Judgement
Bastila looked around the cockpit of the Ebon Hawk for what she thought would be the last time and sighed. After Orion Kaaztra, who was formerly Darth Revan (and now was the love of her life) had saved her on the Star Forge, she had not wanted to be near anyone, not even him. She felt diseased, as if the dark taint had never left her. There was one thing she particularly dreaded right now though.
“Bastila,” Orion called out interrupting her thoughts suddenly “you know you have to go see the council.” Bastila could hear him walking around the ship. he eventually found her sitting on her bed, brooding. he sat down next to her and looked at her. he could feel her worry and distress. “Hey, it’s going to be alright,” he said, rubbing her back, “Hell, take a look at me, they took me back, and I was the Dark Lord of the Sith!” she looked at him with melancholy eyes.
“I’ve told you before, you were a special case. Even master Zhar said so.” She said.
“You’re special too you know.” He replied, smiling.
“To you yes, I know that,” she said, her voice quavering momentarily, “but I-” Orion cut her off.
“None of that now.” Orion said, wrapping his arms around her. She welcomed his presence, and the reassurance it offered. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“Do you really think they’ll take me back?” she asked, still uncertain.
“I know they will.” he said. Bastila looked at him for a long time, and suddenly kissed him on the cheek. They both stood and left the ebon hawk. Moments later they were standing before the Jedi Council on Coresaunt, Bastila in the center of the room with Orion at her side.
“Bastila Shan, you have been called before this council to see if you are found suitable to return to the Jedi Order,” Master Vandar said “is there anything you wish to say before we begin?”
“I will accept what ever judgement the council deems suitable.” she said, her face like stone. She could feel Orion trying to reassure her through their bond and was comforted.
“Very well,” Vandar said “as there are extenuating circumstances involved, we are willing to recognize Revan, or rather, Orion, at this point,” he continued “is there anything you wish to say?”
“Only that Bastila did help the Republic Fleet using her battle meditation, giving them plenty of opportunity to destroy the Star Forge.” he said.
“This has been taken into consideration already, but it is suitable to remind those present of this, thank you.” Vandar said. The council again turned its full attention to Bastila. Orion could feel her worrying and tried to reassure her again.
“So Bastila, How did it happen?” one of the Masters asked suddenly. It was Atris, the historian. Her eyes had a malicious glint in them. Orion’s eyes flashed angrily, and his hands twitched towards his lightsabers. “What right do you have to ask that? You’re not one of the Speakers!” he said angrily.
“Atris, Orion, the council has not recognized either of you at this time,” Master Vrook said. “I would also would suggest you control your emotions better Revan, or you will be ejected from this room.” Vrook said. Bastila stood there, her face emotionless. Orion and Atris glared at each other.
“I was captured on board the Leviathan by Malak,” she said suddenly, surprising the council and Orion by answering Atris. Bastila even turned to face her. “After trying to stall Malak to let Orion, Carth and our other companions get away, I tried to escape, but Malak captured me and subjected me to torture for a week on Lehon, the Rakatan home world. With the influence of the Star Forge so close and Malak’s torture, he broke my will and fed me lies about the council and myself.” here she paused for a moment, Orion could feel her trying to collect herself. As a result, I turned to the dark side out of fear and in anger. I found power, and was trapped by my own darkness.” she finished. The council was silent as the Masters processed this information.
“this news of torture sheds new light on the situation,” Vandar said, “the Trial will temporarily adjourn to debate on this, it is most unexpected news. We request that you remain in one of the nearby rooms, this could take a while and there are other factors yet to be taken into consideration.” Vandar said.
“As you wish,” Bastila and Orion said. They left the council room and were escorted from there to another room. It was an extremely high quality holding cell in a sense. There was a video projector and some furniture. there was also a holo-shelf up against a wall. Bastila sat down in a chair after grabbing a holo from the shelf and immersed herself in it. Orion pulled a chair up in front of her so that he was facing her. she looked up at him.
“What are you reading?” he asked.
“It’s…um…” she quickly looked up the title, “it’s called A History of Coresaunt.” she almost laughed
“It’s okay to talk to me you know,” he said. taking the holo from her gently and placing it on a nearby table. “are you okay?” he asked “I could feel your pain when you spoke to Atris.” Bastila stared at him sadly. “it’ll be okay,” he said, giving her a weak smile. it tore him apart to see her like this.
