How often was the fate of the galaxy decided not in the Senate hall or the Emperor's Citadel, but in a dirty cantina or a dark abandoned shack on the outskirts of a world? Revan could confidently say, much more often than one might expect.
Once, he and Malak decided the fate of the Republic in a cave on Dantooine, risking entering the Star Map chamber and going in search of the greatest creation of the Rakatan Empire. Another fateful decision to oppose the Sith Empire and help Bastila, Revan, who had lost his memories at that moment, made in an abandoned apartment in the slums of Taris.
Again and again, similar scenes came to mind. There were so many of them that the former Jedi felt that these insignificant moments, which led to events that shook the entire galaxy, were more numerous than the fateful orders he gave from the bridge of his flagship.
And again, this hour arrived... The Force raged around a backwater district on the lower levels of Coruscant. Revan felt the importance of this day with all his being, not so much for himself, but for the Republic... no, for the entire Galaxy.
"So, we have an agreement," Sidious stated, not asking, trying to catch the slightest fluctuation of his interlocutor's emotions.
The negotiations, which lasted for more than an hour, had come to an end. Both participants believed they had outmaneuvered the other, securing themselves as much as possible. However, at the same time, both understood that their perceived victory was merely an illusion, skillfully prepared by the opposing side. Their negotiation experience told them both that this round had ended in a draw... and there would be many more such games.
After all, neither side could guarantee that they wouldn't renege on their promises as soon as they left the house. A given word? A Sith who has been manipulating the Senate from the shadows for years, and a former Jedi who has changed sides more than once and even destroyed what he himself created... Neither was going to believe the other.
"Agreed," Revan nodded, accepting the terms of cooperation in the upcoming conflict.
At this stage, no specifics were discussed, as neither army actually existed yet, and the worlds of the galaxy hadn't even realized the threat hanging over them. Now, the two lords had only agreed not to stand in each other's way, roughly dividing the sectors within which each would prepare "their game" to form an alliance against Palpatine's forces at the decisive moment. However, the closer they got to the start of the war, the more nuances would need to be considered.
This alliance was fragile and unreliable, like a homemade bridge of dried branches, and Revan perfectly understood that the Sith would betray him at some point. He could only hope that he would be able to calculate this moment and prepare for it better than his opponent. Now, even such a "bad peace" was needed to avoid a two-front war from the very beginning. Revan had too few forces behind him, too small a reconnaissance network, too little... everything.
"As we both understand, everything that has been said within these walls must remain only between those present. It would be extremely unpleasant to deal with the Jedi Order, for example. Or with your hired Mandalorian mercenaries," Sidious added.
"As well as me with the Justice Corps, the bureaucratic machine of the Senate, and all other mercenaries in the galaxy who can be bought for credits," Revan nodded understandingly.
"Especially since the Order doesn't know yet that Knight Avner Van is actually Darth Revan?" the Sith remarked casually.
The former Jedi smiled under his mask. What kind of alliance would it be without a little threat, blackmail, or some other attempt to put pressure on the interlocutor? Although some of the masters in the Order were already aware of Revan's identity, some is not the entire Order. Revealing such information would lead to a split... an even greater split, both in the Council and among the lower-ranking Jedi. For many, the mere mention of the Dark Side would be enough to rush into battle with their "fallen" comrade, in their opinion. And that meant new problems. Especially since the Order's support would be needed in the near future.
However, Revan also had something to hold over Sidious.
"They don't know. Nor do they know that the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic is a Sith Lord," the former Jedi replied in a calm voice.
Sidious's face was hidden by his hood, and he kept his emotions under strict control, but Revan still managed to catch a slight flash of anger.
"And I must admit, the disguise is excellent. So many meetings with the masters of the Order, and not a single one even suspected. Even I, perhaps, wouldn't have been able to detect a trace of Darkness if we were in the Senate now. Right, Chancellor Palpatine?" Revan added.
Silence fell in the room. Revan watched Palpatine intently, and he was sure that it was he who was hiding under the guise of Sidious. Mol tried to suppress his surprise, but radiated emotions in the Force. The same was happening with the Sith's new apprentice.
However, the silence did not last long. Just a few moments later, Sidious let out a muffled laugh and threw back his hood, revealing his face to his interlocutor.
"And what gave me away? Was it Naboo wine at this late hour? I know not everyone likes it, but it's hard to forget its native aroma," Palpatine chuckled and took a sip of wine from his glass.
