing meditation but Malak was not going to allow his guard to drop again in her presence. Revan had made a similar error, expecting a Covenant and not a genetically altered supersoldier. Reaching his destination, Malak entered the cell block, passing the red-armored elite guards without a thought and coming to stop outside of Linda's active cell. The Spartan was standing directly against the forcefield, testing its limits as Malak stopped before her, his cape swirling at the abrupt halt and turn.
"You and I are going to have a nice, long talk."
Malak's voice was a hiss, his face showing his rage. Linda did not acknowledge Malak, calmly continuing the test the forcefield. With a sneer, Malak turned to motion for the field to drop. Instantly, Linda rushed Malak, an invisible hand stopping her and holding her in place. Malak, using the Force restrained the Spartan; channeled a powerful burst, sending the Spartan into the back of the cell where she collided roughly with the wall. Barely flinching at the rough contact, Linda finally turned her eyes to Malak, her chiseled jaw setting as she stared emotionlessly at Malak's enraged countenance.
"I know what you are, I know what your armor can do and I know your motives."
Slowly, Malak's hold on Linda eased enough for the Spartan to no longer feel pain from the invisible pressure crushing down on her.
"Your purpose, I am curious of, though. Are you a mindless drone or are you an individual with your own mind?"
Malak was secretly intrigued by his inability to read the woman's thoughts and intents and knew she had to have either a strong mind, or a disciplined one.
"Or both..."
The Dark Lord thought silently, his brown gaze unwavering from Linda's green. The Spartan's emerald eyes flashed as she slowly studied Malak, assessing his abilities. He had telekinetic powers that were simply beyond her and in his armor he could take a blow that in all truth would have sent her hand through a normal human's chest. Malak ignored the feeling of the Interceptor jumping between galaxies and ignored the alarm as the ship's systems suffered from the jump. Instead his concentration was completely on his prisoner.
"Petty Officer Second Class. Spartan 058 Linda."
The Spartan snapped off her rank and designation, her face blank. For an instant the pressure around her rose to a painful level as lightning, blue-white snaked around Malak's outstretched hand and a look of pure hatred crossed the tall man's face.
"We're back to this, I see. Very well."
Stepping back, Malak made a motion with his free hand and the security forcefield rose. Releasing his Force-hold on Linda, Malak crossed his arms calmly as the Interceptor again jumped into hyperspace on its way to the Star Forge and he narrowed his eyes.
"Until I am certain you are no longer a threat to my men or myself you will be kept here under armed guard. While I am not present you will be sedated."A black spherical droid hovered beside Malak, a syringe with a long needle extending from its form and Linda's eyes flickered for a moment but she remained the picture of calm.
"You will be interrogated at a later time by Revan. If you answer my questions I may be able to spare you that trouble..."
Thinking of Revan's unique methods of breaking Jedi, Malak shuddered slightly. They hadn't had the chance to use the techniques in earnest aside from on Malachor V and for that, he was silently grateful.
"Sir, if I may speak frankly."
Linda stated. Malak's brow furrowed slightly but he nodded.
"Fuck you."
Knowing he had been insulted but not understanding the words, Malak merely rose a brow.
"Well I won't be the one to deal with you, so I wash my hands of this."
Raising his hand again, Malak restrained Linda as the droid moved into the cell, the forcefield collapsing with a simple gesture from Malak. Linda strained every enhanced muscle in her body, trying to fight the hold on her but the prickle of a needle in her arm and a burning sensation told her it was all for nothing. Feeling her vision blur, Linda tried to move and found her limbs not responding as she collapsed to the floor. Malak, having released his hold on Linda glanced down at the Spartan with an unreadable expression before speaking again to the drugged supersoldier.
"Doctor Halfan was kind enough to provide an analysis of your enhanced genetic structure. Our med-techs have increased the dosage accordingly. I'm sure you'll enjoy what peace you have but Revan, my dear is not a kind man in comparison to myself and I hope you will reconsider."
