Epilog: Death and the Star Forge

Finally updated! Thanks times one million gizka to Moonmythology, my wonderful beta.

Carth stood nervously, blasters drawn and ready, with his eyes darting about for any signs of trouble. They hadn't encountered a hostile for nearly five minutes. Being as experienced in combat as he was, he knew that this wasn't necessarily a good sign. An explosion elsewhere in the massive construct caused the floor beneath him to shake violently. He knew there wasn't much time left.

He kept a weary eye on Bastila who sat silently nearby. Ever since she started using her battle meditation to aid the Republic the Star Forge has been under constant bombardment. It wouldn't last much longer and Revan still hadn't returned.

Revan had run off on her own some time ago, apparently wishing to confront Darth Malak on her own. She shouted for the others to leave before swiftly closing and locking the blast doors behind her. Carth had pounded on the doors and shouted but received no answer. The only things that could be heard from the other side were the just barely audible sounds of battle. Carth attempted to reach her on her communicator, but it was broken. It hadn't worked since it was damaged on the Rakatas' planet.

It had been nearly twenty minutes since Revan had run off. Canderous, swore as he nearly lost his balance as another tremor rocked the Star Forge. Suddenly, Bastila stood and turned to the men. Carth instantly leveled his blaster at her.

'We need to leave, now,' Bastila demanded.

'Not without her!' Carth shouted.

'Just give Revan a few more minutes.'

Bastila turned her attention to the Mandalorian. 'In a few more minutes we'll all be dead!'

'We can't just leave her!'

'There's another hangar. We can land the Hawk near the Observation Tower. That's where they are now, I'm certain. If we leave now we might yet make it in time. '

Both combatants were thoroughly exhausted. Up until this point, they'd both been engaged the battle of the century. But now there was a pause. Another blast, nearby, had thrown both combatants off balance. They rose slowly, each breathing and bleeding heavily. Their eyes locked.

'This is the end.' Malak spoke, his voice dark, metallic, and tired.

'...Yeah.' Fighting was nearly useless now, she knew. The Star Forge wouldn't last much longer. There was no way off. In a few moments, it won't matter who wins, they'll both be dead. 'This is the way of the dark side, Malak...'

'All things end in death' They finished in unison.

Revan smirked. 'Smart-Alec'

Malak gave an inhuman chuckle. 'Well then,' He resumed his combat stance. 'Shall we?'

She spun her lightsabers. It really wouldn't matter who won. Not to anyone except the two of them. It was a matter of principle. Each desired only to prove the superiority of their alignment to the other. 'Besides,' a devious part of her mused, 'this is much more fun than standing around waiting to explode.

Suddenly, both combatants lunged at each other. With every clash of lightsabers, red light illuminated determined faces. Revan brought her right lightsaber down over her head. Malak skillfully blocked with his own lightsaber while simultaneously catching her left wrist with his free hand, preventing her second lightsaber from bisecting him. Malak forced her right lightsaber down with his. Revan did her best to resist but was little match for him in terms of brute strength. Revan watched as her own blade was pushed closer its master. Just as her saber began to cut into her shoulder, Revan kicked Malak's midsection with all her might.

Malak was pushed backwards by the force of the blow. Slightly winded, it took him a second to recover. A situation which Revan was quick to take advantage of. She swung her now free lightsaber down. Malak released his grip on Revan's wrist and retracted his hand just in time to avoid being dismembered. Instantly, Revan unleashed a flurry of lightsaber strikes. Now Malak was on the defensive. It was all he could do to block her dizzyingly fast twin blades with his single saber.

With a sudden leap backwards, Malak put a just enough space between himself and Revan. He unleashed a powerful torrent of force lightning, stopping Revan's headlong charge. Revan lifted one lightsaber just in time to block what would have been a fatal strike. Malak's blade collided with hers with such might, Revan's blade was knocked out of her hand. The two combatants' weapons were crashing together with lightning-quick strikes even as Revan's lost blade continued to fly across the room.

The instant Carth was in his pilot's seat he punched the throttle and took off. He, the crew, and a few Jedi stragglers had hastily boarded the ship. Nobody had time to secure their safety harnesses before the Hawk cleared the hangar at breakneck speed. They all knew what was coming; it was only a matter of time before the super weapon would die. They were racing the clock. And losing.

Bastila guided Carth to the hangar closest to the Observation Tower. If he'd known it was there, he might have landed there to begin with. Carth had comparably little trouble landing the Hawk for the second time. Most of the Sith were too preoccupied with being destroyed by other Republic forces or evacuating the Star Forge. The freighter's only major hazards were from friendly fire and the ever-present risk that the massive construct would blow before they were clear.

As they touched down, Carth was tormented with the thought of what would happen if Revan had survived and returned the first hangar only to find it empty. There wouldn't be time to go back for her. Or, even worse, what if he reached the observation deck only to find her broken body? Over her would stand a victorious Malak. There was no doubt that he would gratefully reward them with death for kindly providing him with a ship by which to escape. The very thought made him ill.

