Prelude: Fractures

With the First Sith War over and Revan revealed, our heroes have all travelled somewhat different paths. Revan now controls the Republic Fleet and is in charge of mopping up the remaining Sith. Bastila is now assigned to Coruscant, but occasionally renews her relationship with Revan, now Aaron LightBlade, as their time permits. With most of the team with Revan, it will be a bitter sweet reunion when Bastila arrives for the latest engagement. Of course, with the Force involved, surprising things always manage to happen.

Prelude - Fractures

Aaron...Revan stood and looked down at the body at his feet. Raising his eyes, he looked around the room, the Jedi in the holding chambers, the scorch marks, and the destruction occurring outside. He sighed. So much loss. What a waste.

Unbidden, he heard the response as much as he felt it. Yes, it could be viewed that way. Then again, maybe it is an opportunity.

Aaron groaned. This was becoming...unsettling. No training had prepared him for this.

Looking at the body of at his feet again, he knelt and touched the bare skin of the skull with regret. He and Malak had been friends once. A long time ago or so it seemed. They had been idealistic, even romantic, if realistic about their mission when they had set out against the Mandalorians. And then something had happened. It had happened. They had been called. He remembered now. He had remembered since the Leviathan. Saul's words. The torture, not just of him, but also of Bastila and Carth. The fight with Malak. Their daring and close escape. The flight to the Star Forge. But worse, what had come before. He remembered every second of being Revan. He sighed again.

Leaning over Malak's crumpled form, Aaron picked up the lightsaber that Malak had fashioned and been so proud of. It was sleek and cool in his hand. Malak had been a master craftsman. Taking out one of his own, he had always preferred the elegance of fighting with two lightsabers, he snapped open the casing and removed the crystals. He, too, was a master craftsman, but Malak was better. Discarding the casing, he snapped the tiny panels off of Malak's and removed the crystals. Dropping them beside the shell of his discarded weapon, he took his crystals and the sleek casing of Malak's weapon and combined them, closing the panels and snapping the weapon on. It glowed a steady green. Waving it for balance, a small smile crossed his face, but disappeared just as quickly, his sorrow greater than the joy of holding something created by such a brilliant mind. Placing the weapon at his belt, now a reminder of what had been, he reached out and touched Malak again, this time in benediction.

I hope, in the end, that you found peace, my friend. The Light will forgive... Aaron choked on that, but continued the thought. The Light can forgive any transgression...given the chance. May the Force take you...and give you peace. Standing, Aaron looked out the huge windows on the scene that was unfolding before him.

Stepping over Malak, he made his way up the steps and towards those windows, the Republic fighting the Sith in a prolonged battle to destroy the Star Forge. He could feel Bastila below, the outpouring of Force from her Battle Meditation feeling like a warm bath of relaxing oils, the fleet responding as they found the chinks in the Sith fleet and exploited every one. He knew that soon they would have to leave and that this would be all over. As he mounted the last step, a shiver passed over Aaron, the cold hand of...something that warned him even as it paralyzed.

A cold ghost of a sound passed through the room. Goodbye...my friend.

Aaron spun, his lightsabers snapping into his hands and into full light, the unfamiliar hilt of Malak's blade now his own, forming to his hand as if it were made for it. Looking around the room, Aaron saw, and felt, nothing. It was quiet. Slowly, he relaxed, lowering the blades before extinguishing them. As he placed them on his belt and turned back to the heated battle outside, he was assailed again, unexpectedly as always, but continued his walk until he stopped at the large, bay windows, and gazed out into eternity.

The voice of Malak from the grave? The Star Forge? Well, that is quite a conundrum, isn't it...Aaron. The last held such venom that Aaron flinched.

Be gone, Revan! You have no place here.

On the contrary...friend...pal...buddy. This was my body first.

Aaron had no response to that. Instead, he thought, I guess you gave that right up.

I GAVE UP NOTHING! IT WAS TAKEN FROM ME!

Aaron flinched again. You could have been redeemed, Revan...