Knowing the words were pointless to tell the Spartan, but speaking them anyways, Malak waited until the droid retreated from the cell and motioned to the guard to reactivate the forcefield. Rubbing a hand on his face, Malak sighed and decided to get on with Revan's unorthodox announcement to the Sith. No one, aside from perhaps that old mynock Traya would question him and with a disgusted glance at the Spartan, Malak moved quickly to the bridge of the Interceptor to carry out Darth Revan's will.
"How is Atton's progress?"
Revan asked, feeling fairly energized as the last of his injuries healed to within acceptable parameters for Doctor Halfan to let him fight. Aven rolled her eyes at Revan's eager tone, giving her fellow Sith Commander, by Revan's order, Bastila Shan a patient look. The Padawan was being uncharacteristically silent and Aven knew something was going on, something that was weighing on Revan and making her Lord jumpy.
"His last contact stated that he found a chasm within the underground facility that goes deep into the bowels of Halo. He and the Deltas are searching for the map room and as yet have had little success... It's a labyrinth down there I hear..."
Revan sneered slightly at the thought. He'd had enough twists and turns for a lifetime on Korriban and in the Rakatan Temple and he was reluctant to follow.
"It may bloody come to that."
Revan mentally complained, glancing down the ramp that led deep into Halo before he looked between his two Commanders.
"Very well, Aven are you feeling up for a trip?"
Aven sneered at Revan, though she nodded. Smirking at the disgusted look on his fellow Sith's face, Revan gestured to Bastila.
"Don't worry you'll have company."
Bastila, snapping from her daze glared openly at Revan.
"I beg your pardon but who ever said I would go on one of your bloody wild Bantha hunts? I thought you wanted to wait for Captain Keyes to find this so called weapon and for that matter, who are you to order me around? As I recall I saved your life. I would think that entitles me to a little consideration on your part. You could at least be civilized enough to ask before you bloody make a decision for me!"
Bastila was breathing heavily after her outburst, a steady flush to her cheeks and a challenging gleam in her eyes. Revan, having turned with Aven and half the Sith in the makeshift camp stared in shocked silence at the Padawan. Revan's mask moved as if he wanted to speak before it shook from side to side and Revan brought a hand to the base, rubbing it thoughtfully.
"As a Commander in the Sith Military, a rank I so kindly bestowed upon you so my men would not question your presence, would you be so kind, my dear spoiled Jedi Princess to accompany Commander Sek'tai on a simple mission to find a simple bloody map?"
The flush on Bastila's cheeks darkened considerably and Revan watched in slight surprise as the Padawan placed her hands on her hips, the picture of indignation.
"I am not spoiled. I am not a bloody Princess and I am not one of your hapless minions to order around."
Several of the nearby Sith had offended looks beneath their helmets but decided to watch the exchange. It had been literally years since someone had stood up to Revan and lived and it would be, if not fascinating, amusing to see the spectacle.
"Oh... my mistake. I did not realize you were a Banshee Queen. Didn't realize you were too above the work of us commoners..."
Revan's eyes twinkled beneath his mask with mischief. It had been so long since he'd had a good verbal and mental challenge and this, he was surprised to say was just what he needed. Bastila's mouth opened and closed before she settled for throwing her hands up in frustration.
"Oooh! You- You are insufferable, Revan! I am not your bloody servant."
Revan made it a point to look like he was studying the Padawan before he closed the distance between them, towering over the small woman.
"Then prove it."
Revan's voice held a sneer as Bastila backed away but he gave the Padawan a respectful look when she collected herself and fixed him with a glare so cold it would rival Hoth's nights.
"Very well..."
Bastila's voice was deathly calm and Aven, not knowing whether to be insulted or amused took a step back. Let Revan deal with the Jedi.
"You go find the bloody map or are you too bloody stupid to find a simple bloody map?"
Hearing his own words thrown back at him, Revan was stunned into silence. Bastila, sensing this pressed her attack.
"Or is the great Darth Revan afraid of the small tunnel? Are you afraid its too dark down there?"
