Author's notes: You guys are so lucky I don't have much time to play KotOR II right now – damned school! Anyway, that doesn't matter – the longer the wait, the happier I'll be when I play it. Now, back to business! Last Leviathan chapter is up, next intermezzo in da works, though it might take a while, so don't be surprised if the next chapter is posted on Feb 28th or so. Hope you enjoy this one, I enjoyed writing it a lot. The medallion is from one of the previous intermezzos, if you remember. Chocolate for anyone who can find the Lord of the Rings movie quote AND Harry Potter IV quote in this one! Hint! Think evil stuff.

jediwannabe – Thanks! ;) The planet's name is Taris. I like the fact that it's all so pinkish (totally random thought, don't mind me). Heh, just kidding. I like the architecture, but otherwise, the whole planet was rather icky, as you said. Glad you're enjoying the fic, read on.

Dark Lord Daishi – I also thought it was kinda stupid when Carth just started shooting at Malak. I mean… hello? The guy is one of the strongest Force users currently alive! He's got a lightsaber to deflect your shots right back at you! Can't you just use a vibroblade or something? Your chances would still be bad, but at least you would have a teensy tiny hope! (whacks Carth on the head)

X X X

Chapter 31 – Broken

X X X

"It's easier to forgive an enemy than forgive a friend."

William Blake

X X X X

"This is Canderous. We took care of the guards. We're inside the Ebon Hawk and all systems are go. As soon as you guys join us, we can get out of here."

Revan turned off her communicator. So far, everything was going according to plan, if something like that was possible in their situation. One didn't have to be Force Sensitive to sense the dark glances Carth kept giving her and the fear in Bastila's face. Revealing the truth was the only way that the Admiral could spoil the little moment of triumph on the bridge.

More Sith and Dark Jedi ambushed them, finding themselves facing the wrong end of a lightsaber. The hangar was just down the corridor. All they have to do is get past the last door. If only they could escape in time…

They had almost reached their ship… but Revan stopped, gazing blankly at the floor.

"Revan…?" Bastila asked, eyes wide with fear.

"He's here." It was almost as if she were far away. Her eyes were empty. "He's come."

The Jedi was obviously terrified as she turned to Carth. "Is there another way out of here?" He shook his head no.

"I'll distract him, you two run." Revan immediately ordered, determination and focus returning to her eyes.

"But…!"

"You two would be down in two seconds. Don't wait for me - get the others to safety. Go to Korriban and find the Star Forge. I'll meet you there."

"We can't find the Star Forge without you!" Bastila shrieked in panic.

"Even children such as you should be able to do it. I get to act nobly one last time, little Jedi. Enjoy the sight." The Jedi quickly grabbed Revan´s wrist to stop the other woman from walking through the door, but she wrestled it from the grip. Just as she expected, Darth Malak was waiting for them mere feet away, with some degree of amusement.

He was a taller man than Bastila had expected, despite having seen holograms of him once. The crimson armor he wore emphasized what all could see even without it – that he was of powerful, muscular built, which was a major advantage in combat if used wisely. His head was hairless, but covered with patterned tattoos. What they could see of his face would have been young if not for the clear markings of the Dark Side – the golden tint to his eyes, his slightly sallow skin. But the most terrible was the metal device which allowed him to speak at all, as the whole of his lower jaw was missing… lost in a battle, perhaps, few knew. However, his presence was intimidating, his eyes cold and triumphant.

"Darth Malak." Bastila´s fear was hidden underneath a mask of anger. The Sith Lord laughed mockingly as he easily deflected the shots Carth fired in him in desperation.

"I hope you weren't planning on leaving so soon, Bastila." He noted, genuinely amused by the mere idea. "I've spent far too much time and energy hunting down you and your companions to let you get away from me now." His eyes moved to Revan. "Besides, I had to see for myself if it was true. Even now I can hardly believe my eyes. Alive and kicking, I see… old friend." Even his voice showed a sneer.

Whatever pain this encounter brought Revan was kept hidden. "The man who was my friend is dead. You are just a cowardly apprentice, too afraid of his Master to face her in combat. But I have to give you credit – you had enough foresight to see you wouldn't win."

Her lack of anger was more than compensated with his own rage at the statement. "You taught me to always watch my back, ´Master'. You should have died on your ship. It would have been much less painful."

Revan shook her head, her eyes never leaving his face… or rather, what was left of it. "Taunts and threats and tortures – still the same, aren't you?"

