S/N: This chapter in part sets up my intended sequel and some other surprises....
"She understood a great deal, a thing you always would dismiss out of hand, which is why she always thought so little of you. You know what she would say about you…"
"Talk gets cheaper the more you pivot around the same words, you can only replay memories and anything else before you get sick knowing that is all ever will be… this may very well be your last and your interlude with Bastila will not last either… you know that as well as I do… however I unlike you do not care… this war keeps going with or without us…"
"Say what you will as always Malak, but then without caring, without feeling, without all the trappings of life itself, you are already dead… being a Dark Lord of Sith only assures one thing that inevitably somebody will cut you down and take your place leaving us to fight amongst ourselves for generations to come…
"It all happened before, it all happen again, but the time for talk is over Revan…"
The lightsabers ignite in the increasingly darker Viewing Platform while the only glows come from the sabers and the pods carrying the Jedi taken from the Enclave ruins.
The frenzy of the lightsabers is muted only by windows and bulkheads yet inside the darkened observation deck there is a constant humming of blades. Borden's Jar'Kai is proving a versatile defense against Malak's single blade. Malak had the mastery of strength, but somehow there is always someone stronger or better to defeat him in his complacency. Borden crosses the blade to deflect another strike.
"I was certain the defenses of the Star Forge would destroy you, but I see there is more of your old self in you than I expected. You are stronger than I thought; stronger than you ever were during your reign as the Dark Lord. I did not think that was possible."
"You still underestimate drive, determination, dedication, and other qualities in your enemies, which is why the Republic, the Jedi, and I are at again at your doorstep."
"The darkness and the light wage a constant war within you. The balance is tipped one way now, but it can easily be tipped back."
"I know that all too well, but you to have gone so fully to the dark side. You learned nothing and your acts of destruction were your doing not mine."
The blades clash and Malak falls towards one of the pods. He drains the essence from the Jedi in the pod and leaps back with a parasitic vigor ready to fight again. Borden concentrates on the pods instead of Malak realizing the duel will not end if he considers only his former apprentice. One by one, each pod shuts down, which releases the Jedi from suspended animation.
"It will take more than destroying my source of regeneration to end this."
Borden resumes sparring with Malak on the upper platform. The Jedi captives dissolve into energy to become one with the Force. Malak breaks through Borden's feint of Soresu, and breaks one of the two sabers in the process. The one with crystal like Bastila's old is the broken one. Borden reverts to the Niman form taught to him by Master Kavar, and he notes he is remembering some of the other masters that taught him besides her. Malak resumes with an attempt to employ Dun Moch, which Borden readily recognizes so feigns an effective illusion that is working to see if Malak will slip an opening.
"You were a Savior, a conqueror, a hero, and a villain. You are all things, Revan, and yet you are nothing. In the end you belong to neither the light nor the darkness, rather alone."
"Whatever I am, whatever I become, I am never alone in all the ways that count or matter, but as for you my former apprentice, history will remember you as a tyrant though as for myself that remains to be seen…"
"Still . . . still spouting the wisdom the Jedi, I see. Maybe there is more truth in their code than I ever believed. I . . . I cannot help but wonder, Revan. What would have happened had our positions been reversed? What if fate had decreed I would be captured by the Jedi? Could I have returned to the light, as you did? If you had not led me down the dark path in the first place, what destiny would I have found?"
Borden gradually delivers several fatal blows, which knock Malak down for good leaving him unable to rise again. He kneels knock next to him after pull his former apprentice's weapon away from him. Malak looks to his former master and painfully admits a personal truth. Borden listens intently to Malak's last words before his death.
"I suppose. . . I suppose you speak the truth. I alone must accept responsibility for my fate. I wanted to be Master of the Sith and ruler of the galaxy. But that destiny was not mine, Revan. It might have been yours, perhaps . . . but never mine. And in the end, as the darkness takes me, I am nothing," sputters Malak.
"You were a good apprentice, a capable Jedi, I led you to the dark side's entrance, but as you admit on your own responsibility as I admit mine to you, to others that went with me to the Unknown Regions and back. I hope you find some peace in death Malak."
Darth Malak exhales his last breath as the Hammerhead capital ships begin their firing on the Star Forge's main stabilizers. Borden begins his long walk back to the Ebon Hawk. The Star Forge is coming apart all around him and chunks of it already falling into the star's outer corona sphere. The Republic firepower begins to entirely concentrate on the ancient war machine, but once it becomes clear that the monolithic hulk is finally falling out of orbit into the star, the ships fall back as quick as possible for each. The elevator inevitably reaches the bottom and piles of corpses are all over the hangar bay.
He stumbles around them towards Bastila and Carth then falls into her arms. The exhaustion of battling through the corridors then facing his ex-apprentice head on had taken its toll. Bastila and Carth carry him back aboard while Carth shouts to his son and Canderous to get them out of here. The Ebon Hawk's accelerated departure is brought online quickly and so the ship's engines rapidly fire up then the ship lifts off. It swings around exiting the bay as that chunk of the Star Forge is falling into the star, which obscures their transponder on long range sensors.
