Falling For You
Disclaimer: I don't own anything even vaguely Star Wars. I'm just playing around with this plot a bit, don't mind me. And none of the songs in the A/Ns are mine, either (though they do all apply to the chapter they're with, that's why they're there).
Author's Notes: I couldn't leave the subject of KotOR at just two fics... and I couldn't wait for the sequel, either. This is the result of my fixation and impatience. Surprisingly enough, I'm projecting a lot of my own personal faults on Malak. I'm also using this fic to confront some aspects of my own dark side... we all have demons, just be grateful mine don't bite like Malak's (bad joke... really bad joke... sorry).
"I was five and he was six,
We rode on horses made of sticks,
He wore black and I wore white,
And he would always win the fight,
Bang bang, he shot me down,
Bang bang, I hit the ground,
Bang bang, that awful sound,
Bang bang, my baby shot me down."
-Cher, Bang bang.
x x x
Chapter 1 - Innocent
The six-year-old boy was sulking in the corner. As usual. This time, the corner he chose to sulk in was in the main entrance hall of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. He was advanced for his age, and he had been told there was a chance he would graduate to Padawan a few years earlier than normal. It didn't stop him being a moody loner, though. The other Padawans were all young teenagers, and he knew he would feel out of place. He felt out of place, anyway, at the best of times.
He had always been a loner, but not through choice. He was a very social person, but he gave off an aura that seemed to make people think he didn't want them to bother him. The Jedi Masters were different, they weren't bothered by it... and Master Zhar could even be called relatively good company, since Zhar didn't patronise him, or treat him like a baby - he recognised that the boy was smart for his age, and treated him accordingly. But the other apprentices and Padawans, they gave the boy a wide berth.
As the boy watched, the main doors opened, and Master Vrook appeared. This Master made Hoth look warm - he was the one that most of the apprentices feared... though for no real reason, as while he was strict, Vrook was not a threat... well, not to any of the Jedi, anyway.
Vrook led a young girl by the hand. She couldn't have been older than five. She waved out the door, as it closed. The boy could just about make out two people waving back to the girl. A new apprentice. She had long jet-black hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and an aura that bubbled with energy, even through the sadness of leaving her family to become a Jedi. She clutched a small bag of belongings protectively, as Vrook led her further into the main hall. He stopped short, however, when he saw the boy watching them.
He beckoned the boy, "Come here, apprentice."
The boy pushed off the wall with one shoulder, and walked over to Master Vrook. If you judged by his attitude, you might say he slouched across the hall... but he held his shoulders straight, and only gave the impression of discontent through his aura and facial expression. "Yes, Master Vrook?"
"Would you be so kind as to show this young lady around?" Vrook asked genially. The boy wasn't stupid - he knew an order when he heard one, "She has been assigned to residential level three. Once you have finished your guided tour, show her there and one of the female Padawans will take her to her room."
The boy sighed, "Yes, Master Vrook." he turned to the girl, "Come on, kid."
The girl frowned at him, but followed, "Why did Master Vrook tell you to show me around?" she asked, as the boy led her down a corridor.
"Probably wants me to make friends." the boy grouched, "Since I don't have any here."
"Oh..." the girl puzzled over this for a while, "I could be your friend."
"It's ok... I don't need your pity, kid." he said coldly.
"It's not pity." she retorted, "I don't have any friends here, either. I'm new, remember?"
"With an outgoing personality like yours, you'll make friends in minutes." the boy noted.
"Starting with you." she said determinedly.
He sniggered, and pointed down a corridor they were walking past, "Training rooms are down there."
She nodded, "Ok."
After a few minutes of silent walking, they passed another corridor, "That way leads to the Council Chambers. Apprentices aren't allowed near it... but Padawans are, sometimes." She nodded again, and they continued walking.
"You're very quiet." she noted.
"I'm not used to talking to people."
"It shows."
"Thanks a lot." he muttered, "Down there is the dining hall. Good food, really. If you like bland and tasteless, I mean."
She giggled, "Please tell me they have chocolate cakes?"
"Sorry. No chocolate of any kind. No caffa, either."
She pulled a face, "Who wants caffa?"
"The Padawans complain about no caffa, all the time." he said, shrugging.
"Why don't you have any friends?" she asked bluntly.
He shrugged, "I just don't. No big deal, right?"
"Just weird, is all." she muttered.
"Yeah. A lot of people call me that." he said sulkily.
"I didn't mean it like that." she protested, "I just wondered why."
"No one my age likes to talk to me. Maybe you can tell me why, since you've actually come within five feet of me!" he snapped.
"Ok... no need to get snappish." she grouched.
"Sorry." he ran his fingers through his short dark hair, and looked at the floor for a minute, only looking up in time to note, "That way's the Knights' training area. I've heard they've got loads of cools practice-droids and stuff. We're not allowed in there, though."
She nodded, and they kept walking. Eventually, they reached an elevator, in which the boy pressed a button for level three. On the ride down, he watched her, as she examined the interior of the elevator with interest.
After a minute, however, "You're staring at me." she said bluntly.
"I am?" he asked, surprised she had noticed without looking at him.
She looked at him, and tilted her head to one side, grinning, "Actually, you're not just staring, you're gawping. If it were any more obvious, your jaw would have hit the floor."
He sniggered, "Nice imagery." he muttered.
She giggled, "Thanks." then after a short pause, "Are you sure you don't wanna be friends?" she asked.
"I've never had a friend. How do I know if I want one or not?" he asked, a bit snappishly.
"One way to find out." she noted.
He grinned, "Thanks."
"No problem. But if we're gonna be friends, I need to know your name." she said brightly.
"My name's Malak." he said flatly, "What's yours?"
"I'm Revan." she said, holding her hand out to him.
He shook her hand, and smiled. His first real friend.
x x x
Eleven years old, Malak stood to attention in front of Jedi Master Zhar. The last of his tests to become a Padawan was scheduled for today. He had studied the Jedi Code, and constructed his lightsaber over the last few weeks. Now he was ready to face his final test.
"Am I late?" a chirpy voice asked behind him. Revan scampered into the room eagerly. Malak raised an amused eyebrow as the hyper ten-year-old girl bounced on the balls of her feet, next to him - there was no caffa in the Temple, how did she manage to be so hyper all the time? Zhar watched her with one of those too-patient stares he was so good at, until she simmered down a bit and stopped jittering on the spot, "I made my lightsaber, Master Zhar. Look." she said, showing him the item in question.
