CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
HONOGHR
Revan had taken the first watch after they had arrived at the ruins. Eli had reported a brief
but ultimately deadly encounter with a small Sith patrol in the jungle. They had hid the bodies
before moving to secure the site of the ruins. The ruins were a mix of stone walls and pillars
built almost directly in concert with four very large trees that had bases of nearly twenty meters
in diameter. A small stream of fresh water ran through the jungle only a hundred meters away
and the thick tree canopy above provided adequate protection from any Sith satellites that might
be sweeping the planet. The humidity went a long way to blending their heat signatures into the
background, and their biosignatures were distorted enough by the static charge in the lower
atmosphere to be indistinguishable from the indigenous lifeforms on the planet.
Revan sat quietly on top of the wall, his senses attuned to the night through the Force. He
could sense every living thing within four hundred meters of their location, and none of them
provided anything more than a cursory look at the newcomers to the jungle. Revan could feel
Anja’s anxiousness earlier in the day, and now his thoughts drifted to his beautiful young wife
and the child she carried, their child. Revan had been raised by his parents with the expressed
understanding that this war was coming, and they would have to fight it. They were all Jedi
now, and it was their duty to safeguard the Republic. It still stirred Revan’s soul when he
replayed the events of that night four months ago when Vandar bestowed upon him the title of
Jedi Knight.
His father had been the Champion of the Jedi Order before leaving to fight the
Mandalorians. The strongest and most capable Jedi in the Order’s history, he had taken to heart
the oath of the Jedi in defending the Republic, even when the Masters on the High Council
would not. If only they had listened to him then, it might not have come to this right now.
Revan turned his head when he felt Lanni approaching. She came up to the wall and saw
him sitting there. Revan knew she was still growing accustom to what she now knew she was,
and the skills she possessed that had laid dormant all these years. However, without the
continued use of Nuerin Nine and the espousing of anti-Jedi dialogue, Lanni was not like the
Jedi killing assassins she was designed to be. She was exceptionally intelligent and equally
beautiful. Revan also discovered she was extremely compassionate, but also very realistic when
needed.
“You should be sleeping.” He said softly. “Tomorrow will be a full day.”
Lanni effortlessly pulled herself onto the stone wall, slightly lower then Revan, and
pulled her knees up to her chest. “Why aren’t you sleeping?” She asked.
“The Force allows me to go into a meditative state and rest, but still be fully aware of my
surroundings.” Revan explained. He held out the canteen to her. “It allows me to go longer
periods without actual sleep.”
Lanni finished sipping the water. “But you do need to sleep?” She asked.
Revan smiled. “Yes. I do need to sleep.”
“And Zhar has this ability?”
“Every Jedi does. Some just don’t use it as much.” Revan replied. He looked at her.
“How do you feel?”
Lanni nodded. “I’m fine. I guess my ‘designer’ genes are such that I can do very physical
things and not get as tired as some.” She answered with a smile.
Revan chuckled softly. “I will be honest with you Lanni.” He told her. “I did not hold out
much hope for you when we first met.”
“And now?”
“Now I think that perhaps you will be one of our strongest assets.” Revan answered.
“You love my brother. That much is written all over your face and with every action you take
when you are around Zhar. I think you might surprise us in many aspects as this mission
continues.”
“Will I ever truly fit in Revan?” Lanni asked him.
Revan looked at her. “What do you mean?”
Lanni took a deep breath. “I mean… I am a clone. I am part of a group that was strictly
designed to hunt down and kill Jedi. I can feel the strength coursing through my veins, my mind
measuring and calculating outcomes for encounters we might have. It’s frightening.”
Revan nodded. “I’m sure it is.” He told her. “However… you are not the same as the
clones. You have never been exposed, except on a cursory level, to what the clones were
originally designed for. You have never been indoctrinated as they were supposed to be. There
is a very large difference.”
“Is there?” Lanni asked him.
“Do you feel the need to slaughter me? Do you feel the need to murder Zhar when you
are in his arms?” Revan asked calmly.
Lanni shook her head. “No. But how do I know those feelings will never come out?”
Revan cocked his head slightly before answering her. “There is always that possibility.”
He replied softly. “However, worrying about something that may never happen is a waste of
energy and time. Your continued association with Zhar and the rest of my family, as well as the
many Jedi you will no doubt come to know will go a long way to ensuring those tendencies
never find their way to the surface of your personality.”
“Are you so sure?” Lanni asked.
Revan met her eyes. “Lanni… if I wasn’t sure… do you think I would have allowed you
to remain on my ship?”
