Near the closed gates of the throne room, nervously playing with the power cell of a blaster carbine, leaning her back against the stone wall, sat a girl in Mandalorian armor.
Revan had disappeared behind the doors more than an hour ago, and there had been no news from him since, which, given the general feeling of being in the gloomy Citadel, did not add to Tira Nomad's peace of mind.
The girl shifted her gaze to the unconscious body of a Zabrak lying a couple of steps from the Mandalorian. Maul was tied up, and Tira, for reliability, had also injected Revan's student with a sedative. After all, she didn't want to pacify a maddened Force adept, as she simply didn't know how to do it without killing him.
"Where are the Hutt's carrying you?" Nomad asked into the void, already thinking about returning to the ship alone.
Nearby, an astromech droid whined sympathetically, also not thrilled about being in the stone trap of the ancient Citadel, without the ability to connect to local computer networks. After all, R2 was a good mechanic, but not a combat droid.
"Do you have any ideas what to do?" Nomad asked.
"Doo-oo-oo-oo," the astromech droned mournfully.
"I wish I knew what that meant," Tira chuckled and leaned her head against the wall, "We'll wait another hour, then we'll leave."
Meanwhile, Revan was delving into the information that Scourge had shared with him. As it turned out, the Sith had been closely monitoring the actions of the Republic, the Jedi, and the new adepts of the Dark Side. Yes, Scourge refused to call the new generation of "dark ones" Sith, because he considered them too limited and flawed. He called Bane's Rule of Two foolishness, which led to the deplorable state of the Dark adepts.
At one time, Scourge had a chance to stop Bane, but the Sith did not dare to act. He was waiting for Revan's return, which was promised to him in visions. And interfering in at least one event could have ruined everything. The pure-blood was not going to risk it. Certainly not for the sake of those degenerates who had gathered in the new Dark Council.
Scourge knew a lot. And Revan wanted to ask about even more.
"So you know who brought me back to the world of the living?" the former Jedi asked, latching onto the Sith's slip of the tongue about adepts of the Dark Side acting from the shadows.
"I have my suspicions," Scourge nodded.
"Will you share them?"
The Sith, after a moment of thought, nodded again.
"Forgive me, I can get dates mixed up, because my sense of time is getting worse with the years. Days, weeks, months, or even decades... Sometimes it's hard for me to tell one from the other."
"Continue," Revan nodded understandingly.
"During one of my visits to Korriban, not so long ago, it seems, I felt the presence of another living gifted person in the Valley of the Dark Lords. The fact itself was not surprising, after all, many of the Dark Side adepts visited this desert world sooner or later. However, something made me follow the unknown. Namely, his attempts to call upon the spirits of the deceased Lords for dialogue."
"He arrived on Korriban to communicate with the Force Ghosts?" Revan was surprised.
The former Jedi himself remembered his experience of meeting such entities. The ancient Sith Lords, even after death, had not lost their power... and their arrogance. When asking such beings a question, one must be prepared that the answer will demand the highest price from the asker – his life.
"Precisely, Master," Scourge nodded again, "He intended to demand answers from the Ancients. And, naturally, he was ignored."
"He was lucky," Revan chuckled.
"Not entirely," the Sith shook his head, "One still responded."
"Who?"
"A Muun who called himself Darth Plagueis," the pure-blood smiled, pronouncing his kinsman's name.
The former Jedi shook his head. Of all the Lords of Korriban, he would least want to meet this one. Plagueis's hot temper was well known to anyone who had even superficially studied Sith history.
"Did he at least survive?" Revan decided to clarify.
"Strangely enough, yes," Scourge replied, "And he even managed to leave the planet. However, he did not get answers to his questions."
"Who was it?"
"A Muun who called himself Darth Plagueis."
"Plagueis?" Revan repeated, "A familiar name."
"You met his apprentice, Sidious."
"So that's how it is," the former Jedi crossed his arms and rubbed his chin with his thumb under his mask, "But how is he connected to my resurrection?"
