Chapter 16

(Tatoonie)

Revan stopped his party as they approached the large Sand People enclave, they had already been delayed three times on their journey here as well as suffered attacks by Sand People raiding parties and so he was frustrated not to have this entire thing already sorted out. The heat on this blasted planet was also adding to his frustration and caused him to remove his outer robe as had most of the others including Bastila, this of course had a small upside in that it showed off more of Bastila's body to him. He had to remind himself to keep his more erotic thoughts to himself. He just didn't know how successful he has been in that regard.

Bastila was indeed aware of the less than decent thoughts about her going through Revan's mind even as he tried to block them passing through the bond, it took all her control not to blush as the thoughts had their effect on her no matter how much she fought not to allow them to. Clearly she liked the idea that he found her body desirable, she even liked that he had a personal interest in her beyond her gift for battle meditation. However she still tried to fight her growing feelings for Revan, having such attachments went against the code. And even though her faith in the code had taking some beating since this whole mission had begun, that didn't mean she was ready to dismiss it entirely.

"Finally there it is," Canderous muttered as he noted the enclave.

"Indeed, and that is no small enclave so I suggest we don't pick a fight with them," Jolee advised as he got a good look at the place. "Attacking them would be a bad idea," he added with a shake of his head.

"Says who?" Canderous muttered in response.

"We aren't here to fight, but to negotiate a ceasefire that will stop them attacking the city," Revan spoke up again before Bastila could speak knowing she would more than likely annoy Canderous with her view of the situation and his view of life. "No matter if they try and provoke us we don't respond to them, we keep to our purpose and ensure the ceasefire and the freedom of their prisoners," he ordered in a no nonsense tone.

"Do you think they will let us in?" Mission inquired somewhat nervously as she didn't like the idea of being this close to so many Sand People after all the tales she had heard of them.

"Oh they'll let us in kid, no worries about that," Niks said with a dry chuckle. "Whether we get back out is another question. Sand People aren't exactly known for being easy to talk to and even worse to calm from a war footing," he explained. "They are very territorial," he added.

"Which is part of the problem we face, they consider the city and all within it to be trespassing on their territory," Revan said into the silence that followed. "Convincing them to call a ceasefire or to retreat from this area will not be easy," he said with a sigh.

"So what's the plan?" Bastila inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"We go in as nicely as possible. We don't show weakness, but as I said we don't respond if they try and provoke us," Revan replied calmly. "HK will translate for us and hope their demands aren't too high a price for us to pay," he continued.

"And if their demands are too high?" Jarael inquired.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, for now fighting the Sand People is the last option we will consider," Revan told them all sternly. "Now let's get this job done, we have two more stops to go before we can finally get off this dust ball of a planet," he ordered as he began walking again.

The others soon followed and they soon reached the front entrance of the enclave where they quickly noted two guards next to two patrol turrets guarding the door. The guards growled at them and pointed their rifles at them. Revan held up his hands in a sign of peace, and then instructed HK to tell them they had come to negotiate with the chief. The guards looked suspicious, but one of them finally turned and entered the enclave. Finally after a brief wait the guard returned with what had to be one of the upper council. He roared and growled in his native dialect at them, not that any of them could understand him.

"Statement: He says he doubts our intentions, but the chief has agreed to meet with you," HK reported. "However if any of our party touches their weapons we will be butchered where we stand. I do believe he means it Master," he continued.

"Tell him we understand and agree to his terms," Revan ordered with a smile, having expected nothing else.

They followed the man into the enclave and took note of the bustling activity within, as suspected the enclave was filled with Sand People far more than some might suspect. Many were armed and stopped what they were doing to watch them with glares. Revan could sense the unease of his companions, but was pleased none of them forgot to keep their hands away from their weapons. Finally they were brought to a stop in front of a tall hut where one rather tall Sand Person stood flanked by two guards. As soon as they came to a halt the chief began to yell at them in his own tongue.