Lanni shook her head with a small smile. “No.”
“There you have it.” Revan said. “Do not dwell on what might have happened, or might
happen in the future. Remain in the here and now; you are a member of my family now, and we
look after our own.”
“What do you mean a member of your family?” Lanni asked.
“I have it on good authority that once this war is all over, you will be Zhar’s wife.” Revan
said.
Lanni’s eyes grew a little bigger. “He’s going to ask me to marry him?”
Revan shrugged. “I don’t know. That is for Zhar to determine. However, it is something
that I feel will be a rather large event. A party on Coruscant… lots of guests, lots of Tarisian
Ale, and a few good cigars! That’s just my opinion mind you.”
“Are Jedi always so cryptic in the way they talk?” She asked.
Revan looked at her. “You think I’m cryptic?” Revan laughed softly. “Lanni… I’m a
straight shooter when it comes to expressing my thoughts. If you want cryptic… wait until you
have a lengthy discussion with Master Vandar or Master Bindo. Cryptic is their middle name.”
Lanni’s head turned out into the jungle quickly and she sniffed the air quite without
realizing it. “Revan…”
Revan nodded. “Yes I know. They’ve been out there for a few minutes now. They moved
into position as you were sitting down.”
“Are they Sith?” She asked.
Revan shook his head. “No. I believe we are about to meet the local resistance fighters
for this area.” He didn’t move, and simply looked at her as he talked, as if he had not a care in
the world.
“Should I… should I wake the others?” She asked.
“Certainly.” He told her. “The Noghri ambassador is already awake and has sensed his
people. Please have him come over here if you would.”
“I’m here Revan.” The voice spoke from the darkness. The short figure of the Noghri
Ambassador came into focus as he stepped up to Revan.
“Anything we should know about our guests Sahkis?” Revan asked as Lanni scrambled
off the wall and went to wake the others.
The Noghri came up next to the wall as Revan slowly lowered himself to the ground. “If
they were hostile they would have attacked already.” Sahkis replied. “I believe they are fighters
of the resistance, but I have no knowledge of groups on this continent.”
“So they are scouting us?”
Sahkis nodded. “Trying to determine if we are supporters of the Sith or not.”
“I can detect four of them.” Revan spoke. “I assume there are probably more.”
“That is a safe bet.” Sahkis replied.
Revan looked at him. “None of us speak your language Sahkis. At this moment, we are
completely helpless to you. You can claim what you want with regards to our status. Now is the
opportunity to prove to the others that you are not to be suspect.”
Sahkis nodded. He leaped nimbly onto the wall and looked out into the darkness. (Come
forward!) He barked. (I bring agents of the Republic to our aide! We are not supporters of the
Sith!)
(The bodies we found nearby? You did this?) The male voice echoed from the darkness
as the rest of Revan’s team began to slowly move into defensive positions.
(We did! I have Jedi with me! The son of Revan is among them!)
(Name your tribe!)
(I am Sahkis, son of Shakier! I hail from the Southern continent! We have crashed on this
continent and need to reach the tribe of Wakeke!)
(How many in your party?)
Sahkis turned to where Revan stood next to the wall. “They want to know how many we
are.” He spoke.
Revan looked at him. “They know how many we have here. They have others that have
moved into position all around us.”
(You ask a question you already have the answer to!) Sahkis barked out. (Others have
moved all around us! The Jedi can sense them! If it is a fight you wish, then come and die! You
will find we are not so easily overcome!) Sahkis barked out.
(May we approach under truce?)
(Slowly! Those with me are warriors, and they will not hesitate to destroy you!)
Revan and Sahkis watched as half a dozen Noghri appeared as if by magic from the
darkness. All of them were armed with blaster rifles and swords, but none of the weapons were
pointed at them, which was a good sign. Revan had gotten into a crouch on top of the wall in
case he had to move quickly, and he gazed at the Noghri, his hand resting on the hilt of his
lightsaber. The apparent leader of the group was slightly taller than the average Noghri at nearly
1.6 meters Revan estimated. All of them wore loose fitting clothing over their steely gray skin,
with small packs on their backs.
“There are nine more of them out there.” Revan spoke to Sahkis. “Tell him to bring them
in, or I will order my men to destroy them.”
Sahkis translated Revan’s words, and the leader looked at Revan, his deep brown eyes
measuring up the tall human. He spoke something to Sahkis.
“He is wavering Revan. He doesn’t know if he can trust us.” Sahkis told him. “And he
doesn’t believe you know where all of his men are.”
