Something had happened in the Temple Archives.
Every inhabitant of the Order's ancient citadel was immediately aware of it. A wave of pain and fury, like a Manaan tsunami, washed over the dwelling of the Light-side adherents. Younglings, encountering such a disturbance in the Force for the first time, panicked. Inexperienced Padawans instinctively reached for their lightsabers. Knights and Masters looked around anxiously, trying to pinpoint the source of the threat. Only the most seasoned and Force-sensitive instantly recognized that the disturbance had originated within the Archives itself.
It took Revan only a few seconds to regain control of his rage. The pain from his freshly opened psychic wounds had not vanished, but now it merely fueled him, leaving his mind clear.
The cascade of visions, the shock of confronting a phantasm of his lost beloved, even a false one, and the attempt to manipulate his mind had a sobering effect on the former Sith. For the first time since waking up in this... wrong future, he had a clear understanding of his objective.
He would find those who orchestrated this game. He would seek out those madmen and fools who believed themselves above consequence. And they would know pain... They would know despair... They would learn what vengeance truly means when delivered by the one whose name is Revan!
As for balance... it could wait.
They were waiting for him at the exit of the Great Holocron Chamber. An anxious Mirialan, Luminara Unduli, supported the trembling and clearly shocked Jocasta Nu by the elbow. Standing ready for a potential fight, though their blades were not activated, were Dooku and Sifo-Dyas.
But closest to the chamber's entrance, the Grand Master floated on his hoverchair. His face was calm, his posture relaxed, as if he had just emerged from meditation. Only those who knew the green-skinned elder well could discern a faint shadow of sorrow in his weary eyes.
Revan surveyed the waiting Jedi with a grim look. Concealing the Dark Side that strained to break free was difficult, but he managed. Only a slight shift in the color of his irises might betray the former Sith's true mood, but none present knew him intimately enough to notice.
"Grand Master," Revan's voice echoed through the hall, "our meeting will have to be postponed."
Yoda closed his eyes for a moment.
"Disturbance in your heart the artifact planted," the alien rasped. "Something terrible happened, the Force shaking it was."
"Someone decided to contact me in a most unexpected way," Revan replied in a cold tone, "and in doing so, they made a mistake."
"Seek them out, you will?"
"Them," the former Sith corrected.
The Grand Master shook his head.
"To the Darkness, your anger will…"
"Enough!" the former Sith cut Yoda off. "Everything you intend to tell me I have heard countless times before. And believe me, no one knows the dangers carried by emotions better than I do. My ally is the Force. Singular and boundless. Its alignment, each chooses for himself."
The green-skinned elder furrowed his brow thoughtfully while the others present looked at Revan with a mixture of surprise, shock, and, in some cases, approval.
The former Jedi himself refused to waste any more time on pointless conversation. The fury burning inside still strained to erupt, but it was held in check by the will of the ancient Force-sensitive. However, the presence of such staunch adherents of the Light Side, and in a sense, radicals within the Order, whose aversion to the renegade Avner Van was clearly felt through the Force, did nothing for the former Sith's calm. Staying in the Temple any longer was pointless. Even worse, it was dangerous, primarily for the Order itself.
"Our conversation will not happen today, I see," the Grand Master squeaked. "But I trust, in the future, it must."
Revan nodded.
He genuinely intended to settle matters with the Order. Having the Jedi as an enemy so close at hand would be quite unpleasant. Though their actual power was limited, they still held influence in the Senate. Moreover, Revan vividly remembered how even the smallest oversight could ruin the most elaborate plan. And an Order of Force-sensitives was certainly not a small oversight. Thus, neutrality at this stage would be preferable to open hostility. As for the future... the Force would guide him.
"Farewell, Grand Master, Masters," the former Sith bid them with a slight bow and was about to turn toward the exit when Luminara called out to him.
"Knight Van," she addressed him by the name she knew.
"Yes?" Revan chose not to correct the Mirialan, as not everyone in the Order was aware of his true identity.
"I wanted to mention that while you were meditating by the Great Holocron, a youngling girl approached me. She was very interested in the possibility of meeting you. I believe she wishes to become your Padawan."
Revan raised an eyebrow in surprise. The news was unexpected. However, he guessed which girl she meant.
"Is it that young Zabrak girl? Rina, I believe?" the former Jedi inquired.
