Chapter 15

(Jedi Temple)

Jedi Master Zhar sighed as he stepped off the transport that had brought him and Master Vandar to the temple on Corusant from the enclave on Dantoonie. The order to evacuate had come much to their surprise even after Dantoonie had been reinforced after a warning from Bastila Shan about a possible attack by the Sith. Master Dorak had refused to leave, and Master Vrook Lamar had left days before to consult with the rest of the council about moving the holocrons to a safer hiding place in case things took a turn for the worst. He didn't agree that evacuating the enclave had been a wise move by the council. It might convince some in the Republic that the Jedi were scared. Moral was becoming an issue even with the successful assault that led to the removal of Revan from the head of the Sith fleet. He wondered how it would affect them if the Republic and their fellow Jedi knew the truth of where Revan was now.

He had agreed at first that wiping his former pupils mind had been the only option open to them to find the secret of the Sith's dominance, it had worked and now Revan was once more a loyal Jedi eager to fight his unknown former comrades. Yet as time passed and he had interacted with the mind wiped Jedi, he had begun to feel guilt for his role in basically committing murder to get what they wanted. They had told Bastila Shan that the damage to his mind was too great to be healed, but that had been a lie to cover up the truth of what they were going to do to Revan. It had gone against everything the Jedi taught to do what they had done, but the council had deemed it necessary and perhaps they were right, but he was beginning to doubt how many more compromises the Jedi could make in this war before they were changed beyond all recognition. 'Was he right to begin to question his fellow council members actions out of his growing guilt, had there really been no other way?' he continued to ask himself.

"Where is Master Dorak?" Vrook inquired as he arrived to meet them.

"Refused to leave he did," Vandar responded with a tired sigh. "Believed he did one of us should remain to lead the remaining Jedi on Dantoonie and coordinate the defence of the planet," he added.

"If the attack is going to be as bad as Bastila believes what hope does he have of successfully defending the planet?" Vrook demanded in surprise.

"He more than likely knows it is impossible, but he believed it was his responsibility to try," Zhar responded. "His actions are to be applauded, and it will prove we aren't afraid to meet our foe in such circumstances," he stated more boldly than he felt.

Vrook did not look convinced, but held his tongue as he turned and led them from the hangar towards the council chamber. Many Jedi passed them as they went clearly in a hurry. Zhar wondered what would happen if Dantoonie was attacked, it would be a heavy blow for both the Jedi and the Republic. Entering the chamber he looked around and noted all but Vima Sunrider looked alert and focused. He looked more closely and noted she looked distracted and conflicted, but as she noted his scrutiny she quickly adopted a more focused look. He took his seat as did Vandar. The Grand Master of the council, Zirrik Ladon, called them to order. Zirrik was old and nearing the end of his life, he would soon step down and appoint his successor who much believed would be either Vandar or Atris and the least likely would be Vrook Lamar himself. All three had been taking on more and more of his duties as time passed, the stress the war had placed on him had not helped Zirrik in the least.

"We are all here now except for Dorak who has elected to remain on Dantoonie, the war is going badly for us all," Zirrik began before breaking out into a cough, but quickly regained control. "His council will be missed," he stated sadly. "After consultation with the Supreme Chancellor we have agreed to pull back and consolidate our forces, we are stretched thin and Malak and his forces continue to advance on all fronts," he informed them, his expression growing dark. "Many will see this as a mistake on our part, as a weakness, but we have little choice right now," he continued. "We have lost many Jedi in recent months and can ill afford to throw away more. We must build up our forces as much as we can until Bastila Shan and her party can locate the true source of the Sith's superior power," he went on before Atris interrupted him.

"We should not relay on the girl and her team, especially as Revan, no matter how mind wiped, is a part of it," Atris snapped heatedly. "His very presence can corrupt them all. How do we know that even now Bastila is not falling under his spell?" she demanded, sounding somewhat paranoid.

"We've had this discussion before Atris, Revan is gone," Vima argued, but as Zhar looked at her he noted her eyes belayed her statement and he wondered if she too had doubts about this subject or knew something they did not. "You remain fixed on him just as Vrook does and it does none of us any good, and you cast suspicion on Bastila Shan and her abilities," she argued. "We all agreed to place her with the mind wiped Revan so as to draw out whatever memories remained in his mind, it was the only way to learn what it was Revan and Malak found that has made them so strong," she reminded them all. "She has backup in the form of Juhani," but here she was cut off.