Malak's jaw dropped as he stared at it... but he had the presence of mind not to splutter with jealousy. It had taken him the better part of a week to get the crystal in his lightsaber aligned correctly. She was only given her crystal two days ago.
Zhar blinked a couple of times, then took the lightsaber from Revan and examined it carefully. The girl watched with eager puppy-dog-eyes. After a minute, Zhar nodded slowly, "Impressive."
"It took me three tries, Master Zhar... but I finally got it." she crowed proudly.
"You did, indeed." Zhar said calmly, "Very well... you may undertake the test together."
Revan grinned, "Cool."
Malak smiled, "I didn't think you'd make it, Revan."
"Oh, come on... it's not like it's a race." she said cheerfully.
"Yeah, right. Then why did you run all the way down here?" he asked, his smile turning quickly into a grin.
"Because I didn't want to let you face the final test alone. You've heard the same rumour I have." she said brightly.
"What rumour might that be?" Zhar asked innocently.
"Just Cassie's idea of a joke, Master Zhar. I'm sure there's no truth in it. No harm intended either." Revan said innocently.
Malak frowned. He wasn't so sure of that. Cassie was a Padawan, who spent her free time in the company of the apprentices. She told all sorts of fascinating stories to the younger children, about adventures the Knights had been on. She also told them that the final test to become a Padawan involved duelling one of the Jedi Masters with a lightsaber.
"Cassandra is not one to joke, Revan." Zhar said calmly, "I'm sure you know that."
"Well, some of her stories are a bit far-fetched." Malak noted.
"Where the Force is concerned, even the far-fetched can occur on a regular basis." Zhar answered.
"So are the rumours true, then?" Malak asked.
Zhar smiled, "It depends. What did she tell you?"
The two apprentices looked at each other. Neither was about to admit to believing such a ludicrous rumour. They then effected equal looks of cuteness and innocence, and turned said expressions on Zhar.
Zhar sighed, "I suppose I shall have to tell you myself." he said, smiling faintly, "You will have to fight an opponent who wields a lightsaber. But remember, while this is merely a test, you must understand that it symbolises a very real danger. For every Jedi the threat of the dark side is always present. Your lightsabers are not the only weapons you may fight with."
He stepped aside, and the two apprentices looked around the room. There were no weapons of any kind within the room, besides the lightsabers they wore. Malak frowned, puzzling over Zhar's cryptic instructions.
Revan tensed a second before the door opened on the far side of the room. Malak's reaction came a moment after he saw what stepped through the door. Concealed by black robes, with a half-mask covering the lower half of her face, stood a woman. Her piercing green eyes were lit by cold fire, contrasting sharply with her light tan skin. A strand of black hair was visible under the hood of the robe she wore.
Revan glanced to Zhar, for a fraction of a second, before returning her full attention to this newcomer. "You will face her together." Zhar said calmly.
"What, no help?" Revan asked.
"This is your test, not mine." Zhar replied.
Revan frowned, as the newcomer stepped forward. "Hi." Revan said brightly.
The dark Jedi blinked, startled by Revan's behaviour.
"My name's Revan. What's yours?"
The dark Jedi circled the two apprentices. Malak gripped his lightsaber, but did not activate it yet. "My name is Kendra." the woman growled.
Revan kept her eyes on Kendra, her hand slowly moving to the lightsaber on her belt, "Do we have to fight you?" she asked.
"Oh, but of course." Kendra said, too-sweetly, "You pathetic children are no match for a true Sith." she drew two red lightsabers, one in each hand, and lunged at Revan.
Revan blocked the first blow, and ducked to avoid the second. She lashed out at Kendra's ankle, but the woman was faster, and the kick only served to throw Revan off balance. Malak attacked immediately, defending Revan, and trying to drive Kendra back. Learning to fight with wooden swords had seemed a waste of time a year ago... now both apprentices were eternally grateful for the experience.
Malak's duelling skills were not, however, up to fighting someone who wielded two lightsabers at once. Kendra quickly backed him against a wall, "Join me, child. You could be great." she said, her lightsaber hovering near his throat.
Malak looked into her emerald eyes, steadily, "Sorry. Not interested." he said blithely.
"You are a pathetic apprentice. You will never be a Master!" she snarled at him.
But before Kendra could get the chance to hurt Malak, Revan had picked herself up and lunged at the dark Jedi, distracting her from Malak. Malak quickly recovered, and joined Revan in the fight. Together, they pushed Kendra back, and eventually the dark Jedi broke away from them, using the Force to leap over their heads, and back across the room.
Malak made to charge after her, but Revan grabbed his arm, "Wait a sec." she told him.
Malak held his lightsaber defensively, towards Kendra, but waited as Revan asked.
Revan stepped towards Kendra, warily, "Why are you fighting us?" she asked, "Why did you fall to the dark side?"
Kendra blinked, "The dark side offers greater power than you can ever imagine, child!"
Revan looked at the woman carefully, "And is it worth the price?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Kendra demanded. She was letting her guard down, and Malak's instincts told him to attack the enemy while she wasn't concentrating on him. But he would do as Revan asked, for now.
"Is it worth the price... the bloodshed... for whatever fleeting power the dark side offers?" Revan asked.
"I..." Kendra hesitated, then, "I can never go back. So what point is there in debating what might have been?!"
It suddenly clicked with Malak. They were supposed to try to save this woman. When he said weapons other than lightsabers may be used... Zhar meant logic and reason. "You can always ask forgiveness." Malak said quietly... but Kendra heard him.
"I could ask... it would never be given me." Kendra said bitterly.
"Why? What have you done?" Malak asked, stepping forward to stand next to Revan.
"Too many terrible things to count." Kendra said quietly, "It is too late for me."
"It's never too late." Revan said, "There is no emotion. There is peace."
Malak smiled faintly at that. Trust Revan to try to use one-liners to make everything all right.
Kendra smiled - you could see it in her eyes, "Peace... yes..." she bowed her head to the two apprentices, "For ones so young, you show great wisdom."
The sound of slow clapping came from a nearby corner. Both apprentices looked up sharply, to see Master Zhar clapping his hands. He smiled and walked towards them, "Well done. You have passed the test." he said calmly.