Revan smiled. “He doesn’t uhu?” Revan reached out with his hand and found the nearest
Noghri still in the trees around them. He closed his fist and yanked his hand forward. There was
a tearing sound of leaves and branches and a small male scream before the body of the Noghri
slammed into the ground unceremoniously at the feet of the leader. The Noghri leader and those
with him jumped back as their brethren impacted the ground in front of them and curled up in a
ball moaning in pain from the broken arm and ribs his flight and impact with the ground had
caused.
The Noghri leader gazed at Revan with wide eyes and slowly dropped to one knee,
followed by the others in his group. He barked out orders in his language and eight more figures
appeared quickly form the darkness to fall in behind him. He looked at Sahkis and spoke
quickly.
“He is pledging himself to you Revan.” Sahkis spoke.
Revan jumped nimbly to the ground in front of the wall and walked slowly up to the
kneeling Noghri. “I don’t want his pledge Sahkis. Tell him to pledge himself to the freedom of
his people and his planet.”
“Revan… this is a matter of honor.” Sahkis told him. “You have shown yourself to be
superior to him.”
Revan looked at Sahkis. “I am not superior to him Sahkis. I am here… we are here to
help them fight the Sith and retake their planet for themselves. If he is still alive and leading
those with him against the Sith, then he has proven to be a great warrior all by himself. Ask him
to pledge himself to the freedom of his people.”
Sahkis turned to the Noghri leader and translated what Revan had said. The Noghri’s
eyes grew a little wider and he turned to Revan. “You… son of Great Lord Revan.” Revan kept
his face emotionless as the Noghri spoke in halting basic. “My… people have heard of you.
They… they say you are a warrior unequaled… like your fa—ther. Yet you ask me to ple—dge
my honor to my people? You will… you will not rule my planet?”
Revan shook his head. “This is your world. We have come to give it back to you. That is
what I ask you to pledge your honor to.” Revan knelt next to the injured Noghri and placed his
hands on his chest. He sent a soothing and healing pulse of the Force through the Noghri,
knitting the bones back together and healing the massive bruises caused by the injuries. The
Noghri looked up at Revan, his eyes wide, and he scrambled to his knees, bowing his head.
Revan turned back to the leader. “I have more men and ships coming. We will fight the Sith
beside you and return your world to you. Or… we will die in the process.”
The leader’s eyes grew even larger and he turned to his group barking out words in his
language. Revan watched as the others turned and looked at Revan with something akin to
reverence and they all got to their feet. Revan followed suit as the Noghri leader stepped up to
him.
“I am… I am Rukin, of the Tribe of Rukainini. As leader of my tribe, I pledge myself and
our honor to our world and we will fight for you.” Rukin told him.
Revan nodded. “Then join us. We have food and water.” He said, motioning with his
hand to the inner perimeter.
CORUSCANT
JEDI TEMPLE
“…should feed you both to a Sarlacc for acting so rashly!” Bastila raged at her husband
and Anja.
Revan and Anja had returned to the Jedi Temple on the gunship and went immediately to
the infirmary where the medics finished healing Anja’s broken leg. She walked with a slight
limp and would for a few days due to the soreness, but all three breaks were clean and the
broken bones would heal easily. Bastila caught up with them as they were leaving the infirmary
and immediately began ranting at them for acting as they did.
“A Vurk Dark Jedi! Anja you carry my grandchild for Force’s sake! If anything happens
to you, what do we tell our son? He will…” Revan pulled his wife to him and kissed her deeply,
silencing her words. She clutched at his robes tightly.
“We are fine.” Revan told her softly after he had broken the kiss.
Bastila looked at him with her sapphire eyes, still clutching his arm and nodded. “You…
you Bantha farmer!”
Revan grinned. “The little ones?” He asked.
“They are fine.” Bastila told him. “They’ve already returned to their studies with the
other younglings. We’ve transferred all of the seriously wounded to the Chancellor’s personal
surgeons for care. He provided an entire company of recently graduated Republic Commandos
to watch over them while they are there.”
“The CSF is sweeping the lower tunnels?” Revan asked.
Bastila nodded. “Four teams of them, each with two Jedi. The Wookiee and Mandalorian
sweeper teams have run through the entire Temple once and are doing it again to be safe.”
Revan nodded. “Someone gave them the position of the dormitories.” He said. “The
blueprints for the Temple aren’t exactly public knowledge.”
“Someone from within the Temple helped them?” Anja asked stunned.
“It’s the only explanation.” Revan answered.
“The Chancellor has enacted an Executive Order that specifies anyone caught for
assisting them will be subject to summary execution.” Bastila told them. “He was quite upset
when Vandar talked with him. He has promised us any medical attention we need, and told the
Commander of the CSF to find out who did this at any cost.”
