From The Ashes of Empire

Cast of Characters


Nevara Kasta (Formerly Darth Revan) – Jedi Sentinel, smuggler and scoundrel. With the Star Forge destroyed it wasn’t long before she disappeared and reverted to her old ways, smuggling weapons and all manner of other goods along the outer rim worlds. The Jedi council fear Revan will one day revert to the dark side and return to lead the Sith into battle once more.


Aaron Blake – Nevara’s partner in crime, a pilot, smuggler and likable rogue who depends on Nevara to keep him out of the numerous and compromising scrapes he often finds himself in.


HK 47 – The assassin droid remains at Nevara’s side, as sarcastic, violent and willing to kill meatbags as he ever was.


Yuthura – She was spared from death on the Sith planet of Korriban. Yuthura is now Nevara’s companion and rarely far from her side. She continues to struggle with putting her past behind her and would undoubtedly return to the Sith if anything wherever to happen to Nevara.


Janice Nall – After her escape from Taris aboard the Ebon Hawk, she has remained with Nevara, an excellent ship and droid mechanic. Janice and Aaron are in something of a love, hate relationship, his antics with other women often results in heated confrontation between the two lovers.


Crew of the Shadow Wraith, a smuggling ship Blake won on Nar Shadaa, although it is quite smaller, it is very similar in design to the Ebon Hawk.


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Carth Onasi – Promoted to Admiral Onasi after his part in destroying the Star Forge, now a major player in the Republic and one of their highest decorated war heroes. In the absence of Nevara, both Carth and Bastila have looked to each other for comfort. Their relationship is frowned upon by the Jedi Order, but fearing another defection, no action has been taken against them.


Bastila – After her near fall to the dark side and her redemption thanks to her closest friend and lover Nevara, Bastila cannot bring herself to continue among the Jedi without knowing what happened to Nevara. Her feelings are confused and her judgment clouded by loyalty and love, the very reason Nevara left to spare Bastila what she was already feeling, knowing it could never be allowed if she stayed part of the Jedi Order. Bastila longs to search for Nevara, but also feels she is divided in loyalty to Carth, the Jedi Order and her companions, none of which she wishes to risk.


Mission Vao – Continues her Jedi training under Bastila, one of the brightest new hopes of the Jedi Order.


Zallbar – Unable to continue his life debt after the disappearance of Nevara, Zallbar continues to be Mission’s loyal companion.


Canderous Ordo – With Nevara gone, Canderous has for now stayed with his old travelling companions, Canderous and Selven often hire themselves out as bounty hunters, much to the despair of their prey.


Selven – The assassin Nevara spared and helped to escape Taris, the young woman has changed little except in her intense and often heated relationships with Canderous, and before him, Blake.


Juhani – Juhani is a lost soul without Nevara to guide her, much like Bastila she longs to be back at Nevara’s side. While Bastila struggles with her own feelings, Juhani would gladly give in to the love she feels for Nevara.


Jolee Bindo – Now a respected member of the Jedi Council and a master Jedi looking to lead his companions in the absence of Nevara. He is a reluctant but excellent leader who wishes to find Nevara and persuade her to return.


Belaya – Often the voice of reason during their journey to find the Star Forge, Belaya continues to rise within the Jedi Order and has gained a great deal of respect for the part she played in the destruction of the Star Forge.


Jennata – The young Jedi rescued from the undercity of Taris, one of Bastila’s retinue during the assault on Revan’s ship.


Shaleena – The outcast villager from Taris who Nevara brought off the planet and who along with Mission has proved to be one of the Order’s brightest young apprentices.


Ice – Ice continues to rise among the ranks of the most feared duellists on the core worlds, despite her cold nature, she still holds a soft spot for the woman who brought her off Taris, and the only woman ever to beat her in a duel.


Sarna – Along with Canderous, Selven, Zaerdra and Yun, they make up a bounty hunting group that has tracked down some of the Republics most notorious enemies. Sarna and Yun have long since forgotten their ties to the Sith, she will however always remember the night she partied and spent with Darth Revan.