Scourge gestured for his interlocutor to be silent, and then continued his story.
"I heard rumors about a certain Tenebrus, who set out to achieve immortality and play with the very essence of the Force, namely with the midi-chlorians. And until that day, I thought it was just someone's joke. However, reality turned out to be much more interesting," the Sith chuckled, "I managed to follow Plagueis to his ship, where I found some very interesting records."
"And you weren't discovered?" Revan clarified, finding it hard to believe that a Force adept who dared to appear on Korriban was so blind that he didn't notice being followed.
"I spent a very long time on Korriban and studied this world well. If I want to, I can make it so that even at close range, no one can distinguish my presence against the background of the natural flow of the Force on the planet."
Revan nodded understandingly. Force concealment, albeit in a modified form.
"So what did you find out?"
"I found out that Plagueis was Tenebrus's apprentice and recently got rid of his mentor," Scourge replied, "However, like his teacher, the Muun decided to continue his work, seeking a path to immortality."
"And he decided that the key was in manipulating midi-chlorians?"
"Yes."
"Fool," Surik, who was still standing nearby, snorted.
"Oh, he's anything but a fool," Scourge chuckled, "Only Vitiate... or Andeddu, has advanced further than him in matters of immortality. But the latter could not achieve immortality as such. More precisely, the immortality of the physical body, since he went down a different path. Plagueis, on the other hand, wants to gain power over life and death."
"Absolute power," Revan said thoughtfully.
He was well acquainted with the Sith's desire for power. It is an integral part of the Dark Side philosophy... A line enshrined in the Sith Code.
"Precisely," Scourge agreed, "What better demonstrates acquired power than power over life and death?"
"It's unnatural," Mitra shook her head, "No one should possess such power. The cycle of life and death cannot be broken."
"Said a ghost," the Sith chuckled.
Surik made a displeased grimace. Scourge was right, it wasn't for her, having already left the mortal world, to judge such things.
"We are all born of the Force and return to it after the death of our physical body," Revan concluded the argument, "Nothing can help avoid this. One can only postpone the inevitable."
"Truly so," Scourge nodded, "The example of Vitiate, Andeddu, Sion, and others clearly demonstrates the futility of any attempts. No matter how strong the gifted one is, his mortal path will end."
"Said a four-thousand-year-old Sith," Mitra retorted.
"Truly so," the pure-blood smiled.
Revan shared the Sith's smile. He hadn't felt this way in a long time. This ease with which the conversation of old... friends, perhaps, flowed. Yes, the former Jedi missed such communication. Without substituting names, without long explanations of the essence, without masks and intrigues. The three in the throne room understood each other perfectly, as they came from the same era, albeit through different paths.
"So, you're saying Plagueis is experimenting with midi-chlorians, like his teacher?" Revan brought the conversation back to the original topic.
"Yes," Scourge nodded, "In his records, I found mentions of his attempts to bring a dead man back to life."
At these words, Revan tensed and became all ears.
"How far has he progressed?" the former Jedi clarified.
"You are here, isn't that proof?" the Sith chuckled.
"There is no proof that he is the one who resurrected me," Revan shook his head.
The former Jedi did not specify that although vaguely, he remembered the day of his return. And the ritual performed by, now obviously Darth Plagueis, was only a catalyst. Something else brought him to the world of the living. Perhaps – the Force itself.
"He learned about your return very quickly, and it so happened that this Muun hastily curtailed his experiments and disappeared somewhere on Muunilinst."
So the conclusions are obvious.
However, Mitra caught a different meaning in Revan's words than a simple question.
"You are looking for a way to bring her back, aren't you?" she asked the old friend directly.
The former Jedi and Republic General had no intention of denying it.
"Yes," he replied briefly and firmly.
"The task may prove insurmountable," Surik shook her head, "And is this the time to be distracted?"
"As long as she is not here, I cannot think of anything else," Revan smiled sadly.
