Chapter 25

(Ebon Hawk)

Carth stared at the man he had worked beside since the Endar Spire had been ambushed over Taris in complete shock. He just couldn't seem to accept what he had just been told as the truth. His mind just could not accept that Jaks Toulon was really Revan, had always been Revan right from the start. One of the men he blamed for the death of his wife and his son, for the burning of his home world of Telos along with Malak and Saul Karath. Without really thinking about it his hand reached down for his blaster.

Revan however was quicker and shot his arm forward and quickly summoned the blaster with the force just as he brought it up. At the same time, he felt another blaster hit the back of his head, frowning he turned to find Canderous glaring at him.

"Don't even think about it flyboy," Canderous warned with a grim smile. "I know you have issues, but now is not the time to sort them out. We are not in friendly territory and if you kill Revan then everyone in this ship is dead meat," he added.

Carth noted that Jarrik also had his weapon drawn as did the droid HK-47 and both looked eager to shoot should he provoke them. He glanced to Bastila and found her frowning, but he also saw clear worry in her eyes that the situation would get worse. He tried to calm himself, but he kept imagining the last few minutes of his wife and son's lives and that kept his rage inflamed. He glared across at the man he now knew to be Revan.

"You should be dead, as dead as my wife and son and as dead as the thousands your people killed on Telos," he spat, his hatred clear.

"Not my people Carth, I ordered Telos to be captured with as little loss of life as possible, but Malak disobeyed me," Revan shot back, looking wary. "It was the first true sign that Malak had been lost to the darkness along with those who followed him, but I hesitated to believe it due to our previous friendship," he admitted with a sigh. "Your family and planet paid the price for my blindness. I refused to see that the darkside of the force had corrupted Malak before I sent him to Telos and for that I'm truly sorry, but I suffered for that moment of hesitation and for my blindness to the truth as did many of my people," he spat, his temper suddenly erupting. "They were betrayed and killed by men and women they had trusted for years and I will have vengeance for it all, what you suffered and what I suffered and what my people suffered due to Malak is no different," he continued locking glares with Carth. "If it is revenge you seek then you are welcome to join me. If not then stay out of my way for now, we are at my fleet all that will be found is blood," he stated.

"You dare compare my suffering to what you and your bloody people have felt?" Carth shouted in rage. "You brought what happened down on everyone when you turned to the darkside. You made the choice to take your fleet into the outer rim and you made the choice to come back and make war on the Republic," he hissed, wishing to reach for his other blaster, but he was very aware of Canderous's blaster at the back of his head. "Whatever darkness infected Malak and those that followed him, you led them there," he accused.

Bastila watched the growing confrontation with worry. Revan's emotions had quickly become enflamed much too quickly for her liking, but for now she stayed quiet. She noted that the others were also watching on, uneasily as the two men argued. It was clear to her that it would take only a certain word to turn this bloody.

"Yes I led them into the outer rim, but for a reason Carth, to protect a Republic that was still weak and an easy target for the danger I had learned waited in the darkness of space," Revan finally replied, doing his best to keep control of his temper. "Malak and everyone who followed agreed to go because we were not willing to watch the Republic fall after all the blood that had been shed in the war to protect it," he explained. "The secret I learned from Mandalore was too dangerous to leave alone and I knew neither the Jedi council or the senate would do anything with the information," he went on. "I had no idea just how much more dangerous this threat would be, nor could I foresee that Malak and half my people would be corrupted," he finished.

"What threat?" Jolee finally interrupted, rubbing his chin as he listened to everything that had been said, especially by Revan. "That is the second or third time you have hinted at some hidden enemy, that you and your people pretended to be Sith to hide you motives from something hidden in the darkness," he pointed out.

"Mandalore told you of another threat?" Canderous inquired with clear curiosity.

"Yes, but it is not a tale to be told here as I have no proof to show you. However, I do have that proof on the ship we have just landed on," Revan answered even as he kept his eyes pinned on Carth. "Proof I had intended to show you all anyway. Hear me out on the whole thing and then you will know why your wife and son truly died in a war that had all things been fair would never have happened," he requested. "That had the Republic and Jedi not been so arrogant at the end of the last great Sith War then we would not be here, none of us, not even the Mandalorians," he stated surprising even Canderous with the boldness of his claim. "Arrogance we are all paying for now," he cursed.

