Author's notes: Flash forward, plus an important decision that affects Revan´s future life forever. The flashbacks from her "discussion" with the Council are from the early version of the Prologue – it was originally meant to start where the italics start here. I hope you like it – I wanted this to be a little more psychological. Can you believe the bigger part of this is just Revan sitting in the gardens, thinking? I'm proud of that bit… Anyone who finds out the meaning of the Jedi Master's name – congrats & I hope you find it funny. Remember his species, though. And perhaps Mission's lines from Javyyar´s cantina.

MilenaSkywalker – that's just my math, so don't get too confused :) . Well yes, she's a bit like Anakin, isn't she? Aggressive negotiations, brash disobedient Jedi, falls in love, turns bad, wears dark robes, cape & mask… I think I detect a pattern here. Lol. But no, she's not the Chosen One. No, no – that would way be too cliché. I like Revan just the way she is. I've seen too many people compare her (or him, in this case) to Luke Skywalker or Anakin, Bastila to Leia, etc. There are similarities, I admit that, but the KotOR characters are different in… well, their options and relationships, at the very least.

There has to be a Russian – English translator on the web! And you can post in Russian on fanfiction. net . If they accept Chinese fics, they damn well have to accept Russian fics! Take a stand against discrimination! Raise your voice and call out for freedom! Support the Sith Sandwich Store! (blinks) A…hehehe…whoops (Force Persuade) You didn't hear the last sentence! But you'll still support the Sith Sandwich Store! Mwahahaha!

Brynn – there was another sentence there, but I was caught red-handed sitting at the computer when I shouldn't have, so I had to finish in about a minute after rewriting the paragraph – and it ended up like that. It's fixed now.

Dark Lord Daishi – you can bet on those things… but he's still not completely sure. Yep, the crazy old coot in the Shadowlands is my favorite meatbag party member. The non-meatbag one… well, you can guess that easily.

X X X X

"If I cannot bend heaven, I shall move hell."

Virgil

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Intermezzo IV – Sacrifice

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"We report the latest Mandalorian attack on Republic worlds…"

"… the ambushed planets are currently under Mandalorian control…"

"…millions dead…"

"…no mercy…"

"…the Republic is on the verge of collapse…"

"…we must ask ourselves: how long can our resistance last? And where are the Jedi Knights when we need them?"

(Reports from the Holonet approximately in between one year before Jedi Knights under Revan´s command began aiding the Republic to the first victory.)

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The eighteen-year-old girl left the Council chambers defeated… again. Once more, she pushed away her angry tears. Her requests to go aid the Republic were futile – the Jedi Masters had their minds set. She closed her eyes as she attempted to push away the boiling rage bubbling up within her at the very thought of them.

"The Mandalorians have begun their assault on the Republic itself! How can we claim that we protect the galaxy if we don't aid our own side?"


"The Council is well aware of that, Revan." One of the Jedi Masters answered her. "But we cannot act rashly in this matter. Suicidal missions won't save the Republic. You have enough wisdom to understand that."

She had that wisdom. But she also had the foresight to see that the Republic would collapse without their help. This war has lasted for nearly fifteen years now…fifteen years sine the Mandalorians began attacking worlds outside the Republic.

Now they attacked the Republic, with more resources than they imagined. The Republic hasn't received such a hard blow since the war with Exar Kun. How could the Council stand for an open attack on the Republic and do nothing? How could they not see what was happening? By the time they decide to go to war, it might as well be over and the Republic shall no longer exist!

"Are you saying we should stay back and do nothing? That we should let the Republic be crushed under the armies of Mandalore?" she asked, her voice becoming desperate.

"No, young Jedi. But suicidal crusades you are suggesting will not aid the Republic. In time, we will aid the fleet against the Mandalorians. We believe that there is more to fight than what you speak of. The real threat, we fear, has not yet revealed itself."

"The real threat", they said. What? Who? Mandalorians! They were those that were threatening the Republic's very existence. She shook her head in frustration as she climbed to the top of the Jedi Temple. The gardens were on the highest levels of the building, a perfect resemblance of paradise – lakes, plants and flowers… only she was disturbing the harmony. She had no peace within her anymore.

She tried to reason with them, repeating what they already knew – the destruction, deaths and losses in the war… it could all be prevented! But they refused to listen. The circle of Jedi Masters seemed to be carved out of stone, for no face showed emotion, concern, or sympathy.

"I hope that the Council isn't forgetting that our main priority is to ensure safety and order in the galaxy."

Desperation.

"The Council isn't forgetting that. But we must also ensure that we don't make the wrong step in doing so."

Peace. Calm. Serene. No!

She was brought up as a distant, reserved Jedi. She could be that person… but inside, she was always someone else. What was so wrong with happiness and emotion? A void, was that what the Masters wanted her to be?

She cared about the war because the Mandalorians took away her family… her life… her past. They killed the person she once was - that Revan no longer existed. And now, they sought to kill this one, too. Childhood memories of laughter, games and time with her family were gone for good… but memories of tears, pain and cruel laughter she assumed belonged to the Mandalorians returned. Her homeworld… destroyed. Her family… dead. She remembered now.

Revan gazed at the stars. They were the only thing that seemed to remain the same in the galaxy. Passing to the edge of the roof, she glanced at the never-sleeping city of Coruscant. So much light…

She wanted to scream. She wanted to rip something apart in rage. Never in her life has she felt this helpless. A Jedi Knight, helpless. And they taught her that the Force is all-powerful.

"How should I help you, Revan? Tell me what to do to make you smile again and I'll do it. Anything you want."

She remembered Malak saying when she returned from the Council chambers the last time, her eyes a void of emotion, her face white as if someone had died.