***
The Republic Fleet falls back to Rakata Prime's orbit. Dodonna orders repairs to get underway immediately and all fighters return to the hangars on the double. However the diminutive in stature only Master Vandar approaches her in his gait. She looks to him recognizing the possibility of the Ebon Hawk's loss. A voice however crackles over the ship to ship communication array, the voice of Carth Onasi.
"Carth, you made it!"
"We weren't going to let you start the victory party without us, Admiral!"
"I am sending an honor guard to escort you in; I will see you all planet side later."
"We will see you there along with the Council survivors if they wish to join us."
"See us again you will Captain."
"It is good to know that some of you made it through including you Master Vandar."
"It is equally good to know that Revan was able to show you the way back and still just as able to steel himself for the showdown with Malak."
"He will need medical attention beyond our capabilities once we touch down so whatever personnel or healers to be had would be nice."
"We will send who we can, and I will join you as well in person."
"Thank you Master Zhar."
***
The landing at the South Beach is nowhere near as rough this time, but even Onasi admits that landing a fully functional ship is different than a damaged one being mucked up by a disruptor. Ordo lightly jabs the man and pronounces that he should stick to flying rather complain about a shut down disruptor field. The usual tense rapport between them is more of an almost camaraderie of two men who once fought on opposite sides not that long ago. Borden slept for several days aside from the combined efforts of the Hawk's available med tech and the Jedi healers led by Zhar.
He eventually awakens to see Bastila watching him. He smiles at her before propping himself in the adjustable chair under the sunset glow of the Rakatan Sun. She kisses him on both cheeks before nearly kissing him on the mouth. She begins to speak for the first time since their aborted duels both here on this world and up there on the Star Forge. He looks at her intently as ever as she tries to speak through her tears.
"If all that was ever left of you was a memory of that smile and those eyes looking back at me, you would still be more of a man than I would ever know."
"If all that was ever left of you was a trace of those lips near my skin and those fingers running through my hair, you would always remain more of a woman, more of a love than I ever deserved…"
"I love you, whether you go by name Revan again or stay as Borden…"
"I know…"
She wraps her fingers around his neck before slipping them lower until her arms surround his waist and he wraps his arms around her too. Their foreheads lean against the other as they watch their first sunset together after all this time. The others pop separately or in pairs. Mission hugs Borden, Zaalbar ruffles his hair, Carth gives him a victory shake, Canderous bids him the traditional Mandalorian salute, Juhani puts him in a silly headlock, Jolee nods in pride, T3 makes his usual happy sounds, and then HK-47 arrives at last.
"Everyone is celebrating a strange phenomenon, but I suppose Malak's demise is enough of a thrill to celebrate, just not how I would do it…"
"Somebody shut that thing up…"
HK-47 clams up and wanders away knowing that somehow even he could feel unfulfilled at a time like this given his primary functions. The moons finally come to shine upon the Temple as everyone sets about dancing for the night. Bastila can be heard laughing for the first time in a long while Carth watches his two best friends reunite to affirm their love. He hears something on the wind and looks beside him to see a familiar face.
"Hello honey, you found me again in you, and you found our son," says Morgana.
"Morgana, how are you here?" asks Carth
"Just enjoy the moment and not ask my love," continues Morgana.
"I have missed you sorely every day yet he taught me something I should have known a long time ago," continues Carth.
"What is it that?" asks Morgana
"You cannot forget, you can forgive, but you must forgive yourself first before anyone else can, because only then can love bring around the side of you that embraces the struggles of life for you, for those around you…" answers Carth.
"He is a good teacher, a better friend, I know Saul did terrible things, I realize you blamed yourself for trusting him, but he was your friend and mentor. However I am glad you did not resort to things so unlike you to get your answers from him."
"I have those two to thank for that…"
"They were guides, but you were the traveler, something my mother taught me…"
"Smart lady like you and I see Dustil is getting acquainted with Juhani and Mission, he does not waste his time…"
"He gets that from you, but I hope he learns to respect the woman he loves like you respecting me even now while I am just a ghost reappearing to you at this moment…"
"I am sure he will though just in case I will keep a close eye on him," chuckles Carth.
"It is also good to see that you laugh again, I had feared battles and losses would make you a harder man, but somehow being with this crew really turned you around…"
"Not just me, he always found time for everyone no matter what was going on or where we were or whatever else I could think of at the time…"
"He cares a great deal about everyone, but especially her; he made some of the biggest risks for her. The greatest risk anyone can take comes from knowing that everything they have can be lost regardless of what they do, but still take the risks anyway."
"I wonder if I will ever know the kind of love I felt for you again, but I suppose whatever happens it is or is not in the cards for me."
"Never give up Carth, if it means that much to you, I hope you do, you will not be replacing me, you will merely find a way to be that happy again while you are still alive."