Scourge, who initially didn't grasp the essence, quickly guessed what it was about.
"You are talking about the one whose image they used to lure you here, right?"
Revan nodded.
"My friend," Mitra touched the former Jedi's shoulder with a translucent hand, "I perfectly understand your pain and your desire to regain what you have lost... but there are things that are beyond the power of even the mightiest among us."
"And yet, I died four thousand years ago," Revan looked into Surik's eyes, "And I am alive again. Now try to say again that this is impossible."
Silence ensued.
Mitra could not find words to object to her old friend and mentor in any way. He was right. Even if it was a single case, the fact would not cease to be a fact. The gifted could return.
"There is nothing impossible for the Force. I think you know this yourselves," Scourge broke the silence first, "Although I have not been able to comprehend its mysteries as deeply, I have seen too many miracles in my long life to doubt."
"Has there been anyone in your memory who managed to repeat something similar?" Revan asked without much hope.
"There was," Scourge nodded.
"Repeat?" the former Jedi clarified.
"I have encountered resurrected beings," the Sith confirmed his words.
"When? Who was it?" Revan became wary.
"I only heard about one from the stories of Imperial scouts who monitored the Republic even before your capture."
At this point, Mitra perked up.
"You don't mean Him, do you?" the girl's ghost frowned.
"Darth Sion," Scourge nodded, confirming Surik's guess.
"Who is he? Although... wait... I remember this name," Revan strained his memory, "He joined my Empire... A living dead man, as Malak called him."
"Not just alive," Mitra hissed through her teeth, "He never really died. This creature couldn't be killed! I personally sent him to the other world four times! But he simply refused to die!"
"How?" Revan became wary.
In the memory of the former Jedi, there were only fragments of recollections about meeting Sion. A strange sensation that arose in his presence. Like a crushing pain in the chest, but without any damage. As if an echo of suffering in the Force. Therefore, Revan tried not to meet this... creature. Malak gave him orders. What became of Sion after the Empire's collapse, the former Jedi did not know.
"This resourceful young man had an amazing talent," Scourge replied instead of Mitra. "He could concentrate on the pain from his wounds, feeding on hatred and calling on the Dark Side for help. The Force did not let him die, even from mortal wounds."
"When we last met, he barely resembled a living person. More like a shattered clay figurine that had been glued back together, but not all the pieces were found. Gray skin, riddled with open, but not bleeding wounds, and instead of one eye - a solid cataract," Surik grimaced. "He even survived the explosion of a starship while on board. A true monster."
"How did you manage to stop him?" Revan asked the question that interested him.
"I convinced him to stop clinging to life," Mitra shrugged.
"Just like that?" the former Jedi was surprised.
"Not at all simple," Surik shook her head. "As I said, I had to bring him to a state where he couldn't continue fighting several times. Only then could he be made to listen."
"When you live as long as he did, the thought of the end naturally creeps into your head. All that remains is to push consciousness towards it," Scourge said sadly.
Revan shifted his gaze to the Sith.
"He reminds you of yourself, doesn't he?" the former Jedi guessed.
The pure-blood thought for a second and shook his head.
"Not exactly," Scourge replied. "My pain was a consequence of immortality. A side effect of a cursed ritual. His, however, was the root cause of life against death."
Revan nodded thoughtfully, accepting the answer.
"But we are also united by the experience of years lived," the Sith added. "Did you know that Sion participated in Exar Kun's rebellion?"
"No," the former Jedi shook his head. "But if you think about it, compared to you, he didn't live that long."
"And we both made the wrong choice when deciding whose side to take."
Revan broke the silence that had fallen again.
"Who was the second one?" he asked. "The one who managed to return? Sion doesn't quite fit that description."
Scourge smiled enigmatically.
"You know him well too."
Revan recoiled and took a step back, guessing who Scourge meant.
"He survived?!"
"The Emperor is not so easily killed, you know that better than anyone," the Sith nodded.
"How?!"