Bastila's voice, to her own utter horror had taken on a childish tone and the Padawan's eyes widened.
"Oh Force, I'm dead."
Revan, thwarted by the Padawan's logic took a moment to compose himself. She had torn through his logical assessment with his own logic and he supposed he could get his hands dirty.
"For starters..."
Revan began calmly.
"I am not afraid of the darkness. I embrace the darkness. And to the second point I wish to make, we are being watched my some of Captain Keyes' soldiers. I was going to go confront them but if you feel the need to, you may as well accompany me on both excursions."
Without another thought, Revan turned, his steps long and powerful as he exited the base, motioning for the Sith sentries to remain as he calmly leapt down from the platform, approaching the beach. Bastila, shocked she had not been on the receiving end of a Force-lightning attack rushed after Revan, duplicating his leap and approaching Revan's side while Aven Sek'tai calmly approached the edge of the platform and crossed her arms, watching the display with a smirk. The Padawan had actually been insane enough to put Revan in his place and she could respect that. Revan had always been one to lead by example and she knew that was part of the reason she did not question the man. Obviously he was annoyed by the Padawan's questioning of his actions and, with a smirk, Aven decided to get something to eat and relax. Revan would likely do the work of ten men that day to show the Padawan how wrong she was. Actions always spoke louder than words, he always used to say.
First Lieutenant Melissa McKay's eyes widened incredulously as she spotted Darth Revan heading directly towards her small squad of ODSTs. They had been observing the Sith from a distance, having tracked them to this point and she would have bet her life on them being out of sight. Spotting the young woman that had supposedly been an enemy of the Sith Lord, the ODST sighed, motioning to her five fellow ODSTs to be on guard. Quickly radioing in to base, McKay took in a steadying breath and stood, her MA-5B shouldered and trained on Revan. To the Marine's annoyance neither looked surprised at her presence as they approached.
"Hold."
McKay warned, her finger tensing on the trigger. Bastila slowed, glancing at Revan as the Dark Lord ignored the order and continued on, his right hand going for his lightsaber.
"Shit."
McKay spat, she had not seen but had heard what the man could do and her fellow Marines stood, training their weapons on Revan and Bastila. Revan stopped, his head tilting to the side.
"I'm at a loss here..."
Revan began, his voice deceptively pleasant.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to turn around and leave."
McKay knew she wasn't authorized to kill the man. Starting an intergalactic war with the Sith would have been bad but she also knew that Silva had taken extreme measures against some of the isolated units of the Sith and that, likely the Sith knew this already.
"So you can shoot me in the back... Lieutenant McKay?"
Revan had taken the opportunity to read Melissa McKay's rank and her name. He'd learned rather quickly how to translate the strange earth symbols and was fairly certain he had pronounced the name correctly.
"Sir."
McKay warned as Revan began spinning his lightsaber in his hand. It was hard to believe that not a day before the man had been nearly fatally wounded and in critical condition. Calming herself, the Lieutenant focused on her mission. She was to assess the Sith threat from a distance and engage if necessary. Avoiding conflict was advised but not required.
A loud crack from a gun sounded when Revan's crimson lightsaber ignited and in a simple motion, Revan's lightsaber extended, vaporizing the single bullet before it would hit its target, Bastila. With his right arm extending outward from his body directly to his side, Revan's left hand had raised instantly and the Marines found, to their shock that their weapons would not fire. Twisting his hand to the side, Revan smirked beneath his mask as the assault rifles crumbled in their owner's hands. Immediately the ODSTs went for their sidearms, their movements slowed before they found their hands frozen on their still holstered pistols and they found their bodies unresponsive as an invisible pressure bore down on them.
"I could have bloody stopped that!"
Bastila spat indignantly. She had been attempting to stop the bullet in mid-air through the Force, rather than with her lightsaber and the Padawan glared at Revan's back.
"You're welcome."
Revan muttered, annoyance clear in his voice. Stalking forward slowly, Revan ran the tip of his active saber an inch from McKay's body as he traced it from her weapon hand to her throat where he kept it hovering. The hum was loud in the ODST's ears and she did her best to fix Revan with a cold glare.