Kendra removed the hood and half-mask, revealing a young-looking woman, with none of the markings of a Sith. She looked healthy and vibrant, and the smile she wore was one of amusement, "You fight well." she told Revan and Malak.
"This was a role-play exercise, wasn't it?" Revan asked, eyeing Kendra with interest.
"Yes. It was." Kendra said, "I have studied the Sith, and have confronted many who have fallen. It is safer than sending an apprentice to face a real dark Jedi." she ignited her lightsaber, and with a flourish, her blade passed within half an inch of Revan's arm, neck, chest, and shoulder, in that order. "But I have the lightsaber skills to avoid causing harm to you..." she deactivated her lightsaber again, "As well as the skill to defend myself from apprentices."
"Though you are no longer mere apprentices." Zhar said calmly, "You have both proven yourselves worthy of joining the ranks of the Jedi. You have both now graduated to the rank of Padawan, and I am honoured to welcome such promising students to our Order."
Revan bowed deeply, "Thank you, Master Zhar."
Malak's bow was more tense, but just as grateful, "Thank you, Master Zhar." he echoed.
"I am Jedi Master Kendra." the woman said, smiling, "And Malak has been assigned as my Padawan learner. Revan, you were to be assigned to Master Zhar." she glanced at Zhar, "But with his permission, I wish to take you both on."
Zhar frowned, "It is highly unusual. But if that is your wish." he shrugged slightly, "We have had more students than Masters, since the great Sith Wars ended. It would perhaps be best this way."
Revan stared for a second, before she said, "Cool."
Kendra smiled, "You won't be saying that when you see what a strict teacher I can be, Revan."
"Sorry, Master Kendra." Revan said, trying to keep a straight face.
"I suggest you two go, for now." Kendra said calmly, "I shall meet you tomorrow, for your first lesson."
Both Padawans bowed, "Yes, Master Kendra." they chorused, and then turned to leave.
x x x
Over the next few years, the two Padawans became practically inseparable. They attended the same history and science classes, studied their Jedi lessons together under Master Kendra's tutelage, and spent their free time together.
Malak took extra lessons in combat, as a Jedi Guardian. Revan spent more time in the archives, studying anything from alien languages to cross-cultural mythology, in her training as a Consular class Jedi. Malak excelled in his use of the lightsaber and other bladed weapons, while Revan could quote anything from the recent Jedi history records, in any language you might choose. It was an interesting contrast.
Master Kendra took both Padawans with her on the less risky assignments that came under her notice. They weren't interesting assignments, but they were all essential. The most interesting of them was on Revan's fourteenth birthday. Malak was also fourteen, though admittedly not for long.
They were to go to the tertiary district of Coruscant - Kendra had been called to mediate in negotiations at the local power plant. From what they had heard, there were threats of a strike - if the strike occurred, it would mean total blackout for the whole district - that would be a disaster. Malak was sulking. Diplomatic missions bored him. Revan, however, was eagerly looking forward to the mission.
Their Jedi Master was a somewhat eccentric teacher, who believed in letting her students figure things out for themselves. She was much older than she looked - she looked like she was in her late twenties, but she had recently told her Padawans that she was actually fifty-four... which is young for a Master, but she was experienced enough to train Padawans, even if she was not wise enough to be a part of the Council.
Revan really liked Master Kendra. Malak also respected her, but wasn't so keen to please her. Kendra's teaching methods appealed to Revan only because the girl was eager enough to learn and reason. While Malak understood and respected such things, his first reaction in a fight was to win, then if the enemy survived, he might ask questions. He would never pick a fight, but if someone else started it, well that wasn't his fault, was it? Kendra didn't like this attitude.
They entered the employee lounge of the power plant. It was a small room, with cheap-but-comfortable couches, and small tables dotted around it. It was incredibly informal, and Malak didn't like it. He was used to the ordered environment of the Jedi Temple, and while he tended to sulk from boredom in the Temple, here he sulked from mild revulsion and a desire to be elsewhere.
"Ah, Lady Jedi." a stocky human man said, approaching them. He extended his hand to Kendra, "You're just in time. My name is Durst Burgoo. I am the manager of this facility." Kendra shook his hand, and he gestured to a scrawny woman wearing goggles, with a datapad in her hand, "This it my secretary, Katja." the woman smiled weakly, and waved nervously. She looked like she would also rather be anywhere but here.
"And my name is Be'nin Starlink." a stocky Twi'lek man said, offering his hand to Kendra. She accepted it as well. "I'm the Union Representative, and this is my assistant, Travis." the shifty looking human man, with short greasy black hair, next to Be'nin smiled... or would you call that a sneer? Either way, it was insincere and cold.
"And I am Jedi Master Kendra." Kendra said, nodding her head in a pass for a bow, "These are my Padawan learners, Revan and Malak."
Revan smiled sincerely, and nodded to the two men in charge. Malak bowed curtly, but didn't show any emotion. If he had done, it have would been boredom and distaste, and that would just be plain rude.
"Would you care to take a seat, then?" Durst asked congenially.
Kendra nodded, "Yes, thank you." she said neatly in one of the armchairs, her posture nothing short of perfect.
Durst sat in another armchair. Katja stood behind him, shooting wary glances at Travis, as if afraid of the younger man.
Be'nin sat in the last remaining armchair in this small cluster of seats, and Travis stood nearby, eyeing Durst and Katja with dark amusement.
Revan looked around the room for a second, before kneeling on the floor to Kendra's right, where she had a good view of the other inhabitants of the room, she looked like the good little obedient Jedi girl, but had a clear path to the door if needs be. Malak was not unaware of the way Revan had scoped out the room for threats the second she had entered. She wasn't an overly suspicious person, she was just thorough and cautious. Malak knelt on Kendra's left, if only for want of somewhere to sit - he sure as hell didn't like standing around when there was nothing interesting to do... but he didn't want to move out of earshot of the negotiations. You never know, he might learn something.
"Now, can you fill me in on the details of the situation, please?" Kendra asked calmly.
"Very well." Durst said, nodding, "The Union has just demanded-"
"Requested." Be'nin interrupted.
"-that their pay increase by twenty percent." Durst continued, "We cannot afford that, but they will not listen to reason."
"You can afford the luxuries in the management lounge, yet a fifty credit pay-rise for the people who actually do the work isn't in your budget?!" Be'nin snapped.