Zaerdra – Often found reminiscing with the others who escaped Taris aboard the Ebon Hawk thanks to Nevara and Carth. She misses her old friends among the Hidden Beks and along with Mission and some of the others plans to return one day to see if they managed to survive.


Yun Genda – Sarna’s long time companion and lover, he is rarely ever parted from her.


Zelka Forn – The Taris doctor who reluctantly agreed to accompany Nevara off Taris, and has stayed with the Ebon Hawk as the medical officer ever since.


Marlena – The woman from Tattooine who was cheated on by her husband and arranged for him to rot out in the desert with his droids. She is Zelka’s new love and the Ebon Hawk’s droid and ship mechanic.


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Jaruk – Mandalorian arms and slave trader.


Alyssa – Twi’Lek dancing girl


Drishana – Twi’Lek dancing girl


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From the Ashes of Empire


After the destruction of the Star Forge and the death of Sith Lord Malak, Revan loses her way and returns to the life she lived as a smuggler. Her reasons were many, among them her love for Bastila and the impossible position it put them both in among the Jedi Order.


Chapter 1


1 month after the destruction of the Star Forge


“You’re leaving aren’t you?” Bastila questioned, the tears already appearing in her eyes before she finished asking Nevara the question.


Nevara rolled over to face Bastila, pulling the sheets up as she did so, and then sat up in the bed. Bastila still clinging on to her, her arm draped around the other woman’s waist. Seemingly reluctant to let her go, perhaps fearing this would be the last time she ever saw her, Bastila tightened her grip and moved in closer until the curve of her body was pressed tightly against Nevara’s. Nevara looked at her, the icy chill in her expression told Bastila all she needed to know.


Nevara raised her hand, wiping the tears away that rolled down Bastila’s cheek. “You know it’s for the best, Bastila.”


“For the best, the best for whom? You don’t have to leave Nevara, why now, why after everything we’ve been through together?” Bastila questioned, trying to contain the anger that was building up inside.


“Did you really think it would be easy for me to come back to the Jedi Order knowing what I once was, knowing what I have done?”


“That doesn’t answer the question, Nevara. Why now?”


“Because I can’t stay here living this lie.”


“Do you mean us?”


“You would be better off without me here, Bastila. The Jedi Council have accepted you back with open arms, as I expected they would. But this, me, us, they won’t ever accept that, if I leave you’ll be free to move on, free to continue as you were meant to.”


“Perhaps I don’t want that.”


“I won’t be the one responsible for …”


“For what, Nevara, ruing my life? As I’ve already proved, I’m quite capable of managing that myself. Is it really a lie, Nevara, I was there on the Star Forge, remember. I was the one you brought back from the dark side, back from Malak’s control. I was the one you said you loved, was that lie, just to get me to return?”


“Of course it wasn’t a lie. You know how much I care for you, despite everything that has happened we’ve come through it all together. But I can’t stay, this isn’t for me anymore, I’ve already talked to Blake and we’re planning on leaving before the end of the month.”


“Then I’ll come with you.”


“And do what, Bastila? Do you remember the life I had after the council stripped me of my identity, took away from me who I really was?”


“We all know who you were, Revan. Surely you can’t regret what they did for you.”


“That’s the point, they gave me a new identity, and what did I do with it. I was a smuggler, a criminal on the run. It’s likely in time that will be the life I return to. Who will remember the Star Forge then, in time other Jedi, other Sith will take our places, who’ll remember Revan and Bastila?”


“You sound almost sorry that you’re no longer Revan. Perhaps it’s the power you really miss.”


Nevara couldn’t help herself, she had to laugh.


“Don’t laugh at me, Nevara.” Bastila demanded, the look on her face hurt Nevara, the last think she wanted to do was make this harder on her lover than it had to be.


“I’m not laughing at you, it’s the thought I could ever want to return to what I was, Revan is dead, and will stay dead.”


“It’s not that easy, Nevara. Look at the Jedi before you, so many great Jedi fell to the dark side. I still sometimes have doubts myself if we did the right thing returning to Coruscant.” Bastila answered, the look in her eyes told Nevara she was certainly speaking the truth.


