"Ready for takeoff, Admiral? Or is it Captain? You know come to think, of it, if you're deliberately abandoning your post, doesn't that mean I'm supposed to call you Deserter or something?"

"We can stick with Carth, Mission." He replied unenthusiastically, ducking as he walked up the ramp to the Kestrel. "And I'm hardly a deserter." A satirical grin tugged at his lips, "I sent in a three hour notice." Whether the Republic would see it that way, well… He had more important concerns.

The Twi'lek snickered. "'F you say so, Carth."

Striding through the main hold, he nodded to his compatriots in turn. They'd all gathered in the center, and it occurred to Carth he should say something. Standing straight and crossing his arms behind his back, he surveyed the crew. "Right. So we're all here for the same reason. Finding Revan."

"Bah, spare us the speeches." Jolee cut in, earning him a critical glare from Juhani. "Ju-ust saying, I've heard them all before. If we're going to save Revan, skip to the important bits."

With a rictus of a smile, Carth continued, "The last reported sighting of Revan was a space station in the outer rim. Seems the best place to start. We know she was retracing her steps, trying to recover her lost memories. We know she… she found something. And that 'something' is probably what has her now. Anyone who could… subdue… Revan is likely to be very powerful in the Force. We won't have strength or surprise on our side."

"Nothing new there." Mission affirmed lightly, "I've faced worse odds."

"There's no telling what we'll find, exactly. In my vision, she was in… more pain than I could possibly describe. " He swallowed. "When we reach her she might be hurt or- or if her memories really have returned… it's possible the Dark Side of the Force has taken hold of Revan again."

"But you are certain she's alive?" Juhani trilled uneasily.

"Yes." He replied, perhaps too forcefully. "Look, I won't order any of you to go with me, if you change your minds. But – just remember what's at stake." Clearing his throat, he nodded a dismissal and turned towards the cockpit. Mission followed at his heels. With Bastila off playing teacher's pet, and Revan's loss the very manifest of their quest, Mission was the next best choice for copilot.

Adjusting a few knobs and flipping switches, the Kestrel's displays brightened as the engine began to hum. It felt good to sit in front of these panels again. As Admiral, Carth served the Republic proudly, ably. But this was where he belonged. Piloting his own ship, following the love of his life into all manner of trouble.

Looking over everything one more time, Mission declared with a playful salute, "Ready for takeoff."

Carth nodded, and the Kestrel began to ascend.

Of course, it couldn't be that simple.

An urgent buzz grated above the regular rumble of the ship, sourced from a blinking red button that was difficult to ignore. A moment of uncomfortable silence ensued as Carth and Mission both stared at the hail. Bracing himself, the pilot accepted the transmission. "Ye-es?"

"Carth." A tart voice on the transmission echoed. Great.

Mission's eyes grew big as saucers, looking very much like a child who'd just been caught sneaking out. Which wasn't far from the truth, actually.

"Bastila." The pilot replied cooly.

"I suppose it was too much to hope you'd be reasonable about this."

"Reasonable?" He sputtered, immediately agitated, "Oh, we're way past reasonable. I'm pretty sure that went out the airlock when the wife was abducted. I mean you – you can't really expect me to just sit here knowing Revan's in danger, and not try to save her, can you?"

"I understand how difficult this must be, especially given your feelings. But–"

"If you understood, you wouldn't be trying to stop me." He interrupted harshly. "I don't have time for this. Has the Council reached a decision? Or are you just here to goad me."

To her credit, Bastila hesitated. "They… urge caution. We must consider the greater good. There are bigger threats to the Republic than the shadows Revan is intent on chasing down."

"Greater good? Funny." He shot back, "Because I'm pretty sure the last time Revan went chasing down shadows she came back at the head of a Sith Army."

Bastila huffed. He couldn't see her, but Carth would bet his favourite blaster she was rolling her eyes. "You're being a fool. This is not as simple as you make it out to be."

He supposed that was fair. "Yeah maybe so. Still doesn't change anything."

"The Council–"

"Since when did you turn back into the Council's mouthpiece?" Mission interjected.

"Mission?" Bastila sounded surprised. And then quickly reverted to scolding, "Who else is with you?"

Over the course of the debate, the rest of the crew had coalesced quietly in the door or the cockpit. An uncomfortable glance passed between everyone except for Zaalbar, who seemed to be the only one present utterly unperturbed by Bastila's disapproval.

Juhani spoke, finally, "Come with us, Bastila. You know better than anyone the power of the Dark Side – what we face. Carth says you, too, shared the vision. Do you not agree the danger Revan sought is real?"

Now it was Bastila who went mute. Carth's eyebrows drifted steadily upward as the moments passed, pursing his lips as he glanced back towards Juhani and the others.

"Juhani. Mission, Carth…" The other Knight intoned finally. "Zaalbar, too then. I assume."

The Wookiee gave an affirmative bellow.

"Who else?"

As Jolee seemed disinclined to respond, Carth rebutted. "What does it matter to you?"

"…You think it shouldn't?" She snipped, bitter, "Carth, I implore you one last time – call off this foolish mission. We've lost Revan. There is no benefit in losing anyone else."

"Thanks I'll keep that in mind." He dismissed sourly, closing the line abruptly. "Anyone want to get off?" Carth announced, anger heating his words. "Now's your chance."

When no one spoke, he slammed the accelerator. Mission scrambled to compensate as the ship groaned. They shot up rapidly, over the city and into a sunset sky of sanguine red.