"So are you, Revan." He spat the name out as if it was the worst curse possible. And it should be, since his old Master had returned from the dead to take revenge upon him. "Manipulating the little figures on your chessboard through deception… while your only goal was this."

Clear sounds echoed through the corridor as Revan clapped her hands slowly. "Well done, my old apprentice. I see that all those years of my attempts to beat some strategy sense into your thick head weren't in vain. If you didn't try to kill me back then, I could almost say I'm proud of you. Unfortunately, you were always too efficient for your own good." Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. "Always forgetting who is the Master and who the servant. If only for that, you must suffer."

"You mean it's true!" Bastila shrieked.

Revan gazed at the Jedi emotionlessly. She refused to let her sympathy for the Padawan take over her thinking. They would never believe her, either of them. This was the end. "Alas…the Force often has twisted intentions, little Jedi." The urge to take back those words was great – they had two possible meanings. Naturally, Malak chose the one he could use for his taunts.

"Returning to the Jedi, are we, Revan? They must have done something terrible to you to make you go soft like this."

"I've been waiting for this for too long." she whispered back, her tone sharp as a dagger, "It's time for a final lesson. Obedience is a virtue I need to teach you before you die, Malak… Perhaps with a little dose of pain?"

Her right arm shot up. Flashes of lightning emerged from her fingertips. But Malak predicted the move and shielded himself with the Force, wrapping it around him to stop the pain. Another arm rose, another equally strong dose of lightning shot out from her palm. Bastila had to duck to avoid an electrical spark and Carth shielded his eyes as he watched Force power battle. A flash of light and a scream. The lightning disappeared and Malak subconsciously took a step back.

"Ever single-minded, ever thinking you can crush someone with brute force. You still have much to learn. And that is why you remain the apprentice." There was a hint of triumph behind the hiss.

"Not anymore, Revan." he growled. The ruby red lightsaber in his hand flashed to life as he said the last word. Revan´s saber flew into her hand in response.

Bastila, who was silent up till this point, realized what Revan would do. Self-sacrifice. Or… or sacrifice them, more likely. Should Malak defeat and kill her, the Republic was doomed. Should she defeat Malak, the state she was now in would make her fall… return… she wasn't sure what the right term was, but the Dark Side was definitely a part of that statement – she would slay Malak and return to her old followers. And that wasn't acceptable… wasn't allowable.

Before she had time to react, Malak paralyzed her and Carth. Not that Revan cared.

For a second, neither of them seemed to be willing to engage combat. But their anger took over their thinking and everything else was pushed away. Malak recognized the familiar golden color of Revan´s eyes as he charged at her. She raised her saber in time to deflect the blow. Their sabers clashed several times, until Revan was forced to back up against the wall. Ducking a blow, she ran up the other wall and flipped back behind Malak. He barely blocked the attack. The speed of the battle was amazing.

Malak unleashed a flurry of attacks, which Revan blocked with some difficulty. When it came to physical strength, he was considerably stronger than her, since he even preferred to hold his saber in only one hand, whereas most Jedi relied on the two handed grip. But she was stronger when it came to use of the Force. And in advanced lightsaber combat, that was more important.

She saw an opening and she used it to push Malak away with the Force. Pure rage in his eyes, he quickly leapt to his feet dodged another of her blows, retreating from the onslaught. Brief as it was, he seized the opportunity as soon as it presented itself - Revan shrieked a bit as a bolt of lightning hit her arm, making her drop the saber. Malak breathed heavily, but he had a victorious gleam in his eyes as he practically threw her against the wall, gripping her by her throat.

"The Force has abandoned you… once again." His fingernails began sinking into her skin. The lack of oxygen she began to feel wasn't comfortable at all. Heat and blood were rushing to her face. "Any last words, Revan? You used to come up with witty comments in situations like this." He knew well she didn't have the strength to breathe, let alone speak.

"This isn't over, Malak!" a familiar voice shouted from the end of the hall – there stood Bastila, now free of the paralysis, holding her lightsaber aggressively.

"Your friends do not give up easily, Revan. You always could inspire loyalty." Malak glanced at the Jedi, then back at Revan, just to gloat once more. "But even the three of you together cannot stand against my power."

"For the Jedi!"

Malak ducked to avoid the double-bladed lightsaber, igniting his own weapon, letting Revan land on the ground on all fours. The sudden chance to breathe was amazing – she inhaled as deeply as she could, strength returning to her. Shaking her head, trying to regain eye focus, then called the lightsaber back to her hand and stood up, chasing after Malak.