Carth stared at him long and hard as he listened to his words, but it was his eyes that told him he was serious about everything he was saying, that he believed what he was saying. He glanced at Bastila who nodded at him, urging him to agree.

"I swear to you Carth I'm not your enemy, none of my people are," Revan swore. "We are as loyal to the Republic as you are, the difference between us is that me and my people refuse to sit back and let the corruption and decadence within the Senate continue, nor will we accept the blindness and stagnation of the Jedi," he told him.

"Alright I'll listen to what you have to say and see what evidence you have to back up your claims, but that does not mean I trust any of you for keeping this from me," Carth finally backed down, knowing it was his only option for now.

"Hey neither me nor big Z knew about this either Carth," Mission protested. "And no offence, but I think if Jaks or Revan or whatever the hell his name is meant us any harm, we'd already be dead," she pointed out to which Zaalbar agreed.

"I also have to agree. I didn't know about Revan, but if he had wished us dead we would be," Jarael agreed. "He could have dispatched us a half dozen times but he didn't, he helped us. He also helped Bastila find her father's body and funded the credits to get her mother to Manaan with a new ID," she pointed out. "He also helped rescue Mission's brother and he did come back for us when he negotiated the truce between the sand people and Mos Eisley, frack he didn't even have to negotiate the truce in the first place, but he did and that are hardly the actions of a madman" she stated grimly.

"He also came back for us back on Taris when he, Bastila and Canderous first got hold of the Ebon Hawk," Zaalbar joined in. "He didn't have to, but he did. He also helped free my people and even spared my father when Chuundar sent him and Bastila to kill him and that would have been the easier thing to do," he added.

"Okay I get the fracking point, I said I would listen and I will," Carth snapped. "But that is all I'm willing to do at this point," he stated.

"It's enough Carth," Revan said just as Niks suddenly appeared from the cockpit even as Jarrik, HK and Canderous began to relax their weapons.

"We've landed General and a crowd is waiting in the hangar bay," Niks reported.

"Lower the ramp Niks, it's time to say hello before we explain the full story to my friends," Revan ordered relieved Carth had backed down without the whole thing turning violent and he could feel that Bastila was also relieved about this.

"Yes sir," Niks nodded before heading for the cargo bay followed one by one by the others.

+TR+

(Leviathan Class Battleship Revenge)

Rikka watched as finally the rear hatch of the Ebon Hawk opened and Revan and Niks came out of the ship. She felt great relief to see that he truly was alive. Their leader and the man who had freed her from a life of slavery, along with hundreds of others he had freed during the war even when he didn't have to. His hatred of slavery in all forms were one of the main reasons so many of those he freed had joined his fleet and his mission, not one of them that she knew of except Yuthura Ban had stayed loyal to Revan and were either a part of this fleet or dead. Yuthura however had not been with the fleet she had been stationed at the academy on Korriban. It was likely she was dead because the alternative that she had betrayed Revan just didn't bare thinking about. Yuthura had been like a big sister to her for the five years they had spent as slaves and then members of Revan's fleet and the idea she could turn made her feel sick.

Suddenly her attention was diverted from her morbid thoughts as the rest of the crew disembarked, instantly she spotted the tall form of the Mandalorian and she quickly picked up harsh whispers of disbelief and anger which General Surik quickly put a stop to with but a glare. The Mandalorian was kind of short for his profession, but he had plenty of muscles she noted. She soon spotted a familiar looking droid leaving the ship and she couldn't help but wonder where Revan had encountered HK-47 as to her knowledge the assassin droid had been lost on its last mission. She looked across the faces of the newcomers until they hit the one she had been looking for, Bastila Shan in the flesh. She was tall for a woman, but she had a regal beauty to her that even Rikka had to acknowledge. Many of her fellow troopers had commented on her looks. She wondered just what kind of woman this was, she had led the ambush that had allowed Malak to pull off his betrayal and yet according to what Melkor had informed them she had also saved Revan's life.