Laughter washed over Aaron like a storm, subdued, but a storm nonetheless. Do not speak to me of redemption, puppet. It is you who are the dupe. You have the power of this Star Forge at your command, the love of the woman you want, and the power to posses both. Reach out and take it...seize your right and put this galaxy into the proper order. Redemption? For the weak. Feel, Aaron. Taste it. You know that I am right. If you walk off this station, you will submit yourself to a decrepit order of old men with old ideas. You know it as well as I. Even Juhani and Jolee would agree with me on that one. They know as well as I that changes need to be made in the Order and that maybe...just maybe...I was right.

Before Aaron could stop himself, he let the Force flow over and through him, the battle before him fading away as his internal vision traveled the length and breadth of the Star Forge. He felt Bastila, weak from her exertions in the Force and her recent battle with the Dark Side. He could sense that just a word from him would draw her back and they, together, could take control of the station and turn the tide of this battle back to the Sith. He could feel the power there, the ability to control and possess the universe. He knew that, in this, Revan was right. Total dominance. Total power. He could taste it. He could feel it. And he couldn't deny, it did feel good.

The tremor roiled through him even as the space station shuddered. With a jolt, Aaron returned to himself, the sweat rolling off his body, the temptation so close, too close, to command this station, the Sith forces, into total dominance of the galaxy. Opening his eyes, he saw the Republic ships grow closer, but not so close that it would be too late. Still, he pushed the temptations away and addressed his inner demon.

You're right, Revan, in that I could control the galaxy, but you're wrong in one thing.

What's that, Aaron?

Disaster.

Pouring his life, his soul into the vision, he felt, heard, Revan scream. The vision of disaster Aaron had seen while under the influence of the Star Forge poured through Revan and paralyzed his voice for anything else. He saw, as did Aaron, what the return of Revan would do to the galaxy, a galaxy of blood and, ultimately, utter destruction. No life. Anywhere. Nothing to rule. No sentient left alive. Not even the Sith. Revan knew what that meant as well as Aaron. Ruling was not always worth the price.

Aaron could feel the turmoil in Revan. He knew that their thoughts, for this once, were the same. This couldn't happen.

With a chuckle, Revan capitulated. We are not done, brother. I guess I should call you that, for lack of a better term...for now. Still, you saw as well as I did that it won't be enough. The Republic will fall...eventually.

Aaron didn't respond. The alternate vision had not missed his notice. Not long from now, in a galaxy not far away, there would be another...

'Aaron! Where are you? Are you ok?'

Without emotion, Aaron said, 'I'm here, Carth. Malak is dead.'

'Well, that's good news, but we have to get off this space station. The Republic ships are closing! The Sith are being routed! We don't have long before they rain down hell here! We have to get off!'

Turning, Aaron headed for the doors of the chamber. 'I'm coming, Carth. Get everyone to the ship.'

'I'm on it, boss. Don't tarry.'

This isn't over, Aaron.

I never thought it was, Revan.

Four Years Later...

General Aaron LightBlade stood on the bridge of the Reclaimer, the Flag Ship of the Republic, and gazed out into space. The Sith were obstinate. He would definitely give them that.

From the tactical station, General Desada, Aaron's executive officer, reported. 'General! The Sith have turned and they have destroyers! There! In the shadow of the moon!'

Aaron checked his displays. Yep. Those are destroyers. He chuckled. Not for long.

After the Star Forge, Aaron and the crew of the Ebon Hawk were hailed as heroes, even receiving the highest honors the Republic could bestow. On top of that, Aaron, Adria, Jolee, and Juhani had been hailed as the latest recipients of the Jedi Knight distinction. There were even rumors that Jolee was being considered for Master, all things considered, of course. It was all quite an honor. They had all accepted it stoically. For Aaron, it had been déjà vu. He had been there before. As for Bastila, no such distinction had been bestowed. In some ways, Aaron didn't understand, but in others...Bastila was still highly susceptible to the Dark Side. She was passionate. He, more than most, understood her passion. At least in one way, he had shared it.

When things had quieted, the real adventure had started as far as Aaron was concerned. The most surprising had been their report to the Jedi Council.

'You have all done well.' Master Vandar stood...proudly...before them, 'But...'

Looking from side to side, Aaron took the lead. 'But, Master?'

