Ebon Hawk, Anchorhead Spaceport

Carth sneezed as he climbed back up the entrance ramp to the Ebon Hawk. He was already sick of this sand clad planet. Slowly, he swipes the sand off the entrance of the Hawk with his right foot and clicked a button alongside the entrance panel, watching as the ramp gradually ascends from the ground and seals the ship from a cluster of sand entering the vessel.

"That oughta keep the sand from swarming the ship." Carth murmured to no one in particular. He swiped the sand off his shoulders as he entered the main hold of the ship. Zaalbar slouched against one of the benches situated near the main hold with his bowcaster in arms reach. As Carth made his way further within the main hold, Zaalbar let out a quiet and spoiled growl – the point where it was equivalent to a whimper.

"You alright there big guy?" Carth asked adjusting his vest and shaking his pants free of any grains.

Zaalbar slowly looked over to the Republic soldier and let out a disheartened rumble. Carth sighed as he noticed the distinct sadness within Zaalbar's tone, usually the Wookie would let out a bellowing or proud roar when 'speaking', yet ever since Revan, Bastila and Mission left in search of the Star Map, Zaalbar had been nothing but down.

"He worries for the girl." A voice emerged from not too far away. In a secluded room within the main hold sat Juhani, kneeling in meditation with her eyes closed. Gradually they open, revealing her golden, feline eyes.

"Mission?" Carth asked, "I'm sure she can take care of herself. I've seen her work while we were stranded on Taris. Ain't that right Zaalbar?"

The Wookie gave an unenthusiastic rumble as his response. Juhani slowly emerges from her meditative state and approached the two carefully. The Cathar Jedi folds her arms and eyes the Republic soldier down, analysing him. Juhani didn't trust anyone onboard this ship save Bastila. She even held her doubts over Revan. But only fools would let their guard down amongst strangers, Juhani will not make that mistake. Carth begins to feel uncomfortable as the Jedi continued to stare at him; he slowly backs away as a result.

As Carth leaves the main hold, he could hear the distinct voice of Juhani emerge into conversation with Zaalbar.

"Don't worry Zaalbar. Mission will return safely. I have no doubt about it."

The Wookie whimpered, causing Juhani to respond with a softer tone.

"I cannot guarantee it. Yet I have faith in the Force. Revan and Bastila will keep her safe."

Carth rolled his eyes, it would seem the Cathar is more distrustful to some than most. As Carth continued to eye over his shoulder and watch both the Cathar and Wookie gradually disappear behind the Ebon Hawk's walls, the Republic soldier bumped into something hard. Carth takes a few steps back and narrows his eyes, frustrated in his own carelessness. His frustration soon transitioned into resentment, as standing infront of him was the broad back of none other than the Mandalorian warrior.

Slowly, Canderous turns to see what had bumped into him – turning along with him was his heavy Mando blaster in both his hands. His dark silver eyes pierce Carth's hazel ones. Canderous spoke softly, "Lost?"

It didn't take a genius to know that there was venom in the Mandalorian's speech, despite his tone being masked by tenderness. Carth brushed the front of his jacket and eyed Canderous down. Behind the broad exterior of the Mandalorian – a black vest and combat tracksuits. Yet what caught Carth's eyes was the weapon he was holding. It was a heavy blaster like none other. Mandalorian design, heavily modified -personalised to be exact. The grip fit his hands perfectly; the barrel did not extend too far and was capable of being efficient when fired from both the hip or fired from a setup point. Mandalorian in design perhaps, yet effective within the hands of this particular user.

"No." Carth began, "Was just heading back to the cockpit to make sure the fuel gauge is full."

The Mandalorian nods slightly and continued to examine his weapon. Carth arched an eyebrow and gradually walked past the Mandalorian warrior – trying to avert the awkward and tense atmosphere. If one was placed within the corridor where these two now stood, they could immediately feel the precedent rivalry that had already developed between Carth and Canderous. The Republic soldier…the Mandalorian Crusader. Two former enemies, two massive egos.

"Hold it." Canderous ordered. Carth froze and peered over his shoulder. The Mandalorian carefully approached him, slow yet impactful steps. His heavy blaster caught his eye again, before they quickly move back up to the hardened Mando's face. As Canderous entered within Carth's general proximity, the Republic soldier turned to face him and crossed his arms.

Canderous paused and observed Carth. It was an uncomfortable stare, and an even more uncomfortable silence. After several seconds, the Mandalorian spoke.

"You fought in the War. Didn't you?"

Carth's lips tighten; the thought of war hadn't crossed his mind for quite some time. No one should have to be subjected to the constant thought of combat, battle or bloodshed. No sane person at least. Carth supposed that that was what made him and Canderous so different – so hostile towards one another. War. War was something else entirely.

"Suppose I did. Why do you ask?" Carth answered.

The Mandalorian perked a slight smile from the corner of his mouth, "No reason. But I can see it in your eyes. I can see fear in a man from miles away. I've seen too much of it in the eyes of cowardly Republic soldiers surrendering to our mighty Basilisk droids…"

That comment nearly made Carth snap; yet Canderous continued – stilling Carth's hand.

"…But your fear. Yours is different from the rest. Not like those 'kids' who considered themselves 'soldiers' of the Republic who soil themselves at the sight of blood. You've been in the thick of it, the brunt of the conflict. That's something I can respect out of you. Perhaps we faced each other once in combat. What battles were you in?"

Carth clenched his fist, "Yeah, here's the thing. Unlike you – I don't glorify war. I don't like to dwell too much on the battles I've been in. The things I've seen define the horrors of war. Thinking about it would just make me hurl."

Canderous's smile disappeared, "Horrors of war? Tsk, to think that I just separated you from the rest of the dire rabble. I'm disappointed."

"Those 'rabble' were living, breathing people. Soldiers who were willing to lay down their lives for the Republic – to stop you Mandalorians from pillaging the galaxy!" Carth yelled.

Canderous shook his head, "Oh Carth, did I strike a nerve? I thought a warrior such as you would understand the glory of battle, the adrenaline of victory, and the honour in conflict. But what we Mandalorians did was simply separating the weak from the strong. Those who cannot fend for themselves are destined to be destroyed – whether it be by us or another."

"Don't feed me that crap." Carth hissed, "Mandalorians. Ha! War on the brain, no regard for life and mindless butchers. I'm not a warrior. I'm a soldier. Warriors attack and conquer. Soldiers protect the weak and the innocent – mostly from warriors."

Canderous retorted sarcastically, "Oh how heroic. Please, by all means preach your fascinating speech. This is the difference between you Republic whelps and us Mandalorians. I accept who and what I am. My actions are justified through victory and battle!"

Carth snickered then scoffed, "Justification through victory? From memory…I think you lost, you know? To us?"

Canderous raised his voice, "The Republic was well off. You had more ships, troops and supplies. Yet we still beat you back. We still routed your forces all the way into the core worlds. But then the Jedi had your back, the Jedi picked up your slack and finally provided the Republic with the incentive to actually put up a fight!"

"Yeah you can keep telling yourself that. But in the end. The Mandalorian Wars concluded with a Republic victory. Look I don't want to talk about this, you lost." And with that – Carth turned and picked up his pace towards the cockpit before Canderous could even reply. As Carth left the space, he could feel the Mandalorian's steely gaze kept against his back. The Republic soldier wanted nothing more than to settle this instituted feud right then and there. Dispose of Canderous and possibly scratch off one liability to Bastila and the others. But if right now, the Mandalorian knew what he was dealing with, and Carth realised that.

That entire exchange was simply an excuse for Canderous to read Carth and evaluate his standing on him. Canderous received his answer – and now he will be more discreet. Carth sighed as he entered the cockpit and sits on the pilot seat. After his eyes checked the fuel gauge and confirmed that it was full, Carth leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The Republic soldier said that he doesn't dwell on the War. That was true. The Mandalorian Wars were a gritty and violent occurrence – one which nearly tore the Republic and the galaxy apart. Yet as Carth sat there and reminisced, his mind couldn't stop thinking about the events that ultimately followed.

Telos.

A bright beep caused Carth to open his eyes. Slowly he turned his head over and peered over his shoulder to see T3 roll smoothly into the cockpit.

"Brrt, doo, Dweet?"

Carth smiled, "Yeah, the Ebon Hawk's fuelled up and ready to go little buddy. Now it's just a matter of waiting for our search party to come back."

T3 responded with several intervals of beeps and boops, rattling and swaying slightly from side to side as it communed.

Carth takes a moment to think about his answer, and after several seconds – he replied, "I don't know if they'll be ok. I know next to nothing about this desert. But I'm more worried about Bastila and Mission walking alongside a Sith Lord. What bothers me more is that they seem completely fine with the thought."