"If I knew," the pure-blood said vaguely. "We dealt with him together with the Hero of Tython. Vitiate was dead. But some part of him obviously survived. Time and time again, he moved from body to body, returning to life, until he finally acquired a permanent vessel. Taking the name Valkorion, he declared himself Emperor again, but no longer considered himself a Sith. Valkorion, ruler of the Eternal Empire, waged war simultaneously against the Republic and the Sith Empire."
"Ambitious," Revan grunted. "And foolish. A war on two fronts is too costly and is doomed to failure, because even in case of victory, the state will be too exhausted to maintain order. Rebellions of the discontented will tear the country apart, and the government will face civil war and will inevitably be overthrown... or destroy itself."
"Everything is exactly like that," Scourge agreed. "But the Emperor was too vain and arrogant."
"The Force and immortality went to his head," Mitra remarked. "And this fancy name? Eternal Empire?"
"It's very similar to the Infinite Empire of the Rakata," Revan agreed. "We all remember how it ended last time."
"The Eternal Empire met the same fate," the Sith continued. "Valkorion fell at the hands of his own son. And his Empire was torn apart by the united Republicans and Sith."
"And yet, he died," Revan noted with a smile.
"One should never speak with certainty about Vitiate's death," Scourge shook his head. "He returned once. He may return again."
Revan found nothing to object to. He personally knew the Emperor, fought against him, and was connected to his mind for three hundred years. If anyone understood the full depth of Scourge's words about Vitiate, it was Revan.
And yet, despite his hatred for the ancient enemy, the former Jedi understood that his experience was the best thread that could lead to understanding immortality. To uncovering another secret of the Force. This gave him a chance that there was a real possibility to bring back to life someone who had already merged with the Force. And that means - there is a chance for Bastila's return.
"I must find out how he managed to return," Revan stated confidently, looking up at Scourge.
Fragments of the knowledge Vitiate possessed flashed in the former Jedi's memory. Over three hundred years of their struggle, Revan managed to absorb some of his opponent's experience, which allowed him to understand the Force even more deeply. And, possibly, led to Revan's consciousness splitting in two, because of which he himself almost brought the Emperor back to life. However, the former Jedi remembered almost nothing about these events. The memory of the second personality seemed not to belong to him and therefore almost completely dissolved into the streams of the Force.
Scourge, meanwhile, pondered Revan's words. After all, the pure-blood Sith himself had once asked these questions. How did Vitiate manage to return? What exactly did he do to Scourge? Where did he draw this knowledge from?
And Scourge had made some progress. It's just that he hadn't been able to figure it out all these years. He was a warrior, not a scholar. And even thousands and thousands of hours studying the few records of Vitiate and Valkorion could not give him the main thing - understanding.
A different mindset was needed here. And perhaps Revan possessed just that.
The Sith took a small pyramid from one of the hidden pockets of his armor, which fit easily in his palm.
"Take it," Scourge offered the device to Revan.
Revan looked with surprise at the object in the Sith's palm. At first, the former Jedi thought it was a holocron, but he felt no response in the Force.
"Datacron?" he clarified.
"Yes," the Sith nodded. "I didn't have enough knowledge to create a full holocron, but I gathered all the information I knew about Vitiate's rituals in this repository. Perhaps you will understand more."
Revan took the pyramid from Scourge's hands and, after turning it in his palm for a bit, activated it. The built-in projector created a small holo-screen above the pyramid's apex, displaying several text entries, which Revan quickly scanned, noting a few points of interest.
"Symbols I encountered in the Trayus Academy," the former Jedi mentally noted. "And this is in Mando'a? Interesting."
The datacron contained a lot of information, but at first glance, it was not structured, and in some places, it resembled a retelling of unconfirmed rumors and legends. It was necessary to study everything carefully to understand where to move next. But this was already the first step.
"Thank you," Revan thanked sincerely, bowing slightly to Scourge.
"The opportunity to help you is an honor for me, teacher," the Sith replied, bowing much deeper in return.
