Chapter 3: 'Captain's' Identity Revealed

"Dantooine…" Bastila said wistfully looking out the viewport alongside Carth, who was sitting in the copilot's chair while 'Captain' piloted. As they came in, the ship's computer was given flight instructions for a landing zone which 'Captain' punched into the ship's computer and steered the ship to the docking bay of the enclave they saw out the window. "It seems like a lifetime since I last set foot on her surface, though in truth it has only been a few months. We should be safe from Malak here… for now, at least."

"Safe? You saw what his fleet did to Taris: there wasn't a building over two stories high left standing! They… they turned the planet into one big pile of rubble." Carth said.

"I agree with Carth." 'Captain' said as he landed in the docking bay. "Malak will come to this place eventually and he will destroy it."

"Even the Sith would think twice before attacking Dantooine." Bastila retorted, "There are many Jedi here, including several of the most powerful Masters of the Order. There is great strength within this place. We need to regroup; we need a plan. We can get supplies here and recuperate. The Academy is a place of mental and spiritual healing; something we could all use after what we've been through."

"Maybe you're right. It isn't easy to witness the annihilation of an entire planet. I know Mission and Shaleena must be taking it pretty hard." Carth said softly. 'Captain' caught a few vibes from the Telosian Republic pilot that he was thinking about himself and Telos, but quickly pushed those thoughts aside, they wouldn't help him here.

"They will find a way to come to terms with their grief. They are stronger than they appear. We just need to give them time." Bastila droned. "Now we need to go speak to the Jedi Council."

"Woah, woah, woah, what's with this 'we' talk?" 'Captain' protested, "I did my job, I've got no obligation to meet with them."

Bastila glared at him. "The Jedi Council wish to speak with you immediately."

'Captain' sighed, he knew that look; it was the look of a stubborn woman who would not accept 'No' for an answer. "Fine, fine." He grumbled. "Let's get this over with." He glared at Bastila, "But if I'm gonna suffer then all my cargo are gonna suffer with me. Every one's gonna meet with your Jedi Council."

"The Masters want to meet with you alone." Bastila protested.

"Tough luck. I thought that the Jedi were supposed to be open to everyone not just a few select individuals or am I wrong?" 'Captain' glared at the Jedi Padawan.

"B-but… that's…" Bastila trailed off as 'Captain' exited the cockpit and started to tell the rest of the group that they were going to meet the Jedi Council. "That man is absolutely infuriating!" She snarled as Carth laughed and the two of them rejoined their companions and left to go meet with the Jedi Council.

"Did you feel that?" Zhar looked at the other three Jedi Masters. "That Force Signature is unmistakable."

"Indeed." Vrook looked sour, "It appears that he has indeed returned but what is he doing here?"

"I believe that we shall find out shortly." Vandar murmured as he watched the group enter the Council chambers.

'Captain' kept his head down so that his hat covered his face. He really, really didn't want to talk to the Jedi Council. Especially Master Vrook. He disliked the dogmatic narrow minded Jedi Master immensely and would rather escape Taris again than talk to Vrook Lamar. His companions seemed to be in awe of the four Jedi Masters in front of them. All except for Canderous and who could blame him for not being in awe? Canderous had served alongside better Jedi than them during the Mandelorian War. Poor Shaleena though, was absolutely terrified. "Relax Shal." He whispered as they entered the chamber. "It'll be okay." He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Padawan Bastila, Why are these others here? I thought we told you only to bring the one who killed the two Sith to us. This is not for the ears of outsiders!" 'Captain' winced at the voice of Master Vrook. By the Force the man hadn't changed at all!

"Forgive me Masters but-" Bastila started but 'Captain' interrupted her and stepped forward.

"I told her that the only way I would meet with you is if everyone of the people I rescued from Taris was with us." He snapped. "And here I thought that Jedi were supposed to be kind and compassionate, not arrogant and secretive."

Vrook reeled back as if he had been punched. A look of shock on his face at the blatant disrespect. Master Zhar stepped forward hoping to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. "You do have a point. Greetings to you all. I am Master Zhar of the Jedi High Council. With me are Master Dorak." He indicated the older dark skinned master. "Master Vandar." Zhar indicated the short imp-like Jedi Master, "And Master Vrook" The Twi'lek master indicated the balding Jedi Master. "Now might we know the names of our visitors?" He asked kindly.