Carth sighed and rubbed his face with both his hands, "Revan…Darth Revan. Why did I think it was a good idea to let him onboard? I should've killed the bastard on Dantooine…come of think of it, where the hell were the rest of the Jedi? Don't they…sense his presence or something?"

"Drrr, Beet, Dwaaah."

"You're maybe right. I might be overthinking this. But I'm just looking out for our safety here. My gut is screaming distrust about this whole situation, about the crew we just formed."

Carth observes the front panel of the ship and watched as solid grains of sand begin to stick onto the screen.

"To be honest Teethree. I have a bad feeling about this…about all of this."

Meanwhile

"Observation: Now that is the Master I remember."

The fortress was nearly rendered with the bodies of Tusken raiders and severed limbs. The entrance of the encampment, where the defence turrets set up and reprogrammed by the Sand people was left behind by solid lightsaber strikes, blaster marks and scorched plasma explosions.

Revan was breathing deeply as the Tusken chieftain was lying before him, screaming something unintelligible as he raised his hand out as if it was pleading for mercy. Revan extended both of his arms and crossed his lightsabers, his crimson and violet blades were ready to take the raider's head clean off. Once more, the chieftain let out a cry of pitched noises, trying to communicate with the foreign invader that was ready to take his head.

"You savages seem to have a knack for attacking everyone and everything on sight. Yet there must be some level of intelligence residing within those delicate skulls of yours, considering that somehow one of you reprogrammed defence turrets to fire upon anyone that isn't recognised as one of you." Revan stated with a composed tone. Carefully he looks over his shoulder and calls for HK.

"HK! Come. Translate what he is saying."

The droid did as it was commanded, walking past an exhausted Mission and Bastila, covered in sand, dirt and plasma marks. As Bastila leaned forward and exhaled heavily – trying to catch her breath, her hazy vision clogged by dust and fatigue dimly sees the dark figure of Revan hovering over the downed chieftain, ready to draw blood.

"Translation: He was initially pleading for help. Yet when help did not arrive and he saw you, Master, approaching him. He was begging for mercy."

Revan tilts his head and kept his gaze down towards the raider. Soon, the Sith Lord scoffed.

"Hmph. Mercy. Translate this. Ask him for directions towards the East. The twin sun's on this planet hardly provide an effective compass."

HK turned his head to face the chieftain and heeded his master's command, "Translation: [Unintelligible]"

The chieftain diverted his attention towards the droid and responded in his unique language, rambling and screeching.

"Translation: He is asking if we intended to venture into the Eastern Dune Sea, where other's of his kind reside."

"Yes." Revan replied laconically.

"Translation: [Unintelligible]"

The chieftain responded again.

"Translation: He has provided me directions. Though he mentioned something peculiar."

"Peculiar?" Revan asked as he turned his head towards the droid.

"Confirmation: This sad meatbag warned us about what we may find in the Eastern Dune Sea. He referred the location we seek as a 'graveyard'. Peculiar would you not agree master?"

"Peculiar indeed. The Rakatan ruins on Tatooine should be relatively safe and empty. No defence mechanisms, no overseer droids left behind. Unless…someone or something made it as a shelter."

It was quiet after Revan made that statement. The humming of his lightsabers dissipated the silence, while the rising and falling of the chieftain's chest accompanied his muffled breathing. Revan asked HK once more.

"Are you certain his directions are legitimate?"

"Answer: Yes master, I have calculated the route the chieftain has provided for us and can confirm that it will take us to your desired location."

"Good. Then he is no longer of any use to us." Revan replied coldly, preparing to separate the chieftain's head from his body.

"Stop!" A voice cried out from behind the Sith Lord, causing Revan to slowly peer over his shoulder.

'Bastila you fool.' Revan thought to himself.

"That's enough Revan." Bastila said as she slowly walked up to him and placed a hand against his shoulder. "…That's enough. He gave you what you wanted. Don't you think you should let him go?"

"Mockery: Master, I don't see why you keep these pseudo-pacifists at your side. Jedi are clearly impractical in the sense of achieving their goals. The example is standing right beside you, bickering at your ear."

Bastila murmured beneath her breath, just enough for Revan alone to hear her. "Don't listen to that droid, listen to me. I know you are better than this."

"Better?" Revan scoffed, "Rich word coming from the Jedi who slaughtered a quarter of this camp."

"We were provoked and fired upon. I had no choice. But right now, the situation you are in – you are in a position of giving life and death. He is disarmed; he is at your mercy. Do not let hatred cloud your mind. Let him go." Bastila said softly.

"Let him go? Huh…let him go. Do you know what would happen if I did that? What is to stop this raider merging with the other tribes in this desert? What would stop him from potentially raising another settlement and terrorise anyone who comes into view? The naivety. You think by committing one 'good' deed you avert an evil outcome. Yet the world isn't like that Bastila. I hoped you would have realised that by now. Yet still you see through the eyes of a child."

"No Revan. It is you who is blind. I will not stand by and watch you kill the defenceless. He yielded Revan. Jedi will never-"

"I am not…a Jedi!" Revan shouted, extending his right arm away from the chieftain's head and directed his crimson blade towards Bastila before she could even react. The Jedi was taken back, reeling slightly away from Revan's lightsaber.

Silence. Silence stood over the party for several moments before HK gradually points it's blaster towards Bastila.

"Observation: Now we're getting somewhere! Just say the word master. And I'll rid the galaxy of this annoying pacifist."

Revan did not answer, instead – he kept his red lightsaber pointing at Bastila's chest, while his other arm kept his purple blade closely towards the chieftain's throat. The Sith Lord's head gradually turned to face Bastila, the uneasy silence burning hotter than Tatooine's twin sun's.

"Guys! I think we might be getting a bit too excited yeah?" Mission blurted out, trying her best to break apart the conflict. No one budged.

"If you're going to kill me, then do it." Bastila urged quietly, sparking Revan's attention as he tilted his head slightly.

"After all. If you're not Jedi, then you can only be one other thing: Sith. And what would a Sith do to the defenceless? What would a Sith do to me in your position?"

Revan remained silent.

"The Sith don't care. They'll slaughter the defenceless, the innocent, the feeble. It doesn't matter. As long as their power grows and their selfish desires are fulfilled. Is that what you are Revan? Have you been lying to me all this time? It is possible, Sith do have a tendency to lie and betray one another."

Revan grinned behind his mask and replied simply, "No." He slowly lowered his right arm, yet remained firm towards Bastila.

"I am not Jedi. Yet despite what you or the Jedi might think. I am not Sith. Perhaps once, I walked that path. No more. Remember Bastila. Sith is merely the title I claim for its symbolism. But like the Jedi, they are flawed. Malak is a prime example."

"Then why don't you let him go?" Bastila urged as the humming of Revan's lightsaber continued to hum dangerously.

Revan remained silent. He slowly turns his head towards HK, who continued to keep his blaster trained against Bastila. Slowly, Revan returned his gaze back to the grey-eyed Jedi and stared into her expression. Bastila was stern, unflinching and determined to have her way – her eyes screamed that fact. It was an admirable quality, one that Revan respected – one that Revan had come to respect for Mandalorians after his 'fall' to the Dark Side. He realised the potential of dedication and confidence, how these two aspects essentially led to action, contradicting the idleness of the Jedi Council, the cowards.

As Revan stared into Bastila's piercing eyes, pondering the decision he was going to make while also at the same time keeping an eye on Bastila's general movements – especially around her hips, where her double-bladed lightsaber was dangling.

"Guys…" A voice emerged to the side. HK immediately redirected it's blaster towards the source of the voice. Bastila and Revan turned their heads to see the one who was speaking.

"I think you're a little bit turned up." Mission said as she glared at HK, keeping both her hands firm against the handle of her blaster pistols. "Why don't we just take it down a notch? Just relax? Put the dangerous glow sticks down, put the blasters down and settle this properly. What do you guys say?"

"Statement: Shall I blast this meatbag as well? Just give me the order Master. It will be quick and painless. Mostly."

Mission takes a step back away from HK after it made its statement. Revan returns to Bastila, lightsaber continuing to point towards her chest. Yet what Revan realised was that Bastila did not change her expression – if anything, her eyes were narrowed, stern and pressing the Sith Lord with a determined stare. It was admirable. Foolish, but admirable. Revan couldn't deny her – she may yet learn in time. For now he will allow her to remain the blind Jedi, yet even if his words couldn't sway her opinion, sooner or later, she will learn.

