Chapter 2

(Leviathan)

Darth Malak stood on the bridge of his ship contemplating his next move, the news the bounty hunter Calo Nord had brought him had unnerved him. He had thought that he had taken care of Revan once and for all. He had taken a huge risk when he had ordered his ship to fire on Revan's during the ambush by the Jedi and Republic forces. He knew if he failed to kill Revan, he was condemning himself to a slow and painful death. But it had seemed at first that his gambit had paid off. Revan was gone and he was finally able to ascend to his rightful place as the Dark Lord of the Sith, but Nord had told him that it seemed Revan had survived. There were few pictures of Revan without his ever present mask, but Nord had seen his face ones and recognized one of Bastila Shan's companions as Revan. Nord had begged for a chance to serve and go after the Padawan. He had bombed Taris to keep it out of the Jedi's hands. Malak wasn't stupid, he knew Nord really wanted revenge for being beaten and left for dead by Revan and his companions.

'How had Revan survived his attack?' he asked himself for what had to be the hundredth time. 'Why was he helping the Jedi?' was another question he kept asking.

Clearly Revan must have been captured during the ambush, maybe in part due to his betrayal. 'Had they come to some sort of compromise or was it something else?' he wondered. 'If Revan was alive and remembered what had happened, why had he not returned to reclaim the mantle of Sith Lord?' he asked inwardly before growling low in his throat as he realized he had too many questions and no answers.

"Admiral Karath, send me our best infiltrator team," he ordered, knowing the man was waiting calmly behind him.

"Yes my Lord," Karath replied instantly daring not to comply instantly. He had learned quickly to be prompt where Malak was concerned, and to never question the man's orders if he wanted to live.

It took only a few minutes for the team to arrive. The team consisted of a motley group of people including two Sith. Malak looked them over, taking in their measure before he gave them their orders.

"You are to infiltrate the Jedi Academy on Dantoonie and hack into the records there, including the classified files of the council," Malak told them as he paced up and down. "It seems my old master has refused to do the simple thing and die when I tried to kill him. I want to know how he survived and more importantly why he now helps the Jedi," he ordered, glaring at the men to ensure they didn't question him.

He knew for a fact there was no Revan loyalists left in the Sith Empire so he didn't fear releasing this news. He had hunted them down and exterminated them one by one and in groups. Anyone he didn't trust or believed he could turn or manipulate was killed. He knew there had been some defections, but it was clear they had broken up and scattered to the winds. Yes he had lost some ships when they had escaped his wrath, but in the grand scheme of things it meant little as he could easily replace them thanks to the Star Forge. If they meant to try and avenge their beloved Master, they would have done so already. But obviously the cowards had run and gone into hiding, all that remained now were those loyal to him and his vision of the Sith. He still had thousands of men at his command, hundreds of ships, tanks and other weapons. Still knowing Revan was out there side by side with Shan disturbed him. Shan had the special force power of Battle Meditation and that made her dangerous and being partnered with Revan she was lethal.

He had already tried to capture her on Taris, but had failed, hence turning the planet into a slag heap as he ordered it bombed to rubble in the hopes of killing Shan. Sadly that had failed as he now knew thanks to Nord. So he had another chance to snatch her and if Nord failed then he had other options to ensure she fell into his hands. Folding his arms across his chest he wondered where they were now and if it was possible, thanks to Revan, the Jedi now knew about the Star Forge.

"Go, carry out your mission and don't return until you have that information," he ordered as he turned and looked out of the large view port. He didn't see them bow and leave, but he knew they had shown him the respect that was his due as their Master.

"Revan is alive, is that even possible?" Karath inquired from behind him sounding very nervous just as he had been when he had obeyed the order to fire on Revan's ship.

"So it would seem Admiral, but don't concern yourself," Malak told him with a hint of threat in his voice. "He will never reach us, he will die before he gets close," he added with enough confidence to calm Karath.

"Of course my Lord of that I have no doubt," Karath responded before moving away while trying to suppress a shiver at the idea of Revan getting on board.

Revan was everything Malak wasn't when it came to being a leader, but one thing he did share with his former friend was the ability to make one suffer. He wasn't known as the Lord of Revenge for nothing. Revan was one of the best soldiers he had seen with a keen tactical mind, he was to some power incarnate. But Malak had always seemed to him to have a greater vision for the Sith, a vision that would allow for far more material gain for those under him. Revan and those who had been loyal to him had been on a crusade. Not for personal glory, but to save something that in his eyes was long dead which was why he had joined the Sith in the first place, betraying everything he had once stood for.