"Yes," Luminara confirmed with a relaxed smile.
"Hmm," Revan frowned slightly. "I wasn't planning on taking any more Padawans. All my time will now be taken up by Anakin."
"But... you aren't even in the Order, as I understand it... How can you take on students?" Jocasta, somewhat recovered, flared up.
"It's not about belonging to the Order, but rather what a Knight can pass on to his apprentice," Dooku said with a barely perceptible smile. "This particular Knight holds very unorthodox beliefs that at times... diverge from the Order's dogmas."
Revan chuckled at this statement. The Count had clearly managed to have a lengthy conversation with his former Padawan. And Qui-Gon, it seemed, had told his Master about Avner Van's true identity and worldview.
"The Order has not disavowed its Knight," Yoda rasped. "And his own head, each must use. Furthermore, my students too showed independence in thought, hmm?"
"Ahem." Count Serenno briefly cleared his throat, striving to maintain his composure.
"But wait," Sifo-Dyas interjected. "In any case, taking a second Padawan is forbidden."
The former Jedi nearly snorted at those words. Here, he encountered yet another variation of the "Rule of Two." The Jedi and Sith of this generation were far too similar. Both sides had trapped themselves within self-imposed limits, despite having the ability to sense, communicate with, and control the Force! Limitless power! Absolute authority! All within reach…
Revan checked himself. In this state, it was crucial to maintain control over his thoughts. The Dark Side was treacherous if one was careless in contacting it. And his darker emotions held a strong allure for it. The anger and hatred the former Sith harbored could in no way be called "light."
"I wonder if they would appreciate the full irony of the situation if they met at a negotiating table?" Revan thought. "Malak would. Master Zhar would laugh heartily. But here... times have changed."
The ancient Force-sensitive looked at the Order representatives gathered at the Great Holocron Chamber entrance, trying to gauge their thoughts and natures. How different was this Order from the one he knew?
Jocasta Nu. The typical archivist, warped by the pursuit of knowledge but constrained by the Archives' walls. She, like dozens of Keepers of Knowledge before her, had fallen into the trap of the Temple's accumulated lore. Once, Revan too had believed that the Archives held everything. If something wasn't there, it simply didn't exist. However, with age, he began to notice discrepancies between the ancient texts and the reality surrounding him. And the wonders the galaxy revealed to him when he finally had the chance to venture out of the Temple with his Master utterly shattered any belief in the Archives' infallibility.
Blind faith is dangerous. Databases can be altered. But the truth remains the truth.
"It is not forbidden, merely contrary to tradition," Dooku reminded them. "I recall no such injunctions."
Count Serenno. An aristocrat in the truest sense. Stature, charisma, and confidence in his gaze—everything spoke of his noble lineage. Such individuals do not tolerate restrictions. Perhaps that is why he was drawn to studying the concept of the Living Force? Qui-Gon had spoken of him warmly and highly. Though that might just have been a Padawan's thoughts on his Master. Revan had yet to form his own opinion of this Jedi. He would make a valuable ally…
Once again, Revan caught Sifo-Dyas's interested gaze. The Master seemed to be trying to figure out if he knew the person before him. Perhaps he had encountered the previous owner of this body? Or was it just a coincidence? Simple curiosity toward someone who was nothing like a Jedi but was favored by the Grand Master himself? Or was he somehow connected to those who lured Revan to the holocron? Many questions, but so few answers.
However, perhaps some clarity would come soon. HK had never failed his creator.
"True, my former Padawan, you are," the Grand Master nodded. "In times of trouble, one Master many apprentices take could, wisdom to pass down. And now, Sith have appeared in the galaxy again, the Council its permission could grant."
Revan narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to fathom what was going through the elderly, green-skinned alien's mind. It was clearly no accident that they were pushing a second student on him. Did they want to bind him to the Order? Not just entrust him with the training of the Chosen One, but also give him responsibility for the young Zabrak?
That Yoda was a seasoned manipulator had become clear to Revan on the first day of their acquaintance. The Master who had trained generations of Light-side adherents, who had saved the Order from collapse, and who had managed to preserve the Jedi dogmas unchanged, could be nothing else. His achievements commanded respect, but also caution. Revan disliked intrigues, though he often resorted to them. And intrigues of which he himself was the object, the former Jedi disliked twofold. There was no doubt that the Grand Master had certain plans regarding the unusually gifted Knight Avner Van.
