Author's notes: More Manaan for everyone! Plus, some KotOR II hints… but nothing extraordinarily big, so don't worry. Lyrics have been added to the intermezzo, so check them out. Guys, please review – criticism is welcome, it helps me make the fic better. The same goes for praise ;)
Dark Lord Daishi – Yep, I thought it was cool. Oh, there was a cameo of my KotOR II character there – Inara Seiko. Her name means "Heaven sent Force". The Padawan was Darth Pigtails, of course! Didn't you recognize her?
X X X
Chapter 26 - Emerald
X X X X
"We have no choice but accept the diplomat's proposal." Juhani finished her explanation ten minutes later, aboard the Ebon Hawk. She, Revan, Carth and a rather hyper Mission were discussing the latest course of action.
"Have you tried the leads Wann gave you?" Carth asked, leaning back against the wall, arms folded.
The Cathar shook her head, "No, I have not. I am neither a computer specialist nor an interrogator… and raiding a Sith docking bay on my own is not particularly an easy task."
"Hey, I could have a go with those cards." Mission shrugged, "If it's just numerical combinations like you said, it should be easy enough."
"I'll take the spy." Revan frowned at the holocommunicator in the center of the common area. "The code and card will be the back-up plan. Set HK-47 loose on the docking bay guards. The base will have communication channels with the city – we don't want those broken. We need stealth."
"I will go." Juhani suggested.
"I'm coming too!" Mission chirped, "Sneakin´ around is my thing, right This time you gotta see us in action, Alexa! You missed the fun on Kashyyyk."
"What about me?" Carth asked.
"Pazaak, maybe? Just kidding." Mission said with a giggle.
"We'll be fine on our own, so try to relax. Maybe find out something from the local drunk Sith women." Revan suggested. The reference to Taris was clear. "We'll meet at the transport ships in fifteen minutes."
X X X
By the time the group met up in the Sith docking bay, it was effectively cleansed of all Sith. Though Juhani was the only person waiting there, under heavy stealth fields, her disgusted expression indicated that she wasn't the reason why the floor was covered with corpses.
"Your droid is almost too effective." She said to Revan as the other woman began setting course for the Sith base.
The journey was quick enough, and in a few minutes, they were inside. Taris was the first thing that came to mind when you saw the interior of the base – while the corridor structure was different, the distinct Sith designs and eerie aura of the very walls were distinct elements. The plan was simple – Revan set off to find the closest computer terminal and download the schematics of the base. Being the strongest (and only) telepath in the group, she would have no trouble directing both of them through the Force. Mission went for the broken droid, Juhani mentioned something about missing Selkath youths and went to search for them.
All went smoothly – it only took Mission five minutes before she stumbled upon Revan´s location, clutching her prize – a datacube – protectively.
"No problem. Where's Juhani?"
The Cathar didn't react to Revan´s calling. Not because of unconsciousness, but because of some heated argument. In unison, the pair began making their way to her position. The Cathar was in the far end of the base, talking to a bunch of Selkath teenagers. Phrases like "Sith are evil" obviously didn't work.
Juhani was more creative than that, though.
"Remember Taris. Once the Sith get what they want from your planet, they will do the same to Manaan – they care not for sentient beings, only power."
"Shasa, what if she speaks the truth?" a young male asked the girl who seemed to be completely against the Republic – the most troublesome of the group.
"Taris is nothing but a Republic lie!" Shasa snapped at the boy, who immediately took a step back.
"Force bless neutrality." Revan muttered to herself.
Juhani spared her a quick glance. "This is no time for jokes, Alexa."
One of the Selkath, who had been sitting on a bed, head bowed until now, raised their gaze. It was a young boy, younger than any other Selkath in the dormitory. His clothes were slightly brighter than perhaps an average Selkath would wear – as was his aura. After hearing the name, he looked at Revan, motionless for a few seconds.
"That's not your name." He quietly noted, as if afraid of the human. Revan´s gaze darted into him at once. More seconds passed, silently.
"Why do you think that?" she asked, slowly but coldly.
The Selkath bowed his head, afraid, "It just… seems that way. I don't know."
The cold eyes softened slightly, "Force Sensitive, yes… focused on the truth. Interesting." She glanced at Juhani for a second. "Potential shouldn't get into the wrong hands. Go back to your homes, comfort your families. Wait a month or two and then return."
"Why wait when we can learn the ways of the Force now?" Shasa demanded. "What could change in two months?"
"Everything."
"How can you claim that?! The Republic will soon be destroyed and…"
"Everything will change. And you have been… tricked."
"How can you know that?"
"Because you are sealed of, perhaps? Because the Sith have no qualms about killing? Because your parents are scared out of their wits?" Mission suggested in angry frustration, leaving the negotiations to Juhani.
Revan was already in another corridor. Mission quickly caught up with her. "What did the kid mean? You're Alexa Denali, right?"