“There is something about this attack that isn’t right.” Revan spoke, stopping and turning
from the path they had been walking toward the Council chambers. He went to the railing that
overlooked the courtyard below and his eyes scanned the numerous Mandalorian and Wookiee
troops moving about freely with the older Jedi Padawans.
“What do you mean Revan?” Bastila asked coming up beside her husband.
“Amaurth is a savage beast, but this attack does not fit his profile.” Revan spoke. “This
type of attack only emboldens us to continue and fight harder. If he were going to attack the
Temple, he would do it in a way that would bring down this entire structure and kill everyone
here. This attack was meant only to kill Jedi younglings. It was an act of hatred beyond military
reason.”
“Revan… if Amaurth is as savage as you say why would this attack be outside the realm
of something he would do?” Bastila asked.
“It does not serve his ultimate purpose.” Revan told her. “He would not do anything that
would make the Jedi fight harder. He would do the exact opposite. This attack was an act of
simple hatred and rage.”
“Whoever is responsible,” Anja said. “They would have to have support and money. And
that Vurk dark Jedi we fought spoke of his Master. Who else could it be?”
“Could it be this Natal you and Rev have spoken of?” Bastila asked.
Revan shook his head. “Natal is a puppet.” He replied. “He would not have the capacity
to put together this type of operation.”
“The prisoners we have captured seem to regard him highly.” Bastila spoke. “They say he
is almost as good as Amaurth with a lightsaber.”
Revan looked at her. “Natal is all talk and no punch.” He told her. “He has always been
that way. He would rather work in the shadows and curry favor by subversive means. He wishes
to confront Rev in a lightsaber fight… fine… let him. Our son would clean his clock. No… this
type of attack, the emotions behind it… it smacks of… it’s almost similar in a way to… that’s
not possible though.”
“What?” Bastila asked.
“The only person I have ever known that harbors this type of rage and hatred of the Jedi.”
Revan said.
Bastila’s eyes went wide. “Revan you can’t be serious? He’s dead! You killed him!”
“Did I?” Revan asked quietly. “During our fight he told me how he had used the Star
Forge to keep Jedi from joining the Force. So he could suck their energy from them. Perhaps
there were other things that he discovered.”
“Who are we talking about?” Anja asked.
“The Star Forge was blown into atoms Revan.” Bastila said. “You stabbed him through
his chest with your lightsaber! And then it was destroyed by the Republic fleet! Even if he did
not die in front of you, the explosion would have killed him!”
Revan nodded. “I would tend to agree.” He said. “But this act was very similar to when
he ordered the bombardment of Telos against my expressed orders. He had Saul Karath
slaughtered millions of people on a whim, knowing there was no military value in it. And he did
it to challenge me. To see what I would do.”
“Revan… you are beginning to frighten me.” Bastila said. “There’s no way!” She gripped
his arm tightly. “Is there?”
“Who in the bloody Force are you talking about?” Anja snapped finally.
Revan looked at her and grinned. “Our daughter-in-law is spending too much time around
you Bas.” He said. “She’s picking up your euphuisms.”
“Revan we need to talk with Vandar and Jolee about this!” Bastila spoke quickly. “You
have to be wrong! You have to be!”
“Will someone please tell me what you are talking about?” Anja pleaded.
Revan looked at her again, no sign of amusement on his face at all. “We are talking about
my former apprentice.” He said. “The man I thought I killed on the Star Forge thirty years ago.
We are speaking of Darth Malak.”
HONOGHR
Rev sat next to Arren and Dralor as Rukin was pointing out Sith installations currently
occupying the continent they were on. The other Noghri were scattered about rapidly eating the
field rations given to them by Eli and the other troopers. They watched with amused grins, as all
of them hated the foul tasting rations even though they were packed with energy and protein.
“…contact with many of the other resistance groups.” Rukin was explaining in basic. Rev
had requested permission from him to use the Force to draw their language out of his mind and
help him to learn basic as well. Rukin readily agreed and soon found himself speaking fluently
in basic, and Rev speaking fluently to him in Honoghran. “They are scattered across all the
continents, and we use small low band transmitters to communicate. The tribe of Wakeke is the
largest, here on the northern continent.”
“How do we get to them?” Rev asked. “The shipyard we are here to destroy is on the
northern continent.”
Rukin nodded and pointed to the holo image of the continent they were currently
occupying. “This is an old smugglers base, twelve hours journey from here. The Sith use it for
re-supply. The garrison there is not large, and there are several transports on the ground at all
times.”
