Within the caliginous void, an armored mask appeared, its obverse familiar. An aureate coruscation burned from the reverse, summoning her attention. The metal visage fell away, leaving only the incandescent shape which rushed toward her face.

The assassin woke. No visions of war today. A mask within a mask. Interesting. The Force wanted her to see it, but the Force wanted a lot of things.

She dressed and ascended the tower to Zash's office. She found her master in council with a human apprentice. They turned when the assassin entered.

"Ready for your mission?" Zash asked.

"Of course, Master."

"What about him?" Zash said, nodding toward Khem.

"More than ready," the assassin said. "He was practicing his glowering all night."

"I do not practice it, little Sith."

"This is Sandor," Zash said, indicating the apprentice. "He is the apprentice of Darth Charnus. Charnus has a mission for you."

"Possibly," Sandor said, a look of distaste in his eyes. "If she can translate this." He put a token on Zash's desk.

"I've had her studying that language since arriving on Dromund Kaas," Zash said. "And she's a surprisingly quick study."

The assassin smiled. "You honor me, Master." She took the token and examined it. "'Instruct the Seeker of Knowledge to stand within the Circle of Ritual'."

"Well done, Apprentice," Zash said. "How would you translate 'Seeker of Knowledge'?"

"Student," the assassin said. "Or apprentice."

"Pilgrim?" Sandor suggested.

"In some situations, yes," the assassin said.

He nodded. "My master needs infiltrators to eliminate an enemy of the Sith."

"An enemy of the Sith, or an enemy of your master?" she asked.

"An enemy of an important Darth," Zash said.

"Of course, Master," the assassin replied.

Sandor said, "Our enemy is the Order of Revan- a cult of fools hidden at every stratum of Imperial society. For years, the Revanite heretics have secretly recruited military officers, powerful Sith, wealthy mercenaries- anyone who can add to their power."

"Odd," the assassin said. "Revan was never a cult leader."

"How do you know of him?" Sandor asked.

"It's called 'reading'," the assassin replied.

"Apprentice," Zash said.

"My apologies, Master. Revan was a Force sensitive of considerable power. I study many such Force sensitives, to learn their successes and their failures."

"Yes, of course," Sandor said. "Then you know Revan was tainted by Jedi ways. My master wants to purge this secret society and their teachings from Dromund Kaas. All we need is the identity of their leader. My master will reveal him to the Dark Council, and his destruction would be assured."

"You want me to infiltrate the infiltrators?"

"It displeases you?" Sandor asked.

"On the contrary," the assassin said. "I enjoy the irony."

"Very well," Sandor said. "We have discovered the name of one of the Revanites- Major Pathel. He screens the new initiates, or so we're told. Show him the token, and do your best to earn his trust."

"Certainly," she said. "If I may ask, why did your master choose me?"

Sandor sighed. "The Revanites are known to... actively recruit... aliens."

"Oh," she said. "That does explain a lot. Tell you master I shall do my very best."

"Very good," Sandor said. He nodded to Lord Zash and departed.

"What do you think?" Zash asked.

"Charnus does not have the approval of the Council," the assassin said. "If he did, he would move in with an army. I also wonder where they got that token, and how."

"And the Revanites?"

The assassin shrugged. "Why does a purely philosophical cult need to infiltrate every stratum of Imperial society? The Council would respond to any direct threat to its power. Why haven't they intervened? Secrecy is the Revanites best defense. Why have they abandoned it now?"

"Excellent questions," Zash said. "What does your vision tell you?"

The assassin closed her eyes and searched the future. "I see threads of complexity disappearing into a fog."

"You've seen the fog," Zash said. "Only the strongest precognitives have perceived it so far. But it is growing." She shrugged. "For now, untangle some of those threads. I would like Charnus to owe us a favor. Just remember; my mission takes precedent. We must have that prototype."

"Of course, Master," she said.

"Be cautious at Grathan's Estate," Zash said. "I've heard rumors he's linked to the droid rebellion."

The assassin shook her head. "Droids don't rebel. It's cover for something."

"So you've said," Zash replied. "Whatever they're covering is about to happen. The Council will want Grathan out of the conflict and will do something to convince him."

"Do we want him convinced?"

"We do," Zash said.

"I will do my best not to see anything."

"Very good, Apprentice. Now, go."

