Fall of Darth Revan, Rise of Admiral Onasi ch4

The Fall of Darth Revan and the Rise of Admiral Onasi
Chapter 4

- ~ -
The Fury, flagship of Darth Revan, Sith Fleet

It was no surprise the first assignment was an overnight on the bridge. As the newest addition of the Fury's crew he had to be prepared for some unpleasant hours until he proved himself. But that was no different than when he'd been an ensign in the Fleet.

What did surprise him was the friendly manner in which his lieutenant greeted him. He was a broad shouldered man with a round open face who introduced himself as Sar Thul. The lieutenant gave him a tour of the bridge, introduced the soldiers who greeted Carth with a salute, and filled him on details of Sith command. Carth listened intently, silent and nodding.

"May I say sir, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve under you," Lieutenant Thul finished. The compliment was unexpected and it must have shown upon Carth's face because Thul gave an embarrassed smile. "You're exploits in the Mandalorian Wars Captain, they're nothing short of legendary."

"Thank you, lieutenant," Carth said. For Carth, it was praise that reminded him of everything he betrayed to be here. And the wife and son it ended up costing him.

Thul made a little bow of his head and left Carth alone. Pushing aside unpleasant thoughts of family and betrayal he forced his mind onto work. There was still a bridge to oversee. A few times he found himself looking at the doors, wondering if Darth Revan may not show up. He still wanted to know why she had requested his transfer and what was expected of him.

According to the datapad left in his quarters there was a week of bridge duty ahead of him. Eva mentioned he was likely to be the primary pilot of that little phantom he'd flown from the Leviathan and he wondered how that was going to fit in things. Too much curiosity probably wasn't healthy among the Sith and yet Carth couldn't help himself.

"Coffee?" Thul asked a few hours later. Gratefully he nodded, accepting a mug from the lieutenant, and taking a cautious drink. It was bitter and overheated but Carth needed the stimulant. Poor sleep combined with night shifts were going to take a toll on him.

By the time his shift came ended it was only a few hours to morning muster for the rest of the Fury's crew. He thanked Thul who grinned, saluted and repeated his gratitude to work with Carth.

"I'm sure the mess hall can do you a decent meal sir," Thul added.

"And I might just take them up on that," Carth said. He entered the lift and the moment the doors closed he gave in and yawned. Sleep sounded good but the way his stomach rumbled made Carth change direction. The cooks gave him a plate of food and Carth ate alone in the empty mess hall before seeking out his bed.

This was his ritual for the next three nights. He was becoming accustomed to the unusual hours. Coffee was a big help. And Lieutenant Thul was there to help matters of Sith protocol that Carth hadn't yet learned.

On the fourth morning the smell of breakfast was already rich on the air when he stepped out of the lift. The mess hall was empty when Carth entered, well almost, he spotted a lone figure sitting at the far side. Pausing Carth smiled to see Eva bent over a datapad, a plate of food at her elbow but apparently forgotten. He hadn't seen her since arriving on the Fury and found he was glad to see her again. She looked much the same as did when he met her, wearing a simple black tunic with her long hair worn in a braid.

"Any room for a captain here?" Carth asked, carrying a tray for himself, and approaching the woman. He'd expected her to be surprised but Eva merely looked up and smiled. Then he remembered she was probably strong enough in the Force to have sensed him.

"Of course," Eva said, she rearranged a few things to make space.

"I've, uh, missed seeing you around," said Carth as he sat down. Eva turned the datapad off. She rested her elbows on the table and smiled at him.

"I keep busy. How are things on the bridge?"

"Going well, I mean there's not much to do really. Doesn't matter if it's the Republic or Sith. The grunts do all the real work and the brass stand around and watch them."

"Ssh! You'll start a revolt," Eva laughed. Carth smiled, enjoying the sound of her laughter and the way her blue eyes crinkled.

"How have you been?" Carth asked taking a forkful of egg in his mouth. It was too hot, but he did his best to chew the food despite the pain it was causing. The pain was bearable compared to the embarrassment of having Eva see him spit it out.

