Evening by ship time, stars slowly drifting in the transpa-steel porthole, the dim light of an old lamp in the cramped cabin of a freighter, and an honest conversation - all this was very familiar to Revan and evoked nostalgia. A long time ago, and in fact thousands of years ago, the disgraced Knight of the Order loved to sit like this and chat with the crew of the Ebon Hawk. In those days, the transport ship was... noisy, but interesting. Mission's chirping was heard endlessly, emotionally describing her life on Taris. She was echoed in a growling, howling shryiiwook by a shaggy giant from Kashyyyk - Zaalbar. Juhani quietly whispered mantras to herself, trying to find inner strength and stop fearing the Dark Side. A stern-looking, but very soulful man inside, the Mandalorian Canderous, if persuaded, could tell about his military exploits and service under Mandalore the Ultimate. And somewhere in the cockpit, Carth and Bastila were constantly arguing...
Bastila... Revan missed her the most. His only love...
The former Jedi missed those times, his friends, and his beloved. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why he agreed to tell his story to Tira. The information that Vaner was the very Revan shocked the mercenary and prompted her to literally explode with a barrage of questions. She was interested in everything, from the former Knight's birthplace to how he was alive after four thousand years.
Revan, at first, didn't want to answer, but eventually gave in, warning that the story would be long, and probably not for one evening. This didn't deter the mercenary.
"Well, then listen..." the former Jedi began.
At the very beginning of his story, Revan realized that this "retelling" of his own fate was even more necessary for him than for the listener. The opportunity to sort out his memories and try again to remember what the Order's Council had cost him in his treatment. After all, he still hadn't remembered everything that happened to him before Malak's betrayal. Who was he before joining the Order? Where was he born? What were his parents' names? Damn, he couldn't even remember his real birth name! He couldn't remember it, no matter how hard he tried.
Revan...
Not a name, not a surname, but his essence! A title invented and adopted by a renegade who no longer wished to tolerate the injustice and inaction of the Council. A challenge thrown to the galaxy! Vengeance in human form.
Revan couldn't remember why he chose this name on Katarr. All that surfaced in his memory when he mentally returned to that day was a Mandalorian mask found amidst ashes... and those very words. His oath. A promise that, as if by itself, slipped from his lips. The idea that had been beating like a drum in his head for more than a month finally broke free. Never before that day had he felt so confident, so... right! The Force itself echoed in his words at that moment...
Revan realized with a sad smile that even then the Great Force was guiding him, pushing him forward. An instrument or a favorite? One does not exclude the other...
"It doesn't matter!" he suddenly said mentally to himself.
The Force had been his faithful companion and ally for many years. He had known power and greatness. He had saved hundreds of planets, billions of sentient beings, become a hero, but more importantly, he had calmed his conscience... albeit briefly. He had achieved everything he could have dreamed of. And if, through him, the Great Force somehow influenced the galaxy... Well, that was an acceptable price.
Shaking his head, dispelling unnecessary doubts, Revan continued his story.
He told Tira that after a severe injury, he couldn't remember many facts of his life. For example, his homeworld or family. His memories began in the Temple.
"Despite not remembering my parents, the feeling of sadness and loss I experienced in the first months at the Temple on Coruscant clearly comes to mind. But I found solace in knowledge. I could spend hours in the archives, studying new books. It didn't matter what it was - works on history or diplomacy, instructions from past Masters, or military manuals - I was interested in everything! The Force did not deprive me of talent, and therefore I coped with the training program for younglings without difficulty, which gave me quite a lot of free time. And I studied. I literally 'devoured' everything I could get my hands on: Force techniques, forms of blade mastery and combat styles, the properties of natural and artificial crystals and lightsaber construction, tactics and strategy for ground and space combat, the basics of survival in adverse natural conditions."
"Useful skills," the mercenary was impressed.
"Yes... I've had reason to be convinced of that more than once," the Jedi chuckled sadly, "Be that as it may, my efforts did not go unnoticed. Jedi Master Kreia became interested in me, and soon I became her Padawan."
Revan paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts and sifting through his memories of that time.
"Teacher... she was a strange Jedi. And her opinion of the Force... over the years, it became more and more unusual and contradictory. But it was she who taught me, above all, to think and evaluate my actions. Before doing anything, I had to calculate all possible consequences of the decision made."