"The Chief demands to know why he should believe we are here to negotiate on good faith when it was the city that began the attacks some months ago," HK translated and Revan frowned as he learned this piece of information. "The tribe has lost over fifty of its people to the attacks and they began without cause. He demands to know why he should even consider calling off their retaliation now that they have overwhelmed the mercenaries hired to attack them," he continued.

"Tell him we didn't know the city began the attacks as we have just arrived and were hired to help stop the attacks as we are Jedi. Tell him that we are sorry that so many of his people have been lost to the slave corporation's aggression," Revan stated, angered that he had been in a sense manipulated into cleaning up, after Czerka had overreached itself where the Sand People were concerned. He watched as HK did as he was told. The chief quickly began talking, but clearly not to them, so he turned his attention elsewhere.

"Those damn slaver idiots," he hissed under his breath.

"You do know they might be lying don't you, Jaks?" Mission inquired just as quietly. "I mean they might just be saying that to make their attacks sound just," she added.

"No Mission, I believe them. The Sand People have little interest in the cities and those inside them and thus would not just attack them in such a manner," Revan responded calmly. "Perhaps a few scouts might take some pot shots at some caravans outside the city, but not wholesale attacks like we have been hired to stop," he added with a shake of his head. "No, for this sort of aggression they had to be pushed into it," he stated in firm belief.

"That's not what you said outside," Mission objected in surprise.

"As we said Sand People are hard to understand. Sometimes they couldn't care less about the cities and those within it," Niks was the one who responded. "Other times they will attack and view them as trespassers. I guess this time they weren't interested in attacking anyone, but that has changed now that the city was the one doing the attacking," he explained.

"So it all depends on what sort of mood they are in?" Mission inquired trying hard to understand.

"Yes Mission, Sand People are hard to ever fully grasp," Revan replied with a smile. "Their moods change like the shifting sand and that just makes them all the more dangerous," he stated.

"Silent observation Master: They are surprised by the presence of so many Jedi and somewhat cautious, however they also seem to be less hostile than if we were ordinary mercenaries," HK reported. "Clearly the attacks had left them with a low opinion of mercenaries and other lackeys of the city master. Jedi however still seem to have some reputation as trustful beings," he continued even thought his gaze remained fixed on the Sand People. "However one of the advisors is overly against trusting us to stop the attacks and that whatever we agree to will not be honored once we leave," he finished.

"Oh yes it will HK, even if I have to make another example out of Czerka before we leave," Revan swore bitterly, surprising those who didn't know who he really was although Canderous quickly got over it as he saw no problem with attacking the Czerka corporation again.

'Revan, please don't do anything rash here,' Bastila pleaded through the bond, aware of the growing anger in Revan, now that they had learned Czerka had started the whole affair to begin with and they were being used to clean up the mess that Czerka could not. 'We were lucky to escape without any serious repercussions for our attacks on Czerka back on Kashyyk. If we incite another attack it is more than probable that the council will hear of this and bring us back to Dantoonie and find out the truth about you,' she cautioned hoping he would listen to her. 'Worse Czerka could put a bounty on our heads and we could end up with a dozen mercenaries on our hides, and that is the last thing we need right now when we have Malak and his forces to deal with,' she finished and took a deep breath and then waited for him to respond.

Revan turned his gaze to Bastila and stared at her for some time, the more time passed the more nervous Bastila became. All the while the chief and his advisors continued to argue content to keep them waiting to continue their talk. Finally Revan gave a dark sigh knowing she was right, but he hated to admit it. He could ill afford for the council to learn of his survival especially now that he had learned his people still lived and were waiting for him, to be discovered now would ruin any chance of him turning Malak's betrayal around and ensuing their original mission could be completely.

'Fine Bastila I will stay my hand, but in time I will deal with those slavers on a more permanent basis,' Revan finally replied and although at first Bastila felt relief at his words those words quickly turned to dread as he finished speaking as she knew he meant it. 'Before you start to feel sorry for them, remember what they are and what they do to sentient beings and what they would gladly do to you if they could capture you,' he stated somewhat coldly already sensing her wanting to argue. 'Scum like they don't deserve your pity,' he spat.

