"Welcome to the Unknown Regions." Nico said with a wide grin as their ship cut through in space leaving the Outer Rim behind.

"How long will it take to get there?" Malgus asked as he sat in the co-pilot seat next to Nico.

"Not long now." He replied gazing out the window.

Then he turned to Malgus and asked.

"Have you been in the Unknown Regions?"

"No, I have not." Malgus replied also gazing out the window.

"But I bet you've been in a lot of places before." Nico said with a smirk.

"Plenty." Malgus swiftly replied. Then he asked. "Have you been there before?"

"You mean Lehon?" Nico asked.

"Yes." Malgus replied.

"Oh yes." Nico said with a sly smile. "It's a wonderful place to stay."

"I bet it is." Malgus replied thinking about the Rakata planet. He knew from history the planet was once the capital of Rakata Prime. Thousands of years ago that place thrived with the power of the Dark side, fueling the Rakata's great Empire. However, the planet was nothing but wasteland now. He wondered why the Revanites moved there. Soon we'll find out, he thought as he turned around and saw Lana and Satele walking into the cabin.

Both girls snickered about something as they approached the men.

"What is so funny?" Nico asked.

"We were looking at some of your collections." Lana replied with a mischievous grin.

"Oh." Nico said with an amused expression. "You girls are bad."

"What collection?" Malgus asked confused.

"As you know I'm a smuggler and a very good one." Nico boasted. Then he added. "I collect from many places. Some of my collections are quite unique."

Then he turned around and with a wide grin he asked.

"Did you find the 'raptor'?"

"You mean that long stick thing?" Lana asked laughing.

"Yes Ma'am." Nico replied with a wink.

"Oh, Nico." Lana chimed wagging her finger. "You are bad."

Shrugging his shoulders, Nico turned his attention back to Malgus and said.

"These girls are something, right?" Then he added with a wink. "No wonder you left everything behind for that one."

Malgus didn't want to be reminded of what he had done. The careless decision he had made still bothered him, but when Satele snuggled up to him at nights in their cabin, everything was forgotten in those moments. Although nothing happened between them besides kissing, he was looking forward to spending more time with her and eventually make her his.

That night as they lay in bed, she gazed into his eyes and asked.

"Why did you keep my Master's lightsaber?"

Her sudden question came as an unexpected surprise. He still wasn't sure if he should tell her the truth. Malgus was afraid if he did that she would never forgive him. With a frown, he replied.

"He valiantly fought and I respect that. Our weapons are nothing but an extension of us and I thought it would be a dishonor to leave his behind."

"Thank you for keeping it." She replied with a thin smile.

Then he took a deep breath and asked.

"What are we going to do there?"

"I don't know yet." She replied looking at the ceiling. "But I know that once we get there everything is going to be alright."

"Are you seeing this in your dreams Satele?" Malgus asked with a mischievous undertone.

As her eyes found his, Satele replied. "Stop teasing me or I will call you Veradun from now on."

"You can." He said with a smile.

"I can?" She asked with amazement.

"But only if no one else hears it." He said as he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers.

The next day they arrived at Rakata Prime.

"Here we are Tempered Wastes." Nico exclaimed as the blue planet orbited by two small moons came into view.

"Now I just have to find their campsite and we are good to go." Nico said searching the lush tropical landscape below.

"You don't know where they are?" Malgus asked with slight irritation.

"Well." He started. "I haven't been here for a long time and I don't exactly remember where the camp was located." Then putting up his hand, he swiftly added. "Don't worry we'll find it."

Slowly, he navigated the ship over the tropical forest, until they found a wide clearing close to the endless blue water.

After putting the ship down, they stepped out onto the sandy beach. Shielding the bright sun out of his eyes, Malgus looked toward the ocean where several enormous sized crashed spacecraft were littering the deep sparkling water.

He knew what happened here but to see it with his own eyes was definitely a view to behold. The air was warm and humid not for his liking. Immediately, he broke out in sweat beneath his armor. As the large beads of cold sweat run down his back, with frustration, he looked toward Satele and Lana as they made their way closer to the shore.

"What happened here?" Satele asked looking toward the wreckage.

"This is what's left of their great Infinite Empire." Lana replied also looking at the demolished spaceships. Then she added. "Empires they rise and thrive and then eventually fall and disappear even from memories."

"What happened to them?" Satele asked. "Are they still here?"