"Present arms," the master at arms shouted and instantly the entire assembly of troops came to attention with her joining them a moment later.

Revan smirked as he looked around before his gaze landed on her and General Surik and he instantly began to make his way over to them. He was followed by the rest of his crew from the ship. Jarrik and Niks formed up on his sides clearly ready to defend him should it been needed, not that she expected it to be, but she could not push aside General Surik's suspicion that Malak may have a spy among them.

"Rikka… it is great to see you are well," Revan said in greeting before pulling her into a surprising and quick hug before he let her go and turned to General Surik. "Meetra I cannot tell you how happy I'm to see you, at least this saves me from having to track you down myself," he added with a chuckle before he pulled her into a hug too but that lasted a bit longer everyone noted, including Bastila who couldn't help but frown somewhat.

"Hello Revan," Meetra said warmly as they pulled apart. "It is about damn time you got here, the damn mess you've made needs cleaning up and I'm not about to do it all by myself," she stated in a clearly sarcastic manner.

Bastila frowned having not heard anyone dare take such a tone with him, especially not someone who knew who he truly was, but instead of getting angry like she suspected he would, Revan just broke out into laughter. It was a laugh that told her he found Meetra Surik statement truly amusing, she wondered just how deep the connection between him and Meetra Surik went. Even as the thought went thought her mind she couldn't help but feel jealous of the other woman, frowning she pushed the feeling aside as best she could and did her best to keep the feeling from travelling through the bond.

"My apologizes Meetra. I've been a bit distracted by a few other matters, but now I'm back to clean up my mess as you so easily put it," Revan responded with a grin as he finally stopped laughing. "I see your sarcastic tongue is still intact, good," he mused still very much amused. "At ease people," he ordered suddenly turning serious as turning to face the crowd. "Put me on an open channel to the fleet," he added and waited until one of the troopers stated he was on.

"This is General Revan to all hands. I have returned to resume control of the fleet and lead you not only in the final completion of the task we set ourselves, but to gain the vengeance we all desire on Malak and all those who betrayed us," he began. "Many of our brothers and sisters have been slain by those we trusted for so long and each one of us thirst for revenge for those that have fallen and revenge we will have but to do so and complete our mission so as to ensure they didn't die in vain we will have to make hard choices and some sacrifices," he continued somewhat somberly. "Long held hatreds will have to be put aside because we will need allies to win this war and complete our mission. Allies who were once enemies and yes I know how hard that is to ask of you all because like me many of you still harbor great anger and even hatred towards the Mandalorians, but we know why they attacked the Republic when even they don't," he paused here as many of the troopers began to shift uneasily and to Bastila's eyes looked almost enraged at the idea.

"No offence General, but you cannot be serious after all they did during the war?" one of the higher ranking soldiers inquired.

"None taken Varrik. I know it will not be a popular idea to many and I admit I still have my own personal issues where the Mandalorians are concerned, but they are issues I can no longer afford to hold if we are to succeed," Revan replied taking no offence and pleased one of his people had the nerve to ask that question. "The Mandalorian War is over and we were the victors. The Mandalorians suffered far more than just defeat they now face oblivion due to the fact I took Mandalore's Mask after I killed Mandalore in personal combat. The clans are scattered and they slowly die out one by one, every death is more blood they can ill afford to lose," he explained.

Canderous listened as Revan talked and could not fault what he was saying because it was the damn truth. Every death his people suffered now that they were a splintered force was one they couldn't afford. They were on the edge of a cliff facing complete destruction as a species; if they didn't reunite then there would be no more Mandalorian race in the future. He knew many of his people no longer cared or at least had become so worn down that they no longer tried to restore their people to what they once were. He now had the chance to truly save his people with the offer Revan had made him, but he could see that it wouldn't be as easy as Revan telling his people this was what was going to happen. He would have to say something and prove that he was willing to follow the same man they themselves had followed for so many years.

"But General how could we ever truly trust them after what we went through during the war?" another trooper demanded to know.