+TR+

(Kashyyk)

Revan stared at the chief of the Wookiee village they had been brought to in disgust, it was clear this so called chief was actually compliant with the slavery of his own people. That was made clear by the Czerka guards he had near his throne, he had to be at least smart as he had clearly pulled the wool over his people's eyes to get them to listen to him. The biggest surprise however had been learning this Wookiee just happened to be Zaalbar's brother which is why the Wookiees were so hostile to him earlier, clearly some bad blood existed between Zaalbar and Chuundar.

"You want to enter the Shadowlands, but will not say why," Chuundar mused as he looked his brother's companions over. "You come with my 'madclaw' brother armed and clearly dangerous if what the guards at the landing pad stated was true. Have you come to help him kill me?" he inquired with a growl.

"No, we haven't come to kill you," Bastila said before Revan could stop her. "We didn't even know he had any family until now, we just need to get to the Shadowlands," she told him truthfully.

Chuundar seemed to consider their request and it didn't take long for a contemplative look to come across his features. "I will grant you your request if you do me a favour, in the Shadowlands is another 'madclaw' who needs to be killed before he causes any more trouble," he informed them. "Kill this 'madclaw' in return for entry into the Shadowlands," he offered.

Revan frowned and exchanged confused glances with Carth and Canderous who didn't seem to know how to take the offer, both were seasoned military soldiers, but even they didn't seem to get what Chuundar really wanted or why this particular 'madclaw' had to die. Revan felt there was more to this story than Chuundar was saying. Bastila had also seemed to pick it up as well much to his relief. Still they had few options available to them without this turning into a huge mess. It seemed that at this point they had no choice but to do what Chuundar wanted them to do. But he would keep an eye out for an opportunity to arise that was better than working with Chuundar, glancing at the others he nodded to indicate they would do as he wanted.

"It seems we have no choice," Mission said bitterly, not liking Zaalbar's brother for the way he had insulted her friend. "We'll do your dirty work," she muttered in disgust at having to agree.

"Excellent, one of my guards will show you the way, but only two of you may go," Chuundar told them with what looked like a satisfied grin at making them agree to his terms. "I don't trust outsiders, especially not ones connected to my 'madclaw' brother so chose who goes now," he ordered, now glaring at them.

The others began to argue immediately about being split up, but for Revan and Bastila. It was the perfect opportunity to talk in private, they quickly agreed at the same time. This shut the others up immediately as they turned to stare at them. Some with worry, this being Mission and Zaalbar, and the others in mild anger at not being able to go.

"You sure about this?" Carth inquired, glancing in distrust at the Wookiee chieftain.

"No other choice Carth, unless you want to do this the more bloody way," Revan replied. "But Chuundar understand this, if any of my friends are hurt while we are gone and this includes Zaalbar you will wish you have never met me," he warned, unafraid of the weapons pointed at him. "Don't test me," he stated before he turned to follow the chosen guard. Bastila glanced at the others before following, more and more convinced that the person she now followed was Revan and not the false personality the council had tried to install in him.

Chuundar let out what he considered an unimpressed laugh, but inside he felt a shiver at the look the human had given him. He had seen the promise of death in those eyes and he was certain he had seen them shine yellow for a few seconds. Shaking those thoughts off he turned to his brother, clearly Zaalbar had come some way since they had last seen one another. An idea formed in his head. Maybe he could make use of him if he could poison his mind with some well-chosen words just like he had with his chosen bodyguards.

Revan and Bastila followed the guard past the village and closer to the three Sith they had sensed when they landed, both were prepared for the attack when it came. As soon as they turned the corner close to where the guard said the lift to the Shadowlands was they came to a halt, standing in front of them were the three Sith. Revan growled in disgust at them giving themselves away, either they were overconfident or just brain dead. 'What had Malak been doing in the months he had been gone? Had he lost all sense of precaution and tactical sense?' he wondered.

"Hand over the girl and you can go free," the leader of the three Sith ordered. "Wookiee, this matter doesn't concern you. Stay out of it unless you want to become a fur rug for Lord Malak," he added as the Wookiee guard lifted his bowcaster a little.

"Run now, before I really get angry," Revan ordered as he felt the same intense feeling of possessiveness he had felt earlier on when they had been discussing Bastila ending up in Malak's clutches.

Bastila felt dread at their words, but that quickly faded as she felt Revan's reaction to them. It was so extreme it left her feeling slightly tingly, emotions she had long suppressed fought to surface, but she forced them aside as she focused on their enemy.

"You don't scare us Jedi," the second of the Sith spat as he and his companions pulled their lightsabers from their belts. "Hand over the girl, last chance," he added as they ignited their weapons.