"It sounds like she taught you to predict the future, like some kind of fortune teller," Tira snorted.
Revan ignored the comment. People not sensitive to the Force would never understand all its properties.
"The Teacher could indeed see the future," he said with a smile, "And she was very good at it. I even think that from the first day she saw me, she knew who I would become."
Not without pleasure noting the girl's surprised look, the former Jedi continued his story. He told the mercenary about his "strange" training with Kreia. How she loved to ask him very unusual and morally difficult questions. The point of her lessons was that everyone must be ready to find a way out of a difficult situation on their own, without outside help. And Revan quickly grasped this essence... but in his own way. He understood that solving other people's problems was not the solution, but one could motivate others to solve them, lead them forward, be a leader... a symbol.
"You should have seen how the teacher laughed at my point of view then!" Revan chuckled, but a moment later returned his face to a serious expression, continuing his thought, "And how respectfully she spoke of it later..."
The former Jedi also told Tira that Kreia's training, which was more like philosophical debates, left him with a lot of free time, which he spent on independent training and learning from other mentors. A Padawan could turn to any Master of the Order for help and advice, and they were gladly ready to help. Especially such a talented young man as Revan. And the latter shamelessly used this. Many taught him, and the wisdom of each was not in vain.
Revan particularly highlighted Master Arren Kae, who, in terms of time and effort spent on training one curious Padawan, could claim the title of his official mentor, along with Kreia. This woman showed the young Light Side adept the importance of physical training, sword mastery, and the use of Force techniques. Under her patronage, Revan studied the basics of all seven forms of lightsaber combat, mastered Jar'Kai, and fell in love with the original reverse grip of the Shien form.
If Kreia developed his mind, then Arren Kae trained his body. And he was infinitely grateful to both of them.
The story had to be interrupted when the former Jedi suddenly felt a strong wave of fear, the source of which was Anakin. The Force clearly sensed a plea for help. The young man was in a panic. Fear, in turn, attracted the Dark Side, and it was already reaching out to the boy. But, suddenly, everything stopped.
Revan had foreseen such an outcome when he appointed HK to train Anakin. The droid didn't like to hold back, and the boy, in turn, needed to feel his vulnerability. The sense of superiority that Skywalker had gained after winning the races, and then destroying the Trade Federation station, bothered Revan. Excessive pride was a significant hindrance in training.
Yes, Anakin was incredibly lucky, and in the future, just as incredibly strong. The Force favored its chosen one. But without proper training and necessary guidance, the boy might not live to reach his full potential.
He needed to be taken down a peg. And someone not wielding the Force had to do it.
So, HK was doing an excellent job...
"The main thing is that he doesn't overdo it," Revan thought and took out his commlink to contact the droid.
"What's going on over there?" the former Sith asked sternly when the connection was established.
"Answer: Training," the droid immediately replied.
"Really?" Revan asked in a deceptively gentle tone, "Is it during training that Anakin suddenly started emitting waves of fear throughout the entire ship? A little more and his cry for help would be heard even on Coruscant!"
"Clarification: No irreparable harm, Master. Only disciplinary measures to instill in the training subject a sense of discipline," the droid added, sensing his creator's mood.
The former Jedi let out a long sigh.
HK was incorrigible. However, everything was turning out as planned.
"Tone it down," Revan said, more calmly now.
"Understood, Master," HK immediately replied.
The connection was broken.
"Did something happen?" Tira asked, surprised by the sudden change in her interlocutor's mood.
"No," Revan shook his head, "Everything is fine. I felt strange emotions from Anakin and decided to check."
The mercenary snorted.
"Your Force again."
The ancient gifted one ignored the comment, deciding to return to his story.
"So, where were we?"
"Your mentors," Tira reminded him.
"Yes, of course..."
***
Meanwhile...
Somewhere on the island of Abora, Muunilinst
The Abora Tower complex, located on the island of the same name in the western sea of Muunilinst, had belonged to the Damask clan for many years, officially serving as a small vacation residence.
However, in reality, deep beneath the complex, in the labyrinth of tunnels leading into the very heart of the now-dormant volcano, lay the secret refuge of the clan's current head – Hego Damask, also known to few as Darth Plagueis.
