Carth held his breath as the submersible they were in plunged beneath the surface of Manaan. The tiny ship only held three people. He was crushed against the wall by Zaalbar on one side, while … Revan sat opposite them. I still don't know what to call her.

Roland Waan had said it would take almost an hour to reach Hrakert. That left a lot of time. Carth watched her as she stared out the window in fascination and almost smiled at the hint of wonder in her eyes. And he asked before he could stop himself.

"Why did you do that, back at the base?" Carth began abruptly. She turned to him, frowning slightly.

"Why did I do what?" she asked.

"With the Selkath youngsters. The tortured one, and the others."

"Aren't last rites common on Telos?" She shifted awkwardly. "It seemed the right thing to do. And the amulet was obviously important."

"So you went charging back through a heavily armed Sith base to give it back? Without even knowing if there were other Selkath there?"

"Well, yes."

"And when you found them, misguided as they were, you didn't try to recruit them."

"No." She looked vaguely confused.

"You didn't use six strong, willing Sith applicants to your advantage," Carth continued.

"No, I didn't." She spoke carefully.

"You instead told them that the Sith are evil, gave the amulet back as proof, and ensured that they all got out and back home to their families."

"Yes. You were there. You know all this." She looked very confused now. Carth sighed.

"Revan turned Sith followers back to the light and insisted the Sith as a whole are evil," he spelled out. She blinked.

"Oh." She paused. "Yes. She … I did."

"Why?" Carth asked. She frowned and said nothing. After a moment she looked out the window again. Carth was about to consider the conversation over when he heard her speak, very softly.

"I don't know," she said.

They made the rest of the trip in silence.

o-o-o-o-o-o

It was quickly obvious that there would be no saving these Selkath the way the ones on the surface had been. The entire party looked queasy as they saw the blood and strewn, gnawed limbs that were evidence of the aliens' madness. Even so, it was hard for Rhian to bring her blades against them. They'd been brainwashed, or something similar. It wasn't their fault.

"It would be kinder to end their suffering," Zaalbar had growled. Rhian had nodded, and only then had her warrior's focus returned, allowing her to fight without fear.

Carth watched it all and wondered. Is she just doing it to relieve her own guilt? Is it a front? How can Revan suddenly be so good? Is that Revan? And if she's not…

A huge, hairy hand on his shoulder broke him out of it. Zaalbar growled something at him that seemed admonishing and encouraging at the same time. Carth could take a hint.

"Sorry. Let's go." Carth brought up his guns, Zaalbar hefted his bowcaster, and they continued down the halls. They came across a few bits of research tech, including a sonic emitter of some kind. Carth couldn't figure out what it was for. Then, as they entered a side room with a glass wall, a huge shadow passed overhead. Carth had Rhian flat against the wall with his gun at the ceiling before he realized the thing, whatever it was, was outside.

"It's a shark," came a voice from behind his shoulder. He looked down to see Rhian both smiling and terrified. "A very large firaxan shark." A tense moment passed as the shark made its way by. When its tail fins were no longer visible, Carth relaxed and stepped away from the wall, turning to face her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, reaching out to steady her. She was still smiling, but much more calmly.

"Yes, thank you." She shook herself, checked her lightsabers, and stepped into the middle of the room. "Let's keep going."

Eventually they came to an airlock and a dead end. They had managed to salvage one complete environment suit from the wreckage of the facility — one small suit.

"I guess that's me, then," the woman said with a wry grin, looking up at her companions.

"I don't like this," Zaalbar growled to her. "It's too open out there, and you won't be able to move very quickly."

"I know," she said. "But it's our only option." She stepped into the lower half of the suit and wobbled. Carth grabbed her arm.

"Need a hand?" he asked, with that same playful tone he always used to use. She looked at him, surprised and pleased.

"That might help," she replied. Carth reached up put one hand flat against her back, holding her arm steady with the other. She swung her other leg up and into the suit. Carth reached for the upper half of the suit, which was apparently in several pieces. There was laughter and some awkward shifting as they worked out how it went. At one point Carth had to reach around to bring some straps from the back to fasten at the front. He stopped as he found himself with his arms around her, face inches away from hers. He could feel her breath on his skin, and his heart skipped a beat. He fastened the straps gently, never breaking contact.

"You don't have to go, you know," he found himself saying.

"Are you worried?" she said lightly, though her voice wavered slightly. Carth gave a lopsided smile.

"Haven't you got me figured out by now? I'm always worried."