"Carth Onasi; Republic pilot and Commander in the Republic Navy." Carth said with a bow.

"Trask Ulgo; ensign with the Republic Fleet." Trask gave a stiff bow.

"I'm Mission Vao" Mission said also bowing.

/My name is Zalbaar./ The Wookie said with a formal bow.

"Canderous of the Mandalorian Clan Ordo." Canderous said but did not bow.

"Statement: Droid designation HK-47." The red droid said, also refusing to bow.

T3-M4 let out a series of beeps but, because of his design as an astromech droid, did not bow.

"M-my n-name is Sh-Shaleena sirs." Shaleena nervously stuttered as she bowed.

"And of course we already know Padawan Bastila and you." Master Vandar looked directly at 'Captain' who returned Vandar's stare with one of his own.

"Huh?" Mission was confused, "You already know 'Captain'?"

"Oh yes we know him." Master Dorak said.

"Okay I'm officially confused." Mission said "How the heck does he know four Jedi Masters?"

"So you didn't tell them?" Vrook sneered, "How like you to deceive your followers."

"They are not 'my followers' Vrook." 'Captain' glared at the balding Jedi. "I only agreed to get them off Taris. I had no intention of coming to see you." Practically everyone winced at the venom in the man's voice when he said the word 'you'. "Now why did you want to talk to me? Cause if its only to try and berate me for my past then don't waste my time. I have other matters here to attend to."

"You are still as arrogant as always." Vrook said flatly.

"And you're just as narrow minded, blind, and dogmatic as you were the day I left!" 'Captain' snarled. "If you and Atris hadn't let your pride blind you then none of this would have happened, Vrook!"

Bastila and her companions were shocked; 'Captain' was showing outright rudeness to the members of the Jedi High Council and had now just blatantly insulted Master Vrook.

"How dare you?" Vrook snarled.

"ENOUGH!" Everyone jumped at the loudness of Master Vandar's voice. "We did not ask him to come here to discuss what happened in the past Master Vrook." The small green Jedi Master glared at his colleague. "What's done is done, and we have no right to judge this man for the actions of his friend. Control yourself Master Vrook!" The Jedi Master turned to 'Captain' "My apologies. Master Vrook has had a hard time letting go of the past."

"So I see." 'Captain' kept his voice neutral. "So what did you want to talk to me about Master Vandar?"

"Um… Excuse me?" Mission asked.

"Yes?" Master Zhar looked at the young Twi'lek.

"Just how exactly do you know 'Captain'." Mission asked, "And what did Master Vrook mean when he said that 'Captain' was deceiving us?"

Zhar sighed, "With your permission?" He looked at 'Captain' who nodded. "We know this man because he once trained here at this academy a long time ago. In fact he was once my Padawan." All eyes snapped towards 'Captain'. "He was my greatest student and quickly became the youngest Jedi Knight and had been very close to being appointed as a Jedi Master and being given a seat on the Jedi High Council when the Mandelorian War broke out."

Bastila gasped, seats on the High Council weren't handed out lightly. And this smuggler, who couldn't be more that 25 years old, had nearly been appointed a member of the Jedi High Council! By the Force who was this man? She noticed similar stares of shock and disbelief plastered on the faces of her companions. All except for Canderous, who had a look of dawning comprehension on his face.

Master Zhar continued his narrative, "My former student along with several other Jedi Knights and even a Master or two went before the Jedi High Council and begged us to aid the Republic, however the High Council refused and the Jedi present, along with my former student, left to join the war. He rose quickly through the ranks due to his natural talent not only as a warrior, but as a brilliant tactician and charismatic leader. The Mandalorians quickly began to lose ground until that final battle at Malachor V where the Mandalorians were defeated. However most of the fleet disappeared into the Unknown Regions and two years later Malak returned with his Sith forces."

"So who exactly was your former student Master Zhar?" Bastila asked slowly.

Zhar smiled with undisguised pride at his former student. "My former student is one that is not only known as a brilliant strategist and leader, but also the creator of the seventh form of lightsaber combat; Juyo. My former student was and is Revan Qel-Droma, of the Mandalorian Clan Bloodraven."