“how can you be sure?” she asked.
“well…I can’t really be sure…I’ll tell you what, though. if they dont take you back, we’ll run away together,” he said a spark in his eyes that Bastila was oh so familiar with, “we’ll leave the order, like Jolee did. although I’d rather not got to Kashyyyk.” Bastila laughed when he said this, but it was quickly stifled.
“I don’t even know what to say to that,” she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Orion smiled at her.
“you could say yes,” he said smiling. Suddenly the door opened and two Jedi came into the room.
“Orion Kaaztra, the council requires your presence.” the elder of the two said. Orion looked at Bastila in surprise and stood. the two Jedi escorted him back to the council chambers, leaving Bastila alone in the room by herself. she got out of the chair and went to the window and looked out. the sun was setting and some of the speeders flying by the window reflected the light into her eyes. she watched the traffic outside, lost in thought.
“you wanted to see me, Masters?” Orion said as he entered the room.
“Yes,” Vandar said, “we are interested in the events concerning Bastila’s capture.” he said.
“Bastila mentioned something about trying to stall Malak so you and your companions could escape.” master Loyola said. “The council wishes to here your version of this.”
“As you wish,” Orion said. After a short pause, he began “It is true that Bastila sacrificed herself to save me and the others.” Orion said “We were trying to escape the Leviathan, that is Bastila, Carth and myself, as our other companions had made it safely to the Ebon Hawk. Unfortunately, Malak arrived earlier than we’d anticipated. Malak told me who I really was and then used the Force to paralyze Bastila and Carth, and challenged me to a duel. Like I said earlier, Bastila sacrificed herself to save us, and was captured. Carth convinced me not to let her sacrifice be in vain, though I would have tried to save her had Carth not stopped me.” Vandar stopped him for a moment
“And why is that?” he asked.
“Beg your pardon?” Orion asked.
“why would you have gone back?” Vrook asked impatiently.
“We have a bond I’m sure you’re all aware of…” Orion said feebly, realizing his blunder.
“When you said you would’ve returned for her, it had more passion than a Force bond behind it.” Atris said a victorious smile on her face. Orion glared at her.
“This proves nothing! I would have done the same for any other of my companions.” Orion said in a calm voice as he tried to control himself.
“I believe him,” Loyola said suddenly, “They had all been traveling together for a while, many since they left Taris, including Bastila.” She looked at Orion and winked. Orion’s blood ran cold, and he knew that he would have to speak with Master Loyola before they left Coresaunt. He and Bastila both.
“I agree with master Loyola.” Vandar said “Atris, you would do well to remember your place.” he continued.
“Do you know anything else concerning Bastila’s capture, or her fall?” Vrook asked.
“Juhani, Jolee and I confronted her atop the Temple of the Ancients.” Orion said, being cautious with his words “She said Malak had shown her the ‘truth’ about the Council and how they, or you rather, were holding her back.” he left out the part where he confessed his love to Bastila.
“This will be taken into consideration.” Vandar said. He exchanged a quick glance with Vrook. “If you’d be willing, master Vrook and I have an idea we’d like to try.”
“Yes?” Orion said, curious.
“We understand you and Bastila had been sharing visions that turned out to be your memories as Revan,” Vrook said
“And you want me to try to access hers, huh?” Orion finished for him.
“Yes, if you will comply.” Vandar said.
“I will try.” Orion said. He looked around the room and then closed his eyes. He searched his mind for the part where her could feel Bastila’s presence. When he located it, he concentrated on it and amplified it. He tugged and pulled on the link until he had brought Bastila close enough. To him it was almost like she was standing right next to him. Back in the holding cell, Bastila was experiencing much the same thing. Before Orion tried to access her memories, he use the bond to inform Bastila of the council’s wishes.
*They want to see what happened after you were captured onboard the Leviathan,* He told her, *I could just tell them that I can’t do it if you don’t wish them to see.*
*Let them look,* she said. *I want them to know my pain.* Orion could tell that she was on the verge of tears. Not of sadness or anger, but of emotional pain.
