Revan's Tale (Chapter Four)

Chapter Four

It's been almost two years since my first encounter with Bastila on the battlefield. Revan thought to himself as he stood at the head of the command bridge of his Centurion-class battlecruiser. I have a feeling that the next encounter will happen soon enough. And if everything goes as planned, it will happen today.

Since the Battle of Rodia, the Republic had launched two campaigns to capture Mon Gazza and Lannik. Both campaigns were successful, thanks to Bastila's Battle Meditation. However, while the Republic was trying to regain their balance, Revan had changed tactics: He allowed Malak to have his fun for a little while. He allowed Malak to lead raids on small Republic outposts in the Outer Rim, in order to hammer away at some of their defenses. Revan counted on one thing with this tactic: Malak's blood lust. He knew Malak would choose random bases with absolutely no pattern to them. That would make Malak's movements harder to follow, which meant the Republic would be wasting valuable energy trying to send supplies to planets that might be targeted. That's where he came in.

With the help of his assassination droid HK-47, he ambushed Republic supply ships and stole their cargo, further depriving the Republic of resources and adding to his own. He also sent HK-47 on political assassination missions; his main targets were key Republic figures who he saw as a threat to the war, as well as people who sought to somehow leech money out of the Sith Empire. Criminal organizations were very crafty, and even Revan was amazed at what they could do sometimes. But in the end, he could not allow their existence.

Eventually, Revan ordered Malak to cease the raids and regroup with him at the Star Forge. Once the two met up, they set out for the Outer Rim. The plan, he told Malak, was to destroy the Star Maps they had found so that no one else could find the Star Forge. In truth, this was not the actual plan. Revan's real plan was much more complicated.

Over the past two years, he had been planning out his next encounter with Bastila step by step. By the end of last year, he had his plan ready. The first step was the leaking of selective information to the Jedi. The information he leaked would allow the Jedi to stage a trap for himself and Malak. If his guess was correct, Bastila would lead the trap, and probably try to capture him from his own ship. Naturally, Revan would allow himself to fall into the trap. He had a feeling that the Republic would have a fleet waiting for them, so he brought a fleet of his own to look like he was going to attack a planet when he was suddenly intercepted by a small Republic fleet. Malak was under the impression that they were going to bombard the planets with the Star Maps, instead of being subtle about it; that was the only reason Malak didn't question why they brought a fleet of ships with them.

Idiot...

He knew his confrontation with Bastila would take place on the command deck, so that's where he would stay. He would eliminate her Jedi vanguard first, then he'd take her out. It was a shame she'd have to die. She would have made a much better Apprentice than Malak ever was.

Speaking of Malak...

After Bastila was finished, he'd have to do something about Malak. A face to face confrontation with his own apprentice would have to be subtly forced as well. He obviously angered Malak. All he had to do was continue to infuriate Malak with his own appreciation for the subtle. Also, he would have to make it appear that he was looking to replace Malak with a new apprentice. He all ready had a few candidates in mind. However, one of them stuck out the most: a Sith named Voren, who had been a Jedi with him during the Mandalorian Wars. He showed much potential, and he was loyal to Revan. Even though it was the tradition for Sith to betray each other, that would not do for Revan. If anything, he needed a loyal apprentice if he wanted his plans for the Republic to succeed. However, if Malak was successfully disposed of, he could probably share his secrets with Voren, and he would most likely follow in Revan's footsteps, even if he did betray him. Voren would probably be easier to influence than Malak, who was extremely stubborn and headstrong.

However, where Malak was merely ambitious, Voren was obsessed with rank. Voren was more than willing to eliminate one of his superiors to gain a rank. However, the difference between Voren and Malak was that Voren was willing to wait until he was sure he was ready. Malak, on the other hand, would never be ready, no matter what he thought. In any event, after this issue with Bastila was finished, he would take care of Malak.

No... perhaps Bastila could be turned. She doesn't necessarily need to die. She would make a better apprentice than either Voren or Malak. Her Battle Meditation would definitely be a great boon to us. Yes... I'll take her prisoner, and keep her held on Lehon, where I will secretly train her in the ways of the Sith. Once she is ready, I'll have her destroy Malak to prove her worth. Yes, it's perfect. I will have both the Republic and Sith Empire think her dead, then make it appear that I brought her back. Yes... that will ensure total loyalty when I rebuild the Republic. After all, the galaxy loves miracle workers. That's exactly the reason so many followed me in the Mandalorian Wars. I was their savior, wasn't I? Yes... I saved the galaxy once, and I'll save it again. But it will be many years before they understand. Perhaps they'll never understand. In any event, I'll do what must be done to ensure the survival of the galaxy. After all, in order to defeat my enemy, I first must become my enemy.

"My lord," A voice said from behind him. Revan folded his arms across his chest and looked over his shoulder at the captain. "Our sensors have picked up a small Republic fleet a few clicks north of our location. What are your orders?"

Revan replied without hesitation. "Send the coordinates to the rest of this fleet, and give the order to engage. Leave no survivors."