Revan pulled his lightsaber faster than the Sith could react and he was on them in seconds. Bastila quickly followed with her double bladed lightsaber leading her charge. The Wookiee guard moved out of the way and watched closely as the five humans fought. Keeping his weapon raised, he decided to just watch and see who would win. The Sith were forced backwards as Revan hacked and slashed at them, his power was beyond what they had expected of a Jedi. They were forced even more on guard as Bastila got involved, the Sith tried to push back, but found Revan's swordsmanship beyond them. He jumped over the two he had pushed away from Bastila, when he landed he used a force push to send one of them flying into the tree behind them with such force they could all hear something break as the man cried out in pain.

Bastila focused on being as quick as she could with her blade, the double bladed lightsaber gave her far more leverage to keep the Sith off balance. She lashed out with a sharp kick as she spun around, deflecting another swing from the Sith. The man grunted as the kick connected with his chest. He stumbled giving her a perfect shot at his head, she didn't hesitate and watched almost in detached surprise as his head came off and bounced away. She watched the headless body spurt blood before falling to the floor, turning she watched as Revan continued to force his attacker back before jumping backwards to avoid a thrust to his heart. The Sith charged forward only to be struck full force with force lightening. She had seen it before when Revan had used it on the bridge of his ship against one of her fellow Jedi. This more than anything confirmed in her mind that Revan was alive and well, how and why was the question foremost on her mind.

Revan knew he had basically blown his cover, but he believed Bastila already knew the truth. Watching as the Sith dropped his weapon he stopped the lightening and shoved his blade into the man's heart. The Sith coughed up blood then fell to the floor and slowly died as Revan removed his blade and shut it off and turned to face the still wounded Sith now moaning on the floor. For now he ignored the still armed Bastila who watched him warily, walking over to the injured Sith he smashed his booted foot down over the man's chest and pushed, causing him to scream in agony.

"Stop it," Bastila quickly shouted moving forward while the Wookiee guard actually began to strip the two dead Sith of their weapons and anything else he found of interest. "You're torturing him. Jedi don't torture," she spat in anger as she tried to push him away.

"Try to remember just who this is on the floor Bastila," Revan growled, trying not to be annoyed with her behavior and reminding himself that she had not been in a war and seen the things that he had. She was a woman raised by the Jedi from childhood, their mantras and code filled her head just as it had once filled his. "This man would gleefully rape and murder you if he could. He would hand you to Malak knowing you would be tortured and demeaned," he told her in his coldest voice.

Bastila stopped her attempts to pull him away as his words sunk in. She felt her body shake in fear at the pictures her mind conjured at his words. "Your pride would be stripped from you in slow and agonizing sessions of torture, nothing would be sacred as they know no bounds in gaining their goals," he continued relentlessly as Bastila closed her eyes and tried to block out his words. "And to turn you to their ways they would not hesitate to do the vilest and wickedest things to you," he finished.

Bastila backed away from him as her eyes opened and locked with his, her mind was full of horrible images and the more she tried to block them out the worse they became. Finally she stopped and with tremendous effort she calmed her mind and stopped the flood of images, using some of the Jedi code she managed to stop her body from shaking as she repeated it again and again. However it didn't stop a rising anger at the Sith for what they would have done to her if they could. It didn't stop her from beginning to see why Revan had acted so cruelly towards the injured Sith. Then her mind caught up to her and reminded her that Revan was once in charge of them, didn't that mean he condoned what they did to their victims.

"These are your men Revan so you should know what they can do," she said, unable to keep herself for using his real name and confirming for Revan that she knew the truth. Bastila waited with bated breath for him to either confirm or deny the truth.

"When I was in charge there was a certain level they were never allowed to cross," Revan finally said after staring at her for a few minutes and knowing it was pointless and a waste of his time to keep the deception up. "Somehow I doubt Malak will be so generous to his captives," he added.

"So it is you," Bastila said, feeling intense shock that she had been right, Revan was still alive. The councils attempt to create a new personality within him had failed. That begged the question 'How?' The Masters had been certain his brain had been damaged beyond hope of healing as he was, that they had to implant a new identity to save him, but with a new life that could be useful to them all. 'So how was Revan still alive?' she asked herself.

"It is," Revan said with a nod, forgetting the injured Sith for now. "I'm sorry for the deception Bastila, but I wasn't about to give your beloved council another chance to murder me," he growled with real hatred and anger in his voice. "And they did try and murder me. My brain wasn't as damaged as they told you and would have been easy for them to heal," he said, cutting off her expected retort. "Instead they chose to wipe my identity out with their combined powers, wanting to ensure I would never be a threat to them again," he continued. "There was no option given to me to choose such a procedure not that I would have said yes if given the choice. They just did it out of fear and anger at what I had done," he told her.

