71Chapter Twenty-Seven: Homecoming
Malak was in his office, or rather, what had been Uthar's office a few days ago. The villagers were busy going throughout the academy even now. They were removing things that had been stolen under Malak's watchful eye. By now, the fields of flowers were dying out, and the bodies of the dead had been buried.
It had been an unpleasant business, but now Revan was taking the day off, if only for effect. He was sitting on that same rock he'd been with Actava by, and Meetra was beside him. Taking a draft from a pipe he'd borrowed from a village, he looked down the road. Burning small doses of Redflower was actually harmless and could relax one. It was extremes that were the problem. Likewise, Pureflower could soothe the nerves in small doses but could destroy them.
There was probably a lesson in there.
"I feel like I'm back on Dantooine, after a long day working the fields," said Revan after a moment, taking a draft.
"What are you talking about?" asked Meetra, taking the pipe. "All you ever did was organize. You said as much."
Revan nodded. "True, I am good at getting other people to do my work for me."
Then they saw several speeders coming toward them. He was carrying those they were waiting for. At the front was Master Kavar and Vrook, who shot toward them.
"There they are," said Revan.
This was going to be good.
The look on Vrook's face as he came through to the ruined and broken fortress was well worth all the hardship. Meetra stood up and bowed dramatically. "Welcome, Master Vrook, Master Vandar, to the Sith Academy of Milenda Daan!"
"You errant fools!" snapped Vrook. "We've come halfway across the planet out here to save you, and now we find you... smoking alongside Revan? How did you ever get here?"
"We are celebrating a hard-fought victory over the forces of Darkness," said Revan, biting on a ration. "And enjoying a few minor vices along the way."
"Also, we're acting as watchmen for the new Dark Lord," said Meetra.
"New Dark Lord?" asked Kavar incredulously.
"Yes, the Dark Lord Malak, who singlehandedly toppled the entire academy. He defeated his predecessor and now rules these lands," said Revan, blowing a smoke ring, or trying to. He ended up botching the job. "All without deviating from the Jedi Code at all.
"And since he did it while being Master Jorak Uln's star student, he also rules the Sith."
Vrook stared, opening his mouth, then closing it again. "Explain yourself now.
"How are you free and not Kreia and Zaz-Kai Ell?"
"Now that's a bit of a complicated question," said Revan, taking a sip from his soft drink. "Either of you want some canned tea?"
"I am content," said Vrook.
"I'll take some," said Kavar.
Revan tossed him one. "You might want to sit down, this is a bit of a long story. And we're expecting several others at the moment.
"Now, have you had any contact with Kreia or Zaz-Kai Ell?"
"I fear we lost contact when the battle there began," said Kavar. "Our last word was that it was in full swing. Though the Mandalorians seemed likely to be defeated."
"Well," said Revan, "when Kreia and Zaz-Kai Ell infiltrated the Mandalorian Camp, I applied for a job. I showed off my skills with machines and got recruited to fix the drones by a Mandalorian called Ren. Yuthura and I both thought it could be a good way to get information.
"Anyone, I did such a good job that I was offered a chance to work in the fortress. That's when Aedal and Kreia had their little showdown, and I realized I'd be found out pretty soon.
"Once there, I realized Aedal would find me soon. So, I went to him and asked a chance to join the Mandalorians, in exchange for Malak being given back. Aedal didn't want to lose his hostage, so I suggested he go after Yuthura. I figured if she wasn't captured, she'd starve to death or get killed trying to launch a raid."
"Our reports said many Mandalorian patrols were out hunting for someone," said Kavar. "You seem to have drawn them out when they were needed on the defense."
"That was pure luck, of course," said Revan. "I was simply trying to find a way to save what I could. Anyway, after a bit of negotiation, Aedal sent me here to destroy the Sith. They were growing Redflower and Pureflower to sell on the black market. Now, my plan was to join up legitimately and destroy them from the inside. But they shot us down. So instead, I had Malak take the place of some villagers who were being recruited.
"The idea was that he'd scout the place out, and we'd figure out a way to destroy it from within."
"That was extremely unwise," said Vrook.