In one of the complex's halls, resembling a laboratory more than anything else, a Muun shrouded in a black robe thoughtfully examined a holorecord frame. On it, someone in a Mandalorian mask and a hooded cloak was single-handedly destroying a group of battle droids, unleashing something akin to lightning from the fingers of their left hand.
Silence reigned in the room, broken only by the low hum of the holoprojector and the hiss of the transpirator, which Plagueis needed after a severe wound sustained during one of the attempts on his life.
The Sith was perplexed. He was ready to swear that the recording showed his last test subject. The fruit of an experiment he had considered a failure! And yet, it was him – a dead man who had escaped from the incinerator compartment of one of Plagueis's secret bases just a few weeks ago.
That day, Damask had once again attempted to bring a gifted individual back to life. The specimen had been chosen based on the saturation of its cells with midi-chlorians. The location for the experiment was built at a point of Force energy concentration. Plagueis himself had prepared for the ritual for several months. The Sith had almost died himself, channeling a massive amount of Dark Side energy through his body. But it had yielded no results. The dead man remained dead. It was all in vain!
And yet, so much hope had been placed on this experiment! And the risk? Oh, Force! How he had exposed himself then! Not only did the ritual weaken him for several weeks, opening him up to a new assassination attempt. But his apprentice was already ready to become a master... And then there was the victim chosen for the experiment, who could complicate relations with the Jedi Order, and specifically with one member of the Council. After all, the test subject was his son... albeit a secret one.
"Mizar Marr," the Sith ran his hand over the hologram, barely touching the weave of light streams, "Old Saiyfo was ready to give his life for you. But I will demand much more!"
The Muun let out a low chuckle.
Tracking the fugitive was not easy. However, credits open many doors and provide ample opportunities for those who know how to use them. Besides, Mizar himself had left a rather clear trail – a smuggler's ship. Identifying the owner through the Judicial Forces database and a network of informants among the Hutt Cartel smugglers proved quite simple, though expensive. For some reason, this particular vessel interested the Cartel's representative on Tatooine. Jabba the Hutt, with whom the Muun sometimes did business, tried to conceal the fact that the ship had recently changed owners... literally a week after the incident in the laboratory.
At the same time, someone appeared on Tatooine, rumored to be a Jedi, wearing a distinctive Mandalorian mask and effortlessly crushing the Blood Claws gang. Mercenaries throughout the sector were in an uproar then, but the Cartel made it clear that this was their man.
The name "Vanner Shan" slipped into the reports. It seemed Mizar had begun to call himself that.
After Tatooine, the trail of the smuggler's ship led to Coruscant, where it disappeared at a used equipment market on one of the lower levels. Sources among the local street scum claimed that the sale was handled by a remarkable protocol droid of unusual design. This same droid later participated in an auction and attempted to purchase a YT-series freighter but lost the bid. However, notably, the very lot from the auction – the YT-1930/FLP cargo ship – was registered under the name "Dawn Eagle" through Hutt Cartel agents. And some claim that the same strange protocol droid handled the registration.
The ship managed to appear on Naboo, delivering a certain Avner Van, a Jedi Knight, there. The intervention of this gifted individual, who turned out to be a rather talented Force adept, cost Plagueis and his apprentice the entire operation to form an opposition in the galaxy. Although... it couldn't be called a complete failure. After all, solutions remained, and the effect, though weaker than intended, was still acceptable.
The Muun recalled reports from Naboo. The droid had flashed there too, but this time as an excellent fighter.
All this led to the thought that Vanner Shan, Avner Van, and Mizar Marr were one and the same person. Which, in general, was confirmed when someone decided to meet with Sidious.
Plagueis remembered investigating Vanner Shan. The name was likely fabricated. At least, searching through all available sources only yielded information about a candidate for the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Republic who lived almost four thousand years ago. However, he was the son of a certain Bastila Shan, who distinguished herself during the war with Revan's Empire. And the descendants of this Vanner often appeared in the Order. And rumors of his connection with...
"Hmm?" the Sith exclaimed in surprise, then laughed much louder.
And how had he not noticed it immediately! After all, the result of his experiment had recently revealed his true name! Vanner and Avner – they were simply anagrams of one name!