Dralor nodded. “That stands to reason. They would want to be able to pull their forces off
the continent quickly if something were to happen elsewhere.” He said. “I don’t suppose you
know what type of transport?”
Rukin shook his head. “My people are not knowledgeable of the flying craft. It is large
and has a large ramp in the back. Two doors on the side.”
Dralor looked at Rev. “Probably a Mark II Sith transport.” He said. “Each of them has a
load out of about four hundred personnel. If we could steal one of them, we’d be in good
shape.”
Rev nodded. “If they keep three of them on hand, it stands to reason they have at least
that many troops on the ground.”
“We have killed many Sith in the past months.” Rukin spoke up. “Easily ten times our
number.”
“That’s only a hundred troops.” Arren said.
Rukin looked at her with a toothy grin. “You think what I have here is our entire force? I
have nearly a hundred warriors spread out among the dark places of the jungle.”
Revan grinned. “Contact them Rukin.” He said. “The first thing we are going to do is
take that smuggler facility, then we are going to load up and move to the northern continent and
start taking back your planet.”
Rukin’s dark eyes lit up with bloodlust. “I will do so immediately.”
Revan turned to Zhar as Rukin darted off to contact the remainder of his people. “Zhar…
you think you could fly a Mark II?”
Zhar nodded his head. “They aren’t much different in set up from a G-Wing. A little
bigger and more powerful perhaps, but I can fly one. Landing will be a little tricky as their wing
span is enormous, but I can do it.”
Revan nodded. “I’ll fly the third one. We hit this facility, destroy the garrison, have them
recall what troops they have out, and then use the transports to move to the Northern continent.
Sahkis… you can contact the Wakeke tribe leader correct?”
“When we are close enough to the shore yes. We dare not risk a long range transmission
to their base from one of the transports until we are within a few kilometers of the shore.”
Sahkis told them. “Their main camp is only a few kilometers inland from the shore, and we do
not want to compromise their location.”
Rev nodded. “We won’t need to. We’ll be flying very low across the water, and won’t
need their direction until we are almost on top of them. If we stay a hundred meters off the
surface of the water, the Sith satellites won’t be able to discern us from the reflection of the
water.”
“Won’t they detect the Ion trails of our engines?” Zhar asked.
Revan shook his head. “The charged static electricity in the atmosphere keeps sensors
from operating at peak efficiency, and I’m guessing the techs watching the feeds from the
satellites have been here watching the same thing for so long they won’t bat an eye when they
detect the disrupted Ion wakes across the ocean.”
“We should make radical course changes the whole way across the ocean Revan.” Dralor
spoke. “So we don’t leave a discernable pattern.”
Rev nodded and looked over to Eli. He motioned with his hand and Eli rose from his
crouch to come over next to him. “How many spare rifles did we have in the stores we buried?”
“We buried a hundred and twelve M9 Assault rifles.” Eli replied. “Full power packs as
well.”
“What about armor?”
“We were a little light on the armor General.” Eli answered. “Most of what we buried
was Echani light armor, enough to outfit a full company.”
Revan nodded. “Take half our group and half the Noghri and get those supplies back
here. The Echani light armor will be perfect for the Noghri; they will put it to better use than us,
especially with their natural speed and agility.”
Eli nodded, his military mind seeing where Revan was going before anyone but Dralor.
“Yes. Even a full company of Echani equipped Noghri would decimate any Sith Force we
encounter of equal size.”
Revan nodded. “And our follow on forces will be here in less than a week. We need to
make contact with the main resistance group and prepare to receive them.”
“Follow on forces?” Arren asked, turning to look at him. “What follow on forces? I
thought it was just us Rev? I thought we were only going to see what it is the Noghri desired,
get them to help us destroy the shipyard and then supply them before we left.”
Revan shook his head, looking at Sahkis as he answered. “The Chancellor, my father and
I had a private talk before we departed Kashyyyk. The 6th Corp is currently enroute here by a
very long meandering path. When they arrive in system, they are going to hit the orbiting Sith
Fleet with everything they have, and using newly equipped Republic RVR19 Transports, they
are going to drop two divisions of troops where we tell them.” Revan took in the shocked looks
of Arren, Zhar and Lanni and the knowing soldier looks of Dralor and Eli. “When we have
those troops on the ground, we are going to kick the Sith off this planet and right out of the
system if all goes according to plan.”
CORUSCANT
JEDI HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
“…this is almost too impossible to believe Revan.” Jolee spoke.