"Oh no, gastronomic preferences alone wouldn't be enough for such a guess. I merely put together all the facts that had accumulated since our first meeting," Revan replied.
"Shouldn't you have spoken so openly about your influence on the Senate?" Sidious scoffed.
"That too. After all, with such confidence, only the current chancellor could speak, or someone who intends to replace him in the near future. But Palpatine has strong support among the senators, and a new vote would not have been supported by the majority. There was a chance that the confidence was due to the chancellor being a puppet, but any puppet on the throne can buck at the wrong moment. Sith value absolutes. And absolute power can only be in one's own hands."
Palpatine saluted Revan with his glass, demonstratively agreeing with the expressed thought.
"Besides, much was revealed after a detailed study of your negotiations with Duchess Satine. She kept records. An slip of the tongue here, a hint there, peculiarities of speech ingrained from rhetoric lessons on her home planet. Satine herself remembered these peculiarities when recalling her friend Amidala. The Naboo school clearly maintains its standards, even if it doesn't produce a large number of diplomats. There are very few of them in the Senate. But not everyone has the power to make promises to the ruler of Mandalore. And not everyone has connections with the Trade Federation through the Muuns. And I suspect that Lord Plagueis is somehow connected with this race, as well as with 'Damask Holdings'. One thread led to another. I merely put together all the facts," Revan explained.
"Bravo. Commendable analytical ability. However, I expected no less from a renowned Sith," Sidious said, clapping his hands a few times.
The former Jedi shrugged.
"So, we both have something to tell that we both wanted to keep secret," Palpatine nodded with satisfaction.
"In the best traditions of diplomacy," Revan smirked.
"True. But this presents a slight difficulty."
Sidious had barely finished speaking when the former Jedi was ready for battle. He felt a surge of the Force a moment before Tal-Nar-Pal's head separated from his body, and the crimson blade that ended the Cerean's life did not clash with the black blade raised in defense of the Zabrak, who was a little late in reacting.
"Mol is now out of your control," Revan reminded, resisting Sidious's pressure, which, with unexpected force for his build, pushed against the blade.
"I am not accustomed to entrusting my secrets to those who can betray at any moment," Palpatine snarled, his face losing its calm and refinement, his eyes burning like two red-hot coals.
"The teacher is responsible for the student. Therefore, I am responsible for Mol. Not a word spoken here will leave his lips without my permission," Revan said, pushing Sidious's blade back.
Mol, shaking off the sudden stupor caused by his former teacher's attack, stood next to his new mentor, activating his staff.
"An unnecessary risk," Palpatine hissed, returning the mask of cold composure to his face.
"Which will have to be taken," the former Jedi countered.
Neither opponent needed a fight. The Sith was well aware of the limits of his abilities and doubted he could defeat both Revan and Mol simultaneously. And the former Jedi absolutely did not want to kill a promising ally a few minutes after concluding an alliance.
For a few seconds, the opponents stood frozen with their activated blades in hand. Sidious was the first to move his blade slightly aside, demonstrating his intention to put it away. Revan repeated the gesture, and the opponents deactivated their swords almost simultaneously. Mol hesitated for only a moment, earning an approving nod from Revan.
"Well, the responsibility for this secret is now yours, Revan. I suppose I don't need to waste time with threats?" Palpatine snorted.
"No need. I am fully aware of the capabilities of a Chancellor, as well as a secret Sith Lord. I am also aware that I cannot know everything. So, is our alliance still in effect?"
"In effect," Sidious agreed, pulling his hood back over his head.
The gesture signaled to Revan that the meeting was likely over.
"Don't you regret your new apprentice?" the former Jedi nodded towards Tal-Nar-Pal's body.
"He was just a burden. Weak, foolish, and impulsive. His fate was sealed," Palpatine waved dismissively.
"And his teacher? Will Kim simply accept the death of his padawan as a given?"
"Why do you think Ronar is still alive?"
"I didn't feel his death on Mandalore, although I'm sure I pierced his heart," Revan replied.
"Well, who knows. Perhaps my old friend was saved. But the death of his apprentice is on your conscience. If you hadn't revealed the secret in front of him, his life would have lasted a little longer. So, you should only fear the teacher's wrath," Sidious smiled, the lower half of his face clearly visible under his hood.
"Hmm, I expected something like this."