"Stand down HK." Revan said, lowering his weapon and sheathing his blades back into their hilts. HK obeyed it's Master's command, slowly lowering it's weapon and seemed to murmur something off to the side. The chieftain lying beneath Revan stared at the distinguished Sith Lord's mask. Slowly, Revan looked down to the raider and returned the chieftain's gaze. The paced rise and fall of the chieftain's chest signed that he was scared. Slowly, Revan leaned down towards the Tusken raider – to the point where the chieftain could see himself clearly against the reflection of the Sith Lord's visor.

"Run." Revan commanded briefly. A simple order, yet one that beared authority. It was an order that required no translation, as the chieftain quickly climbed up to his feet and ran – screeching something in it's violent and war-like language. Slowly Revan, turned to HK, his gaze indicating that he wants to know what the Tusken raider screamed as he ran. HK picked up this signal and provided the translation.

"Translation: Master, it would seem you have earned a new nickname amongst these nomadic meatbags. If that sad savage ever relays the news of what has transpired here, then you, Master shall be referred to as 'Demon'."

"Demon?" Revan questioned.

"Recitation: It is a distinct adjective, one used to describe one other creature residing on this planet. It would seem that you would be the second to be described as such amongst these meatbag savages."

"Curious." Revan replied, turning to Bastila. "Satisfied Jedi?"

Bastila didn't look too sure. She refrained from replying for several seconds, her eyes watching as the chieftain disappeared from her sight.

"Unsure of the decision you just made?" Revan asked in a seemingly sarcastic manner as he clipped both his lightsabers to the side of his belt.

"I made the right decision…you made the right decision." Bastila replied in a hush voice. "Letting him live was right. Everything was according to the Jedi code."

Revan shakes his head, the Sith Lord didn't even want to escalate matters further – not when there was a mission at stake. Yet Revan noticed the determined steely glare of the Jedi soon deteriorate into uncertainty. In Revan's mind, he knew what she was thinking, she was referring to what he had mentioned earlier – what if the chieftain reunites with other tribes? What's stopping him from erecting a new settlement and continuing to ravage the deserts of Tatooine? Or harass nearby settlements?

Revan wasn't sure if it was to the extent of their Force bond that allows him to read her thoughts so clearly, yet at the same time Revan pondered if Bastila could do the same vice-versa, reading his thoughts. It would be unlikely, as Revan had spent years conditioning his mind and preventing a vast majority of Force techniques that altered the psychological mindset, no matter if there was a Force bond present or not. He supposed he had Kreia to thank for that. He won't forget her, and he certainly will not allow Bastila to remain blind to Jedi idiocy forever.

"Well…if we're done here. I guess we can look around for things we can use. I mean, water's looking pretty good now – especially in this heat." Mission suggested with an exhausted look across her face. Bastila blinked twice and put aside her discerning thoughts. She turned towards the Twi'lek and nodded.

"Yes. Yes that would be wise. Would you not agree Revan?" Bastila said, turning her gaze towards him.

Revan hides his arms inwards, shrouding it within the cape that draped over his shoulders and down to his chest. Their mission was urgent. There were many Star Maps left to uncover and time was of the essence. Malak was on the verge of building an armada capable of destroying the Republic and the galaxy while they sat at a scorched raider camp – scrounging for supplies. Yet for whatever reason, as Revan stared within Bastila's star-eyed gaze – he couldn't help but nod his head.

"Go." He said in a low voice, "Take what you need."

Bastila nods in turn as she began to follow Mission who was heading deeper within the raider's settlement. As the Twi'lek and the Jedi descend further down, Revan noticed that Bastila peered over her shoulder, as if she felt his gaze was fixated purely on her. As the pair disappear around the corner, the droid interrupts the silence.

"Query: Master, why did you let that insufferable savage escape?"

"Not now HK." Revan replied as he turned around and too – began walking in search for necessary supplies or equipment, with HK following at his side.

"Master. I could have exterminated that rambling tribal with zero hesitation. Alongside those meatbags you have walking beside you."

Revan stopped and slowly turned to the droid, "You will not touch or harm them in any way. Do you understand me?"

"Query: Does my Master have attachments to those companions? Why, the Master I remember-"

"Things have changed HK. Everything's changed. We have a different enemy now. From now on, it's not the Jedi or the Republic anymore – it's Malak, and anyone who stands in our way." Revan said sternly as he continued walking through the raider encampment.

"Commentary: Very well Master. I am programmed to adhere by your commands. Yet if I am not here to abide by my assassination protocols then may I inquire as to why you insist on keeping the pacifist alive?"

Revan remained silent.

"Query: Do not tell me that you are fornicating with the female Jedi! Disgusting!" HK exclaimed in a robotic and drowned tone – yet it's expression was held in clear concern.

"HK…" Revan groaned.

"Observation: Do not think I do not know what you are doing Master. I have observed the way you look at each other. There is no point hiding the fact."

Revan palmed a hand over his mask, "HK…enough. We do not have that kind of relationship. We do not have anything involved, romantic or otherwise. Her presence is strictly necessary for the journey we have ahead of us – as well as the others."

"Others Master? There are other meatbags you consider as companions aside from the other two?"

Revan nods, "Yes…at Anchorhead."

"Wonderful." HK replied sarcastically.

"But enough of that. Are you certain you have the precise route calculated towards the Star Map?"

"Answer: Affirmative Master. I can begin planning our safest route there once we depart this scorched settlement."

"Good." The Sith Lord affirmed with a grin, "Good."

Meanwhile, other side of the Tusken settlement

"You never mentioned you had a brother." The Jedi said in shock.

"I keep it a hush hush topic. Zaalbar's the only one who knows about him in detail, coming from me. Until now." Mission replied, throwing away an empty satchel long used up by one of the Tusken raiders.

The pair carefully stepped over the corpses of spread out Sand People and descended to the end of the camp.

"Are you comfortable talking about him?" Bastila asked sincerely.

Mission nods, "With you…I don't see why not. But, it eats at me to this day – especially what I learned nearly a month ago."

Bastila continued to walk alongside Mission, intrigued to the coming story, while also keeping an eye out for anything of necessity.

"Short version, I thought the world of my brother. Ever since I was a kid it was just me and him against Taris. I loved my brother. He was a shady guy, did a lot of things to earn easy credits – infact, sometimes it was the only thing on his mind." Mission paused for a moment, as if the words were stuck in her throat. "Then one day – he left."

Bastila arched an eyebrow, "You mean…"

Mission looked at Bastila and gave her an affirming nod. Bastila sealed her lips and shook her head.

"I must've been eleven…twelve maybe. He left me on Taris for a girl, Lena – a private dancer who caught his eye while he was gambling our money away in a game of Pazaak. He told me…no he promised me that he would come back for me, but he never came. For a long time I thought Lena was the one to blame for taking my brother away, but…"

"But…?" Bastila insisted her to continue.

"While I was scrounging around the lower sector of Taris with Zaalbar around a month ago, I saw Lena again in one of the lower city cantina's. She approached me and Zaalbar, telling me how she recognised my face even after all these years passed." Mission replied, her tone drying to a sorrowful manner. The two make their way into a large space, surrounded by several gates which might've been used by the Tusken raiders to store supplies, animals or other things – the only way to find out was to open them all and see what was inside. As the pair approached the first gate, Mission continued on with her story.

"I gave Lena an earful. Cursing her to death about how she stole my brother from me – leaving me, a twelve year-old to survive off of scraps!" Mission pulled a lever which opened one of the large gates, revealing a cache of stolen blasters and Czerka munitions, likely spoils from weary travellers or unsuspecting mercenaries who were bold to travel into the Sand People's territory.

"But what angered me most of all was what she said to me as a reply." Mission continued as she entered the room, replacing her used up blaster cartridges with fresh ones from the stolen stock. "Lena told me that my brother never wanted me to come with them, that she was the heroine who offered to pay for my ticket off that rock. Then she told me my brother was a liar, a cheat and a freeloader! Part of me wanted to smack her so hard to the point where her head-tails would fall off!"

The pair leave the first room and walk to the second one, allowing Mission to vent her rage and catch her breath. Slowly, Mission pulled another lever – allowing the second room to open, revealing an assortment of stored food and liquid beverages. It was hardly systematic the way it was stacked, but the Jedi and the Twi'lek scoured the room of what they could hold.

"But what really urched me was that the other part of me believed her." Mission continued with sadness lingering behind her throat. "I told Lena to get away from me, that I don't want to ever see her again. And I haven't. After that, for a solid month I haven't stopped thinking about my brother – the possibility of him choosing to abandon me for the sake of opportunity." The Twi'lek quickly swiped her eyes from progressively building tears and rubbing away a sniffle.

