Revan stood in the center of the grand hall of the Jedi Temple. Hundreds if not thousands were gathered around, as she stood there flanked by Meetra and Alek. She looked at them all, and said, "The Republic is weakened. The mandalorians have risen up and dealt many great blows against it. They wish to crush the Republic and bring the entire galaxy down to a state of barbarism akin to their own." She looked at the crowd for a moment then continued,
"In our drive for peace they see us as cowards. In our opposition to their ideal of honor gained only through a trial of combat they see weakness. They rise up not to fight for any reason other than to test their might against that of the Republic."
Revan could see the crowd beginning to stir anxiously as the words left her mouth and she said, "I am sure you have heard the news from the many worlds ravaged by the mandalorian menace. That you have heard of the glassing of Deralia. Of the strike against the people of Morihan.
"I have witnessed firsthand the brutality of the mandalorians. Of their desire to destroy all that is not their way. Their absolute hatred of peace. Their desire for nothing more than conquest.
"I am certain you have heard of the near annihilation of the cathar species. Perhaps you doubt the rumors of the mandalorian brutality. That even noncombatants were slain in their quest for some misguided view of glory.
"I have witnessed it. And I have stood against it." she said, looking out at the gathered Jedi, "And the time has come for the Jedi Order to rise up and fight for what is right.
"For there is not corruption in resisting the spread of the Dark. Before it was Exar Kun who rose and sought to engulf the galaxy in shadow. Now the mandalorians rise to fulfill where he failed.
"And as with the Sith we must stand against this threat. For Jedi are the sworn guardians of the Republic. We are the protectors of the Light, who must stand against the spread of darkness wherever we see it!
"We must remember the way of those who came before! We must stand up to preserve the way of the Jedi! We must rise against the mandalorian menace and protect the way of the Republic! We must stand and stop the spread of chaos the mandalorians are sowing!
"I will fight to protect our way of life. I will give my life for it if I must. I will not let this Republic be destroyed. I will not allow a new dark age! Who will stand with me?"
-=0=-
Oraka sighed, and said, "Did we not tell her to wait to begin extolling her ideals until we had finished deliberating?"
Nomi laughed, and replied, "Revan cannot be controlled through mere requests. When she believes there is a task to be done manners become irrelevant in her eyes."
Aedis said, "I believe then she has forced our hand."
Nemura nodded and said, "It is clear that she will not abide by the will of the Council. We must see to her immediate exile."
Kreia looked at the masters of the Council and asked, "Do you truly believe that you possess the power to exile Revan? Should you exile her you will have to exile half the Order alongside her."
"These are deliberations for the Jedi Council, Far Seer. You should leave these chambers."
"In times of darkness there will always be one destined to rise against it. I have seen that Revan is the one to stand against this threat and vanquish it."
"Enough." Nomi said. "We are in no position to try and control Revan. Kreia is correct. The most we can do now is urge those who would follow her to rethink their position. So long as she has such massive support there is no hope for removing her ideas."
"Indeed." Oraka replied, "It is clear that if we were to exile Revan thousands would turn their backs on the Order for her. She possesses a fire that can sway the minds of many Jedi."
Aedis sighed and said, "Would you allow her to lead countless Jedi astray, Master Oraka?"
"I never would allow such a thing. But if we are to act against Revan at this stage it is clear that it will rend the Order in two. Our only hope is to continue teaching patience and advise them against this path.
"You saw how many came to listen to Revan. She hold sway over their hearts and minds. They believe in what they go out to do. And is it not with the young that they are most fervant in their beliefs? It may come that we can use this as a lesson for them. To learn the dangers of acting rashly."
Nemura asked, "And what if their rash behavior leads to the birth of a new Sith Empire? To a successful purge of the Jedi Order?"
"That is just one possible outcome of this." Nomi replied. "We may have reason to be concerned, but that is why we must aid them in coming to their decisions regarding the war. And make sure that they make whichever choice they do for the right reasons."