The group gasped, the man who had saved them from being destroyed on Taris was none other than the savior of the Republic! "So now you know." Revan muttered sadly as the group took a reflexive step back. They were in the presence of a hero and they had treated him like a commoner! Bastila especially had a look of awe on her face; she had fought alongside one of the Jedi legends. He had even used her lightsaber!

"Tell me Revan." Vandar spoke, "Why didn't you return with Malak?"

"Malak, the rest of the soldiers, and Jedi were corrupted by what we found in the Unknown Regions." Revan replied. "I was barely strong enough to escape before my friends and fellow soldiers slaughtered me, but not without a price."

"What do you mean?" Master Dorak asked, eager to record this information in the Archives.

"When we left known space we came across a planet." Revan said, "And on that planet we found something that absolutely terrified me that day."

"What was it?" Carth asked, wondering what could inspire absolute terror into one such as Revan.

"The True Sith." Revan said. "A small group of them managed to survive the Great Hyperspace War and have been plotting their revenge ever since."

Everyone but Mission, Zalbaar, Trask, and Shaleena were frozen with horror at Revan's revelation.

"What are these True Sith?" Mission asked. "I thought Malak was a Sith."

"Malak is but a pawn following the ideals of the True Sith." Revan said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "They sent him to start their revenge."

"A likely story!" Vrook snorted. "But unless you have explicit proof, I see no reason to believe the words of a traitor to the Jedi."

Revan looked at him in disbelief. "I never lie, Vrook. You of all people know that."

"That was before you betrayed the Jedi by going to war! For all we know, you could be one of Malak's pawns!"

Revan's last ounce of patience with Vrook vanished. Moving at an inhumane speed, he darted forward and slammed Vrook into the far wall, holding the man by the throat. "I've had enough of this Master Vrook! You have let your foolish pride and arrogance blind you to the fact that I am telling the truth! Even if I shoved proof right in your face, you would claim it to be lies." He hissed. "You have become just like Malak. I knew something like this would happen if I returned here. But I never even dreamed that someone like you would let your hatred for me control you. You are no different than Malak."

The room was eerily silent as Revan dropped Vrook, turned, and started to walk away. But before he had taken fifteen steps, a raw throated yell came from behind him. Acting on pure instinct, Revan performed a Force enhanced back flip over the enraged Jedi Master calling out, "T3 NOW!"

The utility droid beeped and Bastila saw it launch a curved metal cylinder from a concealed compartment. The cylinder flew into Revan's outstretched hand and with a snap-hiss a silver blade extended from the hilt of the lightsaber in Revan's hand. Revan landed and swung his blade in a smooth parry to Vrook's sideways strike. "No one interfere! This is my fight alone!"

Vrook's face was set in a snarl as the Jedi Master kept up a relentless barrage of attacks. Bastila grimaced as she recalled that Master Vrook was considered the master of Ataru. Ataru was the fourth style of lightsaber combat and was extremely effective against a single opponent. Although it was not meant to be utilized in confined spaces due to its reliance on acrobatics, Master Vrook appeared to be using it to its full potential. Vrook's green-white blade was a blur as he relentlessly attacked Revan. Revan's face was one of regret. He really didn't want to kill Vrook, but the Jedi Master wasn't really giving him any option. Revan switched to Soresu; the third form of lightsaber combat and by far the most effective at defending oneself from attacks.

Master Zhar watched the duel with a mixture of horror and pride. He was horrified by the actions of one of his closest friends but his eyes lit up in pride as he saw that his old student was doing his hardest to disarm the Jedi Master. It wasn't for nothing that Revan had held the title of 'Blademaster' even before the Mandalorian War. His form and technique were flawless; never giving Vrook the slightest opening, but he was also holding back. He really didn't want Vrook to die.