"Revan you can't kill them like this. Not in cold blood."
Bastila's voice was gentle for once, chastising though the statement was and Revan felt himself flinch. The girl had seem him disembowel a Covenant Elite and even kill her fellow Jedi without hesitation and now she was going to enforce her morals upon him. Wanting to kill the UNSC soldiers just to spite that fact, Revan felt the Padawan pull on his mind, through their bond, showing him her own pain at what he was doing. Tightening his grip on his saber, Revan kept his masked features fixed on Lieutenant McKay's face before he lowered his weapon.
"Very well."
Releasing his Force-hold, Revan immediately killed three of the Marines that pulled their sidearms and attempted to shoot him. The other three, too shocked by Revan's display watched. Bastila, sighing at the scene knew Revan only defended himself though she knew he was making an example of the Marines that had drawn their weapons on him.
"That was not necessary, Revan."
Lieutenant McKay remained frozen in place, knowing she was way out of her league. Her two fellow Marines backed away, their hands resting on their sidearms though they did not draw.
"Perhaps."
Revan stated simply, both his hands on his saber as he fixed the UNSC soldiers with a masked glare.
"You three are prisoners, now. You will be treated as I see fit-"
Bastila cut Revan off.
"Revan, for Force's sake let them be."
Wanting to turn and address Bastila but keeping his eyes on the soldiers in front of him, Revan continued.
"You will be allowed to bury your companions but..."
Using the Force, Revan removed the weapons from the holsters of the six ODSTs, crushing them a moment later with a simple burst of Force-energy.
"You will of course not be permitted to keep your weapons."
Seeing the knives on the ODST's harnesses, Revan used the Force to remove those as well, motioning his hand to the side to send them out of reach.
"If you have a problem with that, you can take your chances and run."
Revan waited, seeing that none of the soldiers moved and nodded.
"Pay your respects then and follow Bastila."
Bastila was studying Revan with an unreadable expression before she sighed. Revan was being generous to the soldiers that were spying on him, she knew and she decided to let him have some peace for the time being. Silently mourning the loss of three more lives to Revan's hand, Bastila kept her focus on the bond between them, channeling her own feelings into the bond and hoping part of the good man Revan had once been would in the very least consider her views. All life was sacred to a Jedi and the loss of any, even in defense, even from an enemy should be mourned. McKay knelt by each dead soldier, collecting their dog tags before she stood, glaring at Revan. Revan merely motioned for the soldiers to follow Bastila.
"Lieutenant McKay."
Revan stated. Stopping, McKay turned and glared cooly at Revan through green eyes.
"By who's order are you spying on me?"
McKay said nothing and Revan eyed the ODST.
"You have lovely hands..."
McKay found herself with her face in the sand an instant later, her right arm buried beneath her weight while her left was pulled painfully behind her. Struggling, McKay could do nothing as the snap-hiss of Revan's saber activated and she felt his weight shift slightly.
"I think I'll take one."
Revan's voice was emotionless and McKay's eyes widened. Struggling further, McKay was saved the torture by Bastila using the Force to push Revan away from her. Immediately, McKay and her two fellow soldiers rushed Revan. Revan recovered quickly, rolling into a crouch and dodging McKay and tripping her as she passed. The first soldier to reach him received a simple, open-hand strike to the face which cracked the soldier's nose, driving the broken cartilage into his brain while the other was thrown by Revan against a rock, his skull cracking and his body convulsing before he died.
"Revan, stop this."
Bastila warned, activated her borrowed blue blade. Revan ignored Bastila, using the Force to call his lost crimson blade to his hand as he turned to Lieutenant McKay. The ODST came to a stop before her charge would impale her on Revan's blade and held her arms out to her side. She didn't like it but she knew there was very little she could do and now her squad was dead. Revan kept his blade trained on the ODST as he glanced at Bastila.