Bastila's eyes widened when she saw that her plan had worked, but she held her ground, lightsaber held aggressively. What she remembered was her confrontation with Revan. Only now, there was no avoiding the battle. But she had to do this… she had to remain calm, though there was no one to back her up now. Very brave…very foolish…very insane.

"I'll hold Malak off!" she yelled at the others. "You two get out of here – find the Star Forge!"

Carth emerged from the other side of the corridor. "No, Bastila he's too strong! NO!" he yelled as Malak caught up with the Jedi, who barely ducked the blow aimed at her head.

Bastila was half-successful in blocking the rain of blows aimed at her. But that was irrelevant. What mattered was that the others get off the ship alive. Revan ran to the door, activating her weapon once more, but it slammed shut in her face. She could tell that that wasn't entirely Bastila´s intention – she could almost hear Malak´s taunting laughter after he sealed it with a move of his hand. Force Lighting was used against Bastila, she could sense her pain through the bond.

Forgive me… the thought echoed through Revan´s mind.

"The door's sealed - we can't get past." Carth quickly said, "C'mon, we have to get to get to the Ebon Hawk!"

"You don't understand, Onasi!" Revan yelled at him. Carth was nearly stunned. He had never seen her lose control like that before. "She's the key to everything! Bastila!" Slamming her fist once at the door, she tried to pry the door open through the Force.

"She sacrificed herself so that we could get away! We can't let her sacrifice be in vain. Come on!" Carth urged her, grabbing her arm and trying to pull her away from the door. With a furious growl, she closed her eyes. Logic conquered the anger. Revan gritted her teeth for a moment, but calmed herself.

Both of them were fighting the urge to turn back and help Bastila while they sprinted to the Hawk. Once they were aboard the ship, the engines immediately roared to life. Carth ran to the cockpit to get them away from the Sith flagship alive. He replaced Cancerous in the pilot seat, sitting next to Jolee, who was already pushing several buttons. The Hawk flied out of the Sith hangar, entering space once again. As soon as the smuggling ship was in range, the laser cannon defenses of the Leviathan began firing at it. Carefully avoiding the shots, the Hawk took a dive and then zoomed away from the Sith Interdictor. But the Sith weren't about to give up. The ship shook as a blast hit it from behind. Sith fighters began circling around them, attacking from all sides.

Juhani caught Revan as she half-limped into the Hawk, calling Zaalbar to help her. She could faintly sense the Wookiee picking her up from the ground, following Juhani into the medbay. The Cathar was already messing with several antidotes and medpacks, probably preparing things for Jolee. Seconds later, the Hawk made the hyperspace jump and all went dark as Revan collapsed from the exhaust and the pain.

X X X

Malak knocked Bastila´s lightsaber out of her hand with a final powerful blow. The Jedi tried to call it back, but he smashed her against the wall with a Force Push. And she fell to the ground, defeated, panting heavily as he called the double-blade to his free hand. Blood was gently dripping from a deep gash on her cheek.

"You've lost, Bastila. There is no escape." There was no emotion behind the statement – he felt no real victory. This child wasn't a challenge for him.

The Jedi looked up, no trace of defeat on her face. "No. I have won. Revan has escaped. She will come back. She will stop you."

"Stop me?" he repeated, amused. "A rash and futile hope. The Dark Side is too strong, my power too great. Even my old Master is no longer a match for me."

"You lie." Bastila spat, panting heavily. "I sensed your fear when she was winning."

He didn't retort, just observed the girl coldly.

Dark Jedi and Sith troopers came to the hangar bay corridor, answering his summons. A Sith captain injected a dose of sedatives into Bastila´s shoulder. She was already too weakened to stand up, so she made no move to stop him. Her eyes immediately began to close, until the hand she was using as support slipped and she dropped face-fist to the ground.

Malak gazed at the unconscious Jedi for a moment, then motioned to the Sith to take her away. As they did, he noticed a small orb-like medallion on the floor. Malak called it to himself with the Force and the object landed in his open palm. He recognized it immediately – it was Revan's. The one he had given to her when they had been to Padawans. It seemed strange that she still continued to wear it, after all that has happened – he must have torn it off her neck by accident.

A perfect image of the galaxy appeared, though it lacked the Star Forge System. Some planets were highlighted – worlds that now belonged to the Sith. The amusing thing was that the information was completely up-to-date. Not one system was missing. The projector was based on holocron technology, so that only a Force user could activate it. There was only one other recording there… and when he saw it, he at once assumed that Revan had merely forgotten to erase it.