"I'm Major Pathel, at your service," he said with a sharp salute. "In charge of security droids on the Wall. How may I assist, my Lord?"

"Pleased to meet you," the assassin said. "You're awfully cheerful, aren't you?"

The major grinned and nodded. "A necessary precondition of living on the Wall, I think. To keep healthy out here, one needs spirit!"

"I'll take your word for that." She held up the token. "I was told to bring you this."

"Ah!" he said. "It's always wonderful to meet new initiates- the Order of Revan needs all the dedicated young people it can get."

"You're very direct for a secret society."

"Our days of secrecy are numbered," he replied. "Change has begun in the Empire. The war saw to that. The Empire must evolve. We must become more... accepting."

The assassin watched him for a moment. "Who is it?"

He paused then laughed. "Well done. My wife is a Twi'lek." He looked at the brand across her eye. "A former slave like you. And far too good for me. So you understand, we do not oppose the Empire. I remain a loyal soldier. We just oppose some of its policies. Quite a few initiates think our 'secret society' will help them become Moffs or Dark Lords."

"I need no help with that," the assassin said.

"I didn't think so," the major replied. "You're ambitious. That's a fine trait. Don't let it get the better of you, though!" His gaze changed, became more professional. "Some members of the Dark Council call us heretics and seek to root us out. How do we respond? How do we answer their accusations of heresy?"

Ah, she thought, the first real test. Revan was both Jedi and Sith, so the best answer- "We work in the shadows, we manipulate, but to enlighten, not destroy."

"Well said," Pathel replied. "We reform the Empire, but we do not betray it. Now, your companion-"

"Your people are nothing," Khem said. "Your Empire is nothing. Your Order is nothing."

The assassin said, "His people are not really political. Or philosophical. Or polite."

Khem growled a bit but said nothing.

"Well," Pathel said. "I believe I've heard all I need. Your next test will be a Mandalorian named Ceta Farr. Take the road to the east. She'll be waiting for you."

"I'm called Ceta Farr," the robust woman said. "I teach these mercenaries how to fight."

"Are they... with you?" the assassin asked.

"They're all Revanites," Ceta replied. "We're the first line of defense for the compound." The men nodded. "Pathel contacted me about you. Said he liked your answers. He's not easy to please. He also said not to worry about your companion, whatever that means."

"He's not really a joiner," the assassin said. "He's just my ride home."

"If you say so," Ceta said. "My clan fought Revan in the war and lost over Malachor Five. Do you know how?"

"Yes," the assassin said. "He outmaneuvered you even though you had a six ship advantage and his fleet was damaged."

"Exactly," she said. "He fought like a warrior and beat us like a warrior, on our terms. None of this Jedi diplomacy. Tell me why."

"By beating you on your terms, you couldn't deny the victory. Your honor would not allow it. He forced your surrender and ended the war early."

"You know your history," Ceta said. "That's rare among the Sith. That was your first test. They're your second." She nodded to her men. "Give me your lightsaber."

The assassin handed her saber to Khem.

"Good enough," Ceta said. She gave the assassin an electrostaff, its output set to a practice level. "Defeat as many as you can. Show me your worth."

The men raised electrostaves and vibroswords, and circled her. Three came at her at first, and she held them off, even injured them a little. More entered the fight. At four and five, she still dominated them. At six, she reached balance. At seven, she began to struggle. At eight, they beat her into the ground.

"Enough!" Ceta called out. Her men backed away. "Can you stand?"

The assassin nodded and used the staff to pull herself up.

"Well done," Ceta said.

The assassin recovered her saber. "This wasn't a test of strength, was it?"

"No," Ceta said with a tinge of respect.

"Ma'am," one of the mercenaries said. "Nothing personal."

Ceta laughed. "I think Ghez likes you."

"Thank you, Ghez," the assassin said. "I noticed you didn't hit me nearly as hard as the others."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Continue down this road," Ceta told her. "Your next test will be Morrun, a Chagrian Sith. I think you'll like him."

When they were away from the Mandalorians, Khem said, "You did well, little Sith."

"As I got my ass kicked?"

He shook his head. "You knew their test, and still you fought. You will taste better than I realized."

"Why, Khem," she said in a dry voice. "You'll make me blush."

"So. You have come. You who would join the Order of Revan. I am Morrun Dokaas, lord of beasts. I am Revanite, and I am Sith. What do you say to me?" The Chagrian stood proudly and waited for a response.

