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Knights of the Old Republic III: Revenge of the Sith - Part X: Return of the Jedi

Submitted by WebMistressGina on April 8, 2008 - 12:17pm.

*pokes head around the corner* Hey everybody! Happy New Year! *sees angry mob with lightersabers, pitchforks, and torches* Wow. That...angry, huh? So...okay look, um this thing called life happened and...World of Warcraft, but hey! Guess what? I got back into Star Wars again! Yay! *mob just looks at her* Ok, I know, I know. This fic of mine kinda lapsed into a coma, one that I had hoped wouldn't take a bazillion years, but...on the good side, I have started working on this again. I wanted to get in contact with you all, but I didn't know how :( Hopefully you guys got your 'author' alerts up and you'll know that I've actually updated.

I seriously want to know what everyone thinks of this. Because it was on hold for so long, I hoped that I managed to merged what I previously wrote with what I've added after this time. So this time I will actually BEG you for your reviews!

This is gonna be a long, LONG chapter you guys, so bookmark it if you need to read later or print out to read while at work. Quick shout outs to my regular sites of gamebanshee, as well as Karen Travvis for her work on the Mandalorian language. From her guide, I present the conversation seen later and in the sequel. I also want to thank the Tubertarian site (www.tubertian.com) where I found the cut scenes from The Sith Lords that I've written in this piece. And some props of course go to the TSL Restoration Project for putting all of those cut scenes back into TSL.

One more thing I re-read what I had previously written and discovered I made a mistake, but I'm going to fix it here -

Earlier in part 6, Revan has a flashback of being visited by the spirit of one of the True Sith. I intended this to be that of Naga Sadow. However, later he meets another Sith spirit who is NOT Naga Sadow. Please take this as the ancient Sith came to Revan in all forms and different personas. The rest is explained further.

Just to clarify!

A quick summary of the last part - After being captured by Revan, Darth Trayun is given a choice: help Revan and the others destroy the True Sith or give up all hope of seeing his wife and child again. Meanwhile Darth Casus becomes extremely worried when his True Sith masters don't seem to be concerned that their leader has been captured; he becomes even more concerned when they give him a mission of watching over a prisoner he knows quite well. The Supreme Chancellor gets in touch with Revan to tell him that the Sith have taken over the Senate; he then gives his approval for Republic support in the war against the True Sith.

And now I give you part ten...

DISCLAIMER: As everyone should know, I do not own Knights of the Old Republic or the characters within this game. Nor am I making any money from this publication.

STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC III

REVENGE OF THE SITH

PART X - RETURN OF THE JEDI

The Jedi Order and its followers - looked upon now with distain - have always helped the Republic when the need was so great, there was no other way. In the wake of the Mandalorian War and the Jedi Civil War, there are very few Jedi left to even combat a small resistance of Sith troops and members.

In the darkness that is to come, will those last remaining persons that call themselves Jedi answer the call from the Republic? Or have the Sith influenced the hands of war?

To be a specter, kept alive by the power of the Force, was something all Jedi Masters sought to achieve. It meant that one was so truly in touch with not only the Force itself, but who was also in touch with the needs of the Republic and its citizens. It was something only a handful of Jedi were able to accomplishment. The feat would then allow that spirit to speak to someone who needed guidance and counseling.

The opposite was true for those that called themselves Sith. To achieve the power of everlasting life was something that took a hold on you and one that could not be undone. A very few of these individuals managed such a feat, as it was always paid with a high price if one achieved it. However, despite the cons to doing so, the practice left too much to the imagination and those that actually lived on through the Force were able to instruct new legions of Sith.

It was tradition.

One of these spirits was that of Freedon Nadd, one of the first of the new Sith to be converted. He, like many before and after him, had been a student of the Jedi. But their meandering and their reluctance for anything that evolved any real skill forced him to seek his destiny elsewhere. He hungered for power and the rightful use to the Force as a means to that power and the Jedi denied him that right. So he sought off looking for his destiny, finally coming in to contact with the spirit of Naga Sadow, who trained him and molded him.

Soon, the ambitious Nadd was everything that Sadow could not be as a spirit and as in all Sith passages, the apprentice defeated the master. Nadd was soon to become one of the most glorious of Sith lords in quite some time, especially one who was not pure blooded like his master. But that was all right, because the True Sith have always watched and waited. And when Nadd was finally defeated and locked away in the tomb of Dxun, there were others.

One of those was a student of Nadd's; another overachiever in the stoic and weak Jedi Order. This was Exar Kun and it was his war that started the downfall for the Republic and the rise of the Sith. Though this former lord was betrayed by his own apprentice, he had made a name for himself. Even now, fifty some years later, the Republic still talked of his exploits, of his deeds, of his treachery.

It was these two specters that held special places on the Sith Council. In the ancient times of the Sith, ten members would sit on this council, all members being made up of Dark Lords. It was these ten members who oversaw the Sith Empire and their worlds and who would make decisions regarding the planets they had overtaken. The present Sith Council however, was only a little over half of what it would normally be. It was headed by the spirit of Marka Ragnos, one of the most feared and admired of all the dark lords. Ragnos' death had prompted the end of his empire as he knew it, while his spirit was known to set the course of the Exar Kun war -- joining Kun and Ulic Qel Droma as master and apprentice. It was only fitting that he be seated as head.

It was Ragnos who first felt the signs of hope stir within his ghostly soul at the prospect of regaining his empire. The two other lords who sat with him, those he never knew by name, were pushovers and inconsequential to his plans. So when he ordered a group of his Sith troops to destroy them with the amulet he possessed, they were quickly removed from the works. That left him, the spirits of Nadd and Kun - both who reminded him of his other apprentices, Ludo Kressh and Naga Sadow -- and two others. The former two were a little too eager at wanting to destroy the Republic once and for all, but even he took a liking to their ruthlessness.

However, he had concerns. He had another vision and like those he had had before, it was short and seemed an omen. He called forth his higher council mates to warn them of what he saw. 'An omen?' asked Kun, a small smirk on his pale face. 'It sounds as though our Lord Trayun will prevail yet.'

'It is not him that I worry for,' Ragnos insisted. 'It is that apprentice, Lord Casus, that concerns me. Not to mention that of his wife and child.'

'Do not worry yourself, Master Ragnos,' Nadd replied, bowing slightly. 'Lord Kun and I have that all taken care of. We have discussed it at length and we have our own way of combating the problem.'

'Do the two of you now run the council alone?' seethed Ragnos. 'Am I to understand you decided this yourselves?'

'Forgive us, Master Ragnos,' Kun said. 'We meant no disrespect; only that we talked about how to handle this situation. You have to understand that Lord Nadd was extremely upset to learn that his own apprentice was aiding a Republic spy, but as he stated, we have discovered ways of handling that problem.'

'And what of the girl?' the elderly ghost asked. 'In my vision, she is present, but I do not see what happens afterwards. She is a liability to him.'

'Allow us to then present you with our thoughts, Master,' Nadd interjected. 'If Lord Trayun wishes to keep the girl, he may. We would like to view this as a...tutelage, if you will. Certainly, the ancient race of Sith believed in hierarchy and that of passing down one's powers to their offspring. Simply transfer this to our own situation. Once the girl has stopped breeding, we'll simply rid ourselves of her, keeping Trayun and his offspring within the Sith.'

Ragnos seemed to take this as an appropriate response, for he nodded his approval to both the specters in front of him. 'It is sound,' he murmured. 'However, in future cases, do not assume to easily sweet talk me. I am head of this council and you will both do well to remember it.' With that, the spirit shimmered away, off to some part of the planet that he called his own. The two remaining spirits stood, looking at the faded mist that signaled their master had left.

'Meddlesome fool,' Kun spat, his face twisted in anger. 'Who does he think he is?'

'He is Marka Ragnos,' Nadd answered. 'Once feared, now only a simpering and battered ghost. Are the plans we have for him in place?'

'Yes Master,' the younger specter nodded. 'However, may I suggest we put our plan concerning Lord Casus into effect first?'

'We may need to,' the master replied. 'Word comes that Revan and the Republic are coming for us.'

'So Trayun has turned on us.'

'Not necessarily, my former student,' Nadd said. 'I think when he sees that we hold his wife and when he gives into his hatred and anger against Revan...I believe that Ragnos' vision will be correct. But we must push him into anger first. Yes, Master Kun, your idea is an excellent one and one that needs to happen while Revan tries to find us.'

'And Marka Ragnos?'

'Will hopefully not be with us when we confront Revan and Lord Trayun.'

Both spirits laughed at the implications. Kun nodded at Nadd. 'It is good to be working with you again, Master,' he said. 'I'm glad you didn't hold my destroying you personally.'

Nadd laughed at the notion. 'Why would I?' he asked. 'It is the way of the Sith; the apprentice shall challenge and defeat the master if he is to become Dark Lord. I did the same to my master in order to achieve all I did. Think nothing of it.'

Kun again nodded, a small grin on his face as he gave a farewell shake of his head and disappeared in smoke, leaving Freedon Nadd with a grin on his face as well.

Though the galaxy seemed calm on the surface, all around people could feel a nervous tension in the air. On the planet of Coruscant, the main hub of the galaxy itself, plans were being made for a war. The grisly realization that another war would be upon the Republic had been acknowledge by only one man for nearly five years, hoping against hope that his thoughts were mistaken, only to discover his former friend had helped along their enemies longer than anyone had thought.

News of this war had spread quickly through secure channels, asking and seeking aid in the matter. Of course the first calls were answered immediately, but when it was learned that not one, but two former Dark Lords of the Sith were leading the battle, many thought this was just a ploy for a take-over. It was only when the Supreme Chancellor -- someone who had also doubted the validity of the claim of war -- told those in power that they stop and listen.

As they feared, their army was small. Gone was the first class elite of the Republic Fleet and their powerful ships and men; replaced by ensigns and junior recruits who had never seen battle outside of the simulators. The true toll of the Jedi Civil War was seen in the small array of battleships the Republic had to offer; many of them having been destroyed in either the Mandalorian War or that of the Jedi Civil War. Most were thought to be a lost cause due to Revan and Malak's defection to the dark side, when they took a third of the ships with them to the Unknown Regions. Though their aid would come from the battered but alive Queen Talia and her forces on Onderon, the Mandalorian tribe of Ordo, and that of the Wookies, many were leery about these people and creatures.

They were even more leery about who their commander would be.

Revan never tried to pretend that people would flock to him once they knew the situation, but he felt slightly disappointed that many of the Republic officers gathered had so little respect and time for him. It seemed only the crew of the Sojourn had any inclination to listen to anything he said. It also didn't help that those who were assembled had also seen Ellis standing in the shadows, still dressed in his Sith attire. The group was assembled within the Senate building, with a much larger debriefing room. The Supreme Chancellor had called together those military leaders that he knew and trusted, most notably Admirals Carth Onasi and Forn Dodonna. The others Revan didn't know, but they certainly knew of him by the way they glared at him.

They also assembled Queen Talia and some of her staff that she trusted, Mandalore and the men he trusted, as well as a holo recording from Chief Zaalbar of the Wookies from the planet Kashyyyk. Revan would have also liked to have had Ellis' number two man with them, just to judge where this young man stood on everything, but as they had already discussed, this Lord Casus was soon to be under suspicion by their True Sith masters. He would have to have another talk with the young lord. Once everyone who should be assembled was, he felt it only fair to try to introduce this meeting.

'Thank you all for coming,' he began, clearing his throat as he saw the looks from his audience. 'I won't pretend that most of us here are on friendly terms, but I will hope that the fate of the galaxy is what will keep those that know me to stay and fight.'

'Excuse me, Lord Revan,' stated a young commander. 'We're all under the impression that there is to be another war. However, I find that completely hard to believe. There have been no large threats to the Republic, at least not ones that would warrant the call of our non-existent military.'

'Commander Warcent,' the Supreme Chancellor addressed. 'Surely you remembered the answer I gave you when I asked you to this meeting.'