-=0=-
Revan approached a door in an isolated corner of the Jedi Temple. One of the old wings that had fallen into disuse as the numbers of Jedi on Coruscant had dropped due to the constructin of academies such as the one on Dantooine.
The door was already open, and inside Bastila sat in meditation. Revan leaned against the doorframe and said, "How's it going?"
The Padawan looked up to see the Jedi Knight and said, "I'm fine."
"You sure you don't want a room closer to mine?"
"What if people got suspicious, Rev? What if someone eventually found out about us?"
"They can deal with it." Revan replied, "And besides there is nothing suspicous about a teacher keeping their student close. People will be more suspicious if you're hiding out in the middle of nowhere.
"They'll start to ask why I'm keeping my student hidden where no one goes outside of cleanup droids. After all, this isn't exactly a comfortable place to stay."
Bastila sighed, as she got up and walked closer to her teacher. "You know that I may also just like having a bit of distance where we can be safe from prying eyes."
Revan laughed and said, "If there are any Council spies going somewhere more secluded won't lose them."
"Are you sure you weren't followed?"
"I'm pretty sure that there are about two people outside this room who could hope to track me." Revan replied with a smirk. "And I'm pretty sure they're both busy."
-=0=-
Meetra looked at the group of Padawans gathered in the courtyard. She turned to Tirthan and asked, "How many Knights are coming to join?"
He sighed, rubbing his brow, and said, "It is taking longer than it should for them to come. I understand the need for more than these Padawans."
"Yeah. Revan's not going to be happy if this is the best we have to show for those who actually show after claiming to support going to war."
-=0=-
Veras looked at the map. A small mandalorian fleet was en route to Telos. As he examined it, Carth walked up and asked, "What are our orders?"
"Saul is going to attempt to pull off the strategy that Revan used in the Battle of Cathar."
"Half her strategy relied on the luck of the mandalorians breaking formation. If they hadn't done that there's no telling where any of us would be right now."
"Everyone has tried explaining that to him. But he believes that sending in a special forces team onto an enemy ship and turning that against them will provide a sufficient hole to blast their command vessels."
"That's madness. We don't have any Jedi to help us take the vessel. And even if we should, we'd need to break through their security protocols to actually take control of the vessel."
"Why do you think I'm here, Onasi?" a woman asked as she sat up.
He looked at her, and said, "You think you can hack into a mandalorian ship and seize control of the ship, Alina?"
"Done it before, or have you forgotten those mandalorians we fought back in the day?"
"That was a long time ago, things have changed."
"Not like they completely changed their code, Carth. It may take me a little bit of time to adapt to any updates but I'll still be able to figure out how to crack that thing."
"Hacking a ship that's under fire in the middle of a fleet is a hell of a lot different from one that captured you and isn't under fire."
"I work just fine under pressure." she replied, shaking her head. "How about you quit worrying about my ability to do my job, and just focus on yours?"
"I see you're as irritating as ever." Carth replied leaning back in his chair.
"You're just mad that you want me but I'm not interested in you." she replied.
He just laughed and said, "Who would want to be with a narcissist like you?"
Veras shook his head and said, "Both of you that's enough. We don't have time to let your personal history affect the mission."
Alina laughed and said, "Geez you'd think you were our dad."
"If I were I would have already killed myself to escape your bullshit." he muttered under his breath then turned to the map and said, "Now, we have our target. A mandalorian vessel on the outskirt of the mandalorian fleet. We need to take this ship as quickly and stealthily as possible. Once we take the bridge Carth and I will do everything we can to give you the time needed to take control of the mandalorian vessel. Once control is achieved we are to immediately turn the ship to fire on its allies. Once we have drawn the attention of the mandalorians we are to set the ship to self destruct and to evacuate back to our fleet. If successful we should be able to turn the tide in this fight."