"Fifty credits each... for seven hundred workers." Durst replied coldly, "Damned right we cannot afford it!"
"Gentlemen, please." Kendra interrupted, "I would prefer if you kept your offensive language to yourselves. My Padawans do not need to hear it."
Durst's eyes narrowed, and he glared at both Padawans, "It's still too much money. We can't afford it."
"Perhaps you could compromise?" Revan suggested.
Durst and Be'nin both looked at the girl, surprised she would speak. They had thought she was just here to watch her Master work. Malak smiled faintly, leaning back against the leg of the chair, to watch the show. Revan's persuasive skills, even without the Force to aid her, were phenomenal.
"How do you suggest we do that?" Durst asked coldly.
Revan stood up, and looked to Kendra. The Jedi Master nodded slightly, effectively giving her permission to go ahead. Revan turned to face the two men, "Mr Starlink." she said politely to Be'nin. Malak was surprised at the formality - he had automatically thought of them on a first-name basis from the second they had introduced themselves. "For what reason are you requesting this pay-rise?"
"Working conditions are a disgrace. Have you seen the main floor of the plant?" Be'nin asked. Revan shook her head. Be'nin continued, "Well, it's hardly worth the two-fifty a week we're being paid, to even dare inhale in that place!"
Revan blinked a few times, her eyebrows raised in surprise at this, "You mean it smells bad?"
"Exactly." Be'nin said flatly.
Revan giggled, and turned to face Durst, "How about you clean the place up? How much would a cleaning droid cost?"
"About three thousand." Durst answered.
Malak did a quick calculation in his head, "That's less than twelve percent of the weekly pay-raise they're asking for." he said out loud.
Kendra smiled, "Would this be an acceptable investment, to begin with?" she asked.
"I... suppose so." Durst muttered.
"Excellent." Kendra replied, "Revan, do please continue."
Revan nodded, "All right. Assuming the place isn't a nerf-sty, anymore... what else is wrong?"
Be'nin seemed surprised by her approach, "Well... we have practically no insurance. If one of us is injured, that's it, we're out of a job. It's not easy for Lower Level people to get a decent job if we're not in good health. The risks are quite high working around high-voltage systems."
Revan nodded, and turned to Durst, "How much might it cost for med-bot treatments?"
"How should I know?" he retorted snappishly.
Kendra leaned forward, "It would likely not be too expensive to get basic healing and even limb-replacements at local medical facilities. And the risk of injury is actually quite low."
"The odds of major injuries, including any possible fatalities, in that situation are five thousand six hundred and twenty-two to one against. The odds would improve if a cleaning droid were added to the mix." Malak noted, smiling faintly. He was good with information and numbers... but Revan was the one who was best with the practical application of this information, "With seven hundred workers, insurance would be a relatively safe risk."
Kendra smiled, "Very good, Malak."
Durst frowned, "All right. Say insurance for injury. What else do you want?"
Be'nin seemed surprised that the negotiations were going so well, "Well... that's really the reasons we had..." he said, trailing off into a slightly stunned silence, "This is better than we expected."
Kendra smiled, "Perhaps you should shake on the deal, then?" she suggested.
Revan took a step back as Kendra stood. Malak also stood, and went over to stand next to Revan, "This was easy, wasn't it?" he asked her.
Of course, one should never tempt the Force like that.
"You stupid fools!" Travis snarled, mostly aimed at Durst and Katja, "You were supposed to refuse their demands!"
Katja cringed, "Um... Travis... I meant to tell you this morning... I... erm... forgot to pass on your memo." she muttered.
Travis blinked, "Bloody bureaucratic morons!" he snapped, "How does a death-threat get lost in the system?!"
Death threat?
"What are you on about?" Be'nin demanded.
"Oh, please!" Travis laughed, "Well I can fix this little problem." he took out a thermal detonator, "Union representatives killed by self-serving management-types, so they can go on stuffing their wallets. Yes, the paparazzi will lap that one up. This station is going down, and when it does, the UnderDogs will be able to run wild!"
"The UnderDogs?" Kendra asked coldly, "Aren't they one of those street-gangs from the underground levels?" she actually sneered at the man, "Pu-lease. They couldn't have planned something of this scale."
"Oh, but we did." Travis jeered.
"And you've got three Jedi standing in your way." Malak noted, "Give up while you've still got your limbs attached."
"This plan has been in the works for months!" Travis snapped, "We're going to get what's coming to us, after years of mistreatment!"
"Oh, you'll get what's coming to you, all right." Revan growled threateningly.
"You used us." Be'nin said coldly, "You planned all this just to screw over the Upper Levels! How petty can you get? What did the Upper citizens ever do to you? Most of the people you're going to effect are innocent, they have no idea about you or your ridiculous grudge!"
Revan took a step towards Travis, her eyes not leaving the detonator in his hand, "If you can apply and get a job in the Lower and Upper levels, like this... why are you still running in a gang?" she asked, "Why not try to pull the gang up with you, instead of pulling the Upper levels down to them?"
"Don't you get it?" Travis laughed, "With the power out, that's exactly what I'll be doing! I'll be bringing the gang up to the Upper levels! We'll rule the whole city-sector!"
Revan frowned, "I was speaking metaphorically. Help them become better people, as you could have from finding this job in the Upper levels."
"Ha! Like we want jobs? Like we want to work in some stinking factory when we can run the streets?" Travis laughed, "That's funny, kid."
Malak growled, his hand going for his lightsaber. How dare this self-centred moron insult Revan? He ought to gut this man with a hot poker... no... dark side, bad. Don't think that. It would be fun, though.
Kendra put her hand on Malak's arm, and he immediately let his hand fall away from his lightsaber. Ok, let's not kill him... maybe just maim him a little, if he decided to actually try to set that detonator off. Yeah, that works.
"You want to deactivate that detonator." Kendra said calmly, using the Force to back up her words. Malak saw the glazed look in Travis' eyes, as he deactivated the detonator. "You don't want to get yourself killed. You want to surrender peacefully. The authorities will be lenient."
"I... I don't want to get killed. I'll surrender peacefully." he repeated obediently, "The authorities will be lenient... right?"
Kendra smiled and nodded, "That's right." she turned to Malak, "Go fetch someone to take him into custody, would you?"
He nodded and left the room.