"Sorry…I doubt you'd want to listen to a little girl like me complain about her family issues." Mission sniffed as the pair leave the second room and finally make it to the third and final door. They stop just before the panel containing the lever for the room's entrance, where Bastila placed a hand over the girl's shoulder and pulled her gently towards her chest. It was clearly a sensitive topic, one that required every ounce of Mission's trust towards Bastila in order to let it out. The Twi'lek needed comfort above all, and Bastila was willing to provide it to her in any form – no matter how meagre.

"It's ok Mission. I don't mind listening at all. Now that we are travelling together, I would say opening up to one another is a step towards a fruitful relationship, one that will ensure that we have a higher chance of making it out alive at the end of all this. My family isn't perfect either…believe me. We all have our stories of the past. It's how we prepare for the future that makes us who we are." The Jedi stated wisely. If comfort was the goal, then certainly Bastila succeeded to a degree.

"Thanks Bastila." Mission replied with a smile – swiping the last of her tears away with her sleeve. "Now, lets see what we have in here." She pulled the lever and watched as the third gate creak and screech metallically as it was raised up slower than the other two. As the two waited patiently for the gate to open, Bastila raised a curious question.

"What was your brother's name? Out of curiosity."

Mission turned to Bastila with a sincere glare, as the Twi'lek responded – her voice held a broken tone, "It's a goofy name but…" As Mission turned to enter the room, her head kept over her shoulder as she continued to commune with the Jedi. Yet as her head turned back to see what was inside – her eyes widened.

"…his name was…Griff?!" The Twi'lek shrieked. The Jedi directed her attention to the corner of the room, a frightened Twi'lek male was cuddled to himself, sporting a Czerka employee's uniform. Bastila turned to Mission, her expression saying it all.

"Wait…is he…is this man?" Bastila questioned mid-way, only for Mission to nod slowly in response, mouth slightly open and eyes continuing to remain wide.

"You, you two! Young ladies. I don't know how you know my name, but I'm an executive of Czerka Corporation and uh…if you two get me out of here, you will rewarded. Please…I don't think it's safe here. I heard blaster fire and weird slashing going on not too long ago. " The Twi'lek male stammered as he took a closer look at Mission. His face was grimy, scattered with sand and looked starved beyond belief.

Mission glared at her Griff, disbelieving the possibility of her own brother not even recognising her. Yet there was a glimmer of naivety lingering within her eyes. A part of her hoped that Lena's stories were false, conjectures of her failed relationship with Griff.

"Griff…" Mission began softly, a voice emerging from a torn family member who hasn't seen family for so long. "…don't you recognise me? It's me, Mission."

"Mission? By the stars. Is that really you?" Griff muttered, shocked at the sight. Gradually, Griff stands on his feet and approached Mission – ready to embrace her with a hug. Mission narrowed her eyes and took several steps back, until she was standing beside Bastila.

"I'm happy to see you Griff…really. But there has to be something I need to know."

"Mission…what is this? I haven't seen you in so long. I was so worried about you, constantly thinking about you after leaving you on Taris. Now you won't even give me a hug?"

"Griff, it's important. I spoke to Lena on Taris, she told me that it was your idea to leave me there." Mission approached Griff, eyes locked with his – "Tell me it's not true. I want you to look at me and tell me she was lying."

Griff reached behind his lekku and rubbed the back of his head, providing his sister with a fumbled groan. Just then, a voice emerged behind Bastila and Mission – a robotic voice to be exact, belonging to a very specific droid.

"Request: When you have the time Master Revan, perhaps you will inspect my central control panel. I fear there may have been several displacements performed by the Ithorian."

Revan and HK move themselves into view from the corner and stopped, both of them turn to where the gates were opened and spot the location of Bastila, Mission and an unfamiliar Twi'lek male.

"I'll look at it HK…after we get off this dreaded planet." Revan replied as they gradually make their way towards the group. As Revan and HK approached them, Revan could sense deceit and greed stemming from the male Twi'lek.

"Bastila…Mission. Did you take what you need from this settlement?" Revan stopped beside the Jedi and scanned Griff from top to bottom, "And who is this?"

"He's…Mission's brother." Bastila answered.

"Curious…" Revan stated as he continued to feel the aura of greed and lies surround Griff.

"Well?" Mission asked, her voice lowering to the point where it was demanding an answer, "Was she or was she not lying? Leaving me on Taris alone? Tell me it wasn't your idea! Tell me the truth!"

Bastila whispered to the Sith Lord, "She was abandoned by her brother on Taris at a very young age. She thought her brother – Griff, was coerced into leaving Taris by his lover. But it would seem there is some discrepancy to her alleged truth."

Revan whispered back, "What does this have to do with the mission at hand? In case you have forgotten Bastila, Malak still roams the galaxy, collecting pieces of the Star Forge and closer to obtaining a weapon capable of overwhelming the Republic and every other independent system."

Bastila narrowed her eyes, "I haven't forgotten. But right now, perhaps you should worry about the needs of others – instead of yourself."

Revan growled softly, "This is a waste of time." His response caused Bastila to swiftly nudge Revan's stomach with her elbow, causing him to groan softly.

Griff fumbled his response, "Well you see – there's the truth, then there's the 'truth'. I was going to come back for you Mission, I swear it. As soon as I had the credits I needed to pay off my debts, but credits are hard to come by."

Mission's eyes gradually swelled with tears, yet her lips remained stern and she barked her reply, "So it is true? It was your idea to leave me on Taris! How could you do that to me? I'm your little sister! What compelled you to abandon me like that?!"

Griff sighed, "Come on Mission. You don't need me to look after you anymore. You were a kid sure, but you knew how to look after yourself. B-besides, you're here now – alive even. So everything's fine."

"Fine? Fine!? Is that all you have to say after leaving me?"

The male Twi'lek held a sheepish look over his face, "Well that and uh…can you get me out of here? I mean, you look like you've got a rough looking group lookin' out for ya, in a good way of course."

Revan adjusts his hood forward and spoke, "It doesn't look like you'll have a problem running back to Anchorhead. I doubt any of the Sand People here are gonna stop you."

Mission swiped her tears away; "I should smack you for leaving me. I was a kid damn you. And you left me."

Griff began to look sincere, "Mission-"

"I don't want to hear it Griff. Just go. Run back to Anchorhead."

"I would advise listening to your sister." Bastila stepped in.

"I agree." Revan injected, "You won't know whether or not more of these raiders will appear. And we won't be there to save you."

Griff stared at Revan, Bastila, his sister then at the silent and menacing droid lurking behind it's master, clasping it's unique blaster and seemingly gleamed with bloodlust.

"Right…right." Griff stammered, "I'll go." The male Twi'lek slowly walked past the group before turning to Mission one last time.

"I gotta say Mission. You look good – financially I mean. You wouldn't mind sparing a few credits for me?"

"I can't believe this." Mission scoffed, "You're hitting me up for credits? After what you just did? Lena was right…I never should've opened this gate and let you go. I don't wanna talk to you. Ever."

"Come on Mission, just a few." Griff begged. Revan approached him silently, causing Griff to turn over his shoulder and look up at the taller stature of the Sith Lord.

"She has provided you an answer and yet you refuse to listen. What kind of sibling are you?" Revan asked rhetorically as Griff stared back into his reflection upon Revan's visor.

"I-" Griff stopped as Revan grabbed the collar of his Czerka uniform.

"Run to Anchorhead, and do not talk to Mission. Unlike you, she serves a purpose to our journey." Revan let go of Griff and watched him leave their presence, not looking back once – not even back at Mission.

"Your brother is a selfish one." Revan mentioned to Mission. The girl simply nodded, not even fazed with the intention to defend her sad excuse for a brother anymore.

"I know." She replied sadly. "I know."

"Request: Can we move on? This planet is doing poorly for my inner circuits. I have the route planned out Master Revan. We can proceed immediately towards our designated location."

"We have no time to waste. Let's go." Revan ordered and the group began to depart the ruined settlement and continued on their journey to discover merely the first of the Star Maps.

The Leviathan, Sixth Fleet – Malak's Central Force

Admiral Karath entered the helm of the Leviathan, spotting Darth Malak at the very front in council with the holograms of Uthar Wynn, Malak's apprentice - Darth Bandon and other Sith Admirals and officers appointed to lead the rest of the Sith fleet and main occupation forces.

"Lord Malak." Uthar could be heard making his claims, "The Star Map you have requested will be transported to you momentarily. I am also pleased to inform you that the Sith adherents on Korriban are progressing marvellously."