"Yes, I believe so." Lana replied. "But nowadays they are just savage natives to this planet, completely cut off from the Force."

"The Rakata's were evil cannibalistic beings." Nico's raspy voice was heard behind the girls. "I'm glad we never had to live under their primal years." Then he added as he gestured toward them to follow. "Let's go before it gets too dark. We don't want to get lost in the jungle."

"What's in the jungle?" Satele inquired.

"Strange animals and also the natives." Nico replied and then he started to walk in front of them leading them into the jungle.

There was a wide path through the lush forest leading them west. While Nico walked in front, Lana and Satele followed him and behind them, Malgus trailed along keeping an eye out for everyone. He wasn't happy with this place, especially walking around the foreign jungle. Also, it was surprisingly quiet and he didn't like this at all. Although he trusted Nico enough to lead the way, he was on edge the whole time as they walked toward the Revanites campsite. He didn't know what to expect and this uncertainty made him feel bitter and aggravated.

Then his eyes landed on Satele's shapely backside and then he swallowed hard thinking about spending the night with her, hopefully in their own place. He was certain once they settle in; she'll be more willing to take the next step further into their relationship. He couldn't wait for that to happen.

After a few minutes of walking, Satele suddenly stopped and lifted her hand to her temples.

"What's wrong?" Malgus asked.

"I feel something." She said as her wide eyes searched the perimeter.

"What do you feel?" Lana asked looking at Satele's pale complexion.

Before Satele had the chance to reply, something hit Malgus on the neck. With a frown, he reached for his neck. His surprised eyes met Satele's and then his knees buckled and then he hit the ground. Within seconds Nico followed, his body also collapsed to the ground. Lana immediately ignited her weapon but then as she spun around, something hit her on the cheeks, and then her body slumped down on the ground as well.

Something hit her on the left arm. As she looked at it, Satele realized it was a small needle-like object. The last thing she saw before darkness took over was five men in armor with weapons walking toward them, and then everything went dark.

His mouth felt extremely dry and he needed to cough as Malgus opened his eyes. There was an unpleasant smell of disinfecting chemicals lingering in the metal-walled room. Then he quickly sprung up and found himself in a windowless holding cell. Swiftly he looked around and with relief, he noticed Satele and Lana's unconscious bodies on the floor. However, Nico wasn't sharing the cell with them. Then he checked for his weapon and found his clip empty. Anger shot through him like wildfire. Then he rushed to Satele and picked her up. Gently he shook her a few times to wake her up.

"Satele." He said with an anxious voice. "Wake up."

Opening her eyes, Satele gazed into his eyes, and then as she licked her parched lips, she said in a raspy voice. "I feel so thirsty. What happened?"

"Someone captured us and put us in here." Malgus said with an angry tone.

"Lana?" Satele worriedly asked.

"She is over here, still sleeping." Malgus pointed toward Lana.

"Please wake her up." Satele asked as she sat up holding onto her temples.

After waking up Lana, Malgus walked up to the door and as he tried to conjure up the Force to break through, he realized he was unable to do so. With disbelief, he stared at his gloved hands, and then he turned around and looked at the girls.

"What's wrong?" Lana asked.

Looking at Lana, Malgus asked.

"Can you use your powers?"

As Lana tried to bring forth her Force powers, she realized that she had also lost her connection to the Force.

"What is going on?' Lana asked with a horrified expression. Then they both looked at Satele and said at the same time.

"Satele?"

"I don't feel the Force." She said anxiously. "They did something to us and now we are cut off from it completely." Suddenly the memories of the Rakata's came into her dazed mind. She hoped it wasn't them who did this. Since she could remember, her connection to the Force was always there, guiding her, helping her along the way. If she lost this precious power, she would feel naked and vulnerable. This was something Satele wanted to avoid at all costs.

Then she asked.

"Where is Nico? How come he is not here?"

"He might be on their dinner plate right now." Malgus said as he walked to the door and with raw strength, he tried to force it open. However, the metal door wouldn't budge. With anger and frustration, he kicked the door a few times, making it slightly tremble.

With folded arms, Lana looked at Satele and asked.

"So now what?"

"We have to wait and see." Satele replied looking at Lana's displeased expression. Then she quickly added. "They didn't kill us, so they want something from us, right?"

Turning around, Malgus looked at the girls. With a frown, he said.

"They already took our weapons and powers. I guess they got what they wanted."

"Great plan Satele." Lana said with a displeased tone. "Great plan my friend."

