REVENGE OF THE SITH
Part V – Reunited
There’s a saying that two heads are better than one. And then there’s the phrase, with a little help from my friends. As the galaxy is once again plunged into the darkness of the Sith, people will have to come together in order to survive.
But first, one must step back into his past and find those friends that were long forgotten…
The crew onboard the Sojourn weren’t sure what to suspect when med crews went down to the Ebon Hawk. Some knew that their commanding officer had once saved the galaxy on the smuggling ship, while others were also aware as to the other crew members that were on the Hawk.
Above all, the crew were…awed and somewhat star struck when it was rumored that Revan – the Sith lord turned prodigal knight – had come aboard. Some of the crew had even insisted that former Jedi Bastila Shan had been aboard for years and that she and the admiral were secret lovers.
A few of those crew members even had a bet on who the Jedi princess would end up with.
But it wasn’t until Raden Mosk had gotten back to his duties as the onboard doctor assistant that the rumors were confirmed. Raden and his superior chief officer had been surprised going down to the Hawk.
The main hold was empty, but upon reaching one of the corridors, they saw a man leaning against the wall, with a woman laid out on the floor. Raden had reached for his blaster then, not knowing if the man was a threat or not and then the man spoke.
“I’m not a threat,” he groaned, seemingly reading his mind. “I’m the guy who got you sent down here in the first place.”
“Are you hurt?” asked the chief.
“Who’s the lady?” asked Raden.
“Nothing a kolto pack and a nice drink won’t cure.” the man chuckled, wincing, and moving one of his hands to his stomach. “As for the second question, I have no clue. She jumped out of nowhere and tried to arrest me and…the boarding party that was here before you. She didn’t really stand a chance, but I think she’s okay. Just unconscious.”
The chief nodded, opening his pack and nodding at Raden to work on the woman. Raden nodded his confirmation, but when he began to go walk past the man, he stopped. There was a light saber next to him on the floor and that caused the young assistant to back up into his chief. “What the…?”
“Chief,” he whispered, urgently. “Don’t. He’s a Jedi. He could kill us.”
The chief looked at him as though he were crazy. “Do you have any idea who this man is?” he asked. Raden shook his head. “If I’m not mistaken, this Jedi is the famed knight Revan. You know, the man who saved our asses against the Mandalorians and again against Malak? This man saved my planet and with it, my wife and children.”
Raden looked down at the Jedi. He knew all that, but…Revan was the dark lord. He had killed people and there was one hell of a bounty on living Jedi.
“Don’t think I’m unaware about that bounty.” Revan whispered. He previously had his eyes closed, but they now were looking at the young assistant. “I don’t think you want to tangle with me, do you?”
The intern shook his head rapidly, quickly going to check on the young woman that lay on the floor. He heard his chief laugh at the whole thing, as he kneeled down.
The Sojourn made the necessary arrangements in getting the Hawk within its hanger bay, while Revan watched as the mysterious young woman was carted away on a stretcher to the med unit. He was, of course, curious as to who she was, but also how she was able to board the Ebon Hawk without he or Ellis knowing.
Then again, he also didn’t get the tip off that his former friend and comrade was training to be a Sith Lord, either. He gave one last look to the Ebon Hawk before he left the main hold and stepped into the hanger bay of the Sojourn.
Looking around at the enclosure, the former Jedi master noticed it was slightly smaller than the hanger of the Leviathan, but it wasn’t truly designed to hold a ship such as the Hawk. He saw a small variety of fighter wings and one or two speeders that were stashed behind.
It seemed like the crew was paying more attention to him than their jobs – already a young woman had bumped into someone as she headed for a command console and a young junior officer’s jaw had dropped at seeing him.
Revan had almost forgotten how easily people in the Republic would recognize him.
He glanced around, but stopped when he looked up at the upper landing. A grin turned into a smile as he recognized the senior officer. He was dressed in a white uniform – the dress of a very powerful commander – and he looked like he belonged on the railing of his own ship.
His brown hair still looked the same, two errant locks always hanging over his forehead, and attached to that was the customary stubble that lined his face. He smiled as he saw Revan and he motioned for the younger man to come up.
Revan tossed glances around him as he went forward to a gray ramp that led to the upper deck. Upon reaching the platform, the military man met him with a tight hug and a pat on the back. “It’s good to see you, Capt’n,” the younger man said, once they pulled apart. He leaned back to look at the new uniform. “Or should I say ‘Admiral’ now?”
