Chapter 22

(Leviathan)

Malak awoke in alarm as he felt a cold dark shift in the force slam into him, it was even worse than the last shift he had felt. This felt similar, but far darker and it wasn't even aimed at him as the last one had. Still he felt it ring out all through the force. If he was honest he felt slightly unsettled by how angry Revan had to be to send such waves through the force. He was certain nearly anyone who was sensitive to the force would have felt it. It made one thing perfectly clear now and wiped out all doubt as to Revan's status. He was alive and he was still himself no matter what the Jedi had tried to do to him. That made him realize that when they met again he would need all the advantages he could get, hence taking Dorak and the other prisoners when he did had been the best thing he could do as it would help him in his next meeting with Revan.

A meeting he knew would end in one of them dying, if he was lucky and could arrange it so he could lure Revan to the secret chamber he had discovered on the Star Forge then he was certain he would be the one walking away from Revan's corpse. Smiling he closed his eyes and settled back on his bed, yes the future would be bright as long as he could set the stage for their next meeting.

+TR+

(Jedi Temple)

Vima stared at the chaos the sudden upheaval in the force had caused. The council had been in a late night session to discuss the loss of Dantoonie. The news of the attack had reached them as soon as the defense fleet, which had escaped from the battle, had reported it.

Dorak and all who had stayed with him were more than likely dead although they could not verify that. The council had refused to send anyone to attempt to reach the planet to attempt an infiltration to find out, it was a call she had argued against as just leaving Dorak and the others to their fate seemed cruel. But then considering they had chosen to do the same to her daughter and her team it should have come as no surprise. That they would all but sacrifice a council member showed the real changes the Jedi had undergone since this had all begun. Then suddenly a wave of anger and rage had swept through the force making them all cry out in alarm, none of the others bar her and Zhar had a clue who could have caused it and thankfully Atris had yet to try and blame it on Revan as she was too unnerved by the force of the disturbance.

Something had happened on Tatoonie that had pushed Revan past his limits on control. She just prayed he regained himself once it was dealt with. She also hoped nothing bad had happened to Bastila and the others who accompanied Revan, she just could not shake the feeling that Bastila's presence near Revan would be crucial in the times ahead.

"Enough, clearly someone has fallen and we felt his corruption or someone who is already corrupted just unleashed his rage for reasons we can but speculate," Zirrik stated as loudly as he could.

"Could something have happened to Bastila and her party?" Kavar inquired with a thoughtful if concerned look on his face.

"I did not get a feel where this disturbance came from so we can't jump to conclusion,s but I feel we should make contact with Bastila and her party and get a status report," Vrook responded as he shared a brief glance with Atris.

"In this I agree, while we have voted not to recall them due to the danger of our time running out to resist Malak successfully I do believe we should keep closer contact with Bastila and her charge," Zez agreed with a nod of his head as did Vandar which was a surprise.

"Great danger Bastila and her party face. Be reminded of her duty she may need," Vandar said thoughtfully. "Seen before we have Jedi away from the temple too long begin to forget and forge new ideas and views which conflict with our teachings," he pointed out. "Happened to Revan and Malak and all those who followed them it did," he reminded them.

"We can ill afford to lose Bastila or the unknowing Revan," Zhar agreed and here Vima was pleased to see he was keeping his word and not saying anything about Revan's survival. "They are our only hope of finding and destroying the Star Forge and maybe equaling the odds we face," he added.

"I still say it is a mistake to trust the puppet we made out of Revan if indeed we did succeed in doing that," Atris spat unable to hold her tongue any longer. "Has it not occurred to you that the disturbance we just felt was Revan himself, that he has somehow found his way back and realized what we tried to do to him?" she inquired looking at each of them in turn.

Vima and Zhar both did their best to look as unsure and skeptical as the others as Atris's gaze swept over them, she knew they had to be very careful here or they might just slip up and give Atris all she would need to recall Bastila and Revan and possibly kill any hope she had of getting help for her daughter.

"This again Atris?" Vima stated with faked disbelief. "You seem unable to focus your mind on anything but Revan even though he no longer exists. You seem unable to let his memory go and I begin to question your grip on reality," she stated and this time she was entirely serious. "Why will you not let it go, is there something about your relationship with Revan that we do not know that makes it so you cannot let him go?" she inquired.

Atris looked first shocked at her accusation and then enraged, Vrook looked to be in disbelief that Vima had dared ask such a question while the others bar Zhar did not seem to know what to think.