A woman with black hair, hazel eyes, and noticeable tan approaches Carth, but he does not notice automatically. He looks at her for a moment before looking back at the larger crowd dancing around the grasslands that surround the Temple. She waves her hand in front of his face before he snaps out noticing that Morgana's ghost is gone yet this woman here now is real. She smiles at him and he smiles at her.
"Carth Onasi, famed Republic War Hero, twice in a row now huh?" chuckles the woman
"What is your name lady?" asks Carth
"My name is Moira, Moira Keller…"
"Why does that name sound familiar?"
"I was one of the pilots that flew in your escort back here, I also served alongside you on the Courageous during the Wars, but likewise afterwards I would not follow anyone to war, not until the Jedi turned Sith attacked the Republic after struggling to save it. When I heard about the Spire's destruction I lost some hope, but then I kept hearing about a group of 'misfits' traveling the Galaxy yet it was not until your name and Bastila's was mentioned that I found myself believing again…"
"I am glad you found hope again, found a reason to fight for a better world, because it took me years to find that for myself. It was until I got stuck with these guys that I began to realize that holding onto the past was poisonous in the regards that the bad things were leading me towards a bitter end if I allowed them…"
"Sometimes all it takes is a seemingly mundane act of kindness to turn it all around."
"You want to dance Moira?"
"I would love to… you have to take charge though… I do not lead well yet…"
Carth puts his arm around Moira's waist and pulls her closer to him before setting off to follow the jig around the pyres setup for the night. Borden catches Carth's entry into the circle with Moira and laughs a little before Bastila notices him watching Carth. She looks in Carth's direction and smiles knowing that perhaps the scales can even out for anyone no matter what happens to him. The hours drift by slowly yet by the ebb and the flow of time gradually everyone retires for the evening.
Mission has fallen asleep in Zaalbar's arms like she had done so many times on Taris in years past. Dustil is still up talking to pilots and soldiers though keeps the crowd more towards his age range. He notices his father is still talking to that woman he was dancing with earlier. I suppose anyone deserves some amount of happiness for the miseries they endure, considers Dustil. Juhani reunites with Belaya, both of whom surprised and overjoyed to see each others, like intimate old friends together again.
Carth and Moira head down to the coast for the simple pleasure of having an oceanic view and the smell of sand covered beach. Borden and Bastila fall asleep under the stars later on as Carth leads Moira back to her temporary housing during the Republic's layover here on Rakata Prime. He eventually heads back after agreeing to look her up after the ceremony tomorrow. He arrives back at the Hawk to find T3 busy with astrogation system for reasons unknown, but does not question it considering that Dodonna and the Council agreed to encrypt the Star Maps permanently.
Dustil is asleep in starboard dormitory as is Canderous and the two appeared to have played dejarik for some time. He shakes his head then goes to the vacated port dormitory to sleep off the intoxication from all the Deralian drinks Borden made for the party earlier that night. The night eventually turns to day and the crew in what qualifies as their best look arrives at the Temple where a crowd is already gathering in their honor.
"Today we gather to honor the journey made by the crew of the Ebon Hawk. Today we gather to remember those that died along the way to this gathering. Today we gather to recognize those of us here to see this. The battle is never over even when the war stops and I am going to admit something to you all right now, I know some of the Council might object to this. However, I believe you deserve to know more about this man that stands in the middle of the lineup of the Hawk's crew. This is the man that killed Darth Malak, the man that directed us to the Star Forge, the man that saved the lives of countless others, and more than that he used to be Darth Revan…"
The cheering crowd falls silent on the last phrase. Some are too stunned to move, some reach for their weapons, and others step in the way, others whom would gladly claim that you can no longer judge him by that standard. They instead begin to clap; others eventually join in until everyone is applauding for the crew including Borden. Dodonna announces that each crew member of the Ebon Hawk is receiving the Cross of Glory, the highest honor that Republic can bestow upon its heroes, which each of them graciously accepts as individual officers pin the medal to their shirts except Zaalbar.
"From Coruscant to the Outer Rims, you are the Republic's saviors."
The cheering grows louder while the Masters look on in silence. The contrast in action thinks Borden as the crew looks again towards the gathering. Carth is occasionally looking around for Moira though sees no sign of her at the moment. Everyone begins to look as audible engine sounds can be heard from the skies above them. The Aureks are doing a flyby over the ceremony site. One splits from the formation, which is the customary tradition to honor those that died during the space battle.
"You are the heroes of our age, but remember your service does not end here. There are still other battles to be fought even though the Sith were routed here. They are not done yet nor are we done either because they and others will be the crucible of the days to come…"
The lone Aurek makes a slight tip revealing the pilot to Carth's line of sight. It is Moira, he smiles a little more than usual. Dodonna resumes her speech as the crowd and the crew returns their focus to her.
"…And reminder of things past. The struggle for meaningful lives requires strength of conviction and will to put your lives on the line constantly for that conviction."