'I must apologize, Knight LightBlade. There are things that you must understand...without understanding.' Aaron said nothing. He knew it would do no good. 'First, you are now promoted to General Aaron LightBlade, General of the Republic Forces. You will take command of the Reclaimer, the Flagship of the Republic, and are charged with defeating the Sith. Your posting is immediate.'

Hesitating, Aaron bowed and said, 'As you instruct...Master.'

Aaron noted the strangeness of Master Vandar, Dorak, Vrook, and Zhar. Something wasn't right. Even among the other Masters, Korstan, Deseeree, Trang, Bester, Blok, Donovan, Kron, and the others, he could feel their...unease...discontent? Surely not!

Bowing slightly, Master Vandar said, 'And Bastila is to remain here. On Coruscant. With the Council.' Pausing, he continued, 'Your affair is considered...illicit. Your love...forbidden.' Raising his eyes, he faced Aaron, Revan very close to the surface, and said, 'You are to report to the fleet and take command, but Bastila stays here. Take the crew of the Ebon Hawk as your advisors, Jedi Knight. Take them...and Master Jolee...' Aaron was taken aback. 'Take them...and defeat the Sith once and for all.'

Aaron paused and weighed his words carefully. Taking a breath, he said, 'I need Bastila...Master. She is part of my...team. It was you who...' His jaw worked as he thought of what to say, what would convince them, but nothing came. It was Adria who came to his rescue.

Bowing graciously, Adria stepped forward and said, 'Master. Bastila has guided Padawan LightBlade...Knight LightBlade...through the trials of the Star Forge. Surely it is she who can guide him through the trials that are to come. It is she who...'

Snapping his hand down, Vandar took a step closer. 'No! You will do as the Council commands! Reva...Aaron and Bastila's love is forbidden! You should take the same council...Knight...' the word Knight carried a great deal of meaning. Sighing, Vandar relented...a little. 'Jedi...one and all...this is the will of the Council. Knight LightBlade. You are hereby promoted to the rank of General of the Republic Fleets. Per our agreement and due to your abilities as an excellent tactician, you will take command of the fleets and relieve Admiral Dodanna. You are charged with defeating the Sith. For the rest...you will continue in your roles as advisors to the General. Knight Teksuni. You are an excellent agent and have your place in the Force and within the Jedi...do not forget...your origin and how you came to be here.' Vandar sighed, but continued. His eyes lowered. 'You are all gifted if...unorthodox. It was the wisdom of the Council that sent you against the Star Forge and the Sith. It is that wisdom and trust that sends you forth now. Bastila stays here.'

Aaron said nothing. Adria, uncharacteristically, stepped back, but he could sense her discontent. From Juhani and Jolee, he sensed nothing. Looking at each member of the Jedi Council, Aaron let his eyes say all that he could possibly vocalize, but in the end, he said nothing. Instead, he stated flatly, 'As the Council commands.'

Turning on his heel, Aaron strode from the Jedi Council towards his new post. Without preamble, and with no courtesy, he relieved Dodanna, but his heart wasn't in it. Instead, he saved his anger...his rage...for the Sith.

And Between...after the Council...

Aaron stopped in the middle of the room and bowed. Master Vandar didn't acknowledge him, but stood facing the plaz window, staring into the cityscape of Coruscant. Taking the initiative, Aaron said, 'You summoned me...Master.'

Without turning, Vandar said, 'Yes...Revan.'

'Don't call me that!'

Turning to face Aaron, Vandar said, 'But that is who you are. Simply, Aaron is nothing more than the imagination of the Jedi Council...nothing more...nothing less.'

Aaron pursed his lips, but said nothing to the bait. Instead, he answered with, 'Aaron is that which you created. Nothing more...nothing less. You are the Master here, not me. Tell me...' Aaron paused for several seconds and then continued, 'Who are the Jedi Council to determine the fate of a man...Jedi or not?'

Vandar's lips curled in a smile. 'Very good...my apprentice.' Aaron said nothing. 'You did not forget all.'

'No...Vandar. I didn't. I was a Jedi Knight on the fast track to Master. Hell...I was nearly acknowledged as one until I defied you and went after the Mandalorians. Now...you treat me as if I were just another Padawan newly promoted to Knight. Your mistake.'

'How so?'