"I'm Commander Canderous Ordo of the clan Ordo and I state here and now in front of you all I will follow Revan right into the fires of hell if needs be," Canderous stated stopping whatever Revan was about to say and making the entire assembly look at him as he stepped forward. "Yes I was one of the Mandalorians you fought in the previous war, more than likely we met in battle many times, but as Revan has said that war is now over and a new one is being waged. You ask how you could ever trust me or any of my people were we to become allies and I say this in response. My people respect strength over all else, especially in battle," he continued. "In the early days of the war we won every battle and pushed your people to the brink. We didn't believe there was any strength within your Republic and then Revan appeared and you followed and he showed that there was indeed strength to be found," he went on. "The war turned against us, no matter how hard we tried you beat us again and again. Revan killed many of our best Generals and would go on to even kill Mandalore the Ultimate himself and his bodyguard by his own hand without help and in that fight he claimed the helmet of Mandalore and the power that went with it," he informed them as every eye in the bay remained fixed on him. "He could use that power to command my people to war, instead he has offered me the helmet and position of Mandalore and a chance to save my people from slow death and I will take it and in return I will rally my people back into a true army and we will follow Revan to the end of this war because he is strength and he is power and he will allow us to redeem ourselves in the eyes of the wider galaxy and to once more taste glory," he paused before speaking again. "A glory that will not be tainted by the actions of lesser people. I know that many still remember the massacre on Cathar and want the heads of Cassius Fett and his followers on a pike. Believe me when I say any true Mandalorian would feel the same for those were not the actions of a solider, but a butcher and he tainted how people see us," he paused again allowing Rikka to step forward.

"And what would you do if Fett or any of his people were found?" she inquired.

"They would be executed without a trial because there is nothing they could say to me or any true Mandalorian that would make us spare them. They are traitors to our culture and history and especially to our way of war," Canderous answered surprising Rikka and it seemed quite a few others.

"General I understand what you are saying and I while I hear nothing but truth from the Mandalorian what about the fact that the Mandalorians were well known for taking slaves? Something everyone in this fleet is against, especially yourself?" Melkor himself asked as he stepped forward.

"That would be one practice I would demand the new Mandalore remove from any consideration," Revan spat and it was clear in his tone that just the mention of the previous history of Mandalorians taking slaves during war angered him.

"Agreed as I liked that practice no more than any of you did. We are warriors and taking slaves does nothing but demean us," Canderous spat in distaste himself as he had never been a fan of slavery as many of his people had been. "If the alliance goes forward it will be outlawed," he promised.

"I was one of those who your people enslaved Ordo why should I or those like me who also were slaves to your people believe you?" Rikka demanded stepping closer to where Canderous stood.

Canderous stared at the young Twi'lek for a few seconds, seeing in her eyes the seething anger aimed directly at him. The long buried emotions of being a slave were easily seen as he stared at her, he could not fault her for her feelings. Reached behind him he pulled a dagger from his belt and gripped the blade and then ripped his hand down it drawing blood, he didn't flinch as the pain from the wound hit him.

"I swear upon my own blood and the blood of my people that I will do as I have promised. There will be no slaves taken and any who try will be executed," Canderous swore. "There will be no betrayal by my people should the alliance be agreed upon. There is nothing in it for us to do that should we be given the chance to survive," he added.

Rikka stared hard at the Mandalorian as he all but swore a blood oath, the highest kind of promise a Mandalorian could make as far as she knew. She glanced at Revan who had stayed quiet and allowed not only Canderous to speak on his own behalf, but allowed his own people to question him, clearly he believed this alliance was not only necessary but also possible.

"General Surik, you've stayed quiet throughout this discussion so forgive me, but I've to ask what your take is on this as Revan's second in command?" she inquired as she turned to face Meetra who almost looked surprised before she regained control of herself.

"It is a risky gambit given the bad blood between both sides as I don't doubt there are some Mandalorians who harbor the same anger and even hatred we do, but as Revan has said we can't afford to keep the anger and hatred within us if we are to succeed in our goals," Meetra stated as she stepped forward. "Our blood has been shed by those we once trusted so much, if they are now our enemies then can it not be said old enemies can now become allies?" she mused aloud. "The old war is done. We won and all those who died in it were avenged by our victory. Now we must focus on the new war and there are still brothers and sisters who wait to be avenged so I ask you all what is more important to you?" she demanded. "Holding onto old grudges or gaining the vengeance our fallen brothers and sisters demand of you and ensuring the success of our mission?" she finished.

