Chapter Thirty-Two: Escape

"Feed in, camera two… Why the hell isn't this working?" Jolee grumbled. "Blasted computers."

Carth had been nervously pacing the Star Forge's control room when Jolee started complaining. He'd been thinking about Revan, about his promise to protect her. He was ready to follow her, to do whatever he had to. And she had just walked away from him. Revan had told him there was a possibility she'd die here, then tried turning that possibility into a valid option. He'd seen the way she'd reacted when they had first seen the Star Forge. Her pale face, her stoic stance… Carth had thought things had gotten better after that evening on the beach, when he finally told her he loved her. She looked so happy on the beach, her eyes twinkling as she smiled. Then the Star Forge called out to her, making her crazy. She couldn't control the voice, couldn't stop crying. And all Carth could do was watch.

Jolee kicked the computer consol. "Universe revolves around technology… blasted stuff doesn't work half the time." He gestured over towards Bastila. "Course, she has to be busy meditating. Can't be bothered to help an old man try and figure this piece of junk out." He looked at Carth. "Just what the hell is 'Battle Meditation,' anyway?" He didn't wait for an answer and turned his attention back to the computer. "Damn thing."

"What are you trying to do?" Carth asked.

"Trying," Jolee said, "to get the security feed to show up. Just what button did you press last time?"

"Uh… whatever was flashing," Carth said. "I don't… remember what button it was… It was flashing…"

Jolee grumbled. "Damn kids and shiny objects."

"What security feed are you trying to get?" Carth asked.

Jolee looked at Carth, dumbfounded. "What, I'm the only one who's the slightest bit interested in watching the only battle of this war that makes a lick of difference?"

Carth's eyes grew wide. "Revan and Malak?"

Jolee snorted and turned back to the computer. "No, Mission and Zaalbar fighting over the last dessert pop."

Revan and Malak. The final confrontation. A moment in history. And Carth could watch it. Revan was stronger than Malak. She'd easily defeat him, no contest. If she'd only believe it instead of thinking she'd die. Carth could watch her, support her from the sidelines. He could still…

No, what's the point, he thought. Carth closed his eyes and leaned against the computer consol. He didn't want to watch her die, to watch her fall on her lightsaber because she was afraid of the future. And even if she did survive, the Jedi Council would never let them be together. Jedi weren't supposed to love. She'd be locked up inside the Jedi Temple all day. He'd never see her. So much for promising to spend the future with her, to love her, to protect her from whatever the galaxy threw her way. Carth pinched the bridge of his nose. That was twice he'd failed to follow through on a promise.

"Kids these days," Jolee muttered. "Think they know everything about promises and love."

Carth blinked and looked at him. "I didn't say—"

"You don't have to," Jolee said, still studying the computer keyboard. "I can sense your emotions, remember? Your angst is so thick I can cut it with a Wookiee dull-bladed knife."

Carth stared at his feet. "I don't want to lose her, Jolee."

"She isn't going to die," Jolee said. "'Least not here and now, anyway. Everything dies when it's their time. Trust me, son, this isn't her time."

"You sound so sure of that," Carth sighed. "Even… even if she does survive—if any of us survive… Do you really think the Jedi Council will let us be together? What we're doing, what we've done… it's forbidden. They don't believe in love, and they'll do anything to keep us apart if they find out. I don't want her to get hurt because of me. I—"

"That's where the Jedi Council is wrong," Jolee interrupted. "They go around, passing rules, tellin' them all to follow the code, shootin' you if you question. Controlling your passions while being in love is what they should teach Jedi to beware of. But you know the Jedi. Easier to just forbid love than teach the balance." Jolee shook his head. "Love will save someone, not condemn them."

"Tell that to Revan."

"She knows it," Jolee said, pressing a few buttons on the keyboard. "She's just got it in her head that she doesn't deserve it. That's the problem. Once you get past that? She's just like every other hot-blooded woman out there, which I'm sure you're already more than familiar with—Hey, think I got it!"

"Got what?" Carth asked.

Jolee looked at him. "You really are thick, aren't you?" When Carth still looked confused, Jolee tapped the computer monitor with his index finger.

Revan! Carth stood up and pushed Jolee out of the way. Jolee protested with a surprised, "Hey!" then grumbled and looked over the pilot's shoulder.

Carth watched as Revan charged after Malak. "C'mon, Beautiful," he whispered. His eyes were fixated on the computer screen, watching every movement she made, every detail of the duel. He didn't want to miss anything. The bright lights of the lightsabers on the screen made Carth wince. He kept his eye on Revan, her natural talent continuing to amaze him. Watching her fight was like watching a dance. The twirl of the lightsabers, the graceful footwork… Carth had never seen anything like it.