Malak chuckled, "That is good to hear headmaster Uthar. Everyday our ranks swell from the Jedi outcasts and deserters. But what interests me is the Star Map. I will send the Eighth Fleet to garrison over Korriban, as well as send a messenger to collect the Star Map."

"As you wish my Lord." Uthar concluded with a bow and disconnected form the holocom.

Malak turned to the hologram of his apprentice, Darth Bandon. "And what of you Darth Bandon? Anything to report on the whereabouts of Bastila Shan?"

Bandon smirked as he held a hand to his chest and gave a courteous nod, "Master. You will be displeased to hear that the possibility of Bastila Shan surviving your attack on Revan's flagship is high. Though you will be equally pleased to know that I have a trail."

"Continue." Malak ordered as he crossed his arms.

Bandon complied, "I have received reports of Republic activity occurring here on Taris. A Republic agent who also believed in the survival of Shan was said to have been spotted looking for any escape pods or wreckage sightings from Revan's flagship. I have also been obtaining whispers from our Sith Assassins saying that they have spotted a woman matching Shan's description on Tatooine."

"Find her." Malak barked through a metallic bellow, "Follow the leads if you must. But Shan cannot be left in the hands of the Republic. She will instead – serve me. If you cannot capture her, then dispose of her."

"Yes Master. But there is one more thing the Assassins mentioned to me that I believe should be for your ears alone. There is another character accompanying this sighted woman, a robed figure…"

Malak arched an eyebrow, "If it is for my ears alone, then make it so. Meet me on the Leviathan after you depart Taris. We will discuss the matter further."

"As you wish." Bandon concluded, disconnecting from the holocom. It was at this point Karath approached Darth Malak and knelt before him.

"Lord Malak."

"Ah, Admiral Karath." Malak said turning to his trusted officer and tool.

"I regret my Lord, that my findings on Bastila Shan have been most disappointing."

"I care not Admiral, for I have noticed your lack of results and have thus delegated that task to my apprentice. It is disappointing Karath, but I believe your skills will be better suited to other areas."

Karath bowed his head further, "Y-yes my Lord…if I may be so bold, but may I inquire as to why you have sent the Eighth fleet to Korriban?"

Malak held his hands behind his back, "Do you not know Karath?"

"My Lord…again if I may be so bold to inquire, the Eighth Fleet is composed of a majority of our elite pilots, heavy star-fighters, veteran infantry men from the Mandalorian Wars and Dark Jedi. Would they not serve a greater purpose on the frontlines?"

"Yes Karath. But they have a long, brutal history with Revan. Consider them loyalists in a way. The Eighth Fleet is a powerful force, but what use are they if they do not follow their leader? I have purposely redirected the cause of Revan's death to the Eighth Fleet as a result of the Jedi overloading Revan's flagship, causing an explosion that killed him and the Jedi with him."

"I see…" Karath responded.

"The Eighth serve me as I am the successor to Revan, yet I have heard that many within are still doubtful of my rule, seeing Revan as the true Dark Lord. I have no place for loyalists in my Empire Admiral. If it were up to me, the Eighth Fleet would be purged. But I am hopeful that they can be redirected. The Dark Side energies of Korriban may entice their emotions, and see me as the Dark Lord that truly reigns supreme."

"Yes. Yes my Lord! I believe that to be a wise decision." Karath bowed once more, causing Malak to chuckle.

"Ah Karath, your grovelling amuses me. Stand, we have plans for the destruction of the Republic."

Karath did as he was told, yet the Admiral proned one more statement. "My Lord. I am here to also report that the Star Map on Manaan has been retrieved."

Malak gleamed brightly, his expression clear with excitement even behind his prosthetic exterior, "Then the Star Map on Korriban is the final piece I need. Finally. After all this time…I will succeed where Revan cannot. I will embrace the Dark Side fully and allow the galaxy to tremble beneath my power."

The Sith Lord turned to the holograms of Sith Admirals and officers, declaring his orders.

"Press the Republic's line! Prepare the landing invasions! This stalemate will conclude shortly."

Tatooine, Krayt Dragon Lair

HK-47 unloaded its personalised blaster rifle and inserted a fresh plasma cartridge as it slowly approached a slain Krayt Dragon. Upon further inspection, the creature was scorched with blaster burns, lightsaber slashes and explosive detonators. Yet what pleased HK the most was the expert shot it performed when the Krayt Dragon was about to swoop down and take Mission with it's teeth but before it could accomplish that, HK had calculated the best possible action which ensured the highest possible chance of ensuring that Master Revan's ally would survive. HK took it, shooting a charged bolt directly into the creature's eye, piercing through the soft tissue and rupturing the creature's brain – killing it instantly.

"Observation: I would say that this was a satisfactory performance, wouldn't you agree master?"

Revan panted softly as he sheathed his blades back into his lightsaber hilts and clipping them to each side of his belt. Briefly, Revan looked to the side to see Bastila staggering to her feet and Mission close beside her – laying on her side. Carefully Revan approached Bastila and provided his hand. Bastila's grey eyes peak up to the Sith Lord's hand all the way up to Revan's mask. Bastila sighed and took his hand, allowing Revan to help her stand to her feet. HK, annoyed from not receiving an answer, instead remained on lookout – ensuring that no Sand People were out to ambush them.

"Are you hurt?" Revan asked, surprisingly with sincerity in his tone – instead of a monotone drawl. It was something Bastila noticed.

"I'm fine." The Jedi answered reluctantly.

"You don't have to pretend to me. It was a difficult fight." Revan proned.

"I meant it…" Bastila said, placing a hand over her shoulder and slowly walked over to Mission and lending her a hand. Revan watched as Bastila drifted away from him, he felt as though she was resenting him in a way. Revan could've easily read her emotions through the Force, work their Force bond to his advantage and exploit every possible benefit there was to it. But out of some twisted sense of respect for Bastila, or some other-wordly Force intervening his train of thought – he refused to do such a thing.

Bastila had come to him for understanding, her request to him onboard the Ebon Hawk – 'I want to know more.' Revan thought he might have been harsh on the Jedi, that she was too blinded by Jedi teachings to realise the bigger picture. But the longer he stared at her, the more he became acquainted to her thoughts, her movements, her mannerisms – the more Revan realised that she was indeed blind to the Jedi's teachings, but like all Padawans, she was afraid. Afraid of what might happen if she diverted away from what she knows. He understood that feeling. In fact…Revan probably knew that feeling better than anyone. The fear. The uncertainty. But it was the fear. The Fear.

"The Map…" Revan urged as he turned back and walked past the fallen Krayt Dragon, intruding into its lair. The first thing Revan noticed was the absent smell and dry atmosphere. Beneath his boots were the crushed remains of bones and chewed clothing. The edge of his boot felt something peculiar, something hard and different from the texture of dried marrow and animal bones. The Sith Lord looked down and spotted that the edge of his boot was touching a leather satchel, belonging to the indistinguishable remains of a poor, unfortunate soul. The opening of the satchel was wide open, spilling an array of pens, notebooks and other undesirable commodities. Yet something glimmered at the edge of the satchel, which caught his attention.

"A holocron?" Revan murmured to himself, extending his arm down towards the object and using the Force to pull it up from the ground and into his grasp. The Sith Lord observed it; its appearance was quiet in nature – not appearing in any form of Jedi or Sith origin.

"Curious…" Revan said, hovering the holocron close to his face. Suddenly, Bastila's voice rang out behind the Sith Lord.

"Mission needs a bit of time to recover from a slash she took from this creature. But she should be fine. Well? Are we going to get this Star Map or not?"

Revan quickly obscured the holocron within his cape. "Yes…we should press on."

"Lot's of people perished here…" Bastila mentioned as she stepped over chewed bones and tailed the Sith Lord.

"Besides the Star Map, I do not know what else people would want here…especially the lair of a predator." Revan replied, ogling the altar at the very end of the Dragon's lair.

"Treasure hunters risk their lives for a living. I suppose if one was desperate enough, they would go looking here. Afterall, 'high risk – high reward'. Yet, some hunters are more admirable than most."

Revan peered over his shoulder as they continued to walk towards the altar, "You sound as those you have a certain hunter in mind."

Bastila shakes her head, "I do. My father to be exact."

"Your father was an adventurous man?" Revan questioned.

Bastila replied with a nod and a smile, "I would believe so. Treasure hunters need to be don't they?"

Revan hummed a chuckle, filtered by his mask. "I suppose so. And where is your father now?"

Bastila stopped. Revan continued further yet realised the absence of her footsteps, causing him to pause in his tracks and turn towards her. Bastila looked idle, reminiscing or something.