“You never mentioned anything about regrets, Bastila. But then you have been evasive ever since we returned from the Star Forge.” Nevara replied, trying to remain objective as Bastila’s hand moved slowly down her arm, her very touch was enough to make Nevara question the wisdom of leaving without her.


Bastila kissed her, she wanted only to keep Nevara by her side, to keep her for herself and to hell with everything else. Nevara held her close, knowing this would be the last night they ever spent together. She would leave in the morning and in her mind had already decided she would never return. Bastila wept, she knew there was nothing she could say to persuade her, but she also knew Nevara was right, she could never accept that life for herself.


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6 months after the destruction of the Star Forge, Nar Shadaa Star Shade cantina.


“The deal was 200,000 credits; I hope you’re not backing out on us, Jaruk.” Aaron said quietly, looking across to the woman at his side, then back at the Mandalorians sat across from them.


The scar faced Mandalorian smirked, “We don’t have the money, Blake. 180,000 and we’ll throw in two Twi’Lek girls, cantina dancers.”


“We don’t trade in slaves, Jaruk; especially ones that you and you’re men are likely to have …” Aaron replied, the look of distaste obvious for the Mandalorians to see, it brought little more than grins and the occasional dirty laugh.


“They’re untouched, no good trading damaged goods, it’s a good deal Blake, and you’re already getting premium rate for those guns. Besides, I heard you two travel with a pair of Twi’Lek girls, no harm in adding a few more.” Jaruk grinned; keeping his eye on Nevara, there was something almost unnerving about the woman. He couldn’t quite decide what it was, but it made them all uneasy, which was unusual for the Mandalorians and not at all welcome.


“What do you think, Nevara?” Blake asked, without turning to his companion.


“I think they’re 20,000 credits short, the deal was 2,000 rifles, 200,000 credits. We’ve taken care of our side; if Jaruk can’t come up with the money then we walk and find someone who isn’t going to waste our time.” Nevara replied, maintaining the cool appearance that did little to endear her to the Mandalorians.


“Now wait a minute.” Jaruk snarled, his hand going to his blaster holster.


“It’ll be the last thing you ever do Jaruk, I’d think carefully before you go for your weapon.” Nevara said. Jaruk stared into the robed woman’s eyes, the almost complete lack of any emotion was at the very least unnerving, but what he saw in those eyes told him enough to know that to try and cheat this woman or resort to violence would end badly for him and his men.


“Alright, alright dammit, 200,000 credits, and we’ll throw in the Twi’Lek girls for nothing.”


“What the hell is it about these Twi’Lek girls, Jaruk?”


“They belonged to one of the Hutts here on Nar Shadaa. He’s desperate to get them back, and we can do without the hassle it could bring us. What can I say; I won them in a pazaak game.”


“You’re disgusting, Jaruk. You and the Hutt, and the rest of you slave trading vermin.”


“It’s just business, Blake. And don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same thing.”


“We’ll take them.” Nevara said, smirking back at Jaruk.


“We will?” Aaron questioned, looking quizzically at Nevara, seemingly surprised.


“You’re friend knows a good deal when she sees it, Blake.”


“No, I just think they’ll be better off with us than a bunch of Mandalorian Bantha lovers.”


Jaruk let out the dirtiest laugh Nevara had ever heard, she almost believed what she said was true.


Jaruk reached into his jacket and pulled out twenty credit sticks, each one worth 10,000 credits and then handed them to Aaron. “We’ll arrange to transfer the weapons over to our ship, and where do you want the girls delivering to, Blake?”


“Take them to the ship.”


“Done. Pleasure doing business with you, Blake, and you …”


“Nevara, Nevara Kasta.”


“Well Nevara, you ever tire of travelling with this deadbeat, Blake. You look me up, ok?”


“I’ll do that.”


“What are the weapons for, Jaruk, you planning on starting a war?” Aaron asked jokingly, not really expecting a reply.