The image appeared to be in a peaceful building that appeared to be an academy of some sort, since there were several robed figures in the background. Two about 12 year old kids were in the foreground, holding up their newly constructed lightsabers. He recognized both of them – it was him and Revan, more than a decade ago. Revan used the Force to hover a few inches above the ground, picking him up with her, and they both laughed. When their feet touched the ground once more, the images unexpectedly changed to a scenery, which seemed to be Dantooine. Revan was carefully scanning the area around her. The recording couldn't be older than a few months, a year at best – and he got a fine view of the interior of the Jedi Academy and Revan´s face, cool and calculative. Untouchable.

"Friends forever?"

"Do you doubt that?"

"No, I'd entrust you with my life."

"Likewise, Revan. You know that."

The seven-year-old girl smiled at a tall boy who was probably the same age as her, nodding once. She pulled him into a tight embrace, laughing a bit at his surprise. But he hugged her back after recovering from the shock – Revan was never the one to do this kind of thing often, so he valued it more than anything. It showed that she meant her words. The Jedi Council probably wouldn't approve, but neither of them could care less right now. Revan slowly let go, returned to her feet, since she had to tiptoe in order to reach his height.

"AAAHH! REVAN! MALAK!" an older voice suddenly screamed. Revan whirled around to see several gizka hop past them. Malak was barely suppressing laughter when a lightsaber rolled on the ground, the gizka playing with it. He quickly pulled Revan into a dark corner seconds before an elderly Jedi Master stormed pass their hiding place. Several gizka were hanging from his robes, including one sitting on his head. When he disappeared behind the corner, the pair burst out laughing. Revan looked around herself, checking whether it was safe to come out.

"C'mon, let's go see how they deal with the rest of them." Malak suggested.

"Good idea. I hope they haven't started the training holo-simulations yet." Revan said.

"Prepare to face the almighty Dark Lord of the Gizka!" she added, making a face. Their laughter echoed through the Jedi Academy as they raced down the halls with amazing speed, much beyond the limits of the physical body, carefully avoiding any Jedi Masters.

…

"…and that was how the Golden Age of the Sith had ended." Revan, now about fourteen, finished her Jedi history lecture in the archives.

"Aren't you at all tired of always being right, Revan?" Malak muttered, not really listening to the lecture, even though he had asked her to give him one.

"Aren't you tired of always asking me? You know very well that I actually study these things. Why don't you do the same, for once? You wouldn't have to ask."

"It's more fun this way." Malak confessed, smirking. Revan sighed in frustration, but then used the Force to lift Malak´s chair off the ground, rotating it along the way.

"What, is your head spinning from the information, Malak?" she joked. Some of the Jedi spared her surprised glances, so she put him back to the ground.

"Very funny." He managed to say, glaring at her for a moment.

"You had it coming, trust me." Revan commented, still holding back her giggles. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes." The holocron in her palm rose into the air and lights began emerging from it. The device began showing images of distant worlds with the commentary about their environments, their connection to the Force and the events that took place there. The holocron was a memoir of a Jedi Master that lived in the time period they were studying and to Revan, it was no doubt fascinating. Only a powerful Jedi could use the holocrons, their Masters often said. And Revan was powerful, more than powerful, which was one of the reasons why the Masters thought she would one day be a paragon of the Order – one of the greatest Jedi ever.

…

"What about the Council?"

"What about them?" Revan repeated in frustration. "You heard their answer – they won't approve of my decision. But I can't just sit idly and do nothing about this, Malak! It's in my power to aid the Republic! Have you ever thought that the Council might be holding us back? That they're afraid that we might surpass them? How slowly did they move throughout the years? They're overcautious."

"So you're saying that you're going to throw yourself to the wolves and sacrifice your life for the Republic?"

"There is more to it, but essentially, yes."

"No."

"Just what gave you the authority to decide things for me?"


"Look, Revan. I won't stop you - if you want to join the war, it's your decision. But I'm coming with you."


"Why?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"Because you're my best friend. Because you're right, and we both know it. And because I know you well enough to tell that this little drama was meant to convince me to join you willingly, so that you wouldn't have to beg me." He smirked. "Nice try, but can see through your tricks by now. You'd make a great con artist, though."

Revan laughed faintly, shaking her head. Their friendship had lasted over a decade. It was a strong bond, stronger than the dangers they would face in the war. "Okay, you got me. I admit, I'd be more than glad if you'd come with me. Even the Masters say we make a good team."