"Bastila?" Revan urged. Bastila blinked and shook her head.

"Sorry…I was lost for a moment. When I joined the Jedi Order I left my family on Talravin. I believe my family is still there, as far as I know. You would know, Jedi aren't allowed to keep connections with anyone, including family."

"Yes…I know." Revan replied.

"But my father…" Bastila continued, "Even as a child, I remembered my father clearly. He was gentle and kind to me. My mother on the other hand…"

The Jedi looked up to Revan and snickered to herself, "Sorry...you mustn't be interested."

Revan approached Bastila, "On the contrary. I am eager to learn about you."

"Huh, I don't know too many people who are even remotely interested to my past. They only get close to me knowing that I possess Battle Meditation." Bastila's eyes dart over to Revan quickly, "Forgive me…" She began in a mellow voice, "I am accustomed to keeping to myself and I am not used to sharing something so personal."

"The nature of the bond that binds us strengthens us. But if we are to make use of this bond – we may as well become more acquainted with one another." The Sith Lord replied.

Bastila could see the wisdom in his words. And there was no doubting them. With a sigh, Bastila complied.

"My mother whittled away our fortune. She continuously pushed my father out to treasure hunting. For my entire childhood I had spent most of it on ships, travelling from one lead to the next. I hated her dearly for that. Resented her even. I think she was relieved when I was given to the Jedi. But my father…I could still remember his face…was heartbroken."

Revan tilts his head slightly, "And from then on – you never saw your family again."

Bastila nods. Revan turned his attention back to the altar while Bastila followed.

"Do you love your father?" Revan asked suddenly. It took Bastila back with surprise.

"I did…but the Jedi do not encourage such emotions, and there is wisdom in this policy. While I loved my father dearly, love can only confuse and complicate the situation."

Revan shakes his head, thinking to himself – 'Naïve.'

"You cannot guard against emotion forever Jedi. When will you learn that?" Revan stated plainly.

"I know you mentioned a similar concept to me on the ship. Do not think I am deaf. A Jedi must do what he or she must do without the prospect of emotions. A Jedi may not always be able to control the feelings of the heart, but some sacrifices are harder than others." Bastila snapped back.

Revan listened and affirmed Bastila's opinion, "Do you mean to say that you will not love again?"

Bastila chuckled, "I don't know. I've supressed my feelings for a long time now. Anger, love, sadness…"

"Happiness?" Revan emerged.

"…Happiness." Bastila replied. "It's not a life that is glamorous, nor rewarding. But a Jedi's life revolves around the necessary, to accomplish what must be done. And with that in mind – I'm willing to make those sacrifices."

"Curious…" Revan began, "You would sacrifice everything to be the perfect Jedi?"

Bastila opened her mouth to respond; yet she closed her mouth and edged a smirk. "Revan…you ask a lot of questions and I answer them in full. Yet I do not recall you returning the favour."

Revan laughed with a tone of voice different from his usual speech, again Bastila noticed this. This time, his voice held an essence of genuine glee and amusement. "Do you find me so interesting Bastila?"

Bastila returned her reply with a giggle, "I think if you asked anyone that question, all of them would say yes."

"I'm asking you." Revan quipped.

They both stop at the very foot of the altar; it's appearance much like the Rakatan design situated within the forbidden ruins on Dantooine. The altar split open, revealing the familiar crescent of energy surrounding a bright Star Map.

"Well…" Bastila continued with a lowered voice, "Needless to say, I find you… intriguing."

Revan paused momentarily, silent. Bastila could feel the blood rush to her cheeks as her eyes widen. She could feel Revan's gaze on her, knowing that he had taken her words in a different context.

"…Your command of the Force, of course. I find it intriguing. I mean…uh…" Bastila quickly stammered. "The knowledge you must have, it fascinates me to an academic level. You understand surely."

Revan nods, returning to his unreadable tone of voice. "Of course."

The Sith Lord turned his attention back towards the opened altar and watched as the glowing Star Map vibrate. Quickly, Revan recorded the Star Map's contents into his datapad while Bastila looked off the side, red in the face and her breathing accelerated. The interesting thing was…she did not know why it was occurring.

"We have what we need. Come. Let us depart off this rock." Revan said, turning to the exit. Bastila snapped back into reality and quickly caught back up to the departing Sith Lord.

"Yes…there is much to be done." Bastila murmured to herself. Her eyes stare at the back of Revan. As she looked on something peculiar emerged within her. It was something forbidden, something strange and something unnatural. She was intrigued in Revan, but not for the same reason she blurted out. There was no logical explanation. There was no physical conclusion. But Bastila felt something gnawing within her stomach, an urge that begged to leave. She was intrigued in Revan. She is intrigued.

"The bond…" Bastila whispered to herself, "That's the only way to explain this."

Revan peered over his shoulder, "Did you say something?"

Bastila shook her head, "No. No."

The bond. That was the only way. She could never have developed a level of interest this quickly. It was impossible. Simply impossible. Bastila called upon every ounce of Jedi training she had learnt to hone her emotions, to calm herself. Yet ultimately they failed her. The thought of it disgusted her. The thought of him. The thought of Revan. He was liable for countless casualties in this civil war that he incited. He betrayed the Jedi Order. That was enough to resent him, and Bastila did resent him. But after everything that had occurred on Revan's flagship, Dantooine, the old ruins. Bastila realised that the impossible was possible.

Impulses. Hidden desires. Raw emotion.

She held them all.

She held them all…

For him.

10 minutes later, Anchorhead, Ebon Hawk

"Request: Master, I implore you to refrain me from the presence of these additional meatbags."

"I'm afraid it's quite necessary HK. If we are to be efficient, we need to co-operate with one another. That means meeting more meatbags."

The droid creaked and sighed as it complied with its master's command. Mission breathed a hefty sigh. "Do we really need him to tag along?"

"Afraid so." Revan started, "I know you are not too fond of him, but HK is a droid unparalleled. He is useful, resourceful, rude as he may be – but unquestionably loyal."

Mission shakes her head, "Well, we better get on the ship and make sure he doesn't kill everyone onboard."

"Wise." Revan replied with a smile. But as Mission, HK and Bastila began to ascend the ramp to the Hawk, a voice cried out behind Revan. They turned, finding a young Twi'lek woman dashing quickly up to them. She stopped, panting just infront of Revan – trying to catch her breath.

"{Wait…}" The woman panted in her native tongue, the distinct dialect of Ryl ringing in their ears, "{I needed to see for myself.}"

Revan wondered who this woman was, then he realised that her gaze was not set upon him – but it was instead peering over his shoulder and directed to Bastila. Steadily, she brushed through Revan and approached the Jedi.

"{Excuse me...}" The Twi'lek began, "{You may not remember me. But you are Helena's girl aren't you? Bastila isn't it? Yes…I see it in your eyes. You've grown beautifully.}"

Bastila turned and descended from the Ebon Hawk's ramp, meeting the Twi'lek face to face.

"I am Bastila. I take it you know my mother?" Bastila asked.

The woman gave Bastila a sweet smile, "{Why yes, I've worked with your father on an expedition many years ago. Your mother would show me holos of you as a little girl. You were so beautiful.}"

Bastila crossed her arms, "I'm sorry, but is there something we can help you with miss? We are in a bit of a hurry."

The Twi'lek's expression turned sombre, "{Sorry…I didn't mean to take up your time. I was just wondering if your mother's condition has improved since I last saw her."

Revan's attention peaked.

"My mother's condition?" Bastila asked, her eyes widen with some hint of concern.

"{Oh...but I thought you knew. You mother said to me that she was looking for you and thought she had succeeded, seeing that you're here. Your mother is terribly ill my dear. So she told me, but she never said anything about your father nor did I see him.}"

"Typical." Bastila hissed, "Where did you meet her? Do you remember?"

"{She's in the cantina dear. Here on Tantooine. You should really go see her, considering her condition.}"

Revan turned to Mission and HK, they returned their gaze.

"Part of me doesn't want to see her at all." Bastila said in a low voice, "But. If she really is ill – then maybe…" The Jedi turned to Revan, hoping for some advice. He provided it.

"It's your mother Bastila. If you wish to see her, then do it. If not, we move on." Revan stated coldly. Bastila looked back at the Twi'lek woman and gave her a smile.

"Thank you for informing me about this." Bastila said. "I will go see her now. See what she has to say to me."

Revan turned to Mission and HK. Carefully, the Sith Lord retrieved the datapad containing the contents of the Star Map and threw it over to Mission. The Twi'lek girl caught it with one hand.