"You dare?" Atris spat. "I would never violate the code Vima. I have always been loyal and I refuse to let go of the subject of Revan because I still believe while his body lives he remains a threat, no matter how slim it might be he did survive our attempts to destroy him," she all but ranted.

"You should know better than to throw accusations around Vima that does not help us," Zirrik reprimanded her with a shake of his head. "Atris is a valued member of this council, and while I agree she does seem somewhat hung up on Revan's memory and possible survival, I see no harm in keeping an eye out," he argued with a sigh. "No matter what we agreed last time, we can ill afford the very idea of Revan coming back onto the board at this late stage, we have enough problems dealing with Malak," he stated.

"Who's to say that if Revan did indeed survive he would be a problem for us?" Lonna asked out of the blue causing the entire council to turn to look at her in shock. "Do recall Malak tried to kill him, worse than that he shot him in the back when he least expected it. If Revan were somehow to come back I would think he would concern himself with getting revenge on Malak and that would buy us some time to bolster our ranks and redeploy our forces," she explained when she took note of the looks been sent her way.

"Whilst I hesitate to even contemplate Revan's return I cannot help but agree with Vash on that point. He would want revenge and that may just take Malak's attention of the Republic and us and give us much needed time to reorganize," Kavar admitted. "But I still concur with our previous agreement that Revan is gone and no longer a threat. To believe otherwise I believe is unhealthy, as it seems to me Atris is almost obsessed with this idea," he continued with a shrug.

"Not obsessed just extremely wary," Atris shot back with a glare. "Still even I have to admit revenge would be on Revan's mind, but the question you should then ask is would he want revenge more on Malak for almost killing him or on us for trying to destroy him right after that?" she argued with a dark look still marring her features.

"An interesting but pointless question, I think for now we should call it a night," Zhar stated. "We are all tired and we still have yet to discuss the full ramifications of losing the Dantoonie Enclave or the planet as a whole. We have also yet to discuss who will take Dorak's seat on the council until we can confirm his death or rescue him if possible," he reminded them all. "I think it best we do that with clear heads," he added looking around and noting he had successfully gained their attention away from the subject of Revan's possible survival.

"I agree, Dorak has been a member of this council for a long time and a friend to us all, beside that the matter of his seat will have to be addressed," Vrook agreed with a nod of his head. "Better to do it with a good night's sleep, and not clouded by possible fears and left over anger at events past," he went on before he got up and left.

That seemed to be the signal the others were waiting for and each of the council quickly got up and left, heading for their own quarters. Only Zirrik remained, due to his continuing ill health he couldn't move quickly and had to wait for his aide to come and help him. While waiting he wondered yet again about the source of the disturbance. Was it Malak or heaven forbid Revan or was it possible something worse, something new? He wondered. Finally his aide arrived and helped him stand and slowly they headed for his quarters, he knew he had little time left and would have to begin to think about who would succeed him.

+TR+

(Leviathan Class Battleship Revenge)

Meetra awoke in a cold sweat and it took a few minutes for her to calm herself and realize what it was that had awoken her, it was not a dream nor a nightmare. She had felt for the first time since the battle of Malachor V her full connection to the force come to life, for that one instant she had felt herself again and she recalled just what it was that had caused it. Something had angered Revan beyond his control, she knew he was well versed in keeping control of himself in nearly any situation, but there were times he lost himself and let the darkness that resided in them all free reign.

She didn't know what had happened to make him do so now, but she did know someone was going to die and painfully at that. She wished she was by his side as then at least she could keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't go too far or they may lose him to the same madness that had consumed Malak and then there would be no hope for them all. Laying back down she hoped Bastila Shan was up to the task of pulling Revan back from the brink. That she could use the force bond she had been gifted to help him find his way back into control of himself.

+TR+

(Dune's Dusk)

Bastila shivered alongside Jarael, Mission and Juhani as they were pushed into the backroom of the main cantina where a disgusting Hutt sat on a raised platform, it seemed to be smoking something form a pipe and its eyes were greedily on her and Jarael more than Mission and Juhani. That did not bode well for them she thought in revulsion.

Revan had warned her that this planet was dangerous and that the Hutts would not waste an opportunity to capture and try to enslave them. But she had let her guard down, when Revan sent down stunned she was shocked by the attack as the bond they shared seemed to vanish and before she could act she was already hit. The only hope they had was that Revan and the others came too faster than believed or they would have no idea where to look for them, and she did not know if the bond would allow them to communicate over long distance.