“Were having some trouble on one of our regular slave trading routes, the locals don’t seem too keen on us taking their women folk, so we need to make …”


“You need two thousand rifles to keep the damn locals in check, why do I get the impression you’re lying, Jaruk?”


“You didn’t really expect an answer did you, Blake. You supply them, we buy them, that’s the deal, what we do with them is our business.”


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Onboard the Shadow Wraith


Nevara studied the two scantily clad Twi’Leks, “What are your names?”


“I’m Alyssa, this is Drishana, mistress.”


“I’m Nevara; you’re both free to go.”


“Go, go where, mistress? We have no money, no home or family.”


“Let me guess, you’ve been slaves of the slug since you were young.”


“Yes, mistress, Garaawa the Hutt was our master for as long as we can remember, since we were very young and our parents gave us to the Hutt to pay off their debts.”


“Well if you don’t wish to leave, you may as well make yourself useful around here, what can you do exactly?” Nevara asked, sceptical they would be much use other than for entertainment purposes.


“We’re entertainers, m…”


“Nevara, call me Nevara, no more of this mistress, I’m not your owner. When we leave speak to Janice and Yuthura, maybe they can find you something to do. And stay away from Blake, Janice isn’t going to like it if you’re entertaining him behind her back. And be careful of HK47, he’s a bit temperamental for a droid, better to avoid him if you can.”


“Yes m…, I mean Nevara.”


“Just make yourselves comfortable, there’s enough bunks for the six of us.”


“Will we be joining you, Nevara?”


“Not unless you want to face a wrathful ex dark Jedi, Yuthura’s a bit over protective like that.”


The look in the eyes of the two Twi’Lek girls changed from relief to fear at the mention of a dark Jedi, if they knew who they really travelled with, Nevara doubted they would be so willing to remain. But she couldn’t bring herself to leave them, they wouldn‘t last a day before being picked up by the next group looking to make a handful of credits. Nevara was a bit surprised when both girls stepped forward and hugged, she wasn’t used to overly familiar shows of affection from people she barely knew.


Several hours later the weapons had been removed from the cargo bay, they had loaded up with supplies and were ready to go. The Twi’Leks Alyssa and Drishana had done there best to settle in, Janice had sorted them out some clothes more appropriate to travelling on a star ship than there cantina dancing girl outfits.


Nevara couldn’t help but laugh at the two young Twi’Leks, dressed in their mechanics outfits, she was certain Janice would have them stripping ship parts down within the day if it was left to her to find them something to do.


Blake was simply loving the idea of being on board a ship of four female Twi’Leks, he had something of weakness for cantina dancers, and Janice knew only to well from past experience she was going to have to be extra vigilant, ‘the cheating rat’ was the first thought that came to mind.


Yuthura was as ever her sometimes cold and distant self, but then Nevara was willing to be patient with her. She knew only too well the feelings she must have been experiencing after abandoning the Sith for a less brutal and selfish life, neither were going to find it easy to put that life completely behind them.


“You miss her still, don’t you?” Yuthura questioned, looking at Nevara and studying her for the answer she hoped to hear.


“Bastila is gone, Yuthura, I’m with you now, why do we need to keep going over this same thing? I will never forget her; she meant too much to me, you know that is why I left, to give her a chance to move on. But that doesn’t mean I love you any less.”


“Love, I had never thought to hear such a word from the mouth of a Sith Lord, does it come so easily to you, Nevara?” Yuthura questioned, struggling with the concept that what they shared was merely lust for one another.


“Nothing comes easy to me, Yuthura, every day I struggle with feelings that I know could send me back to what I once was, but neither can I be part of an Order that tells us that love is wrong, that passion is wrong, that feelings for you or anyone else is wrong. Can we not just enjoy our time together and try and forget what is in our past, I need you to get through this Yuthura.”


“You know I will always remain at your side, but I won’t play second to Bastila or anyone else.”


“I would never ask or expect that of you, you know that.”


“That is all I wanted to hear, Nevara.” Yuthura replied, somewhat relieved but still she held a deep feeling of hurt that if Bastila were ever to return, Nevara would simply not be able to resist going to her.