"Input the data you have on that device. The terminal will piece the Star Map automatically, then tell the others that Bastila will take a few more moments."

Revan turned to the Jedi, "When you've concluded your business here, make haste to the Hawk – there are many more Maps to discover." He said as he gradually walked up the entrance ramp. He was stopped mid-way.

"Revan." Bastila said. He turned. "I want someone with me. I haven't seen my mother in so long. I hated her. Part of me still hates her. I fear that I may do something I might regret."

She turns her head to face the Sith Lord; her eyes were tipped to the point of tears. Bastila bit her lip in her attempt to hold back these tears, "I would like someone to accompany me…I'd rather it be you."

Revan stood still, silent. He thought about it for several moments. What he was thinking about exactly is only known to himself. But Revan turned once more to Mission and spoke softly, "Tell the others that Bastila and I have one more matter to resolve. In the meantime, make sure HK settles in."

"What a fun job to have." Mission said sarcastically, turning to the tall droid. Revan watched as Mission and HK disappear into the Ebon Hawk before descending the entrance ramp and approached Bastila.

"The cantina is not far. Let's move." Revan commanded. Bastila nodded as her response and followed the Sith Lord. The Jedi's mind was clouded with scenarios, clouded with pain and concluded with long-forgotten memories. Bastila didn't know what to say to her mother, not after the abrupt ending to their relationship when the Jedi Order took her in. She shook her head and sighed. Bastila would simply have to think of something on the spot.

Later

Tatooine's cantina was much like every other. Loud, cultured and on the brink of emerging into a brawl. As the Sith Lord and Jedi entered, they were immediately greeted with beady-eyed stares from aliens and humans alike. Their eyes were settled on the lightsabers which dangled on their hips, its symbolism ringing a solidified message. Yet the rowdy customers inside gradually turned back to their drinks and frivolous conversations, minding their own business and leaving the Force-users to their own.

Revan noticed in the far corner of the cantina was a late-aged human woman with dark-hazel hair, much like Bastila's. He examined her further and logically deduced her appearance, gender and rough age to be the most likely candidate of being Bastila's mother.

"Bastila." Revan pointed out from the rowdy commotion, "Is she the one we seek?"

The Jedi followed Revan's direction and spotted the woman. Her expression lights up for the briefest moment before turning to absolute resentment.

"She is." Bastila said, quickly walking through the Sith Lord and towards the lonely woman. Revan tailed Bastila until they reached the woman's table. As they stood over the booth, the aged woman looked up to the pair and perked a question in a rude tone.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

Bastila narrowed her eyes and replied, irritated, "I am here, mother. Or don't you recognise me?"

Helena…Bastila's mother, replied crudely, "Well what do you expect when I haven't so much as had a picture of you since your departure? Do you have any idea how long I have been trying to find you?"

Revan watched as the two conversed, gradually realising where Bastila got her fiery ire.

"You knew it was impossible to speak to me after I joined the Order." Bastila replied, "But there's something more to this. In case you don't know, mother – we are on a vital mission, one that requires our time. Now why do you wish to see me? Where is father?"

Helena paused briefly, she looked down to the table before darting her eyes directly back to her daughter. "Then you haven't heard. I should have known."

Revan raised an eyebrow behind his mask. Those words did not mean well. Nor did they hold a happy result.

"Has something happened to him? Are you going to tell me or remain silent?" Bastila questioned with a harsh tone, brimmed with anger.

'Controlled emotions.' Revan thought to himself. It was a load of rubbish.

"Your father is dead, Bastila." Helena replied quickly and plainly, "That is part of the reason why I was searching for you."

There it was. Revan turned to look at Bastila, the Jedi's eyes beginning to well with tears – yet her overall expression fumed with rage.

"Dead?" Bastila hissed, "What happened? What did you do to him?"

Helena turned to face Revan, "Isn't this a wonderful family reunion? I am her mother and she is already hurling insults at me. Young man, you look like a Jedi. You have a lightsaber – two at that – dangling from your hips. Though I've never known a Jedi to wear such dim clothing, or a mask ontop of that."

"Mother…" Bastila sighed. Helena continued.

"Tell me…do you treat your mother this way?"

Revan shrugged, "My mother is a rather sensitive subject. I'd rather not get involved."

Bastila darted a look towards Revan. This was the first time the Sith Lord mentioned something about someone close to him. His mother. It was a sensitive topic. It was an obscure snippet of information, though it was something learned nonetheless.

"I'm sure Bastila feels the same way you do. She would prefer to be left out of it, at least until I'm as dead as her father is."

Bastila groaned at her mother's statement, "I was told you had a condition, that alone enticed me to visit you. Now are you actually sick or is this simply melodrama for my benefit?"

"Such sweet things you say." Helena sighed, pressing two fingers to her eyes and squeezing them gently, "I suppose I should explain everything first, before we start arguing again."

"You could start by telling me what you said or did that got my father killed." Bastila spat.

"What have they been teaching you at the Jedi academy for you to be so spiteful?" Helena paused, "You want me to tell you I brought your father here to his demise? You want to blame me for his death?"

Bastila didn't respond, instead she kept her steely gaze wrought with rage fixated onto her mother's eyes.

"Your father loved going on his treasure hunts, leaving you with me. From then on I was always the one to blame for everything, what else is new?" Helena said softly, almost like a saddening whisper.

"Fine." Helena continued, "I brought your father here to look for Krayt Dragon pearls. He took an expedition into the Tatooine desert and he died.

"Father was an experienced treasure hunter." Bastila retorted, "How can you be so sure that –"

"Bastila do you really think I would be looking for you if he was still alive? Your father was attacked by the Krayt Dragon and one of the guides fled, leaving him to die. He saw him get killed."

Bastila went silent for a time. The rowdy atmosphere of the cantina filling the silent void between them. Soon she spoke again.

"I see." The Jedi murmured. "So what do you want from me? Credits?"

"Don't insult me." Helena replied, "I don't want credits – I want you to use your training."

The older woman narrowed her eyes and paused momentarily before continuing. "I want you to find him. I want you to bring back his holocron."

Revan perked up. It didn't take long to piece the puzzle together. The Krayt Dragon lair. The location of the Star Map. The empty satchel beneath the remains of what resembled human bones. The holocron residing within. Revan figured it out.

"Why?" Bastila began, "So you can sell it?"

Her mother looked to be on the verge of tears, "Is it too much to ask that I have something to remember your father by? Do not answer that! It has always been like this. You couldn't be bothered."

"I will look for him mother." Bastila replied. "But I will do it for my father. Not you."

"Rest assured Bastila, find your father's holocron and you won't have to worry about me either way ever again."

"That's the answer I would expect. Very well mother. I will find father's holocron." Bastila concluded, storming out of the cantina. Revan took one last look at Bastila's mother, the elder woman looked back upon Revan's visor. When she was about to speak, Revan turned and followed his companion out of the establishment.

Bastila was already waiting outside with a stern look brought about her face. "Damn it all." The Jedi exclaimed. "Krayt Dragon pearls…we need to go back to that cave, if my father is anywhere – then he will be there."

"Bastila." Revan began, "I may have already found your father's holocron."

"What?"

Revan revealed the bright blue holocron from his robes and presented it out for Bastila to see. "When we entered the Dragon's lair, I found it near human remains. I was unaware that it may have been your father and thought that this holocron held knowledge unknown to me. I was going to examine it further when we boarded the Ebon Hawk."

"Then…you mean to say…" Bastila stammered. Revan nodded before the Jedi concluded her sentence.

"Your mother was telling the truth. Your father is dead. I'm sorry."

Bastila stood silent for several moments. The tears finally breaking out from her eyes and gradually streamed down her cheeks. But Bastila did not shriek nor howl in grief. Instead, she wiped the tears away with her forearm and shook her head.

"Damn it all." Bastila cursed as she looked up to the blue sky.

"Will you give her the holocron?" Revan asked, the object still held firmly in his grasp.

"I don't know." Bastila explained. "I simply don't know."

"Your hatred. It boils within you, and I do not need the Force to feel that. Hone your breathing and clear your thoughts. Hatred is a powerful emotion, it breeds anger and instills fear. Once anger is brought to fruition, hatred will replace all logic and reason."

Bastila closed her eyes and followed as advised. She honed her breathing, cleared her thoughts and remembered her training. No emotion. Peace. No ignorance. Knowledge. No passion. Serenity. No chaos. Harmony. No death. Only the Force.

She felt cleansed and took a deep sigh of both relief and surprise. "And here I thought you encouraged me to succumb to my emotions." Bastila said to Revan with a sly smirk.