"Welcome slaves," the Hutt greeted them before releasing a chuckle and a lord of smoke from its large mouth. "I am your new Master, Braka the Hutt," he told them.

"I am no one's slave, least of all yours Hutt," Juhani spat in intense anger and Bastila suddenly recalled what Revan had told her of Juhani's childhood spent as a slave to a vile slaver and she guessed this was something her fellow Jedi would not accept lightly. "I am a Jedi, if you do not let us go you will bring great trouble down on yourself," she warned.

The Hutt and the entire group who watched including his mercenary guards, slave girls and other hanger on's all burst out laughing making Juhani madder. "Your precious order does not bother with us or our ways, we've kidnapped and enslaved others of your kind who have come here, never have the Jedi come to punish us as we are outside their so called jurisdiction," Braka stated before breaking into another chuckle.

Bastila felt like there was ice in her veins as he said this because she recalled back on Kashyyk Revan saying almost the same thing, only without implying other Jedi had fallen foul of these creatures. It was a sickening realization to come to that the council must have written off those Jedi who were captured, either thinking them dead or writing them off due to some barbaric view of where their jurisdiction ended.

Revan had been right, the Jedi were blind to things outside what they classed as their purview and she cursed them for it. Suddenly the bond she shared with Revan reopened and she was almost overwhelmed by the extreme rage she felt coming from Revan. No, not just rage she realized. He had unleashed all his anger, rage, and hatred, everything he had been keeping locked inside since his betrayal by Malak. He had turned it into a weapon and tapped into the dark side as he had a few times before she realized as images poured through the bond. He was coming to free them and he was intent on killing the Hutt and everyone who worked for him. She tried to make sure he understood there were other slaves here, but whether she succeeded or not, she did not know.

"You've made a very big mistake by taking us Braka," she said as boldly as she dared. "We are not alone, our friends are coming for us and the leader of our group is the wrong man to anger," she told him.

"Your threats amuse me, your friends will be stunned for some time and when they awaken they will not know where you've been taken," Braka responded calmly before taking another long puff on his pipe. "Tatoonie is a big planet and we could have taken you anywhere, no they will leave you here in fear because no one would dare to even threaten me," he explained after blowing the smoke out of his mouth. "I am cousin to one of the great Lords of the Hutt clans, I am untouchable," he told them proudly. "I will sell the young Twi'lek and the one who dares try and intimidate me by claiming to be Jedi, but you and the offshoot will spend the rest of your lives pleasuring me," he informed with greedy eyes. "I will break both of your wills and you will submit and serve as do my other harem slaves," he added confidently. "I will take great pleasure from your bodies," he finished, making both Bastila and Jarael shudder with both revulsion and fear.

"No you won't, by taking us you have awoken and provoked the Lord of Revenge and he will kill you and all your men," Bastila said, using Revan's Sith title as she knew right in this instant he was indeed just that, the Lord of Revenge. "It will not be pretty or quick, it will be bloody and filled with pain," she stated, her face devoid of any emotion as she allowed Revan's own darkness fill her and give her the strength to stay in control.

"I will take you first, your taunts annoy me," Braka growled in sudden anger. "Strip her and put her into something more fetching," he ordered to his attendants.

Bastila instantly stiffened as the two females and one male aides moved towards her.,Sshe braced herself to resist any way she could when suddenly a large explosion shook the entire cantina and she could not help but smile. "He is here, you are doomed," she stated to the Hutt who looked stunned, his base was under attack.

+TR+

(Outside Dune's Dusk, three minutes ago)

Revan led his small team straight to the cantina ignoring everything but getting to his destination. An aura of malice seemed to surround him making everyone who saw them run in the other direction. Finally they arrived outside the cantina the Hutt was using for his base, four dead guards already lay near the door, multiple blaster shots covered their bodies. Before anyone could say anything HK stepped out of the shadows and greeted them, its eyes glowed almost a fiery red and Canderous had multiple flashbacks of seeing it during the war.

"Statement: The entrance to the cantina is secure Master, these pathetic meat bags proved to be little trouble," HK reported.

"Good HK now set a plasma mine right next to the doors. We are going to blow these doors right in to cause shock and surprise," Revan ordered while he explained the plan. "We kill all the guards and servants inside, if you come across any slaves free them but apart from that spare no one," he told them.