"Stop it Lana." Malgus said annoyed. "She didn't know."

With a grin, Lana walked away from them and then walked to the other end of the holding cell to see if there was another way out. Not finding anything, she placed her back to the wall and slid down to the floor.

"I guess we just have to wait and see." She said with slight cynicism. Then she added. "I just wish I wasn't this parched. I'm dying for some water. I wish I could have something to drink."

Her wish soon came true, when all at once they heard voices outside the cell door.

Then the small slit in the middle of the door opened showing up a pair of deep blue eyes looking at them all.

"Yes, they're awake." The man said looking from Malgus to Satele and then his eyes landed on Lana sitting on the floor.

"Who are you?" Malgus asked, while his piercing gaze was on the man.

Then a female voice was heard through the door.

"The question is who are you and what are you doing here?" She asked.

Before Malgus could reply Satele spoke up as she walked to the door.

"My name is Satele Shan. I'm a Jedi and the descendant of Revan."

When she said that, Malgus looked at her and cracked a smile.

"Are you now?" The female asked as she stepped closer and looked through the peephole.

Staring into her deep brown eyes, Satele replied.

"Yes, I am." Then she added. "He showed me this place in a dream. That is why we came here to seek you out and join you." Although she wasn't sure if it was he who came to her in the dream, nevertheless Satele wanted to believe it was him.

"In a dream?" The woman said pulling up one of her dark eyebrows.

"Can you let us out of here?" Lana's sarcastic voice was heard behind Satele. "I'm dying of thirst and also need to use the refresher."

Both Malgus and Satele looked toward Lana with a disapproved expression. Shrugging her shoulders, with a frown, she stood up and approached them.

"Lady." She said as she reached the door. "Where is Nico?"

"You will address her as Lord Darkspanner." The man's stern voice drifted through the door panel.

"Lord Darkspanner." Lana said as she looked through the hole. "May I get a glass of water and find out where my pilot is?"

Quickly, the man exchanged looks with the woman, and then she signaled for him to open the door.

When the heavy door rolled aside, there were at least a dozen of Revanite soldiers in armor waiting on the other side next to the other two.

"Step outside." The man who was a Chagrian Sith said as he gestured for them to step out. Then as he looked at Malgus, he said. "Don't try anything funny. It would not end well for you."

Malgus swiftly sized them up and then he nodded his head in agreement. Then his eyes landed on the dark-skinned woman whose eyes curiously looked at him. Then she asked.

"What is your name Sith?"

"Call me Lord Malgus." He said gazing into her eyes.

"Lord Malgus?" She said with a frown. Then she added as she exchanged another look with the Chagrian Sith. "Vindican's apprentice?"

"Not anymore." Malgus replied with distaste.

Stepping a little closer to Malgus, she asked. "What did you feel after he died? Did you feel liberated, or did you feel remorse?"

Staring into her eyes, with a firm tone, he replied. "I didn't feel anything."

Stepping back, she looked at them all and said. "If you want to stay here and live amongst us, you will have to abide by our laws and way of life. We do not tolerate violence. We teach balance and harmony. We do not discriminate."

"What happened to our powers?" Malgus asked searching her eyes. This whole scenario irritated him.

"Don't worry." She assured him. "The concoction will wear off soon and then you'll get them back."

Concoction? Malgus asked himself. I wonder what it is? He thought.

Then flagged by soldiers, they were escorted through a narrow corridor into the settling sunlight. As they stepped out of the cave, Malgus looked up and noticed a tall mountain looming above them. Then his eyes searched the perimeter realizing they were inside their camp heading toward a wide metal building that stood on the opposite end of the large grassy area. Besides the large building, they were other smaller shacks occupying the grounds around the jungle perimeter.

There were many people and aliens walking about their business. As they passed them, they all looked at them curiously. When they reached the building, they stepped through large double doors into a wide, brightly lit facility. The room was divided by long benches with seats where some people were sitting and looking their way.

The mouthwatering aroma of food engulfed the room, making Lana's stomach growl. As she looked around, she noticed at the back of the facility was a kitchen, where several people were cooking dinner.

To her, it looked like this place was meant to be a dining area and also a meeting room as well. To her left, there was a rounded podium adorned by black and deep purple curtains covering the back wall. Then her eyes landed on Nico who sat at the back of the room close to the kitchen and was having fun with some of the local ladies.

Instant anger engulfed Lana and she yelled at him.

"Nico! What a hell?"