Bastila wanted to defend the council, but found herself unable to voice any such protest against his words. A deep sense of disgust had formed in the pit of her stomach at the idea of the council wiping out Revan's identity without his consent. As he had said it was an attempt at murder, something the Jedi were supposed to be strictly against. She tried to resist the idea the council had done as he had said, but she could sense he was telling the truth through not only the force but also the bond they shared thanks to her saving his life. She remembered seeing him lying face down bleeding to death after Malak's cowardly attack, and the force had quickly surrounded her and prompted her to save him. Clearly Revan still had something to complete in the galaxy, some sort of destiny.

"The force protected me and that is the only reason I survived what they tried to do to me," Revan said, answering the question she had been asking herself constantly since her first suspicion had been raised.

"Then why have you stayed with us, why not leave and confront Malak and reclaim your empire?" Bastila inquired in confusion.

"Because the empire is flawed and thanks to Malak they will be nothing but a collection of murderers, rapists and opportunists," Revan answered as he looked down at the wounded Sith who had stopped moaning and was just watching them converse in shock. Clearly he had heard what Bastila had called him. "It is just as corrupt as the Republic, as stale as the Jedi," he stated and Bastila could feel his frustration through the bond as if it was her own. "I had hoped to use the empire and the Sith religion to save the Republic and the Jedi," he told her, much to Bastila's confusion.

"The Republic is not corrupt and neither is the Jedi Order stale," Bastila argued in an automatic response to stave off her confusion and more to the point her sympathy for Revan. She was treading dangerous ground here, she had always been told Revan was a master manipulator and she had to be on guard when he spoke. Yet she found herself trusting his words, the bond they shared helping to prove he wasn't lying to her.

"Kid yourself if you must Bastila, but don't tell me you have not noticed the spreading darkness within the heart of the Republic," Revan replied as he forced his boot back down on the Sith who had tried to remove his foot, but with little effect. "They allow slavery to exist, they ignore planets outside their borders where mass cullings are practiced," he argued. "In the senate bribery and personal gain mean more than protecting the people. During the war it cost me thousands of men because all they were interested in was personal gain hence they had us attack planets which had large material wealth," he told her with a dark look in his eyes as he recalled those days. "In trying to gain political power for themselves they interfered in military affairs costing even more lives. I grew to despise them," he stated.

Bastila turned away from Revan not wanting to admit he was right, the Senate argued and schemed against one another. She had read all the latest intelligence the Jedi had on the Senate, while they served the Republic and the Senate they liked to keep a close eye on them as well. Power was a lure most men could not resist, even good men. Revan was a good example of this in her mind. "And the Jedi?" she asked after a few minutes, relieved Revan allowed her time to collect her thoughts.

"The Jedi had lost themselves in a code that was created centuries ago. They have never allowed themselves to grow or improve," Revan grunted in disgust and a shake of his head. "They still cling to archaic rules and have not taken into account everyone, including the Sith, have evolved," he told her. "Their rule about emotions is so wrong it is surprising there are any Jedi at all. All suppressing our emotions does is destroy us from within as a buildup of frustration and eventually anger rises until the Jedi snaps," he added. "It is unnatural to suppress our emotions, if they were meant to be ignored we would not have them in the first place," he stated.

Now here Bastila could see Revan's point, she had always had trouble keeping her emotions suppressed as she was meant to as a Jedi. It had always been the hardest challenge she had faced during training, and she could understand how Revan viewed it as dangerous. Yet she also saw the Jedi's point on emotions, how they could lead to dangerous thoughts and actions. 'How could both feel right?' she asked herself.

"The Jedi refused to get involved during the Mandalorian war. They're the supposed protectors of the Republic and they did nothing," Revan continued after a few minutes of silence. "How many thousands died while they sat and preached understanding and patience?" he asked her, but he didn't expect a response. "Yet once it was Sith attacking the Republic they quickly jumped to the attack, it shows the Jedi have a rather short sighted view on things that don't include the force in some way," he went on in real frustration. "I met with the council time and time again and they wouldn't budge, saying I was foolish by getting involved, that we had no right to act as warriors and leaders instead of peace keepers," he vented as he recalled those meetings and transmitted the memories to Bastila through the bond.

Bastila was somewhat startled by the sudden surge of memories, but she closed her eyes and actually studied them as they passed. She could feel the frustration and anger that slowly built in Revan as he tried to make the council understand his point. It was when she witnessed what he had seen on Cathar that she was almost sick. She stumbled as she saw the vision that had eclipsed all the Jedi when Revan had found the Mask he would wear all through the war and into his time as Dark Lord, she had heard of the Cathar massacre and read about it. But to actually experience it through Revan's memories was something else, it was only then the council reluctantly gave Revan and his followers the okay to fight in the war and even then they refused to support them. It was the Wookiee guard roaring at them in impatience that broke up their discussion. Both realized they had gotten a little carried away.