"Another failure on our part as the Cathar not only was rescued by Revan as a child, but brought to us to be trained, and what happened oh yes she fell to the dark side," Atris exploded in anger as she stood and began to pace. "That Revan supposedly returned her to the light is in my mind suspicious. If any part of Revan still exists then I cast doubts on Juhani's ability not to believe she owes him some kind of debt he can exploit," she stated.

"Here I must agree with Atris, granting Juhani's request to go with Bastila and the reprogrammed Revan was a mistake especially if he ever regains the knowledge of who he once was," Vrook spoke up with a dark look in his eyes.

"That is impossible Vrook, the combined powers of the entire council were used to wipe his mind," Master Kavar reminded him, speaking for the first time. "I see no way he could ever have survived such an ordeal, Revan may have been one of the most powerful Jedi and Sith to walk the galaxy, but even he is no match for the combined powers of the council," he stated in total belief as he leaned back in his chair. "No we no longer have to fear anything from him, he can't influence Bastila or Malak or even Juhani any longer," he added confidently and again Zhar could see doubt in Vima's eyes as this was said.

"Revan may be gone, but that does not mean his ability to influence people doesn't still exist inside Jaks Toulon, or that the very thing that led Revan to the darkside doesn't still exist within the mind of the man we replaced Revan with," Master Zez-Kai Ell pointed out with a troubled frown. "No, I agree there is cause for concern with how long Bastila Shan stays in his presence enhanced as it would be by their bond, perhaps it would be best to recall her once they have found the star map on Tatoonie, just so we can ensure she hasn't begun to question us due to the bond they share," he suggested. "And we can take a measure of Jaks Toulon and ensure he remains under our control," he continued as he looked at his fellow councilors.

"I agree," Vrook said with a nod of his head which was echoed by Atris, Vandar, Zez and Master Zarrik. "It is the only way we can ensure we don't lose our only hope of stopping Malak," he warned them all.

"While being cautious is prudent and ensuring Bastila Shan is not overly affected by her bond with the man that used to be Revan, can we waste what little time we have to stop Malak in bringing her back to Corusant to check up on her?" Master Lonna Vash inquired causing everyone to turn and look at her. "Malak and his forces advance on all fronts and we are barely holding the line as it is, even with us falling back to consolidate our forces, time is against us so I ask again do we waste what little time we do have on this idea of Master Zez?" she asked again.

"You are not taking the threat of Bastila Shan falling to the dark side seriously enough Vash," Vrook sneered immediately.

"And you are taking it far too seriously Vrook," Lonna responded tightly. "Bastila Shan knows her duty and just how much rests on her shoulders better than you think," she said confidently. "She would alert us immediately if by some miracle of the force Revan survived what we did to him, she would also seek our council if she began to suspect aspects of Revan remained in the man we created within him and was affecting those in their group including herself," she stated boldly.

"Agree I do with Master Vash," Vandar finally spoke up having stayed quiet during the entire argument. "Immense belief in the council Bastila has, strong in the light side she is," he added with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"But can that not be tainted by being joined through the force to whatever is left of Revan?" Atris questioned, unwilling to let this go so easily. "I have grave concerns which are clearly felt by others in the council," she pointed out.

"Enough," Zirrik finally said, although his raised voice didn't carry much through the council chamber. "I believe Vandar has said what has needed to be said. Bastila will not fail us," he concluded with a pointed look at Atris and then at Vrook. "I also agree with Master Vash that we can ill afford to keep pulling Bastila and her team back here to check on them, we are barely holding Malak and his forces back as it is and with our recent losses and an imminent attack on Dantoonie sure to come, time is slowly running out for us," he told them all. "The quicker Bastila completes her mission and finds the source of Malak's strength, this so called Star Forge, the better our chances will be of surviving and winning this war," he continued. "All our efforts for now should be focused on holding our new defensive line at all cost," he finished.