It seemed to take an eternity to reach the Observation Deck. Several Jedi, including Bastila, Juhani, and Jolee used the force to hasten their steps. They reached their destination first, coming to an abrupt halt upon entering the room. Carth shoved past them, arriving just in time to witness Revan fall.

There was a hiss as the last lightsaber was extinguished. A body fell to the floor. Death would soon claim the mumbling Sith Lord. The victor limped towards her fallen adversary. The quaking was constant now. Sparks and debris were flying everywhere. Soon, there were two bodies on the floor.

Malak coughed. 'Revan? Alive?'

'...For the moment.' She made a vain attempt to stand. When her body wouldn't cooperate, she settled for kneeling.

' I . . . I cannot help but wonder, Revan. What would have happened had our positions been reversed? What if fate had decreed I would be captured by the Jedi? Could I have returned to the light, as you did? If you had not led me down the dark path in the first place, what destiny would I have found?"

She couldn't believe her ears. Imminent death affected the mind in peculiar ways. 'I am sorry...' For so many things. 'That I started you on this path.' She bowed her head and coughed. Blood splattered the floor. 'But you... You chose to continue down it.'

'I suppose... I suppose you speak the truth,' he admitted, much to Revan's surprise. Slowly and shakily, she crawled closer. She wanted to hear every word. 'I alone must accept responsibility for my fate.'

Malak felt a slight prick in his leg; a medpac injection. He tried to laugh at her useless gesture, but found it painful. He heard her sigh as she injected herself as well. Their injuries were too grave for simple medpac treatment to do much good; they'd just die slower. It would take significantly more medical care to save them. Not that being healthy would serve either of them on that death trap with no conceivable means of escape left. Revan's purpose, he figured, was to use the medication to ease their pain somewhat as death found them.

Revan collapsed again onto the cold floor. Lying there, on her back beside her old friend, apprentice, and enemy, she couldn't help but marvel at the improbable workings of destiny that had brought then to this point. It was their fault, all of it. The war and destruction and the countless deaths resulting, and the corruption of innumerable others was because of these two. The blood was on their hands.

What if they'd obeyed the Jedi council and not left to fight the Mandalorians? Would the Republic have won? Would other Jedi have fought anyway? Would those Jedi have fallen to the dark side and returned to conquer the Republic as well? Would they have been as successful? Or would the Republic be left in peace? What if the Mandalorians has won? Would the galaxy be any better off than it is now? Maybe there was simply something rotten inside Revan and Malak and they would have turned to the dark side regardless of any Mandalorian threat?

The possibilities were endless, but contemplating them was pointless. This was reality. They'd both be punished for their transgressions. The very weapon they'd found and used for their dark purposes would finally execute them. Poetic justice.

Revan stared straight up through the unreasonably high, transparent ceiling and out into the endless void of space, watching the battle still raging outside. Her vision blurred. A nearby Sith ship met a violent end overhead. It would all be over soon. A single tear fell as she silently apologized to the universe. She had so much to apologize for. In all of the languages she knew, there were no words to adequately express her grief and regret.

'I'll direct your question back to you, Malak.' Her voice was barely audible anymore. 'Could you have returned to the light, do you think? If...' She struggled for a moment to lift her head. She gave up and let it rest once more on the ground. 'If you could start over, with a clean slate of a mind...' She sighed. 'Would you even want that?' She didn't hear any reply, if there even was one.

Ironic as it was considering her situation, for the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. Revan couldn't think of a better way for it all to end. Darth Revan and Darth Malak would be destroyed by their own weapon. The deaths of countless innocents would be avenged at last. And finally, most importantly, the war would surely end. This was the closest thing Revan could do to redeem herself. She couldn't un-do the damage once done, but she could put an end to what she herself began. She was content with her demise.

As she closed her eyes and her world dissolved, her only thought left was of her crew. Did they make it? Did they flee as she had ordered them too? Would they have nice lives? Would... She thought she heard footsteps and shouting over the deafening sounds of destruction. There was a loud crash nearby as something heavy fell from above. Her vision darkened. And then there was nothingness.

Flying debris and random explosions made movement as hazardous as being still. The Jedi utilized the force guide their steps. With their senses heightened, they were able to overhear the conversation across the room.

The Jedi crossed the room slowly and cautiously. Carth and Canderous quickly caught up. Soon, they overtook the Jedi. The two men threw caution to the wind and ran headlong towards their goal.

Just as the rescuers closed the gap to a mere ten meters, a support high above their heads failed. A massive hunk of metal plummeted and slammed onto the floor with an earsplitting crash. Fortunately, the bulk of it missed Revan's fallen body my mere inches.

Carth, out of breath, reached Revan first. He lifted the damaged woman's head off the ground. Her eyes were shut and she wasn't responding. But she was alive, barely. 'Tory!' He shook her. 'Tory!'

Her eyes fluttered open. '...wuh...?' Her voice was a weak breath. Gently, Carth placed one hand beneath her cheek and lifted her face. She gazed at his face disbelievingly. She couldn't believe he'd actually come for her. Yet there he was, smiling down at her with watery eyes. He kept his promise.