Looking up, Nico tilted his cowboy hat down and with a sly smile, he yelled back.

"I'm glad to see you too darling."

How dare he call me Darling? She thought with anger fuming on the inside.

"I'll get you for this." She murmured giving him a murderous look.

Excusing himself, he stood up and approached them.

"I'm glad to see all of you." He chimed as he walked closer. "I thought you would never wake up." Then his eyes met Malgus's and then he stopped talking.

"Nico." Lord Darkspanner spoke up. "I hope this time I can trust you with your judgment regarding your friends."

"My Lord." Nico bowed his head. "They are no threat to this community. I can guarantee that." Then he added with a wink. "As I said to you earlier, we came in peace."

"Let it be that way." She replied and then she turned toward Satele and with a warm smile, she said.

"If you are truly Revan's descendant, you are more than welcome in our community."

"Thank you, my Lord." Satele respectfully bowed her head. "We are glad to be here. But please can you tell us more about this place?"

"Of course." She replied. "Dinner is almost served and you are welcome to join us. My faithful friend Morrun Dokaas will explain everything over dinner.

As the dining area slowly filled up, and while sitting at the table and listening to the Chagrian's explanations of the Revanites, Malgus curiously looked around to see the mixture of people and aliens. Immediately, he noticed they were a mixture of Sith and Jedi, peacefully eating their dinner together. This looked extremely strange to him. He had never encountered anything like this before. But then as he looked at Satele sitting beside him, a sudden warm feeling enveloped him. They were no different than the others in the room. Sith and Jedi who were in love. Love? He thought anxiously. Do I really love her? He asked himself watching her laughing and talking with Lana and Nico. Then she looked at him and then looked at his untouched plate. With a smile, she asked.

"You're not hungry?"

"Not really." He said gazing into her eyes.

With a concerned expression, she placed her hand on his and asked.

"What's wrong?"

"I just need to get used to all this." He said. "This place is... different."

Satele sensed his inner turmoil. She knew it would take time for him to adjust to this new lifestyle. But for her, this place felt like home and she was glad to be here. The peace and harmony that engulfed the dining room were truly astonishing. She would never have thought that Sith and Jedi could peacefully live with one another. But then as she looked into his eyes, a small smile appeared on her face. Indeed, they were already living in a harmonious life despite their disparate backgrounds, and this still amazed her.

Gently, she squeezed his hand and said.

"Don't worry I'll help you."

At that moment Malgus wanted nothing but to grab her and kiss her enticing lips. However, they were surrounded by many and he had to contain himself. Tonight, he eagerly thought, might be the night.

However, his eager thoughts were quickly diminished when after dinner they were called to the podium where Lord Darkspanner stood with some of her loyal followers waiting on them.

"I hope you enjoyed your dinner. As you have noticed, despite our backgrounds, we're all one big family. We respect and help each other. Tomorrow I will explain to you how our society works. But it's getting late and we all need to retire for the evening."

Looking at Satele and Malgus, she asked.

"Are you two married?"

For a second, her question did not register with Malgus. With slight amusement, he looked at her and said.

"Why are you asking?"

"Is that a yes or no?" She asked, searching his eyes.

"No, we are not married." Satele spoke up.

Signaling to one of her followers, she said to him.

"Please escort the ladies to their new home." Then she signaled to another one and said. "Please escort Lord Malgus and Nico to the north campsite."

"Why are you separating us?" Malgus asked with disbelief. He didn't like this one bit.

With a calm tone, she said to him.

"We have rules and regulations within this society. If you are not married, you are not allowed to share a home. We do not mix unmarried couples within this place." Looking at their shocked expressions, with a sly smile, she added. "However, in the past, I have performed marriage ceremonies. If you wish to live together I would be happy to do that for you per your request."

Satele was amazed to hear the word marriage. She had never thought about getting married. As her eyes found Malgus's, she immediately saw a mixture of anger and frustration written on his face. She wasn't happy with this decision either, but she wanted to obey their laws and she didn't want to cause problems.

Placing her hand on his arm, she leaned closer and whispered into his ear.

"We'll see each other tomorrow. Good night."

Malgus watched with exasperation as Satele and Lana were escorted out of the building. Then he turned toward Lord Darkspanner and with an irritated tone, he asked.

"When do I get my powers and my weapon back?"

"Your powers should return soon." She replied as she stepped off the podium. "As for your weapon, I'll give it back to you in a few days."