Revan sighed; it was painfully obvious that Vrook would not stop. The duel had been commencing for several minutes. He wasn't actually toying with Vrook but the man refused to give up. It was time to end this. Revan blasted Vrook out of the Enclave Council Chamber and into the Central Courtyard. He leaped after the Ataru Master. Vrook had recovered by this time and leaped to meet Revan's charge. Padawans and Knights looked on in confusion as Master Vrook dueled with a man in a smuggler's outfit and holding a silver bladed lightsaber. Those who had experience with lightsaber combat recognized that the smuggler was utilizing Juyo. The silver blade was a blur as it forced Vrook to continuously give ground. Revan smiled inside, it had been far too long since he had been able to something like this; to duel a true master of lightsaber combat. But it was time to end this before someone got hurt. Revan saw an opening in Vrook's defense and took it. With a sudden twist of his hand, his blade sliced through Vrook's lightsaber hilt, leaving the Jedi Master with a useless hilt. Before the shock could register in Vrook's eyes, Revan had slammed his boot into the Master's stomach, doubling the man over for lack of breath, immediately followed by a paralyzing hand chop to the back of the neck; effectively knocking Vrook unconscious.

With another snap-hiss, Revan deactivated his lightsaber, clipped it onto his belt, and walked over to where his companions and the three remaining Jedi Masters were. Revan internally smirked at the look of pure awe on Bastila's face, though he kept his face carefully schooled as he readjusted his hat. "I see your prowess with a blade hasn't dulled, Revan." Vandar said.

Revan ignored the murmurs of the Padawans and Knights behind him. "I suppose that you want my help against my old friend?"

Zhar nodded, "It would be most appreciated if you did."

Revan snorted, "Sorry but my days as a General and as a member of the Order are over."

Zhar actually took a step back in shock, "What?"

"Vrook was right; I stopped being a member of the Order the moment that I went to war. While I was in the Unknown Regions I was subjected to the teachings of the True Sith."

Bastila interrupted, "But you came back to the Light Side!"

Revan shook his head, "No, the Dark Side will never leave me. I'm afraid that there is now a balance of Light and Dark in me."

Zhar nodded in understanding, "So you have chosen to walk the path of the Grey Jedi then?"

Revan nodded. "I have no choice but to follow the way of balance."

Vandar stepped forward. "Jedi you may not be, but you will always be seen as an ally to the Republic and a friend to us. You will always be welcome here."

"Then I guess that I should start balancing the scales then." Revan grinned, "And I know just what to do."

"And what's that?" Master Dorak asked.

"Malak is using an ancient Force artifact called the Star Forge to mass produce his fleet for his masters." Revan said. "I don't know where it is, but I do know that a Star Map in the old ruins may hold the secret. I intend to find the Star Forge and build a fleet to take out the True Sith. With your permission, I will go explore them."

Zhar nodded, "By all means. But take Padawan Bastila with you on your exploration. This is, after all, a Jedi affair. Rest assured, we shall look after your companions until you return."

"Fine but a word of warning Princess, if you fall behind, I leave you behind. I don't have time to babysit." Revan said as he started to walk towards the Enclave's exit.

"HEY! Wait for me!" Carth called out, "This isn't only a Jedi matter! It concerns the Republic as well. I'm coming with you."

Revan shrugged and continued walking with Bastila and Carth in tow. "Whatever."

A few hours later:

Revan and his two companions walked at a brisk pace across the plains of Dantooine. He frowned as he sensed a being that had a taint of darkness. It seemed to be getting closer. So deep was his concentration that he half heard Carth's question. "Sorry Carth, could you repeat that?"

"I said, why didn't you rejoin the Republic Fleet once you escaped from those True Sith?"

"Several reasons." Revan replied, "Chief of which is that I needed to come to terms with the darkness inside me. Also I knew that the Sith were looking for any artifacts of their old empire as well as any Jedi ones. I knew that a full scale investigation would not yield any favorable results."

"So you became a smuggler to find them through less legal means?" Bastila asked. Was it his imagination or did he detect a hint of admiration in her voice?

"Yep. How many people who spend their lives on the opposite side of the law would be willing to give information to someone they've spent their whole lives running from? I figured that they'd be more willing to talk to one of their own." Revan said. "I managed to collect quite a few artifacts and Holocrons from both Jedi and Sith."

"And you didn't turn them over to the Jedi Order?" Bastila asked incredulously.

"Of course not. If I did, then when Malak and his masters made their appearance, their first target would be the Jedi Temples. So I did several things with the artifacts. Some I hid in secure locations, others I left with trusted people. The Holocrons I kept and learned from." Revan said, "And yes I did learn from the Sith Holocrons. I won't tell you why because you wouldn't understand."