"I too wish to honor you all for your service as Jedi, as soldiers, as mechanics, as warriors, but ultimately as individuals who have given all without expecting returns of any kind. As for Revan, you particularly have reaffirmed my faith in the belief in redemption even many did not believe it possible, even at Bastila's insistence."
"It takes only one to change a life…" replies Borden.
Bastila looks at him with a weak smile knowing that their love will be weathering hard times after leaving this world behind them. The gathering disperses back to the transports for the ships in orbit. The Councilors decide to hold an informal session to discuss the fate of the Order with the destruction of the Enclave on Dantooine. The Temple remains on Coruscant, and the Sith have not gone after it. The presumptions for this inactivity are the demise of Malak, the loss of the Star Forge, and Borden's activities on Korriban.
***
"Attachment is forbidden for a reason Padawan Shan," begins Vrook.
"How many more times are we going to have this discussion," retorts Borden.
"They were quite the pair as students, as learners, I believe that love fueled Borden to save Bastila, what made Revan push her out of the way of Malak's attempt to kill him two years ago, so for the last time Vrook, quit your preaching," shouts Zhar.
"Zhar, you know what the so-called love did to Jolee Bindo and Nayama."
"You leave my wife out of this Vrook!" yells Jolee
The Council falls silent as Jolee enters with the slightest trace of frustration on his face. He glares directly at Vrook as if remembering their last encounter decades ago during the trial regarding his training of Nayama and her eventual allegiance to Exar Kun. He exhales before venting his most direct thoughts on the matter of feelings, emotions, and the relationship that his friends are pursuing for themselves.
"Love doesn't lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled, but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love, that's what they should teach you to beware, but love saves you, not condemns you," continues Jolee.
"It seems your exile has made you even more warped than you were after dismissing the promotion to knighthood," retorts Vrook.
"There is no reasoning with you, you want to know why, because why we are both old men now, I have not however allowed things past to twist my thinking or my feeling about anything," remarks Jolee.
"You talk about passions well look at you right becoming angry with me!"
"You are leading him on, so why are you blaming this on him for?"
"This does not concern you, how I speak to this wanderer is my own business."
"You want respect; you want people to listen to you, so you better start practicing what you preach Vrook."
"I have had enough of this nonsense, you want to ruin the Order with your methods so be it, I am returning to Dantooine to discern why Malak chose to destroy the Enclave and whatever else I can find left there."
Vrook Lamar departs in silence leaving the remaining Councilors to decide what to make of this argument for and against attachments as Vrook so sparingly calls it. Vandar, Zhar, and Dorak decide it is none of their concern as what the two hold for each other is far too important to them so whatever happens is up to them. Borden admits some regret for the outcome of this verbal sparring match. Vrook however had become increasingly dogmatic about his methods especially since the Enclave's destruction.
***
"Hello again Carth," says Moira.
"I would like you to meet my son Dustil," replies Carth.
"Hello Dustil, my name is Moira Keller, a pilot in the Republic Navy, an Aurek detachment on Dodonna's flagship now. She is looking to recruit your father into her command staff and if you are interested you can tag along," continues Moira.
"Quite an offer, isn't it Father?" says Dustil
"Quite an offer, but for the time being, I plan to spend more time with my son, if Dodonna really needs me anywhere else I am there," answers Carth.
"She will be disappointed naturally, but I think she will understand after all this separation from your only son."
"I think we need to go back to Telos, see if there is anything we can to rebuild, I am certain that the Republic would be behind after the war is over."
"I would ask if I could join you at that point."
"You are welcome Moira; I have not seen Father this happy since I first met up with him again on Korriban weeks ago."
"Thanks Dustil, your support means a lot to me, so when it is time, you can reach me through the Republic Navy or I will just get on the first available transport to Telos."
***
"Where you will go now Canderous?" asks Borden
"I do not know with this quest done, I fear I am left to my own devices unless you have another mission for me," answers Canderous.
"Someday I might, but I would say return to Ordo, see your homeland again, then seek out other Mandalorians, I think it is time for your people to heal as well, to remember what it means to be Mandalorian without the Jedi or the Sith beckoning you to war for a while," continues Borden.
"Perhaps there is some truth in what you say, but I will be keeping tabs on you somehow, we cannot afford to lose the greatest warrior of the age so easily," replies Canderous.
"I am not going anywhere, not yet, but other memories are coming back from the Wars and other things," responds Borden.
"You have found yourself again, be happy with your Princess okay."
"I will try Aliit ori'shya taldin Canderous."
"Mandokarla," responds Canderous.
Canderous departs in a G-Wing variant shuttle to find his new journey as Carth, Dustil, and Moira approach Borden. Borden shakes Moira's hand and cannot help noticing Carth's boyish grin when looking at Moira. A new start, a new woman, somehow it did not seem like such a leap after everything he and Carth went through together since Taris. Carth is taking a leave of absence to spend accumulated service weeks with Dustil and Moira will be spending a brief furlough with them too.