"You and Pathel must get along wonderfully," the assassin said.

"We do," Morrun replied. "For decades, I have served the Master. He found me when I was a larva and saw that I was strong in the Force. Against the Empire's traditions, he trained me. This is the way of Revan- to teach all species the path to power."

"So I've heard."

"Yes, you are brave to have survived Korriban. Now tell me, why do you think Revan trained aliens in the ways of the Sith? Why did Revan offer power to all seekers?"

The assassin considered her response. "Revan knew that servants are more valuable when they're powerful."

"You answer well," Morrun said. "Have you studied Revan?"

"I have."

"Do you believe Revan was the Perfect Being?"

"No," the assassin said. "His father has been reliably identified."

"Do you think he was a Champion?"

"If his biographies are accurate, yes," she replied. "He had enough power."

"Why does the Force kill its Champions?" he asked.

"Some believe a Champion can influence the Force directly," she said. "It fears them."

"You have studied," Morrun said. "Are you truly passionate about Revan?"

"No," she said. "I have studied all of the Champions. We are overdue. I want to know what to look for, and what to expect."

Morrun smiled. "You answer wisely. Proceed to the compound."

The route to the compound wound between two cliffs, a perfect choke point if they were ever attacked. In spite of that, the opening to the valley was unguarded, and her arrival hardly noticed. A human male approached her at last, a tall redhead with the air of a statesman.

"Welcome to the Order of Revan, initiate," he said to her. "Welcome to your new life."

"Are you in charge?" she asked.

"No," he said. "I only guide initiates along the path. My name is Dzoun." He gestured to the valley. "This place is our haven, built by the Master and protected by the faithful. Here, we leave our duties to the Empire behind."

"Pathel said you sought to reform the Empire, not abandon it," she said.

"And he was right," Dzoun said. "Even though the Empire may not publicly support us, we believe in the Empire's ways. Outside of this valley, we are it's citizens. Within the valley, we study the ways of Revan."

"Revan had many 'ways'," she said. "Which do you study?"

Dzoun smiled. "Morrun said you had a keen mind. As a Jedi, Revan was a warrior who slaughtered armies. As a Sith, Revan was a teacher who trained a thousand dark apprentices. Eventually, Jedi and Sith both turned on Revan. But instead of being destroyed, Revan was reborn."

"Reborn?"

Dzoun nodded. "Revan was stripped of power, stripped of life, of memory-and left to rot. And still, Revan relearned the ways of the Force. The reborn Revan destroyed Jedi and Sith and came to Dromund Kaas. Although Revan's life ended here, the Master preserved that life so that we may learn from it."

Of course, she thought. The Force is irritated if its Champion is removed from the game to early.

"I understand the Council has noticed you," she told him.

"The Dark Council sees our beliefs as a threat to its power," Dzoun replied. "Maybe the Council's right- but if the Council falls, it falls because it is weak. We learn to be better, more powerful. Revan mastered the light side and the dark side-war and peace. We seek to walk the same path. Take part in our rituals. Learn Revan's path to greatness. Succeed, and you earn the right to join us."

"I look forward to learning." She smiled at him and thought, this was the most elaborately constructed lie she had ever heard. What were they really hiding?

"Excellent," Dzoun said. "Go to Elder Jhorval." He pointed toward a line of tents. "He shall give you your next test."

She reached the tents and found a middle-aged human human in front of one, preparing a midday meal. "Elder Jhorval?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "You are the initiate who wishes to join our order- this is good. Tell me something; are you ready to die for us?"

"I do hope that's a metaphor," she said.

He smiled at her. "Every Revanite must face a trial of death- just as Revan died at the hands of Jedi and Sith. Death freed Revan, left him unbound from all oaths and promises. It paved his road to rebirth. Will death free you from your past?"

"Ignoring my past will not free me," she said. "How I use my past will make the difference."

He smiled again. "I see why Morrun liked you." He gestured toward the cliffs. "Before us is a path. Beyond the path is a cave- a cave dedicated to Darth Revan. Initiates fall on the path. Initiates are torn apart by things inside the cave. But initiates who reach the end are reborn. Remade."

Another test of strength, she thought. And a test of commitment, to reach a cave strong in the Force and submit to a vision. This little cult had nothing to do with philosophy. She told him, "I think I understand the situation."