"Kill every coro-slime that identifies himself as a warrior serving under the banner of Mandalore." She hissed, "Or rather, let me do it."

He was concerned for her, but couldn't stop her. When Revan set her mind on something, nothing would stop her.

She glanced at the stars again.

Mommy, daddy… I couldn't save you. I was weak. I blame myself every day that you are dead and I was allowed to continue to live, bound to my grief, bound to my miserable existence. I couldn't save you…but I can save them. The Republic. Because you would want me to do the right thing, wouldn't you? And I must make everything up to you, somehow.

I am not weak anymore, daddy. I could beat you in a tickle fight now. Don't worry about me anymore, mom. I can handle myself now. I wish you could see me… be with me now. Just for a moment…

A comet hurried past the planet. Revan closed her eyes for a moment.

I will prove them wrong, all of them… I will do anything necessary to save this Republic. I swear by the Force… she stopped thinking for a moment, as if afraid to swear anything by the Force itself – such a vow could hold strong for very long. Centuries, even. But then, she regained her determination. I will destroy the Mandalorian threat, take back what they stole from the Republic and drive them from the face of the galaxy. Never shall they find peace while I am alive. Never shall I find rest until they are on their knees in front of me, their leader a corpse at my feet.

Revan opened her eyes, which seemed to reflect the stars… or perhaps shine as if they were stars themselves, the same golden color, though it was only until she tried to calm herself once more.

She shivered slightly, remembering that winter nights on Coruscant weren't particularly chilly, but still cold. For the first time, she pulled on the hood of her gray cloak. Her face disappeared underneath it… but her eyes continued to shine underneath it, the blue contrasting sharply with the red circle forming around it, until that fire had been put out.

Patience was the key. Suicide would be going to the war alone – but there were others who were displeased with the Council's behavior, some even quite skilled with the Force. All they needed was a slight push. None of them was brave enough to make the first step, be the first one to disobey. But if someone else would do so, someone strong, worthy of following… she smiled, a cruel, cold smile. The Council would soon see that they weren't the only ones who can lead. But first, she would have to prove that she was capable of doing it to others – to the Republic… and to her soon-to-be followers. That meant learning about every aspect of every part of a Mandalorian´s life. Their strategies, their beliefs, their culture… not that she hadn't learnt it before. But defeating the Mandalorians would mean thinking like Mandalore.

When the plan of action was formed in her mind, Revan stood up, wrapping the cloak around her self. In the shade of the trees, it looked almost black, the silver clasp uniting the cloak under her throat glittering like an ancient amulet. She turned away from the balcony, walking to the garden exit unusually slowly compared to her usual brisk footsteps.

She would yet have her revenge. No more begging. No more relying on the Council. It was time to take destiny into her own hands.

The Force… it will help me… it fights on my side…it shall free me…

X X X

A few weeks later, a blue Twi´lek Jedi bolted into the High Council Chambers, without authorization, though not without a good reason. He bowed hastily to the Masters, taking out a holoprojector from his pocket.

"I apologize, Masters, but we have just received this message for you – it's important." He noted, panting slightly, activating the holoprojector when Master Vandar nodded in approval.

The three-dimensional image of a woman appeared – an all too familiar woman to the Council. Revan. But she didn't bow to them and her face was forcibly neutral, as if she wanted to stop herself from yelling at them.

"Greetings once again, Jedi Masters." Her tone was strictly formal, as if she were an off-world diplomat asking for assistance. Neither was the case this time. "I apologize for not being to meet you personally, but I can't afford to argue with you anymore. I'm confident that your reasons not to aid the Republic are valid… however, I refuse to sit idly any longer. By the time you're viewing this message, I am away from the Academy, along with others that feel the same way I do. We're going to help the fleet, no matter what you may think. You can't stop us anymore. And…" She paused for a second, as if thinking about her next statement, though she knew what she had to say. "If you consider my desire to help those who cannot defend themselves and fight for what I believe is right, I no longer mind losing my place in the Order." She seemed to grit her teeth as she said the final sentence. "I chose my path."

The hologram faded… to the horror of the Jedi Masters, they sensed no deception, no lies. They were trying to prevent this from the beginning – not just because it was a foolhardy crusade led by a hotheaded Knight, just out of the Academy. There was darkness out there; a hidden shadow that was threatening them… and it was waiting for the right time. All the emotion in war combined with this strange menace was quite enough to make them worried.

The Jedi were silent, stunned for a few seconds, before Vandar forced himself to smile faintly and gesture to the Twi´lek Jedi to leave the Council to their deliberations. As the door closed behind him, the uncomfortable silence resumed. Rarely was the entire Council speechless.

They also had reasons why forbid Revan specifically from joining the war. Too many Jedi like her –strong in the Force, headstrong and proud – ended up trapped in the darkness, thinking that they were restricted in the Order. And most of them didn't disagree when Master Zhar told them: "Revan is my most promising pupil… one I feel sure will one day become a champion of the Order." But one day was a relative term. What would be the cost?

They could only guess at how many Jedi Revan managed to persuade to join her. A few? Hardly. As loyal as they might be to the Order, the younger ones had little ability to resist one so charismatic. They were also aware of the fact that the young Knights were annoyed (at the very least) by the Council's behavior. How many left, then? Tens? Dozens? And others would soon follow, seeking to aid the Republic, or just for adventure and excitement – the young, bright ones, who didn't yet have the wisdom to understand the dangers that accompanied this seemingly noble mission…

After a few minutes of silence, "What do we do now?" A Rodian Master sitting next to Vandar finally asked him.

The tiny Jedi bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes. "We wait,Oran," he said quietly. "We wait."

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