The Onasis and Lieutenant Keller head off to board a troop transport that will ferry them to Telos, which is definitely in the makings of a restoration project though it will require substantial financial backing especially from the Republic. As well as the right kind of overseers, and the hopes that Czerka does come knocking there too. Bastila sneaks up behind Borden squeezes his waist between her slim forearms.
"Everyone is off to somewhere else by now, Jolee is opting to return to Kashyyyk for awhile so Zaalbar and Mission will be going with him. He told Jolee to tell to tell you that his life debt is honored and he will not forget what you did for him."
"I guess that leaves just you, me, and the droids then," chuckles Borden.
"You never lost that peculiar sense of humor my love," laughs Bastila.
"I love you too Princess."
"You better believe it," giggles Bastila.
"I take it we will be going to see your mother, I believe Zhar said she is still with his healer friend on Coruscant."
"Yes I would like to see her as soon as we can Borden."
"I believe it is time to take our leave of this world."
The Ebon Hawk flies into the blue skies over the Temple before reaching the blackness of space. The other masters are taking what Jedi are left from the battle back to Coruscant as well by their own means. The information pertaining to the Star Forge, this star system, and other details are encrypted, sealed, and never really spoken about in great detail again for some time. The Hawk makes the jump to hyperspace to begin its journey to Coruscant. The trip will naturally take days if not weeks.
***
Coruscant, Two Weeks Later
Jedi Temple, Docking Bays
Private Hangar
The Ebon Hawk rests in its moorings as T3-M4 descends the boarding ramp to see Master Zhar advancing towards him. Borden exits the freighter next carrying his and Bastila's bags. Zhar had been aware of their visit since he took such delicacies to assure no one knows of this visit. The bay's recorders are stuck in a loop for the next few days though no one is the wiser given that this is Zhar's bay even though the Master does not own a ship presently. Bastila descends with her hood still up, but he senses something else in her. Her turmoil is fears about her mother's condition, memories that Borden will remember from the Wars, and how anything else will affect their love for each other.
"Bastila, your mother is waiting for you at my friend's residence, he has done what he can for her, but as you know the condition is terminal. She could die tomorrow, next month, or live another several years. There is no way to tell as it is progressive, not aggressive, but the healers' work has slowed it down enough for now."
"I am forever in your debt Master Zhar…" murmurs Bastila.
"Come here Bastila, I want to show you something, something I am sure Borden remembers somewhat from years ago training here…"
The trio enters Zhar's sanctuary room, which is full of plant life from all across the Republic and outside it too. It blooms and fades with the seasons so one must learn to appreciate them as though someone like a plant dies, they are never completely gone, so long as someone remembers them. She thanks his for the sentiments, and so she boards a paid for in advance shuttle with Borden to go see her mother again.
***
Coruscant, Private Residence
"I cannot thank you enough for all you have done…"
"Anything for some of Zhar's best students…"
"He really does think very highly of us doesn't he?"
"He does Bastila; why else make this effort to help her for you…"
Borden sits alone by Helena Shan's bed watching the older woman sleep peacefully. He nearly envies the calmness on her face knowing that he may know it again for very long either. She stirs and notices him there wondering what exactly is going on if he is here. At first she thinks it must be Bastila, but then she hears her daughter's voice outside the room talking to the healer.
"I am still on the job Helena…"
"This is good, I would trust no other with her safety than you…"
"We did what we had to do, that task is done, there are likely to be others, but for now, all of us has earned a respite from unspoken tragedies, it is a time for healing…"
"I would swear I never known a poetic Jedi, but I can still see why she loves you…"
"How do you know that?"
"I have been in love myself you know, when I was younger, not much older than Bastila yet not quite as old as you feel to me now. My husband was that man I fell in love and in time we had Bastila, our only child though I sought to give her a better life with the talents she had in herself…"
"I believe the Jedi should never separate children from their families, but there is a growing notion that they must be taken younger than ever before if they are to be ideal learners without pre-existing relations to influence them…"
"Probably the most absurd notion I ever heard…"
"It is because what become of the child are ultimately the child's decisions though you quite honestly can mess him or her up along the way though I think it better for a parent to be the guide than an enclave of strangers with lightsabers and Force tricks…"
"You almost sound like my husband in those objections, but he never quite put it that way about the Jedi."
"She needed her parents, needed her father, you, more than she could ever express, but in time as we grew closer before the Wars I tried to make the Enclave warmer than the Masters ever made it except for Zhar among the more nurturing mentors I ever had during my reciprocal years…"
"The healer spoke of Zhar very highly; I believe they are close friends…"
"They are which is why he agreed to look after you while we were off on the mission…"
"He is a good man, very much the kindness of strangers…"
"Yes very much so…"
"I would like to see Bastila now…"
Borden calls to Bastila, she enters, and Borden leaves the Shan women to talk about whatever needs to be said eventually. He decides to rest in one of the adjoining bedrooms. The dream memories crop up periodically, but one in particular starts to come to him again. The battles from the Wars, but why now he wonders, perhaps there is something else that needs to be dealt with someday, yet for now, he is content to be with her. However he realizes what happens; something will never quite let him off the hook, whether it was something he did, someone else did, or something that is going to be done.