With a smile, she added. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay with us...Lord Malgus."

If Malgus could, he would have strangled this woman in front of him.

However, as his mind went dark, suddenly Satele's image invaded his crazed thoughts and immediately he calmed himself down.

Within minutes, they were escorted through the door toward the camp's north side, into one of the small buildings.

As they entered the home, Malgus noticed the shack consisted of one small room with two beds and a separate compact refresher. He didn't see a kitchen or another room. With a frown, he turned toward the man and asked.

"This is it?"

"Yes." He curtly replied, and then he added. "Have a great night." Saying that he stepped out leaving Malgus and Nico alone.

"Great." Malgus said mockingly as he blew out a frustrated sigh. "Just great."

Walking up to one of the beds, Nico sat down and pulled off his boots. Then he took off his belt and put everything on his nightstand. With a tired groan, he lay down on the bed and covered his face with his hat.

Walking around the home, Malgus looked inside the refresher, which looked surprisingly clean and neat. Then he approached his bed and after sitting down, pulled off his boots and placed them next to his nightstand.

Then he looked at Nico and with a grin, he asked.

"How come they didn't lock you up?"

"I was locked up with all of you but then I came to my senses and asked to see their leader." Nico's muffled voice came through his hat. "As I told you before I've been here several times. They know me."

"You woke up before I did?" Malgus asked with disbelief. "How did you do that?"

Pushing the hat higher on his forehead, he turned to Malgus and said.

"I believe the substance we all received is more potent toward Force users like you. Regular folks like me are not as affected by it."

Malgus wondered what the substance was made out of. He had never heard of something like that before and it scared him. To lose his powers was not an easy task to deal with. Since childhood, the power inside him always helped him to fuel his anger and desire to do better than others. He even killed a servant once when she pissed him off. Although he took someone's life, still this foul act was received with a great reward on Dromund Kaas. He still remembered his father's proud face and how he shortly after the incident sent him off to the Sith Academy to become who he is today.

And look at me now? He thought as he pulled off his gloves and looked at his hands. What have I become?

"Isn't that a bit ironic to be a regular folk?" Nico mockingly said looking at Malgus. Then he added. "Now you know how I feel."

His sarcastic tone suddenly unleashed a suppressed anger inside Malgus. Instinctively, he reached out with his right hand trying to Force choke the worthless life out of Nico.

With an amused expression, Nico looked at his outstretched hand, and with a sly grin, he asked.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to choke you to death…. smuggler." Malgus replied with an evil grin.

A loud, raspy laughter came out of Nico. Placing the hat back onto his face, he said.

"It's not working is it?"

Reluctantly, Malgus lowered his hand and with a frustrated sigh, he said.

"A man can only dream." Then he murmured. "I can still beat you."

"Do you want to try it?" Nico asked peeking out from under his hat.

"Tempting." Malgus replied with a grin. "But for some reason, the girls like you a lot. I don't want to break their hearts."

"That's very generous of you." Nico said with a wink and then placing the hat back onto his face, he stayed quiet for the rest of the night.

While Nico loudly snored beneath his hat, Malgus stared at the ceiling thinking about what their future will be like from this point on. Then his thoughts went back to Dromund Kaas, wondering what the Dark council thought about his reckless actions. He was certain they would never forgive him and would hunt him down for what he had done. But then Darth Marr's words came into his head and deep inside he knew he was right about everything he said.

He wanted nothing more but to live his life with Satele and maybe have a few children. The thought of having a family gave him a pleasantly strange feeling inside. Swallowing hard, he closed his eyes thinking about her. The way she looked at him was different now. The distrust she had in her eyes slowly dissipated and was replaced by emotions that he still couldn't comprehend.

He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but he was afraid that she might not feel the same way. He didn't want to make himself look like a fool. He knew she wanted to stay here and live her life amongst the people who worshipped her ancestor. Although the place was not as bad as he thought it would be, still it was far from what he used to have. However, if he stayed, he couldn't live like this separated by some lunatic clan. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and made up his mind.

On the other side of the camp, while Lana softly snored in her bed, Satele lay wide-awake thinking about what will happen from now on. There was a reason why she was sent here. Satele was certain that she'd end up liking this place and make it her new home. Although she was a little concerned about Malgus, she hoped that with time he would also accept and maybe love this place as his own. However, to make him happy and satisfied she knew what needed to be done. Letting out a big sigh, she bit her lower lip thinking about him.