"Revan!" the Muun shouted and pointed a finger at the holorecord, "You are Revan!"
The Sith's delight knew no bounds. He had not just brought a dead man back to life! He had, in some incredible way, managed to pull the essence of an ancient Sith Lord from the endless stream of the Force! How – that remained to be figured out, but the fact was undeniable!
Of course, he would need to gather evidence... And it would be good to conduct research on the resurrected one.
"Later..." Damask reminded himself.
There was no need to rush in this matter. The result of the experiment was, first and foremost... dangerous. And if Revan had truly settled in the body of Saiyfo-Dias's offspring... he should first be brought under control. Or else... eliminated.
Plagueis's thoughts were interrupted by the chirp of a communicator, signaling an incoming message from his apprentice.
The Muun settled more comfortably in his chair and activated the holocommunicator.
"Master," Sidious's hologram knelt.
"What news, my apprentice?" Damask asked calmly.
Palpatine raised his head, hidden by his hood, and gave a brief report.
"As you predicted, Avner Van and Vanner Shan are one and the same person. I am sending you his holophoto, obtained from surveillance cameras in the Jedi Temple."
Plagueis brought the image up on the same holodisplay where he had previously watched the recording of the unknown person meeting Sidious, expecting to see Mizar Marr.
To the Sith's surprise, the face of the young gifted individual, who had hidden behind a mask during the fight, turned out to be different. However, upon closer inspection, the Muun found familiar features. The Force had clearly worked on the resurrected one's body! His features simultaneously resembled both Saiyfo-Dias's son and Revan, if old Order holorecordings were to be believed.
"Interesting," Plagueis drawled, "What else did you find out?"
"Nothing specific, Master," Sidious shook his head, "Records of the meeting with the Council were deleted before my agents could access them. However, rumors have it that this Avner greatly disturbed the Order's leadership. Some claim that after the meeting, several Masters ended up in the Halls of Healing."
The Muun merely grunted at this.
"If he is who he claims to be, then it's not surprising."
"Master, if you'll allow me..." Sidious interrupted his teacher, "I still believe he's just an impostor. Powerful, but..."
"Know your place!" Plagueis roared, clenching his fist.
The hologram of his apprentice clutched his throat the next moment. Sidious desperately gasped for air, trying to fight off the suffocating sensation that had come over him.
A few seconds later, Damask loosened his grip and allowed Palpatine to take a breath.
"Forgive me, Master," the apprentice fell to his knees again, "I did not intend to question your wisdom."
The Muun felt the hatred emanating from his apprentice and reveled in the sensation. Yes, Sidious was dangerous. But it was all the more pleasant to remind him of his power over him. Soon he would try to strike and throw off the leash... but for now, everything was under control.
"Keep your cowardly doubts to yourself, my pathetic apprentice," Plagueis said mockingly, "What about the plan?"
Suppressing a flash of anger and removing the momentary grimace from his face, Sidious continued.
"The Jedi intervention was predictable, however... Revan," Palpatine stumbled over the name of his recent opponent, "His appearance forced us to make some adjustments to the plan."
"What are our losses?"
"I would estimate them as medium, Master. The Trade Federation found itself in a difficult position, but such an outcome was foreseen. The change of power on Naboo failed; an convinced idealist, loyal to the Republic, remains in power. Because of this, another planet will have to be made the center of the opposition. However, it will be even better this way. Dissatisfaction among the factions in the Senate is growing, and a schism is inevitable. All that remains is to choose the 'face of the separatists.' The Neimoidians are out in this regard... Also, our... 'candidate' proved uncooperative."
"Dooku didn't respond?" Plagueis asked, slightly surprised.
The Sith's sources reported that the Count from Serenno was extremely dissatisfied with the state of affairs in the Order and was ready to leave it. All that was needed was a little push. And the conflict on Naboo, coupled with the Council's inaction...
"Ah, so that's how it is..." Damask nodded to himself mentally, "The Jedi sent by the Council did not perish. And the conflict was successfully resolved. And a very strong gifted individual appeared, whose skills far surpass those of modern Order members."
"The Count did not reply to the message, which can be considered a refusal," Palpatine continued meanwhile, "This was expected, considering that his apprentice was saved by our new 'friend.' Dooku is still negatively disposed towards the Order, but I believe the opportunity to win him over to our side has been missed, Master."