Bastila hesitated in responding to Revan's mental speech, she was unsure what she could say to his righteous view on the subject of Czerka and their dealings in slavery and what should be done to them in return. 'Perhaps they don't deserve my pity Revan, but butchering the entire corporation for the actions of but a few who deal in this sick business, I cannot believe they are all in it,' she finally responded.

Before Revan could respond the chief turned from his argument with his two advisors and began shouting at them. Revan narrowed his eyes as he waited for HK to translate whatever he had said.

"Translation Master: He states he would be willing to pull back his enclave if we get him three large water moisturization units," HK stated turning to glance at them. "He also states that if we do as he asks he will stop the attacks. However if we fail to do as he asks those left behind along with the prisoners will be killed and the city will be sacked," he added.

"What does he mean those left behind?" Zaalbar inquired.

"Clearly they will allow only a few of us to go back and get those water units, the others will be kept here as insurance," Jolee stated with his arms folded across his chest, having been listening to everything that was said with interest.

He had not been on Tatoonie in years and his last dealings with the Sand People had been on a far less confrontational subject, of course back then he had still been part of the Jedi Order. Having been in exile for so many years it was clear the Jedi had done little to help keep the peace on this planet. Clearly they were losing focus on those problems that could soon become bigger headaches in the future. He could see how and why so many of the Order's Jedi had turned alongside Revan in his war on all they once held sacred, he could see why so many had fallen in further to follow Malak and his path of utter destruction. History was repeating itself just like with Ulic Qel-Droma and Exar Kun. Jedi had become dissatisfied and had begun to see the Order's code was no longer enough guidance in the new age that it had once been in the age before it.

Jedi were slow so very slow to change and Jolee considered that their biggest failure, it was why the Sith continued to reappear time after time only stronger than they had been previously.

"Fine HK, tell him we will get him the water units along with an additional two in exchange for the prisoners being set free as well. Tell him three of us will return to the city to buy the units while the rest stays as insurance," Revan finally decided after thinking it over.

"Surprised statement: Your offer is accepted, but the enclave will be put on high alert just in case you will attempt anything," HK reported after translating Revan's offer and getting a reply. "At the first sign of betrayal we will be executed along with the prisoners," he added, sounding amused.

"No surprise there then," Niks said with a grin. "So who goes back and who stays?" he inquired.

"I will go along with Zaalbar and Zayne as their strength will be helpful in getting the units back here," Revan replied without having to think it through. "The rest of you stay and please remain calm, we will not be long," he added with a simple smile.

"Easy for you to say," Mission moaned, not liking having to stay here with the threat of death hanging over not just her head, but her brothers and her friends and the other prisoners held in this enclave.

"She took the words right out of my mouth," Canderous muttered and while he couldn't care less about being left here with a gun to his head he just didn't like being inactive and basically ordered to just wait. "Just in case, what happens if you three get waylaid by something on your way back? How long are we supposed to wait until attempting a break out?" he asked deciding to get right to the one point that bothered him about the plan.

"Give us a couple of hours at most Canderous, and if we don't make it back I expect you to ensure Bastila and the others get out at the least," Revan stated as he turned and began to walk away ignoring the way Bastila's eyes widened as she sensed he meant more for her to survive than the others. Zayne kissed Jarael goodbye before he turned to follow. Zaalbar roared once not liking this plan at all, but knowing it was the best option they had without a full on battle taking place and some of them getting killed.

+TR+

(Leviathan Class Battleship Revenge)

Meetra sat in her quarters going over a few reports from the other ships in the fleet. However she kept stopping and thinking back to her thoughts on why Revan wanted the Mandalorian and the reaction it might gain from even some of his more ardent followers. Hell even Rikka had been shocked that Revan had ordered the Mandalorians to be granted the same rights as the rest of his people, if the idea turned out to be correct then seeing how Revan would deal with the fallout of his choice would be interesting indeed. She knew Revan could easily convince many to do things they previously would have balked at doing, but this was concerning a subject the entire fleet had deep personal scars about.