"Darkness is changeable, but in some ways always remains the same," the Sith turned and headed for the exit. "Until we meet again, Lord Revan."
"I hope not soon, Lord Sidious."
The former Jedi didn't linger any longer.
Leaving the house, Revan gestured to the "Claws" hidden nearby to withdraw and return to base. Sidious's mercenary squads, some of whom had even engaged in a brief firefight with Revan's escort, were doing the same.
"In some ways, it remains unchanged," Palpatine's words were repeated by the former Jedi, noting similar precautions at a "two-person" meeting.
"Master?" Mol asked.
"Let's go, we have a lot of work to do," Revan called his apprentice and moved towards the aerocar.
Dawn on Coruscant is a sight not available to everyone. The towering buildings of the city, which covered the entire planet, blocked the sky, thus offering the opportunity to admire the sunrise only to the inhabitants of the upper floors. The inhabitants of the lower levels, like the sky in general, were deprived of it.
Flying towards the block where Shmi Skywalker now lived, Revan watched the sunrise, its crimson and golden flashes reflected in the glass and metal of the capital world's skyscrapers. His heart felt heavy with the flood of memories of the last sunrise he had met on Coruscant with Bastila. Would he have another such opportunity?
With an effort of will, he pushed away the intrusive memories and focused on his upcoming plans. And there were many of them. He had to arrange another meeting of the future Alliance members and adjust plans, considering possible support from a third party. He also had to consider the possibility of betrayal and a strike from this very "third party." In addition, he still needed to address the issue of preparing equipment and gear for the war. Kuat Shipyards would be occupied by the Republic for years to come. Sienar would not be able to provide the required production volume, even if financed and several private and small shipyards were acquired. The only thing that could ensure a rapid supply of ships was the Star Forge. Only its automated factory could produce ships and equipment in incredible volumes in the shortest possible time and with minimal resource expenditure. However, this creation of the Rakatan Empire had been destroyed. Admiral Dodonna, and then Admiral Onasi, had made every effort to leave no fragment larger than a palm, to eliminate the possibility of self-repair of this incredible station. After all, many Rakatan technologies had the ability to self-repair and restore even from the most deplorable state. The Star Forge was one of them. But four thousand years was not enough for something so grand to recover. However, this period was quite enough for the development of something smaller.
During his first visit to Tatooine, Revan found a functional Star Map. And it displayed the location of some object, which, in Revan's opinion, could be an unfinished analog of the Forge, which had "grown" from the seed of an infinite engine that the former Jedi had left on Nar Shaddaa. The system where the signal was displayed was unknown to Revan and was located at the very edge of the inhabited systems. The stars were unfamiliar. Perhaps for precise determination, data from other Star Maps was missing, as it was during the search for the Forge with Malak, and then with Bastila.
Revan was distracted from contemplating the sunrise from the aerocar window and glanced at the spires of the Jedi Temple shining in the light of the local star. The Order's Archives should contain the most detailed maps of star systems. Among them should be the required system... if it had ever been visited by explorers from the Republic space. Revan regretted not having delved into the Archive data while he had the chance. Much had distracted him from this endeavor then. Well, perhaps it was time to return to it.
Revan's padawans, Shmi Skywalker, and two droids were already waiting for him at the aerocar landing pad.
"Teacher!" Anakin and Rina exclaimed in unison and ran up to their mentor.
"How did you rest?" the Jedi ruffled his students' heads.
"Great!" Skywalker declared.
"Very well," Oda'Bar supported her training partner.
"I'm glad for you, students. Good day, Shmi. I hope there were no troubles with them?" Revan shifted his gaze to Skywalker's mother.
Freed from the scorching light of two suns, the dust, and the sands of Tatooine, Shmi Skywalker, having gained freedom, had outwardly become more beautiful and no longer resembled a tree dried up by the desert heat. She seemed to have even become younger, finding herself on the other side of the galaxy from Hutt space. The funds Revan had left for his student's mother were enough for a decent life on the upper levels of Coruscant, though not a lavish one.
"What troubles could there be when a child returns home? Even if only for a while. It's just joy," Shmi smiled back.
Revan returned her smile, hiding his sorrow within. He had never experienced this feeling.
"Mom has so many news to share! She's still getting used to her new life, but she's settled in well on Coruscant. Thanks again for taking her off Tatooine!" Anakin chattered, his joy in the Force radiating a warm light that warmed everyone around, even if they couldn't feel it.