Plagueis nodded calmly, considering the options. A replacement for the Count could be found. Perhaps not as charismatic or well-known in the galaxy, but no less suitable for the role of a revolutionary.
However, the possibility of Dooku joining Revan was cause for concern. With Serenno's support, the resurrected Sith would have many more opportunities to interfere with the Muun's plans. And such a possibility existed.
Sidious waited humbly for his teacher's response.
"Continue to monitor the actions of Dooku and our new 'friend'," Damask commanded after a few minutes of thought, "I will personally select a replacement for our pawn. Apparently, you are not yet capable of handling such a task."
Sidious gritted his teeth but obediently bowed his head.
"As you wish, Master."
"That is all," Plagueis broke the connection.
And on the other side of the galaxy, Palpatine stood up, proudly straightening his shoulders and throwing back his hood.
"Enjoy your power while you can, old fool," he smirked, "Your era is coming to an end."
How he was tired of playing the obedient apprentice. But the opportunity to eliminate his teacher painlessly had been missed. And everything had been ready... But something had spooked Plagueis and forced him to lock himself in his bunker on Abore.
"Could it be that I owe the disruption of plans and the appearance of a new threat to yet another experiment by a teacher obsessed with eternal life?" Sidious drawled mockingly, "That would be in his style."
An idea flashed through Palpatine's mind that Plagueis was secretly preparing an apprentice to replace the Nabooian... Although, such a scenario was unlikely, the connection between the one who called himself Revan and the old Muun was definite. Some events coincided too perfectly in time.
First, Damask performed some ritual at one of his bases. Then he abruptly retreated to Abore and set all the guards on edge. And at the same time, a gifted individual appeared on Tatooine, who managed to effortlessly defeat Maul. Then this same person appeared on Naboo and messed up all the plans.
"However, one cannot deny his skill and strength," the Sith mused thoughtfully.
Sidious had personally tested the abilities of this "Revan." No, Palpatine did not believe it was truly the ancient Sith Lord. For now, Vanner Shan had demonstrated nothing beyond the capabilities of a talented gifted individual. Perhaps Sidious could handle him if necessary. However... there was something about him... strange. The impostor exuded an aura of... greatness... superiority! Something was not right with him! Palpatine clearly felt danger. He needed to be vigilant.
What did not add to his peace of mind was the fact that after meeting with... "Revan," Sidious began to feel a strange pressure from the Force... like a barely perceptible whisper somewhere in the back of his mind. But he couldn't make out the words.
"Something is brewing," Palpatine frowned, "And we need to be ready for it."
Pushing aside unnecessary anxious thoughts, Sidious pulled up his hood, concealing his face, left his secret refuge, and headed for his work residence. After all, it was not fitting for the Chancellor to be away for too long.
Palpatine pondered the current situation in the galaxy, his teacher's plan, and his own place in it. The initiative, which had slipped away after the failed assassination attempt, needed to be taken back into his own hands.
Sidious knew perfectly well whom Plagueis would choose instead of Dooku. It would likely be his old friend – Saiyfo-Dias. It was long overdue to win the Jedi over to their side or eliminate him. His precognitive abilities were too dangerous. And even though the Dark Side reliably hid the Sith and his apprentice, it would be foolish to count on the eternal favor of the Force.
However, it had to be admitted, the Jedi Council member was a suitable candidate. The next step would be to provide the Republic with an army to prepare for the impending schism in the galaxy. And a member of the Jedi Council was perfectly suited for this role. He could freely dispose of the Order's considerable funds without arousing suspicion, as he had such authority. And even a child could cover up the traces in the mess that was happening in the Temple.
But that would be Plagueis's pawn...
Palpatine, on the other hand, needed his own man. Someone who would help eliminate the teacher and then assist in implementing the plan. In the long run – an apprentice to replace the traitor – Maul.
The figure of Sidious's compatriot – the Nabooian Ronar Kim – came to mind. They had become good friends over several years on Coruscant. Well, at least, Kim was sure of it. From Palpatine's side, it was a subtle calculation and a future investment. An agent in enemy territory would never be superfluous.
"Well, perhaps it's time..."