"Carth, the second she takes Malak out, we've got to get out of here," Jolee said.

"I know, I know," Carth said, still watching.

"Look at the battle screen for just a second," Jolee said. "The Republic's broken through. They'll blow this station up whether we're on board—"

"I know, old man!" Carth snapped. He heard Jolee mutter something, but ignored it.

Carth's palms were flat against the sides of the computer monitor, his heart beating rapidly. Revan's lightsabers crashed against Malak's. The Jedi could use more fighters like her, Carth thought. "C'mon, Beautiful," he said. "Come on. Get him. You can do it!"

The Star Forge started to shake and rumble. Carth paid no attention, his eyes fixated on watching Revan and Malak battle.

Revan kicked Malak, and he flew backwards. Carth cheered. "You're doin' great, Rev!"

Malak got up and charged after Revan. Carth winced as she brought her lightsaber up, blocking Malak's attack. From the camera's angle, all Carth could see was Malak's back. He couldn't see Revan, just the glow of her blue lightsaber pressing hard against Malak's red saber. "Come on," he whispered. "Kick his ass, Beautiful. End this."

Revan's purple lightsaber pierced Malak's back.

Carth's jaw dropped as he watched Malak stagger backwards and fall to the floor.

"She did it," Carth whispered. "She… she did it." His heart filled with pride. "She did it!"

The Star Forge shook. "No time for celebration just yet!" Jolee said. "Come on! We've got to get her before this place blows up!"

Carth turned and looked at the older Jedi. "Jolee, she—"

"Kicked his ass, I know!" Jolee said, turning to run towards the Star Forge bridge. "Bastila, let's go!" he cried. "You, too!"

Bastila opened her eyes and stood up. "Come on, Carth," she said, chasing after Jolee.

Carth turned back to take one last look at the computer monitor. "I'm proud of you, Beautiful," he whispered.

"Let's go!" Jolee cried. "Tell her you're proud of her in person!"

Carth turned away and ran after Jolee.

He didn't see Revan collapse.

The door leading to the Star Forge's bridge was closed. Carth was shaking as he reached for the lock. She'd won. She'd beat him.

No, they weren't in the clear yet. Once they were off the Star Forge, then they could celebrate. The entire crew, just the two of them, he didn't care. But until they got off the Star Forge—

The door wouldn't open. Carth jiggled the handle, then tried again. "It's jammed," he said. "No!" He tried the handle a third time. He needed to get to Revan. "Blast it!"

"Move!" Jolee yelled. Carth stepped aside without hesitating. Jolee reached up, grabbed hold of the lock, and closed his eyes. "When this door opens, Carth, you run in there and get her!"

He needs to tell me? Carth thought, but instead replied with, "Okay."

Jolee took a deep breath and pulled on the lock handle. The door clicked, the lock having disengaged. "Force comes in handy every now and then."

Carth didn't say anything, not even asking how Jolee managed to open the door. He took off like a fighter out of a hanger, running full-speed into the bridge. "Revan!" he called out. He looked around the bridge as he ran, then gasped.

Malak's body lay motionless on the floor.

Then he saw Revan's body laying next to Malak's. Carth's heart leapt to his throat. Don't let her be dead. Force, don't let her be dead.

The Star Forge began to shake more. Carth glanced at the large bridge window and saw the Republic warships coming in closer and closer, their main cannons firing directly upon the silver Rakatan factory.

Carth reached Revan's side. He knelt down and gathered her in his arms. "Revan?" he said, his hand on her cheek. She felt cold. "Revan, Beautiful, talk to me! Come on, Rev, say something!"

Two computers at the far end of the room exploded, sparks flying everywhere. The Republic ships were focusing their fire power closer to the bridge than they had been.

"Carth, we've got to get out of here, now!" Jolee yelled.

If Revan was dead, he didn't want to leave. There would be no reason to.

"Carth, let's go!"

"Come on, Beautiful," Carth pleaded. "Say something, please!"

"Oh for the love of the FORCE!" Jolee screamed. Carth turned and saw Jolee running full force their way. The older Jedi stopped as he reached them, then bent over and scooped up Revan's lightsabers. "Let's go, NOW!"

"There's a back elevator this way!" Carth heard Bastila shout. "We don't have much time!"

Carth stood up, Revan in his arms. He saw Jolee and Bastila running toward the two computers that had exploded. Carth took one last look at Malak's fallen body, the wound Revan's lightsaber had caused, then ran after Bastila and Jolee.

"Mission!" Canderous yelled. "Get the frack inside the Hawk!"

"We ain't leavin' without them!" Mission yelled back.

"Did I say we were?" Canderous snapped. "This frackin' place is comin' down all around us! It's safer inside!"

"You ain't my father!"

"Damn good thing, too! Otherwise that mouth of yours would've been smacked off six months ago!"