Now, with that as the most interesting, how mundane do you think the other assignments were?
x x x
Disclaimer: I don't own anything even vaguely Star Wars. I'm just playing around with this plot a bit, don't mind me. And none of the songs in the A/Ns are mine, either (though they do all apply to the chapter they're with, that's why they're there).
Author's Notes: I couldn't leave the subject of KotOR at just two fics... and I couldn't wait for the sequel, either. This is the result of my fixation and impatience. Surprisingly enough, I'm projecting a lot of my own personal faults on Malak. I'm also using this fic to confront some aspects of my own dark side... we all have demons, just be grateful mine don't bite like Malak's (bad joke... really bad joke... sorry).
"I was five and he was six,
We rode on horses made of sticks,
He wore black and I wore white,
And he would always win the fight,
Bang bang, he shot me down,
Bang bang, I hit the ground,
Bang bang, that awful sound,
Bang bang, my baby shot me down."
-Cher, Bang bang.
x x x
Chapter 1 - Innocent
The six-year-old boy was sulking in the corner. As usual. This time, the corner he chose to sulk in was in the main entrance hall of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. He was advanced for his age, and he had been told there was a chance he would graduate to Padawan a few years earlier than normal. It didn't stop him being a moody loner, though. The other Padawans were all young teenagers, and he knew he would feel out of place. He felt out of place, anyway, at the best of times.
He had always been a loner, but not through choice. He was a very social person, but he gave off an aura that seemed to make people think he didn't want them to bother him. The Jedi Masters were different, they weren't bothered by it... and Master Zhar could even be called relatively good company, since Zhar didn't patronise him, or treat him like a baby - he recognised that the boy was smart for his age, and treated him accordingly. But the other apprentices and Padawans, they gave the boy a wide berth.
As the boy watched, the main doors opened, and Master Vrook appeared. This Master made Hoth look warm - he was the one that most of the apprentices feared... though for no real reason, as while he was strict, Vrook was not a threat... well, not to any of the Jedi, anyway.
Vrook led a young girl by the hand. She couldn't have been older than five. She waved out the door, as it closed. The boy could just about make out two people waving back to the girl. A new apprentice. She had long jet-black hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and an aura that bubbled with energy, even through the sadness of leaving her family to become a Jedi. She clutched a small bag of belongings protectively, as Vrook led her further into the main hall. He stopped short, however, when he saw the boy watching them.
He beckoned the boy, "Come here, apprentice."
The boy pushed off the wall with one shoulder, and walked over to Master Vrook. If you judged by his attitude, you might say he slouched across the hall... but he held his shoulders straight, and only gave the impression of discontent through his aura and facial expression. "Yes, Master Vrook?"
"Would you be so kind as to show this young lady around?" Vrook asked genially. The boy wasn't stupid - he knew an order when he heard one, "She has been assigned to residential level three. Once you have finished your guided tour, show her there and one of the female Padawans will take her to her room."
The boy sighed, "Yes, Master Vrook." he turned to the girl, "Come on, kid."
The girl frowned at him, but followed, "Why did Master Vrook tell you to show me around?" she asked, as the boy led her down a corridor.
"Probably wants me to make friends." the boy grouched, "Since I don't have any here."
"Oh..." the girl puzzled over this for a while, "I could be your friend."
"It's ok... I don't need your pity, kid." he said coldly.
"It's not pity." she retorted, "I don't have any friends here, either. I'm new, remember?"
"With an outgoing personality like yours, you'll make friends in minutes." the boy noted.
"Starting with you." she said determinedly.
He sniggered, and pointed down a corridor they were walking past, "Training rooms are down there."
She nodded, "Ok."
After a few minutes of silent walking, they passed another corridor, "That way leads to the Council Chambers. Apprentices aren't allowed near it... but Padawans are, sometimes." She nodded again, and they continued walking.
"You're very quiet." she noted.
"I'm not used to talking to people."
"It shows."
"Thanks a lot." he muttered, "Down there is the dining hall. Good food, really. If you like bland and tasteless, I mean."
She giggled, "Please tell me they have chocolate cakes?"
"Sorry. No chocolate of any kind. No caffa, either."
She pulled a face, "Who wants caffa?"
"The Padawans complain about no caffa, all the time." he said, shrugging.
"Why don't you have any friends?" she asked bluntly.
He shrugged, "I just don't. No big deal, right?"
"Just weird, is all." she muttered.
"Yeah. A lot of people call me that." he said sulkily.
"I didn't mean it like that." she protested, "I just wondered why."
"No one my age likes to talk to me. Maybe you can tell me why, since you've actually come within five feet of me!" he snapped.
"Ok... no need to get snappish." she grouched.
"Sorry." he ran his fingers through his short dark hair, and looked at the floor for a minute, only looking up in time to note, "That way's the Knights' training area. I've heard they've got loads of cools practice-droids and stuff. We're not allowed in there, though."
She nodded, and they kept walking. Eventually, they reached an elevator, in which the boy pressed a button for level three. On the ride down, he watched her, as she examined the interior of the elevator with interest.
After a minute, however, "You're staring at me." she said bluntly.
"I am?" he asked, surprised she had noticed without looking at him.
She looked at him, and tilted her head to one side, grinning, "Actually, you're not just staring, you're gawping. If it were any more obvious, your jaw would have hit the floor."
He sniggered, "Nice imagery." he muttered.
She giggled, "Thanks." then after a short pause, "Are you sure you don't wanna be friends?" she asked.
"I've never had a friend. How do I know if I want one or not?" he asked, a bit snappishly.
"One way to find out." she noted.
He grinned, "Thanks."
"No problem. But if we're gonna be friends, I need to know your name." she said brightly.
"My name's Malak." he said flatly, "What's yours?"
"I'm Revan." she said, holding her hand out to him.
He shook her hand, and smiled. His first real friend.
x x x
Eleven years old, Malak stood to attention in front of Jedi Master Zhar. The last of his tests to become a Padawan was scheduled for today. He had studied the Jedi Code, and constructed his lightsaber over the last few weeks. Now he was ready to face his final test.
"Am I late?" a chirpy voice asked behind him. Revan scampered into the room eagerly. Malak raised an amused eyebrow as the hyper ten-year-old girl bounced on the balls of her feet, next to him - there was no caffa in the Temple, how did she manage to be so hyper all the time? Zhar watched her with one of those too-patient stares he was so good at, until she simmered down a bit and stopped jittering on the spot, "I made my lightsaber, Master Zhar. Look." she said, showing him the item in question.