-=0=-
Meetra sighed as more Padawans filed into the room. She said, "All new entries please file over to the right side of the room. There Alek will give you directions on what we're going to need you to do and where we're going to need you to go. Any Jedi Knights among you may wait here until more of your number arrive."
Tirthan looked at her and said, "You needn't be so aggravated, Meetra. It may not be going as well as we could hope but there are still many Jedi coming to show their support."
"How many of them will even be ones Revan'll let see combat? How many will have to be turned away due to lack of experience?"
"We are not getting apprentices. They may not be Knights, but they are as capable as any Republic soldier."
"And how good of a job are those Republic soldiers doing in this war? These are mandalorians with basilisk war droids. They could still kill a Padawan with some effort. Hell even some Jedi Knights won't be up to the task."
As those words left Meetra's mouth a large line of Jedi Knights began filing into the room. They said, "Our apologies for taking so long. Many of our Masters' attempts to dissuade us from going to war created quite the delay."
Meetra sighed with relief, and said, "Good. This is exactly what Revan's been hoping for. You all have heard her speeches, so I'll skip all that flowery bullshit language. Not really my thing. We've already made contact with the Senate. They have agreed to place Jedi amongst various units throughout the galaxy. Revan believes that it would be best to distribute it such that for each three Padawans there is a Knight to command the unit.
"As such, you will all be divided into units and expected to work together as professionals. If you fuck up a lot of people could die. What we need right now is to start testing you all. We don't have time for training. We need you ready to go to war tomorrow. All of you. Revan should be here any moment now so we can begin the testing."
-=0=-
Revan gave Bastila a quick kiss as she said, "I've gotta go. The Knights should finally have managed to pry themselves away from their Masters so that we can start figuring where to send them."
"Can't you leave that to her?" Bastila asked, running a hand along Revan's back.
"As much as I would love to, that wouldn't be fair. Not like there are a lot of people who we know are capable of leading soldiers into battle. As soon as I get done I'll come right back here."
-=0=-
Meetra looked at the gathered Jedi Knights when Revan stepped out from around a corner and said, "It's good to see you all managed to finally pull yourselves away from the lectures of your Masters. Now is the time for you to go through a quick series of tests. Pair off and begin sparring. Fight as if you are trying to win a duel to the death. Don't hold back at all."
"Shouldn't we use training sabers then? So we don't kill each other on accident?"
Revan laughed and said, "You'll use your regular sabers and trust that Meetra and I won't let anything happen to you."
Meetra whispered to Revan, "What am I supposed to do?"
Revan grinned and said, "Nothing. I've got this under control." before turning to the gathered Jedi Knights. "Begin." she said.
As lightsabers began to clash throughout the room, Revan's eyes traced them all. "Watch it all, Meetra, Tirthan. Process everything. If you want to command a fleet in combat you have to see it all."
-=0=-
The shuttle shook as the pilot shouted into the main chamber, "I'm going to have to try and perform a crash landing in the enemy ship!"
Veras stood up silently, pulled his rifle from his back and said, "Get ready for those mando's. They know we're coming."
Carth nodded, pulling out his blaster pistols. "Let's get this over with."
-=0=-
Revan watched the Jedi duel, and shifted her hand slightly. As the Knight did so she said, "Change to fight the opponent to your left!"
As she said so the Jedi changed opponent and three would have cut down their sparring partner had it not been for an imperceptible energy field around them. Revan smirked, as Meetra shook her head. "You had this planned all along didn't you."
Revan did not reply, but continued to watch the training before her.
-=0=-
As the shuttle tumbled into the hangar of the mandalorian cruiser, Veras was sent flying out of a shuttle door. And standing in dark black armor stood a mandalorian wearing a unique helmet. He laughed and said, "An act of desperation. Sending soldiers to fight the battle that only a Jedi could have a chance of winning."
Carth stood there frozen for a moment. Then the madalorian said, "You do not recognize me, do you, human?"
"You're not exactly an alien either, mando."
"I am Mandalore the Ultimate. And you are the one who worked with that fucking Force Adept. You will be most useful."