"Yeah, I know," said Revan. "I was assuming Malak was like me, but he's actually like Malak. And Malak isn't exactly very subtle. He became the star student of the Sith Lord without actually doing anything evil. That meant the entire academy decided to kill him, and he had to make a run for it.
"During this time, I'd been working to destroy the drug crops that they'd been growing. I also used sabotage to destroy the guard posts of Sith. It wasn't hard once I got the help of the locals. With a bit of effort, we wiped them out without a message being sent."
"How?" asked Kavar.
"Standard procedure was to lure them into a trap," said Revan. "It isn't actually all that impressive.
"Jorak Uln only taught them the absolute bare minimum, and their ability to use the force was clouded. And we had a Mandalorian weapon expert with us named Actava who acted as war leader. Once the villages no longer feared the name of Sith, it was pretty easy to wipe them out. Meetra brought some serious firepower with her. The bridge clearing blaster was particularly useful.
"Of course, by the time I finished all this, the plan had already gone completely south. So, I had to improvise. I connected most of the weapon systems that Meetra brought with her to a droid. Then I reprogrammed that droid to fire all the weapons at once on my signal."
"What were you hoping to achieve by that?" asked Vrook.
"Shock and awe," Kavar said.
"Yes," said Revan. "I knew that attacking the fortress could get us all killed, so I figured I'd crush them with fear. So, I handed all the lightsabers we'd stolen from the dead Sith over to some wise-looking villagers. Then I dressed in brown robes and tunics.
"From there, I waited until the Sith were all focused in the courtyard."
"That's when I blew the gates down," said Meetra. "Actava showed me how to use them. I uh.. nearly dislocated my shoulder."
"And I gave a signal," said Revan. "As it turns out, the Force was with us, because the entire core of the Sith military was standing right next to the gates. We killed most of the commanders in the first go. Then I led a charge of villagers with lightsabers through the smoke, shouting orders. With the weapons fire and the lightsabers, they must have thought we'd brought a legion. Some of them made a run for it, and the rest surrendered.
"That only left Jorak Uln to deal with, but the Force was with us again. See, Malak had made Jorak's apprentice paranoid about his survival. So Uther, his name was Uthar, gave Jorak a drink with Pureflower in it that knocked him flat. Then he stabbed him near to death before any of this happened.
"We found Jorak near-death afterward. Don't worry, he'll live."
"Then Malak proclaimed himself the Dark Lord of the Sith," guessed Vrook.
"Yeah," said Revan. "See, we needed the manpower. If we revealed we were Jedi making fools of them, there might be rebellions. So, for our purposes, Malak took the title so he could disassemble Jorak's entire empire.
"It wasn't much of one, to be honest, but we did get some extensive records."
"And where are these Sith now?" asked Kavar.
"Tied up and drugged with Pureflower," said Revan. "They were drugging their apprentices and ruining their minds to control them. We've got the more advanced students locked up in quarantine."
"And this... empire you have gained?" asked Vrook.
"Naturally, we'll return the lands and holdings to Melinda, on behalf of Zegil of Daan," said Meetra. "That was my idea, I figured it would make a good peace offering."
"With some technicalities," said Revan quickly.
"...Where is this, Actava?" asked Kavar.
"At present?" asked Revan. "Training the local villagers in drilling. That was a favor I asked of her, it should prevent any warlords from walking in her.
"Am I forgetting anything, Meetra?"
Meetra thought about it for a moment. "Well, there was that thing about a Sith Emperor?"
Revan nodded. "Oh right, apparently there are rumors in the ranks. The Mandalorians bought some guns from a Sith Lord named Darth Vitiate. I don't buy it, personally. Sounds like a name you'd find on a medicine bottle."
"That's what I thought as well," laughed a voice.
Revan looked up and saw the other speeder had pulled to a halt. Aedal was coming out of it with his guard, as a third speeded came behind.
Vrook and Kavar both drew their lightsabers at once. "You, I sense the taint of darkness about you," said Kavar.
"Relax will you," said Aedal. "We're here on diplomacy."