Aaron looked away and chuckled before meeting the Masters eyes. 'Please. Don't insult my intelligence...Master. I was the Dark Lord of the Sith. You know as well as I that I hold secrets you've never experienced. I still retain that knowledge and I remember everything. For that matter...in some ways, I'm far wiser than you...Master.'

'And the lesson?'

Aaron smiled. 'Unlike some of my contemporaries, I realize that the Dark Side is not the proper path. Nothing else. Only the Force...' Aaron chuckled. '...knows best.'

A small smile creased Vandar's lips. 'Very good, my apprentice. An admission beyond your years...'

'...And your guilt.'

Vandar smile again. '...And my guilt. Yes. Does that please you?'

'Not in the least.'

'Good.'

The silence was comfortable. Aaron was used to it. Vandar rarely spoke so much. Still, his discontent would not be silent. Carefully, he said, 'You did not defend me before the Council, Master. Bastila and I...love cannot be denied. I do love her. She loves me. Master?'

Vandar bowed his head for several long seconds before meeting Aaron's eyes. When he did, Aaron knew that the conversation would end here. Vandar would not be denied. He was always right. 'When the time comes, my apprentice, you will let her go...no matter your feelings. Master? You should be one, but the Council has not decreed it. Your emotion...those of Bastila...limit you. That and your inability to succumb to the Dark Side.' Succumb. Aaron was shocked. Succumb? Vandar noted his shock but didn't acknowledge it. 'Follow your heart, my Padawan, for that is how you shall always be to me. My Padawan. Remember this. Emotion can guide or lead, but to succumb...to succumb...' Vandar paused sadly, '...that is your doom. One day, you will be whole again. Until then, let Aaron guide you, not that which you hold within you.' Vandar smiled. 'Yes, my Padawan, my new Knight, I know your turmoil and the battle within. You, Aaron, cannot turn, but do not relinquish control...to your captive. Disaster that would be.'

Without another word, Aaron soaked in the Vandar's wisdom, but didn't reply. There seemed to be no need. Nodding to Master Vandar, Aaron turned and left his quarters, his heart heavy, but his mission clear.

'General?' The touch came from a long way away. 'General...' Hesitant, but solid. 'General, we must do something.'

Aaron's awareness snapped back to the now. With a sudden realization, he knew that he had been caught up in a vision of the past, not just daydreaming, but reliving it and right now, that was dangerous. He had a fleet to defeat. Looking at the hand on his forearm, he met the eyes of General Desada next to him and smiled. 'Don't worry, Marcus, I was just studying them. Please, spring our surprise.'

General Marcus Desada grinned. 'Yes, sir!' Turning, he raised his voice so that the entire bridge crew could hear him. 'Notify the reserves. Have them drop in at...' he checked the display. 'Point one zero zero nine three. Have them shove a their guns down those Sith bastards throats!'

As Aaron watched, Republic destroyers dropped out of hyperspace right into the midst of the Sith destroyers. It was a risky, nearly suicidal maneuver, but he had known how to implement it even if his crew had doubted. At point blank range and with superior numbers, the Republic fleet set about shredding the Sith with the surprise move, Aaron smiling as he thought, One step closer to ending this. It has drawn on too long...just a little longer and the Sith will be through.

It won't be enough, you know.

Shut up, Revan! Not today.

He felt the presence withdraw into the shadows of his mind, but not without one last barb. As you command...Aaron. But I'll be back and someday, and so will the Sith.

He hadn't realized he had had his eyes closed until the presence slipped away. No one had seemed to notice. Looking up, he saw them all focused on the last destroyer as it vaporized under the heavy bombardment, one more victory with few losses. Aaron had surpassed even Revan for battlefield brilliance and it hadn't gone unnoticed. Still, there was that one little place in his heart that even the satisfaction of victory couldn't fill. But soon, he would be able to sate it, if only for a moment. He had only seen her once since he had left Coruscant, once when he had needed her skills against a particularly nasty foe, but it had been brief. Still, not long from now, he would see her again and maybe, just maybe, he would feel whole for a moment.

Two Years Ago on Coruscant

'I leave tomorrow.'

'I know.'

'Come with me.'

'You know I can't.'

'Why?'