"I won't tell you anything."
"Really? What if I made you a deal? You know that the Republic fleets cannot win this battle. That we can easily push through and claim your homeworld. But speak of this adept who took command of the Jedi Hunter Corps and I shall pull my forces away. Or perhaps you would rather watch your wife and child die?"
"Why are you going after me? There are plenty others who worked with Ava."
Mandalore did not respond, but motioned for Carth to be grabbed. As a pair of elite guards grabbed him, the soldier saw Alina executed by a mandalorian. At the same time, Veras was dragged away into another section of the ship.
-=0=-
As the groups divided into command simulations, Revan turned to Meetra and said, "We need to get going. The Senate meeting is in an hour."
"You can go alone." Meetra replied. "You're the one who can talk them into letting us fully help."
Revan sighed and said, "But what if I need someone to watch my back?"
"Take Bastila."
"I'm not putting her in any more danger than I already have."
"She's your Padawan. You are supposed to take her with you most places that you go."
Revan shook her head and said, "You don't want to get a feel for what you may have to deal with if this goes to shit?"
"Everything already has gone to shit." Meetra replied.
Revan shook her head and said, "It can be far worse, Meetra."
"What are you talking about?"
"On the other side there were many, visions of what may come to be. I want you to be prepared for the worst."
"What about Bastila?"
Revan sighed and said, "We can talk about that on the way to the Senate."
-=0=-
Karath looked at the map in dismay. The shuttles that had been sent to take mandalorian vessels had all been captured. As he examined the map he saw a small hole in the mandalorian formations. Clearing for a small ship to head to the main capital ship.
But also large enough to send a ship in to strike. As he highlighted the target for all ships to fire on, an ensign said, "Sir, but what of our personnel on those ships?"
"Be quiet and do as you're told ensign!" he snapped.
-=0=-
Revan sat silently in the back of the speeder, as Meetra asked, "What of Bastila?"
The younger Knight remained quiet, as her friend began to glare. Minutes passed in silence until Revan finally spoke. "Should things go poorly I shall die by her hand. Should they go ideally she and I shall enjoy happiness for a time, until we become one with the Force."
"Why would she kill you? HOW would she kill you?"
-=0=-
Mandalore laughed as the Republic ships fired. He said, "They are truly desperate. Verach, you may finish them."
-=0=-
Revan stepped into the main Senate Chamber, Meetra glaring at her from behind. She rode into the center stage beside the Supreme Chancellor who was in the middle of a speech regarding Coruscant. As she approached she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Senators, I am certain you don't know who I am." the entire building shaking. "So allow me to introduce myself. I am Revan. An Acolyte of the Unified Force."
As her words filled the chamber, the Senators stood in shocked silence. The Jedi continued, "I have journeyed beyond the limits of your perception. I have seen this war wage ten thousand times with ten thousand outcomes."
The building continued to shake, cracks forming in the walls from the power of Revan's voice. The Knight said, "And in every instance I have seen where the Jedi do not aid the Republic the mandalorian menace is victorious.
"That is why as of now I offer my aid and those of several thousand like minded Jedi throughout the galaxy. The choice of whether or not to accept is yours."
-=0=-
Carth stirred and saw himself chained up in a small room. As he examined it, he saw a mandalorian sitting across from him. His vision was blurry for a moment before he saw that it was in fact Mandalore himself.
He shifted and Mandalore said, "Your attempts at escape are meaningless. This is a chamber specially designed to contain the leader of your Dark Jedi Hunters. You are to speak, Onasi. Speak and save your family."
"You want me to betray the Republic."
Mandalore sighed and said, "Onasi I am not a patient man. Therefore I shall make you a deal. Speak and you and your beloved wife and son will live as royalty on Telos. Just so soon as I am victorious in this war."
"Do you think that you'll actually win this thing?" Carth asked spitting at the mandalorian leader.