He awakens later to find Bastila sleeping next to him and he whispers aloud about his fears, the things he is still keeping to himself for now. The happiness of the now would be enough for him after all these years of war and trying to get back to Bastila.
***
Telos, High Orbit
Citadel Station Construction Platform
"The vote to financially support the Telos Restoration Project is still at a deadlock though the Supreme Chancellor is gaining quite a following since there is a combination of sympathy and greed in the Senate," says Captain Keller.
"A promotion, huh, great news darling," remarks Carth Onasi.
"Pay attention to what I am saying Commander," continues Moira.
"I know Captain, it is a time consuming process, and Citadel Station is already underway in orbit, enough of us have gotten together to get the ball running on this though as everyone knows Republic support for the project is tantamount for further financial assistance to get this station fully operational…"
"How is Dustil doing?" asks Moira
"He is doing well, he is very eager to be working with me on this one, and some of the kids he got to leave Korriban are also here including a guy that Borden and I got out of a tight spot in one of those Tombs."
"Wonderful news sweetie," replies Moira.
"When is your next leave coming?" asks Carth
"I do not know yet," answers Moira.
"I wonder what the others are up to these days," remarks Carth.
"Last I heard Jolee is still on Kashyyyk with Mission and Zaalbar. Canderous has completely dropped out of sight though I cannot say anyone would be surprised given the Mandalorians lack of popularity inside and outside the Republic. As for Juhani she like most of the Enclave's former residents is on Coruscant. Borden and Bastila are equally difficult to track, but I think you would understand why for them too."
"Their relationship is complicated to say the least, but they deserve whatever happiness they can have otherwise they are just people with lightsabers going off to save the day all the time."
"I will be back before you know it flyboy…"
"I have your word on it doll…"
"You really know how to affect a woman…"
"I love you too Moira…"
The transmission ends after she says love you more, talk again soon. Dustil and Dol Grenn, an old friend of Carth in the Telos Security Forces, enter the apartment a short time later. The usual topics over dinner range from the daily bits to the deadlock over the Restoration Bill in the Senate despite the Chancellor's championing of it. A holo-news report airs after dinner that the Senate, and by extension the Republic votes to support the Restoration Initiative on Telos. The project support is set to begin at the start of the next Galactic year, which begins in a matter of weeks.
"Finally some really good news since word got out that the Sith movement has fallen apart with the death of Malak, no thanks in a large part due to you and the others you teamed up with to track down the shipyards responsible for their limitless fleets."
"Yes Grenn, but you know as well as I do that the rebuilding will take time, leaving us vulnerable to others like Czerka despite their setbacks elsewhere. Other military organizations, mercenaries, fortune hunters, and forbid that someone should manage to rally the Sith again, but I will not consider that truly latter possibility right now."
***
"The news of the Senate's support for the Telos Restoration Project is big, because it is a start not just for Telos if it succeeds, but other worlds that can benefit from the experiences of restoring Telos," remarks Zhar.
"Yes, perhaps to the point that the world will become not its old self again, but something more born of terraforming process on the devastated sections of the planet. A large amount of the surface is uninhabitable though creating barrier settlements can allow workers, technicians, botanists, and more to work through the land, to heal it. This is the ultimate goal for the project," continues Borden.
"It sounds like a wonderful possibility," comments Bastila.
"I heard about your mother, you have my condolences," says Colonel Moira Keller.
"We thought it worth the trip to at least talk about the project and to be here for you if you need us for anything else."
"When is your wedding?" asks Bastila
"We were thinking as soon as possible, and we would like to round up the crew for it along with anyone else that might want to join us for the occasion," replies Carth.
***
After the wedding, the crew went their separate ways again, but Borden had been speaking to Canderous for hours before he left like a man with another mission to take up. Borden had also been behaving strangely lately at least this opinion was held by Bastila as she had been living with him for several months now. She had also become aware of a life growing inside her, and she realizes she is pregnant with Borden's child. Old fears and worries emerge though she pushes pass them again after admitting them yet a litany for strength, the same strength that brought her and him together, for love.
"Borden…"
There is no answer on his comlink. She repeats his name several times then goes looking for him. He is examining multiple astrogation charts as if looking for a specific place. She clasps her hands on his shoulders and kisses his neck. He reacts as if coming out a trance state from studying the charts for too long.
"The nightmares are getting worse aren't they?"
"You could tell?"
"You and I are bound in a way only those who feel instinctually through the Force understand remember…"
"Yes, you are right Bastila… wait there is someone else here with us… you aren't … you know?"
"Yes I am, I have been feeling this for weeks, but now it is stronger, we did it, a life conceived from love, maybe more than one, I rather not know or ask a medical doctor about the exactness of it all."
