A/N: Sorry, honestly, I just forgot. Work got busy and there were some auto accidents and shit but yeah, I honestly just forgot. Foundry time! \o/

19: Check

Revan spent two weeks on Tython as Carth finished the final preparations for the Foundry. Most of her time was spent with the Council, whose chambers were left mostly intact, discussing the Emperor with overt sarcasm and covert concern - now that they were listening. Once Mariamne felt up to leaving the Temple's medcenter, she and Scourge joined them as well. Revan and the Sith kept the table between themselves. To her credit, Mariamne was surprisingly (and superficially) cheerful. Thaymina eventually returned to her duties, disappearing into the war-torn galaxy with some reluctance.

The day before she was set to leave, Revan found her granddaughter sitting on a hill overlooking the Temple grounds, wrapped in a heavy robe with a stony expression on her face. The stocky Jedi spotted her, sighed, and glanced around herself.

"Doc isn't hiding behind a tree, is he?" Revan asked suspiciously.

"If you found me, he probably is. I needed some air."

Revan nodded and settled next to her with a sigh. Mariamne was quiet, bundling herself deeper into the robe as they watched Padawans training below them.

"Will you be alright with Scourge?" Revan asked.

"Huh?"

"Scourge. I can run him off if you need me to. Or kill him. I'm partial to either."

Mariamne laughed quietly. "No, no, I'll be fine."

"Alright, but call me if he gets uppity."

"I appreciate the offer." She tucked herself further into the robe with another sigh. "What you said before, about the Council —"

"Yes?"

"How did you know?"

Revan laughed, sour and barking. "I have an incredible amount of experience with the Council frakking up. Their response to me going off the deep end was to erase and start over."

"Good point. But how did … why …" She sighed again. "You never talk about it, what happened. They say it completely turned you against the Jedi. That you hated them."

"Why are you asking?"

"Because I don't …" Mariamne shook her head. "I don't know anymore."

Revan sighed heavily, tucking her knees up to her chest. "Well …"

It wasn't something she thought about very often, not since it'd happened. In the aftermath, as her badly damaged body healed itself and she grew angrier and angrier, it had consumed her - but her time spent as an amnesiac had afforded her distance and happy memories, and had slightly healed the wounds the Emperor had tried to reopen.

But at the time …

"Alek and I felt the Emperor's power as soon as we entered the system," she said quietly. "We spent two weeks doing recon on Dromund Kaas, posing as mercenaries, but I think … I think he knew we were there, too. We got in with a member of his guard, but of course, the Imperial Guards are all linked to his mind. When we moved, he was ready.

"He tried dominating us. He got Alek, but only weakened me. You know how that feels, by now. I'm sure that's what happened to you." Mariamne nodded and tucked the robe closer. "I managed to break Alek out of it, but by the time the guards arrived, we were no challenge. They spent a few days trying to break us conventionally, but eventually they separated us. Took me to a smaller chamber, strapped me up, planted a recorder in front of it, and, well …" She shook her head. "The Sith are very capable of breaking a Jedi. They knew I was too stubborn to give in, even under duress. But they could tell he wasn't. Watching what they did to me broke him.

"We lasted two weeks. The first few days I …" Revan shook her head again, blinking a sudden rush of moisture away. "I tried every trick I knew from the Jedi. I'd fallen long before then, sure, but I still thought that's what I was. The Code, using will to ignore the pain, trying to bury myself in the Force, but nothing worked. Everything I did, they countered it. Eventually, that's when I learned the truth."

"The truth?"

"The Jedi always say you can walk away. But you never really leave the Jedi — eventually, the Jedi leave you."

Mariamne was quiet for a moment. "Is that why—"

"I was angry. The Jedi said they had all the answers, that they were the only real option, but when I needed what they'd taught the most it failed me. It wasn't about revenge, not really. At some point, I needed to show them they were wrong. At twenty-four, full of rage and power, I went about it the only way I could. I wanted to destroy the Emperor, but I needed to counter Sith numbers. The Jedi would never willingly help, so it became twofold — conversion, using what I'd learned from my own ordeal, and convincing. It was horrible, unhealthy. If even one person had gotten to me, I may not have. Instead I had Malak, who had fallen even harder than I had, myself, desperation, and a horde of people who would fly into a supernova for me. Not the best combination."

Revan tucked her knees closer to her chest, staring blankly down the hill. "You're already in a better place than I was. You have Thaymina, and friends that care about you. Supporters, not worshippers. People who might stop you if you go too far."

Mariamne scrubbed her face with her hands. "How do I stop feeling like I didn't do enough? If I'd just fought harder, I could have stopped him from affecting the others. I could have —"

"No," she said softly. "It's the Emperor. You were hopelessly outmatched before you'd even left Tython."

"Then how do I stop?"