'I won't defy the Council.'

'I did.'

'You saw where it led.'

'This is different.'

'Is it?'

Aaron's green eyes met Bastilas. This was entirely too painful for them both, but he didn't know how to relieve them of their burden. Walking across the room, he slid his hands around her from behind and pulled her back against him. She didn't resist. Instead, she put her hands over his and leaned her head back, eyes closed, and let his warmth comfort her.

Leaning over just a bit, he murmured, 'We have tonight.'

Turning in his arms, she looked up at him as her hands slid around his shoulders and neck. 'Yes.' A sad smile touched her lips. 'We have tonight.'

Nine Months Ago, Aboard the Reclaimer

'Well done, General! That was brilliant!'

'We couldn't have done it without Bastila, Marcus. Where did she go?'

'I believe she returned to her quarters, Sir. Shall I have her paged?'

'No, that's alright. Take command and start the cleanup. I'll be in my own quarters if you need me.'

Grinning, Desada said, 'Yes sir! Well done, sir.'

'Thanks.'

Aaron didn't head for his own quarters. He headed for Bastila's. Trying the door, he found it locked, but quickly overrode it with his command code. Stepping in, he found it dark...and empty. Sighing, he turned and headed to his own opulent quarters aboard ship. As he walked in, he felt her before he saw her.

Turning, his eyes fell on Bastila, she standing next to the bed, her Jedi Robes discarded onto the floor, she wearing only her undergarments. His heart jumped.

Looking at him, she stated flatly. 'You know this is forbidden.'

'Yes.'

'Well...as long as you know.'

He closed the gap between them in a flash.

'When are you returning to Coruscant?'

Bastila groaned. 'Tomorrow...' looking at the chrono, she amended. 'Today.'

Aaron said nothing. He pulled her tighter to him. Guiltily, he asked, 'Have you taken other lovers?'

Looking up at him, she parried with, 'Have you?'

He grimaced. 'Yes.'

'Did it help?'

'No.'

'Nor for me.'

They fell into a quiet silence. Rolling over, he looked down at her. 'We don't have much longer.'

'What are we going to do, Aaron?'

'I don't know. I'm trying not to think beyond now.'

She said nothing as she drew him down for a kiss.

Now...

Aaron returned from his lunch with a lighter step. It wouldn't be long now. Approaching the communications station, he asked, 'Where is the Day Flyer now, Ensign?'

The young Ensign smiled shyly at Aaron. She was new to the bridge crew, newly promoted and still not used to the 'legendary' General of the Republic. He smiled encouragingly back. Swallowing, she said, 'They are one hour out, Sir.' Suddenly, her eyebrows crinkled in confusion and then cleared, as she understood the incoming message. Aaron felt the disturbance in the Force before she confirmed what he already knew. 'Sir! They're under attack! They're...'

'General Desada! Get us turned around! I want us in hyperspace now!' He knew even as he said it that is was too late.

Behind him, the young Ensign, Carrie Huling of Alderaan he recalled with perfect clarity for some reason, sounded near shock. 'Sir...I...I think...Sir...the Day Flyer...it's gone, Sir.' The last came out in a whisper.

Aaron stood frozen in the center of the bridge. Finding his voice, he asked, 'Where is the other ship?'

The Ensign checked her readings against the tactical station. 'I'm...I'm not sure, Sir. It looks like it was destroyed...ripped apart. There is a tremendous debris field.'

Turning around, he looked at Desada. 'General. Get us there. Now.'

'Yes sir!'

Aaron looked at the sensors, but he knew the Day Flyer was gone. Not destroyed. Vanished. Only the other ship, a random pirate or mercenary, probably hired by the Sith, hunting Bastila, remained, but it was in so many pieces...Ensign Huling had been right. Blaster or missile fire hadn't destroyed the ship. It had been ripped apart by...something. The Day Flyer, on the other hand, had simply disappeared. Vanished.

General Desada walked up to Aaron. 'Sir, the debris field extends out...' Aaron stopped listening. The Force was flowing through him as he stretched out his senses, both internally and into space. He knew. Knew it with a certainty. Bastila was gone...but she wasn't dead. As far as he could tell, she had simply disappeared from existence.