"Not a good team, a great team." He corrected her. "Besides, we know that too. They don't need to tell us. We're not their underlings anymore. We won't fight for the Council – we'll fight for the Republic and the Jedi."

"And the Jedi will join the fleet. With the Council's approval or without it."

Malak understood what she meant – there were others with similar desires. They would join their cause. Revan ceased to stare into space, clearly imagining all the things they could achieve, already planning their mission. Her gaze moved back to him and she smiled.

"Thank the Force I have you, Malak." she softly said, "I don't need anyone else as long as you're with me." With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held tightly. Their next course of action had been decided – they would join the Republic in the Mandalorian wars. And together, they would win it for the Republic. But he would fight only for her.

Malak´s thoughts returned to reality after the wave of memories passed. He once again looked at the holographic Revan, who continued observing the Dantooine Academy. He reached out and his free hand touched her face. For a moment, he thought things could have been different. But the Dark Side was too strong, just as he had said. No… the past was dead. As was the little girl that grew to be his friend. As was the young man who would have followed her to hell and back. He deactivated the holoprojector. With a whirl of his cape, he vanished in the corridors of the Leviathan.

X X X

Terrible, head-splitting headaches seemed to be her curse.

It didn't matter where she was or what the time was. Revan´s last conscious memory was boarding the Ebon Hawk and then it all went black… but she had been hurt in the battle with Malak and lost some blood, clearly. The nausea that came was only natural. The pain, however natural it was, was irritating, to say at least.

She growled a bit. Damned headaches.

"Keep still, lass." Jolee came into view. "You took quite a beating there and lost a whole lot of blood. Now what did I tell you about not jumping in front of a blaster?" He scowled at her. Revan almost would have been amused, but it was beyond her strength at that moment. She noticed Canderous was also in the room.

"How… how long have I been out?" she quietly asked.

"More than a standard day." Jolee reported, "After the little stunt you pulled on that Sith Interdictor, I'm not surprised."

"He has grown stronger than I thought… and the Jedi butted in at the wrong moment. I would have gotten out of that one in a few seconds." Revan frowned, "So what happened when I blacked out?"

"You should have seen the scene that followed – "but she's Revan! Get it? Revan evil! E-V-I-L!"" Jolee joked.

Canderous shook his head. "Republic boy's had a tantrum, nothing else."

"And the reaction?" Revan slowly asked.

"Nothing so extravagant." Jolee waved the question off. "They wanted to wait for you to see your side of things. Of course, it took a lot of effort to keep your pet homicidal droid out of the medbay." A second later, the aforementioned homicidal droid was heard outside.

"Threat: Leave, blue meatbag, or face the consequences of dismembering." It was obvious that Mission was outside. Zaalbar growled something that Revan couldn't quite hear. "Objection: I am allowed to threaten any meatbag I encounter. Query: Or would you prefer the term "liquidious fleshbag"?"

Jolee quickly opened the medbay doors to avoid a massacre. Mission slipped inside, Zaalbar right behind her. HK-47 sulkily followed, blasters ready, though he was obviously disappointed he couldn't kill any of them while defending Revan and her privacy. "Query: Master, do these meatbags have your permission to be here? Shall I blast them for disobeying your orders?"

"No, HK – it's alright. But if it makes you feel better, you can stay here too and blast any Sith assassin that might be lurking under my bed." Mission giggled a bit uneasily. However, HK-47 took it seriously.

"Statement: As you command, Master."

Mission decided that the best course of action was ignoring this and anxiously took a step closer to Revan´s bed. The beeping sounds as T3-M4 rolled into the medbay were hard to miss. The droid beeped cheerfully at Revan. After what seemed an eternal silence, the Twi´lek spoke up. "So it's…it's true? You're…Darth Revan?"

Giving the Twi´lek a long glance, Revan said: "Would it ease your mind if I lied and said no?"

Mission glanced at Zaalbar and then Jolee, who shrugged. "Don't look at me, kid – I already knew."

"You should have told us then."

Jolee rolled his eyes before addressing Carth, who appeared in the doorway. "It was not my place, sonny. Besides, I didn't think it was important."

"Have you… why have you turned back?" Mission quietly asked.

A sigh. "Ah, you are all very much like the Sith, in a way." Everyone seemed to be unpleasantly surprised. "You see only in black and white. Once, there were only Jedi. What was evil back then? And once, there were no Jedi either. What was good back then? I am… complicated."

"I… I think you're a bit cold at times, but I don't think there's a problem, if you remain the way you are." Mission declared, "It seems to me that if you're helping the Jedi what you once were… are…whatever… doesn't really matter anymore, right?"