"Busy," Eva replied. She paused and Carth realized the woman was trying not to laugh again. The eggs were absolutely burning his mouth now. He made a face at Eva who snickered before she bit her lower lip to keep quiet. "Aside from the dangerous conditions of the cafeteria, how are you doing?"

"I'm sure I'll be fine once the roof of my mouth heals," Carth muttered. He swallowed the last of the egg and reached for a napkin. Wiping his mouth Carth looked across to Eva, and she waited patiently for an honest answer from him. "I'm fine. I'm waiting to know why Lord Revan requested my transfer. I haven't heard from Admiral Karath since I've been here, and my - "

He stopped and looked at the table unsure if he could or should finish that statement.

"Your wife?" Eva prompted him gently. Carth took a deep breath then nodded carefully. "Why did you leave the Republic?"

"Because Saul made a lot sense, the Republic is loosing this war and I have a family to think about," Carth said. Angry he pushed the tray of food aside, his appetite vanished.

"They must appreciate your devotion to their safety," Eva said. Reluctantly Carth met her eyes which were soft for concern and somehow he felt compelled to continue talking.

"No, quite the opposite in fact. My wife, Morgana, she doesn't see it the way I do," said Carth. "She said, she said my son was better off if he thought I was dead. Better than knowing his father was a traitor."

"I'm sorry," Eva said. The words were genuine. She reached across the table to lay a soft hand over one of his. "Perhaps she'll come around. In time - "

"I - ah, I can't believe I'm sharing all this with you. Maybe I shouldn't. But you're the only familiar face I know. Things with Morgana haven't been great. She was angry I signed back up at the start of this war, she wanted me home with her and Dustil. We argued. A lot, pretty much all we do anymore. I can't see anyway back for her and I, but Dustil. My son," Carth sighed.

"You'll see him again Carth," Eva told him, squeezing his hand then letting go. For a moment he wanted her hand back. It was the first human contact he'd felt in weeks.

"I don't know. I - thank you. I'm not use to talking about personal matters like this. It's nice to have someone to listen," Carth said.

"Get some rest. You'll be called to a meeting this afternoon," said Eva in a hushed voice. "Darth Revan will be there. Among others. Malak, Karath. You should be rested."

"Will you be there?"

"No."

Carth hesitated. He was finally meeting Darth Revan and wasn't entirely sure how he felt. But this information he owed to Eva, and there was a feeling she might be in trouble for sharing it with him.

"Thank you. I, uh - hope to see you around. Maybe I can burn my mouth over breakfast again."

Eva smiled at him, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. She grabbed her datapad and stood saying, "It was nice seeing you Captain. Till the next time."

- ~ -
Revan

Intelligence reported the codes Admiral Karath provided them were still active. With them Revan and Malak would lead their fleet past Republic security to bomb their shipyards. Their plan was to strike in the early hours of the following morning to catch the Fleet by surprise.

Dressed as Eva she had combed through the reports and battle plans all night over endless coffee in the cafeteria. The meeting with Carth Onasi had been a genuine, but pleasant, surprise for Revan. Even better he'd needed only the smallest of psychic nudges to open up about his wife and son. Little wonder the man seemed so full of doubt. He'd left the Republic to ensure the safety of his family only to loose them for it.

It was probably better to have Carth killed. But something kept Revan from issuing the order. She had no doubt he still possessed a lot of potential, if he could be convinced that he'd done the right thing joining the Sith. The feelings Carth had for his son were strong and possibly key to convincing him he'd made the right choice. It may also help solidify his loyalty to her personally if she managed to secure the boy.

Revan made a final adjustment on her armor while carefully considering this new idea. The Mandalorian mask waited at her desk. The final piece of her armor. Her true public face. She lifted it, fitting it into place just as she sensed Malak's presence aboard the Fury. If he was here so was Saul Karath.

They would be going to a conference room where the men and women leading tomorrows assault waited for their orders. Drawing the hood of her cloak Revan made her way there in order to address her troops and lay out their battle plans.

Carth would be among those present. He had been invited to this meeting only an hour earlier, as Eva had told him. It would be interesting to see how he would react to her, not as the secretary Eva, but as Darth Revan. She was also curious to know his reaction to the part she expected him to play in this mission.