CHAPTER SEVEN
THE VICTORY
2.7 LIGHT YEARS FROM KASHYYYK
“…don’t like the woman.” Revan spoke to the holo image of his father. “She’s pompous and arrogant, and does not care who knows it. She actually had the backbone to stand in front of my Chief Engineer after insinuating that Twi’lek females were nothing more then slaves and dancers. I don’t like her!”
Revan smiled within the image. “That is abundantly clear son.” He spoke, leaning forward in his chair. “However, thanks to the Chancellor, we have an opportunity to use the HoloNet as a source of Intelligence.”
“I know father, but just being in the same room as her rubs me the wrong way.” Revan said.
“The Chancellor has sent me all the information on her father that they could gather. It appears Senator Overlet has a very big grudge against the Jedi as a whole, and me in particular.” Revan senior explained. “The Chancellor’s people are working on finding out what it was that turned him against the Jedi; in the meantime you have to tolerate her.”
Revan stopped pacing and returned to the chair behind the desk and took a long sip of his caffa. His father waited patiently while his son turned things over in his head. Revan finally nodded. “As you wish father, I will tolerate her. But I will not allow her access to sensitive material, as she seems to think she is allowed.”
Revan senior nodded. “I wouldn’t expect you too.” He said. “And don’t leave her in Arren’s care! She is even more non-tolerant than you, and I don’t want the girl hurt for Force sakes.”
Rev grinned and shook his head. “You know me too well father.” He said.
“No. It’s what I would have done in your shoes.” His father answered with a chuckle. “What’s your location?”
“We should be arriving at Kashyyyk in the morning.” Revan replied. “I don’t want to push THE VICTORY too hard until our repairs are complete.”
“Well… you’ll be happy to know that Anja and your mother will join you there.” Revan senior spoke. “Your mother is escorting Nomi and Vima Sunrider to Rakatan, and they will stop off on Kashyyyk. They wish to meet with you.”
Revan looked at the image of his father. “Why would they want to meet with me?”
His father shook his head. “I have no idea. Perhaps your mother does, but she is not saying. Anja wanted to surprise you, and that is why she said nothing to you. I will be joining you at the end of the week with the Chancellor. Your Uncle Canderous has retaken Duxn, and even captured a senior Admiral of Pure Sith blood. Brianna is severely wounded, but she will live. Canderous is moving her to Kashyyyk on a medical ship. She has expended great amounts of Force power to keep her body operating. It amazes me she has survived as long as she has.”
“She is Echani, father.” Rev spoke. “And next to mother, she is the strongest willed woman I have ever known.”
His father nodded. “That she is. Dacen has reached out with some contacts he has within Hutt space, those that have not been killed. They will try to determine how badly our actions have hurt them. I’m on my way to Dubrillion to meet with Mace and your brother. They have stumbled across something that could very well lead us to the Sith shipyards.”
“You are not going to conduct your attack?” Rev asked.
His father shook his head. “I have delayed it for now. We did more damage than I thought we would and I want to see how they react. Another sneak attack behind their lines might be pushing our luck just a bit too far. And your mother would never forgive me if I got myself killed. I have my people conducting very passive patrols, trying to learn as much as they can without engaging them.”
“I left three frigates in the vicinity of Sneeve with orders to observe only, and retreat to avoid confrontation.” Rev said. “I sincerely doubt they are dumb enough to try and transit the sector now, with so many active gravity wells.”
“Good. What of the prisoner you took?” His father asked.
“I have him locked down in the brig under constant watch.” Rev answered.
“The Guardian you left in command of the trainees on Rakatan, Eli Shaman, he was with Canderous in the ground assault of Iziz and when they caught the Admiral. He reported that the Pure Sith seem to have some form of control over the Force, but it does not manifest itself outwardly. The Admiral used a weak form of Force wave to stun a Mandalorian shock trooper, but that’s all it did.”
Rev nodded. “I will have Master Corna delve into that further.”
“Do not be angry with Anja for not telling you Rev.” His father spoke.
Revan smiled. “I could sense her excitement. I knew something was happening. I could never be angry with her.”
“When were you going to tell your mother and I that she is carrying your child?” Revan senior asked.
Rev looked at the image of his father. “You know?”
His father chuckled. “She may be a powerful Jedi, and you have taught her to mask her aura well, almost too well. But she can not hide it from me. Your child’s aura burns brighter than she knows inside her. It echoes within our place in the Force.”
“We had hoped to tell everyone at a more appropriate time.” Rev said. “Does mother know?”