Carth thanked the Force as he embraced her tightly. He hadn't lost her. She was alive, for the moment. She blinked, slightly irritated. 'Dammit, Onasi.' He pulled back to examine at her. There was so much blood it was hard to tell where she was injured.

Revan was struggling to keep her eyes open. '... 'Bout to blow,' she mumbled as her head slumped forward. Carth hastily treated her with a medpac '... Told ya to leave...'

'Hey!' Canderous roared from somewhere nearby. He didn't need to verbally remind everyone of the Star Forge's impending destruction. He grunted as he lifted something heavy onto his broad shoulders. 'Let's get the frack out of here!'

Carth stood, cradling Revan's limp and unconscious body in his arms. 'Not without you, beautiful.'

Carth hurriedly passed Revan's body off to Zalbaar as he then sprinted to the cockpit. Carth pushed the throttle as far as it could go. The G's pushed everyone back hard but there was so time for comfort. The Star Forge would not survive much longer.

Just as the Ebon Hawk reached a safe distance, the inevitable happened. The dark giant shuddered as random blasts dotted its deteriorating surface. All eyes watched as the Star Forge was finally consumed by the very star that it had been feeding from. Most of the Sith survivors had already fled. The ones that hadn't were quickly destroyed by the Republic mop-up. At last, it was over. They won.

Mission joyously jumped and 'whooped' as she gave Carth tight squeeze. She immediately sum and threw he arms around Zalbaar next. Her Wookiee companion responded with a triumphant roar. HK-47 offered several gleeful exclamations expressing his appreciation for destruction and carnage.

Admiral Dodonna addressed all points. It was difficult to hear her over the boisterous cheering on both ends. She congratulated her troops and ordered them to rendezvous on a nearby planet. Carth had sent her the coordinated for the newly discovered planet earlier.

Carth relinquished control of the ship and left the cockpit. Canderous sat immediately seized the pilot's seat. He called over his shoulder for Carth to bring him a drink. Except for an eye roll, Carth didn't respond. He just wanted to get to the medical room to be with Revan.

'What do you mean I can't go in?!'

'I am sorry. But I cannot allow you inside.' Said one of the two Jedi sanding in front of the medical room's sealed door. Carth had never met these Jedi before; they were guests aboard his ship, survivors from the Star Forge. As far as he was concerned, they had absolutely no business ordering him around on his own ship.

'I have to see her!' He tried to shove past but the Jedi held him back.

'I assure you, your friend is being cared for as we speak. For now, it would be best if you just waited out here.'

'Why?! Why can't I see her now?' The furious man demanded.

'Query,' A metallic voice spoke up. 'Do you require assistance, companion of the master?' Without waiting for an answer, the droid lifted his heavy blaster. 'Warning: Stand between us and the master and I'll splatter your slimy meatbag innards all over the interior of this vessel.'

Zalbaar, who no one had even noticed before, leaned in and roared threateningly in the face of one of the Jedi guards. The powerful Wookiee then unceremoniously lifted the Jedi and moved him out of the way. The other, who currently had HK's blaster pressed against his face, merely sighed and stepped aside. Carth gave a brief thanks to the pair as he opened the door and stepped inside.

Bastila gasped and stood quickly as Carth entered the small medical room. He rushed straight to Revan's bedside and kneeled down beside Jolee. Jolee and another Jedi didn't appear to notice the young man but simply continued to focus on using the force to keep Revan stable. Carth cupped on of her bloody hands in his. She felt cold to the touch.

'You... you should not be in here,' Bastila finally spoke up.

'Was it your idea to keep everyone out?' He asked heatedly. When he gave her a warning look, Carth noticed how nervous Bastila looked. Her eyes were wide, her face was paler than usual, and she wasn't quite able to stand still. Behind her, Juhani was tending to someone on the other bed. Carth couldn't see the patient's face. Bastila was standing directly in his path of view.

Suspicious, Carth rose slowly and squared himself to the young Jedi. 'Who is that?' Bastila opened her mouth but formed no words.

Carth peeked over her shoulder and was shocked. He roughly shoved Bastila aside and stared at the dying man. He bore his teeth and clenched his fists as white-hot rage filled his body. He whirled around to face Bastila.

'What the frack is he doing here?!' He spat.

Bastila backed up to the wall. She'd never thought she'd be afraid of Carth like this.

'Don't go taking it out on her,' the wise Jolee said. 'It wasn't her idea.'

'Who's was it then?'

'Don't you go raising your voice to me, young man!'

'Answer me!'

Jolee turned to the Jedi kneeling beside him and shock his head. 'Hmph. Kids these days. I tell ya. No respect for their elders.'

'Damn it, Jolee! Damn it!' He cursed the room in general. He threw on last digested glare at the unconscious Sith lord laying on the medical bed. Then, still cursing, Carth stormed out of the room. The Jedi inside could hear Carth's retreating stomps and a loud crash as the furious man threw something heavy to the ground. A stunned silence filled the room.

Jolee smiled at Bastila, who was still trembling against the wall. 'I'd say he's taking this rather well.' Bastila forced a breathy laugh and returned to the task of keeping Malak alive.