"Yes, satisfying though it might be to see my student cut to pieces, I fear it would be a shortsighted pleasure," said Kreia, coming forward, looking faintly amused. With her was Zaz-Kai Ell and Yuthura. Where was Bastila, though? Revan hoped she was alright, though obviously, he wouldn't care if she wasn't.
"Kreia, what is the meaning of this?" asked Vrook, though he did sheathe the blade.
"Oh, you didn't know," said Revan. "I didn't get to that place.
"Well, after Malak got control of this place, we put out some calls to Zegil and Aedal. Turned out, the two sides had fought to brutal stalemate. Even so, I wouldn't have been able to do anything, but Captain Karath came down from space. It turns out some Republic Senators wanted an end to the wars.
"Something about 'persecuted minorities.'
"Anyway, Karath had gotten them to agree to a ceasefire. And it all actually worked out perfectly. I suggested they come to meet here on neutral ground.
"Zegil should be along shortly. Then we can put this mess behind us."
"Assuming all agree," noted Kreia. "I find that negotiations tend to break down on the details."
"That doesn't sound like my problem anymore," said Revan. "Malak will hold the position of Dark Lord until a decision is reached. I've got to talk to Vrook about some things."
"I believe I ought to speak with my student first-" began Vrook.
"Okay, yeah, great, whatever," said Revan. "Slight problem, we've got an entire academy of brainwashed Sith. They were tortured into insanity and forced into drug addiction. The Jedi are going to need to take them. If we leave them here, they'll all be murdered by the locals."
"...How many?" asked Vrook.
"A little less than a hundred," said Revan. "Most of the most Dark Sided ones died in the fighting when Meetra, Malak, and I took the fortress.
"Oh, and we have two Sith Lords for your interrogation. I've been giving both of them ten times the safe dose of Pureflower."
"That could permanently damage their minds," noted Vrook.
"Sure, but both can purify poisons, and if they wake up, we'd have all died," said Revan. "Uthar got hit with the gate explosion, and Jorak was nearly stabbed to death and poisoned by Uthar. If we had to fight them both, we'd lose."
"I see your point," said Vrook, glancing at Meetra. "Now, if there is nothing else, I must speak with my apprentice-"
"Also, there are a lot of records for you to go through," said Revan. "I've copied them into several datapads. Uthar had contacts with the Exchange, and using this stuff might help you implicate some of them."
"Yes, however-" began Vrook.
"In addition, Uthar probably knows a lot more than is recorded," said Revan. "This operation was slipshod in spite of him. Malak thinks he was the one doing all the organizing, while Jorak officially led the place.
"And there are also all kinds of things-"
"I was wrong, Meetra," said Vrook, ignoring Revan completely.
"What?" said Meetra in surprise.
Vrook bowed his head. "As your Master, I should have put my primary focus upon you. And, if I was obligated to train Bastila as well, it should have been at the same time. I believed that Bastila was of immense importance to the order. However, I was far too focused on the good she might do and disregarded the selfishness my harm was causing.
"It is my wish to speak with you about how our future training will proceed and find a regime that will suit you. In light of my failure, you going without leave is entirely forgivable.
"It is my wish that you allow me to set things right."
"Oh, come on!" said Revan. "I've literally got the dirt that could bring down the Exchange, and you're apologizing to her?!"
"Drop it, Revan," said Meetra in annoying, getting off the rock. "Master Vrook I... I'm willing to forgive you, and I would like to start again."
"That is my wish as well," said Vrook. "Master Zaz-Kai Ell, could you discuss the details of Revan's findings with him."
"Very well then," said Revan, before moving over to him.
There was a tense silence as Zaz-Kai Ell, and Yuthura looked at him.
"...Lead on, apprentice," said Zaz-Kai Ell at last.
Revan decided he could not in good conscience continue as he had been going on. "Yuthura?"
"Yes," said Yuthura.
Revan bowed his head quickly. "I'm sorry I had to tell the Mandalorians you were out there. At the time, it was the only possible thing I could think of to save myself and Malak. So I ended up using you as a sacrificial pawn and justifying it to myself later.
"It was a betrayal of your trust, and I'm sorry."
Yuthura hesitated, seeming to have not been expecting it. "I... you need not concern yourself with it. It actually proved tactically advantageous. If you had not done so, I would not have been able to free Master Kreia and Zaz-Kai Ell."