'Yes sir, I do remember,' the young woman replied. 'But...what happened must be an isolated incident. Surely you are aware that we truly have no military to speak of!'

'That's what we're here for, princess,' Mandalore replied, turning to look at the young woman. 'In case your boys get tired before the real action starts.'

'How dare you!' Warcent exclaimed, standing from her chair and trying to intimate the clan leader. 'In case you have a short memory, Mandalorian, it was you and your people that started this mess in the first place! You're butchers, the lot of you!'

'Sit down, Commander!' Carth ordered, surprising those who had yet to see his role as a military leader. 'You were invited to this meeting to get first hand information about what we're up against. If you can't find it in you to be quiet and listen, perhaps we made a mistake in asking for your assistance.'

The young commander was put in her place, blushing deeply as she once again found her seat. 'We don't have time to argue,' Admiral Dodonna responded. 'Now I know many of us remember the dark lord Revan and I'm even positive that a small portion knew the Revan who came to the aid of the Republic when even the Jedi would not. All of that is in the past and where it needs to stay. From what I've heard, I think we have a serious problem on our hands and that's all the more reason to listen to any ideas that may come up.'

The heartfelt speech mollified those reluctant officers and earned a nod of respect from Revan. 'I'll try to keep this short,' he continued. 'Any thing you need to know, you may ask after I've finished. In a nut shell, the Mandalorian War was not started by the Mandalorians, but a group known as the Sith; a species that began on the planet of Ziost. These are the same species and offspring that begin the Great Hyperspace war, the war fought between the Republic and that of Naga Sadow and his Sith forces. These forces didn't die out as originally thought.

'It was Naga Sadow's spirit within the Force that taught Freedon Nadd, a fallen Jedi who went on to rule the planet of Onderon. In turn, it was Freedon Nadd who was the master to Exar Kun. I'm not sure who it was that approached Mandalore the Ultimate, but it was this encounter that lead the Mandalorians to begin raiding the worlds of the Outer Rim and the Republic.' He waited to make sure everyone was still listening before he continued. 'I...I don't know when, but at some point during the war, I stumbled on to some Sith artifacts and that in turn lead me to the planet of Malachor V. It was my hope to end the war on that planet, as it was a forbidden planet to the Mandalorians.

'From my studies, I delved more and more into the dark side of the Force, until I got to the point where...well, I basically converted several members of Jedi and Republic officers to my cause. That you already know. What you may not know is, after I was 'redeemed' by the Jedi and after the Jedi Civil War, I went looking for my past, which also involved destroying all of the Star Maps that had been used to make the Star Forge. Unfortunately, it only brought me closer to discovering something that had been bothering me since returning to Coruscant.

'Again, I don't know how, but I just know I discovered that these ancient Sith had not died out as we had originally thought.'

'How can you be sure?' Dodonna asked. 'That this...species as you called it aren't gone?'

'Because I have seen them,' Revan stated. 'And so has Darth Trayun there.'

Everyone's eyes moved toward the lone figure that stood against the wall, unmoving. 'How can we trust him?' asked a lieutenant. 'Isn't he one of the Sith?'

'The True Sith have something he wants back.' Revan stated.

'And that's all you need to know,' came the muttered retort from Ellis.

'You also need to know about the occupation on Onderon,' The Chancellor replied. 'As well as the trouble on Geonosis. These are not unrelated incidents, I assure you. Something has been afoot for some time and just today...just today, I was informed that there may be several members of the Senate who belong to the ranks of the Sith.'

Some of those unaware of this development were visibly and audibly shocked. 'That's impossible!' Warcent breathed.

'I assure you, Commander, it is no joke,' the Chancellor insisted. 'I was not only told by my would be assassin, but I have also spoken with Lt. Belyn here who also had her suspicions. I've only now confirmed these truths today.'

'This is a much more troubling situation than we originally thought,' Bastila stated, the first one of the crew to voice an opinion.

'The Chancellor is right,' Revan began. 'These incidents are not isolated; certainly not. This was a calculated move by the Sith to make sure that all was taken care of before they moved in completely.'

'If that's the case, then where do we go from here?' Dodonna asked, receiving similar nods from around her. 'How do we proceed? How do we stop this threat from fully reaching the Republic?'

'That's where you come in,' Revan said. 'I know the Republic is on shaky ground. I also know that the military is stretched thin, but we have to come up with a plan that will combat this new threat. I have such a plan, though I wouldn't say it's spectacular in any means.' He walked over to a transmitter, turning it on to reveal a planet, covered completely in ice. 'This is the planet of Ziost,' he began. 'This was the former capitol for the Sith empire before Naga Sadow's attack against the Republic.'

'I remember that planet,' an elderly man murmured. 'I read about in during my military history. The Republic and the Jedi made a complete sweep of that place, burning anything and everything, including anyone who may still have been on the planet. Cleansing, they called it; purging the world of the wrongs.'

'Retaliation is more like it,' Ellis spat. 'But you're right. That act alone assured that no living creature could live on the surface of the planet. However, I can tell you from experience, that underneath the surface is an area that quite inhabitable.'

'Go on,' Revan motioned, startling the Sith lord. He nodded to the image of the planet and repeated, 'Go on.'

The younger man took one last look at Revan before pushing himself off the wall and walking towards the holo. Pointing to an area near the northeastern side, he said, 'There's a mountain range; not a very large one, but large enough for an entrance. My...the Sith have built an underground base within this mountain range. It doesn't seem like much, but when you consider the power that they have, the power that they control along with the Force, the area is immense.

'You need to understand how the Sith use their power,' the young man continued. 'Their species was one that used heavy magic and alchemy. Their discovery and mating of the fallen Jedi only accentuated their control.'

'Are you saying that these Sith can use magic as well as the Force?' asked Dodonna incredulously.

'That's exactly what I'm saying,' Ellis responded. 'And the expertise in which they use it is quite efficient.'

'How do we combat something like this?'

'If we know the Sith,' Revan stated. 'Which we do, they will have both air and ground troops. The key for the Republic is to stop their aerial assault. If even one of their real ships or even holographic ones get through to the Core Worlds, we're all in trouble. The best course of action is to have the Republic Fleet fight off their air carriers.'

'Where does that leave you?' the Chancellor asked.

Both of the men that stood before the group looked at each other, both knowing where their positions in all of this would be. They better than anyone knew the Sith and knew their tactics; if anyone would get to the inner workings, it would be them. 'They're handling the ground troops,' Carth replied, seeing the knowing looks past between both men.

'Are there even Jedi left to combat ground troops?' asked one commander. 'There's no way we'd let the two of you down there without some sort of back up.'

Canderous laughed from his position. 'They've got it.'

'I know I'm asking a lot of you,' Revan said, his eyes scanning the people before him. 'To be truthful, this should be a fight that I should be doing; that I should be conducting alone. However, I never realized how far this had gone, how far the Sith had gotten into the Republic itself. This is truly a responsibility that should rest with me.'

'Revan...'

'It's true, Carth,' the young man interrupted. 'The burden is clearly with me, because I'm the one that brought about the destruction of the Republic in the first place. The point is, while I appreciate any help you can offer me, I will not be offended if anyone got up and walked out. This will be a war unlike any others, as we are clearly the underdog in this. You may be injured or you may even be killed. I won't hold it against you if you wanted no part in this.'

It was silent as those in the room contemplated what Revan had said. He was serious in what he had brought up -- it had been his actions in the Mandalorian War that had not only torn apart the Jedi Order, but was paramount to weakening the Republic. He regretted the weakness he had shown on Yavin 4 when he had seen the True Sith for the first time in years; he should've stood his ground and not left until they had been stopped.

'Of all the speeches I've heard in my military career,' Carth responded. 'That has to be the most idiotic and insulting.'

'Excuse me?'

'You really think none of us in this room would die to keep the Republic safe for our families and our loved ones?' the Admiral continued. 'Look around you, Rev; these men and women fought in the Jedi Civil War and the Mandalorian War. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if some even fought against Exar Kun. We fought to keep our home and everything we cared about safe; do you think we wouldn't give a second thought to doing it again?'

Everyone was slightly taken aback by the heart that Carth showed in his speech, none more so than Revan.

It seems that we finally see Adm. Onasi in action, Bastila ribbed.

Indeed.

'Adm. Onasi is right,' Dodonna said. 'We all became officers for a reason and in situations like these, it's important to the Republic as a whole that we stand together. What better cause than to ensure our way of life and in keeping people we care about safe?' Agreement went around the room, the apparent distrust that had been heavy earlier now seem to fade against the words of Carth and Dodonna. Revan gave his friend a smile and a nod in thanks.

Now the real planning begins.

The Czerka Corporation headquarters within the residential east wing of the Telos sector had seen a lot of activity since its conception after the Mandalorian Wars. Jana Lorso, the leader of this section of Czerka, had thought she had seen the end of the problems that plagued her work. With the help of the Jedi Exile, she had been able to assert control over the ridiculous Restoration Project started by those incompetent Ithorians and make sure that it was Czerka that ran the show. However, in light of the much talked about return of Revan, things hadn't been going so well for her.

With Revan back in the game, there had been some considerable heat leveled at her and Czerka, especially on the planet of Telos. She had heard that the Telos Council was looking into the actions of Czerka and the way they seemed to have driven the Ithorians off the planet; there was even the talk that Czerka would be ousted from Telos entirely. Jana wasn't that worried -- the exile and the Sith had virtually taken care of the opposition that would be needed to rid her and her operations. She wouldn't have anything to worry about.

She had an appointment later with someone who wanted to discuss making changes within the Czerka controlled region of the planet. She had balked at first, but when the man had explained what his plans were, she had to admit that it sounded interesting. So she had set up this appointment, to meet this man, and to hear his ideas. There was of course the thought that this was just a ploy for that new Sith Lord Trayun -- just to see if she was truly on their side. But Jana was always on the winning team and whichever side made the most money was one she was highly interested in.

What Jana Lorso didn't know, and couldn't know, was that her next appointment was with one Adat-ack, a Bith musician who just happened to be in the employment of a Sundjask 'Sunny' Ishim. Sunny had told Revan, nearly a year ago, that he would find a way to get Telos up and running again and that it wouldn't involve the Hutts or Czerka. It had taken him this long just to find contacts that weren't afraid to step up to those in power. He also had to keep a lowdown on the refugees that he was smuggling out of Nar Shaddaa. But in time, he was able to secure not only the contacts he needed, but some high profile ones as well. It wasn't a secret anymore that the Senate was crumbling due to corruption and that many of its members were actually members of the Sith. It was the right time to get people to consider what life would be like if the Sith were able to rule again, making it easy for Sunny to get the contacts that he did.

He was lucky enough that one of his refugees was the daughter of someone within the Senate -- someone who was just as appalled at the fate of the government as the rest of the galaxy. That contact was able to tell Sunny that the Ithorians, who had been running the Restoration Project on Telos, still wanted to help the planet as much as they could, but they were banned by Jana Lorso and Czerka. However, this contact was close to someone else, someone else who just happened to remember that Senator Robert Belyn, Jr. was sending money to the Czerka Corporation. All the person could say that it wasn't a venue that the Supreme Chancellor was aware of and that he thought the money was for 'services rendered' by Lorso. Sunny wasn't concerned what the supposed reason was; only that he notify someone who could do something about it.

Again, his contact within the Senate came through. This contact was himself a senator, a well respected one at that and someone who knew someone within Telos as well. It was all Sunny needed to pull off this plan. If it worked, Telos wouldn't have to worry about anything as long as the Jedi Force allowed it. If it failed, the Sith may take the planet or Czerka would continue to run it into the ground.

Neither option was a good one.

Veroba Dee was not happy. She had searched all of Dantooine and had yet to feel the Force of these 'lost Jedi' that the Sith masters had told her about. She had been on such a high after killing that intrepid old master Kumar; it had been so ridiculously easy to overpower him. Even if he had been a former Jedi, he was no match for her; none at all. She had left Ossus to head to Dantooine, the place the masters felt at least one of these Jedi were, but she had found nothing. She had debated about heading to Onderon, but the masters felt they had lost the planet for the time being. That's when they called her back to Ziost, where they were setting up for an attack on the Republic.