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Coruscant, Admiral Carth Onasi’s quarters

Carth rolled over lazily, slowly opening his eyes, and smiled as he saw Bastila looking back at him. She leant forward and kissed him. She pressed tightly against him, Carth’s arms around her pulling her in until there was little between them.


They had been together almost since the disappearance of Nevara, both sought to comfort the other, with Nevara gone many of her old companions were struggling to find their place.


“You know how much trouble I could be in with the Jedi Council, Carth.”


“Then you’d better leave.” Carth smiled.


“I didn’t mean that.”


“I know you’re risking a lot being here with me, but what alternative do we have?”


“We could go away together.”


“You mean run away like Nevara.”


“I mean have a life for ourselves without the interference of others.”


“They will accept us in time, Bastila, they’ll have to. Because I’ve no intention of leaving you for the confused ideals of an Order that has allowed itself to become so weak and helpless, if it wasn’t for you and Nevara there wouldn’t even be a Jedi Order.”
“I don’t know about that, Carth, perhaps we give ourselves a little too much credit, but the Order has already cost me one person I loved and my family, I won’t allow them to take you away as well.”


Carth pushed her lightly back onto the bed, she smiled as he moved over her, sighed as she felt her legs parted and gasped as he entered her.


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The Shadow Wraith leaves the orbit of Nar Shadaa.


“Where are we going, Nevara?” Blake asked. It was unusual for her not to have at least given him a destination.


Nevara didn’t hear him; she wandered into the crew quarters, oblivious to all around her and sat on the bed. She saw them as though she were there, Carth and Bastila, a tear rolled down her face, perhaps the only one she had shed in her entire adult life.


She didn’t see Yuthura enter the room, she simply stood and watched her as Nevara held her face in her hands, thinking of those she had left behind. It was almost as though she was sharing the experience, she had done so before when she had been with Bastila, but never when Bastila had been with someone else.


Yuthura walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.


“You can see her can’t you, like in the visions you had?”


“Yes, I can see her and Carth together.”


“Then why do you cry, you wanted her to move on, isn’t that really what you wanted, Nevara.”


“Of course it is, Yuthura. It was just a little overwhelming I guess, to share someone’s most intimate moments as though they are your own, someone I once loved.”


“It must be a wonderful experience, something to be cherished.”


“Perhaps you are right, Yuthura. I have no control over these visions, these emotions, I was right to leave the Jedi Order again, I could never have stayed.”


Yuthura went to her knees in front of Nevara, pulling her forward until they kissed. “I wish I could share your visions, Nevara, I wish I could share everything with you.”


Blake appeared in the doorway, “Where in the hell are we going, Nevara? Or should I just fly around Nar Shadaa until you and Yuthura are finished.”


“Could we land on Dantooine, with the space port gone?”


“Dantooine, what in the hell do you want to go there for, the Jedi Academy has been destroyed, as you well know.”


“That’s not what I asked, can we land the ship.”


“Of course I can land it, I just don’t see the point in returning to that rock, there’s nothing there, better I land the ship and get back to enjoying ourselves on Nar Shadaa.”


“We can come back after, Blake, if you’re that desperate to stay in this cesspit.”


“But there’s something I need to do there.”


“Well, what the hell, who am I to argue, I just fly the damn ship.”


“Thank you, Blake, now if you don’t mind …”


“I know …” Suddenly his attention was caught by Alyssa as she wandered past the doorway.


“Leave those girls alone, Blake, Janice has already promised to kill you the next time you stray.”


“Stray?” Blake questioned, his eyes following Alyssa until she left his sight.


“You know, Blake, like an abandoned mutt.” Yuthura cut in, the smirk on her face told Blake he would have more chance of becoming a Sith Lord than ever finding his way into her bed, or for that matter, Nevara’s.


“Real funny, Yuthura, I’ll leave you girls to your, whatever it is you do.”


Yuthura wiped away the tears from Nevara’s eyes, it was something of a shock, she had barely seen much more than lustful passion from Nevara until now, it was also a little worrying, especially considering what she was experiencing and the person she was forever tied to by the force.

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