The bay went silent as the troopers considered the question now posed to them. Bastila didn't doubt that on every ship in the fleet the same question was being pondered by every Jedi and trooper aboard. She could see now how Revan had drawn the loyalty of so many. He had a way of speaking to people that made you trust him. She could also see that Meetra Surik also had the same ability, she was somewhat surprised by Canderous speech and promise, but she could see the reason for his oath. The chance to save his people, to bring them back together and stop the slow death they had been enduring for the last two years since the end of the war was one he could not afford to pass up.

Suddenly the bay erupted into shouts of 'Vengeance'. Bastila was somehow unsurprised by the choice made by Revan's people; she knew thanks to Revan's memories just how loyal they could be to him and his goals. Meetra Surik's support of his plan had clearly helped as had Canderous's blood oath, even Rikka the former slave, if she had heard right, was shouting for vengeance.

Revan raised his hand and suddenly everything became quiet once more. Even the other ships had clearly made their choice as they went quiet over the speakers as well.

"I know I have asked much of you over the years, but I ask no more than I ask of myself. I want vengeance for my slain brothers and sisters as much as you do and thus the alliance with the Mandalorians will go ahead," Revan stated calmly although Bastila could feel through the bond the relief he felt. "Canderous Ordo has given a blood oath that he will ensure there will be no slavery and no betrayal should he manage to pull his people together once he becomes the new Mandalore. I will take him at his word as he has given me no reason to question him thus far," he added before he turned and nodded at Canderous who nodded back.

Canderous was relieved he had managed to convince the majority of these people of his worthiness as an ally; hopefully he could pull off what he had promised to do. As long as his people were still willing to follow he who held the helmet of Mandalore then it should be no problem. He just hoped they would be willing to follow him straight into another war. Although knowing the temperament of his people he doubted they would refuse if they were true Mandalorians. This was a huge step forward in hopefully saving his people.

"General no offence, but what about Bastila Shan? You've brought the Jedi council's most important asset into the fleet," a new voice inquired as a young female stepped forward. "How do we know she will not alert the Jedi we are here and what we plan to do? How can we be sure of her or any of the Jedi you've brought with you?" she asked to which many nodded in agreement with her question. "For right now they are still in a sense our enemy," she stated.

"I suppose you are right to question me or my colleagues, but I assure you I'm no threat to Revan or to any of you," Bastila answered before Revan could speak up and catching him by surprise much to her enjoyment. It was not often she managed to do so. Since the truth came out he had been very much in control of the situation and she was often the one playing catch up, but not for this moment. "Revan and I made a deal back on Kashyyk and I will stick to that deal, as for the Jedi being an enemy that is not entirely true either. It is the council who is in one sense your enemy because they refuse to see the truths you and I have," she explained. "I know they've made many mistakes going all the way back to the last war. I know they tried to murder Revan and then lied to me about it going against the Jedi Code itself," she continued. "But the normal everyday Jedi has no issue with you because at the moment they do not know you still exist as a fighting force, and as long as you conduct yourselves as trying to save them and the Republic instead of pretending to be Sith then I doubt you need to ever fight them again," she added hopefully.

"You can't be sure of that, the Jedi obey the council in all things just as you did before they lied to you and misused your trust if what you just said is true," the young woman shot back. "Any one of you could be a spy for the council," she accused before Meetra stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Easy Aria, Revan trusts them so they must have given him good reason to do so or he wouldn't have brought them here," she said softly.

"I'm no spy I assure you, if I was Revan would know instantly," Bastila countered before she was warned off the subject of their force bond by Revan and she caught a warning look from Meetra Surik herself. She realized instantly that they both wanted to keep the knowledge of her force bond with Revan a secret. She briefly wondered why before she realized that if Malak and his ilk ever learned of it then they could attempt to use it as a weapon against them both. A thought that made her shiver in fear.