"Well, don't be." She brought up one large gloved hand and seemed to reach for his face, then thought better of it and patted him on the shoulder instead. "I'll always come back." She stepped out of his hold, breaking the moment, and picked up the helmet. "Zaalbar, keep him out of trouble while I'm gone. I should be able to come back this way when it's done."

"Stay safe," Zaalbar whuffed. The small woman put on the helmet, keyed open the airlock, and was gone.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Carth could not remember the last time waiting for something had been so painful. Usually, if he was going into battle, he'd be doing something. He'd be able to fight. But here he was trapped beneath an alien ocean, miles away the surface, miles away from her. Anything could happen.

He couldn't properly explain his fear. Even since the morning of the Sith base raid things had been … different. Seeing her just forgive all those Selkath Sith students and help them move away from that darker path had moved something in him. To have their sins recognized and forgiven, to be shown a better way … I want that, I think. But he had no idea how.

Carth and Zaalbar took turns eyeing the outside ocean and the door to the rest of the facility. It was while Zaalbar was looking outside and Carth was peering down the empty grey halls that the explosion sounded. It was terrible, like the roar of the gods. The lights flickered, the ground shook. Carth threw himself across the room to peer out of the window beside Zaalbar. The kolto harvester in Hrakert Rift was in pieces, magnesium flashes sparking in the water before dying out. As they watched a huge shape rose from the Rift. It looked like a giant shark, one that made the monsters outside look like tiny fish. And just below the horizon was a soft glow, the kind Carth had learned to recognize.

"Star Map," he said quietly. Zaalbar grunted his agreement. They stood and watched for any sign of movement. One long, tense minute passed, then another. Nothing.

I failed, Carth found himself thinking. I failed her again.

No, she couldn't be dead. Not her. Never her. He smacked one hand against the glass.

"Come on," Carth muttered through gritted teeth. "I know you can do it. You're strong, you're brave, and you've seen worse. Come on!"

There was a crash and a sudden klaxon from down the hall, followed by the thump of an external airlock. Carth drew his guns and sprinted out of the room. He dashed across the building, listening for the sound of rushing water, Zaalbar's pounding footsteps right behind him. He skidded into a disused side room just as the inner airlock opened and a figure in an environment suit stumbled in. Carth held his breath as the figure reached up and popped off the helmet.

"Sorry for the late entrance," Rhian said. "I had to make a detour." Carth gave a whoop and picked her up in an embrace, suit and all. Zaalbar followed suit, engulfing both of them. They laughed with giddy relief.

o-o-o-o-o-o

They were much more sober by the time they reached the surface. This was just as well, because the moment they stepped out of the pod, Manaan officials descended on them on the spot. They were faced with Revan first.

"Who are you and what do you want?" she asked before they could speak. Her natural presence seemed to fill the room. The Selkath spokesperson hesitated for a moment but did not back down.

"Human," he began in his strange tongue. "We have detected a number of underwater detonations around Hrakert Rift."

"And?" Revan asked, with that tilt of her brow.

"You are known to have been asking questions about that area, and our spy cameras in the Republic Embassy recorded you leaving in a submersible to Hrakert Rift."

"You have spy cameras in the Embassy? Isn't that illegal?"

"Silence! You will come with us immediately to answer for your actions, or we will be forced to take you by … force!" The official blustered, clearly upset. At this Revan backed down a little, giving the Selkath a considering glance. Then she held out her hands.

"Fine. I'll come peacefully. But you must not harm any of my companions, understood?" Her pointed look made the Selkath shake his head rapidly in some kind of alien response.

"Your companions will be detained on your ship, which will be grounded." He bound her hands, and his two companions bound Carth and Zaalbar. Carth jerked his hands from their grasp as she was lead away.

"Rhian!" He called. She looked over her shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Carth," she said. "Tell the others." Then she let the official take her away.

o-o-o-o-o-o

It was almost evening when they finally called the trial. Rhian entered the room calmly, still bound. The crew of the Ebon Hawk sat in a row of seats, each told to be ready as witnesses if the trial required. She stood like a statue as the judges expounded on the importance of the Rift, its kolto, and the neutrality it gave their planet. Carth swallowed his rising panic. The Selkath were deadly serious this time, that much was clear. If she'd done something they didn't like …

Finally the judges asked the important question: "What have you done to the Rift?" Revan regarded them all coolly.

"The explosions were at the research facility both our governments set up there," she said.