She wasted no time in getting there.

The former Jedi master wondered if the masters would be angry at her failure. She had returned without taking care of the mission they had given her. While she knew that the Jedi wouldn't have done anything about this, the Sith were not as forgiving. They wouldn't think twice about killing her. Perhaps that's why they were calling her to their planet. As she sailed through the stars, she only had a general area of where this new planet was, but as with the planet Thule, she had never been to this place, nor had she known of it while acting on the Jedi Council. Her navigation systems didn't go off, but her connection to the dark side did. She could feel the darkness of the planet within a few kilometers and she changed course to head straight into the murky depths of the galaxy.

The planet had been one giant forest at one point. Back when it had been the birthplace of the Sith species, the entire planet was covered in trees and the like. But after the defeat of Naga Sadow, the Jedi -- along with the Republic Fleet -- had made sure that nothing could ever live or even thrive on the planet ever again. What they didn't count on was the rich array of area that was underneath the tattered and barren remains of the top soil. It was to this clearing that Veroba was sent.

The True Sith had used their magic and resources to make the beautiful illusion of what their world once was. Only in the area that she landed did the former Jedi master see anything that once resembled the Sith world, a small forest literally growing in the backyard. But even this forest was not like any other. The trees, the creatures, the very earth was tainted by the dark side; everything was dulled in blacks and grays, making the planet even more eerie to those that could not handle the power that the darker side of the Force emitted. Landing her ship in the midst of these trees, she was met by a small group of Sith troops. Their commander welcomed her to the planet of Ziost, saying that their masters wanted to make sure she was given an escort to their citadel. He explained that the area was only an illusion and that her trek would lead her to the underbelly of the world, the belly of the beast so to speak.

The commander led the Sith apprentice up a cleared pathway, which led downwards nearly 20ft under the dirt they had left. Their passage downwards was that of a lift, with the commander telling her of the toll that building this underground structure had taken, saying that further down was a multi-level building -- at least three stories tall -- that held all the operations that the masters needed to converge on the Republic. The two walked through the first level -- which seemed to house the mounts of the true masters -- coming to another lift elevator. 'This citadel is based on one that had been here for many centuries, top side of course,' the commander replied, as they rode up to the top floor. 'The masters have hopes of turning this into a formidable fortress.'

'What exactly is on each floor here?' she asked, haughtingly.

'As you saw when we came in,' he said. 'The first floor is mainly for the creatures of the true masters, as well as our training facility. The top floor is where the masters have their counsel set up, along with a small landing pad for our ships, while the second floor is where the true masters have set up ingenious traps for that insufferable fool Revan and his band of rebel scum.'

'Do our masters really think Revan will make it this far?' Veroba asked, raising an eyebrow. 'That he'll actually manage to breach the hold of the dark side?'

'I can't really say, ma'am,' the officer said. 'Only that the masters want to be as readily prepared as necessary.'

The lift took them to the topmost part of the building, that of the third floor and where the True Sith council now sat, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Veroba. And when she entered, she found herself facing their ghostly images. Exar Kun and Freedon Nadd greeted her first, as did the lords on either side of them. Veroba knew there must have been some sort of 'house cleaning' as the commoners would say. There were several members of the council missing, most notably that of Marka Ragnos. 'You've noticed the changes, Master Veroba,' Kun replied, smiling as she stepped forward before them.

'I couldn't help not missing them, my master.'

'The council needed to ensure the mistakes of the past did not hinder our progress towards the future,' Nadd responded.

'That is why we requested your presence before us,' one specter said. 'We are aware you have not found the remaining Jedi that you were entrusted with.'

Veroba bowed her head; she knew she could hide nothing from her masters and she would be punished as she had originally thought. 'However,' it continued. 'It has come to our knowledge that there is some dissention within our ranks.' The Falleen's head popped up to look at the council.

'Who dares try to defy you, my lords?' she asked, vehemently.

'It seems that Lord Trayun's apprentices can not be trusted any longer.' Exar Kun stated. 'This is why we asked you here, Veroba.'

'We have taken care of the woman,' Nadd replied. 'But that leaves us with the problem of Lord Casus. We want you to take care of him.'

'It would be a pleasure, my master.'

'We thought you might need some help in the matter,' another of the spirits said. From an inner door, several Sith troops strolled in, with a large Wookie in between them. His furry paws were shackled and he seemed to be causing a raucous with his loud howling. Kun immediately stepped forward and put the beast down, sending several blasts of Force Lightening through the poor beast.

'You are ours now, beast,' the Sith lord sneered, forcing out the last word through his teeth. 'We only spare you in order to put you to our uses. Besides, we have a mutual threat that seeks to destroy both of us.'

'When these shackles are unchained from me, I shall kill you with my bare hands, spirit!' the beast growled, only to be met with the laughter of those around him.

'Ellis Yoly,' Kun continued. 'You know the name, yes? He was your captain aboard the Ebon Hawk.'

'I tolerated him because he knew of death.'

'Then you will tolerate us,' the Sith lord replied. 'His people are a threat to us and you, along with Veroba here, will take care of them for us.'

'My lord,' the Falleen whispered. 'Are you sure you trust this...creature...to carry out something so decisive upon our cause?'

Kun turned to look at his servant. 'While he may be a beast,' he said. 'He has the strength needed to crush our opposition. You do realize that once Lord Casus is disposed of, Lord Trayun won't be far behind. And if he has teamed with Revan, we will need someone to hold him.'

Veroba nodded, finally seeing the larger plan. 'It will be my pleasure killing Revan, my lord.' She said, smiling widely. 'I've wanted to be rid of him since his days as an arrogant, insolent brat at the Jedi Academy. I had hoped wiping his mind would be his death.'

'Think of this as your chance to right those wrongs.'

'We have sent Lord Casus and those loyal to Trayun out with the Necrosis,' Nadd began. 'We will download their trajectory to your nav-computer once you have left. You are to board their ship and kill everyone on board.'

'And what if Trayun or Revan finds us?' Veroba asked.

The council looked at her, all of them wearing the same Cheshire type smiles. 'That's exactly what we're hoping will happen.'

He was used to the good life, naturally. He was the son of a prominent senator who rose through the ranks to achieve the power and prestige of Supreme Chancellor. He himself rose up the ladder of intern, assistant, arrand boy to achieve his own success as a senator. He even managed to meet and marry a high ranking Republic officer. His role in power was set...

Then it took a wrong turn.

Robert Belyn, Jr. would never in his lifetime apologise for his association with the Sith, nor would he ever change his feelings about the Jedi. His retreat to the lock downed planet of Nar Shaddaa was just that - a retreat. He had told Kodis Basil that the assassin they hired seemed rather weak and timid and he didn't think the man had the capability to kill his father as ordered. And when he learned that he had been right - and Robert Belyn, Jr. was hardly ever wrong about anything - he was smart enough to know that this lowly peasant would indeed turn on them. Before the assassin began to sing his song of woe, Belyn had already booked himself on a ship to Nar Shadaa, knowing that he had a room reserved by the head of Czerka herself in case of emergencies.

At the very moment, he sat within this room, awaiting some word from one of Basil's lackeys, if one even existed. Robert hadn't gotten to where he was by being stupid. So far, there were small reports leaking out on the holo news about there being an attempt on the Chancellor's life. What wasn't being said was who was behind it and what was going on with the Senate itself. Robert was well aware of how many members backed him and that of his plans with the Sith, but he was worried that Revan and his motely crew were also aware. The senator wasn't going to kid himself and think perhaps his father wouldn't turn to the former Sith lord for help; he was actually prepared for it. While he had been extremely worried about not hearing from Darth Trayun, Robert knew that the current dark lord had the Exchange in his pocket.

And Czerka controled a major portion of that.

Robert had met Jana Lorso while on the planet of Telos for a meeting with the droid Goto. It had been Trayun, who was then an exile from the Jedi Order, that helped rid the planet of those meddlesome Ithorians and their ridiculous notions of profit and renewal. Lorso, who had small ties with the Exchange on Nar Shaddaa, knew of the group who held it in their hands. It was that little piece of information that Robert utilized when the time came to flee. He certainly couldn't afford to continue living on Coruscant and going to places where Revan had allies was no good as well. And Telos, while small and probably safe, was the planet of that tracherous dog Carth Onasi and the younger Belyn refused to step foot on the planet that was home to the man who stole his wife.

That was perhaps the worst part of being in a small room, nestled in the dock portion of Nar Shaddaa - and that was thinking about how that damned Onasi stole his wife. Granted, Robert wasn't as attentative as he probably should have been, but that certainly didn't give Lynsel the right to outright refuse to even speak with him. Robert was a great guy! What the hell did Onasi have that he didn't? Was it because he was an officer? So he made that comment once that her duty was to him and not the Republic, but that was parcially true. She was his wife and she needed to cater to him as she should. Running off to protect the Republic...he could even admit he could probably live with her 'Force abilities'. The thought had been there, of course, to offer her to the Sith, to possibily reprogram her to not be so...outspoken. That was his job, that's why he was a senator and she a meager Republic grunt.

Shaking his head, Robert let out a sigh of frustration. He wasn't used to living in these kinds of conditions and while he wasn't in the disgusting refugee sector, living on the docks wasn't a dream vacation either. Lorso had come through for him again, arranging for one of her suppliers to come by and deliver him food and most importantly, news of the outside. Being as he was a probable suspect in the attempted murder of his father, Robert couldn't really go out and mingle - not that he would on a planet of this statue - so for the last few weeks he had been hidden within this room. It was daunting of course, not to mention horribly boring. He had few amenities to speak of and when he let his mind wonder, it would of course go back to his cheating wife and the lecherous admiral who lusted after her.

But he did have something to look forward to. A few days ago, he had gotten word that his Sith employers were in the process of freeing him. It was easy on this planet, as it was Sith runned anyways. They had stated that, while it may take some time for him to be able to return to Coruscant, he would at least be able to walk around within the city and not be stuck in his little cell. He figured, once the Sith got rid of Revan, it was a simple matter of telling him he could be free, at least for the moment. Though he didn't know all the details, he did know that the Sith definately had the upper hand. There was no Republic Fleet to speak of and even Revan couldn't outwit a fleet of Sith troops, air cruisers, and masters. He may have defeated his apprentice Malak, but that was an easy task. Everyone knew Revan was all brains and Malak all brawn. It was a simple plan of using brains that unseated Malak. Robert knew this Lord Trayun was not like Malak. He was a Revan in the making and if anyone could defeat Revan, it was the Jedi exile turned Sith lord.

The only doubt the senator had was that he hadn't heard from Trayun in some time and as he told Basil in the gardens of Coruscant, that made him uneasy. Kodis may have dismissed it, but Robert hadn't. While he hoped things were still on track, he couldn't help but be worried with the lack of communications. Yes, the other Sith masters had contacted him, but he didn't like second hand information. And now he was in a place where he couldn't get that straight knowledge and he didn't like it. It unnerved him, made him nervous. But - and this was paramount - he needed to have a happier outlook. If he went around thinking negatively, nothing would get done. Perhaps the rumors were true and Trayun had been captured by Revan; that meant he was dead in all likelihood, but he did have two apprentices and then there were the Sith masters. Trayun was just the tool, he wasn't the mastermind and Robert counted them as being the people who would turn these unfortunate events around in his favor.

Besides, no one could prove it was Robert behind the assassination. It was one word against another and Robert had the upper hand. When things calmed down, he would make his return to Coruscant under the guise that he was being held on Nar Shaddaa. His father would easily forgive him and he would be back where he would be able to finish what had been started. By then, the Sith would be in control and Robert Junior, not Senior, would be Supreme Chancellor.