"You're making a mistake Zirrik," Vrook stated coldly as he glared at the old man. He knew it was not entirely his fault more his age was making him more fallible. "I sense far more danger in our supposed puppet than you and most of the council believe possible," he spat before he stood up and exited the chamber with Atris and Zez following him.

"This isn't good," Kavar said with a shake of his head. "Never before has this council been so divided, perhaps we would have been better off had Revan and Malak both died before the Mandalorian War ended," he admitted with a tired sigh.

"That thought is not worthy of a Jedi Kavar," Vima stated with a slight glare. "Revan and Malak's leadership is all that saved the Republic and the Jedi from annihilation, they were great men, Jedi and superb leaders," she stated. "What we fail to admit is that their fall may not have had anything to do with the war at all, that something else was responsible for them becoming Sith," she suggested. "If you will recall, we all sensed something dark on the edges of our senses when the war began. Something we believed might be pushing the Mandalorians into attacking us," she reminded the remaining council members.

"Yes we counseled Revan on that fact, but he ignored us," Zirrik agreed with a nod of his head.

"And maybe that was his greatest mistake," Vima responded with a troubled look. "Not going to war as we know had they not gone we would have lost the war, our inaction was wrong," she paused as if deciding what to say. "No, his mistake was ignoring the possibility of something else being involved, something far more evil than the threat brought by the Mandalorians," she concluded.

"And you think this is what truly corrupted them?" Lonna inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Even if it is what corrupted him then it changes little of what we face right now," Kavar argued. "Revan is dealt with, but the chaos he has unleashed hasn't been stopped, until Malak and his forces are defeated neither the Jedi nor the Republic will be safe and even remotely being sympathetic to Revan and Malak is a fools mistake Vima," he stated coldly at his fellow council member.

Vima shook her head and got up and left the chamber herself. Zhar quickly followed, knowing there was little left to say and that the council was over. The others soon followed leaving Zirrik sitting by himself. The old man was tired and fearful of how the future would play out. His health was growing worse and soon he would have no choice but to step down, but he feared doing that just in case Atris or Vrook were voted in to replace him. Neither had the temperament to act impartially, to not allow themselves to be influenced by their own emotions. He wasn't fool enough to not notice that even some of the council members were having trouble truly suppressing their emotions of late, another sad effect of wars on the Jedi.

+TR+

(Tatoonie, Yuka Laka Droid Shop)

Revan entered the shop with Bastila right behind him. His eyes scanned the shop and quickly fell on the Ithorian who owned it. He didn't like the look of him, he seemed a little shifty. But then most shop keepers he had met seemed to have the same trait, their main interest was earning a lot of credits by any means necessary.

"Welcome, welcome to my humble shop I am Yuka Laka," the Ithorian introduced himself as he welcomed them inside. "How may I help you today?" he added.

"We need a translator droid able to deal with the Sand People," Revan answered as he folded his arms across his chest. "It has to be a decent droid and not one that is liable to break down on us during the negotiations. If that is what happens I will be back to thank you for your services. Do we understand one another?" he added in a warning tone.

Yuka Laka stepped back a little in fear at the glare on the human's face. "I understand sir, all of my droids are of the very best quality I assure you," he stammered out.

Bastila decided to not to intervene as she knew Revan had been on to many planets and had probably dealt with a lot of shop keepers, some who she would guess had not been too honest in their dealings. She didn't exactly like the threatening attitude he was taking, but she understood why he was doing it. They could ill afford to have a droid that would break down during their discussions with the Sand People. If it did it could lead to a fight that could lead the Sand People into escalating their attacks on the Settlers.

"Please look around I have many droids here, including some very good translator droids," Yuka Laka finally stated having regained a little confidence as Revan backed off.

Revan nodded and began to look around the shop, it was not exactly a big shop, but then there were not many big shops in Anchorhead. Finally he turned his attention to the far corner and was shocked as he recognized the battered copper form of his former personal assassin droid. How HK-47 had ended up here was unknown to him as he had been lost during his final mission before his supposed capture by the Jedi. He quickly headed towards his creation, the damage HK had sustained was bad and he hoped his codes to access HK's full abilities were still operational.

"Er..if I may you would not like this droid," Yuka Laka protested as he noted where Revan and Bastila were headed. "This droid is old and useless," he began to add before he went silent as Revan turned and glared darkly at him.

