Revan walked over to Bastila's table, and said, "You really shouldn't eat alone, Bastila."

The Padawan sighed, and said, "I was hoping you'd end up talking with Alek, and I'd have a moment of peace and quiet."

"If you don't want to talk that's fine. But, you shouldn't be eating all alone." Revan said, as she began to dig in to her meal.

"Why are you pestering me?" Bastila asked.

"Well, you're a great guide, a pretty nice person, and you look like you need a friend."

"I've stuck to the Code just fine without a friend. I think I can last without making one."

Revan said, "This isn't about following the Code. Advanced races are social creatures. If they don't talk to others and make friends every now and then they'll go crazy. It's just human nature to want, or at least need, friends."

"I'm fine without friends." Bastila said, "After all, you're probably just trying to figure out why I'm so attached to my bracelet."

"That's not it at all." Revan said, "I'm just trying to be a friend. There aren't any ulterior motives. But, I am confused as to why you're suddenly so hostile."

Bastila sighed, and said, "I really don't like Alek."

"Why?"

"He," Bastila began, lowering her voice to a whisper, "is not a very good Jedi. He's been caught multiple times watching the girls' showers."

"I didn't know that. I suppose I'll have to have a very firm talk with him tomorrow."

"What?"

"He'll be coming along with us tomorrow in case we find the cave, that way he'll at least be a distraction for the creatures in there. And, possibly even a good fighter to take out a few hostiles.

"You talk very... military. Why?"

"When I first arrived on Coruscant, the Council was really busy and couldn't see me for a while. A veterans center took me in when they heard what had happened to me. I spent a month or so around former military guys, and ended up talking a lot like them."

"What about Alek. Do you think it's even safe to have him around? He might try something inappropriate."

"I plan to read up on his penance record, and see what he's gotten in trouble for in the past. So, I'll be ready for anything he can try."

"Are you even allowed to take a look at those?"

"Knights are allowed to look at Padawan penance records. On Coruscant anyways."

"Then at least we'll know how many times he's done it. I know he did it at least once when I was taking a shower." Bastila shuddered.

Revan said, "I'll be sure to make so that he doesn't do it again." as she finished her food, she looked around, and asked, "There any other perverts? Or is Baldy the only one?"

"He's the only one I know of."

Revan nodded, and the two finished their meals in silence. Then, Revan stood up and said, "Follow me."

"Why?"

Revan did not respond, but instead walked away from Bastila. The Padawan curiously followed the dark haired Knight, and they were soon in the training room. Revan drew her lightsaber, and ignited it. She said, "Draw your blade."

Bastila obeyed, and the two were pacing in a circle in the training room. They slowly moved, then, Revan leapt towards Bastila. As the sapphire blade approached the Padawan, she rolled out of the way, and swung at Revan's knees.

The Knight easily deflected it, and said, "Never go for the legs at first. It's an obvious move, and anyone you'd fight would see it coming from a hundred miles away." before swinging at Bastila's left arm.

Bastila quickly switched her lightsaber to her left hand, and managed to block it. She grunted as she felt the force of Revan's strike, but held her ground. Revan hopped a couple of feet back, and the two once again circled each other. Revan calmly walked to the left, while Bastila went to the right. Then, Revan seized the Force, and morphed it to increase her speed. She charged at Bastila, and as she swung, the young brunette was too slow to block the blade, and it struck the top of her shoulder, barely stopping before severing her head.

Revan looked surprised, then healed Bastila's wound. She said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to cut you like that."

Bastila said, "It isn't your fault I wasn't fast enough to block."

"It's my fault I nearly chopped your head off." Revan replied.

"If I was better with the lightsaber, I would have been able to block it."

"Bastila. It. Was. Not. Your. Fault." Revan said, sounding frustrated.

"But, I wasn't fast enough to block it."

"Yes, but I should not have been striking for the head. That put you in danger. Therefore, it is my fault that you nearly died just now."

Bastila nodded, then a harsh voice shouted in Catharese, "What are you doing, Knight?"

"My apologies, Master Quatra." Revan said, "I was practicing my lightsaber skills with Bastila. I thought that it would be a mutually beneficial training session."

"Do you think that I am incapable of training my own Padawan, Knight?"