"Understood General," Niks replied with a nod as he checked his blaster pistol before pulling his lightsaber and readied himself for combat.

"I can get behind that, but when this is over we are going to have a long overdue talk," Canderous stated as he readied his blaster cannon.

"Statement: Mine will detonate in one minute Master," HK reported as the droid moved back to their side.

Revan just nodded and pulled Bastila's lightsaber as well as his own, having picked it up before leaving and activating both. The only thing he missed was his mask, but he quickly pushed that thought away. The doors exploded inwards with a large cloud of sand been blown up from the explosion, he snarled before he charged inside with the others following close behind.

+TR+

(Dune's Dusk)

Braka immediately ordered his guards to kill whoever it was who dared to enter his domain to threaten him.

Bastila could all but taste the darkness Revan had cloaked himself in as he cut down two guards who ran at him. The bond was more alive than at any time bar the joining in the desert to coerce the dragon out of the cave. She could see what Revan saw if she focused enough. She glanced at the others and nodded at them. Mission began to smile as she realized the others had come for them and she almost wanted to cry in relief. Jarael let out a relived sigh, she had almost been made someone's harem slave once before and she did not like the idea any more than she had back then. Juhani fumed wishing she had her lightsaber so she could cut a deep hole in this damn vile Hutt for even daring to try and make a slave out of her again. She had suffered that fate once before as a child and she had sworn when she was rescued by Revan and taken to the Jedi never to suffer it again even if it meant her death.

Revan thrust his hand out and unleashed a barrage of force lightening as a group of mercenary guards charged down the corridor. It struck them before they could even raise their blasters. They screamed in agony as they dropped their weapons and began to jerk around as the power washed over them, intensifying the power he watched dispassionately as they began to burn as they dropped to the ground their bodies jerking into some painful positions. Beside him Canderous and HK blasted away as guards tried to come at them from the flanks, neither of them even tried to wound and instead went for the kill shot thus blowing holes through the men's chests close to their hearts and causing blood to spew everywhere.

Revan suddenly twisted as a hidden doorway opened and a hired mercenary charged out, the bolts from his blaster missed him by a thin margin and he lashed out with both lightsabers decapitating the man. Niks moved to cover the door and quickly shook his head that there was no one else inside, HK and Canderous moved up as they heard more footfalls approaching.

"Hold here and kill everyone who comes at you, but do not get reckless," Revan ordered as he indicated Niks to enter the hidden passage who nodded in agreement. He then turned and hurried through the passage, behind them Canderous slammed the door shut and then took cover as did HK and prepared for the oncoming charge as the footfalls got closer.

A dozen guards finally appeared only to be met with a hail of blaster fire, the first line and most of the second fell in seconds, the bodies smoking from the blaster wounds. A few were only wounded badly enough that they could only lay and scream in pain, the remaining second line and third pulled back, giving Canderous and HK time to replace their ammo packs. The remaining guards of the second line took cover and prepared to try and pin their attackers down so the rest could overwhelm them.

Canderous seeing this smirked and pulled a thermal detonator and once armed threw it at where the guards were, the explosion was huge and multiple mutilated bodies were flung in all directions. Blood covered the hall and screams echoed of the dying. HK took that moment to charge forward and gun down the milling survivors as they staggered through the smoke filled remains of the explosion. Canderous quickly followed and opened up his cannon again watching in satisfaction as the guards fell as the blaster bolts ripped through them leaving bloody holes all over their bodies. It was over in a few moments as none of the guards could regroup or pull back out of range fast enough, the last fell when his head was pierced in an explosion of blood and brains.

"Useless sods, never heard of proper ambush tactics," Canderous spat in disgust as he looked over the corpses. "Probably grown fat and lazy bullying the locals, never taken on a real challenge," he mused as he started to walk deeper into the cantina.

"Statement: It is my experience that you meat bags are easily killed in any circumstances, there are a rare few who defy that experience such as the Master," HK responded as it quickly shot its blaster to the right and Canderous heard a scream of pain and then the thud of a body hitting the floor.

+TR+

Revan followed Niks out of the passage and entered a room that looked like it was set up for entertaining private parties and it had seven guards within it, before the guards could react both Niks and Revan jumped at cutting two of them down before they understood what was happening. The guards tried to bring up their blasters, but were easily cut down by the flashing blades of the their opponents lightsabers, each fell with cauterized wounds as they lost limbs or were cut almost in half.