The captain bowed and said, "At once, my lord."

Revan returned his gaze to the viewport. At times like these, he would normally smirk in amusement, but not today. A dark rain cloud was cast over his mind. Something wasn't right; he felt like this day had dark intentions for him. Perhaps he was just anxious from all the anticipation. He had been planning for nearly a year, after all.

The Republic fleet came into view quickly. Revan ordered his ships to release their fighters, and open fire upon the fleet. He knew this fleet was merely a distraction; that they would barely even try to fight. In fact, this was pretty much a suicidal fleet. Therefore, Revan decided to take an idle position in terms of giving commands. He would leave this to the individual ship commanders for once. All that mattered to him was that everything went as planned. He slipped a hand inside his hood, and depressed an indentation on his helmet. He contacted four elite trained Dark Jedi, and ordered them to report to the command bridge immediately. These Dark Jedi would serve as little more than cannon fodder to weaken the Jedi so Revan wouldn't have to waste his energy before getting to Bastila.

Soon after the Dark Jedi arrived at the command bridge, an alarm went off. Bastila.

"Lord Revan," One of the Dark Jedi said. "We are receiving reports of a Jedi strike team infiltrating the main hangar bay. What are your orders, my lord?"

Again, Revan replied calmly and without hesitation. "The four of you will stay here and act as my guard. As for the rest of you," Revan said, motioning to the deck hands. "Send a transmission to the rest of the fleet, alerting them of what has happened. After you send the transmission, move the ship out of firing range of the Republic fleet, and return to your quarters. Also, activate the ship's external auto turrets, just in case any Republic fighters stray too far from the battle. I will signal you to return to the deck when it is safe."

The deck hands did as commanded, then they left the command bridge, leaving Revan alone with the four Dark Jedi and his thoughts.

Bastila, my love... you and I could have had a future together had you decided to join me in the first place. But now... all chances of that are gone. I can't make room for love... unless you can convince me otherwise, that is. In any event, you will be mine, whether in the form of a lover or an apprentice. Or perhaps both. If you refuse, then you shall die. That is the way it must be, unfortunately. There is no such thing as compromise in times of war. There can only be the extremes, sadly. And if I must appear to be the darkest extreme, then so be it; I will be that extreme, no matter what the cost.

"Lord Revan," Said one of the Dark Jedi. "Voren just contacted us. He said the Jedi forced him to give them the access codes to the main deck."

Well, I guess he can't be my apprentice after all. Sniveling fool. He thinks that with me gone, he'll advance in rank. So be it.

"Is anyone else with him?" Revan asked calmly.

"Yes," The Dark Jedi replied, after a moment of listening to Voren on the comlink. "He said one Sith Marauder remains with him."

"Put the Marauder on the comlink, and hand it over to me."

"Yes, one moment. Voren, put the Marauder on the comlink." The Dark Jedi said. "Here you are, my lord."

Revan snatched the comlink out of his hand, and spoke into it. "Tell me, Marauder, what is your opinion on what Voren has done?"

"Honestly, sir, I think it an act of treason," The Marauder said quietly; he obviously didn't want Voren to hear him.

"As do I; I'm glad to see you and I share the same disposition." Revan said; he made it sound as if he were making light conversation. "Now, if you were in my position, what would you do?"

"Well, I'd probably have the culprit punished, my lord. Why do you ask?" Both curiosity and excitement layered the Sith's voice.

"The punishment for treason is death, my friend. Eliminate the traitor, and take his title of third-in-command. For eliminating him, I shall make you a Sith Lord once this is all over."

"It shall be done, my lord."

Revan cut the link quickly, then handed the comlink back over to the Dark Jedi. So... they now have the codes to access the bridge, eh? It's only a matter of minutes before they arrive, then.

Revan stood there and waited patiently for the blast doors to slide open. Blood was about to be shed...he could feel it. Soon, he would blow out many more candles, and would soon gain a new and improved apprentice. Today would end well for him; he could feel it.

The blast doors slid open. The sound of scrambling footsteps echoed throughout the deck, as did the sounds of lightsabers igniting. Revan turned around to see four Jedi, Bastila included, with lightsabers drawn. Besides Bastila, there were two human males, and one female Twi'lek. One of the males had a purple lightsaber, the other had a green short lightsaber; Bastila's blade was yellow, and the Twi'lek's was purple as well. With them were three Republic soldiers; it appeared that one of them was an officer.

"Darth Revan," Bastila said calmly. "This is your last chance to surrender peacefully. If you give up now, the lives of your followers will be spared, as well as yours."

So naive, Bastila. That will all be fixed soon enough.

"Their lives are nothing to me, Bastila. As are the lives of your friends here." Revan motioned to his Dark Jedi, then said, "Finish them."