"That is not it, Master. I was merely attempting to keep my skills sharp. And, I believed that Bastila might gain some confidence if she were to be able to hold her own in a fight. I was not attempting to overstep my bounds."

"Well, Knight, remember that just because you were Kreia's star pupil does not mean that you can go about and attempt to take a Master's place as a teacher."

"I wasn't trying to, Master."

"Remember to not overstep your bounds again, Revan. Next time, there will be severe consequences. And, do not even think of taking my student anywhere near the crystal cave. If you do, you will have me to face in combat."

"The Council ordered Bastila to accompany for the first week that I am here. If I find the cave, then I will not delay going in just because you are paranoid, Master."

Quatra said in Basic, "Your insolence is not surprising, for one spoiled on Coruscant. Here on Dantooine we give actual punishments. You will spend the next three nights alone on the plains of Dantooine."

However, then Vandar walked in, and said, "I am afraid that I will have to overrule your decision, Master Quatra."

"You would allow her to get away with such insolence, Master Vandar?"

"She was disrespectful, but that is not a punishment given to Jedi Knights. It is for apprentices and Padawans. Revan, for your disrespect to Master Quatra, you shall have to meditate at the ancient grove for two hours every day for the rest of this week."

"Meditation, Vandar? That is what you deign to be sufficient? If you only have her meditate in the grove, she will never learn respect!"

"Enough, Quatra." Vandar said, "My decision is final. If you continue to complain, you may meditate with Revan."

Quatra said, "You do not have the authority to place any penance upon me."

"I speak with the authority as the head of the Council here on Dantooine. If you wish, I could call the other members of the Council and tell them how you are questioning my judgment on how to treat one of my students. I am sure that they will support the motion to remind you that you do not have the final say on all matters here on Dantooine, Quatra."

The Cathar looked shamed, and said, "Very well, Master Vandar. I shall trust in your judgment on this matter." she then turned to Bastila, and said, "You, however, are to go to your quarters now."

"Yes, Master." Bastila meekly said, and quietly walked away. Quatra also left, leaving Revan alone with the small Master.

"Thank you, Master Vandar." she said.

The old alien said, "You are welcome, Revan. Quatra often forgets her place with Knights or Padawans that are not her own students. But, you must show more respect to her in the future. If any other Knight showed any other Master that kind of disrespect, I would have let her judgment stand. It is not your place to make judgments on Quatra for

"I understand, Master."

Then, Vandar smiled, and said, "Before I go, and do not let anyone else hear this, but you were right in what you said. You should not let her fear control you." before walking away.

Revan stood there, and asked herself, 'Did Master Vandar really just tell me that I was right to question Quatra? Oh well, I should go find out where I'm supposed to get some sleep.'

She walked out, and was greeted by Master Vrook. He said, "Knight Revan, follow me."

"Yes, Master." she said. They walked out of the Enclave, and were soon in a small cluster of buildings. He led her to one of them near the edge, and said, "This is where you will be staying while on Dantooine."

"Thank you for showing me, Master."

"If you are going to do well in your training, you will need proper rest. The training you will go through here, will be far more difficult than anything you've gone through up to this point."

"I understand, Master." Revan said, entering the small building. Inside she immediately saw that in the back of the small 'cottage' there was a kitchen beyond a small living room area. She walked through a door on the right and was in a small bedroom with a simple bed in the middle against the wall. Through another door there was a closet with a few Jedi Knight robes in it.

She exited the room, and went through the other door, which led to the bathroom. She then checked the fridge, and found it well supplied.

-=0=-

The next morning Revan, walked out of her new home, and headed to the Enclave. Inside, she was greeted by Alek, who said, "Where are we going to be looking, Revan?"

"We'll have to wait for Bastila to show up before we set out." she said.

A few minutes later Bastila walked up, and said, "Sorry about taking so long."

"It's alright. Let's get going." Revan said, leading the group out of the structure. Once they reached the Matale estate, Revan turned to Alek, and brought up her datapad. She said, "Alek, it says here that you've been found watching the girls' showers five times. Now, I don't care why you did it, but, if you ever do it again, I will send you off to fight an entire Mandalorian battle fleet on your own. If the Masters try to prevent that, I will not listen to them, and you will be on a shuttle, and if I find out you ran away from the fight, I will hunt you down, and force you to do it. Is that clear?"