"Go," Jhorval said. "Free yourself from the life you've made. The petty choices, the mistakes, the oaths sworn- all of it will be washed away. It will be terrible. It will be glorious. Return to me when you reach the end of the cave."

The path was narrow at points and a bit steep. No doubt the cause of initiates falling. As for "torn apart", she'd wait and see. A broken stairway led into the cave, in the same style as the Dark Temple. The top of an ancient doorway lay nearby, cracked in half. Runes on it read "Beware Yourself".

The Force was known to gather in certain places, no one was sure why. The will of the Force perhaps, or a natural phenomenon, or the memory of a powerful event imprinting itself within the stone. The cave clearly pre-dated Revan, but he may have added his voice to the others. Such places, she knew, could draw out things within yourself best left buried. She shuddered in spite of herself and entered the cave.

"It smells of rot," Khem said.

The cave showed the marks of an ancient battle. She found deep lightsaber cuts in the walls and scorch marks from Force lightning. A ritual circle stood atop a raised platform at the center of the cave, ringed with obelisks.

Instruct the Seeker of Knowledge to stand within.

She climbed the stairway to the platform and noticed Khem had not followed. He seemed to be watching, as if guarding her. She had a sense, not the first time, that he understood more than he let on.

A statue of Revan had been placed within the circle. The sculpture was made to mimic the design of the obelisks, but was obviously a recent addition. The surface was too fresh, and it bore none of the battle damage.

She knelt in the center of the circle, closed her eyes, and opened her mind to the Force. Sound rushed through her mind, then blinding darkness, then lightning and rage. She saw the battle. Revan, a lightsaber in each hand, fought a strange shadow, a being made of a thousand images laid on top of each other. They tore at each other and shook the walls of the cave. Revan was shrouded in a marble halo of bright light and dark rage. Tendrils of decay reached for Revan from something behind the shadow, not a part of it. A searing golden outline lay across the shadow's face, the mask within a mask from the assassin's vision. The moment she recognized it, the shadow turned as if it could see her. It screamed with a thousand voices and attacked her. Revan jumped to her defense, beating the shadow back. He struck down one of the images, then another, and another, but they were too many. The shadow filled the chamber and overwhelmed them both and then nothing.

She found herself on a cot in one of the tents of the Revanite camp. Khem sat nearby in meditation. Jhorval sat on the nearest cot, watching her. He smiled when she focused on him.

"You return," he said. "Dripping with the blood of the womb. You are reborn."

She pushed herself up with a groan. "I think that's cold sweats."

He chuckled. "Well, that too." He smiled at her, as if he actually liked her. "Your old life, everything you were- all of it is dead, buried inside that cave. You are made anew. Savor the moment. It won't come again. Tell me, how does it feel to see the world reborn?"

"Like I was torn apart by a shadow," she replied.

Jhorval was an elder, and very experienced. He betrayed not a flicker, but he paused for just an instant. Tearing apart by the shadow was not common.

"The vision is different for everyone," he said.

That was a lie. She was sure.

"Your experience, however, is very rare."

Truth.

"You have drawn the favor of Revan himself."

Lie.

"Now rest, while I consult with the other elders." He stood and left.

I require consultation, she thought. I have shocked them. That implies they expected nothing of me. They don't see me as a true initiate. That only makes sense if Charnus was set up. They expected a spy and found a prophet. However, none of that explains why the shadow had the mask.

"What do you think, Khem?" she asked.

"You showed no fear when the shadow attacked," he replied without opening his eyes.

She wasn't surprised he knew. She was surprised he revealed it. Maybe he was starting to like her.

She put on her eyepatch scanner and watched Jhorval enter a tent. Dzoun was there with another human male and a Pureblood Sith female. Jhorval and Dzoun faced away from the assassin, but she could see the other human and the Sith. Jhorval spoke, Dzoun replied, and Jhorval spoke again.

"Perhaps she has," the Sith said.

"She drew someone's attention," the human said.

Dzoun spoke.

Jhorval again.

Dzoun.

"We must ask the Master," the Sith said.

The others nodded. Dzoun activated a holocommunicator. A robed figure appeared, masculine with a hood over his face. Jhorval spoke at length, and the figure replied. Dzoun turned toward the figure enough for the assassin to see his mouth.

"Lord Zash," Dzoun said.