"Silence, do not insult my creation," Revan warned him, surprising Bastila as he claimed ownership of the droid they were now standing in front of.

"Your creation?" Bastila inquired with interest as she looked the droid over and was surprised to note the droid was studying her in return.

"Yes, I built this droid with my own two hands, this is HK-47," Revan answered with a smile.

"Statement: Do I know you?" HK finally spoke up.

"Yes HK, you know me, I created you, but clearly you've sustained heavy damage and your memory is still blocked as per standard mission protocol," Revan answered as he studied his droid.

"Pleased Statement: I am most happy to meet you Master, please rescue me from this incompetent meat bag shop keeper who's attempts at repairs have only added to the damage I have sustained," HK responded.

"Meat Bag?" Bastila asked in surprise, causing Revan to break out laughing at the look on her face.

"Explanation: You are human and have multiple squishy parts which are filled with water so hence meat bag," HK answered as his eyes glowed, making Revan laugh all the more as Bastila's look turned to one of outrage.

"Why in the force did you program this droid to insult people so?" Bastila finally demanded turning to the now grinning Revan.

"I didn't, the day I introduced him to Malak and Malak decided to insult him HK's response was to call him a pompous bald meat bag," Revan replied his grin widening he had left out the part of HK begging him to allow him to kill Malak as he doubted Bastila was ready to learn HK's full purpose just yet. "Malak's expression was hilarious, since then 'meat bag' has become HK's signature taunt," he explained as Bastila shook her head and tried not to imagine how Malak had taken being insulted so. "This droid is mine. I built him hence it is my property which you have gotten by illegal means, turn him over or suffer my wrath," he threatened turning back to Yuka Laka and wiping the grin from his features as he turned.

"I have no proof of that but your word, but in good faith and the hopes of you taking this foul droid of my hands, I will offer you a discount price of 2500 credits" Yuka Laka instantly protested.

Revan was about to object, but Bastila's expression stopped him and he nodded in agreement even if it galled him to agree just for her sake. Bastila let out a relieved sigh knowing this entire thing could have gotten out of hand fast. Revan had a temper which quickly showed itself during those times he lost control. Revan paid the Ithorian and quickly removed the restraining bolt latched onto HK's chest plate to keep the droid under control; he saw more evidence of damage as checked out the other side of his droid.

"Damn what the hell did you run into HK?" Revan inquired.

"Response: I do not remember Master, my memory of my last mission is curiously missing," HK answered.

"Do you remember me?" Revan questioned.

"Negative response: No Master, I do not," HK answered after cocking his head sideways as he stared at Revan.

"Override code 9995711a," Revan spoke calmly and hoped the code to reactive HK's memory would work. He watched as HK's eyes seemed to glow even brighter as the droid processed the code through its circuits, Bastila watched from the side with curiosity.

"Pleased statement: Code accepted Master, all memory restored bar that related to my last mission and my full capabilities are now once more at your command," HK reported.

Revan frowned wondering if the memory of his last mission was missing due to damage to a particular memory chip, or if someone had managed to disable HK and mess around with his memory. That didn't make for a pleasant thought, but it was not something he could investigate right now.

"Excellent, follow us HK we have a mission to complete on this dust ball and then we can get back to fighting Malak," Revan ordered as he headed for the door. "You will now have your chance to eliminate the bald meat bag, Malak is the enemy now and so are any who follow him," he added.

"Words cannot express my pleasure at this knowledge Master. I will happily ensure the bald meat bag will suffer for his betrayal," HK responded as it readied its weapon that was attached to its back. Bastila frowned wondering just what kind of droid this HK-47 was.

Mission and Jolee looked up as Revan and Bastila exited the shop with a rather bust up looking droid. Mission however stepped back as she got the impression this droid was dangerous. Canderous backed away from the droid for an instant as a flash of memory hit him, he was certain he had seen this particular droid during the war. Revan had once had a personal assassin droid that did his bidding. It had been seen by many during the later stages of the Mandalorian War and he had seen it first hand during the second to last battle of the war before his people had been brought low by Revan. 'But if this was the same droid what was it doing here?' he thought and swore to himself not to turn his back on this particular droid anytime soon.