The Mandalorian war had left many bitter and still itching for revenge, so the idea of them having to fight on the same side as them in this new conflict would be hard to swallow and would take all of Revan's oratory skills to make his people accept their presence at their side in this conflict. Still she could be wrong, she didn't feel like she was wrong, but it was possible. She just prayed Revan had something already planned to say to the fleet if she was right. Shaking her head she turned back to the reports. But her mind wondered back to Revan and this group he was travelling with, clearly he had plans for each of those who made this group up.

But for her, the mystery was what he intended for Bastila Shan who according to Melkor he now shared a force bond with. This disturbed her on many levels, but mostly on a personal one. She and Revan had been involved during the later stages of the war right up until Malachor V. The end results of that one event had changed all their lives, but hers all the more. She had lost her connection to the force and then she had lost Revan when she had chosen to leave the fleet and return to face the council. The worst mistake she had ever made. She wondered just what kind of effects this force bond and Bastila's persona would have on Revan, then again she wondered what kind of changes the Jedi might have gone through since been bonded to Revan. Her complicity in the events on Kashyyk spoke volumes, it was possible she was beginning to think and act just like she, Malak and the dozen Jedi who had followed him through the war and into this new conflict. It was possible Bastila was beginning to see the Jedi Code was obsolete and that the council was out of touch with the galaxy at large and that they were not always right.

"I hope you know what you are doing Revan," she finally whispered, whishing she could speak to her old friend and lover before he put into motion whatever it was he was really planning, so that she could better understand how they had ended up here.

+TR+

(Korriban, Sith Academy)

Darth Bandon snarled as he left the Master of the Academy Uthar Wynn and his second Yuthura Ban to carry out his orders, he turned back and glared at Ban's back. Her reaction to Revan's survival had not been in line with what he would have expected from a loyal Sith and so he vowed to keep an eye on her. Uther had seemed unconcerned with the idea of Revan coming to his Academy. In fact the man had quickly gained a calculated look in his eyes and Bandon surmised he was already coming up with a plan of his own. He didn't care as long as it didn't get in the way of his own, because if it did then he would ensure the Academy would be in need of a new Master.

He headed for the quarters he had been assigned to and he just hoped Revan would not delay coming here for too long. He hated waiting, the rest of his ambush squad headed to one of the barrack rooms now assigned to them to rest and wait as well. If his plan worked then Revan would try and infiltrate the Academy under the guise he was a dark Jedi looking to join the Sith. No matter what it took he would pull it off. But now no matter what guise he took Ban and Wynn would know who to look for, he had brought a picture of Revan to be distributed so everyone knew who the target was. Once he was on the surface his ship would be locked down and targeted by the planetary lasers, just in case he found some way to escape.

Revan would come here thinking he was unknown to everyone and believe he had fooled them all, but he would quickly learn he had been set up and then the trap would fall on him and his companions. Shan would be captured and before he killed Revan he would make the man know how he would watch as Lord Malak broke and subjugated the Jedi female he had taken such an interest in. Oh he could all most taste the satisfaction he would have at that moment in time. The pain and agony of knowing he had failed and that he was about to die at the hands of someone he had once believed to be nothing but a follower. The rest of Revan's group would be killed as well, executed one after another and Shan would be made to watch because he knew each death would be a death blow to her spirit and her hope of rescue. By the time she left Korriban as his prisoner she would already be close to been broken, from there Lord Malak would complete her downfall and fully subjugate her to the dark side of the force and she would become their greatest weapon to wield against the Republic and the Jedi, who she had once protected so valiantly.