I never told them that.

"Zash?" the Sith said. "If she has that training, send her after the mask."

Oh, yes, send me after the mask.

"It is a remarkable opportunity," the human said.

Dzoun turned and spoke to him.

The hologram spoke.

"I agree," the Sith said. "But do we waste the chance?"

The hologram spoke again, and the other four nodded. Dzoun switched off the holo, and Jhorval and the Sith female walked toward the assassin. She quickly hid her eyepatch.

"Initiate!" Jhorval said, entering the tent. "You have been selected for an important task, your final trial before entering the Order of Revan."

"I am Ladra," the Sith Pureblood said. "Once the personal assassin of a Sith Lord, I am now the serene protector of the Master and his students. Every Revanite's initiation includes a trial of the past- a rite to bind the initiate to Revan. Your rite will be very special."

The bullshit is strong with this one.

"You will find the mask of Darth Revan," Ladra continued. "What he wore after becoming Sith. It's a powerful symbol of his greatness, long lost to us."

"Excellent," the Twi'lek said. "Archeology is my specialty."

Ladra nodded. "The mask is in a collection of antiquities possessed by my former teacher, the Sith Lord Grathan."

That strains coincidence a bit too far.

"Come with me," Ladra said. "I will get sustenance for you and your companion. While you eat, I will map out Grathan's Estate and show you where to find the mask."

Ladra was never a student of Grathan's, the assassin thought. She was an infiltrator.

"No, please!" Dorotsech cried. "Zash said she'd free me. I have a wife and children and an astromech droid... I have to live!"

"For the droid?" the assassin asked. She contemplated the snivelling scientist. Zash's orders were to silence him, which might be an excellent reason to keep him alive.

"He's wonderful, really," Dorotsech said. "He understands me. Much more than my wife sometimes. We're very... close."

"Far more than I needed," she said. "What can you do for me?"

"I'm an inventor, right?" he said. "A damn good inventor. You let me live, I'll invent you something. Whatever you want."

"I might need you to look at something for me," she said. "But, if you run from me-"

"I know. I'm dead."

"That's far too easy," she said. "But you have a family. And a droid."

He gasped.

She smiled and said gently, "I also recognize the value of keeping my word."

He nodded. "Of course, my Lord."

Once they were out of the lab, Khem said, "Not even worth devouring."

"He's just a scientist," she said. "And he might have value."

They moved around the edges of the courtyard toward the main building without notice. Grathan's troops were prepared for a frontal assault, not a stealth incursion. As they neared the building, the assassin saw Mau'te and Vette hiding behind a stack of crates and watching a side entrance. She immediately pulled back before he sensed her awareness of him.

"Your target," Khem whispered.

"He's not a target," she said. This was too much. It strained coincidence to the point of breaking.

They waited until Mau'te and Vette were gone, then entered by a different door. They worked their way to the lower levels and into the research section. She moved cautiously, searching for Mau'te, but she didn't find him on the floor. He must be here to "convince" Grathan to stay out of the conflict. That would put him a few floors down in the private quarters.

First things first, she located the cybernetics lab and recovered Dorotsech's prototype. Not an ion weapon. Cybernetics were shielded from something so obvious. It appeared to disrupt the nerve signals at the connection between man and machine. It had been tried before, but no one else could get it to work. The cybernetics would switch to alternate paths, but, the more paths it had to switch, the more it taxed the system. On someone more than half machine, the system would collapse. Skotia would have essentially random control of his body while the device was active. She pocketed the prototype and continued on.

Ladra's instructions, down to the guard movements, were spot on. The Revanites must want that mask badly. They avoided security easily, and reached the other lab undetected. The assassin quickly sliced the controls, and they were inside.

The room was filled with masks in various stages of deconstruction. Grathan obviously wanted to learn from them directly. Some were of recent design, but none had been built here. A few were ancient and possibly valuable. And, at the far end of the room, was the mask of Revan suspended in a shielded repulsor field. She sliced the controls carefully, impressed with the level of security. At last, she deactivated the shield and caught the mask as it fell. She turned it over, but the second mask wasn't there. Fresh tool marks suggested it had been removed.

She put the mask into a pocket, and searched for its companion. She found the second mask in a molecular scanner. The scanner was mapping nanocircuitry within the mask, and completed about a third of the work. According to the controls, the scanner had been running continuously for two weeks. The circuitry must be incredibly complex. She removed the mask from the scanner, dropped it into the pocket with the prototype, and turned toward the entrance.