Revan shook his head, not able to see the humour in her words. "Not this one. Hatred can be a powerful tool if honed correctly. But for you, your hatred for your mother was too great to control if it was left unchecked. I once held that deep level of hatred, it made me powerful, but at a cost of something great. It simply isn't worth it."

Bastila's smile disappeared after those words were uttered. Her eyes look down to his hand and stared at the holocron.

"I think we should return to my mother." The Jedi said, calmer this time. Revan nodded, allowing Bastila to enter the cantina first and followed her closely. The pair wave through the rowdy customers and approach Helena's desk, where she was still sitting – unmoved.

"It hasn't even been three minutes and you return already." The woman spat shrewdly.

"We have the holocron." Bastila groaned, "We were fortunate to have picked it up while we had other pressing matters to attend to on this planet. But I'm just not sure whether I want to give it to you or not."

"You would deny me even that. Why?"

"I've never denied you." Bastila answered, "I remember life before the Order. You may think I don't, but I do. You were the one who pushed father off to one treasure hunt to another. You loved living in wealth. You truly believe I don't remember the arguments? The fights?"

"Bastila!" Helena shouted, yet the Jedi continued.

"You were the one who was eager to send me away to the Jedi, even when I didn't want to go!"

For a moment, Bastila held back a gasp of grief, biting back her tears from flowing from her cheeks once more. "You took father from me…and now this holocron is all that I have left of him."

"Foolish child." Helena spat, "You have a funny way of remembering things. That was not how-"

"Enough mother." Bastila interrupted, "I don't want to argue anymore. For both our sakes we should part ways. Immediately."

Revan held out a hand towards Bastila, holding her from turning the other direction and leaving the cantina in a rushed fit. The Sith Lord approached the Jedi and whispered beneath his breath, only enough for Bastila alone to hear.

"Are you certain you wish to keep this holocron?" Revan asked solemnly.

Bastila eyed the holocron lingering within the Sith Lord's robes, the blue lighting illuminating vibrantly behind his cape. She furrowed her brow, 'Yes.' Bastila wanted to say, her mind clouded by frustration and remembered hatred for her mother. 'Yes! As long as she doesn't have it! The one who took him away!'

But what was she thinking? She closed her eyes and cleared her thoughts. This was no way to act, this was still her mother.

"No." Bastila answered, "I mean…perhaps not. I remember my father well enough. But why should she have it?" That final sentence reeked of venom in her tone.

Helena replied for Revan, "I am a dying woman. Is it so hard to believe that? Is it so hard for you to believe that I simply wish to see my husband one last time?"

"I find it difficult to believe anything that comes out of your mouth quite frankly."

"Enough of this." Revan ordered, placing the holocron on the desk. "This feud has gone on too long. Perhaps it is time for both of you to find common ground. Find it in yourselves to forgive one another perhaps? But the longer you two bicker, then the more time you waste – and that accomplishes nothing."

Bastila and her mother stared at Revan in silence before looking at one another. Bastila breathed a deep sigh before shaking her head.

"You're right. Forgive me but I find it very difficult to let go of the…past. I'm sorry mother. For everything."

"I'm sorry too." Helena began, softly, like an endearing mother that Bastila always wished she had. "I was hard on you my dear. Perhaps too hard. Hardly the quality of a good mother – I'm not blind to that. Your father loved you too, dearly. He wanted you to be like him, take you on his adventures but I disagreed, I thought they were too dangerous."

"Mother…" Revan could hear Bastila whisper underneath her breath.

"I always begged your father to keep away from the dangerous ones, but he wouldn't listen. It was a reckless life we lived. I never wanted that for you. That's why you were sent off to the Jedi. What has hunting for treasure and risking our lives come to? Nothing. That was no place for a child like you, especially one of your gifts."

Helena took a moment to swallow back a whimper before continuing, "Your father spent his last years paying for my treatments. That's what enticed him to search for the pearls. I begged and pleaded for him not to go…alas, he never was a good listener."

"Your treatments." Bastila exclaimed, her eyes widening. Her mother shook her head and gave her a saddened smile.

"I never lied child. I am dying. There is nothing else that could be done, so I'm told. It is in its critical stages."

Revan watched as Bastila bit back from crying. Yet within him, the Sith Lord could feel the pain of heartache emerging within the Jedi and felt it as if it was his own. There are many strengths to a Force bond; there are many liabilities as well. Yet it was undeniable, the Force bond they possessed was intertwined at a level to where their fates and ultimately their destinies collided. It was to the point where he could feel what she felt, a disturbance in the Force occurring whenever something felt wrong to Bastila could be detected by Revan at a whim. It was appalling to see how their bond grew and developed in such a short amount of time. Relationships at this extent usually occurred between Master and Apprentice and tempered over years, if not decades. This was different. They were different.

"Keep the holocron Bastila. It would serve you better than it would me. Besides, it would make me feel better knowing that you have it. To be perfectly honest with you, this was why I wanted us to meet. Not because of that silly object – but to see you…talk to you, before I-"

"I understand, mother." Bastila whimpered quietly. "I'm glad we talked too."

"I shan't keep you away from your vital quest any longer." Helena said with a departing voice.

"Wait." Bastila said, approaching her mother and reaching behind her robes and taking out a platinum chip.

"There is more than five hundred credits attributed on this chip. Go to Coruscant, buy yourself the best doctor."

"But Bastila. I told you, there is nothing that could be do-"

"Take it." Bastila urged, pushing the chip into her mother's frail hands and clasping her fingers closed. "When we are done…when I've done what I have to do. I will meet you there. I want to see you again, please. We must talk more. We must." Her voice was broken, her heart was in the same condition. Helena closed her eyes and held her arms out to embrace Bastila…no…her daughter. The Jedi closed her eyes and embraced what she called family once more. The family she urged to see. Revan on the other hand wondered where on Earth she posessed such an object and how long she had planned to keep it a secret from him.

"Very well Bastila." Helena said to her daughter, grasping her robes and clenching onto them tightly. Tears now streamed from the mother's face as she let her child go. "Now you go do what you have to dear. And one more thing…go make your father and I proud."

"I will." Bastila said shakingly, "Farewell mother." She turned to Revan and signalled their departure. The Sith Lord nodded, but stayed behind momentarily as he watched Bastila push through the cantina's drunk and excited customers.

"You don't look like any Jedi I've ever seen." Helena mentioned curiously, "You stand silent, brooding and have a certain aura about you. It's quite distinct from the rest."

Revan smiled behind his mask, "I am not a Jedi." The Sith Lord said with a slight nod of his head.

"…I see." Helena said. "Jedi or not, will you do an old woman one last courtesy?"

Revan stood silent, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"You will look after my daughter, you hear me? You look the strong, able-bodied sort. Please…make sure no harm comes to her."

Revan nodded. A mother's last wish…the well-being of her child. "I'll do my best. That's a promise." The Sith Lord replied, looking towards Bastila who was nearing the exit of the cantina.

"Good…good." Helena said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'll feel a lot better knowing that someone is watching over her. Now go catch up to her before you lose her."

Revan chuckled and departed, eventually leaving the cantina with Bastila who was still reeling from what she had just experienced. The sands of Tantooine brush through their clothing, its twin suns exposed upon them vibrantly.

"Thank you." Bastila said to Revan as they made their way back to the Ebon Hawk.

"You needn't thank me." He replied cordially.

"But I'm doing it anyway, without you I don't think I could've found peace with my mother. If Carth had gone with me, it may intensify the situation. Mission – she would've been too young. Juhani, Zaalbar or by the stars Canderous, it never would've been borne out the same way. I shiver at the thought of me going in alone, now that would've ended badly."

Revan nodded, "If that's the case. Then you are welcome. Now, are you prepared to leave this rock?"

Bastila smiled, "I am. Malak won't stop himself."

The Ebon Hawk's entrance ramp had already descended as the two approached, with Carth standing at the very entrance shouting towards the pair.

"Hey! Come on already! This crazy seven-foot tall droid you brought onboard is threatening to melt this entire ship down if he doesn't see his 'master'!"

"I see they've succeeded in keeping HK in check." Bastila giggled.

Revan smirked, "That sounds like HK. Well, we better not tally – elsewise the threat may be brought to realisation."

There were many who believed the Force operated on its own accord. Some believe that the Force predetermined the very destinies of those living in the universe. But it was clear – the destinies of both the Dark Lord of the Sith and the gifted Jedi Padawan alongside him proved to be joined in unison. And it all began with one peculiar emergence within Revan.

Hope.

AN: Hoping to kick the next chapter off with some serious RevanxBastila moments. Hopefully.