Back in the main entrance Uthar and Yuthura were still getting used to the fact that not only was Dark Bandon among them, but also the news he brought, Revan the former Dark Lord of the Sith and before that their General still lived even after Lord Malak had tried to kill him. That he also might come to Korriban was not too shocking after all. Revan had always gone where most others would fear to tread, even Malak. No, the only thing that bothered Uthar was how Revan had survived. Malak had prepared his betrayal to the letter and Uthar had long ago thrown in his support having grown tired of Revan's mission. At first he had been loyal to the mission they had set themselves, but as time passed and his exposure to the dark side grew he had grown to resent the mission and wanted to focus more on his gaining power only for himself just as Malak had.

Now he had that power as Master of the Academy his reward from Malak for supporting him, now he could prepare the newest recruits and ensure that their first loyalty would be to him and he could secretly begin plotting his own rise to the position of Dark Lord of the Sith. Malak had no idea he even possessed such aspirations, but his lust for power had been growing and now the next stage of his plan could proceed. He could use Revan to kill Bandon, and then when Malak came to select a new apprentice he could strike and kill Malak and replace him as Dark Lord, a simple plan, but one that had the best chance to succeed. Bandon was over confident and more to the point consumed with his hatred of Revan and thus would pay no attention to him putting the odds in Revan's favor temporarily so Bandon could die. His ambush squad could be dealt with easily enough, just lock them in their barracks, then flood it with poisonous gas and then stab them with lightsabers so that it appeared that they died in battle.

Of course the hard part would be then to ensure Revan and whoever came with him died as well. He could then report they had killed each other in a massive fight. That Bandon and his men had been over confident and that had led to them being killed as well as their targets. Yes he smiled inwardly that would be the easiest plan to put in place as long as he could ensure Revan didn't discover his arrival had been expected and he could be manipulated into doing as he wanted.

"Revan is alive," Yuthura whispered still stunned to learn the news. "I thought for sure he was dead," she continued as her shock began to turn into guilt.

She had been a loyal follower of Revan and his mission from the moment she had been rescued alongside Rikka and a dozen other slaves. She had been trained as a Jedi when it had became apparent that she had the ability to wield the force. Everything she had was due to the actions of Revan and his eternal hatred of slavers, but when Malak had usurped his position and seemly killed Revan she had refused to act or even retreat to the fall-back position just in case Malak had attempted such a thing as Revan had planned for his people as he knew Malak would turn on those he considered too loyal. Instead numb with shock at Revan's supposed death she had fallen into a set pattern of playing loyal to Malak, her numbness became her normal state until now.

Revan lived and if he was alive she was certain most of his loyal followers had managed to get to the prearranged fall back point. She felt like a coward and a failure for not having the will to attempt to meet up with them. But she vowed she would make up for it, she had plans to make to ensure Revan walked away from Korriban when he came.

"It matters not Yuthura if he lives as he is no longer our General or Dark Lord, he has been replaced by a much better man," Uthar spat, turning to his second. "Remember who you are loyal to girl and don't make the mistake of thinking of betraying me or Lord Malak," he warned with a dangerous glint in his eyes although it failed to have much effect on Yuthura. "Bandon will be watching us both, so watch your step girl, I will not die due to your conflicted loyalties," he promised knowing any action Yuthura took would reflect on him badly.

"But of course Master, if I had been loyal to Revan I would have attempted to avenge him like so many others did," Yuthura lied easily even though the words made her stomach churn. "I will begin to make preparations along the line Darth Bandon has ordered," she added with a quick bow before turning and walking away wishing she could turn and cut Uthar down where he stood.

Whether she died or not would depend on how Revan viewed her actions including her failure to fall back as ordered, but perhaps it was the will of the force that she had remained here to ensure that Revan and his companions evaded the trap now being set for them and left Korriban alive.

Uthar watched her go with a narrowed gaze unsure whether to believe her or not, he knew enough about her background to be wary but she had done nothing in her time her to make him doubt her loyalty to the Sith. So for now he would let her go and do her duty, but for here on out he would keep a closer eye on her as he would let nothing interfere in his plans.