A piece of the landing dock's ceiling came crashing down, missing Mission by only a few feet. The teenager screamed, then ran up the Ebon Hawk's steps. Canderous spit as he backed up and stood at the base of the Ebon Hawk's ramp. He looked at HK-47. "Damn kids!"

"Query: Should I kill her, Mandalorian meatbag?"

Canderous spit again and didn't answer the droid.

The Sith and Dark Jedi had finally stopped invading the landing dock. Canderous didn't know why, nor did he care. Even though they hadn't seen a single Sith in what seemed hours, the team remained outside, ready just in case. But when the Star Forge started falling apart, Canderous ordered everyone inside while he and HK stood guard. Juhani and Zaalbar were the first up the ramp. It was Mission who was being stubborn. Or had ideas of being a hero, Canderous wasn't sure. "Damn kids," he muttered again.

At the far end of the landing dock, Canderous saw the elevator door open. "Great," he muttered. "Perfect time for more Sith." He aimed his rifle at the door, and was just about to tell HK-47 to get ready when he saw Jolee emerge from the lift, followed by Carth carrying… Revan? And was that Bastila, too?

"T3!" Canderous yelled. "Fire up the engines! NOW!"

A moment later Canderous heard the familiar drone of the Ebon Hawk's engines. Canderous handed his rifle to HK, then ran towards Carth. "Give her to me!" he said. "And get the frack inside the cockpit!"

Carth didn't argue. When Revan was safely in Canderous's arms, Carth ran up the Hawk's ramp.

"Everything okay while we were gone?" Jolee asked as he ran up the ramp.

"No time for small talk, old man," Canderous said, running right behind him. He reached the top, then turned and saw Bastila and HK behind him. Canderous elbowed the ramp control, and the walkway rose. "We're all on board!" he yelled. "Punch it, Carth!" Canderous looked at Bastila. "Welcome back, Princess."

Bastila said nothing.

Canderous quickly made his way to Revan's quarters. He felt the ship rock as Carth flew the Hawk off the station, obviously trying to avoid falling debris. Something bumped the ship, though, and Canderous was pushed against the wall. He turned last-second and landed against his back, his main concern protecting Revan. He heard a high-pitched whistle, then saw T3-M4 fly down the hall. The impact of whatever hit the Hawk was enough to knock the trash compactor around, apparently. Whatever, Canderous thought. The droid could be repaired. Revan couldn't. Canderous continued down the hall.

It wasn't until Canderous reached Revan's quarters that he realized Bastila was right behind him. He didn't say anything as he lay Revan down on her bed, making sure her head was pillowed. He sat down on Revan's mattress and placed a hand on her stomach, the other on the upper ledge where the wall and bed alcove ceiling met. The Ebon Hawk continued to shake and rock, and Canderous didn't want Revan flying out of her bed.

Bastila sat down on her old bed and braced herself similarly to Canderous. "Welcome back, Princess," he said again. "And just so you know, you might want to move in with Juhani and Mission down the hall."

"I'm not back five minutes and already you're telling me what to do?" Bastila asked.

Canderous shrugged. "Suit yourself. Hope you enjoy listening to Carth and Revan go at it like gizka all night long."

Bastila's jaw fell.

"Republic's one horny son of a kath hound, let me tell you."

"I ask that you stop this at once!" Bastila snapped.

Canderous shrugged.

The Ebon Hawk stopped shaking. "Must have made it past the war ships," Canderous said. "Home free now, Princess."

"I also ask that you stop calling me that!"

"Touchy now, are we?" Canderous smirked. "Poor Bastila. You know, you look so sexy when you're angry."

"Need I remind you that you're old enough to be my father!"

"Always had a thing for younger women."

"And cantina Twi'leks, if memory serves," Bastila said. "Tatooine comes to—"

"What?" Canderous asked. "They were all off findin' the Star Maps. Man has needs, you know." He paused. "You're not jealous, Princess?"

Bastila gasped in shock. "The Force no!"

"You did a nice job covering my ass when Revan asked why we were short credits."

Bastila said nothing.

Canderous grinned.

Something brushed against Canderous's hand. He turned to see Revan's hand resting on top of his. Her eyes opened slightly, a look of puzzlement on her face. "Canderous?" she whispered.

"Welcome back," he said.

"Where… am I?"

"You're on the Ebon Hawk," he answered. "Get some rest."

"Carth…"

"He's fine," Canderous said. "Everyone's okay."

"Carth carried you to safety," Bastila said.

Revan smiled and closed her eyes. "That's my flyboy," she whispered before falling back asleep.

Canderous shook his head. Republic's one lucky son of a Sith.

Thank you, oh mighty beta-reader, for putting up with my paranoia.