"Just promise me something, Revan," Mitra reminded them of her presence again.
"What?"
"You won't let this knowledge drive you mad," Surik said grimly. "Scourge's occasional breakdowns are enough for me."
"You supported me for three hundred years. Then you watched over Scourge for another four thousand. You convinced an immortal to voluntarily die," the former Jedi began to list.
"And I'm tired of constantly fixing your brains," Surik snorted.
"With such experience," Revan chuckled, "I couldn't find a better psychologist."
"Hahaha," Mitra laughed falsely. "Resurrection didn't do your sense of humor any good."
"Neither did yours," Revan parried.
"Well, I didn't resurrect," the girl smirked, demonstratively waving her semi-transparent hand.
Shaking off the tension through this light, humorous banter, Revan thanked his old acquaintances again for the priceless gift that gave him a chance to reclaim a long-lost treasure.
"Just be careful," Mitra asked again. "Ancient rituals and Sith alchemy... It's all the Dark Side."
"Perhaps no one has simply tried to use them differently," Revan smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry, I'll manage. I'm no stranger to the Dark Side, and I know its tricks very well."
"I hope so," Surik sent a smile in return. "I wouldn't want to gather half the gifted people in the galaxy again to stop you."
"Again?"
"Forget it, that was just a part of you."
Revan nodded thoughtfully, believing that Mitra was talking about those events that were almost erased from his memory.
"And don't forget my request," Scourge reminded him. "Or rather, don't forget the threat that will soon come to the galaxy. Whether you want it or not, it will affect everyone. And you won't have time for a happy family life."
This hint made Revan frown again.
"As I said, I can do little in my current situation," the former Jedi replied. "I have no army or fleet behind me. No more Empire and no Star Forge. Although... you said something about me not knowing everything? What did you mean?"
"You have more than you think," Scourge grinned.
"For example?"
"Aren't you behind the Blood Talons, whose informants have suddenly appeared throughout the galaxy? Connected with the Hutt Cartel and even subjugated the Black Sun on Coruscant?"
"Where do you get so much information about me?" Revan asked, not alarmed, but rather surprised.
"As I said, the Force sends me visions of what to pay attention to," the Sith smiled slyly. "And I've managed to build up connections over four thousand years, no matter how much I tried to hide. What can you do, a Sith can't sit idly by. And even less so not to follow events around."
"Intrigue is in your blood," Revan grunted.
"Indeed," the pure-blood snarled.
"In any case, the Talons are just a means of gathering information and, perhaps, in the future, they will become a tool for subtle manipulation in the political sphere. But they are not real power. The Cartel will crush them in a day if necessary," Revan reasoned aloud. "According to your words, we will have to fight. And the galaxy needs to be prepared for physical, not ideological confrontation."
"Everything is so," the Sith agreed.
"Then I will need an army," Revan spread his hands. "A real army, trained soldiers and officers, equipment, a fleet... It will take years to build all this and train personnel. I don't even want to think about the costs. I don't have such means, and I'm unlikely to get them in the next decade."
"Why build what has already been built?" the pure-blood remarked.
"Are you suggesting creating some kind of galactic union? From whom? Worlds ready to secede from the Republic?" Revan suggested. "I suppose that's exactly what Sidious plans to do, judging by his remarks, right?"
"Insight has always been your strong suit," Scourge nodded. "But I'm not suggesting you join him. I'm suggesting you act as a third party."
The former Jedi shook his head.
"Even if I wanted to get involved in the brewing conflict, create a union from what's left? Are you serious?" Revan tilted his head slightly in a questioning gesture. "Have you seen their armies? Even what the Republic has is laughable! Compared to these old tubs, even the hammerhead of my era looks much more advanced! And an interdictor or a centurion could be immediately brought to Coruscant's orbit and claim the planet."
"You're exaggerating," Surik retorted, bursting into laughter. "It's not that bad."