Niks was startled to see HK-47 follow Revan out of the store, but quickly regained control of himself so as not to give himself away, this had to be an even greater sign that soon the Revan Revanchists would have first their revenge against Malak then they would finally complete their mission of saving the Republic from the threat of the True Sith.

"Now let's go see the Sand People and hope they are in a talkative mood," Revan said with a crooked smile. The others nodded and followed after him, Canderous brought up the rear, but every now and then he'd glance at the droid and wondered if it was possible Revan was still alive, considering his droid was.

+TR+

(Leviathan Class Battleship Revenge)

Meetra groaned as she was brought sharply awake by the blaring alarm, Rikka's voice quickly replaced the alarm. Knowing Rikka wouldn't have woken her if it wasn't important she reached out and hit the button to activate the comm, she hoped at least it was some good news.

"Sorry to wake you General, but one of our shuttles has returned, it was sent to keep an eye out for Revan on Tatoonie," Rikka reported.

"Then why has it come back?" Meetra inquired tiredly.

"Melkor reports they found him, but refuses to tell us anything else over the comm," Rikka answered sounding breathless in anticipation.

Meetra's eyes opened in shock before any tiredness she felt quickly evaporated. Jumping out of bed she reached for her armor and began to get dressed.

"Tell Melkor to land as soon as possible and then report to me on the bridge, if he has found Revan we have plans to make," Meetra ordered before she cut the channel and focused on what she was doing.

Once she was finished dressing she headed for the bridge, her replacement lightsaber hanging from her belt. She hit the bridge at a dead run to find Rikka and Melkor waiting for her, she frowned wondering where the rest of Melkor's team was as she knew each team had been assigned three members.

"Tell us what you found on Tatoonie and explain where the rest of your team is," Meetra ordered as she sat down and gave the man her full attention while Rikka stood behind her chair.

"We found Revan and his companions almost straight away being ambushed by a Sith ambush squad. The Jedi Bastila Shan was knocked unconscious as was most of the others by a grenade and Revan was kept away by more Sith as their reinforcements moved in to capture Shan," Melkor began easily as he stood to attention. "We engaged the Sith when Niks reminded us of the danger of her being captured and turned by Malak. We helped kill the rest of the Sith before Revan revealed himself to us," he added before pausing briefly. "Revan is alive and well even after the Jedi council tried to wipe his entire mind. They failed thanks to the force protecting him," he stopped his tale as he noted the looks of fury on both females faces at this piece of information and he almost felt sorry for any member of the council that ended up facing Rikka or General Surik.

"They tried to murder him by erasing his personality, his memories?" Rikka all but growled almost consumed by hatred aimed at the Jedi council.

"That is what he told us, but the force protected him," Melkor responded with a nod of his head. He was more unnerved by Meetra's cold silence than Rikka's hot rage, the General sat still as a statue but her eyes flashed like two laser beams set to the most deadly setting.

Meetra had to restrained herself from lashing out as Melkor told her what the council had tried to do to Revan, her blood boiled as she thought of the pain Revan must have suffered during their attempt at erasing his mind. 'Damn them,' she thought. She knew the council could be cold blooded after what they had done to her. She knew Jedi like Atris and Vrook would have liked to have punished her even more than they had. But this level of what she considered torture and attempted murder was beyond what she thought them capable of, it made her wonder just how much this new war had affected the council and the Jedi as a whole. Although that didn't excuse what they had tried to do to Revan. 'They would pay for this,' she swore.

"Damn them," Rikka cursed.

"Continue your report Melkor," Meetra finally managed to say after forcing her anger down.

"Yes General," Melkor replied with a nod as he sensed the anger from both women settle somewhat, but he was not fool enough not to expect more on this at some point. The Jedi would pay somewhere down the line, of that he was certain. "He has pretended to be a loyal Republic solider and newly discovered Jedi, they supposedly retrained him and then sent him on a mission to find the Star Maps," he stated.

"So they know about the Star Forge?" Rikka asked interrupting him.