And Lynsel Belyn would be back at his side. Like the good old days.

Nothing could go wrong.

Everything in Atton screamed something was wrong.

After his last meeting with his Sith masters and making a short communications relay to Ellis, Atton tried to keep a low profile. Although he didn't see anything or even hear anything, something in his gut told him the masters knew of his betrayal. A string of events happened that left him uneasy.

First, he hadn't seen Brianna. The room she had been kept was now suddenly empty and when he asked her guards where she was, he was shocked to discover that they were new and didn't know anything about her. Second, upon notifying his masters on the pretense that Lady Salus had somehow escaped, they had reassured him that she had only been moved so they could watch her with a better eye. They wouldn't tell him where she was, only that she was no longer his concern. That of course sent warning alarms off in the former pilot's head. Then he had been given another mission. Word from their Senate servants said Revan was making his way towards the Outer Rim and the masters wanted Atton to stop him and his crew. The young lord was to take several men who were willing to rescue Darth Trayun.

The masters felt the longer Trayun was in Revan's grasp, the more damage could potentially be done to him and their ideals. They thought his time with the Republic was long enough and if they wanted to make that impact, they would need Trayun at their side. That certainly sounded reasonable to Atton and while he managed to tame some of his nervousness and anxiety, it didn't completely go away. He had lived too long with his own gut instincts saving him in most instances that even turning to the dark side didn't rid him of it. So that's why he couldn't understand what it was that had him so shook up. Maybe it was knowing that he couldn't see Brianna and ascern for himself that she was okay. They weren't close by any means, but Atton didn't want to see her maimed in anyway, even killed. And certainly not when she was expecting. Maybe that's what made him edgy - if Brianna was gone, so was that little bun in her oven. While Sith robes may hide a figure, Brianna was getting up there to where her robes were getting to be pretty tight and could easily reveal she was several months along.

He was surprised at how concerned he had become over his fellow Sith lord. They had never gotten on well together, not even from the beginning, however the scoundrel had taken it upon himself to look after this woman who just seemed to nerve him at every opportunity. Maybe it was because she was expecting that made him want to ensure her safety or maybe it was the fact that he felt the masters knew of his betrayal. And with Brianna already in custody, they knew of hers as well. This was why he - they - needed Ellis here with them. Atton owed it to Ellis to watch out for his wife; and maybe - just maybe - he understood the reason the Echani did what she did.

She was pregnant after all, she was bound to be full of hormones and the like. That could be the only reason she thanked him. "Atton," she had said, after eating the food and drink he had gotten her. "For what it's worth, thank you. I know we have never been friends, but...this means a lot, that you would do this for me; for us."

He wasn't the kind to get sentimental, but he couldn't help but feel...well...a little good to be doing what he was. It was the complete opposite of what he was striving for and that was beginning to irk him. He was down this path for a reason and this certainly wasn't the time to be thinking that maybe he was on the wrong one. He enjoyed hurting people and things. He liked the power that came with being a Sith Lord. So why in the name of the Force was he feeling conflicted all of a sudden? This was insane and the more he thought of that, the more uneasy he become with this new mission of his.

The day he and several crew departed on the Necrosis, Atton had never been so antsy in his life. Even his days in that Peragus holding cell never had he felt so full of nerves and uncertainty. He tried to put it off as an impeding fight with Revan or that maybe Ellis wouldn't be in the same pristine shape he was in before, but even that couldn't stop the former pilot from pacing in his quarters. Something was wrong and he just couldn't put his finger on it. His mission seemed simple - fly into an area of space that lay between any incoming forces and that of Ziost. If they saw any Republic ships, they were to be the flagship before the larger fleet would be unleashed, crushing the Republic and Revan. While that in itself seemed easy enough, the former pilot's instincts as a smuggler told him something was up and he just couldn't put his finger on what that was. There was strings attached, he knew it, and it didn't make him feel better when the masters said that a former Jedi turned Sith apprentice would come aboard as well.

Atton didn't know anything about this Veroba Dee; in fact he wasn't even aware that Ellis had other apprentices besides him and Brianna; maybe this was one of the other masters' apprentices, some new recruit that was going to watch how a dark lord took no prisoners.

Perhaps that's what rose the hair on the back of his neck.

He never liked going into something he couldn't handle nor did he enjoy going in somewhere blind and that's where he felt this was going. No one even knew if Revan was coming for them or even how many ships the Republic still had. The masters had tried to reassure him - "They can't possibly hope to combat our troops or the power of the dark side." Master Kun had stated - but that seemed more boasting than actual fact. He tried to downplay it, give in to what his masters' thought and felt, but his gut told him to be on guard.

They had been in space for nearly two nights and three standard days and the crew was becoming irritable. The Sith Lord did what he normally did when faced with boredom and that was play Paazak, though only a few of his officers knew how to play or were even interested in playing. It still allowed him to block his thoughts, least one of his crew would try to overpower him. The silence in the ship was starting to become unbearable and most of the crew was beginning to think this was a waste of time and that perhaps they were missing the real battle on the surface below.

Just when Atton was about to turn and head back, the sensors detected a star fighter coming in their vicinity. "Looks like a standard issue Republic ship, sir," the pilot replied. "Should I give a warning shot?"

Atton shook his head. "Let's see who this is first," he muttered. "Hail them." When the ensign made contact, Atton's voice was clear. "This is Lord Casus of the Necrosis. State your business or be utterly destroyed."

"Ah yes," replied a feminine voice. "The great Lord Casus. I've been dying to meet you actually."

"I'm sure," he said, sarcastically. "And just who is it that is so desperate to meet me?"

"Why, I'm Master Dee," said the voice. "Veroba Dee. I believe you are expecting me."

"Right," the scoundrel muttered. "Well, come aboard. Maybe you can give us word on what's happening below us."

Veroba smiled as her pilot began its decent towards the Necrosis. She turned to her other companion. "Remember beast," she replied, sternly. "You are to wait until I have Casus in my control before you begin your butchering."

"Do not think that you will be spared my wrath, human witch!" the wookie growled.

"Perhaps you did not hear me..."

Controlling a beast, especially one as volatile as Hanharr could be dangerous, but Veroba didn't overuse her powers like some. She was covert in the usage of the power Beast Trick and she was quick about showing her companion what she could do with it. It was so quick and stealthy to the point that the wookie didn't realize he was holding a blaster towards himself until she commanded he drop it. "As I was saying," the Falleen huffed. "I hold your life in my hands. I suggest you don't do anything to upset me. Now, once I have Casus in position, you may kill the rest of the crew, starting with maintenance once we arrive. Work your way up through the ship until everyone you come across is dead. Then join me on the bridge, where we shall not only finish the job, but wait for the arrival of those traitorous Jedi. Do you understand me?"

Hanharr glowered at the woman, but managed to growl an understanding statement to her question.

"Good," she smirked. "Now let's begin."

The mood in the galaxy was that of tense anxiety. It had quickly gotten out that there had been an attempt on the Supreme Chancellor's life and of course, the holo reporters seemed to be everywhere within the Senate and with one rumor, there were hundreds more. Some said that the Chancellor had been killed and many wondered if Revan, the redeemed knight, actually had a role in the attempted murder. Along with that, were the rumors that one of the Sith masters or even the elusive Darth Trayun himself was in custody for the attempt. Robert Belyn had graciously given a small press conference to assure the people that he was indeed all right and to put rest some of the other rumors he was hearing.

"First of all," he began. "You will notice that I did in fact survive the attempt made on my life. I can only tell you that the perpetrator is in custody. I can also tell you that this individual has told us many things about the state of our government, your government, and they are not pretty. Some of you may have heard this, but if not I will come out and say it. The Republic Senate was infiltrated by those calling themselves the Sith." Bob waited until the murmurs died down, holding his hand up for silence. "As shocked as you are, I was equally so," he continued. "It was this reason that the planets the Sith hold were so easily given up that concerned me. I assure you, that those of the Senate who were responsible have been caught and will be tried as traitors to our Republic. Those that have fled will be found.

"Furthermore, I am here to state that Jedi Knight Revan had nothing to do with these incidents." Again, there were murmurs from the press and some of the public that had come out and again, Bob held his hand up for quiet. "I have met with Revan and it was Revan who warned us of this new threat that has now infested our planets and good homes. It has also come to my attention that it may be time for action from the Republic in order to defeat this threat." All at once, reporters had their hands up, wanting more information. Bob pointed to one, a young yellow Twi'lek.

"Chancellor, are you saying the Republic will have to engage in war with the Sith?"

"I'm saying that at the moment, we can no longer avoid what is clearly happening."

Another reporter raised his hand and was recognized. "You said Revan warned you of the threat. When did he do this and do you trust him after what he has done?"

"Where was he for the six years he was gone?" piped another man. "Is he in fact the Jedi Exile that destroyed Peragus?"

Bob silenced the mob. "First of all," he began. "Revan came to the Senate early one morning a couple of months back to turn himself in. He explained where he was at the time he seemed to disappear and that the man calling himself Darth Trayun is in fact the former Jedi exile. It was at that time, he revealed the Sith would be making a siege on the Republic." Again, pandemonium ensued. "Please!" he pleaded. "At this time, I don't want to get into speculation on anything. Just know that I have a team looking in to this and we are assessing things at the moment.

"I also want to address the rumor that we have one of the Sith in custody. We do and we are learning about this breed of Sith to better combat them if the case is warranted. Thank you for your time."

It didn't necessarily squelch all the rumors - it actually started a few more - but at least Bob knew he had eased the minds of some of the citizens on Coruscant. While the thought of war did nothing to alleviate any pressures, he wanted to make sure people were aware of the situation and their plans on preventing anything the likes they had seen in their previous encounters with the Sith. Bob hadn't wanted to get into sordid details, especially about Revan and Darth Trayun, because even he wasn't sure how this would all play out in the end. While he hoped the Republic could prevail, he didn't have the hopes of some and shared the defeat of many.

As Supreme Chancellor and being a former grunt himself, he was well aware of the amount of ships and personal the fleet had to spare and it was next to nothing. It was actually less than nothing and that was worrisome to everyone involved. It would be an extreme miracle if they were to come out of this with their lives.

As the leader of the Republic worried over their fate, his captive Darth Trayun worried over the fates of his friends and apprentices. It had been several weeks, almost bordering a month, since he had last talked to Atton and the lack in communication was deeply disturbing. And with lack of contact with Atton, it meant lack of contact with Brianna. If he had his sense of time correctly, he estimated her to be eight months now and that immediately put him in a high sense of alert.

He had been moved to a larger room, one that acted as a spare within the Senate building. While this was not supposed to be a make shift jail, the Chancellor thought it better to keep Ellis where they could see him and monitor him. So two of Coruscant's finest stood guard in front of his door, while he wore an inhibitor least he try to use his powers to subdue his guards. Oddly enough, Revan had been set against the idea. "I trained Ellis myself," he stated. "Do you truly think I just taught him how to use a lightsaber? Don't forget, Kreia was also his master and she knew far more than I ever could know." The motion stood however, they had even brought in a force cage whenever his guards needed to be away. It was a prison and it constantly reminded Ellis of how he and Kreia had found Atton in that mining facility on Peragus. All it did was bring an ache to him.

Shaking his head, Ellis sat on his floor and tried to meditate in order to calm his nerves. He had always done this as a child, seemingly spending more time to reflect on the world when he found it got too hectic. Even as a Jedi, he enjoyed sitting in the gardens and just watching the world around him or taking in the sun. When the Mandalorians had begun their raiding and when he had decided his fate with Revan and Malak, he never really got a chance to just sit and watch. And when Malachor happened...those ten years he spent drifting in space gave him plenty of time to reflect - unfortunately, most of his reflections were anger towards Revan and utter contempt for the Jedi Order.