Carth Onasi chuckled, using one hand to rub the back of his neck. “I woke up one day and I had a shiny new uniform with my name on it,” he joked. “How could I say no?” The two shared a laugh, before Carth looked at his friend. He clapped the younger man on the shoulder. “It’s good to have you back, Rev.”
“It’s good to be back.” Revan whispered.
Carth put an arm around his shoulders and began to lead him through the hallway that stood in front of them. The admiral patted the Jedi knight on the back of his head before pulling back and swatting him hard.
“Ow!” Revan cried, looking at the officer in shock. “What was that for?”
The two stopped in the middle of the hallway for Carth to glare at the man. “No word in five years, Rev?” he growled. “And then you show up out of nowhere. I think you owe me an explanation…partner.”
Revan glanced around them, taking Carth by the arm and pulling him aside. “You’re right,” he whispered. “I have a hell of a lot to explain, believe me, but I don’t think it’s something we should be discussing out in the hall. Trust me…it won’t be good.”
“Why don’t I like the sound of the that?” The younger man shrugged. The admiral shook his head, before another smile graced his face. “I didn’t want to get in to you like that,” he apologized. “It may not seem like it, but I am happy to see you.” He again clapped the young man on the shoulder. “Come on,” he said, with a smile. “I have a surprise for you.”
That perked the Jedi knight up. “A surprise?” he asked, obviously happy to get away from the previous conversation as well as being intrigued in this new development. “You know how I love surprises.”
“I know.”
Bastila Shan had stayed within her shared quarters with Adm. Carth Onasi. She had spent that time pacing or lying on her bed and looking up at the ceiling. She had mynocks in her stomach at the thought of seeing Revan again; so many she couldn’t make herself go to the bridge to confirm that the message T3 had received was indeed from her beloved.
She didn’t think she had ever been so nervous before when meeting the former Jedi master. She remembered when she had been assigned as a ‘mindful eye’ for Revan aboard the Endar Spire, but to her surprise, she never saw him until he had saved her – yes, she gave him credit for it – from the Black Vulkars and Brejik.
She didn’t think she had even been this nervous upon their first dinner date. But now, her stomach seemed to be in knots and she could feel her heart begin to beat faster as she felt the Sojourn begin its landing sequence.
And then she felt it; faint at first, but getting stronger steadily. The bond that she had forged with him after Malak had fired on his ship had grown between them during their adventures and more so once the two had become lovers. And after five years of a dull ache, she could feel it shift as she felt him.
Oh Force, she thought. He’s here. He’s on the ship. He’s here and it’s not a dream. She was no stranger to the life like dream of seeing Revan again, of holding him in her embrace, and a romantic night with her lover…only to awake in the morning and find herself alone and her wondrous night just a figment of her imagination.
But it didn’t mean she wouldn’t react the same way every time; because every time was the possibility of him being there.
Of him coming home.
And now it seemed either she was once again dreaming or her dreams had come true.
It didn’t take long for the two friends to find their way to the admiral’s personal quarters. Revan looked around, admiring the surroundings. There were two doors, one on his right and one on his left, and a desk in the center of the room. To one side was a mini bar, opposite the replicator. The younger man nodded his approval.
“Wow, I can’t believe it,” he said. “You got me my own personal quarters. And they’re nice, too. How’d you know?”
Carth looked at him, with an eyebrow raised. “I didn’t.” he deadpanned. “It’s not the room.”
Revan looked around again. “Is it the chair?” he asked, pointing at the leather chair that sat behind the desk. “Cause that’s a nice chair. No, wait. It’s the desk. Is it the desk?”
“It’s not the desk or the chair.”
“Am I right that is in this room?” Revan asked. “Can I freely choose?”
Carth rolled his eyes, giving a small smile and a nod over his shoulder. “Hasn’t even been on the ship for five minutes and already He’s demanding things.”
Revan watched as she came into the center of the room. Her hair was down and it seemed to have grown slightly past her shoulders; she wore a black tunic, and though she tried to maintain the smirk on her lips, her eyes belayed the fact that she was trying hard not to burst into tears. He almost tapped into their bond, but held off, unsure of what the prolonged distance had done.
Revan smiled, that flirtatious smile he always held for her and her alone. “Why Carth,” he joked. “You sly space dog. You got me a girl.” His eyes swept over her once more. “And a beautiful one at that.”
The admiral shrugged. “I just know my friends, that’s all.”
“Yes,” Bastila replied, sarcastically, her eyes never leaving Revan’s. “You have a real gift.”
“Hello Bas,” the former knight greeted her. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“I could say the same,” she replied. “It’s not every day one comes back from a five year vacation.”