Alek was frozen. Revan had not raised her voice once, but as she had continued speaking it had become more and more cold. Once he nodded, Revan continued, "It's people like you that make me wonder why Jedi are respected so much." before setting off towards the Matale estate. Then, they were greeted by another war droid. It said, "Jedi, you have not finished Mr. Matale's task. Leave these grounds until you have."

Revan walked past it, and said, "We were just walking through. If he doesn't want people going through his property, he should create a path to the grove that doesn't require trespassing."

Alek looked at the droid, then said, "Revan, where are we headed?"

"I figured we'd go and check with the Sandral family to see if they know where the crystal cave is."

"They probably don't. They've spent most of their time here practically fighting a war with the Matales."

"The Council should intervene and make them quit fighting." Bastila said.

"Just because you're told to not do something, doesn't mean you won't do it." Revan said, nodding at Alek.

He said, "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

"Good. I don't want to have to send you to your death." Revan said, as they walked through the ancient grove. Then, she saw a small kath hound laying wounded on the ground. She tried to walk over to it and examine the wound, but it growled at her, so she stepped back. Examining it from a distance, Revan noticed that it had been shot. She said, "Bastila, be ready to use the force to stun this thing if it attacks. Alek, have your lightsaber ready to be ignited if it makes any sudden movements."

They nodded, and Revan moved slowly towards it. Gently humming a soothing tune as she drew nearer to it.

When it started growling once again, Revan reached out with the force and gently touched the creature's mind. She used the Force to press upon its consciousness that she was a friend. Time seemed to crawl as she gently approached the wounded hound. Then, when she was finally within range to touch it, she placed a single hand on its side, and molded the Force to heal the wound.

While she healed away the blaster wound, her hands were lit up with a gentle blue glow. When she finished, the hound jumped to its feet and sat in front of her.

Alek said, "I think it likes you."

"I've always wanted a pet kath hound." Revan said, with a grin on her face as she pet the creature. It let out a soft, purring sound, and as the group started walking out of the area, it stuck at Revan's side. A few minutes later, a pair of horn kath hounds charged, and the three Jedi drew their weapons and ignited them. The small hound slowly backed away, and its fear was great enough for Revan, Alek, and Bastila to feel it even when they entered a battle trance.

The horn hounds charged, and Revan's blade quickly removed the horns of the one at the front. Bastila used its loss of its weapons as a chance to use the Force to fling a massive stone nearby into it. As it crumpled, Alek simply stabbed the other one, and Revan said, "Nicely done, baldy! Love the finesse of your style."

"It was effective." was his simple response.

"And what I'd expect someone who'd never used a lightsaber before to do. Not someone who says his Master told him he's almost ready to be raised to Jedi Knight." she teased, walking over to the whimpering animal, and patting its head. She then whispered, "It's okay boy. I won't let them hurt you."

Bastila laughed, and said, "Are you really going to keep that as a pet?"

"You bet! Isn't he cute?"

"I guess."

"He'll need a name. What do you think of maybe horny?"

Bastila said, "That's a terrible name."

"Uh, then how about Dinner?"

"Dinner's an atrocious name for a kath hound!" Bastila said. "Even if you were going to eat it."

"Then I guess I'll go with Urz. Sounds like it belongs on a kath hound." Revan said.

"I guess." Bastila said.

After that, the group walked in silence, until they saw a metallic glint on a rock near them. Revan sprinted over to it, and saw that it was a protocol droid. It let out a groan, and Revan asked, "What happened to you?"

"I was put here by Mr. Matele's war droids after he disapproved of one of the lessons I gave his son."

"I knew he was lying about the droid being taken by the Sandrals!" Bastila said.

Revan said, "I didn't doubt you." Before asking the droid, "What was the lesson he didn't like?"

"He did not approve of my teaching young Shen that all organics, regardless of species or skin color are equal."

"He didn't like that?"

"No, he shouted at me for a great while. Saying that anyone who was not a Caucasian human was inferior."

"What? That's bullshit!" Revan said.

"They were his words, Master Jedi. Not mine." the droid said in defense.

"I know. Is there anything else you can tell us about Ahlan Matale?"

"No. I have been out here for quite some time."

Revan nodded, then turned to Alek and said, "Take this droid back to the Enclave. Tell the droid shop owner to hold it there until I come to pick it up. I'll cover the expenses."