"Oh course it still matters!" Carth exclaimed, "How do we know this isn't just one of her schemes? How do we know Revan won't suddenly turn on us?" Revan sighed, but said nothing, so he continued. "The whole time we've been chasing after Malak, we've had his old Sith Master right at our side – listening to our secrets, hearing our plans!"

"Your plans, you say?" Revan made a little "hah"-like noise, "Who was the one planning your every step, making sure nothing that you couldn't handle would happen? But very well – nothing is holding you here. you are free to leave whenever you wish. I am quite capable of making the journey to the Star Forge on my own."

Carth wanted to object, but Jolee practically jumped between the two. "You're acting like a child, sonny. So the girl is the former Sith Master. Does it change anything?" The old man shrugged. "Not to me. I'm not here to judge her. She'll do what she has to, and I'll help if I can."

"I knew I was right to like you, old man." Revan said, almost pleasantly.

Mission, however, didn't seem to be discouraged by the fact that the person she considered to be one of her friends was the ex-Sith Lord. "I see a friend who's been with us through thick and thin, not a Sith Lord, Carth. Remember, Malak´s the one who tired to destroy Taris."

"I agree with Mission." Zaalbar said, nodding. "I swore a life–debt to the person you are, not the person you were."

"I trust you, no matter what has happened in the past. Besides, I know you! You're one of us now!" Mission determinedly said. "Big Z and I will stick by you. We owe you our lives – we won't desert you now."

"How can you say that, Mission? The Sith bombed my homeworld! Revan took away my family and destroyed my life!"

"Everyone knows it was Malak who gave out the order to attack your people, Carth!" Canderous snapped back, "You can't blame Revan for that."

"'Destroy the military base and the Republic outposts on the outskirts', I said." Revan shook her head and sighed yet again. "'Don't destroy civilian targets without reason", I said. And what does he do? He launches a full-scale bombardment on the colony for his own amusement."

"Statement: It was rather enjoyable to watch you punish your pupil after he messed up that task, Master." HK-47 commented. "Your use of dark Force powers is most inspiring. I rather liked him when you first introduced me to him, but he deserved that electric shock for disobeying your orders."

"You two… knew each other before this?" Mission asked in disbelief.

"Explanation: This HK-47 unit exists to serve Lord Revan as her personal battle droid. Revan is my Master, the one who created me. I exist to serve." HK explained.

Mission whistled quietly. "Wow, what are the chances of that happening?"

"Remember, we're talking about the Force here." Canderous pointed out. "At this point, Malak himself could drop out of the sky and I wouldn't bat an eyelash."

"Good point." Mission admitted, "So… Malak was the original meatbag?"

Revan arched an eyebrow, "You still remember that story?"

"I have a long memory. Besides, it seemed kinda cool."

"Confirmation: The Master's pupil, Malak, is the original meatbag." HK said brightly.

Mission giggled. "I like that idea."

"Statement: The Master did as well."

"And I still do." With the possible exception of Carth, all seemed to be less uneasy now.

"I suppose you've proven yourself a friend of the Republic by your actions so far…Revan." Carth interrupted, saying the name as if the very sound of it could trigger some hidden bomb. "But can I trust you? Can any of us?"

"Can I trust you?" Revan asked simply"Can you put aside your personal grudges and disagreements and fight under my command? Have you the strength to follow me?"

"You know my answer for that, Revan." Canderous said. "I'll stick by you, no matter what comes."

T3 beeped before Revan even had the chance to say anything. Mission smiled. "I knew the little guy would come through for you – droids don't hold grudges."

"Well Carth, will you stand with me against Malak?" Revan could tell it wasn't much to his liking. But the others agreed that she is to be trusted. And he wanted to believe that she is to be trusted. Still, this…revelation…was a little too much for him to wrap his mind around. He gathered the will to look into Revan´s face once more.

"Well, the others seem to trust you and I suppose Malak is the real enemy here. I don't really have another choice, do I? It's just that this is a little too much for me to wrap my mind around."

"You have to find a way to deal with this. For Bastila´s sake."

"You…you're right. Don't worry – I won't let my personal feelings get into the way of the mission, but remember - I've sworn an oath to protect the Republic. As long as this mission stays on course, I'll stick by you. But I won't let you betray the Republic under any circumstances."

"I'll remember that."

"So I guess that's it then – we keep going." he sighed, "We still have one more Star Map to uncover, rescue Bastila and find that Star Forge before it's too late, so let's get on to it."