A/N: This post-KoTOR fic is a follow-up story to my version of what happened in the game (From the Ashes). While I don't think it is necessary to have read the previous story, I'm giving readers fair warning now, some things happen somewhat differently in From the Ashes than they do in the actual game. Since Chasing Redemption is a direct sequel, those events will be alluded to in this story.
Feedback is greatly appreciated. What you liked/didn't like, what you thought worked didn't work is especially helpful.
Also, I think it is only fair to mention that I have discovered that I am a rather slow writer and it may take me up to a month (or more) to update my story. However, I will try to update as often as possible. You have been warned...
In addition, the events of this game may clash with that KoTOR 2 says happened to Revan in the five years between games. Since I have a pc and not an xbox, I won't know what happens in KoTOR 2 until February, so when the game comes out on the xbox, please don't spoil me.
Finally, big thank you to xenzen and Lord Valentai for the beta.
Disclaimer: I own none of this. I'm just playing with George Lucas' & Bioware's lovely toys. So please, don't sue me.
Chasing Redemption
Prologue - A Hard Truth
The salty sea breeze ruffled Carth's hair, blowing away the smell of blood, sweat and death that lingered on his clothing. He looked down at Min, or Revan, as her name once was, wrapped in his arms. With her head tucked under his chin and her cheek resting against his armored chest, she watched Malak's body burn to the peaceful sound of the surf slapping against the sandy beach below. The dying fire was the only light in the dark, inky night.
Shifting his sore, stiff body into a more comfortable position, Carth resolved to stay with her for as long as she needed him. Although he was bone-weary, and his shoulders and back ached, he didn't say a word. Min wanted to stay, and that was enough for him. The blazing funeral pyre had burned down to glowing embers, and Malak's body was nothing but a burned, charred husk.
They had yet to report to the main fleet, since Min had insisted that they come to the Rakatan planet immediately after the destruction of the Star Forge. The crew had done as she'd asked, building a funeral pyre for her former lover, best friend, apprentice, and enemy. One by one the others had returned to the Ebon Hawk, leaving the two of them alone on the cliff.
At his movement, she looked up and studied his face. Her eyes, so brown they were almost black, were tired, sad and full of regret. Her cheek was still smeared with Malak's blood.
"I'm sorry, Carth."
He started to speak, but she covered his lips with her fingers to silence him. "I don't know any words that are adequate. I'm sorry for being Revan, I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess, and I'm sorry that you fell in love with me." Trembling, she hung her head, but he saw the painful self-loathing in her eyes before she looked away. "I don't know how to make it right, but you deserve better than this. If I had known-"
He cupped her chin in his hand so that she'd have to look him in the eye. "But you didn't know, and I don't regret this. That's all in the past," he stated firmly. He wasn't a fool. He knew that it might take her a long time to become whole again, but he simply refused to allow her to give in to despair.
She gave him a look so filled with grief that it tied his stomach into painful, twisted knots. "No, Carth, it's not." She swallowed, and Carth could tell that she was steeling herself for something, but her next words confused the hell out of him.
"Please don't fight them."
"Who? What?" he sputtered as she pulled away.
Any answer she might have made was cut off by the whine of heavy blasters powering up. Bright lights hit him directly in the face, momentarily blinding him, and a gruff, authoritative voice came crashing out of the silent darkness. "Revan, you are surrounded. Step away from Captain Onasi."
He was shocked, but Min wasn't. Carth realized that she must have felt them approach.
As she stepped back, she met his eyes; her own eyes were filled with resigned sorrow. "You didn't think they were going to just let me go, did you?"
An entire patrol of Republic Special Forces troopers materialized out of nowhere. All of their weapons were trained on Min. Carth recognized their insignia, and knew that they were the toughest squad in the Republic Fleet. He knew from experience that for every one that he could see, two were concealed.
A hard, wiry man, all lines and angles, dressed all in black and carrying enough weapons to make Canderous envious, was the owner of the voice. Carth figured that the guy must be the squad leader. "Both of you, keep your hands where we can see them." At that, Min complied, holding her hands in front of her for them to see.
Carth focused on the squad leader as the subject of his anger. "Wait a minute-"
"Captain Onasi. Please step back."
"No!"
"We have orders from Admiral Dodonna to bring Revan in. Do not interfere." The squad leader's tone of voice told Carth that he was beginning to lose patience, but Carth didn't give a damn.
He stepped between Min and the squad leader. "Wait, damn it! You can't do this-"
She touched his shoulder gently. "Please, Carth, do what they say."
He struggled to keep his temper, his jaw set in an implacable line. "I'm not going to let them lead you away like you're some kind of criminal!"
Her words hit him like a blow to the face, because, deep down, he knew they were true. "But that's what I am."
"Captain Onasi, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."
He heard a commotion as Jolee, Juhani, Canderous and the rest of the Ebon Hawk's crew came into view and more soldiers materialized out of the brush, surrounding them warily. Lights blazed from the brush, blinding the crew as lightsabers ignited and weapons were drawn. Locked in a standoff, Zaalbar roared in protest while Mission shouted insults at the troopers. Jolee, Juhani and Bastila were grimly silent while Canderous sneered as he trained his repeater on the nearest soldiers.
"Stop!" Min shouted at her companions. "Lower your weapons and don't interfere!"
After a few tense seconds of silence, Jolee shook his head and snapped his lightsaber off. The others reluctantly followed his lead, except for Canderous, who still had his repeater ready to fire. But Min barked something sharp at Canderous in Mandalorian, and he reluctantly lowered his weapon.
"You can't do this!" Carth insisted, as though repeating those words would get them to listen. Min limped around him, her leg still wounded from her battle with Malak, and came forward, hands out in a non-threatening gesture. Several troopers took advantage of her movement and stepped between her and Carth.
"We can and we will." The squad leader carefully unhooked the lightsabers from her belt. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with the Admiral. She's ordered you to report to her ASAP."
It was Jolee's words that kept Carth from completely losing his temper and doing something rash. "Keep your cool, kid. You can't help her this way. We'll talk to the Admiral and clear this up, all right?"
The squad leader grabbed Min's wrists roughly, and locked her hands behind her with metal binders. Carth clenched his hands into tight fists. Every instinct he had told him to deck the man, grab Min and run, but Carth knew Jolee was right. While they would probably be able to get away, that wasn't the answer.
Min looked at him one last time before they snapped the neural disrupter around her neck with a sharp click. Her intense dark eyes turned mindless and glassy, and Carth's chest tightened painfully.
Carth watched, helpless, as they led her away into the night.