The Council chamber was silent as those in actual attendance, and those joining by way
of holo transmission were stunned into quiet reflection. All twelve chairs of the High Council
were now occupied, as Dacen had informed Brianna of what the Jedi Council had decided, and
she now occupied the remaining seat as the lone Jedi Healer on the Council. For the first time in
nearly three hundred years the Jedi Order had a complete High Council.
Revan nodded from his chair, Bastila to one side of him, Vandar on the other. Only two
of the other Masters were present in the chambers, Tena Kar having returned to Coruscant from
Kashyyyk only two days ago, and Master Ki-Van Tar who had only returned from Corellia just
yesterday.
“I know it sounds outrageous.” Revan said. “But it is a possibility we have to consider.
Malak had somehow twisted the use of the Star Forge to keep these mortally wounded Jedi
from Dantooine alive in some sort of suspended animation. He could then draw on their power
within the Force to heal himself and increase his own power. I did not realize what he had been
able to do at the time. I’ve replayed the events in my mind over and over again, and I’ve come
to the conclusion that if he was able to do this, then it’s quite possible that he was somehow
able to sustain his own life even after I struck him down and the station was destroyed.”
“What you suggest seems so…” Atris began from her seat on the cruiser taking her and
Hanna to Vandelhelm.
“Crazy?” Revan finished her sentence for her.
“I’m… I’m sorry… but yes.” Atris said.
“There is no need to apologize Atris.” Revan told her. “When it first came to me I
thought I was losing my mind as well. However, over the last few hours, the more I think it
through, the more it seems very feasible. Of the two of us, Malak, once he had tasted the power
of the Dark Side, he came to hate the Jedi more than anything. Even the Mandalorians paled
when it came to his hatred of the Jedi. He became nothing more than a vicious monster bent on
destruction.”
“We saw this in his actions on Telos.” Vandar spoke. “While you were somehow able to
harness the power of the dark side, Malak’s will was never strong enough to resist the dark
power and he succumbed to its control completely.”
Revan nodded sadly. “I tried to keep him on a path of what I considered righteous in our
endeavors, but I failed. I tried to… I tried to turn him back at the end, but even he admitted he
was too far gone.” Bastila noted the surprised looks of some of the Masters. That was a bit of
information that only she and Carth had known until this day, and she could see the admiration
and respect for her husband in those ten other pairs of eyes. It warmed Bastila as she realized
that their redemption had come full circle, and all of their dreams were within their grasp.
“This attack…” Revan continued. “Amaurth would not approve of this type of attack. He
would never allow something that would strengthen the resolve of all Jedi as this attack has
done. It is not in his character. With the recent knowledge that General Derred is alive and well,
I would not disregard anything. This is exactly the type of attack Malak would use to announce
his return or to kill as many Jedi as possible. The interior of the Temple has not changed in
nearly a hundred years, and Malak and I trained here for a year prior to leaving for the
Mandalorian War. He would have exactly the knowledge needed to pass on and conduct this
mission. And there is one more thing…
“Amaurth would never allow a Vurk dark Jedi to gain the power of the one Knight
Tamari and I fought earlier today.” Revan explained. “The Vurk was fueled only by hatred for
me and Anja. His command of the Force and his lightsaber skills were beyond anything that
Amaurth or Natal would have allowed.”
“This makes sense.” Vandar spoke again. “None of the dark Jedi we have faced until now
have had advanced skills, with the exception of the Dashade warrior young Revan faced, and
the Pure Sith Jedi you and others have fought.”
“But how do we find out if this could even be true?” Dacen spoke from the BRIANNA.
“The ship logs.” Tena Kar replied. “We find every ship that took part in the Battle of the
Star Forge and find their logs. We go over them with a fine toothed comb and see if anything
unusual happened after Revan and the others left this Command deck as they have described.”
Bastila nodded. “It took us nearly ten minutes to return to the EBON HAWK after we left
the Command deck of the Star Forge.” She said.
“We need to recall Admiral Forn Dodanna.” Revan spoke. “She was in overall command
at The Battle of the Star Forge, and her ship was closest to the Star Forge when its destruction
began.”
“Admiral Dodanna has been retired for some time Revan.” Jolee said. “I do remember
hearing however, that she was offered a temporary billet by the Chancellor in return for her
tactical insight.”
Revan nodded. “I will arrange a meeting and speak with her.”
“Do we advise the Chancellor?” Ki-Van Tar asked.
“We must.” Brianna spoke for the first time from her ship. “He has supported the Jedi
since his first days in office, and has given us unquestioned aide and support in the last few
months. We must maintain this relationship. We can not fall into the same trap that others
before us have and begin to work behind the backs of the elected leaders, especially one that has
shown us unrelenting support and trust. This is a threat directed at the Jedi yes, but one that
threatens the Republic as a whole.”