"And I'm not a lackey for the damnable Jedi Council and I resent being labelled as one," Jolee spat in clear annoyance. "I've been in personal exile for the last fifteen years, spent ten of them on Kashyyk until I ran into Revan and Bastila and offered to help so I could have one last adventure before I die," he explained. "So take your paranoia and stick it somewhere else," he added with a glare, shocking many of the troopers and especially those who had been Jedi before breaking away to join Revan and Malak in the war.

"I'm not a part of the order as I refused to re-join after I cleared my name," Zayne spoke up with an easy going smile.

"Cleared your name? Who are you?" someone inquired.

"This is Zayne Carrick the young Jedi accused of the Padawan massacre, who would go on to expose the Jedi's willingness to accept certain irregularities to protect a prominent blood line before going onto bringing down the Covenant and expose their evil as well as help bring down the slaving organization 'the Crucible'," Revan introduced Zayne and it was not lost on most of the Ebon Hawk's crew that the name was well known and well thought of in the fleet. "Beside him is his fiancé Jarael one of the group who helped him pull off such a feat. Neither of them are loyal to the council after what they were put through," he added to which it was noted there was many nods of agreement.

"As to the last of the Jedi, this is Juhani. The same young Cathar I rescued on Taris back during the first year of our entry into the Mandalorian War. The same girl I brought before the Jedi to be trained and she has become powerful in the time since then," he explained as he stepped closer to Juhani who was suddenly looking nervous as she became the center of attention. "Yes she is still loyal to the Jedi ways and the council, although I'm sure she is wary of them now that she knows what they tried to do to me. I don't begrudge her this because I'm certain once she learns the full truth of what we face she will join us and help us finish our mission," he stated boldly. "I'm sure some of you recognize Carth Onasi as he was once a member of this very fleet under Saul Karath, like us he has suffered much from Malak and Karath's betrayal, but I have hope once he learns why this war is happening that he will also wish to join us if not for the Republic then for revenge," he moved straight on to the next in line deciding to get all of his new friends introduced while he had everyone's attention.

"Carth Onasi is known very well among our people General, but he left when the war ended and when we returned he had no interest in re-joining us because it is well known he is loyal beyond approach to the Republic and the Republic only," Melkor stated as he stepped forward again. "We can't trust he will not return and warn them of our survival as a fighting force and worse that he will tell the Senate and the Council the full truth behind this war. Giving them the chance to make the biggest mistake ever and send someone into the outer rim and alert the enemy to just how weak we all are and that should they invade now we could not resist them even if we did join forces," he argued.

This argument caused quite a bit of rumbling of disquiet by the troopers and Jedi in the bay. Bastila looked at Carth and noted he looked somewhat uncertain on what to say. Not a surprise considering he was probably still trying to get over the fact that Revan was in fact still alive and that the Revanchists were still very much active. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling right now, but she hoped he didn't let his anger rule him.

"We are all loyal to the Republic Melkor, however those of us in this fleet do not give our loyalty blindly and thus can't accept the corruption in the senate that has cost us so damn much and might still cost us even more," Rikka interrupted him before being cut off as Carth finally spoke up.

"Yes I'm loyal to the Republic. That loyalty has cost me my wife and my son and my entire planet when Malak and his followers bombed Telos into rubble thanks to Saul Karath betraying us," Carth finally managed to find his voice and speak. "I admit there is corruption in the senate, you can't be a part of the military and not know. We saw it during the Mandalorian war and we've seen it in this war," he continued. "If you had asked would I be willing to fight the Republic in order to save it before the start of this new war I would have said no without hesitation, but now after what I've lost I have only the service to the Republic left to give my life true meaning. Thus I can't allow the corruption to continue and I will do what I can to stop it, including fighting the Republic in my own way if I must," he continued surprising many. "I have many doubts and suspicions about what is true where you and your leader is concerned. Are you truly loyal to the Republic as you say or are you still enemies just waiting to slip a dagger in mine and the Republic's back when the time is right?" he mused aloud, making many frown at him. "Then there is the anger and hatred I bare looking for a target. Malak and Saul bear the brunt of it for what they did to Telos and are doing to the Republic, but some of it is aimed at Revan and you for starting this whole mess in the first place," he stated honestly.