The door opened, and three guards entered. Her slicing, apparently, need practice. She ran at the guards, igniting her saber. She killed one before he could fire and deflected bolts from the other two. Khem, right behind her, killed a second guard, and she finished off the third.

"You kill well," Khem said.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," she replied.

They hid the bodies as best they could and made their way back to Dorotsech.

"My Lord?" he said when they entered. "I thought we were done."

"I said I needed you to look at something."

"Yes," he said. "I didn't realize it would be so soon."

She held up the small inner mask.

"That thing?" Dorotsech said.

"You've seen it?" she asked.

He nodded. "Lord Grathan asked me to look at it. It's passive code. It modifies visual input. I'm not sure what it's for."

"Thank you," she said, replacing it in her pocket. "I know exactly what it's for. I wouldn't mention it, if I were you. In fact, leave Dromund Kaas as soon as possible."

"Of course," he said. "And, thank you." He ran off.

Did the Revanites know of the mask? Ladra must have been in the lab at some point. If Grathan had already separated them, she might not suspect anything. Their technology and design were not the same. But, would she have recognized the outline from the vision in the cave? Did Ladra see the outline in her vision? If so, did she attach significance to it?

The inner mask was thin and flexible, making it easy to attach to a variety of shapes. Flexible enough that she could slide it into her boot without showing a visible mark. Once she was sure the mask was secure, she and Khem left for the Revanites.

"Free from Grathan's prison at last," Ladra said, her eyes fixed on the ancient mask. She held it tenderly and turned it in her hands. Her eyes betrayed nothing. She didn't know about the second mask. "Free from the hands of heretics. It's a wonderful day. Torrun!" She called out to the human male from the meeting with the elders. "The initiate has returned. She has the mask."

"You actually found the mask of Revan?" he said when he reached them. "And you're letting Ladra have it? She's mad you know."

Ladra slapped him on the arm. "Ignore his teasing. But, tell me, initiate, how did you kill Lord Grathan?"

"Grathan?" the assassin asked.

"I felt his death," Ladra said.

Mau'te, the assassin thought. Already stronger than a Darth.

"I never saw him," the assassin said. "Another enemy did that."

"Yes," Ladra said. "He had a lot of them. No matter." She gave the mask to Torrun. "Speak with Dzoun. He will complete your initiation."

The assassin nodded and left.

Where had they expected this to end? she wondered. The cave? No. Jhorval had his dialogue ready. The rite. They had another task prepared, something could never have completed. The shadow changed their plans. She was supposed to die or give up. No, not die. Give up. Return to Sandor. Tell him the Revanites were dull, not a threat. Paint Charnus as paranoid. The Revanites didn't feel like a threat, but they were anything but dull.

She found Dzoun near the entrance to the valley, and he waved her over.

"I've being hearing about your progress," Dzoun told her. "Your initiation hasn't been an easy one, but you met the challenge and showed you can walk Revan's path. Now you may undergo the final rite. You've earned your audience with the Master. This is a great privilege. The Master reveals himself to no one outside the order."

"I am honored," she replied.

"You may go to the Master in his chamber. He will be waiting for you. However, your companion must wait here."

Khem growled.

"I will be quite all right," she told him.

The assassin reached the Master's tent, the most distant in the compound, and found a holoemitter inside. The emitter activated, and the figure of Revan appeared.

"You who have died and been reborn- stand before me now," the figure declared. "You who have-"

The emitter was switched off. More of their empty show.

A human female appeared and said, "The time for subterfuge is over. Know me for who I am."

"You're the Master?" the assassin said.

"The ruse serves its purpose," the woman said. "Besides, it felt appropriate- Revan's own gender is unclear in many of our records."

Not to Bastila Shan, the assassin thought.

The woman continued, "I apologize for the deception, and for not meeting you sooner- but you must know how badly the Dark Council wants me dead."

"What makes the order such a threat?"

"I stumbled upon the mysteries of Revan on Korriban, when I became a Sith. That started me down a terrible path," the woman explained.

No, that's a lie.

"Revan came to Dromund Kaas after being reborn," the woman continued. "Some believe Revan died at the hands of our Emperor. I believe otherwise."

That... sounds... true. And very unexpected.