"The Republic, according to the archives, hasn't participated in major wars for quite some time. Technological development seems to have stalled. The army has been abolished, and only the Judicial Forces have a more or less combat-ready fleet," Revan continued. "No wonder the Trade Federation blockaded Naboo on a full scale. Who were they afraid of?"
"Revan," Mitra tried to calm her friend.
"They only needed one ship to capture an entire planet belonging to the Republic!" Revan exclaimed. "One! Just one TRADE vessel, damn it! And how did the Senate react? Surprise! Not at all!"
The former Jedi, feeling himself getting more and more heated, exhaled and continued in a much calmer tone.
"It's just like back then, Mitra," he shook his head. "The Republic is on the verge of war, but everyone stubbornly ignores this fact. They will repeat the Mandalorian Wars, the lesson of which they seem to have forgotten."
"So maybe it's worth reminding them?" Scourge suggested.
"Not funny," Revan waved his hand. "To stand by and watch millions of innocents die? Or worse, to lead this genocide?"
"But diplomacy can also be used," Mitra reminded him.
"A diplomat who has no army behind him or anything valuable that cannot be taken by force will simply be ignored," the former head of an entire Empire shook his head. "You can't just get onto the political stage. It's also a battlefield, only everyone hides their weapons behind pretty words and false smiles, and they strike exclusively from behind and in the back."
"So, there is no other way but conflict," Scourge concluded without a hint of a smile.
"Don't play with me, Scourge," Revan warned in an icy voice. "You're trying to drag me into something I wasn't even going to get involved in. What goals are you pursuing? Whose will are you carrying out?"
The Sith's eyes flashed with a scarlet light.
"I haven't served anyone for many years," he almost growled in response. "Only the Force is my judge, and I care for its well-being."
"And yet, you are perfectly aware of the situation in the galaxy, you know Sidious's plans, you know who resurrected me, you suggest participating in a galactic war, and you keep beating around the bush, hiding behind vague hints," Revan accused, crossing his arms over his chest. "Stop acting like a Sith. After all your words about 'honor,' 'teacher,' and so on, I deserve honest treatment. The truth."
For a few seconds, Scourge and Revan stared at each other until the pure-blood finally closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"You're right," he nodded. "I apologize. In my long life, I have obviously forgotten how to communicate with friends. If I ever knew how. Sith are not taught openness, as you yourself know."
"I know, and that's why I ask you to answer the question directly," Revan nodded. "What do you want from me? Why did you summon me here?"
"I want you to save this world. For the Force to continue its existence. So that I can find peace."
"More riddles," the former Jedi snorted.
"I can't explain it any other way," Scourge shook his head.
"And what kind of trust can there be then?"
The Sith did not answer.
"But you trust me, don't you?" Mitra interceded for the pure-blood. "I never let you down in life. I have no reason to do so now."
Revan didn't know what to say to that. It would all be much simpler if it were just a delusion, a trick, or an echo in the Force, but no... The ghost of Mitra Surik was real. And there was nothing to object to her words. She went to war with him against the Council's will. She followed his orders without question. She saved him more than once from a fate worse than death. She and Alec were his most loyal comrades and close friends. If anyone was dear to Revan, besides Bastila, it was these two.
"I believe you, but..." the former Jedi shifted his gaze to Scourge. "Too often my trust has backfired."
Mitra closed her eyes understandingly and nodded.
"I understand, old friend, and I won't ask you for blind faith in someone you haven't gotten to know as well as I have," Surik pointed to the Sith. "But I ask you, don't rush. Give him a chance."
"A chance? Everyone deserves a chance," Revan said tiredly, rubbing the visor of his mask.
He wanted to get on board the Eagle as soon as possible and leave this cursed world.
"Well, I ask for nothing more," Scourge said again.
"But proof of your intentions wouldn't hurt," Revan remarked.
The Sith nodded.
"I understand. And you've already received it," the pure-blood pointed to the pyramid that Revan was still turning in his hands. "If you wish to be convinced of my intentions, read section 3-17-A9."