"We understand that Carth, believe me we do, you see us as starting this war for stupid reasons possibly personal glory or just greed and power lust like Malak, Karath and those who follow them," Revan said with ease stopping anyone else from saying anything. "However once you know the truth of why we started this war then you may find that anger and hatred fades and goes where it truly deserves, although I suppose due to my hesitation and blindness is concerned I still deserve some of it," he added thoughtfully and honestly shocking Carth and stopping him from saying whatever he was going to say. "But we will discuss that after you have seen just what we are really against," he added. "You all remember my personal droid HK-47 who went missing on his last mission, but was found on Tatoonie, beside him is T3-M4 a very useful droid we met on Taris before it was bombed to rubble. His help was invaluable as was that of Mission Vao and her friend Zaalbar. Without them we may never have found Bastila and got of Taris before it was bombed," he finished his introductions of the Ebon Hawk's crew and Bastila noted Mission was trying not to blush at all the attention Revan's word's had given her while Zaalbar just growled lowly beside her. "I expect that each of our guest to be shown the same curtesy the rest of you are given while they are here. I'm hoping they will all join us in our mission once they know the truth, but should they decide to leave then for now I'm content to allow them that option but that is for later," he concluded. "This fleet will be moving to Reekiad within the hour. I want everyone of you and every ship ready to move by then, dismissed," he ordered after a few moments of silence.

Bastila and the others watched as the troopers and Jedi were dismissed. Some of them were still giving them wary glances not that she was too surprised by this. She took note that neither Meetra Surik or Rikka had left but were still waiting in the bay as Revan watched his people file out. Finally he turned back to them.

"Rikka I want you to find quarters for my friends and then take them to the mess hall for a quick meal. Once that is done bring them to the observation area on the bridge and we will finally show them just what is behind all this mess as Meetra so put it," Revan requested to which the young Twi-Lek nodded in agreement. "Go with Rikka, she will show you to your rooms where you can freshen up before taking you to the mess for a meal as I'm sure you are all hungry after our foray on Tatoonie," he told them. "Once you are refreshed and fed we will talk about the truth you all seek," he promised.

"You better," Carth muttered before he moved to follow the red skinned Twi-Lek as did most of the others.

Revan smirked having heard what Carth had said as he passed. He didn't begrudge him his paranoid nature given what he had gone through, and seeing as he was at least willing to listen to him then it showed he was not too far gone to be convinced.

"Go Bastila, I need to find out what my fleet's status truly is and plan our next couple of moves once I've given Canderous Mandalore's mask," he said gently when he noted Bastila had not moved an inch from where she had stood.

Bastila frowned before nodding, turning and heading after the others as they followed Rikka. For reasons she knew were from jealousy she felt nervous leaving Revan on his own with Meetra Surik even though she'd seen no signs of romantic attachment between them. Shaking her head she tried to clear her thoughts of such things, even though the unease failed to go away, she glanced ahead wondering just what they would be told once they'd been given time to freshen up and have a nice hot meal. Just what was it that Revan and his people were hiding? What was it they believed so important as to come back and wage a war against the Republic they were trying to save?

Revan watched Bastila leave the bay knowing thanks to the bond she felt uneasy about doing so as Meetra was still here. She didn't know how to truly feel about his connection to Meetra and was feeling jealous of that connection. Although that she even admitted she was jealous to herself was a huge step forward in Revan's mind, her sudden shift in thoughts to what he was going to tell her showed she was not going to dwell on her uneasy feelings too long.

"So what now Revan?" Meetra inquired breaking into his own thoughts.

"Now you show me where my fleet truly stands, from what I saw from the cockpit windows there had to be a mistake in the numbers I was given," Revan replied.

"You are correct, probably due to the upheaval they were going through after Malak's betrayal," Meetra assured him as she turned and led him towards the bridge. "Still we need more ships and manpower if we are to complete the mission," she stated.

"We'll find them Meetra I assure you," Revan said calmly and with total belief.

As he entered the bridge he hoped his belief would prove correct, the mission had to be completed if they were to have any chance of surviving and keeping the Republic alive and more to the point cleansed of all the corruption it suffered at the moment.

The End?