Returning to the issue of mentorship, Revan wasn't entirely opposed to training Rina, but it would have to be on his terms. The girl had, after all, made a good first impression. She was quick-witted, well-trained, and most importantly, a fast learner. She managed to follow Revan's instructions in the duel with the Padawan on her first attempt, even though she wasn't ready for such guidance. And her curiosity? How familiar that was!
However, the former Jedi planned to revisit this issue much later. Anakin would need a sparring partner of roughly equal stature, otherwise, the boy would get used to holding his hands too high. But first, Skywalker had to learn how to even hold a blade. And he hadn't yet gone through the basic youngling training. Therefore, pairing them up was pointless. And Revan lacked the time and energy to manage three age groups simultaneously. Anakin and Maul were enough.
"That is if I agree to take her on as my apprentice," Revan reminded them of his presence. "The decision rests primarily with the Master."
At least, that was the case during the Mandalorian Wars. Yes, the Council could try to impose its will. After all, to advance in rank, a Jedi was required to train a Padawan to demonstrate wisdom, patience, and responsibility. But the decision of which specific youngling to take on rested with the Master himself. Of course, exceptions always occurred. Here, too, the will of the Force intervened, forming bonds between teacher and student, sometimes intertwining their destinies even before they met.
"The girl is firmly resolved to train under you, Knight Van," Luminara said in a slightly apologetic tone. "She stated it quite clearly."
Luminara Unduli. A Mirialan with characteristics typical of her people, not only in appearance but also in manner. Revan had often crossed paths with natives of Mirial. Calm in daily life, focused in battle, modest to the point of secretiveness, and endlessly religious. It gave the impression that they were born within the Temple walls, even those of their people who were not Jedi. This, however, didn't stop them from falling into crime. Mirialans could be found among slavers, pirates, thieves, and assassins. Their religion made no distinction between good and evil. Only the path taken, the decisions made, the actions performed, and the trials endured were important. And what one considered a challenge was up to the individual.
As for Luminara, Revan had already formed his own impression, albeit a superficial one. This Mirialan was intelligent, shrewd in her own way, and cautiously pragmatic. Back in the Council Chamber, she had quickly assessed her own strength against what Revan was demonstrating, after which she chose to step aside. At the same time, Unduli was genuinely concerned for Rina's fate. The former Jedi had sensed the echoes of her anxiety and care. Yet, the ancient one couldn't trust her yet. Time would tell if she could be considered an ally or if she should be kept at a distance.
But he needed to return to the conversation, which was beginning to tire the former Sith.
"Children change their minds three times a day," Revan dismissed. "By tomorrow, her opinion could be the opposite. Especially given the attitude of certain Masters toward me."
The former Jedi recalled the incident in the Council Chamber. Those who carelessly engaged in a skirmish with Revan then were likely not feeling warm affection for him now.
"But there is no emotion, there is peace, correct?" the former Sith mused with an inner smirk.
"I don't think so," Master Unduli shook her head. "Day by day, her resolve only strengthens. Regardless of the rumors about you circulating through the Temple."
"Enough," Revan cut the Mirialan off in a cold tone. "This conversation is pointless. For the next three years, I will not take a new apprentice. We can return to this issue later."
Yoda nodded approvingly, apparently satisfied that Revan hadn't completely dismissed the possibility of a student. Luminara shook her head in disappointment.
"With your permission, I shall look after the girl," Dooku said, addressing the Grand Master—or perhaps Revan.
The green-skinned elder nodded solemnly, expressing his approval. The former Jedi, meanwhile, mentally noted that he would have an interesting conversation with Count Serenno.
"I would be grateful," Revan replied briefly, noticing that Dooku was awaiting his agreement as well.
The irritation that still simmered within reminded the former Jedi that he was still wasting time in the Temple instead of setting out to find those who had the foolishness to anger him.
"Well, that settles everything," Revan stated the obvious fact. "And now, I must take my leave."
Without waiting for any reply or permission to depart, the former Jedi headed toward the exit of the Archives Hall.
"Wait!" Sifo-Dyas called out to him.
"Master?" Revan did not fully turn around, limiting himself to a rotation of his head.