The Zabrak girl melted from Skywalker's feelings of joy, subconsciously sharing his emotions, though she had almost forgotten her own family. Contact with parents is a luxury most children in the Order are deprived of. Attachments are distracting and therefore not encouraged. Revan understood why. But looking at Anakin's joy and feeling his emotions, he wouldn't side with the Order's dogmas for anything.
"Greetings: It is good to see you, Master! Request with hope: Does your presence signify the end of my stay among these sacks of meat? Is there a new target for elimination?" HK-47's synthesized voice interrupted Revan's thoughts.
The assassin droid stood next to the protocol droid C-3PO, assembled by Anakin, and was strikingly different from its harmless counterpart. HK skillfully disguised itself as a protocol droid, but there was something... threatening about its appearance. However, perhaps it only seemed that way to Revan, its creator. After all, the countless victims of the mechanical maniac often didn't suspect the threat hanging over them until the very last moment.
Hmm... differences from a protocol droid... Something about C-3PO caught the experienced mechanic's eye.
"C-3PO, you have a very mobile chassis... And it's different from what Anakin showed us on Tatooine," Revan noted.
"Yes, HK and I worked on Threepio! Now he's much more agile!" Anakin declared proudly, pointing to the droid's new limbs.
The protocol droid's arms and legs still resembled its old, stiff parts, but they had much greater freedom of movement. The very pose with its hands behind its back, in which the droid froze, was impossible for its old construction. And the knees were free of restrictions... Revan had a bad feeling about this.
"You worked on Threepio... with HK?" the former Jedi asked, hoping he had misheard.
"Yes!" Skywalker confirmed joyfully.
"My mobility has increased and will help me better perform my duties as my mistress's personal assistant," C-3PO chimed in, confirming Revan's worst fears.
An assassin droid and a talented mechanic who had lived his whole life in slavery on Tatooine modified a protocol droid... What was so scary about that?
In Revan's opinion – everything.
"HK, you didn't share any non-standard protocols with Threepio, did you?" the former Jedi asked the assassin droid.
"Negative. Only the bare minimum to unlock the full potential of the new limbs and assist in carrying out your order," HK reported.
"What order?" Revan asked warily.
"With regret: An order to eliminate an annoying, long-eared sack of meat whose presence was recently detected on Coruscant. Explanation: To minimize collateral damage, as well as for rapid reconnaissance in the target's habitat, I enlisted the allied droid to distract attention and provide cover for the withdrawal."
"Withdrawal from what..."
"Optional explanation: After eliminating the target," the forty-seventh replied.
"Is he dead?" Revan asked, rubbing his forehead.
"With regret: The target escaped using non-standard acrobatics and an unidentifiable system for countering fire from long-range plasma weapons," the droid lamented.
Revan exhaled.
"He's very fast... and strange," these words belonged to Threepio.
The Jedi seriously began to suspect that HK had shared more than just basic protocols...
"HK, listen to me carefully. You are not to kill Bincks," Revan said clearly to the mechanical killer.
"Updating task parameters: Accepted, Master," HK responded.
The former Jedi didn't hear it, but Skywalker could definitely say that HK muttered something about "accident" and "leaving no trace." However, the young man didn't say anything, as the memory of HK's lessons would stay with him forever. He didn't want to anger the droid... The Force itself hinted that it would be a fatal mistake!
"Are we staying on Coruscant any longer?" Anakin asked hopefully, trying to distract himself from thoughts of the assassin droid and its possible revenge.
"Yes, we have some more business in the capital."
"Hooray! Can I stay with Mom a little longer?"
Revan nodded, which made Anakin let out another joyful cry.
However, not everyone shared this feeling.
Despite her smile and joy for Skywalker, Rina felt awkward. She was an outsider at Anakin's family reunion with his mother and was acutely aware of it.
HK was almost crackling with the desire to be away from domestic peace and closer to bloody chaos, preferably with the use of powerful explosives.
"If you want. Rina and I have to visit the Temple," Revan replied to Anakin's question.
"The Temple? The Jedi Temple?" the Zabrak girl asked.
"Yes. I need to check the Archives."
The girl smiled sincerely. The Temple had become her home.
"Persistent request: May I accompany you, Master?" HK interjected.
"You and Tia will have a separate assignment."
"With readiness: Whom do I need to kill?"
"Oh..." Revan exhaled wearily, rubbing his forehead again.
And the day had only just begun.