"Very well." he said, and, using the Force, was able to pick up the droid.

Once she and Bastila were alone, Revan said, "At least he can follow orders."

"Well, he might be worried that you'll have him killed if he doesn't."

"Only if he doesn't give people the proper privacy when they're showering." Revan said.

The two walked in silence through the plains, until they saw another farm house in the distance. Revan grinned and said, "I bet you can't get there from here in under thirty seconds."

"You're probably right."

"Really, Shan?" Revan asked, sounding surprised, "I know you lack self-confidence, but you should at least try. You'll never know your limits if you never push yourself."

Bastila sighed, and said, "Alright. I guess I'll try." Just tell me when to go."

Revan pulled out her datapad, hit a few keys, then said, "Go!" at that instant, Bastila shot forward, and twenty-nine and a half seconds later, she was at the Sandral estate. Revan soon joined her, and said, "Well, you beat it by half a second."

"Really?" Bastila asked, surprise clear in her voice.

"Yep. So, let's see what this Mr. Sandral is like. Hopefully less demanding than Matale."

"He's a nice enough person if you aren't a Matale. And, he doesn't see Jedi as tools. He's always helpful when people ask him questions."

"Sounds like a good guy." Revan said, as she walked up to the protocol droid. She then said, "Could we speak with Mr. Sandral?"

The droid replied, "Nurik will gladly see you in the main hall directly through the door."

"Thanks." Revan said, walking into the building. Inside was akin to a garden, and sitting in the middle of the room was a dark-skinned man was sitting on a bench looking rather worried. He said, "Hello, Master Jedi. I'm sorry that I can't offer you a more enthusiastic greeting, but I have a lot on my mind."

"What's wrong?"

"My daughter Rahasia sneaked out of the house earlier today, and I have had to have all of my people go looking for her. Is there any way I can help you?"

Revan was quiet, then asked, "Is there a crystal cave on your estate?"

"Yes, why?"

"Young children, even those who cannot learn to use the Force, can sometimes feel drawn towards places where the Force is incredibly strong."

"There is one to the east."

"We shall look for her there, Mr. Sandral."

"Thank you, Master Jedi."

"It's not a problem." She said, leaving the area followed by Bastila. They headed to the east, and saw that the entire area beyond the farmhouse. After a wile, Revan simply paused near the edge of a cliff, and stared out at it. She simply stood there in silence, staring at the plains. Tears slowly began to fall down her cheeks.

Bastila asked, "What's wrong."

"It looks a lot like Deralia. Before the Mandalorians hit it."

"Oh. We should probably get looking for Nurik's daughter."

"You're right." Revan said, walking towards the cave. Before entering it, she said to Urz, "Stay."

The kath hound obediently sat down, and watched the two women enter the cave. Inside it was a single pitch-dark tunnel. Revan heard a silent whimper, and said, "Bastila, get your lightsaber out. I've got a feeling we're going to have to fight the inhabitants of this cave to get the kid out of here."

Bastila just nodded, and ignited her yellow blade. At that moment, four kinrath charged them, but were frozen in the spot by Revan. The two Jedi charged the animals, and quickly dispatched them, only for a half dozen more to charge at them.

Revan slew the one in the front with a quick slash from her lightsaber, but had to jump over the group to avoid being bitten by the two behind it.

Then, she threw her weapon into the three making up the back as sweat began to trickle down her face. Two kinrath behind her charged, and while she was able to throw one into the wall with the Force, the other one bit her.

She let out a silent cry of pain, as she felt the venom begin to flow through her veins. While she collapsed, she looked and saw that Bastila was having difficulty getting to a point where she could attack the pair of kinrath trying to get her. She had to return her attention to the kinrath attacking her, since it had pounced on her. She pushed at it, trying to get it off of her, but it refused to budge.

Panic ran through her veins, but then she heard the whimper again, and it was louder. 'Whoever is making that sound sounds a lot like I did when Deralia was hit, and everyone but me was killed. If I die, there's a good chance she will too.'

Revan then drew in the Force, and using all of its might in the cave, sent the kinrath flying into the ceiling. She then turned to Bastila and froze the two that were trying to attack the Padawan. When Bastila let out a sigh of relief Revan smiled, but then collapsed. She looked at her leg, and saw that it was oozing a strange, black fluid.