"Research station? There is no such thing! What lies are these?" One Selkath judge proclaimed.

"We know of this," another said.

Division in the ranks, Carth noted with surprise.

"What has happened at the research station?" The calm judge asked. "What caused the explosions?"

"The machinery had woken up a giant firaxan shark," Revan said. A mutter swept across the courtroom.

"A giant firaxan shark?" one Selkath said.

"Could it be…?" asked another.

"Impossible! It is only a legend!"

"But she said she killed it, didn't she?" At this all eyes fell on Revan. The calm judge spoke.

"Did you kill this shark, human?"

"I destroyed the machinery to save it," Revan replied. She seemed a bit puzzled by their reaction, but she didn't hesitate. She believed what she said. The Selkath gasped.

"The Progenitor!" one cried. "It must have been!"

"That is not for outsiders to hear," the calm judge said warningly.

"But she said she saved it … she destroyed the harvester to save it."

"Why did you do this, human?"

"What do you mean?" Revan asked.

"Why did you destroy this harvester, this asset to your people's war, to save a shark?" The calm judge asked, Revan stood silent for a moment, lips pursed.

"I … there are many of my people who would have put that harvester and the kolto it provides us first. Even the general Revan might have done so, in the days of combat with the Mandalorians. Such understanding of the ruthless calculus of war is what many believe we need to survive.

"But I've seen what we've lost from that way of thinking. And I can't do that. I won't kill something just because it's convenient, not if there's another way. We have enough kolto to survive, provided you wish to maintain your ties to the Republic, and there was no need for the shark to die."

The room was filled with the buzz of murmured conversation between judges. After what felt like hours, they finally reconvened. The calm judge cleared his throat.

"We thank you for the destruction of the machinery and for saving the giant firaxan, which we believe may be the source of all kolto, or at least its guardian." Surprise flickered across the room. The judge continued. "We cannot detain you any longer. Though we cannot show our gratitude overtly, know that you have earned out respect."

"Thank you," Rhian bowed. And just like that, the trial was ended.

o-o-o-o-o-o

That night was a final night of celebration for the crew of the Ebon Hawk. The Star Map had been pieced together to show coordinates to a planet in an entirely unknown corner of the galaxy. The crew agreed that they needed to rest up and resupply before heading out. So, as Canderous put it, "tonight we drink, for tomorrow we may die."

The evening was progressing in a recreational complex much nicer than the bar Carth and Jolee had visited previously. This one had gambling, access to swoop racing, and alcohol from several different planets. Carth was not entirely certain how this was considered legal on Manaan, but, as he drank his first sip of palatable alcohol in months, he wasn't about to question it.

The crew had taken one large table in the corner near a viewscreen showing the day's swoop races. Their fearless leader had excused herself, presumably to order another round. Canderous sat in the far corner and had snorted at her exit. He looked over now and found Carth glaring at him.

"What?" The old mercenary asked.

"I could ask you the same thing. I know you're not much fun, but you've been awful to her since we got back from Hrakert Rift."

"Have I? So what? What do you care? You want to fight all her battles, lover boy?"

"I'm not —" Carth grimaced. "I know none of us need this right now, that's for sure," he amended. "So what's your problem?"

"My problem," Canderous repeated. He took a long swig of something very strong. "My problem is that the greatest warrior in the galaxy has gone soft. You heard her in there. 'The general Revan might have killed the shark, but I won't!'"

"She did the right thing!" Carth cried.

"The right thing?" Canderous spat. "The right thing would have been to strengthen your side in war. To put the good of your people and the defeat of your enemies above the life of one fluxxing shark!"

"You'd have had her destroy the lifeblood of this planet just to keep an edge over the Sith?"

"It's what Revan would have done! The Jedi should pay for making her so weak, especially when we need that strength the most."

"She is not weak!" Carth yelled, jumping to his feet. "Respect for life is not weakness! It's what makes us human! That was what Revan didn't understand, that was why Revan was defeated. She's not just Revan anymore!"

Dead silence greeted his proclamation. Mission stared at him with her mouth open. Canderous gave a short bark of laughter.

"You'd better tell her that," the Mandalorian said. Carth paused as his brain caught up with his mouth. Then without a word he grabbed his jacket and made his way to the bar.

She wasn't there.

"You lookin' for the cutie in black?" The Twi'lek bartender asked. Carth nodded. She pointed one purple finger at the door. "She went that way. Something about needing air."

"Thanks," Carth said, and sprinted out the door.