Vandar smiled, as did Atris and Bastila. They had been the three most vocal proponents
to Brianna joining the Council. “Our newest Master speaks with wisdom and strength.” Vandar
said. “I will inform the Chancellor of these new developments, while Master Revan speaks with
Admiral Dodanna.”
“I suggest we meet again in two days to discuss this again and see where we stand.” Jolee
spoke.
All twelve members of the Council nodded their agreement, and the first official Jedi
High Council meeting with twelve Masters came to an end.
HONOGHR
Revan let his eyes linger on the makeshift spaceport below him as he scanned the
perimeter and the buildings through the macrobinoculars. The entire area around the old
smugglers base had been cleared of trees and vegetation for three hundred meters around the
base. Revan and his band, now numbering nearly a hundred and fifty were spread out in three
locations all around the base. Rukin’s other Noghri resistance groups had joined with them as
they traveled the twelve hours to this position. Rukin and thirty-eight of his warriors were now
outfit in light Echani armor that provided them maximum freedom of movement, and still
allowed them to use their fearsome speed, agility and strength. Almost all the Noghri resistance
warriors were now equipped with the awesome Mandalorian M9 Assault rifles and extra power
packs. All of them were very pleased that the republic had sent them aide, and after Rukin had
told them of the events leading up to the moment they joined, all of them now looked at Revan
with something akin to reverence.
The sun was finishing its drop on the horizon, and night was rapidly spreading its fingers
across the jungle. Revan passed the binos to Rukin, who laid next to him on one side, with
Dralor and Eli on the other.
“It appears the short battle above has not caused them to increase their security.” Revan
spoke softly. “I count only five guard posts, and three of them are considerably lax in their
attention to the surrounding jungle.”
Dralor nodded, handing his set of binos to Eli. “The transports are Mark IIIs.” He said.
“The newest transport that we know they have. They are similar in payload and flying abilities,
but they have increased range and heavier shields. And their navicomputers might have a
windfall of new intelligence we could use.”
“Their patrol routines have not changed Revan.” Rukin told him, his eyes glued to the
binos with glee. He was amazed at what Revan had provided to him and his fighters, yet his
mind was now focused on the battle he knew was coming.
“Have a team of two break off from the other groups Rukin, your best and most stealthy
warriors. Have them move into striking range of the three furthest guard posts. When we give
the signal have them eliminate the guards. We’ll take out the other two from our location here.
Once the guards are down, all three groups will converge from their positions. Our group will
head straight for the barracks and eliminate any troops that are inside. The second group will hit
the Spaceport control center and hangers. The third group I want to move into a support
position near the underground bunker and set up the two heavy turrets we have Eli. You will be
our reserve force and support force. Get as high as you can to cover all approaches, and divide
your forces accordingly.” Revan turned to Rukin. “I know the Sith have enslaved and brutalized
your people Rukin, but now is not the time for vengeance. We must act with swiftness and
precision in this attack. Kill anything in our path, ensure wounded are incapacitated, but make it
clear wanton slaughter will not be tolerated. This is the first step toward freeing your planet, and
we must remain focused on that goal.”
Rukin nodded slowly. “I will so advise them Revan.” He said. “They will follow your
directions.”
“I don’t do this out of some sense of honor to the Sith Rukin,” Revan explained. “I have
no qualms about killing them, but we must not become like them, or it defeats everything we
fight for.”
Rukin’s eyes showed new understanding in them, and Revan knew the Noghri were not
the mindless animals many in the universe thought them to be. He nodded again. “I will tell
them what you have said. Your words ring very true and they will see the wisdom behind it.”
Revan nodded and turned to Eli. “Eli… you take command of the south group.”
Eli looked at him surprised. “Revan…”
“You have come a long way in a short time my friend.” Rev told him. “You are meant to
lead men, and you have been bloodied in the most horrific way. Now is the time to use what
you have learned and lead once more.”
Eli took a deep breath and nodded his head. “It will be done.” He spoke quietly before
slipping off into the closing darkness around them.
Revan looked at Dralor. “What do you say my friend?”
“I say let’s get to the fighting before I grow roots in this place.” Dralor responded in
typical Mandalorian fashion.
Revan chuckled softly. “And so we shall.” He said.