Malak's jaw dropped as he stared at it... but he had the presence of mind not to splutter with jealousy. It had taken him the better part of a week to get the crystal in his lightsaber aligned correctly. She was only given her crystal two days ago.
Zhar blinked a couple of times, then took the lightsaber from Revan and examined it carefully. The girl watched with eager puppy-dog-eyes. After a minute, Zhar nodded slowly, "Impressive."
"It took me three tries, Master Zhar... but I finally got it." she crowed proudly.
"You did, indeed." Zhar said calmly, "Very well... you may undertake the test together."
Revan grinned, "Cool."
Malak smiled, "I didn't think you'd make it, Revan."
"Oh, come on... it's not like it's a race." she said cheerfully.
"Yeah, right. Then why did you run all the way down here?" he asked, his smile turning quickly into a grin.
"Because I didn't want to let you face the final test alone. You've heard the same rumour I have." she said brightly.
"What rumour might that be?" Zhar asked innocently.
"Just Cassie's idea of a joke, Master Zhar. I'm sure there's no truth in it. No harm intended either." Revan said innocently.
Malak frowned. He wasn't so sure of that. Cassie was a Padawan, who spent her free time in the company of the apprentices. She told all sorts of fascinating stories to the younger children, about adventures the Knights had been on. She also told them that the final test to become a Padawan involved duelling one of the Jedi Masters with a lightsaber.
"Cassandra is not one to joke, Revan." Zhar said calmly, "I'm sure you know that."
"Well, some of her stories are a bit far-fetched." Malak noted.
"Where the Force is concerned, even the far-fetched can occur on a regular basis." Zhar answered.
"So are the rumours true, then?" Malak asked.
Zhar smiled, "It depends. What did she tell you?"
The two apprentices looked at each other. Neither was about to admit to believing such a ludicrous rumour. They then effected equal looks of cuteness and innocence, and turned said expressions on Zhar.
Zhar sighed, "I suppose I shall have to tell you myself." he said, smiling faintly, "You will have to fight an opponent who wields a lightsaber. But remember, while this is merely a test, you must understand that it symbolises a very real danger. For every Jedi the threat of the dark side is always present. Your lightsabers are not the only weapons you may fight with."
He stepped aside, and the two apprentices looked around the room. There were no weapons of any kind within the room, besides the lightsabers they wore. Malak frowned, puzzling over Zhar's cryptic instructions.
Revan tensed a second before the door opened on the far side of the room. Malak's reaction came a moment after he saw what stepped through the door. Concealed by black robes, with a half-mask covering the lower half of her face, stood a woman. Her piercing green eyes were lit by cold fire, contrasting sharply with her light tan skin. A strand of black hair was visible under the hood of the robe she wore.
Revan glanced to Zhar, for a fraction of a second, before returning her full attention to this newcomer. "You will face her together." Zhar said calmly.
"What, no help?" Revan asked.
"This is your test, not mine." Zhar replied.
Revan frowned, as the newcomer stepped forward. "Hi." Revan said brightly.
The dark Jedi blinked, startled by Revan's behaviour.
"My name's Revan. What's yours?"
The dark Jedi circled the two apprentices. Malak gripped his lightsaber, but did not activate it yet. "My name is Kendra." the woman growled.
Revan kept her eyes on Kendra, her hand slowly moving to the lightsaber on her belt, "Do we have to fight you?" she asked.
"Oh, but of course." Kendra said, too-sweetly, "You pathetic children are no match for a true Sith." she drew two red lightsabers, one in each hand, and lunged at Revan.
Revan blocked the first blow, and ducked to avoid the second. She lashed out at Kendra's ankle, but the woman was faster, and the kick only served to throw Revan off balance. Malak attacked immediately, defending Revan, and trying to drive Kendra back. Learning to fight with wooden swords had seemed a waste of time a year ago... now both apprentices were eternally grateful for the experience.
Malak's duelling skills were not, however, up to fighting someone who wielded two lightsabers at once. Kendra quickly backed him against a wall, "Join me, child. You could be great." she said, her lightsaber hovering near his throat.
Malak looked into her emerald eyes, steadily, "Sorry. Not interested." he said blithely.
"You are a pathetic apprentice. You will never be a Master!" she snarled at him.
But before Kendra could get the chance to hurt Malak, Revan had picked herself up and lunged at the dark Jedi, distracting her from Malak. Malak quickly recovered, and joined Revan in the fight. Together, they pushed Kendra back, and eventually the dark Jedi broke away from them, using the Force to leap over their heads, and back across the room.
Malak made to charge after her, but Revan grabbed his arm, "Wait a sec." she told him.
Malak held his lightsaber defensively, towards Kendra, but waited as Revan asked.
Revan stepped towards Kendra, warily, "Why are you fighting us?" she asked, "Why did you fall to the dark side?"
Kendra blinked, "The dark side offers greater power than you can ever imagine, child!"
Revan looked at the woman carefully, "And is it worth the price?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Kendra demanded. She was letting her guard down, and Malak's instincts told him to attack the enemy while she wasn't concentrating on him. But he would do as Revan asked, for now.
"Is it worth the price... the bloodshed... for whatever fleeting power the dark side offers?" Revan asked.
"I..." Kendra hesitated, then, "I can never go back. So what point is there in debating what might have been?!"
It suddenly clicked with Malak. They were supposed to try to save this woman. When he said weapons other than lightsabers may be used... Zhar meant logic and reason. "You can always ask forgiveness." Malak said quietly... but Kendra heard him.
"I could ask... it would never be given me." Kendra said bitterly.
"Why? What have you done?" Malak asked, stepping forward to stand next to Revan.
"Too many terrible things to count." Kendra said quietly, "It is too late for me."
"It's never too late." Revan said, "There is no emotion. There is peace."
Malak smiled faintly at that. Trust Revan to try to use one-liners to make everything all right.
Kendra smiled - you could see it in her eyes, "Peace... yes..." she bowed her head to the two apprentices, "For ones so young, you show great wisdom."
The sound of slow clapping came from a nearby corner. Both apprentices looked up sharply, to see Master Zhar clapping his hands. He smiled and walked towards them, "Well done. You have passed the test." he said calmly.