"From a certain point of view."
"Uh huh." Even Mission knew when a conversation was over. "So, how'd we get outta here. Transports are away an´ front doors are guarded for sure."
Then Juhani caught up with them, grabbing both by the shoulders to make them stop, waving a Dark Jedi outfit in front of their eyes. "Dress up, anyone?" She asked idly.
"I'm not even asking how you got that, Ju." Mission noted, sniggering. The Cathar´s blush was priceless.
X X X
Mission threw the maroon cloak at Revan, so she could conceal her outfit while heading for the Hawk to change.
"I am sure Jolee will be pleased with the Selkath´s departure." Juhani noted, smiling. "Perhaps he has managed to deal with the trial while we were busy."
"I'll go give the little prize to the Embassy while you go change, Alexa." Mission suggested. "Not sure how much he'll tell me, but I'll let you know."
Revan took off the Sith facemask and hood. "Good. If we keep this up, we should get the map today and head for the final piece tomorrow." The others departed, leaving Revan alone near the kolto distribution center – a short route led her past the docking bay guards and into the hangar.
Once aboard the Hawk, she could finally open her cloak, revealing the Dark Jedi's garb – not her choice of clothing, but surprisingly comfortable. It didn't hinder movement, either. The jumpsuit was skin-fit, however, and there wasn't much black leather "armor" on it, either. But it covered all it should in the front – the cape dealt with the back. Her first destination was the female quarters – another datapad was added to her collection. She flung the cloak on her bunk and removed the clasp holding her hair in a tight ponytail, letting her hair fall down – even the supporting braids that made the hairstyle completely painless. A second after that, she spun around, lightsaber in hand, the blade stopping about two inches from Canderous´s throat.
"You have a great sense of hospitability." He muttered as the purple blade returned to its hilt.
Revan´s eyes were slightly narrowed. "You're lucky I knew it was you. Never try that again. So, to what do I owe this devious pleasure?"
"The kid asked me to tell you the Republic guy programmed a sub for you and that you'll need an armed escort. I was thinking of coming. Sounds fun."
"Bored?" Revan asked absent-mindedly, searching for her own clothes.
"Almost to death. But looking after the bunch of morons you call a crew compensates it a bit."
"Very well. I was planning on asking you anyway. And the droids, probably."
"So it's going to be a massacre. Good to know. By the way, I heard Princess was on the way back here, so you should move it." He turned to leave, but then stopped to say, "And try to get rid of that outfit before Onasi sees it and starts drooling."
"It'll end up as the last one from raided Coruscanti Sith outpost. How d´you think I got the launch codes on Taris?" she said when he raised an eyebrow.
"You're crazy. A genius, but still crazy."
"Isn't everyone on this ship?" his laughter echoed as he left Revan to finally change in peace. And this time, she locked the door.
X X X
"Alexa?" The voice was quiet, but still annoyed the hell out of Revan. Deliberately slowly, reluctantly, she turned to the figure in the door. Bastila´s eyes were softer than usual, her face anxious. Very unusual.
"Little Jedi, I have tried time and time again to teach you humility and respect. Out of all the stubborn children I have had to teach, you are the worst. But I will yet succeed. I never fail."
"I am trying to apologize, you know. You aren't making this easy for me." The snappish, childlike tone was back. "You could at least pretend to be listening."
"You're such a spoiled brat." Revan noted, turning away.
"I am not-!" she sighed, "Must you be so frustrating? Do you have any idea how I fell? I am trying to apologize for believing in the wisdom that has led me safely through my entire life! I am trying to deny the teachings of the Jedi!"
"If it's such a sacrifice, don't do it."
"But I want to. I…I care for your friendship more than for my ideals." Her gaze dropped to her boots, "You should know just how I respect and admire you. I… I don't know if it changes anything to you. But I thought I should tell you."
"It changes nothing."
"What?" the question reflected both disbelief and curiosity.
"You still don't understand, do you Jedi?" Revan sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "You don't. Allow me to explain. All that you believe you fight is an illusion. All you think is evil is simply misguided."
More curiosity… and slight fear as well. "What… what do you mean? They are Sith, they wield the Dark Side! True Sith – the insectoid species – died out long ago!"
"There are true Sith out there, Jedi." Revan gazed at a random spot of the wall above Bastila, frowning, "And one day, they will come here and try to take what isn't theirs. The Republic would never withstand such a great blow. The Jedi would be eradicated. It needed to be strengthened before it could fight… which is what you stopped me from doing."
The Jedi´s eyes continued widening throughout the entire monologue, her mouth slightly open. The words terrified her and brought her strange relief at the same time. "Then you… you…"
"Ah, the tiny wheels within your brain have started working at long last. All fits wonderfully together, doesn't it? But I can handle the sacrifice, Jedi. I always was the strong one, you know. We leave for the ruins near the Hrakert Rift." And she left.