While Bastila ran over to her, Revan pulled out an antidote kit but, dropped the syringe when she tried to inject the fluid into her leg. Revan looked up, and said, "Could you get that syringe, and just stab it into my leg?"

Bastila nodded, and a few seconds later, Revan let an "Ahh." of relief. She then stood up, smiled at Bastila, and walked to the source of the sound. It was a small girl who had managed to climb up one of the massive crystals, and a group of kinrath were standing around it.

Revan said, "Bastila, don't move."

"Why? What's going on?"

"You're about to find out." the Knight replied, as she reached out to the Force through the crystals along the walls. They began to glow dozens of times brighter than before, and before the kinrath could react, they were suddenly in the air, and being impaled upon the glowing stones. Revan then collapsed, gasping for breath. She said, "Those things are heavy." before walking around the cave. After ten minutes, she grabbed a ledge and pulled herself up. On that ledge, she pulled out a crystal, and said, "Alright, let's get the kid and get out of here." Revan said.

Bastila did as she was told, and the little girl nervously jumped down, and Bastila caught her. The three quietly left the room, Revan watching Bastila as she carried the scared Rahasia. 'Looks like she's good with kids. Rahasia's already calming down.'

Once they were out of the structure, they were greeted by Urz, who quickly ran up to Revan. She pet the kath hound's head, and walked over to a nearby battle droid. She said, "We've found Rahasia."

The droid said, "Excellent. Please follow me."

The group complied, and were inside the building a few minutes later. When Nurik saw Rahasia walk in he said, "Rahasia!" and ran up to his daughter giving her a hug. He said, "Don't ever do that again. I was so worried about you!"

"I won't daddy. The monsters in the cave are scary."

"I told you that it isn't safe to leave home alone." he said.

Revan nodded, and said, "I think we should get going."

Bastila nodded, and when they were out, she asked, "Why did you let that kinrath get you?"

Revan grinned, and said, "To see how you'd handle it on your own."

When she saw the look of shock on Bastila's face, Revan burst out laughing. A few minutes later she was clutching her side, and said, "I'm kidding, Bastila. I didn't let it get me, it just manged to."

Bastila gently punched Revan on the shoulder, and said, "Really? Why did you say that it was to test me then?"

"Looks like you're growing a spine, Bastila." Revan teased, as she started walking to the enclave.

"Are you saying that I'm a coward, Revan?"

"Not a coward, Bastila. More along the lines of... molded so that you won't question what you're told."

"So I'm just clay to be molded? Is that it?"

"I don't see you that way. But, sometimes I think that the Masters see students as nothing more than clay. I remember a few times when they took personal offense to others even giving advice to their students. Like someone who had been working on making something from clay, then someone else came along and did something with it that they didn't want."

"You seem to have a lot of contempt for the Jedi Masters."

"Not exactly contempt. I just think they're stuck in a rut that's so old no one notices it anymore."

"That's a terrible thing to say about the Order." Bastila protested.

"It may be, but take the Jedi Code. There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force."

"What's wrong with it?" Bastila asked.

"It deals in absolutes. To say that there is no anything is foolish. And, the Jedi Order has made those absolutes the basis of their teachings. That's left them in a rut, where they will not consider any other opinions. So, they've been in a rut that they've been making deeper for over a thousand years."

Bastila was quiet for a while, then asked, "Why haven't you mentioned this to any of the Masters in the Council?"

"I mentioned it to Master Sunrider on Coruscant when I was still a Padawan, and she simply said that while the Code was flawed, there was no point in mentioning it to anyone. That the Masters were unwilling to consider it, since they've spent so much of their life under its teachings that they can't think beyond it."

Bastila didn't respond, but instead the two walked the rest of the way back to the Enclave in silence. Before they entered, Revan said, "Bastila, please don't tell the Masters what I said about them and the Code. It would cause trouble that I don't want to have to deal with."

"Then why did you tell me?"

"You're still young enough that the Code isn't what defines you. So, maybe there can be some changes in the Order. I figure that if enough of the younger Jedi learn to think beyond the Code, there can be a discussion on how to improve the Order." Revan said, while she hit the open key on the door panel.

-=0=-

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review/follow/favorite.