Kendra removed the hood and half-mask, revealing a young-looking woman, with none of the markings of a Sith. She looked healthy and vibrant, and the smile she wore was one of amusement, "You fight well." she told Revan and Malak.
"This was a role-play exercise, wasn't it?" Revan asked, eyeing Kendra with interest.
"Yes. It was." Kendra said, "I have studied the Sith, and have confronted many who have fallen. It is safer than sending an apprentice to face a real dark Jedi." she ignited her lightsaber, and with a flourish, her blade passed within half an inch of Revan's arm, neck, chest, and shoulder, in that order. "But I have the lightsaber skills to avoid causing harm to you..." she deactivated her lightsaber again, "As well as the skill to defend myself from apprentices."
"Though you are no longer mere apprentices." Zhar said calmly, "You have both proven yourselves worthy of joining the ranks of the Jedi. You have both now graduated to the rank of Padawan, and I am honoured to welcome such promising students to our Order."
Revan bowed deeply, "Thank you, Master Zhar."
Malak's bow was more tense, but just as grateful, "Thank you, Master Zhar." he echoed.
"I am Jedi Master Kendra." the woman said, smiling, "And Malak has been assigned as my Padawan learner. Revan, you were to be assigned to Master Zhar." she glanced at Zhar, "But with his permission, I wish to take you both on."
Zhar frowned, "It is highly unusual. But if that is your wish." he shrugged slightly, "We have had more students than Masters, since the great Sith Wars ended. It would perhaps be best this way."
Revan stared for a second, before she said, "Cool."
Kendra smiled, "You won't be saying that when you see what a strict teacher I can be, Revan."
"Sorry, Master Kendra." Revan said, trying to keep a straight face.
"I suggest you two go, for now." Kendra said calmly, "I shall meet you tomorrow, for your first lesson."
Both Padawans bowed, "Yes, Master Kendra." they chorused, and then turned to leave.
x x x
Over the next few years, the two Padawans became practically inseparable. They attended the same history and science classes, studied their Jedi lessons together under Master Kendra's tutelage, and spent their free time together.
Malak took extra lessons in combat, as a Jedi Guardian. Revan spent more time in the archives, studying anything from alien languages to cross-cultural mythology, in her training as a Consular class Jedi. Malak excelled in his use of the lightsaber and other bladed weapons, while Revan could quote anything from the recent Jedi history records, in any language you might choose. It was an interesting contrast.
Master Kendra took both Padawans with her on the less risky assignments that came under her notice. They weren't interesting assignments, but they were all essential. The most interesting of them was on Revan's fourteenth birthday. Malak was also fourteen, though admittedly not for long.
They were to go to the tertiary district of Coruscant - Kendra had been called to mediate in negotiations at the local power plant. From what they had heard, there were threats of a strike - if the strike occurred, it would mean total blackout for the whole district - that would be a disaster. Malak was sulking. Diplomatic missions bored him. Revan, however, was eagerly looking forward to the mission.
Their Jedi Master was a somewhat eccentric teacher, who believed in letting her students figure things out for themselves. She was much older than she looked - she looked like she was in her late twenties, but she had recently told her Padawans that she was actually fifty-four... which is young for a Master, but she was experienced enough to train Padawans, even if she was not wise enough to be a part of the Council.
Revan really liked Master Kendra. Malak also respected her, but wasn't so keen to please her. Kendra's teaching methods appealed to Revan only because the girl was eager enough to learn and reason. While Malak understood and respected such things, his first reaction in a fight was to win, then if the enemy survived, he might ask questions. He would never pick a fight, but if someone else started it, well that wasn't his fault, was it? Kendra didn't like this attitude.
They entered the employee lounge of the power plant. It was a small room, with cheap-but-comfortable couches, and small tables dotted around it. It was incredibly informal, and Malak didn't like it. He was used to the ordered environment of the Jedi Temple, and while he tended to sulk from boredom in the Temple, here he sulked from mild revulsion and a desire to be elsewhere.
"Ah, Lady Jedi." a stocky human man said, approaching them. He extended his hand to Kendra, "You're just in time. My name is Durst Burgoo. I am the manager of this facility." Kendra shook his hand, and he gestured to a scrawny woman wearing goggles, with a datapad in her hand, "This it my secretary, Katja." the woman smiled weakly, and waved nervously. She looked like she would also rather be anywhere but here.
"And my name is Be'nin Starlink." a stocky Twi'lek man said, offering his hand to Kendra. She accepted it as well. "I'm the Union Representative, and this is my assistant, Travis." the shifty looking human man, with short greasy black hair, next to Be'nin smiled... or would you call that a sneer? Either way, it was insincere and cold.
"And I am Jedi Master Kendra." Kendra said, nodding her head in a pass for a bow, "These are my Padawan learners, Revan and Malak."
Revan smiled sincerely, and nodded to the two men in charge. Malak bowed curtly, but didn't show any emotion. If he had done, it have would been boredom and distaste, and that would just be plain rude.
"Would you care to take a seat, then?" Durst asked congenially.
Kendra nodded, "Yes, thank you." she said neatly in one of the armchairs, her posture nothing short of perfect.
Durst sat in another armchair. Katja stood behind him, shooting wary glances at Travis, as if afraid of the younger man.
Be'nin sat in the last remaining armchair in this small cluster of seats, and Travis stood nearby, eyeing Durst and Katja with dark amusement.
Revan looked around the room for a second, before kneeling on the floor to Kendra's right, where she had a good view of the other inhabitants of the room, she looked like the good little obedient Jedi girl, but had a clear path to the door if needs be. Malak was not unaware of the way Revan had scoped out the room for threats the second she had entered. She wasn't an overly suspicious person, she was just thorough and cautious. Malak knelt on Kendra's left, if only for want of somewhere to sit - he sure as hell didn't like standing around when there was nothing interesting to do... but he didn't want to move out of earshot of the negotiations. You never know, he might learn something.
"Now, can you fill me in on the details of the situation, please?" Kendra asked calmly.
"Very well." Durst said, nodding, "The Union has just demanded-"
"Requested." Be'nin interrupted.
"-that their pay increase by twenty percent." Durst continued, "We cannot afford that, but they will not listen to reason."
"You can afford the luxuries in the management lounge, yet a fifty credit pay-rise for the people who actually do the work isn't in your budget?!" Be'nin snapped.