"Not exactly, they know the stations name and that the Star Maps will lead them to it, but not what the station can do," Melkor answered. "But they know it has to be both ours and Malak's major advantage over them," he informed them with certainty. "His companions are a loose group of people, including no less than four Jedi, one republic pilot, an Arkanian offshoot, one young Twi-Lek, one Wookiee, a droid and a Mandalorian," he continued. "Only two of them know Revan survives including Bastila Shan. She had agreed to keep the secret as has the other Jedi who knows," he went on before pausing as Meetra held up a hand for him to stop.

"Shan knows Revan is still himself and yet has decided to hide this from the council, why?" Meetra inquired with interest. "All our reports on her show her to be a very loyal Jedi with supreme trust in the council's judgment," she pointed out.

"It seems Bastila Shan shares a force bond with Revan," Melkor informed them, knowing this was going to be another sore point as he well knew Meetra had once had a romantic relationship with Revan and he harbored no doubts she would want to restart it once he returned, but knowing Revan now shared a force bond with Shan would make that difficult.

Meetra frowned not liking this news in the least; a force bond was a deep connection between two Jedi. But it could also develop into an intimate bond between female and male Jedi as well. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of relationship truly existed between Revan and Shan. All the reports she had seen said Shan was the one responsible for giving Malak his chance at attempting to kill Revan, she then captured him and took him to the Jedi council where they tried to murder him. 'But did the young Jedi know that?' she wondered. 'What did Revan think of Shan?'

"Revan did say she saved his life when Malak tried to kill him which is how the bond formed between then," Melkor stated into the growing silence gaining both women's attention. "Revan then told me to return to inform you of his survival and also to ensure you didn't do anything until he returned. He also stated he expects each of his companions to have the respect any of his people is due, even the Mandalorian," he finished.

"He has to be joking," Rikka said in surprise that Revan would trust any Mandalorian.

"I don't believe so, he stated that this particular Mandalorian was not the same as Cassius Fett and his followers and that he had kept his honor during the war," Melkor responded. "That had he encountered Fett after what happened on Cathar he would have killed him," he added.

"I don't care what kind of person he is; there is still a lot of bad blood in this fleet where the Mandalorians are concerned. Rikka argued. "What is Revan thinking?" she asked in clear confusion.

"I have an idea, but I don't think it will be a popular one," Meetra responded after a short silence. "But I can see why he would deem it necessary," she added, but refused to say anything else. "Why didn't he return with you and where is the rest of your team?" she asked, her mind still half focused on her realization of what Revan might want with the Mandalorian.

"He had some business to conduct on Tatoonie, he had Jarrik and Niks remain with him while he concludes whatever that business is and then they will bring him back to the fleet," Melkor answered.

"Thank you Melkor you may get some food and rest, you did the right thing in bringing this news back to us as ordered," Meetra finally said. She wondered what business Revan was up to on a world she knew Revan hated with a burning passion. "I think we all need some rest, tomorrow we'll inform the fleet Revan is alive and will soon return to us," she told them both. "Nothing about the Mandalorian is to be mentioned until I can think of something to actually say, but nothing and I mean nothing is to be made public about the force bond he shares with Shan," she ordered as she glared briefly at both Rikka and Melkor to ensure they knew she meant what she was saying. "That is information we cannot allow Malak to get a hold of. It would make Shan all the more valuable to him should he capture her and give him an angle of attack that could seriously harm Revan," she told them.

"You question the loyalty of some of our people?" Melkor almost demanded before he caught himself and remembered that Meetra Surik was now in charge of the fleet until Revan returned.

"It is possible we could have some spies in the fleet Melkor. Malak is not stupid and he must at least suspect some of us survived his purge," Meetra replied calmly, taking no offense at the man's tone as she understood why it was there. "He would have planned to have some of his people play loyal to Revan just in case enough of us survived to be a threat to him, hence we cannot allow the knowledge of his bond to Shan to come out," she explained. "Is that clear?" she asked.

"Yes General," both Melkor and Rikka said snapping to attention.

"Good, now get some food and then some rest because once Revan gets back we go back to war," Meetra ordered and watched as both filed out.

She looked out of the nearby port hole and stared into space for a few minutes before she headed back to her quarters and her bed. She knew once Revan and his team got here all hell was going to break loose, especially if she was proven right as to why Revan was traveling with a Mandalorian.