Once the guards were dead Revan reached out with his senses and easily found Bastila. She was close and relatively calm, frowning he wondered why and then he understood she had embraced his darkness through the bond and used it to strengthen her own resolve. Smirking he headed straight for her, cutting down two more guards as they rushed him, he paid no attention to their bodies as they fell to the floor, nor the sounds of blaster fire coming from the left side of the cantina although Niks quickly turned and left to help Canderous and HK knowing Revan needed no help now.

Revan stormed into the main cantina where the Hutt sat on a large sled with nine heavily armed guards surrounding him, in front of them they held, Juhani, Mission and Jarael. What really drove his anger to new heights was the sight of Bastila been forced to stand next to the Hutt who trailed its slimy hands over her body. The look on Bastila's face said it all, if she could she would not hesitate to cut the Hutt in half. His eyes already holding nothing but malice began to glow as he tapped into more of the dark side and prepared his attack. Linking his mind to Bastila's he urged her to use her battle meditation to slip the odds in his favor. Bastila almost jumped when she felt Revan touch her mind with his suggestion, yet she did not hesitate and quickly activated the power she had used to keep the Republic safe.

Only this time she used it to help Revan alone. Snarling he force jumped behind the guards holding Jarael, Mission and Juhani and even as they turned to face him he slashed his lightsabers across in a cutting arc slicing each of their heads off. This released the three women who quickly rushed out of the line of fire. Revan turned to face a barrage of blaster fire as the other guards opened fire on him however their aim seemed to be off and each one missed and he knew Bastila's power was indeed aiding him. He charged in and cut left and right taking down four more of the guards, impaling the last straight through the heart. He turned to face the remaining two who guards and the Hutt. They now pointed their blasters at Bastila's head, growling low in his throat he tried to see the path that would secure her safety.

"Drop your weapons Jedi or the woman dies," Braka demanded in outrage as well as a little fear after seeing his guards disposed of so easily. Around them the various slaves watched the confrontation in awe and long forgotten hope of been freed.

"The Lord of the Revenge does not take orders," Revan responded darkly as he prepared to move, his eyes strayed to Bastila's who watched him calmly and with complete trust. "You shouldn't have attacked us, and more to the point you should not have taken our friends," he stated in a cold icy tone which made the Hutt attempt to back away although he could go nowhere whilst on his sled.

At that moment HK and Canderous appeared and blasted both of the remaining guards with shots aimed straight at their heads. Bastila having been ready for some time to move when the time came ripped herself away from the Hutt's slimy hands and rolled out of the way giving Revan his chance as he dived forward.

"NOOOOO wait," Braka tried to reason with him.

But Revan refused to listen as he buried both of his lightsabers into the Hutt's giant belly and then ripped them upwards, ignoring the stench of burning flesh he continued until he had ripped the body in two. He stepped back as the Hutt collapsed into two pieces. The stench now filled the whole room and Bastila tried not to gag as she got back to her feet. She felt no guilt at the Hutt's death considering what he wanted to do to her and Jarael and for wanting to sell Juhani and Mission as if they were little more than cattle. She felt no guilt at the deaths of the guards who had aided the Hutt in attacking their party and capturing them, but she refused to see Revan kill the slaves left alive who had seen what they had done to their former Master. She could feel the darkness continue to pulse inside Revan and knew instinctually that it was up to her to bring Revan back to himself, to make him regain control.

The question was how, glancing at the cowering slaves as Revan turned towards them with blood lust in his eyes, she quickly made a choice while also finally admitting that she had fallen for Revan and decided to give into the temptation to do something she had been long forbidden to do.

Marching forward she got in Revan's way and grabbing his head she pulled him down until his mouth met hers and she kissed him for all she was worth, pushing her growing feelings and lustful thoughts down the bond she pushed her body up against Revan's, molding it to his.

The pure exhilaration running through her body as she kissed Revan was beyond anything she had experienced before, she felt more alive than she had ever before. Emotions she had long kept tightly controlled rushed forwards and overcame her senses, she lost track of time and place and Revan finally seemed to respond and pull her even closer making her breasts push up against his chest. She could not help but moan at the pleasure she felt at even that small intimacy, she felt Revan finally snap out of his blood lust and the darkness recede as what she had done finally filtered into his brain and she could feel his utter surprise and enjoyment at the way she had chosen to help him regain his control. She wanted the moment to last forever, but she reminded herself this was not the time. They had a lot to talk about before they went anywhere further and thus reluctantly she broke the kiss and backed away and she was relieved that he let her.