"Perhaps my question seems strange, but have we met before?" the Master asked, peering into the face of his interlocutor.
"No," Revan answered confidently and continued on his way to the exit, leaving the disappointed Council member behind.
And just as he was about to reach the exit archway, the person the former Sith least wanted to see right now entered the hall.
"You?!" Mace Windu nearly roared upon seeing Revan walking toward him.
It wasn't that the former Sith loathed the Korun, but a certain degree of animosity was present. This only intensified the storm of negative emotions he was holding in check. Windu, for his part, was exasperated by his defeat at the hands of such a youthful-looking Knight, especially in front of the Council.
Perhaps this could explain what happened a moment later.
Recognizing his recent opponent, the Korun reflexively reached for his blade, preparing to attack.
"Stop! Don't move!" he bellowed, extending his hand with the lightsaber hilt pointed forward.
For Revan, this was the final straw, instantly provoking a counter-action.
The Order members present barely registered the figure of Avner Van lunging forward, blurring through space. A flash and the screech of a lightsaber activating. A rush of air hitting their ears and the sound of a body slamming against stone.
Before he could even ignite his blade, Mace Windu found himself Force Pushed and embedded in the wall behind him. And the hilt of his lightsaber was sliced in half, cleanly cut right at his fingers with one precise strike.
"Out of the way," Revan contemptuously threw over his shoulder, walking past his vanquished opponent with measured steps.
Sifo-Dyas, who attempted to rush to Windu's aid, was stopped by Count Serenno's hand. Dooku gripped his friend's shoulder and shook his head, urging the Master not to interfere. Jocasta Nu and Luminara Unduli didn't even flinch. One hadn't reacted quickly enough to the former Jedi's lightning-fast move. The other had simply exercised prudence. The Grand Master merely shook his head wearily.
"Until we meet again, Knight Van," Yoda rasped after the departing Revan. "And may the Force be with you."
No one further obstructed Revan's return to the Dawn's Eagle, so the journey back took little time.
Once aboard the ship, the former Jedi, without wasting a moment, headed to the cockpit, calling his apprentice en route.
"Maul, where are you now?"
"In the portside cargo bay, my Lord," the Zabrak instantly responded.
"Where is Anakin?"
"Resting in his cabin."
"What is his condition?"
"He's not yet fit to continue training, despite all my efforts to revive him. I apologize, my Lord, I have failed you."
Revan overcame the urge to reprimand his student for excessive zeal. It was unknown how he had tried to wake Skywalker. But the order not to harm the boy was still in effect, so Maul wouldn't have caused injury.
"It is not your fault," the Master replied. "Come to the cockpit. We have something to do. And quickly."
"Yes, my Lord."
Maul reached the meeting point almost faster than Revan. Sidious had trained his obedience and punctuality well.
"What is your will, my Lord?" the Zabrak knelt, expressing his submission.
"Stand up," Revan commanded first. "I do not require a show of obeisance."
Maul obeyed without a word.
"Something troubles you?" the Zabrak sensed his Master's mood.
"Yes," Revan nodded, gathering his thoughts.
The impulse he had suppressed while in the Temple was gradually fading. The idea of finding and punishing those who dared to provoke him hadn't gone away. However, implementing it required specific actions... or rather, a clear plan that was only beginning to form in the former Jedi's mind.
Part of this plan had been set in motion even before his visit to the Great Holocron Chamber. HK and Tira had gone to 'make inquiries' about certain issues that had been troubling Revan for some time. Much would depend on the results of their small mission.
Now, the former Sith required resources. Both financial and human. Power. Influence! Without these, finding his opponents would be difficult, almost impossible. A strategist without an army is like a musician with bound hands. Where could he acquire them on Coruscant? Without resorting to the help of the Jedi, who wouldn't participate in an act of vengeance. And without attracting the attention of the Senate.
If Revan had learned anything over the years of his difficult life, it was how to find resources where they seemed not to exist.
There is always a way out.
"Maul, tell me about the situation in Coruscant's lower levels. The criminal structures, the leaders, the balance of power?"
"My Lord?" the Zabrak didn't quite understand the question.
"You did study the 'dark side' of Coruscant? Correct?"
"Yes, my Lord," Maul confirmed confidently, deciding this must be some kind of elaborate test.