His followers drew their lightsabers, then engaged Bastila and the other three Jedi. He knew that they were no match for the Jedi, but that didn't matter. He just needed them weakened so he could finish them off single handedly. While the Dark Jedi were fighting the Jedi strike team, the Republic soldiers decided to open fire at Revan. He merely smirked, and put up a wall of Force Energy to deflect the blaster fire. Eventually, the soldiers put away their blasters and took out vibro swords.

How pathetic...

Revan drew his own blood red lightsaber, and awaited the Republic dogs. The two grunts ran at him; an extremely foolish attempt. He reached out with the Force, and crushed a soldier's windpipe. He waited for the other one to get close enough; the soldier swung, Revan ducked and sliced him in half. The officer was a bit smarter about his approach. He first threw a grenade at Revan, which he easily crushed in midair with the Force, which made it detonate. The officer ran through the smoke, and attempted to strike at Revan. He merely held out his hand, and lifted him up, and began to slowly strangle him. Within thirty seconds he was dead.

And then there were four.

Bastila and the three other Jedi cornered Revan at the head of his own command deck. It looks like the odds are still in my favour, then.

"You cannot win, Revan." Bastila declared.

"Oh, is that so?" Revan flourished his lightsaber, and entered the opening stance for Form VII. "I think the odds are in my favor."

"Then you are blind!" The human with the violet blade called out. "There are four of us, and one of you. You're outnumbered!"

"Which shows how little you know of strategy. Come, let me teach you." Revan mocked.

The Jedi screamed in anger. "You'll pay for all the lives you've stolen!"

"Jared, wait!" Bastila pleaded. "We must face him together!"

Jared didn't wait. He ran at Revan, which is exactly what Revan wanted. At exactly the right moment, Revan made a stab for the Jedi's chest, which the Jedi easily parried to his left side. Jared swung for Revan, but he ducked out of the way, and immediately proceeded to plunge his lightsaber into Jared's stomach. He let out a groan of pain, then Revan removed his lightsaber from the Jedi's body, and spun out of the way to let him fall.

"Now you will see the power of the Dark side, Bastila."

He reached out with the Force to the other human male, and gripped him. He struggled against Revan's hold but it did him no good. Bastila ran at Revan in an attempt to stop him, but Revan threw the Jedi out one of the windows. The glass shattered, and the vacuum of space began sucking out the Twi'lek; Bastila managed to grab on to a computer terminal before she was sucked out; Revan used the power of the Force alone to keep him grounded. Soon after, blast armour plating lowered over the shattered window, returning the environment to normal. Bastila regained her composure, and turned to face Revan again.

"It would appear that it's just you and me, Bastila." Revan said. He took up his opening stance again.

"You're a coward, Revan." Bastila said, holding her lightsaber in front of her, with the point tipped at Revan. "Even now you try to avoid judgment. I warn you once more: Surrender, and you shall not be harmed."

"I've been awaiting this moment for a long time, my old friend." Revan hissed. "I will never surrender."

"So be it, then."

Bastila took two large steps forward, and began the fight with an overhead strike. Revan easily blocked the overhead blow, and easily pushed the lightsaber into the air, then ducked down with a diagonal counter attack. Bastila jumped, avoiding the counter strike; she spun in mid air, and landed a spin kick on the side of Revan's head. He spun backwards, but quickly regained his balance.

"Very impressive," Revan remarked. "It would seem you are as skilled in combat as you are with Battle Meditation."

"Surprised, Revan?" Bastila asked smugly.

"Not really." Revan hissed.

He leapt at her, spinning sideways in midair. As he spun at her, his lightsaber was aimed for her neck, and on his spinning landing, for her legs. She narrowly avoided the strike to her neck, and managed to block the strike to her legs. Revan tapped into his pent up raw emotions, and channeled them into power, enhancing his own natural speed and strength. He struck at her with a flurry of spin attacks and lunges, giving her little room for counter attack. All he had to do was give himself into the ebb and flow of battle, and this duel would be easily won. He could feel Bastila relax, however, allowing the Force to flow through her body. It wouldn't be enough to stop him, however. He struck at her with an overhead chop, which she blocked as expected. However, he then kicked her in the stomach, sending her back a few feet. Then he held out his free hand, and launched a flurry of purple lightning at her. She raised her lightsaber, and managed to block the lightning, but Revan wasn't about to stop.

"That won't be enough!"

He allowed the Dark side to surge through him long enough to knock the lightsaber out of her hand, then the lightning stuck her. She shrieked in pain, and was sent flying backwards a few feet. Revan smirked to himself, and deactivated his lightsaber. It's done... now to take her prisoner. She quickly began to stir, but she was weak. He began walking over to her, but he stopped midway.

Wait... something's wrong. I sense a disturbance in the Force. Malak is-

Before he could complete his thought, the command deck's terminals exploded, and all the lights went out. Malak had fired on his ship! He stumbled on the first shot, but then the second shot came. A concussive wave was sent throughout the bridge. The force of the blast knocked him unconscious. He was no longer aware of his surroundings...he wasn't dead, but he was about to lose his connection with the world.

Malak... you animal! I swear... you will die...

Revan quickly lost consciousness.