"You won't. It's probably not the best thing for me to say, but you won't. It's been three hundred years and I still wonder what would have happened if just one thing had changed. But it's too late for that, for both of us. We live with what we suffer, and at some point are forced to acknowledge that we did all we could."

"Do you?"

"… I'm trying."

Mariamne nodded, with a frown. Good enough, Revan thought. "I heard what happened when you found out," she said.

"Oh, yeah. Not one of my finer moments, even if the look on Kaedan's face will keep me going for years."

"It's just, you know." She scrubbed the side of her face. "Thaymina's looked up to you since she first got into your writing. When we pulled you off Maelstrom, I was worried you wouldn't live up to her. She wanted so badly for you to be happy with her. And, well, you're ten generations removed, there's no reason for you to care. But you do. And I guess I just don't understand it."

Revan chuckled. "Carth wasn't the only one that wanted your great-grandmother. I always intended to come back … the Emperor just got in the way. This probably doesn't help your concerns any, but having you and your sister around feels like a second chance. And why shouldn't I care? One of you is the Barsen'thor, and the second is well on her way to finishing what I started."

"You don't even like the Jedi."

"Eh. Semantics." She flashed her a small smile. "You're already much stronger than I was at your age. Besides, for good or ill, you and Thaymina remind me a little too much of myself."

Mariamne laughed. "What about Satele?"

"She reminds me too much of pre-fall Bastila."

"Ah."

"Feel any better?"

"Maybe a little."

Revan nodded. "Do you need me to stay longer? Command won't like me delaying further, but —"

"No, no," Mariamne said. "I'll be — son of a —"

Revan turned back to the hill, spotting Doc making his way up the hillside. "I see he's found you."

"There you are!" he exclaimed. "I searched half the Temple for you! I'm fairly sure someone was about to throw me out!" Doc nodded to her. "Revan." She nodded back and waved her hand.

"I needed air," Mariamne said.

"You turned off your holocomm."

"I needed quiet, too."

Doc threw up his hands before offering one to her. "I still think you're trying to worry me into an early grave."

Mariamne let him pull her to her feet, replying with a small grin. "Of course, I have to keep you around somehow."

Revan leaned back on her hands with a grin. "Just remember, Mari," she said. "I'm just a comm away."

"I will. Thanks."

#

The Hawk returned to Tython a few hours later, and Revan, Carth, and Khemmaa headed to meet the 42nd Expeditionary Fleet outside the central Carrick Station. Carth was in a new uniform, freshly pressed, and it took every ounce of self-control Revan possessed to keep her hands off him.

She was almost positive he knew, too.

Once the ship was safely nestled in a hangar on the command ship Valiant, a military aide escorted them to the bridge. Revan, the droids, and the Wookiee trailed behind Carth as the two discussed the ship, and Carth got his bearings. Revan watched him closely — she'd known just before stasis that he had been promoted to admiral, but she hadn't had the chance to see him in command. She was not surprised to find he wore it well, shoulders set with the ease of a career soldier comfortable in his role. A few people glanced at his unusual entourage, but continued about their business.

The bridge itself was not unlike the Telos', and they were led to the front viewports. The captain saluted, Carth responded, and the man held out his hand.

"Captain Kaylak, sir. It's an honor to meet you."

"Ah, thanks," Carth said. Revan leaned her hips back against a console. "I assume you've been briefed."

"Vaguely." He nodded, far more nervously, to her, and Revan tapped her hand to her forehead. "Ma'am."

"Don't get jumpy on my account, Captain," she said. "Fleet's firmly in Admiral Onasi's command, not mine."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, still nervous. "We're ready when you are, sir. Just waiting on coordinates."

"Anna, if you would." Carth nodded to the console behind her, and she mock-saluted again.

"Right away, Admiral." She just caught the face Carth made whenever he was resisting rolling his eyes as she turned back, and she grinned.

"I'd like to address the crew." Captain Kaylak nodded and walked him over to the shipboard intercom. Revan waved T3 over, and he plugged into the console as she knelt.

"Send these coordinates to the fleet's navicomputers," she murmured, before reciting them. T3 chirped. "Encrypt them heavily. If there are any Imperial spies aboard, I don't want them getting them." He chirped, and she nodded. "Junk coordinates, good idea. As long as the navicomputers can decrypt them, we're good. Go ahead." He chirped again and she rubbed his head, getting back to her feet as Carth opened the comm.

"Attention, dreadnought Valiant," he started. "This is Admiral Onasi speaking. We are about to embark on an important mission that may save the Republic. It is, above all else, top secret. I cannot stress that enough.

"We will be locating, and then protecting, a factory intended to produce droids for the Republic's war effort. The factory will be overseen by a Jedi contractor, while we attend to the important details." He looked back at Revan, who frowned at him. The captain glanced nervously between them. "We'll be en route shortly and I will give more instructions while in hyperspace."