Revan nodded, putting the pyramid into his pouch. Somewhere on the edge of his sensitivity, he caught a faint disturbance in the Force, as if the life of a gifted person had been cut short somewhere on the planet. Listening to himself and checking his connection with Anakin and Maul, Revan calmed down a little. Both his students were alive, although they didn't feel entirely comfortable.
"Well, I think we should part ways here," Scourge suggested.
"How can I contact you when... if, I still risk believing you?" the former Jedi clarified.
"The code to my communicator is in the datacron. I rarely leave Dromund Kaas, and you can always find me here."
"And you just need to call me," Mitra smiled. "I will answer your call, wherever you are."
"Thank you," Revan thanked sincerely.
"Go in peace, old friend," Surik nodded in return. "And may the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you," Revan replied, watching as his friend's silhouette dissolved before his eyes. "Scourge... Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again," the pure-blood nodded solemnly, then turned and disappeared into the shadows at the far end of the throne room.
After standing for a little longer, fixing his gaze on the half-destroyed throne, Revan pulled the hilt of his lightsaber, damaged in the fight with Scourge and requiring a new power cell, and left the throne room.
At the exit, Nomad was waiting for him, fully ready for battle, as evidenced by the blaster carbine aimed at him.
"Cool down, Nomad," Revan raised his hands. "The threat has passed."
"I'll cool down when we're a couple of light-years away from this place," the mercenary snorted, lowering the barrel. "What happened there?"
"A meeting with an old acquaintance," the former Jedi replied vaguely.
"And that's why you look like you've been dancing with a rancor?"
Revan looked himself over as best he could. And indeed, he looked quite a sight. His right bracer was crushed, there were scorch marks and a lightsaber burn on his chest, his cloak was burned and torn in several places. All the signs of a fierce battle were on his face.
"Meetings of old friends don't always go smoothly," Revan chuckled, running a finger over a melted scratch on his chest plate.
"Pfft, whatever you say," Tira said irritably. "Can we get out of here already?"
"The sooner, the better."
"Thank the ancestors," the mercenary replied sarcastically. "You'll drag your horned student yourself."
Revan looked at the bound Zabrak.
"How is he?"
"Sedated."
"Good decision."
"Not my first time hunting," Nomad replied with a hint of pride. "Are we returning the same way?"
R2, who had been standing silently until then, perked up and readily displayed a holographic map with the exit marked on it.
"No, there might be a pack of malaks or worse waiting at the exit," Revan shook his head. "Thanks for the help, R2, but we'll go another way."
"How, if it's not a secret?" Tira asked.
"Through the landing pad," the former Jedi explained. "I think it survived. And if not, the main thing is to get out somewhere higher. HK can pick us up on the Eagle."
"We should have landed here like this too."
"There was no certainty that the Citadel's defenses were not functioning."
"Well, shall we go then?"
"Let's go," the former Jedi agreed.
After meeting with Scourge and Mitra, Revan plunged into thought. He needed to consider and accept too much to simply dismiss it or push it into a distant corner of his memory.
A four-thousand-year-old Sith Lord asked him for help! That fact alone was enough to fall into a stupor for a long time. But Revan couldn't afford blissful inaction. It wasn't in his character.
Four thousand years ago, he couldn't stand aside and watch the Mandalorians conquer the Republic. He couldn't ignore the Emperor's threat either, going to Dromund Kaas for the very first time. Perhaps that's why the new personality created by the Council so easily settled on the shattered consciousness of the former Jedi, corresponding to his desire to act?
Revan couldn't give a definitive answer.
In any case, the meeting with old acquaintances took a little less than two hours. Scourge told him a lot about what was happening in the galaxy now; after all, the Sith tried to keep track of the situation. However, Revan felt that the pure-blood preferred to hide even more information.
The datacron might provide answers, but for some reason, the former Jedi was sure that instead of answers, only more questions would arise.