CARIDA
OFFICE OF MINISTRY OF SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE
ACADEMY OF CARIDA
Revan ignored the looks of shock and awe from the gathered students of the Academy of
Carida. The Republic’s main officer academy had increased its training regime due to the war
and had accepted thirty percent more students per class than they normally would have. These
students now lined the hallways to catch a glimpse of the legendary Jedi Knight Revan Panlie.
All of them knew the history of Revan, and with the recent holocrons of information released
by Admiral Onasi several months back, all knew the reasons for Revan’s actions, and while
some agreed with them, all of the students acknowledged that Revan Panlie himself had
admitted his actions had done more damage than good.
The students and officer hopefuls watched from above as Revan crossed the open
courtyard of the main Academy parade ground, followed closely by half a dozen Mandalorian
Crimson Guard and Wookiee security. Striding next to him was a senior Republic Admiral who
had fought with Revan during the Mandalorian wars, and now served beside him again. They
watched as the revered Admiral Form Dodanna stepped into the courtyard and she and Revan
embraced as brother and sister. Nearly ninety years old, and loved by anyone in uniform for her
tactical genius as well as her compassion for her troops, Forn Dodanna was the epitome of a
soldiers Admiral.
Revan smiled at Forn, holding her at arms length. “You don’t know how good it makes
me feel seeing you.” Revan told her.
Forn nodded and matched his smile. “I can say the same thing Revan.” Forn spoke. “It’s
been a long time, and I never once doubted that you were out there somewhere continuing the
fight.”
“Did Master Vandar contact you and let you know I was coming?” Revan asked, taking
her arm as they turned.
Forn nodded and held his arm tightly. “Yes, but he was vague for the reasons behind this
visit.” She answered. “I’m far too old to take command of a fleet Revan, and you know this, so
what is so important that it would bring you here? I’m already working with the Ministry of
Security and Intelligence and the Chancellor has even given me full time status again.”
“Admiral we…”
“Revan… we have been through far too much together to stand on formality.” Forn told
him.
Revan smiled. “I know all Republic ships keep sensor logs in archives.” Revan explained
to her. “I need you and I to review the sensor logs from every ship present at The Battle of the
Star Forge.”
Forn looked at him as if he had gone crazy. “Revan that fleet was nearly four hundred
ships!” She exclaimed. “Why in Hapes moon would you need to see the sensor logs for each
ship?”
Revan met her eyes. “Something has recently happen that leaves open the possibility that
Malak survived that battle.”
Forn’s mouth snapped shut quickly and her eyes darkened. “You are serious?” She asked
finally.
Revan nodded. “Unfortunately I am.” He told her.
“How is that possible Revan? You said yourself you ran him through with your own
lightsaber. How could he have survived that, let alone the Star Forge blowing up?” Forn asked.
Revan shook his head. “He showed me some things on the Star Forge. Things that are an
abomination to the Force and everything we stand for as Jedi. One of the things he showed me
was how he kept dead Jedi alive, essentially to drain their life force if he was ever injured. I was
able to destroy the chambers with the Jedi in them that were on the observation deck where we
fought. That does not mean he did not have more somewhere else on the Star Forge that he was
able to tap into after I left him for dead.”
“What would we be looking for?” Forn asked. “How would we know if he was able to
escape the station before it was destroyed?”
“That is where the sensor logs come in.” Revan told her. “We need to review them and
try to detect if a small ship or escape pod made it off the station before it exploded. It was
nearly ten minutes before Carth and Bastila and I made it back to the HAWK and got off. If we
did it, Malak could have as well. Even if he did not have any help.”
“If… if what you say is true,” Forn spoke. “What doe sit mean?”
“My son’s wife and I were attacked by a Vurk dark Jedi of incredible power, power that
Amaurth would not have allowed an apprentice to obtain. He had to have learned it from
somewhere, and after the destruction of the Star Forge there were no Sith Masters capable of
teaching what this Vurk knew. Only Malak or myself could have taught him. And I know it
wasn’t me.”
“If he is still alive then…” Forn looked at Revan with fear in her eyes.
Revan nodded. “Then he has been hiding and hoarding his power somewhere, and he is
about to open a second front in this war. A second front that could very well mean the end of us
all.”
Forn turned to an aide. “I want the second level conference room cleared immediately!
Have every cadet with above average eyesight and at least Cadet Lieutenant in rank report there
as well. Then contact the Military Data Archives Center in the Judicial Department on
Coruscant and have them transmit to us every sensor log from every ship in the Battle of the
Star Forge.”
“Yes Admiral.” The aide said before turning and tearing off at a dead run.
Forn turned back to Revan. “I truly hope you are wrong Revan.” She said softly.
Revan nodded. “So do I Admiral. So do I.”