“Your mother has never been able to breach that place within our minds son, you know that, as much as she has tried over the years.” Revan spoke with a smile. “I suggest you tell her soon however.”
Rev nodded. “We will tell her on Kashyyyk.” He said deciding quickly. “She will dote on Anja to no end.”
Revan laughed. “That she will.” He said. “I want to keep them together Rev.” His father spoke. “We can not keep them out of this war, as much as we would like too, however they do compliment each other well. What your mother lacks in combat skills, Anja makes up for, and what Anja lacks in mastery of the Force, your mother balances out. It is an uncanny balance really.”
Rev nodded. “I’ve noticed that.” He answered. “And as long as it is satisfactory with them I have no problems. You do realize father that once they deliver Master Sunrider and her daughter to Rakatan, they will want to become more involved in the war.”
His father nodded. “I know. We will deal with that when the time comes. For now, we must continue to build our strength and find those shipyards. Stop in and see Zaalbar when you get to Kashyyyk. He hasn’t seen you in some time, and I want to know how he is making out after that assassin took his arm.”
Rev nodded. “I will let you know. And if we get anything from the assassin or the Admiral, I will advise you as well.”
“I’ll see you soon son.” Revan spoke. “May the Force be with you.”
“And you father.”
Nomi Sunrider had never been to Kashyyyk, and standing on the landing platform now, she gazed in awe at the towering trees all around them. She could sense the mass of life flowing through the vines and plants, as well as the animals far below on the forest floor.
They had left Rhen Var and boarded the Mandalorian cruiser for the trip here, and while onboard the cruiser the Mandalorian engineers had designed and built her a hover chair, which she now sat in. It was sleek in its design, hovering only inches above the platform surface, the control panel within easy reach, with several compartments and hanging pouches that held items Nomi deemed necessary. Her single lightsaber, something she had not drawn in nearly half a century, rested in a special pouch on the armrest of the chair. If needed, she could draw it in the blink of an eye.
Bastila stood on one side of the chair, Vima on the other. Anja stood a little ways in front of them, anxiously looking into the stars above the trees for any sign of the shuttle that was bringing her husband to her. Surrounding them at a discrete distance was a combined security detail of Mandalorian and Wookiee troops, all alertly watching the area around them. After the failed assassination attempts against Zaalbar, Revan and Master Vandar, the Wookiees had cleaned house, checking and double checking their security. They had rooted out three additional spies among the traders on Kashyyyk, and those spies had never been heard from again.
Nomi looked at Bastila. “Bastila these Mandalorians soldiers and the Wookiees surprise me” She began. “They seem to hold you and your husband in very high regard. How did that come about?”
“The Wookiee Chieftain Zaalbar was part of our crew in the Battle of the Star Forge.” Bastila answered. “As was Canderous Ordo, the new Mandalore. Zaalbar had sworn a life debt to Revan after he rescued him from slavers on Taris. When we left Dantooine that first time, our first stop was here on Kashyyyk. It was under the thumb of Czerka, and the Wookiees were being sold as slave labor. Zaalbar’s brother was working with Czerka, selling his own people. Revan took it upon himself to set things right.”
“Right?” Vima asked curiously.
Bastila nodded. “Revan and I helped Zaalbar and his father take backpower, and free their people from slavery.”
“But Kashyyyk was not part of the Republic then.” Vima said.
“No. But isn’t a Jedi’s first duty to help those in need?” Bastila replied. “The Wookiee people were oppressed in the most horrible of ways, and their own leader was doing it to them. Revan took offense to that and he helped Zaalbar and his father, regain the leadership of their people that was taken from them.”
“And you took part in this?” Nomi asked.
Bastila nodded. “Yes.”
“And the Mandalorians?”
“As I said, Canderous is the new Mandalore, and he was another who fought with us on the Star Forge. When Revan left for the Unknown Regions, he left Canderous orders to gather the remaining clans, bring them to Duxn and ready them for the battle that would return their people’s honor.” Bastila spoke. “The Mandalorians are a very honor bound society, and their tradition runs deeply in all of them. Because Revan had beaten the previous Mandalore in single combat, he alone had the right to appoint a new one. And he appointed one who is the most honorable man either of us knows. And Canderous did what Revan asked of him, and they have been close friends ever since.”
“Your travels and battles have taken you far and wide Bastila Shan.” Nomi spoke. “You have seen and done more in one lifetime than most Jedi could do in three. It is an honor to be working with you.”
Bastila looked at her and covered Nomi’s hand with her own. “The honor is mine Master Sunrider.” She said. “The honor is mine.”