Taking deep breaths, Ellis closed his eyes and focused his mind, clearing his thoughts. Kreia had taught him this, how to read other's minds with just thought alone. In his own research of the Sith, he knew that this was a technique to use for those unruly pawns who wouldn't listen. It was the Sith way to make them listen. Ellis had only scratched the surface with Kreia, but on his own he was able to reach more people and listen for much longer. Within minutes, he could hear the thoughts of those in the Senate - how they were in shock that so many senators had fallen prey to the Sith; how another war would finally doom the Republic; some were even still convinced that he and Revan were plotting against them.

Ellis used his mind and stretched out further, his purpose being those of Revan's crew. Most he didn't even know, which made sensing them that much harder, but he did find Onasi - whose thoughts strayed to the officer he was involved with, then Bastila - who thought of her child, its father, and even had thoughts to Ellis and Brianna; his search lead him to Revan, who seemed to be talking to Bao-Dur. Ellis knew this because the Iridonian tech called him on it.

"Still spying on other's thoughts, General?" he joked. "I hope when this is over I can have my friend back. Times were not easy for any of us, but yet we seem to be constantly running into each other. Must be the Force, huh?"

Ellis managed to pull back, his mind refusing to entertain the alien's sense of humor. His thoughts were only on one thing and that was to see exactly how far he could go. Deep down, he knew he had never gotten as far as a few meters; he didn't think Kreia had ever gone further than that, much less some other planet, but if he was to ever find out how Brianna and Atton were, he needed to at least try. It had to be possible! If the spirits of long dead Jedi and Sith could speak to the living, then he would be able to do this.

In theory, of course.

Starting again, Ellis ignored all the thoughts from those in the Senate, expanding past those in proximity, past the citizens on the streets, until he heard...nothing. He dared not let hope enter him, for all he knew, he was just floating in space. And he knew if he got trapped in meditation, he might not ever come out. He tried to focus on just the two people he needed. He first tried Atton, but for five minutes he could hear nothing, even when he tried calling with just his mind. He shouldn't have found the lack of response to be a sign of trouble - after all, Atton could easily block someone from reading his thoughts - but Ellis expected Paazak counts and numbers, not...nothing at all.

Shifting his thoughts, he tried Brianna, putting as much thought into finding her as possible. He again received nothing. As he began to withdraw his mind, he thought he heard something faint. Trying again, almost against hope, he could hear it again, but it came to him like a whisper.

Ellis, where are you?

Brianna! His cry of relief nearly shook him. Force, Bria, I've been so worried.

Help me.

I will. I'm coming, my darling, I'll be there soon. I promise!

Ellis...

Hold on, Brianna, he stressed. I'm coming. I promise.

Any connection he had seemed to fade away, leaving Ellis emotionally drained, but relieved. However, his relief once again turned to panic. Atton was watching her, the scoundrel told him as much, and if he wasn't watching Brianna, then where was he? Where was she?! Standing quickly, he began to pound on the door to his ‘room', demanding the guards let him speak to Revan. He didn't know how long he pounded on the door, but his agitation gave way to frustration and he began to pace around the room, thinking of anything that could get him out of there and on his way to finding his wife and friend.

His demands must have been heard, for twenty minutes later, both Revan, Bastila, and Carth walked into his room. "Revan!"

"Ellis, what is..."

Revan couldn't get his sentence finished before the young lord began to rattle off how he needed to leave, desperately needed to leave. Revan had never seen the younger man so frazzled before. Gone was the arrogant Darth Trayun they had captured, only to be replaced by someone who clearly seemed to be losing his mind. Revan had never doubted Ellis' intelligence; there were times the younger man exceeded the years of even the most seasoned Jedi, but to look at him now, Revan wondered if Ellis' latest attempt may had some slight side effect.

"Ellis, calm down," he commanded, putting a hand on the man's shoulder to steady him. "You know I can't let you go."

"You have to!" the dark lord screamed.

"Listen to me," Revan said, shaking him slightly. "Your panic will not save them. Nor will your haste. That has been our problem before, rushing out after them, just to be caught in their web. If your masters suspect you, then you can bet they are using both your wife and your apprentice as the leverage they need to once again get you in their grips." He let go of Ellis' shoulder. "But if you say they are in danger, it may be time to step up our operations."

"You mean?" Carth asked.

Revan nodded. "Call everyone together," he said. "We need to strike now. We can't wait. While the element of surprise would be best, we can't delay this fight anymore than we have to. We have to stop the Sith from launching a much larger attack." Turning once again to Ellis, he said, "I need you to be strong, Ellis. Your apprentice needs you to be strong, as do your wife and child. Don't forget what I said to you. If you turn on me..."

"And how I am to know you won't turn on me?" Ellis spat. "You keep me locked up, you keep me from finding my wife, my friends...how can I be sure you won't turn on me like you did Malak?"

The only sound that was made was the audible gasp from Bastila. "Because Malak deserved what I did to him," Revan growled. "He disobeyed my direct orders and the planet of Telos has suffered ever since. And for the record, young Trayun, it was Malak who turned on me. And I refuse to have another one of my former friends turn on me in such a way. Do as I say and you will see the return of those you care for." He left it at that, leaving Bastila and Carth to catch up in his wake. He told Bastila he had to see Mical and to not worry, as he would meet them shortly.

While he knew enough about the Force, Revan had the odd sensation that something was increasingly wrong. He had been slowly getting that impression, but for some reason his times alone with Ellis always seemed to spark it. It wasn't hard to find Mical, who seemed to make himself at home within the small library housed within the Senate. The blond seemed to be looking at a particular time in Senate history, that of the trial of Ulic Qel Droma and the blood shed that occurred when Exar Kun came to rescue him. "You've certainly seemed to have made yourself at home here."

Mical looked up, his cheeks flushing from embarrassment. "I seem to enjoy acquiring any kind of Jedi knowledge," he replied. "Even in the halls of the Senate. I apologize though; I should be doing more dueling with Bao-Dur."

"Actually," Revan began. "I need your scholarly knowledge. There's...something that's been troubling me about Ellis."

"Oh?"

"I'm wondering if...when you saw him again on Dantooine, you sensed something different about him."

Mical nodded, slowly. "Well," he said. "As I said to you before, I saw that he was different, haunted. I almost didn't recognize him."

Revan bit his lip, trying to think of a way to get to the bottom of the solution that seemed to evade him. "Revan?" Mical asked. "Was there something you noticed?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "Almost as if..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Mical..." he began. "What do you know of the Force...or rather, the ability to be cut off from it?"

The room was cold at night, though to its occupant, it seemed cold during the day as well. It wasn't the room itself, but more of the atmosphere that the residents created within it. And it was dark, alluding to the fact that they were several hundred feet below the surface of the ice ridden planet above. Maybe this is what added to the unpleasant feelings that the young woman currently experienced for the last couple of months.

For most women, this unpleasantness was due to the upcoming birth of their child - with the movement of their baby inside their womb. And while this young woman attributed some of that unpleasantness with her protruding belly, that was the least of her worries. Brianna Yoly should've been enjoying these last few months of her pregnancy; most importantly she should have been enjoying them with her husband and father to the child. Instead, she spent most of her waking hours inside a Force cage and while she had been offered a room and a bed for her ‘co-operation', she didn't like the looks she received from the spirit of Exar Kun and she realized the Force cage, while confining and uncomfortable, would probably be her only protection at this point.

It didn't seem as though it had been that long, but Brianna calculated based on her growing stomach, that she had been captive for at least two to three months and in that time, not only had she not heard from her husband, she had also not heard from her protector, Atton Rand. She had last seen him right before their Sith masters had stolen her away and made their permanent base of operations within this underground temple. There, she was kept in their main chambers, somewhere on an upper floor and was watched and taunted by them daily. At first, they had tried to feed her, but she always refused, never trusting where this so-called ‘food' came from or what had been done to it. She finally had to relent to the bread and water she got, as she wasn't just refusing herself food, but that of her child.

And that's what had Brianna pondering what would become of her. She knew her confinement couldn't be good for her child and she certainly didn't want those Sith doctors looking at her - the last time they tried, she nearly killed one - but even she knew her baby's health could be endanger if they weren't seen. Unfortunately, the only recourse was for Brianna to tell if her child was alright.

And while she was deeply concerned and afraid, the young Echani did find solace in speaking with her unborn child. She could feel it kick and respond to her when she talked, felt the Force in it grow nearly everyday. Her little warrior, as she named it, would be very strong in the Force, she knew. She wasn't sure if it was a boy or girl, but she had picked out names just to be sure. In her lonely isolation, she at least had her child, even if it was unborn.

"Shh," she soothed, feeling the baby move within her. "Be at peace, little one. I know you are impatient to see the world, but you must wait a little while longer. I know you can sense my trepidation about this place - about your father and your uncle - I fear for them, little one. I do not know where they are and I know they would not willingly leave me here. I fear...I fear I may not see them again." The baby pushed against her hand. "I will not let anything happen to you," she whispered. "And I will not let you grow up without knowing about the man your father was. Do not let people tell you he was evil, because he was not. Misguided, perhaps...conflicted, yes...but your father was a good man. And your Uncle Atton was a brave man; not a fool like some would think, but brave and thoughtful. Always remember that."

When the mornings came, Brianna did her best to stand her ground, to watch for any misstep that her masters may leave. It was one of these days she was privy to hear what they had planned for Atton and her heart had sunk because there was nothing she could do to stop this. She could only hope that Atton's own resourcefulness would clue him in to what was happening. "Why do you look so shocked, Lady Salus?" Kun asked, once Veroba Dee and Hanharr had left for their mission. "I thought you and Lord Casus didn't get along."

"I would never kill him as you will," she seethed.

"You forget one of the most important Jedi lessons," Freedon Nadd replied. "Never underestimate the power of the dark side. Why do you think the all mighty Jedi Order is no more? The councils on Coruscant and Dantooine almost begged to be destroyed! They push their own students to the dark side, then are left with few when Darth Revan and Malak came to reclaim what is rightfully ours."

"Rightfully yours?"

"The galaxy, of course," boasted Kun. "Why do you think the True Sith started the Mandalorian War?" Both specters laughed upon seeing the horrified look that the Echani gave them. "It was a shrewd move on their part and certainly one that probably wouldn't have worked if not for the arrogance of the Order. They helped to bring about the destruction of the Republic and the galaxy."

Brianna was not only appalled, but disgusted at the lack of any kind of feeling. "You will not get away with this," she stated, to which the ghosts again laughed.

"And who will stop us, child?" asked Nadd. "The Jedi Order is no more."

"Revan."

"Oh, yes," mocked Kun. "The former Sith lord himself. I'm sure the Republic Senate is behind him all the way, especially after he nearly destroyed the Republic himself." The ghost suddenly stepped closer to the cage, forcing Brianna to step back in fear. "The Senate is under our control," he sneered. "They do as we say. And if Revan managed to get people together, they are no match for us and they will be destroyed."

"And your husband is loyal to us as well," Nadd said. "Even if he has been in Revan's clutches, we will make him see reason. Full of hate and anger is that one and it takes little for one like that to be turned again. He may seek to challenge us, but then we will turn his rage back where it belongs..."

"...Back on to Revan," Kun finished. "And then young Brianna, when you have delivered us the first in our new generation, you will bare us more offspring in which to carry on the Sith legacy."

"Never!"

"Then Mrs. Yoly," Nadd smirked. "You will die."

"And we will take the child from you," Kun elaborated.

"No!" Brianna exclaimed, backing further from where her tormenters lay. "I would rather die than to see my child a part of the Sith."

"Lord Trayun did not purge you of that ridiculous Jedi ideology when you joined with him," Nadd replied, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Allow me to show her the ways of the Sith, Master," Kun leered. "Trayun stood in my way before, but he is not here to stop me."

Brianna, though frightened, stood her ground, determined not to let this twisted mist touch any part of her. "No," Nadd commanded. "We must ensure the survival of her child, even if she herself refuses our help." Kun backed off, although reluctantly. "We will have plenty of time to watch our seed grow within her body."

"It will never happen," the former handmaiden replied, defiant.