It was all clear now. And it was so simple, he didn't know how he'd missed it.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The sun was setting over Ahto, the last few rays flashing on the water. A faint breeze blew from the ocean, ruffling the hair of the woman who stood above on the viewing platform, leaning on the railing. Her lightsabers shone against the dull black of her clothing. Her red-gold hair was loose for once, cascading down her shoulders in waves.

Carth paused as he saw her silhouetted against the sunset. Memories of the last year came flooding back, all since that one fateful moment on the Endar Spire. There was a choice to make, for both of them. And he was making his.

"Rhian," Carth called quietly. She looked up, watched him carefully as he approached. He settled on the rail beside her. They stood like that for a long while, as the sun set entirely and the stars began to shine. Now that he was here, he didn't know where to start.

He didn't have to.

"Carth," Rhian said, shifting a little on his right. He looked down to see her looking right at him. "I think it's time we talked about me being Revan, don't you?"

"If you're ready to talk, then yes … so am I."

"And?" It was a simple question, a simple word, but he could see some of what lay behind it. There was fear in her eyes, and apprehension … and hope. He prayed it was for this.

"I … I can't hate you." He said it all in a rush. "I tried. Well, you saw that. I tried to hold you responsible for all the things you've done. For Malak, for my … my wife, for Telos … for Dustil. But I can't."

"Why not?" she asked carefully.

"Because you're not responsible, not for most of it. But it's more than that." He moved to face her. "I got the revenge I thought I wanted when Saul died, but it hasn't brought me the peace I thought it would. I could have gone further, to Malak, to the Sith … to Revan. But I won't."

"Don't you mean to me?" Rhian asked with a wry smile, brow tilted. It almost made him laugh, how similar she looked to those holos. But he shook his head.

"All I can think of now is the promise I made to protect you from what's coming. You, Rhian. Despite whatever part of Revan is inside you, the … the darkness that must surely be there, it isn't who you are. Not now. That's why I can't hate you." He leaned closer, but did not touch her. "And I know that any more vengeance I could take against anyone else would ultimately involve Revan. And you, with her past, would pay the price. And if I took it against me … I'd still hurt you. I can't let that happen."

"Carth …" Rhian said softly. He looked at her with eyes like fire.

"You don't have to be Revan," he said. "You can be so much more. You already are. Whatever the Jedi did to you, they gave you that chance. But now … you have this huge destiny waiting for you, and I just fear that if you're alone, it could swallow you whole."

"Alone? What are you saying?" Rhian asked. Carth took a deep breath.

"I mean, is there room in there for me? Will you let me help you?"

"I …" Rhian hesitated, pulling away slightly. "I don't want you hurt protecting me, Carth." She looked away. Carth gently put a finger under her chin and brought her gaze back to his.

"I think I'd be hurt worse if I didn't try," he said softly.

"What do you mean?" Rhian asked hesitantly. Carth put his hands on her shoulders.

"Whatever's happened up to this point, there's going to come a time very soon when you're going to have to make a choice. And there won't be any turning back." He relaxed his hold. "I want you to make the right choice. I want to give you a reason to."

"What … sort of reason?" Her breath was shallow, shoulders tense, hoping against hope. Carth, conversely, smiled.

"You gave me a future," he said. "I want to give you a future, too … with me. I …" Don't hesitate now, Onasi. Don't you dare. "I … think … I could love you, if you give me the chance."

Something flashed across Rhian's face. Doubt? A memory?

"I can't see the future, you know," she said with a hint of her old smuggler's swagger, covering it up. "I don't know what's going to happen."

"Neither do I. But does that really matter if we love each other?" Carth said earnestly.

Her smile came slowly, like the rising sun, growing brighter as she let the question sink in.

"I guess not," she said finally. She brought a hand to his cheek, caressing it softly. When he didn't pull away, she leaned in. "This is your chance," she whispered against his lips.

Carth pressed his lips to hers, gently. One hand pulled her close, as the other cupped her cheek. He felt her fingers run through his hair, and he kissed her again, passionately. She kissed him back, all fire, a year of need melting away. She smelled of open fields and fresh air and something sweet, which surprised him — a sudden vulnerability, a rose in thorns. When they finally broke apart, he was shaking, and so was she. Then, after a moment, she laughed.

"I think," Rhian said, grinning up at him, "I think I could love you, too."

"I'm glad," Carth said playfully. He slipped a hand in hers and held it. "Let's face the future together, then."

"Together," Rhian agreed.

Fin