"And why wouldn't we understand?" Carth demanded.

"I meant our resident Jedi Princess wouldn't understand." Revan said. "Sufficient to say, I studied them to learn about them."

Suddenly a voice rang out, "I WILL BE YOU DOOM!" Bastila and Carth had no time to react as a red robed Cathar woman in her early twenties leaped out of hiding and used the Force to put them in a stasis field. Revan had dived out of the way and sprang to his feet as a red blade snarled into existence from the lightsaber hilt in the woman's hand. Revan ignited his own blade and leaped forward, moving his blade in a classic Makashi flurry. The Cathar responded by attacking in a classic Djem So style. Revan changed styles immediately, knowing that Makashi simply could not stand up to Djem So for very long. Switching to Ataru, he realized that he needn't have bothered; his opponent was letting her anger cloud her mind and as a result, she was unprepared for Revan to leap over her and plant both feet in the small of her back. She let out a grunt as her lightsaber flew out of her hands and sailed into Revan's outstretched palm. She fell to her knees. "You! You are strong, stronger than me, even in my darkness! How is that possible?"

"Quite simple." Revan said, deactivating both blades. "Neither side is stronger than the other. Also it helps to not let your emotions rule you during battle."

"I see." The Cathar woman stared at the ground. "So what will you do with me, Master Jedi?" She was completely surprised when the grey clad man behind her started chuckling. "What is so funny?"

"I'm no member of the Jedi Order."

"What? But your power is the greatest I've ever seen! Surely you are not a Sith!"

The laughter cut off sharply, "I'm no Sith!" The man all but hissed, "And I am no Jedi. But enough about me, let's talk about why you attacked me."

The Cathar woman hung her head, "I slew my Master, Quatra in anger and fled out here, knowing that I would be banished from the Order. Master Vrook is extremely adamant about emotions."

"So your fear of the old fool made you leave and hide out here." Revan shook his head, "I see I'm not the only one who dislikes Vrook Lamar. Regardless you should not give in to depression. It will only lead to self destruction. I suggest that you go back to the Jedi Council and ask for their advice."

"But Master Vrook-"

"Is currently incapacitated at the moment." Revan interrupted as he walked in front of her. "And I think that the other Masters will be much more lenient than Vrook."

"You would spare me?" The woman raised her head, eyes brimming with tears of joy.

Revan took a step back in shock. He thought he had recognized the Cathar woman and when he saw her expression, it clicked. "It can't be…" He murmured. "Is that you Juhani?"

"How do you know my name." Juhani asked as she started to stand up.

"I doubt you'd remember but we met once on Taris." Revan said, a slow grin appearing on his handsome face. "It was during the Mandalorian War. I led a small group of Jedi and a Mandalorian defector in breaking up a slave auction and among those slaves was a young Cathar girl." Revan's grin widened, "As I recall she made a surprising friendship with the Mandalorian. One Canderous Ordo."

Juhani's eyes widened and realization sprang to her eyes. "Re-Revan?"

"The one and only." Revan flashed his trademark cocky yet confidant grin.

Juhani stared in shock. "But… But we were all told that you had died after you and Malak disappeared!"

"Not exactly." Revan said casually. "Oh by the way, Canderous Ordo is at the Jedi Enclave at the moment if you're interested in seeing him again."

Juhani's eyes lit up even more if that was possible and she stood up. "Thank you, Master Revan! I must go now and talk to the Jedi Council."

Revan nodded and handed her back her lightsaber. "If I were you, I might consider changing the color of your blade. Wouldn't want anyone to mistake you for a Sith now would you?" He flashed her another grin as Juhani raced off in the direction of the Enclave. With a wave of his hand, Bastila and Carth were released from their Force induced stasis.

"That was a noble thing you just did." Bastila commented.

"Not really." Revan shrugged. "I mostly considered it to be another way to get under Vrook's skin. Me, the one person besides Malak that he despises, actually redeeming someone from the Dark Side." Carth burst into uncontrollable laughter and even Bastila could not prevent herself from laughing.

"Revan I have the feeling that this is the start of a beautiful friendship!" Carth said as the three approached the old ruins.