"I believe Revan overthrew the Emperor and has sat secretly on the throne for three centuries. Aside from our order, only the Dark Council knows the truth."

"You really think Revan replaced the Emperor?" the assassin asked.

"I do. It's the only way the puzzle pieces fit."

No. That is not correct. It is one way the pieces fit. And she knows it.

The woman said, "I have heard whispers in the Citadel. For decades, the Emperor has been in seclusion; the Dark Council no longer speaks with him."

An old rumor, but not necessarily wrong.

"The only explanation is this: The Dark Council betrayed their leader and locked Emperor Revan away, seizing power for themselves. They seek to silence us because we know."

That's it. The lie to tell Charnus, to make him sound paranoid. And a test. They want to see what I will do.

"I founded the order so we may free our great Emperor."

That was lie. The statue in the cave was at least a century old. An order this organized, this thorough, has existed for decades.

"Now, I would ask you for your help. My agents tell me that you met with a Sith named Sandor- a man who seeks to destroy the Revanites."

Agents nothing. You let him find that token.

"End his threat. Go to Sandor and tell him that you met the Revanite leader. Tell him that the leader is his own master, Darth Charnus."

Charnus ordered Sandor to send me here to reveal himself? You need to work on your lies.

"Why would he believe me?" the assassin asked.

The woman said, "I 'obtained' this Sith amulet from Charnus. Give it to Sandor. He'll believe you stole it from his master while among the Revanites. They will turn against each other."

A desperate ploy. They didn't think I'd get this far. They had to throw this together quickly.

"When this is done, though... when you've spoken to Sandor... you cannot return here. Sandor must never suspect your true allegiance."

You don't want me to see what you're really up to.

"I understand," the assassin said, taking the amulet.

"You must walk the path of Revan on your own," the woman said. "The path to power- the path neither Jedi nor Sith. May the Force be with you. May it make you strong."

"The clever slave-turned-master," Sandor said as he entered Zash's office. "You return from having your ears filled with lies by the Revanites. I do not envy you the experience. Did you find what we need? Did you see the face of the leader?"

"Not the face," the assassin said. "But I got this." She handed him the amulet.

"Perhaps that will be enough," Sandor said. "A symbol of rank, or affiliation, or- I know this amulet! How did you obtain it?"

"Call it diplomacy," the assassin said.

"This is the amulet of my master Darth Charnus. Taken from the Order of Revan..."

"Oh, that's what they're doing," the assassin said.

"What do you mean?" Sandor asked.

"Charnus orders you to send me out there just to reveal himself with that amulet? It's absurd."

"Quite right, Apprentice," Zash said.

"Yes," Sandor said. "Yes, of course."

"I had the sense I was never an initiate," the assassin continued. "They let you find that token. They wanted to see the extent of your master's response. He chose subterfuge, indicating limited support from the Council. He acted alone, indicating a rogue attitude or an obsession. He wanted an infiltrator, suggesting he is ignorant of them. If he attacks them in the Council, he will be seen as paranoid. He is an enemy to be watched, but not yet dangerous."

"Very thorough, Apprentice," Zash said.

"You have taught me well, Master."

"Yes, yes," Sandor said. "Very calculated. Did they seem dangerous?"

The assassin shrugged. "Hard to say. They told me the Council had deposed the Emperor, and they wanted to save him."

"That rumor is decades old," Zash said. "But they don't sound like a philosophical group."

The assassin shook her head. "They had a goal, I think, but I never learned it. They were putting on a show for me. I never got near the real answer."

"We were duped and learned nothing," Sandor said.

"Not nothing," the assassin replied. "Your master thought he acted in secrecy, but he was set up. You have agents in your midst. And the Revanites are not afraid to act against the Council."

Sandor nodded. "Yes. Not heretics. Something worse. Thank you. I will inform my master."

After Sandor left, Zash asked, "What did you really find?"

"A woman," the assassin said. "A human Sith Lord. Dark-skinned, with black hair and tattoos."

"Tari Darkspanner," Zash said. "I know her. But she's not very old. Certainly not old enough to create a cult like that."

"I think she was sacrificed," the assassin said.

"Not sacrificed," Zash corrected. "She has the favor of two members of the Council. She wouldn't be touched."

The assassin smiled. "Which members of the Council?"

"Very good, Apprentice," Zash said. "Very good."