"We shall see," Nadd murmured. "We tolerate your disrespect to allow your child to grow. But know this, once your stomach is bare, you will pay for your defiance and cheek." The two shimmered out of sight, seemingly letting this round end with Nadd's words.

Brianna couldn't stop the shiver that went up her spine. She had meant what she said - she would never let the Sith have her child, who may be the last reminder of Ellis and of their love together, but the danger for them both grew with each passing day that Ellis wasn't there. And if he was, was she strong enough to combat the dark thoughts that permeated his heart? She herself had worried just how far they had both fallen, but she knew that Ellis had showed signs of his dark intentions and while he may show her affection and love, could it be enough to sway him away from these...monsters?

The Echani hugged herself tightly. This was not what she had foreseen, nothing like this at all. While she projected the outward appearance of apprentice, her heart knew no malice - something that even Ellis and Atton had both commented on. She didn't even think Atton, as tough and confident as he was, felt the outward hate that their Sith masters did. After all, he tried to protect her and look out for her and she knew that he walked into a trap - one that would result in his death. And Ellis - she had heard rumors here that he had been captured by Revan. Perhaps they would come together to rescue her, to save Atton...

Or perhaps it was as Nadd as said - that Ellis was so close to the edge, nothing, not even her love and their child, could ever bring him back.

There was something about looking out at the stars that swept through the galaxy that made Revan long for those smuggling days that weren't truly real. Throughout knowing about his past life and that of his implanted one always made him wonder if he could truly be a smuggler, journeying out among the planets of the galaxy, seeing the species that made the galaxy what it was...he knew that some part of him, that of the explorer, is probably what the Jedi Council picked up on when they gave him the identity of Jayden Korr, but he wondered if he actually had been a smuggler in some previous time.

Star-gazing usually calmed him, made him ponder life and the decisions he would make in his. He had instructed Bao-Dur to check out all the remaining fleet ships that the Republic had to offer and sent Mical on a quest as well. He had both had the answers he wanted and not the ones he dreaded.

And he did indeed dread what was coming.

Last night, he had tossed and turned, as images of war plagued his dreams and thoughts. He had awoken Bastila several times, to the point where he ended up leaving her asleep and began just roaming the corridors of the Sojourn. He spent those morning hours walking alone and stopping at various windows to see the lights and night sky of Coruscant. They had all decided that the Senate and its building was not to be trusted anymore and that this last briefing would be held on the Sojourn, as Carth had made sure this particular conference room was clean from prying eyes or ears.

He now stood in one of the ready rooms, as it had one large window that happened to face away from the fast paced city and looked into the vast sky that encompassed the Republic planets and her people. Revan did what he could to erase the unease he had - he knew what the fleet had was small at best and that the True Sith had been preparing for millennia; odds were not in their favor, definitely not. He wondered if he felt this way before he lead those battles with the Mandalorians. Did he wonder what the outcome would be? Did he believe the Republic stood a chance? Shaking his head, he rested his forehead against the cool glass of the window. "How do I do this?" he questioned. "How am I supposed to lead when I don't remember doing so?"

"Heh," a voice chuckled. "Never let doubt ever stand in your way, sonny."

Turning his head, Revan saw something he didn't think he'd ever see. "Jolee."

The elder man was one with the Force now, his ghostly outline walking towards the younger man. "Don't act surprised," he huffed. "I know I'm not the first ghostly spirit you've ever talked to."

"No," the man countered. "You're just the first one with an attitude."

"Oh funny," the elder bristled sarcastically. "Very funny. I see your sense of humor is still out of whack."

Revan opened his mouth to reply, but the weight of seeing this man again - especially after witnessing his death - brought his state of happiness low once again. "I can't do this, Jolee," he whispered. "I can't lead men and women to their deaths. Not again."

"Is that what you think?" Jolee asked. "That you lead people to their doom? Obviously that speech Onasi gave didn't sink in too well. Revan, these people are prepared to die for their home, their family, their Republic. You aren't leading them to death; you're leading them to a better life without these blasted Sith everywhere!"

"Isn't that what I thought at the start of the Mandalorian War?" Revan asked, huffing. "Wasn't I so idealistic then? As I'm being now?"

The ghostly figure sighed, before crossing his arms over his chest. "How long are you going to continue blaming yourself for your past mistakes?" he asked, quietly.

"Until I undo the damage I've done."

"Bah!" was the retort. "You've stated several times that the True Sith maneuvered things quite well before you joined them and they used you to get what they wanted and then they turned and used this Ellis kid for the same thing."

"But I should've known!" Revan exploded. "I was the best and brightest of the Order! I was a master by all accounts. I had the gift of sight! I should have seen this!"

"Like Vandar saw it?!" Jolee spit back. "Like Kreia saw it? You of all people, Revan, should know the gift of sight is dubious at best. You can't always see into the future or the past. And what if you did foresee this? Would it have made you go after the Mandalorians the way you did? Or would you have been cautious, like the council? That's the thing with the future, Rev. Always in motion, it is. Who's to say what could have been? How do you know that what you saw, what you experienced didn't lead you to the dark side? It was war, sonny! War makes people do a lot of things that they wished they hadn't."

The specter was silent then, lost in thoughts of a past of his own, a war of his own. "The point is," he concluded. "The decisions you make today can and have had a lasting impact on tomorrow. But you can't live your live in the shadows of your past. You want to make sure what happened then doesn't happen now? Learn from the past and apply it to today. You were always a brilliant tactician, Rev. You could see the bigger picture, while the rest of us could only see the pieces that it was made up of. You know that these Sith will destroy any and everything that stands for the Republic and you know that people won't lie down and take it.

"So my question to you is, how will you lead these people today?"

Revan stood there, contemplating what his friend had said. Was he still living in the past, punishing himself for his former life; one that he couldn't even remember?

"Revan?"

His name being called snapped him from his musings, forcing his head towards the doorway. There stood Bastila, looking at him in some confusion and when he looked around, he noticed that Jolee was now gone. "Revan?" she called again. "Everyone's assembled. We're just waiting on you." He nodded slightly, watching as she entered the room. She was getting on in months, her belly protruding slightly, but she still managed to fit into her robes without effort. This was his future, staring back at him and growing inside his wife's stomach. Suddenly, the things he had been told started to make sense and he made a vow he wouldn't lead these people to their deaths, but that he would bring as many people back.

Love, are you alright?

Again he nodded, this time smiling as his steps brought him closer to her. "I'm fine," he whispered. "How are you?"

"So far, so good," she chuckled.

Bringing his hand to rest on her abdomen, he asked, "And our little princess? How is she?"

"Worried about her father."

Smirking, Revan kissed his wife softly, saying, "He is okay. He has a plan, one that will hopefully bring everyone he loves back safely." Pulling from her, he stated, "There's a part of my plan you will not like."

Bastila narrowed her eyes. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be sitting in a room somewhere while you battle the Sith?"

Now darling...

"That's it, isn't it?" she exclaimed. "Revan!"

"I'm not locking you away," he soothed. "However, I'm sure you'll notice you're the only one here with the gift of Battle Meditation. And darling, we are going to need all the help we can get."

"What if I can't get through?" she asked. "You said that the True Sith were masters at alchemy and the Force. What if they discover me? Or worse! Turn me against you!"

"Because you are also strong in the Force," he said, rubbing her arms. "And I don't care if I have to cast my own dark sided shield around you, they will not touch you." Stroking her cheek, he whispered, "You mustn't let the past cloud you. I know you are remembering the Star Forge battle and I know you still feel the weight of guilt for your actions." Her eyes down casted, the pain still visible on her face.

"We have much to overcome, Bas," he whispered. "Those things in our past that people won't let us forget, that we can't forget. But we can't let them rule us, Bastila. The whole point is to overcome them and learn from them. Do you remember what I said to you, all those years ago on the Forge?"

"That you believed in me," she whispered. "Believed in the love we shared."

"And I again have that belief," he said, kissing her gently. "I have faith in your abilities, Bastila, just as I have faith that we can overcome the odds the Sith throw at us. I will not lose anyone, as best as I can help it."

Bastila looked at her husband, the amount of pride for him stronger than it ever had been. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" she whispered.

"Not lately, my love," he smiled, pulling her closer. "You're my future, Bas. You and our daughter. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that she indeed has a future, with us, with the Republic, with the galaxy." Lowering his lips to hers, he put all his hopes, dreams, and fears into that one kiss, that he desparately hoped would not be the last he would bestow on her.

The clearing of a throat caused the two to pull away from each other slowly, seeing the smirking form of Dustil Onasi as he stood in the doorway. "They sent me to get you," he said. "And I've now lost twenty-five credits because Mandalore bet me you two were up to something."

Bastila rolled her eyes, not completely surprised that Canderous would make a bet like that. "25 gets you 50 if you tell him you saw nothing," Revan stated.

"Okay."

The former Jedi handed over a fifty credit bar to the younger man, patting him on the shoulder. "Good boy," he said. "You're shaping up to be a great Jedi."

"Yes," Bastila murmured. "A con man after his own heart."

"It's not a con, Master," Dustil chuckled, slinging his arm around the woman. "It's called being smarter than my elders."

"You spent way too much time with Jolee," Revan said over his shoulder, as the three headed towards the conference room. He didn't see the way his companions seemed to slump at the mention of their fallen comrade.

"Not nearly enough," the younger Jedi whispered, his head downcast.

"Don't fret, young Jedi," Bastila whispered, giving him a small squeeze. "Your master would be proud."

"Are you?"

Bastila looked at the young man, realizing that aside from Jolee, he did consider her to his master, though he had never truly been assigned to her. But if Bastila had to choose a padawan, she would no doubt choose Dustil Onasi. "More than proud, Dustil," she said, hugging him. "Honored you would consider me as such. And honored to have you as a student, even if I didn't teach you a lot."

"Well then," he said. "When this is over, you have a lot to make up for."

Upon entering the conference room, Revan saw that all those he needed were present. He was glad to note that it seemed more people were crammed inside than the last meeting he held. He noted both Carth, with Lynsel to his right, and Dodonna had their trusted men with them, along with the senior officers from the prior meeting and their trusted aides. Canderous - dressed in his Mandalore armor - sat next to Visas and both were surrounded by Mandalore's men. Revan was surprised to see one of those men sitting close to Queen Talia, who sat with several of her own aides and officers. He smiled and nodded to the holo image of Zaalbar, who broadcasted from the jungles of Kashyyyk. The other members of the Ebon Hawk were all assembled as to see what their plan of action would be.

Another surprise was when Revan approached the Chancellor, who stood speaking with a holo image of a member of the Ithorians species. "Ah Revan," he said, calling the knight over. Pointing to the image, he continued with, "This is Moza. He's the aide to Chodo Habat."

"Oh right," Revan said, nodding to the alien. "The Ithorian who wanted to restore the plant life on Telos."

The Ithorian nodded his large head. "Your friend Sundjask contacted us just recently," he began in his slow speech. "He said you had tasked him with finding an alternative way of helping Telos, especially after the damage that has been done to it."

"Good ole Sunny," Revan whispered. "The space dog didn't let me down." To Moza, he said, "That's correct. I heard what your plans had been if not for...unfortunate circumstances."

"Yes," Moza replied. "I must admit until speaking with you, I was leery, as I see the Jedi exile is in your company. He is the one who helped Czerka push our efforts off the planet."

Revan gave a sidelong look to the younger man, who stood off in a corner by himself. "The reemergence of my former friend has no barring on wanting to help," he stated. "Lord Trayun is here for military purposes only. I seek the aid of you and your people because of Adm. Carth Onasi, a native of Telos."

Moza again nodded. "Yes," he replied. "I see this and that you also have the support of Queen Talia of Onderon. I feel that perhaps we can reshape Telos into the planet that it was. Chodo would like to speak with you, Revan, if you allow it."

"Nothing would give me more pleasure, Moza," Revan replied. "However, I don't know how much you are aware, but...the galaxy is in some peril at the moment."