Revan was still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened, Bastila had just kissed him and it was no fake kiss designed just to get his attention. No it had held burning passion and a desire to unleash her long held emotions. He had felt her body crush itself against his own and his body had responded. God he had to focus hard to force his natural reaction back as Bastila finally backed away from him. Still it was the first major sign that she was beginning to turn her back on the code and embrace her emotions to allow them free reign. He could see the latent desire in her eyes as she pulled back, but he decided not to press her as he could tell she was not ready to do more than she had done so already.

"Are you back?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"I am, HK find the security room and destroy all evidence of us having been here," Revan ordered after he responded to her question with a smile that almost made her blush. "Canderous release all the slaves, they know better than to say what went on here. They can have whatever money they can find to help them find new lives or to get off the damn planet," he added to which the Mandalorian nodded and quickly set about doing. "We'll need to burn this place to the ground before we leave, so there is no evidence of what really happened to this damn Hutt and thus no trail leads to us," he mused.

"I can deal with that easily," Canderous responded as he freed another slave, a female Twi'lek who thanked him by kissing him hard before rushing from the room. "Go I'll meet you by the entrance," he urged them.

Revan nodded and grabbed Bastila's hand and pulled her along, Mission, Jarael and Juhani followed all with varying expressions on their faces. None of them knew how to fully put into context what had happened to them or what they had just witnessed not only Jaks do, but also the passionate and forbidden kiss between him and Bastila. Juhani more than anyone knew what would happen if the council ever found out what had happened between the two. She wondered just when Bastila had begun to harbor feelings towards Jaks, still it was not her business and she trusted her comrades would not allow their personal feelings to get in the way of their duty. They found HK waiting for them at the exit with its blaster raised and ready just in case, coming to a stop they turned and waited for Canderous.

"Pleased statement Master: The security system is destroyed as you commanded, there will be no trace of our presence here," HK reported sounding almost satisfied.

"Excellent work HK," Revan responded with a nod of his head before taking note of a bunch of cloaks on a nearby table, an idea instantly hit him. "Here put these cloaks on and make sure no one see's your faces," Revan responded as he passed them out. He supposed these had been the guard's cloaks, but they no longer had a need for them. Canderous soon arrived and Revan instantly threw him a cloak before leading them outside and quickly away from the cantina. They were almost at the space port when a large explosion rocked the city. Revan glanced back as did the others as people began to scream and point, they however turned and continued onwards to the space port.

"What did you do?" Juhani inquired of Canderous.

"Oh I just overloaded as many of the blasters as I could as well as arm a few thermal detonators, should ensure no one finds out how that piece of shit slaver and his goons died," Canderous answered with a dark grin.

They finally reached the space port and headed directly to the bay where the Ebon Hawk was.

Revan pulled his com unit from his belt and ordered the ramp opened. Once it was open they noted Zayne and Jolee came running down to greet them. Zayne instantly enveloped Jarael in a hug and a deep loving kiss.
"Time for that later Zayne, we have to leave now," Bastila said as she rushed up the ramp with Mission and Juhani, Revan waited until the others followed and then boarded as well.

"Carth, get us the hell of this damn planet now," Revan shouted into the intercom as he closed the ramp and backed away from the exit relieved to be finally getting off this damn planet.

"You okay kid?" Jolee asked as he turned around and noted the old Jedi was watching him with some concern as was Bastila herself.

"I'm good old man, just need time to re-centre myself," Revan responded as he finally handed Bastila back her lightsaber to which she smiled in gratitude. "Tapping into the dark side and unleashing my rage can be dangerous if I do not re-centre my force aura. Niks, once we are clear of Tatoonie relive Carth, you know where to take us," he ordered before he turned and headed for his quarters.

"Will he be okay?" Mission inquired.

"In time Mission yes, to rescue us he had to unleash that side of himself that we all keep chained and for Jedi that is a dangerous thing to do," Bastila responded reassuringly while Jolee rubbed his chin in thought.

"I hope you're right girl. We can't afford to lose him to the same darkness as Malak," Jolee finally said after Mission had retreated to her room as well.

"We won't Jolee, it's my destiny to keep him in the light and dedicated to his mission," Bastila responded almost absently and seemed to not even realize what she had said before she too retired to her room leaving Jolee to consider her words for some time to come.

The End?