Borden wraps his arms around her listening through the Force for the life growing within her. This would be his real legacy should he not survive what he considers undertaking beyond the galaxy's edge, into the Unknown Regions. He had all the reasons to stay here with her, but the compulsion to meet the threat that sparked the Mandalorians Wars was similarly compelling. A Force memory of his old master came to him later.
"You understood the way to wage wars, it is for this reason that you must go alone to the Unknown Regions to find this threat that endangers us all."
"Is there no other way?" thinks Borden
"If I had to tell you, what difference would it make, because you already know the answer to the question except some part of you cannot accept having to leave behind that which you cherish more than your own life?"
"The sacrifices I made were not the fall, I chose to use the dark side to save, not destroy, but now I realize that it will take more than Force mastery to deal with the True Sith."
"The difference between a sacrifice and a fall is using the dark side without the corruption owning you to the core as it did with Malak after learning to channel the Star Forge. However it is fortunate he never knew the whole truth about Malachor V, but you are already remembering it. The plans must be made eventually and then you will have to go if you choose to pursue this."
***
Bastila found herself awaking to an empty space besides where Borden would sleep if he could manage sleeping anymore. She looks out to the landing pad that usually only has the Ebon Hawk there, but it is not there now. However Carth's personal shuttle and Canderous' scout ship are landing there now. Someone had summoned them here, it had to have been Borden, but Canderous had not come alone nor had Carth. She puts on a wrap around robe then heads to parlor to greet her unexpected visitors.
"Hello Bastila, I wish I was visiting under different circumstances, but Borden's sudden departure raised a few eye brows both from my contacts at the Temple and elements within the military," begins Carth.
"I came because I was told to inform you of my agenda, my plans as given to me by Borden not long after Onasi's wedding. He also did contact you to come here because of something to do with the military and your promotion that is coming into effect eventually."
"When Dodonna steps down to a desk command position, I become the eventual successor as Admiral of the Republic Fleet, but as for Canderous I can only guess what that new armor means… wait a second… that is the armor of…"
"Mandalore, he told me to become the new Mandalore, to reunite the clans, whether or not he comes back from wherever he went… he said he realized why his military coup of the Republic failed because he could not lead the struggle himself. Others had to do because otherwise it would be meaningless. His new struggle waits for him out there and he will not be back until either it is done or he is…"
Bastila collapses to couch crying into her hands and Carth sits beside her. He looks to Canderous with a slight disgust at the man's blunt take of Borden's possible fate in the Unknown Regions. She looks at both of them before telling them that she had felt this might happen though she had hoped otherwise yet she tells them also it had something to do with Malachor. Canderous looks away as if remembering again the final battle of the Wars at those words.
"I left a message and instructions in T3 to find a way back with or without Borden because I had to know what happen to him otherwise I would never know what happen to the man I love, the father of my child or children…"
"You are pregnant?"
"Yes I am… in a matter of months the child or children will be born and afterward I will have to deal with explaining what happen to Borden for them."
"They will learn to live with it somehow as you will too. I am by no means a cold man, but Borden would be the first to say in my opinion that dealing with what you can, helping your family whoever they are is the most important thing to do with your life."
"You are right Canderous, but you know as well as I that I cannot do it alone."
"We will help however we can, I am sure some of the others will contribute somehow if you wish to involve them."
***
A series of holo-recordings were left for the three of them.
"First to my love, to Bastila, I am sorry to have disappeared in the middle of the night, but we had talked of these things so often I found it difficult to finally say I have to go, these nightmares are becoming too much. I love you with all my heart, my essence, you know how I feel about you, but in another way I will always be with you through the life growing inside you. Second to Carth, the Republic military will rely heavily on your leadership, but remember as we spoke of the restoration project; it too has a hand to play in strengthening the Republic and its people. Furthermore I would ask if you can keep tabs on Bastila, on our family, not just blood or personal relations, but the others as well. Third and particularly to Canderous, the return of Mandalore is a rally point for the scattered clans, it may not be what it once was, but it can be more, remember that when you gather them. We did life changing things together, the four of us, and others who are not present at this moment."
"Finally the droids are going with me on this one at least for the start, but one way or another I will have done something necessary to do. It may never make sense; I may never understand it anymore than any of you ever will. It hurts to do this because it means leaving you all behind to do something that may get me killed, but something worse than Malak's Sith or the Wars is out there. I did terrible things to try to stop it on my own, which is why I am entrusting the three of you with these tasks because I cannot do this alone again. You are my entire legacy, but you especially Bastila and the life growing inside you… this is not goodbye… this is good luck… this is what we do for each other. I would never want to ask if it were not necessary in my eyes, but the struggle is in our hands always. We do this to sustain who and what we are to each other."
"I love you Bastila, I have always loved you Princess."
"I respect you more than you know Carth; you are a good man in many ways."