The Ithorian nodded quickly. "We are knowledgeable of the problems you face," he said. "And Chodo said he could wait until your victory. He has the faith that you will come out of this darkness."

"Thank him for me," the former Jedi smiled. "I'm glad to have his support. Actually, if he allows it, I'd like some of my friends to meet with him. I especially have someone who is very knowledgeable about...well just about everything really." He turned at looked at Mical, who sat watching the conversation. "I think he'd be a real help in your endeavors." Revan turned back towards the alien. "I hope when this is over, I'll get a chance to meet with him. And certainly, I'll do everything in my power to help."

"Thank you so much, Master Revan," Moza gushed. "It will be my honor to tell Chodo that your associates will meet with him shortly." The communication ended, leaving a smiling Revan to face his audience. Looking at Carth and Bastila, he said, "Told you I knew a guy."

"Revan?" Mical asked, standing as their leader passed in front of him. "Is...is there a reason why I'm going to meet with this Chodo Habat?"

"Yes," Revan said. "Just like there's a reason why Mission is going with you."

"What!?" the Twi'lek exclaimed. "What for?"

"One, if Sunny's managed to get this ball rolling, then people know about him and I'd like to ensure his safety," Revan countered. "Especially if he hasn't gotten the refugees off Nar Shaddaa. Second," here he sighed, turning to look at Mical. "On the off chance that we aren't successful, I think it rather important that people know what we tried doing and what we stood for. Because if the Sith have their way, there will be no Republic left. And in that, Mission, is your other task. Should something horrific happen, I want to make sure our unofficial historian here lives to tell the tale. And no one's better at getting out of scrapes like you."

The room stayed quiet with that admission, which seemed to bring home the reality of the moment. Those officers in the room had worried constantly about how many ships they didn't have or how many men they didn't have, when in fact, the Republic would lose far more than just metal and men. As Revan stated, there would be no Republic to speak of and all traditions that every man, woman, child, and family ever had would cease to exist.

Mical nodded, solemnly. "Of course," he whispered. "I will do as you ask and further more, I expect to meet you and the Admiral once these beings are fully taken care of." Revan patted him on the shoulder. "May the Force with you, Master Revan."

"And with you," Revan whispered. He watched as Mical shook hands with Carth, before the wind was nearly knocked out of him. Looking down, he found a small blue body attached to his. "Mish," he whispered. "I trust you to do this. I know you'll be fine."

"I know that, you big nerf!" she bristled. "It's you I'm worried about!"

Revan chuckled, giving the young woman a kiss on her head. "I'll be fine," he said. "You got the Hawk, so I expect it to come back to me in one piece."

"And I expect you to come back in one piece!"

That caused chuckles all around. "I'll do my best," the knight whispered. "Promise. Now get going." Dropping one last brotherly kiss on her head, the room watched as the Twi'lek and the blond both left, heading to hanger where the Ebon Hawk currently sat. Only a choice few noticed Dustil Onasi follow them out.

"Mission!"

The call caused both to turn, but only Mission stepped forward to the young Jedi that stood there. "You have a big task ahead of you," Dustil whispered. "And I know you'll do everything in your power to make sure it's completed."

The young girl smiled, feeling tears come to her eyes. She was nervous and scared and excited and she wasn't sure if it was the fact that Revan had given her this tremendous assignment or if it was the close proximity to one young student of the Jedi. There was so much that she wanted to say to him, but she couldn't seem to get her thoughts together or to even get the words out of her mouth. So instead, she stood there, looking like a Selkath out of water.

For Dustil, the realization of what they were about to enter had hit him hard as this meeting approached. After his talk with both his parents, he had come to the truth - that he had fallen deeply in love with the blue skinned Twi'lek. And with this truth also came the knowledge that he could lose someone he loved all over again. Perhaps he was just more grown up, but at some point he knew it would come to this and he was prepared for it. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed Mission, hoping against hope that this wouldn't be the last time. As he pulled away, he told her how he felt.

"I love you."

Saying the words wasn't hard for him, not at this point, and certainly after losing his mother, Selene, and even his father in a round about way, Dustil was well aware that everything could change in a heart beat. He wasn't sure what she was thinking or feeling at the moment, but he could tell his words had some effect from the shocked look on her face. Wanting to leave it at that, he released her and headed back into the meeting, leaving the Twi'lek stunned in the corridor.

In the conference room, Revan stood before the group assembled. "I had Bao-Dur look at the whole of our Republic Fleet," he began. "It would be complete suicide if we just left the Republic without any sort of protection. From what Bao told me, it's not much, but it'll have to do. We still have some Interdictor and Hammerhead class ships, about three hundred. While not a huge advantage, we gotta work with what we have." He turned to a large holo map that was situated behind him. Currently it showed a galactic map of the star systems as a whole. He quickly zoomed into the zone of the Core Worlds.

"One hundred fifty cruisers will be stationed around this point," he continued, making an arc on the map. "Between the planets of Reecee and Arkania, as well as from Arkania to Corellia. We still have a number of star fighters, so we'll divide those as those with the cruisers. Queen Taila has also added her own forces, which total about six hundred. Again, we'll split those to give aid to those ships already in orbit. I want to have two attack points - the first I've shown, in arc between Reecee and Corellia. The second line I want behind this line, right around the Deep Core. Just...just in case.

"Everyone else will follow the Sojourn to our destination," Revan continued. "The planet Ziost is hidden within the dark side. It's not on a map and won't be easy to find until it comes up and bites you."

"Then how exactly will you be able to find it?" a young commander asked.

"Force sensitives are able to find places of these kinds," Ellis commented, causing those in the room to turn and face him. "Especially those who have felt the dark side so strongly." He gave fleeting glances to Bastila, Dustil, and Visas. "Besides," he smirked. "Revan can plot any space coordinates in a matter of seconds."

"Your praise is unwarranted," Revan bit back, sending a side long glance to the dark lord.

"And you are too modest."

"In any case," the Jedi knight replied. "Just know that the planet will be found. I'm hoping to set our ships around the planet, in order to cut off any type of sneak attack the Sith may come up with. Again, do not treat these Sith like ones you've previously dealt with. There's a reason I'm splitting our forces to go both defensively and offensively - the True Sith, as I said, are masters at alchemy and use of the Force. Don't be surprised if there seems to be a million troops in the air or on the ground. They aren't real." This was still a surprise to most in the room.

"Can...can the Force really do that?" one admiral asked. "Is it really that strong?"

"The Force is many things, my good man," Revan stated. "While it can aid in the prosperity of the galaxy, it can also be used to create great evil. It's all in the wielder. With that said, I think it's important that our Force gifted friends aid on those ships. Visas Marr and Bao Dur have agreed to aid those ships that will be stationed around the Core Worlds. And with that, Adm. Dodonna has given instructions to Bao to work with our technical engineers. You'll find that he, along with his staff, have enabled some of those ships that were just sitting around."

The Iridonian gave a smile chuckle. "It was nothing to it," he said.

"Dustil Onasi will be with Adm. Dodonna on the Mercer," Revan continued. "Lt. Belyn will lead a mixed squad of Republic, Onderonian, and Mandalorian troops along with Mandalore on the surface once we land. There, they will meet up with the troops Big Z is sending our way. I'll give you more instructions once we near the planet." He received nods to his orders, before he stood back and sighed. "I can safely tell you all this," he began. "This will not be like any battle you have encountered before. I'm sure you're all aware we are quite literally the underdog here. Some of you may not return at the end. But it's a small price to pay if it means the Republic is still standing by the end of the night. They've done their best to try and take over; to lure those of us with the promises of power and glory.

"And sometimes, they have succeeded," he continued. "But they will not succeed today. Because as long as there is life in me, I will not let them take the Republic. And I know you all feel the same. We must not let them defeat us, even if they force us one step back, we will need to move five steps forward before the end is done." Looking at Carth, he asked, "How long will it take for everyone to be ready to go?"

"A few hours at most," the admiral stated. "But you say the word, we'll be ready in fewer than three."

"So be it," Revan commanded. "You all have your assignments. Get your people where they need to be. No matter how long it may take, when we're ready, we're heading out." He watched as everyone headed out to their assigned positions, noticing that Ellis stayed, as though waiting for his word. Receiving a pat on the shoulder, he saw the Supreme Chancellor at his side. "You didn't say much," he said.

"You're the military man here," Belyn responded. "And I couldn't have given a better speech if I had written it."

"You're former military though," Revan said.

Belyn nodded. "That was a long time and many scars ago," he said. "I fought against Kun and Qel-Droma. This, however, seems to be completely out of my league. And believe me, Revan, Kun was bad. At least you left some structures intact before Malak came along and knocked them all down. No, this is a new war of a different color. One I don't want any part of...but we have no choice. You're right. The Republic can not fall."

"I won't let it."

"I know you won't," the Chancellor replied. "Incidentally, I noticed you didn't mention what ship you, Trayun, and Bastila Shan would be on. Is there a reason for that?"

Revan smiled. "There is," he said. "We'll be with Adm. Onasi on the Sojourn. The three of us have really been through everything together, it felt odd not to be together for this. Besides, Bastila is needed on that ship more than myself."

"Why is that?"

"Let's say that she'll be giving us a much needed boost if it comes to it," he replied, mysteriously. "As for Ellis there, I don't trust him. It pains me to say it, but I don't. Our alliance is tenuous at best and I feel..." he sighed, turning from the sight of the younger man. "I feel his mind is not what it used to be...that he is a danger, not only to us, but to himself. Look at the damage he has caused so far. I let him out of my sight once and we can not afford for it to happen again."

"You say he's a danger to himself," the Chancellor said, sending a worried look to the dark lord. "How exactly?"

"Just know I've discovered something that makes me believe that," Revan whispered. "His masters hold his wife and child, have lied to him...his exile did not sit well with him and in these ten years since the Mandalorian Wars, all he has thought about has been my death at his hands. I had once thought no one knew about betrayal and being betrayed more than Carth Onasi...these years that I have been away have taught me much, Chancellor, on the behaviors of those who are indeed betrayed.

"I fear if something were to happen to his wife, to his child, to the one thing that still has him tethered to the light, he will break. And he could unleash a devastation more horrible and painful than that of Darth Nihilus."

"You mean?" Belyn breathed, his eyes growing bigger at the implications. He had heard what the last Sith lord had done to the planet of Katarr. Was Revan seriously suggesting that this Jedi exile turned Sith Lord had the same type of power?

"Suspicions, Chancellor," Revan said, waving off the entire conversation. "That is an extreme notion. For now, I just want to make sure I don't see another one of my former friends die, especially if it comes from my hand."

Immobilizing the Republic fleet, the Onderonian Fleet, the Wookies, and the Mandalorians took only over four hours to implement. As soon as the briefing was over, Queen Talia contacted her troops, ordering half to rendezvous with the remaining Republic Fleet leaving from Coruscant. The other half would meet them half way towards their destination, near the planet Serenno. In order for Onderon to also be protected, least something happened while the troops were gone, Canderous sent several of his men to openly guard the palace and patrol the streets of Iziz. Zaalbar also sent several hundred of his Wookie troops to Coruscant and Onderon to help the Mandalorians, with another hundred headed towards Revan.

Mandalore assumed command of his troops almost as soon as they could leave, ushering them into a side room for a briefing. He didn't have all his men there, but he had those he could trust and had left those he trusted back on Dxun in his absence and on Onderon. He had sent Kelbourn back to Dxun to rally the troops once the Sith were cleared from the surface, and then put Braylor in charge of the troops standing on Onderon. Looking at his men now, he knew they were all itching to go to battle. After all, they had a long overdue score with these Sith, starting from when Mandalore the Ultimate was charged with a great battle before him. Standing before his men, he gave a side glance to Xarga, who stood talking with Visas near the door. He had known the younger man for nearly four years now, finding him working as a bounty hunter on Nar Shaddaa.