"I know I shall. Everything is going according to plan."
"Then why do you need me to tell you about Ava?"
-=0=-
The Supreme Chancellor stood still for a moment, before asking, "What are the terms of your assistance?"
Revan sighed, the platforms of the Senators below her shaking, and said, "There are no terms. No catches."
"But you are willing to defy your masters for this, surely there is a reason that you would do so."
"Their intentions may be pure, but the consequences of Jedi inaction are far too great."
"Yet until now that refusal has been maintained. Why change your mind now?"
Revan sighed, and said, "You would think that a child would be grateful to accept help when it is freely offered. The reason that before I did not bring you the offer of my aid is that I was not prepared.
"Preparations had to be made. Contingiencies laid. You can never be too certain when the fate of the galaxy is at stake. As such I had to delay. Until the time came to bring a swift end to this war."
-=0=-
Saul looked in horror as the mandalorian fleet quickly closed the gap. The command vessels were once again protected. And then, four Republic vessels detonated, and a screen opened and a mandalorian said, "Is this the best your Republic has to offer? Pitiful."
The Admiral took a deep breath and said, "This is not yet over."
"Yes it is."
-=0=-
"We shall accept your request, Knight Revan." the Chancellor said, as suddenly the room lit bright red. A moment later a voice said, "This is Grand Admiral Dodonna of the Republic."
"What is the situation, Admiral?"
"We have received a distress signal from Admiral Karath. His fleet is taking heavy casualties, and it appears the mandalorians are moving to attack Telos."
Revan swore under her breath, and said, "What is your closest fleet?"
"Nothing that can reach in time." Dodonna said.
"Then Tell Karath to take his fleet, and retreat towards Taris."
"That planet is under mandalorian control. What good would that do?"
"I am not finished, take the Ord Mantell fleet and relocate it to Taris as well."
"What?! Are you suggesting that we abandon our defenses in order to attack a world taken by the mandalorians?"
"It wasn't a suggestion, Dodonna. It was an order."
"I take orders only from the Senate once a consensus has been reached."
Revan sighed, and said, "Chancellor, I have had a change of heart. I do not have the time for red tape or Admirals not accepting my tactics. I require temporary command of all Republic fleets, where even your Grand Admiral will report to me."
The Chancellor asked, "And if we refuse?"
"I shall have no choice but to retract my offer of aid. Without that command I cannot effectively maneuver the fleets to repel the enemy."
The Chancellor sighed and said, "Very well, Knight Revan."
"Chancellor her plan is madness! You cannot give this woman command!" Forn said.
"This is a matter of the Senate." he said, turning to the gathered Senators. "Are there any who oppose the appointment of this Jedi as Supreme Commander?"
"We have no choice." the Senator of Naboo said, many others voicing their approval.
"You have your command, Knight Revan. Win this war." the Chancellor said.
"That's the plan. Tell Karath's fleet to go to Taris, the Ord Mantell one as well. And I shall require a small regiment from the fleet defending Coruscant."
"You would strip CORUSCANT of its protection?" Dodonna asked.
"Mandalore will have no time to think of attacking, Forn. Not when he is losing the worlds he has conquered."
"Your plan is madness."
"I'm glad you think so highly of it. We can discuss it more in person on the way to Taris."
-=0=-
As the Republic ships made the jump to hyperspace, Verach said, "Mandalore, our sensors indicate they are heading towards Taris."
Mandalore sounded surprised as he asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes. Shall we pursue them or continue to Telos?"
-=0=-
Mandalore turned to Carth and said, "That depends on this captured soldier. Will you tell us all you know of the woman Ava to save your home?"
He coughed up a little blood and said, "Go fuck yourself. I'll never betray the Republic."
"Such heroic nonsense." Mandalore said, "Continue to Telos, Verach."
-=0=-
A/N Well here's the latest chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry about being so flaky about actually writing chapters lately. Anyways, please leave a review about what you did and more importantly did not like about this chapter.