"Tell me."
"As you wish, my Lord. The lower levels are literally swarming with scum, murderers, fraudsters, and villains. Residential sectors are divided among gangs. Locals either pay tribute or work for one of the local bosses. Law enforcement from the Upper City doesn't venture down that deep. Even the Jedi don't show themselves there," Maul began.
"Who holds the power? I'm not interested in petty gangs, but those who stand above them."
"Until recently, one could identify two major powers to whom all others submitted. These were the Black Sun Syndicate and the Hutt Cartel."
"The Hutts? On Coruscant?"
Revan was surprised that these slugs were tolerated in the heart of the Republic. Still, if the Exchange pulled off something similar four thousand years ago, why wouldn't the Cartel follow suit?
"Yes, my Lord. The local head of the Cartel is Ziro the Hutt. Seems to be Jabba the Hutt's cousin from Tatooine."
"All Hutts are related somehow," Revan dismissed. "What about the Syndicate?"
Maul grinned predatorily.
"Ah, well, the situation has recently changed," the Zabrak replied with clear pleasure in his voice. "About a year ago, the entire Syndicate leadership was annihilated on my... former Master's orders."
"Your doing?" Revan guessed.
"Yes, my Lord," Maul confirmed with pride.
"What is the situation now?"
"The Syndicate is fragmented. Cells operate independently. Coruscant had one of the largest, but it was severely weakened by the feud with the Cartel. The Hutts, sensing the competitor's weakness, launched a full-scale war, seizing territories controlled by the Syndicate. Black Sun is holding on, but…"
"Draw blood from a giant, and the mob will tear him apart," Revan nodded, speaking to his own thoughts.
The plan was gaining details and taking clearer shape in the former Sith's mind.
"Who leads Black Sun now?"
"I am unsure, my Lord," Maul shook his head. "I haven't monitored the situation for several months. In the current climate, that's an unacceptably long time. The leadership could have changed three times over.
"Still?"
"Based on my last information, the head of the Syndicate on Coruscant was someone named Dal Perhi. He managed to take control of the local petty gangs and organize a decent defense against the Cartel's thugs. Under his protection, they managed to restart businesses and solidify the Syndicate cell's influence in levels nine hundred nine through twelve hundred. Not completely, but Black Sun holds about forty percent of the territory in these sectors."
Revan absorbed the information, analyzing the data on the fly and integrating it into his blueprint for strengthening his own influence. If this worked out, he would have an army and significant resources in the Republic's central sector. If not… Well, death is a natural part of the Force.
"My Lord, if I may ask, why do you require this information?" Maul couldn't contain his curiosity.
"Because, my apprentice, serious changes are about to occur within Coruscant's criminal structures," Revan smirked. "And we shall help them along."
"My Lord?"
"You'll find out shortly. For now, get the Dawn's Eagle airborne. We're flying to the lower levels," the former Sith commanded. "Find a secure landing pad where our ship won't immediately be dismantled and sold."
"Understood, my Lord," the Zabrak bowed and headed for the pilot's chair.
"And I have an interesting conversation ahead of me," Revan grinned, leaving the cockpit.
Holo-communication hadn't changed much since Revan's time. So, connecting with the required... sentient was achieved without outside help.
A holographic image of the slug-like figure of Tatooine's crime lord stared with interest at the man in the Mandalorian mask who had called him.
"Ho! Is this not my favorite not-Jedi, Vaner Shan," Jabba Desilijic Tiure boomed in Huttese.
"Greetings, Jabba," Revan acknowledged with a nod. "Is everything well in your domain?"
"I don't complain," the Hutt chuckled.
"And how are your relatives doing?"
"Ho?" the Hutt was surprised. "Why such a question, not-Jedi?"
"I ran into your uncle on Coruscant," the former Sith explained. "I was wondering how he would feel about Black Sun soon being replaced by your loyal Bloody Claws?"
"Ho! Ha!" Jabba roared with laughter. "I think he'd be pleasantly surprised. But when did you manage to bring your Claws to Coruscant?"
"I didn't bring them. I've only got a couple of associates with me."
"And can you handle it?"
"Oh, I have a claw-hand sharp enough to make a Rancor envious," Revan smirked, provoking another fit of approving laughter from the Hutt.
"Then we have much to discuss."
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