Xarga had been head strong, but determined and fierce. That's why Canderous put him in charge of training the younger Mandalorians within the battle circle. And it seemed as with life, Xarga also went after what he wanted with determination and focus. And it seemed clear to his other men that Xarga clearly wanted Queen Talia. The battle master had saved the Queen from a Sith assassin as they tried escaping the palace and he seemed to stay with her ever since. It may have seemed as though the younger man was just doing his duty, but Visas had told him the two didn't seem to be just protector and royalty. She thought Talia seemed to reciprocating the advances as well.

Perhaps it reminded him - and apparently Visas - how they had come to be. Maybe he was getting sentimental.

And speaking of the Miraluka, Canderous had been thinking a lot about her lately; for quite a while really. As he addressed his men of Mandalorian honor and bravery, his eyes seemed to stray towards her. She had been a part of his life for nearly a year now and he thought it was time she knew how important she was. He concluded his speech, riling his men up for battle. They left for their assignments, leaving he and Visas in the room alone.

"Rousing speech, Mandalore," she quipped.

"You enjoyed it, I'm sure," he countered, walking up to her. It was rare for a Mandalorian to be out of armor, especially near the heart of battle, but for the woman who stood before him, he would. Removing his helmet, he leaned over to engage her in a kiss before pulling her closer to him. "Cyar'ika," he whispered, rubbing his cheek against her head.

The Miraluka smiled. Canderous wasn't known for outward affection, nor was she to an extent, but when he did show his emotions, they always seemed to send her on the edge. "Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum," she whispered.

"Tion'ad hukaat'kuma?"

"Xarga," she answered, smirking. "That is, when he's not watching Talia's of course." She looked at him and stroked a bearded cheek. "And you, cyare? Who will be watching you?"

He chuckled. "I have half the Republic, Onderon, Wookies, and my own!" he stated. "I'll be fine. It's you I worry about." He stroked her cheek in a gesture similar to her earlier one. "We have a lot of things to discuss when I return, Visas. Specifically the riduurok."

That got her attention, he knew, and though she wore her previous head drape, he knew she had raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you proposing?" she asked.

"No," he said, bending to capture her lips. "Not yet anyways. I want you to be ner riduur."

"Are you sure, Canderous?"

"You know our customs, our traditions," he said. "You speak our language...I know you would follow and teach cuun ade what it means to be not only Mandalorian, but to be Jedi as well. You're more than capable of defending cuun aliit."

She again stroked his cheek, feeling very elated at what seemed to be the same feeling and thoughts between them. "Be sure, Canderous," she said. "Shuk'la riduurok isn't looked upon fondly, though it's rare."

He chuckled, turning his head to place a kiss in her palm. "You haven't gotten rid of me yet, cyare," he replied.

"I don't plan to," she murmured, rising to kiss him once more.

"Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum," he sighed, returning her kiss. "Ner kar'ta, ner riduur."

"Not yet," she smiled against his lips. "But I want that too, Canderous. For now, my love, we must ensure that we will even see the marriage ceremony."

"We will," Canderous stated. "And we'll make those shabla dar'jetii regret they ever turned on us."

"Indeed." Moving from his arms, Visas turned towards the doorway in order to leave, while Canderous reassumed his role as Mandalore, leader of Clan Ordo. "Mandalore," the young woman replied, turning to look at him over her shoulder. "Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur."

"Elek," he said. "I'll contact you once we're in Republic space again."

Visas nodded, sending him a small smile. "Goodbye, Mandalore."

"Ret'urcye mhi, Visas Marr."

As the night enveloped them, several ships left Coruscant and Republic space, heading towards the destination of Serenno, where they would meet up with the rest of the Onderon and Wookie forces. Aboard the Sojourn, the flagship of Admiral Carth Onasi, Lynsel Belyn lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

She was still amazed at how she had gotten to this point, the point where she was apart of a crew that were planning on destroying an ancient race of tyrannical monsters. And that was only for starters. The lieutenant couldn't help but chuckle at the very thought of her former self, if she could see what had transpired in the months that followed her stationing on Ord Mandel.

'What's funny?' came a mumbled reply, as the thrown arm around her waist tightened and pulled her closer to the warmth of the man beside her. That was something else Lynsel didn't think she'd ever see -- sharing the bed of a very respected admiral, who just happened to be head over heals in love with her and whom she loved just as much. That first morning when she had awoken not only in his bed, but in his arms had made her confused and a little afraid. While she did indeed love Carth, it had been so long since she had felt it within her, not to mention hearing it from someone else. And when he insisted that she stay with him from then on, to hell with what people thought or said, she didn't know what to think.

'I'm thinking about the fact that I can't believe I'm here,' she said, caressing his bearded cheek as he kissed hers.

'Your things thrown on my floor would suggest otherwise,' came the witty retort.

She swatted his backside before giving his bare thigh a squeeze. 'That's because you insisted on me being naked when I went to bed,' she laughed. 'I can't help it if you can't resist my womanly charms.'

Carth chuckled, nipping at her shoulder with his teeth. 'Shows what you know,' he ribbed. 'I only insisted on you being topless; how was I to know that you'd be wearing incredibly sexy underwear.'

'I was trying to entice you.'

'No need,' he whispered, hovering over her. 'I'm yours, forever if you want.'

Lynsel looked up into his face - full of love, honesty, and trust -- before she brought his lips down to meet hers in a slow kiss. 'I'm gonna be so worried about you,' she whispered, hugging him close to her.

'Me too,' he said, kissing her ear lobe. 'I don't know why Revan wants you on the ground.'

'You know why,' she sighed. 'I can feel the Force to some degree, enough to at least know when to duck and run and when to stand and fight.'

'So that Force training of his helped?'

Lynsel giggled slightly. Revan had told her, the Zabrak Bao-Dur, and Mical that they would need to be taught in a 'crash course' of Force training. They wouldn't have long to learn everything a padawan learned, but their leader hoped it would be enough to keep the trio alive, especially Bao and Mical. So within the training facility of the Sojourn, Revan tried to teach the trio how to tap into the Force, even offering to show them how to build their own lightsabers.

'I'll stick to my blasters, thanks.' She had replied. She had asked Revan if he was truly trying to get her to join a revamped Order, but he shook his head, completely surprising her.

'I won't be like the former Order, LB,' he said. 'I don't believe on demanding people to become things they don't want to be. You, Lynsel, are meant to be a Republic soldier, who just happens to be able to weld the Force. You do realize that any children you have with Carth will also be strong in the Force.' He had smirked at her then, as she rolled her eyes and went back to her studies.

It had been an eye opening lesson, for sure. While Bao and Mical seemed to be naturals when it came to training in the Force, Lynsel didn't seem to be too far behind them. 'You've felt it before,' Revan explained. 'Just like Mical. The Force can never truly leave you. Only if it's taken and that is only in the most extreme of cases.'

'You're speaking of Ulic Qel-Droma,' Mical piped up. 'His Force powers were taken from him because of his act in murdering his brother.'

'That's right.'

'I wasn't aware that the Force could be taken,' the young lieutenent mumbled.

'Like I said,' Revan replied. 'It's extreme. Just like the wiping of one's memories.'

She had never been one to study the Jedi -- after all, her position had been they were the case of all of the heartbreak and destruction to the Republic and the galaxy -- but she couldn't help but being enthralled with not only Revan, but the way he seemed to teach the lessons of his masters and those before them. While some issues were clearly black and white -- Freedon Nadd and Exar Kun choosing the dark side for power -- she started seeing some of the complications that Jedi faced when dealing with the dark side. Ulic, for instance, had thought he was doing a good thing by trying to infiltrate the Krath, only to end up being seduced by the dark side. Even Revan in his own way, being seduced by way of discovering Malachor V...

'I have to admit I did learn something,' she replied, running a hand through her lover's hair.

'As long as it's something that will bring you back to me.'

'Hey,' she said, poking him in the shoulder until he turned to look at her. 'I don't plan on getting killed. I have something to come back to; someone to come back to. I'm not gonna waste that.'

'I just love you so damn much,' Carth sighed. 'I don't want to lose you now.'

'And you won't.'

The two were silent, holding each other in an embrace. They didn't want to think about what lay ahead for them. For as much as words of comfort and safety can go, they could not decide the actions of what could take place in a few hours. As the two lovers drifted off to sleep, someone else aboard was waking up. Revan had tossed and turned for nearly an hour before deciding that he needed to leave bed, least he wake his pregnant wife.

He was keyed up, restless, and he needed to find a center or go mad. He'd been full of energy since the briefing ended and even a tousle with Bastila only calmed him for a few hours. Now, he found himself once again roaming the corridors of the Sojourn and once again finding himself in the room with a view as before. They had just come out of hyperspace in orbit around Serenno when Revan finally decided he would not be getting any more sleep. He knew they approached what many considered the major part of the once great Sith Empire, with so many dark planets in the same area. He knew it would be hard for those trained in the Force to be on a dark planet such as Ziost, but they had no other choice. As there was no Jedi Order to speak of, there were no droves of trained Jedi to handle this type of assignment.

All in part to him and Ellis.

Perhaps that was what kept him up. Revan didn't lie to the Supreme Chancellor; he was extremely worried about Ellis' mental state. He had asked Mical what he knew of the Force being ripped from someone and the only actual documented case was that of Ulic Qel-Droma and though it was slightly similar, it was also completely different. Revan didn't think one could lose the Force, at least not until he had seen Ellis again. While there was no doubt the younger man was a powerful adept with the Force, Revan didn't feel what he should whenever he was near him. With Bastila or Visas or Dustil, he could feel the Force flowing through them, both light and dark - on the accounts of all three being on the dark side at one point - but with Ellis, he felt...he felt...

Nothing.

But that didn't make sense! If he couldn't feel the Force in Ellis, how exactly did one explain the dark lord's Force powers?! Granted, Revan hadn't seen Ellis use his Force powers as much. Did that mean he didn't possess the Force? He didn't know and maybe that's what was bothering him. He didn't know a lot of things and all those things would come to pass once they got in orbit of Ziost. He had no idea how much of an army they had or how strong they were. Even Ellis wasn't sure of the masters' numbers, but the ones he knew gave Revan a chill. Marka Ragnos, Exar Kun, Freedon Nadd were just the big three and that was bad enough. He knew from history that both Kun and Nadd were tyrants and if they Republic were to fall in their hands again, especially with their combined power...

Revan shook his head. He needed to be in control! Everyone talked about what a great tactician he was, but yet he was without a plan or even something that would remotely help. All he had was the end product - rescue Ellis' wife, defeat the Sith, and save the galaxy - hopefully all in that order. Shaking his head again, he closed his eyes, hoping a plan would miraculously appear in his head. While he didn't get a plan, he did get an apparition and certainly not the one he wanted. The ghostly form was a hulking figure, a somewhat blue in it's color, and a scowl on his face.

Suddenly, Revan was taken back nearly ten years in the past, to a time when he had first seen this specter, when it had first whispered words to him on taking the galaxy for himself, that the Jedi Council and the Order itself were weak. And that whispered word of ‘Malachor'. "If you seek to lure me over to the Sith once again, Ragnos, you are wasting your time."

The apparition chuckled, if it could be called such. "Straight to the heart of the matter," Marka Ragnos replied. "I am curious, Lord Revan, on exactly how you expect to beat my former associates."

"Former associates?" the knight questioned. "I was under the impression that you, Kun, and Nadd were poised to retake the galaxy as yours. Are you saying you've had a change of mind?"

"This galaxy will be mine!" Ragnos growled. "But perhaps not this time around. I've had a vision, Lord Revan, and it does not end well. While I tried to caution Kun and Nadd, they sent their weak apprentices to destroy me. They were easily persuaded to let their masters know the deed was done."

"Why come to me?"

"This is not for the sake of protecting your precious Republic," the former Sith lord stated, as he approached the younger man. "This is a matter of revenge." The specter gave a wave of his hands and a large, blue amulet floated in front of Revan. "Do you know what this is?"

"An ancient Sith amulet," the knight responded. &quo