"Important details," she mocked. He almost smirked, and she decided that she really liked Admiral Onasi.

"Have you fed the coordinates?" Carth asked, still completely professional. She narrowed her eyes a little.

"Yes, sir, coordinates are fed," she replied. He echoed her narrowing eyes, and she grinned. "Fleet's ready when you are … sir."

"Anna," he said, warning. She grinned a little wider. "Take us into hyperspace, Captain."

As the captain prepared for hyperspace, Carth joined her by the console. "Have to say I'm fond of the Admiral," Revan murmured, resting her hand on his arm. Carth frowned at her.

"Will you stop?" he muttered. "I'm trying to run a fleet, here."

"I know." She raised an eyebrow. "I like it."

"Oh, for." Carth shook his head, ducking to her ear. "Keep it up, and I might have to invoke some military discipline."

"Oh?" She lowered her voice further. "Because I hear you've been a very naughty Jedi, Master Onasi."

Carth bit his lip, hard, and a dark flush started above the collar of his uniform as he headed back to the captain. Revan smirked at his back, leaning against the console. "So, K," she asked. "Any interest in touring a Republic ship?"

"Of course," she replied eagerly.

"We'll wait for hyperspace. It's been too long since I've seen a cap ship go in." Khemmaa nodded, and the bustle on the bridge finally died back into pre-hyperspace levels. Ahead of them, Carth gave the order, and stars blurred past the windows as the fleet went into lightspeed.

Towards the Foundry, the thing Revan had spent so long protecting.

"Check," she whispered.

#

Carth opted to stay on the bridge — he was chatting up the bridge staff when they left. Revan, Khemmaa, and the droids were halfway off the bridge when they were met by another aide, who saluted as he stopped them.

"Coporal Dain, ma'am," he said. "I've been assigned to you during your stay on the Valiant."

"Oh." Revan hadn't had a military aide following her around since she'd been Supreme Commander. She was torn between wondering if the Republic was simply trying to keep an eye on her, or if it was standard procedure — though what was "standard" about this operation eluded her. "Alright, then. If they're free, I'd like to do the briefing with Master Yondo and the rest of the Jedi complement."

Dain raised his hand to his ear. "Send Master Yondo and his entourage to Conference Room B. Right this way, ma'am."

Revan and Khemmaa fell into step behind him. "I forgot how nice it was to not focus on the mundane things," she mumbled. "Sorry, K, business first."

Khemmaa nodded. "Understandably."

They reached the room first, though the complement wasn't far behind. As the Jedi filed in, more than a few cast nervous looks at her. She frowned. An older Twi'lek approached her, extending his hand cautiously. "Master Yondo," he said, with somewhat forced politeness, as she took it. "It's an honor to meet you, Revan."

Apparently, news of what happened on Tython was far from hush-hush.

"You don't need to lie," she replied.

"I said an honor, not a pleasure," Yondo retorted. Revan smirked.

"I want to brief you and yours on the Foundry before we arrive," she continued. Khemmaa leaned back against the wall by the door, watching intently.

"Very well." He settled down into a chair and motioned to the other Jedi to follow suit. Revan waved T3 forward, and he plugged into the table.

"Bring it up," she ordered. T3 whistled and an image of the Foundry, carved into a massive asteroid, appeared above the table. Some of the Jedi leaned in — Yondo's frown deepened, and he settled back in his chair.

"This is the Foundry," Revan continued, motioning to it. "And our destination. It's a massive Rakatan factory, not unlike the Star Forge of the Jedi Civil War. However, instead of destroying this one, we're hoping to repurpose it."

"If it's Rakatan," one of the Jedi mused. "Then it'll be filled with the dark side."

"Yes. Which is why you're all here. It will be a massive undertaking, but I suspect the energy can be cleared — or, at least, pushed back to marginal levels. I haven't been to the Foundry yet but, judging from what I found on the Forge, I'm assuming the energy will be similar."

"So what can we expect?" Yondo asked.

Revan drew a slow breath, frowning. "Walking onto the station for the first time, you'll feel overwhelmed. It will amaze you that the Rakata could drench a structure in the Force. You'll feel sick. Some of you will feel worse than others - it depends on your natural connection to the Force. Even the non-Sensitive crew will suffer some side effects. If - and this is a big 'if,' for once - I am right, and the energy is cleared, it will feel slightly stronger than the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

"After that you can head off to …" She waved her hand. "Tython or Coruscant or Hoth or wherever the hell else you're told to head to. Now, I'm assuming you all know the process of purifying a nexus of dark sided energy?"

Most of the Jedi mumbled to one another. She sighed. "Raise your hand if you do."

Yondo and one other, older Jedi did so. Revan sighed again, covering her eyes with her hand and shaking her head.

"Of course you don't."

- 11 -