*Do not fret Bastila.* He said, wishing her strength. *They will have to take you back after they see what Malak did to you.* If he’d actually been standing next to her, she would’ve hugged him for that.
*Thank you.* She said
*Be strong my love.* Orion said. Then Orion delved into her memories, and brought up the ones of her at the mercy of Malak. He opened his eyes as light began to radiate forth from him.
“Behold, the atrocities of the Sith!” he said in a voice that was not his own. The room changed to a dark chamber in the Temple of the Ancients. Bastila was chained to a rock, and Malak was zapping her with Force Lightning.
“Give in to your hate, Bastila!” He said as he laughed. “Just think of your friends! They left you for dead!” Malak taunted. Bastila slumped downward, being held up only by the chains binding her to the rock.
“I…never…” she gasped “No!” Malak turned away in disgust. One of the dark Jedi in the room handed him something.
“So you recognize these Bastila?” he said as she pulled away from whatever Malak was holding. He held the transparent canister up to a light revealing the red centipede-like insects with long barbed tails inside it. Malak opened the container and dumped the bugs on Bastila as she squirmed and struggled. One stabbed its tail down into her shoulder and she screamed in pain. She must have frightened the other insects because they all stabbed her suddenly. This only elicited more cries of pain. Orion watched in horror and could feel anger burning through his body. The masters watched on, some unable to look away, others trying desperately to do so. Orion continued to watch as the insects that had stabbed her suddenly ignited into green flames, scorching her clothes and burning her skin. Suddenly everything went dark. The last thing to fade was Malak’s evil laughter.
“I believe that’s sufficient.” Vrook said in a shaky voice.
“Are you sure?” Orion said nastily, “or maybe you’d like to wait until she regains consciousness? after all, that was only half an hour.”
“No,” Vrook said strongly. The room returned to its normal apperance “And you would be wise not to speak to a master like that in the future. Remember your place, Revan.”
“My apologies Master,” Orion said looking down at the ground.
“you will be escorted back to the waiting room, we have much to discuss,” Vandar said.
“As you wish.” Orion said, and bowed himself out. As master Vandar said, he was escorted back to the room Bastila was in. Once the other Jedi had left Orion rushed over to Bastila and held her as she wept. The Council had forced Bastila to relive her most painful memories through him, and he felt partially responsible.
“I’m so sorry .” he said. Tears began to well up in his eyes from the strength of Bastila’s emotions and his own. He held her tightly, and let her cry on his shoulder. After a while Orion led Bastila over to one of the chairs and helped her sit down. He made sure she was okay, and went to the window, allowing her to collect herself. The two Jedi returned and informed them they’d be staying the night and set up two beds on opposite sides of the room.
“we’ll be right outside the door if you need anything,” one of them said as they left. Bastila looked at Orion and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He looked down at her and they kissed, Orion wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer to him, still kissing her. Eventually they broke apart and went to their separate beds. They were awoken the next day by someone banging on the door. They got dressed and were escorted back to the Council Chambers. once again Bastila stood in the center of the room with Orion at her side.
“I have personally reached my own decision on this matter.” Master Vandar said. “However the trial is still open for deliberation.”
“I see no reason to continue,” Vrook said, “I personally believe Bastila should be allowed to return to the Order.” there was a general consensus and nodding of heads. Atris refused to look at Bastila or Orion.
“In light of the circumstances, I agree.” Vandar said, “Bastila Shan, you are officially readmitted to the Jedi order, by authority of the Jedi High Council. May this serve as a lesson to you and those around you that even the best may fall. May the Force be with us all.” Vandar said
“Thank you, Masters,” Bastila said with a bow. she turned to leave and Orion bowed and followed her out. They walked silently through the halls of the temple.
“well, I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.” Orion said once they were back on the Ebon Hawk. Bastila smiled as they prepped for take off.
“I love you,” she said and kissed him.
“I love you too.” Orion said with a smile. “I suppose we have to go get the others then…” Orion paused. “Um Bastila? I…uh, I think we should go talk to Master Loyola…I think she might know something we need to know.” Bastila stared at him, confused.
“Lets go get the others first,” Bastila said. “then we can go talk to Master Loyola.” Orion nodded and they left for the apartment their friends were at.
This is my first fan fiction, I hope you like it!