"Fifty credits each... for seven hundred workers." Durst replied coldly, "Damned right we cannot afford it!"
"Gentlemen, please." Kendra interrupted, "I would prefer if you kept your offensive language to yourselves. My Padawans do not need to hear it."
Durst's eyes narrowed, and he glared at both Padawans, "It's still too much money. We can't afford it."
"Perhaps you could compromise?" Revan suggested.
Durst and Be'nin both looked at the girl, surprised she would speak. They had thought she was just here to watch her Master work. Malak smiled faintly, leaning back against the leg of the chair, to watch the show. Revan's persuasive skills, even without the Force to aid her, were phenomenal.
"How do you suggest we do that?" Durst asked coldly.
Revan stood up, and looked to Kendra. The Jedi Master nodded slightly, effectively giving her permission to go ahead. Revan turned to face the two men, "Mr Starlink." she said politely to Be'nin. Malak was surprised at the formality - he had automatically thought of them on a first-name basis from the second they had introduced themselves. "For what reason are you requesting this pay-rise?"
"Working conditions are a disgrace. Have you seen the main floor of the plant?" Be'nin asked. Revan shook her head. Be'nin continued, "Well, it's hardly worth the two-fifty a week we're being paid, to even dare inhale in that place!"
Revan blinked a few times, her eyebrows raised in surprise at this, "You mean it smells bad?"
"Exactly." Be'nin said flatly.
Revan giggled, and turned to face Durst, "How about you clean the place up? How much would a cleaning droid cost?"
"About three thousand." Durst answered.
Malak did a quick calculation in his head, "That's less than twelve percent of the weekly pay-raise they're asking for." he said out loud.
Kendra smiled, "Would this be an acceptable investment, to begin with?" she asked.
"I... suppose so." Durst muttered.
"Excellent." Kendra replied, "Revan, do please continue."
Revan nodded, "All right. Assuming the place isn't a nerf-sty, anymore... what else is wrong?"
Be'nin seemed surprised by her approach, "Well... we have practically no insurance. If one of us is injured, that's it, we're out of a job. It's not easy for Lower Level people to get a decent job if we're not in good health. The risks are quite high working around high-voltage systems."
Revan nodded, and turned to Durst, "How much might it cost for med-bot treatments?"
"How should I know?" he retorted snappishly.
Kendra leaned forward, "It would likely not be too expensive to get basic healing and even limb-replacements at local medical facilities. And the risk of injury is actually quite low."
"The odds of major injuries, including any possible fatalities, in that situation are five thousand six hundred and twenty-two to one against. The odds would improve if a cleaning droid were added to the mix." Malak noted, smiling faintly. He was good with information and numbers... but Revan was the one who was best with the practical application of this information, "With seven hundred workers, insurance would be a relatively safe risk."
Kendra smiled, "Very good, Malak."
Durst frowned, "All right. Say insurance for injury. What else do you want?"
Be'nin seemed surprised that the negotiations were going so well, "Well... that's really the reasons we had..." he said, trailing off into a slightly stunned silence, "This is better than we expected."
Kendra smiled, "Perhaps you should shake on the deal, then?" she suggested.
Revan took a step back as Kendra stood. Malak also stood, and went over to stand next to Revan, "This was easy, wasn't it?" he asked her.
Of course, one should never tempt the Force like that.
"You stupid fools!" Travis snarled, mostly aimed at Durst and Katja, "You were supposed to refuse their demands!"
Katja cringed, "Um... Travis... I meant to tell you this morning... I... erm... forgot to pass on your memo." she muttered.
Travis blinked, "Bloody bureaucratic morons!" he snapped, "How does a death-threat get lost in the system?!"
Death threat?
"What are you on about?" Be'nin demanded.
"Oh, please!" Travis laughed, "Well I can fix this little problem." he took out a thermal detonator, "Union representatives killed by self-serving management-types, so they can go on stuffing their wallets. Yes, the paparazzi will lap that one up. This station is going down, and when it does, the UnderDogs will be able to run wild!"
"The UnderDogs?" Kendra asked coldly, "Aren't they one of those street-gangs from the underground levels?" she actually sneered at the man, "Pu-lease. They couldn't have planned something of this scale."
"Oh, but we did." Travis jeered.
"And you've got three Jedi standing in your way." Malak noted, "Give up while you've still got your limbs attached."
"This plan has been in the works for months!" Travis snapped, "We're going to get what's coming to us, after years of mistreatment!"
"Oh, you'll get what's coming to you, all right." Revan growled threateningly.
"You used us." Be'nin said coldly, "You planned all this just to screw over the Upper Levels! How petty can you get? What did the Upper citizens ever do to you? Most of the people you're going to effect are innocent, they have no idea about you or your ridiculous grudge!"
Revan took a step towards Travis, her eyes not leaving the detonator in his hand, "If you can apply and get a job in the Lower and Upper levels, like this... why are you still running in a gang?" she asked, "Why not try to pull the gang up with you, instead of pulling the Upper levels down to them?"
"Don't you get it?" Travis laughed, "With the power out, that's exactly what I'll be doing! I'll be bringing the gang up to the Upper levels! We'll rule the whole city-sector!"
Revan frowned, "I was speaking metaphorically. Help them become better people, as you could have from finding this job in the Upper levels."
"Ha! Like we want jobs? Like we want to work in some stinking factory when we can run the streets?" Travis laughed, "That's funny, kid."
Malak growled, his hand going for his lightsaber. How dare this self-centred moron insult Revan? He ought to gut this man with a hot poker... no... dark side, bad. Don't think that. It would be fun, though.
Kendra put her hand on Malak's arm, and he immediately let his hand fall away from his lightsaber. Ok, let's not kill him... maybe just maim him a little, if he decided to actually try to set that detonator off. Yeah, that works.
"You want to deactivate that detonator." Kendra said calmly, using the Force to back up her words. Malak saw the glazed look in Travis' eyes, as he deactivated the detonator. "You don't want to get yourself killed. You want to surrender peacefully. The authorities will be lenient."
"I... I don't want to get killed. I'll surrender peacefully." he repeated obediently, "The authorities will be lenient... right?"
Kendra smiled and nodded, "That's right." she turned to Malak, "Go fetch someone to take him into custody, would you?"
He nodded and left the room.
Now, with that as the most interesting, how mundane do you think the other assignments were?
x x x