“He’s coming!” Anja called excitedly, and both Nomi and Vima looked to the stars but saw no approaching shuttle.
“I see no shuttle.” Vima spoke. “Is she certain of…?”
Vima’s words were drowned out as the G-Wing shuttle lifted above the trees with a roar of its engines and settled over the wide expanse of landing platform. Slowly, it lowered expertly between the branches until its landing struts touched the platform and the bulk of the shuttle settled gently. The engines were immediately cut, and Anja sprinted forward even as the ramp came down, the whining of the engines fading to silence.
Nomi and Vima followed Bastila forward onto the platform as they watched the ramp lock into place on the ground. Both of them gasped and nearly staggered back when Revan walked quickly down the ramp and caught his wife in his arms as she raced up to him. Bastila smiled at this display of affection until she turned and saw the looks on Nomi and Vima’s faces. She turned to look at Nomi worriedly.
“Master Sunrider… are you…?”
Nomi looked at her quickly and then back to where Revan and Anja were sharing a deeply passionate kiss, Anja suspended in his arms several inches off the platform, and her arms locked around his broad shoulders. Revan’s Force aura staggered Nomi with its power and brilliance. She had never before experienced anything like it, and when added to that of his young wife, the two of them combined was nearly blinding.
“Bastila… Bastila this is your son?” Nomi gasped.
Bastila smiled gently, unsure of Nomi’s reaction. “Yes.”
Nomi looked at her. “Bastila, his aura dwarfs even yours!” She said. “He has such powerwithin the Force radiating from him!”
Bastila looked almost embarrassed. “It does take some getting used too.” She said. “His father’s aura is just as staggering. They do try to diminish their auras when around other Force sensitive individuals.”
“His father… his father has such an aura?” Vima asked astonished.
Bastila nodded. “Yes.”
Nomi reached out and took her hand. “By the Force child, I can not begin to imagine the power he must have commanded as Dark Lord. And you faced him and brought him back to the light?” Nomi looked at her, a new glint of respect in her eyes. “You continue to impress me more and more Bastila Shan.”
Bastila smiled proudly and took her hand. “Come Master Sunrider let me introduce you to my son.”
Anja and Revan broke their kiss, Anja bringing her hands to his face and caressing his cheeks. “By the Force I have missed you so much my love.” She said her heart still racing and her lips seductively moist.
Revan kissed her again, unable to restrain himself. He hugged her to him even tighter if that was possible, and finally broke their kiss once more. “No more than I have missed you.” He spoke softly into her ear.
Anja closed her eyes reveling in his words as he held her to him, his face buried in her long hair.
“Ahem.” The voice spoke from behind them.
Revan opened his eyes and looked beyond his wife and saw his mother standing with two older women. He slowly set Anja down, and she turned as well. “Mother.” Revan said softly, stepping up to her and embracing her. “You look well.”
Bastila touched his face with a smile. “You should have seen me after three days on Rhen Var. It was bitter.”
Revan laughed and brought her hands to his lips kissing them gently. “It did not dull your personality mother.” He said. “That is what matters.”
Bastila looked him up and down as if checking for injuries and he chuckled. “I am fine mother. Nothing more than some bumps and bruises.” He said.
“We heard of the damage to your ship.” Anja said, coming up next to him and taking his hand tightly.
Revan nodded. “We caught two missiles as we were retreating. They did extensive damage, and I lost three crewmen. Repairs are almost complete though. Dralor and Arren landed on the east platform near the repair bays. They will join us for dinner.”
Bastila nodded, sensing now was not a good time to discuss the event. She took Revan’s other hand and motioned to Nomi and Vima. “Revan, may I present Master Nomi Sunrider and her daughter Vima.”
Nomi tried to lift herself from the chair, but Revan stepped up to her quicker than she could follow and his hand on her shoulder stopped her efforts. She watched as he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
“It is truly an honor to meet you Master Sunrider. I always imagined one day I would meet you, though I had hoped it would be under better circumstances.” Revan spoke.
Nomi was a little taken aback by his actions. That he was considerably more powerful a Jedi than she was, his humble words touched her like no others. This was the young man who Vandar had bestowed the Heart of the Guardian. She now understood why.
“Your words warm me young Revan.” Nomi replied, touching his face. “I see your manners have not suffered in your upbringing.”
Revan met her smile. “Not possible Master Sunrider. When you have a mother and grandmother who both hail from Talravin, it’s not possible to be ill-mannered.” He said. “My grandmother had a Borbasa tree switch with my name on it if I stepped out of line.”