"Thank you," said Revan. "Now, we have a lot of data work to do."
The data work was long and boring, and the negotiations were worse. When Zegil finally arrived alongside the Melinda ambassadors, there were disagreements, of course. In the end, something of an agreement was reached. Aedal and all his forces would be allowed to evacuate freely from Daan and return to Ordo.
The Mandalorians did not seem to care about the fact they had technically been defeated. Then again, Aedal was able to take any slaves he had freed with him, so long as they were willing. Of course, in order to prevent a mass exodus from the Mandalorian ranks, Melinda quickly agreed to free them. Many Daans were thus returned to their families en masse.
Meanwhile, Aedal's fortress, such as was left of it, was given to Zegil. That, alongside all the surrounding lands. Melinda, on the other hand, was formally given control of all the lands Jorak Uln had stolen from them. Though, of course, this was only the dryest of summaries of a complicated mess of negotiations.
Revan, for his part, felt the whole adventure was properly over and wanted to be done with it. He practiced with Malak and the other apprentices when he had the chance. Aedal actually gave him some good advice on his fighting style as well. Though Revan made sure not to mention the fact to anyone else.
Days past and Revan was called to meet with Vrook, though the reasons for the meeting were not stated. When he got to the meeting room, he found Bastila in the waiting room as well. "Bastila," said Revan, "what are you doing here?"
"I am here for a meeting with the Jedi Masters," said Bastila. "You see, because of my, our efforts, I am being given an opportunity. I'm going to train at Coruscant, the Heart of the Jedi."
"Great," said Revan, "I'm happy for you." Not really, but it was what you said and did to other people that mattered.
Bastila blinked. "Revan..."
"Yes?" asked Revan.
"Well, I..." Bastila shifted uneasily. "You should not have abandoned the Masters to chase after me as you did with Malak. It was incredibly risky and dangerous, and... well...
"Even if the effects were good, you should not..."
"Yes?" asked Revan.
"Thank you for coming after me," said Bastila. "I am... grateful." She paused. "Revan, what you said before about being happy for me? Is that actually true?"
"No, I'm a sociopath," laughed Revan. "But I thought I'd make the courtesy, I'd better see what Vrook wants."
As it turned out, Master Vrook was not alone in the meeting room. It had a round table, and seated with him was Aedal and Zegil. Zegil looked very impressed, and Revan felt good about that. They hadn't had much of a chance to talk since all this happened. "You called for me, Master Vrook?"
Master Vrook and Aedal did not respond. Both of them were glaring daggers at one another. Revan reflected that both of them would much rather be having a lightsaber duel. These unusual arrangements had forced both of them to behave with courtesy. Courtesy to people they would much rather be killing. In fact, they probably loathed eachother far more than Melinda and Daan.
Zegil nudged Vrook, who shuddered, "Yes, this is a... discussion regarding your future."
"Is there a reason that the leadership of the entire planet is here?" asked Revan, feeling a bit odd about all this.
"Well, you seem to have played the sides well enough to warrant it," said Aedal. "I'm looking forward to when you crash and burn, though."
"What does that mean?" asked Revan.
"It is a matter of technicality, I fear," said Vrook. "You see, you are, at present, all thing."
Revan blinked at the echo of his mother's words. "What do you mean?"
"You were originally a member of the Jedi Order," said Vrook. "However, whatever your reasons, you technically entered the service of a Dark Jedi. Consequently, you are technically a Dark Jedi. Even if your actions and intentions were good. Ordinarily, I could simply arrest you and let you off with a slap on the wrist.
"Unfortunately, as you are technically working for Aedal, you are afforded diplomatic immunity. At the same time, you are a personal friend of Zegil, so he has a personal claim on you. For my part, I have recently received word from the Jedi Council." He drew up the folder in his hands and passed it to Revan.
Revan looked through it. "What's this?"
"This is the authorization for promotion," said Vrook. "Members of the Agricultural Corps are rarely given higher status. However, there are field promotions. These papers would allow you to become an apprentice, and you will be assigned to a Master to teach you."
"Why are they here, then?" asked Revan.
