Chapter 17: Rescue and Revelation
Revan, having ended Gardulla the Hutt's tyranny, now focused on his crucial mission. He navigated through the palace, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed when possible. But, some bounty hunters did not leave him with much choice.
At least, most bounty hunters had fled after Gardulla's death, but a few remaining ones were hell bent in confronting him. Revan dispatched most of them with non-lethal force, intent on finding Shmi and Anakin.
After entering en empty corridor, then taking a few turns following the guidance of the force, he came across a door and stopped. Calling on the force, he broke the lock and opened it.
In a dimly lit corner of the small cell, Shmi and Anakin were huddled together, fear etched on their faces. Shmi clutched Anakin protectively as Revan entered.
Revan: Have no fear, I am a Jedi. I am here to free you. May I close the door? I would like to avoid attracting guards looking for me.
Shmi, though tentative, nodded. Revan gently shut the door wanted some privacy while they little talk. He had to convince her to come with him.
Slowly, he crouched down to their level. He then proceeded to explain his presence.
Revan: My name is Revan. I am here because I had a vision about both of you. I don't have time to explain it to you now but know that you and your son are very special. You are connected to the Force in ways few could comprehend.
Shmi: The force ?
Revan: It's what give Jedi their powers. It is an energy that connects all living beings. Those of us who can use it are called force sensitive. But all beings have the force. It is just a question of being able to answer its call, to sense it more then others.
Shmi looking at her son: Anakin ...Anakin is special. He can do things he is not supposed to...
She started to get misty eyed. Anakin scared at that, clung even harder to her.
Shmi: If the slavers find out, they will... Will you take him with you at least ?
It broke her heart to make the offer but at least Anakin would be free.
Revan: No Shmi. I want to take both of you away from here, to a place where you can be safe. You will not be separated from your son.
Shmi wide eyed, looked at him then at her son with a tentative smile.
But then, she thought of all the other slaves she saw when she was led in this cell.
Shmi: What about...the other slaves ?
Revan smiled reassuringly.
Revan: I promised you, the Jedi will return to free all the slaves. But for now, I need you and your son to come with me.
Shmi still hesitated. Her life as a slave had taught her that a stranger's kindness was often a trap. She looked at Anakin who seemed to understand.
Anakin, just two years old but already a bright sun in the Force, looked at Revan and tried to assess him in the force.
After a moment, He had a wide grin and became excited in Shmi arms.
Anakin: Ama, Ama ...
Shmi smiled back at her son somehow reassured. Anakin could sense people real intentions with accuracy and his reaction to Revan alleviated her doubts.
Anakin then reached out, asking to be picked up. Revan, feeling a surge of warmth from the boy's trust, gently lifted him.
Shmi, completely convinced now by this display, agreed to follow Revan. However, before they could leave the cell, Revan sensed a dark presence outside the palace. He gave Anakin back to his mother.
Revan (to Shmi): I sense danger outside. I believe there's another way out through the slave quarters. Go through there. My Padawan and our ship will be there to meet you. I will hide you with the force. People will be compelled to ignore you and the person outside won't be able to track you. Stay out of sight has much as possible and do not confront anyone. The illusion will not stand then.
Shmi, clutching Anakin, nodded in understanding. Revan cloaked them in the Force, rendering them nearly invisible to others.
Then, Revan prepared to confront the dark presence lurking outside. Shmi, worried, squeezed his arm.
Shmi: Please, come back safe.
Revan (smiling reassuringly): Don't worry. I'm in no danger from who awaits outside. It's important that person do not see you or Anakin. Go. I will join you soon.
She nodded and with a last glance hurried out of the cell.
Revan followed Shmi a moment, watching them disappear in the correct direction. He then took out his comlinks to contact ObI Wan, explain the situation and ask him to prioritize protecting Shmi and Anakin.
Obi Wan: Master, I will also alert the other ship to be ready in case ..are you sure you don't need my help?
Revan: I do need your help my dear padawan. I entrust you with the protection of the chosen one and his mother. Would you help me ?
Obi Wan (a little annoyed by his Master ploy but also touched, he replied): of course Master. I will go to them right away.
Revan: Thank you Obi Wan. I will join you shortly.
Then, he stood calmly and started drawing from both the light and dark sides of the Force, a balance few Jedi understood.
True balance meant you could draw from both sides when fighting without being overwhelmed or falling.
For now, most Jedi except for Yoda, Dooku and Windu achieved more or less what was called a first stage balance.
They could embrace their emotions even those attributed to the dark side without falling immediately. But millennia of dogma made most of them still fear to call onto the dark side.
Dooku was an exception to this because of his grey Jedi mentality. Yoda because of his experience, strength and personal mentoring of the force, achieved balance with ease. And, Windu had the best advantage of all with his practice of Vaapad.
So, Revan was not concerned by its opponent. He was actually following Anakin and Shmi in the force and was serving as a distraction.
The goals were
- to keep the Sith here as long as it was needed for Shmi and Anakin to be safe in the ship with Obi Wan
- and make sure they were not be noticed by the Sith.
Outside, Darth Tolan, a Pau'an Sith, awaited his prey. He didn't know who he was supposed to face but he was certain he would be able to deal with him or her quickly, before looking for the brat he was told to retrieve. He wondered for a moment why he couldn't sense the kid anymore. No matter, he sensed the Jedi coming out. This will be other soon.
He didn't anticipate the challenge Revan would pose. As Revan approached, Darth Tolan watched him closely.
Revan emerged into the bright Tatooine sun. He then stood calmly and studied the Sith waiting for him. He recognised the species as a Pau'an's of Utapau. From the vision of the alternate timeline, he knew that he was of the same species as the one who would have become the grand inquisitor, as he not derailed history.
The Sith then spoke.
Darth Tolan: Where is the child, Jedi? Hand him over and your death will be swift.
Revan (calmly): Why do you seek him?
Darth Tolan: It is not for you to know, Jedi. Just hand him over before I decide to make you suffer for making me wait.
Revan: You were mistaken if you thought I would surrender an innocent to the likes of you.
Darth Tolan (with a sinister grin): Then you shall die...painfully, and I will take the child anyway.
Revan remained silent, igniting his lightsaber while drawing more power from both sides of the Force.
Nothing changed in appearance, but the Sith sensed crescent warning from the dark side. He narrowed his eyes and sensing the growing threat, lunged forward to stop whatever the Jedi was doing. But it was too late. Revan's speed and power were overwhelming.
Revan flashed forward practically invisible to the naked eyes. In a moment, he stood exactly where the Sith started, his back to him. He then extinguished his weapon and clipped it back on his belt.
The Sith was still standing wide eyed, and mouth opened.
He tried to speak but couldn't finish before his life drained away.
Darth Tolan: H…How…
He then collapsed dead, his lightsaber extinguishing as it fell from his grasp.
Revan thought to himself that he probably didn't need that much power, but he was good to experiment from time to time.
Revan collected the Sith's lightsaber, contemplating the balance of power within the Force. He wondered if it was possible to return to balance a crystal bled by a Sith.
He put that thought aside for now and made his way to the ship, where Obi-Wan, Shmi, and Anakin awaited, ready to embark on a new journey towards freedom and destiny.