"You have a lot to learn about interrogation, Bastila Shan. I threaten, she submits and I gain knowledge."
Bastila knew Revan wasn't bluffing about slicing off the woman's hand and gave Revan a skeptical look.
"Have you satisfied your bloodlust yet?"
Disdain dripped from Bastila's tone and she wondered idly why she had bothered to save the man. Revan did not answer, keeping his eyes locked with Lieutenant McKay. The woman was shaking, either from anger or fear he could only guess as she had a fairly strong mind and Revan slowly advanced, surprised she did not back away from him and cower.
"Who ordered you to spy on me?"
Revan stated calmly. McKay, shaking with fury glared at Revan, sneering slightly.
"I think we both know it doesn't matter what I say."
Revan studied the ODST carefully before deactivating his lightsaber. He could respect the woman's boldness and she was skilled, though no real match against him.
"Get on your primitive communicator and inform your superior that your squad is dead. They tried to kill me and I saw fit to defend myself. You will then inform them that you, being with them are now, formally, a prisoner of war."
Bastila stood to the side, watching the scene with wariness. She had no idea what kind of political game Revan was playing but she knew the Sith Lord was not to be taken lightly. Glancing down at the fresh human corpses the Padawan sighed, moving to collect the dogtags as she had seen Lieutenant McKay do earlier. She was fairly surprised Revan hadn't lashed out violently at her for interrupting him but she knew the Sith Lord was a complex and strange man. Obviously Revan excused killing the soldiers by the actions of the UNSC towards his Sith and she wondered idly if the Republic would act any differently. Well, aside from the whole dismembering part.
"Alpha one-zero this is Charlie two-niner over."
McKay had pressed two fingers to the side of her helmet and was glaring at Revan while she spoke.
"Roger two-niner this is Alpha what is your status?"
McKay's jaw clenched as she took in a deep breath and relayed her squad's actions carefully and then began radioing her position. Revan immediately slashed his saber along the strap of McKay's helmet, melting her headset and knocking the helmet from her head.
"None of that, now."
With a glare, McKay moved forward slowly, giving Bastila a blank look as she passed her. Whatever problems the Jedi were having with the Sith, she just knew five of her men were dead and that likely, it could have been avoided.
"I suppose that makes us even."
Revan stated, causing McKay to stop. An unreadable expression crossed McKay's face as she remembered several of the soldiers back at the base talking about finding and executing some of the strange new aliens. She knew they had brokered and then broken a temporary alliance with the UNSC but she had not known that their leader had known about it.
"Oh I do know."
Revan stated, catching the stray thought.
"Four hundred and thirty seven of my men dead actively defending your people and another twenty six killed by your people. Add that to the hundred or so thousand killed on my flagship and in our destroyed base and we, my dear have a very large problem between our people."
Bastila closed her eyes, feeling the anger flickering around Revan like raging flames. The Dark Lord's anger had been well-hidden but obviously it was not diminished. Someone had to answer, someone had to pay for the death of those men and the Padawan sighed. She couldn't take Revan but she wouldn't roll over for him on command. The best she could do would be advise him, intervene physically if necessary and then only as a means of making him think, not as a means of truly stopping him.
"Yes sir."
McKay stated simply, most of her anger vanishing into understanding. Her squad was dead, that sucked but she could understand the Sith Lord's anger. They had come in good faith to help them defend against the Covenant and had been killed by her own people. The fact that the powerful Sith hadn't used his ship to level Alpha Base was a testament to his patience. Giving one last glance to her dead companions, McKay sighed, surprised when the young Jedi handed her the newly fallen's dogtags and gave her an apologetic look.
"We're wasting time and I still have a map to find."
Revan's voice snapped, drawing McKay away from Bastila's eyes. Knowing things were more complex than they normally would be, McKay absently rubbed her wrists, swallowing as she marched towards the Sith camp. She wouldn't talk but she didn't particularly relish the idea of being tortured for information. Measuring her options, McKay decided to wait for another escape attempt, hoping she could get past whatever guards Revan placed.