"You do yourself a disservice to live solo Canderous, but I suppose that is a personal choice. I am truly grateful for your support in this like our previous campaign…"
None of them speak for a long time, then Canderous unable to summon words to comfort the great man's wife or the stragetist's right hand man, leaves them to their emotional moment. This is something warriors do, something that soldiers are face as well, but the hardest are the ones left behind.
***
Malachor V
Trayus Academy
"Hello again Kreia…" begins Revan.
"I have been expecting your return for three years now, but I take your memories did not return quickly that you were hesitant at first. Your attachments are the likely cause as you had grown undeniably close to the Ebon Hawk crew through the conflicts that brought you back to the Star Forge, to defeat the usurper…"
"Guilty as charged… you however have taken a new identity as well, Darth Traya or so I heard someone call you awhile ago…"
"The Academy here became my responsibility when you did not return, but other Lords are proving themselves capable more so than Malak though I have my doubts as usual as neither is an equal to you. Zhar if any of the other Masters understood you the best aside from me though I think neither Zhar nor myself truly understood you until after you made the self-sacrifice…"
"It is possible, but I am not here to debate that again. I am here to learn how to leave the Order behind completely this time because of the True Sith and the threat they represent to us all should we just wait for them to come to us."
"I am not against waiting, but yes despite the fall of their empire like the collapse of the Infinite Empire, they still have a hand to play should we allow it. There are enough struggles in the Galaxy without their interference continuing in the years ahead."
Revan's training never ends yet things past remain as the journey comes full circle again for him. It took time for him to retrain himself in some of the forgotten methods of Sith dueling and contemplating using the darker powers again though he felt it unnecessary to indulge the ones that Malak and others had so blatantly made use of after his 'demise'. Darth Revan would not return, but someday Borden might come back for his great love, for his family, for everyone he cared yet now the time to depart further into the Unknown Regions had come at last.
The Ebon Hawk is left behind on Malachor while he sets out alone into the depths of space to meet the True Sith head on, risking no one, but himself. Darth Traya had greater problems looming on the horizon as the Sith Triumvirate begun here on Malachor is going to fail, this much she has foreseen for herself, but the suddenness of it would take her by surprise. The fragile alliance between herself, Sion, and Nihlius ends with her removal as Mistress of the Trayus Academy and expulsion from the Sith ranks, which summons memories of another time to her. The training of Revan and others had put her methods on trial before the Order exiled her too.
She had learned of Revan's backup plan for the Republic should he not return from his search for the True Sith, but she like he knew someone had to spear head not just lead separate factions while hoping for a successful alliance between them. There were a scarce number of candidates to choose from to lead this alliance when it becomes necessary so she began her search for someone who understood war as Revan understood it or at the very least could do what needs to be done.
However a Jedi Purge is beginning with armies of Sith Assassins spreading out across the Galaxy to hunt down the Jedi survivors of the Civil War. The already ailing Order did not suspect this possibility, but it had come as gradually their numbers fell lower in the years ahead. The survivors took more extreme measures to hide, to survive, and in some cases stopped using the Force altogether or at least as little as possible. She went on with her search despite all this, and then word reached her that Atris had called for a meeting to discuss this threat coming after the remaining Jedi.
This would not end well as Atris herself had not gone to Katarr as several others had done. She had made a baiting trap for what she thought was the real threat, but in truth she had only lured one of several factions into the open. Darth Nihlius culled the last known members of the Order. In his wake, Katarr had been left lifeless except for one of the Miraluka, a woman named Visas Marr, who became his apprentice against her own will, but she was the only survivor, desperation does terrible things to a mind.
In the three years since Revan's departure, the Sith factions native to this galaxy had come back in secret while the remaining Jedi had gone into hiding in order to effect the deception that Katarr had been the end of the Jedi. Kreia knew otherwise, but the 'triumphs' of Nihlius and Sion were no longer her concern, but their defeats were part of her on-going plan. She had 'seen' the Purge as the intentions of starting over, but then she saw that sweeping away the current generation of Jedi only left an imbalance with the next generation of Sith.
A/N 1: I expanded on the amount of dialogue in the final duel with Malak. I kept it more or less the same except for the parts about them talking about Kreia.
A/N 2: Moira is a new character that I kind of made up from one of my games as a female Revan except she is an Aurek fighter pilot that develops a romance with Carth after the destruction of the Star Forge. Morgana makes a Force ghost type appearance. I also throw in the beginnings of the Restoration Project seen during Sith Lords on Telos as well as Dol Grenn.
A/N 3: Helena Shan's life is made more comfortable thanks to a healer friend of Master Zhar. She'll die eventually yet it won't be a painful death from a wasting disease at least. As for Bastila, you read it, she gets pregnant not long before Revan or Borden leaves for the Unknown Regions.
A/N 4: Ordo's task to rebuild the clans begins, Carth's moving up to Admiral before long, and Bastila will have her hands full with motherhood.
A/N 5: Kreia will be ousted before long and begin her search for the one who can fulfill her plan. Visas Marr is mentioned of course as is her connection to a certain Sith Lord.