She didn’t know why she said it and there certainly was no venom to her words, but they were hurtful just the same. Though Revan’s features didn’t change, Bastila could feel the small hurt her words had produced and there was something else that underlined that hurt.
“True,” said Revan, taking a step towards her. “But most don’t have anyone to come back to.”
Carth looked between the two. He really should’ve left as soon as Bastila stepped from the room, but he couldn’t help but want to watch the happy reunion between his friends. However, their jabbing seemed to be heading in a place he really didn’t want to witness. He thought about making his escape, while actually doing something productive.
“You know,” he said. “I think I’ll go check on that woman you brought back, Rev.”
He winced as soon as he said it, mentally kicking himself for being so stupid. Bastila didn’t move or turn; only raised one of those slim brown eyebrows of hers, while Revan shot the officer a side glance. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
“I should go.” He said, clearing his throat. He calmly turned and headed for the door. He waited until it had closed before smacking himself in the forehead for his thoughtless comment. He turned to his right and set out to do what he said: Find out who the mysterious woman was.
The remaining two occupants within the suite still looked at each other, neither one watching Carth leave them to themselves. “Picking up stowaways again, Revan?” asked Bastila, a bit of hurt and jealousy laced her tone.
Revan looked around the suite once more. “You have to get in pretty close to have the pleasure of sharing the admiral’s quarters.” he shot back.
“And just what are you implying?”
“I think the meaning is obvious, dear,” he said, glaring at her.
“That’s low, Revan,” she growled.
“So was that last crack,” he countered, taking another step towards her till they stood face to face. “Not to mention the ‘five year vacation’ comment.” The force of his anger lessened and his features softened, his hand going to caress her check. “I don’t want to fight with you, Bastila,” he whispered.
She looked at him, wanting to fight the urge to hug him, embrace him. She knew this had to be a dream and she knew when she woke tomorrow, he would be gone, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. Tonight, he was hers and she could at least enjoy it. Their fight was forgotten as they embraced, Revan squeezing her slightly.
“I have missed you so much,” he murmured against her hair.
“Where’ve you been?”
“A lot of places,” he answered, holding her tighter as he felt her tears fall. “A lot of bad places I couldn’t take you to.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she sobbed.
He kissed her temple, moving so he could see her face. He wiped her tears, saying, “Shh. Honey, I could never stay away from you. I love you too damn much.”
She looked at him, confusion clear on her features. “What about…” she asked, referring to the woman Carth had mentioned.
Revan shook his head quickly. “She means nothing!” he blurted. “I don’t even know who she is. I’m on the Ebon Hawk and then, boom. There she was, trying to arrest me and…” he shook his head again. “Let’s save that until tomorrow morning, huh? There’re a lot of things I have to tell you and Carth and hopefully a few things you two can fill me in on. For now, however…”
He pulled her closer, touching his forehead to hers. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this,” he began. “But I was under the distinct impression that our friend the admiral would be providing me lodgings for my stay and what do I find? Nothing. At least, nothing but a gorgeous, sexy brunette, who is as sweet as she is kind.”
“Really?” she asked, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “So the mystery woman you’ve brought aboard is a brunette, is she?”
Revan smirked, stealing a quick kiss on her cheek. “Redhead.” he said, nuzzling her ear and neck. “And she’s not nearly as sexy as you.” His lips grazed her throat. “I’ve really missed you, darling,” he murmured.
“Mmm…” came the responsive purr. “Yes, I can tell.”
He chuckled, clearly not ashamed at any evidence that showed his desire for her. “It means I’m happy to see you.”
“Very happy it seems.”
“I’m just hoping to have some company for the evening.” He brushed his lips across hers. “And maybe someone to join me for breakfast tomorrow.”
“I’m sure Carth would love that,” she quipped.
“Hmmm, yes I’m sure he would,” was his agreement. “Unfortunately for me, he can’t do the kind of things you can. And I’m never nearly as happy to see him, if you get my drift.”
“Perfectly.” She leaned back to look at him. His head now sported a moderate growth of hair, with a few mild spiked points at the front, while his goatee had grown into a beard. “You need to shave, you know,” she replied.
“If it means I can share your bed tonight, I’ll go do it right now.”
“You’re quite forward, you know that?”
He kissed her softly, feeling her melt in his arms. “You know I always go after what I want,” he whispered. “And certainly, I don’t think there’s any doubt that I want you. Right now.”
Bastila tried to keep her wits about her, even when her body and mind screamed at her for just standing there. It was a lost cause, of course. “I never could resist you,” she said, taking him by the hand, and heading for her section of the room.
“It’s my charm,” he said, following her. “You think I’m charming.”