"Well, I have to say I'm very impressed with your actions," said Aedal. "You more than surpassed my expectations.
"I like you, Revan.
"Before I ran into you, I'd more or less given up on the Sith as an order. But I think you'd make an excellent starting point for creating a worthwhile order."
"And you're giving me this pitch in front of Vrook?" asked Revan, incredulous.
"I have diplomatic immunity," said Aedal, probably smirking. Revan then remembered the sight of a woman and her child cut to pieces.
Zegil coughed. "As for me, well, you've expanded my territory. You've improved my relations with Daan. And you've organized a coalition against Aedal by accident. I'm going to need to set up a successor at some point, and I think you are well qualified for it." Revan remembered the paranoia Zegil had been forced to endure.
Vrook coughed. "In this situation, the Jedi Order can do nothing. You may make whatever choice you wish. However, you should consider the ramifications carefully." Revan remembered the time spent on the ship here, and everything that had happened.
Revan looked at the papers in front of him. He could become anything he wanted to become. He could be a planetary ruler if he wanted political power. If that didn't suit, he could join Aedal and the Mandalorians. He liked Ren and could go far in that organization. It certainly appealed more than ending up like Kreia or Vrook.
So what was it that Revan wanted?
Ah, yes, that was the answer. "Master Vrook..."
"Yes?" asked Vrook nervous.
"Can I have my lightsaber crystals back, please?" asked Revan.
Back in Dantooine, the fields were a welcome sight after all the battles and struggles. The sun had never seemed to shine brighter than on the return from the darkness. And the grass seemed greener than ever before.
For his part, Zhar stared at Revan as he heard what happened. "You turned them all down?"
"Yeah," said Revan, unpacking his bags in his room. It had a nice window of the trees, plains, and cliffs and good heating to boot.
"You chose a return to your position in the Agricultural Corps?" said Zhar, in awe. "I must say, I am surprised at this."
Revan sighed. "Don't get me wrong, all of them had their own appeal.
"I considered becoming Zegil's protege, but I decided I didn't want to succeed him. I could have joined Aedal and kept making fools of the universe. But he's a heartless bastard, and I don't want anything to do with him, really. And as for being a Jedi Knight... well, it was tempting, but then I thought about my crew back on Dantooine. I figured they'd need my help, especially with Bastila being promoted."
"No regrets then?" asked Zhar.
Revan shrugged. "A few, but even if I got that power, I think I'd end up getting twisted by it. And I don't want to keep showing Malak and Bastila up, they might get jealous. I'd much rather fade into obscurity having made the galaxy better. Not if being famous means being like Aedal or Vrook. And really, I kind of enjoy farming." He thought about the propaganda Zegil had been putting out before he left. "Revan, the Prodigal Farmer rises to the occasion to do what must be done and goes back to humble living. It's a very good story, even if it isn't true."
"But you have gained something far greater than all the power in the world, young Revan," said Zhar with a smile.
Revan glanced up, wondering what he was talking about. "The lightsaber crystals Vrook took from me? I didn't think they were anything special. I just didn't want to have to go get more."
Zhar laughed. "That was not what I was referring to."
"Then what?" asked Revan. "It's not glory or honor. I think we both know the Jedi are going to give Bastila all the credit."
Zhar laughed. "Wisdom, young Revan. I'm very proud of you."
Revan had never heard that from him before. "...Thanks, it means a lot to me, Zhar."
Zhar moved over to the window and looked out over the fields beyond. "And so the will of the Force has been fulfilled. The Sith are thwarted, and Milenda and Daan are at peace, and the Mandalorians defeated."
Revan scoffed. "People did all those things. A lot of people made choices that made things happen the way they should have."
Zhar looked at him. "You cannot tell me you disbelieve in the power of the Living Force simply because it uses mortals? Your adventures, triumphs, and tragedies were not achieved for your own entertainment, Revan. Or even the profit of those who you did them on behalf of.
"You would make a terrifying Sith Lord, young Revan, and I believe you'll make a great Jedi. But you could give some more thought to the spiritual aspects of your craft."
Revan laughed. "Well, it's something to work on, I suppose."
It was good to be home.
