While they were in hyperspace, Venar, Carth, and Bastila each took shifts watching the cockpit while the rest of them took some time to eat, sleep, and clean themselves up a bit. Venar had taken the first shift watching the cockpit and after an hour of boredom, Carth came to take over.

"Where are we heading anyways?" Venar asked Carth as the latter took the co-pilot's seat.

"Dantooine," he replied, "Bastila said there's a Jedi enclave there. Apparently, some of the High Council is currently stationed there."

"Alright, well, keep the ship in one piece while I'm gone."

"Somehow, I feel like I should be telling you that."

"You're probably right." Venar walked out of the cockpit down the hall to the crew quarters. Zaalbar was snoring on one of the bunks and Mission was cuddled up with him. For a moment, Venar wondered what it would be like to have your own personal Wookie as a pillow. Then he remembered that Wookies don't believe in bathing or grooming. Venar took the bunk across from Bastila, glancing over to see her sleeping peacefully under the blanket. Even when she was sleeping, she looked like she was scowling. Still, she looked serene and... before he finished that thought he wondered if Jedi could read minds in their sleep.

He laid down on his bunk and tucked himself under the covers. He rested his head on the pillow but found himself distracted by the sleeping Jedi across from him in the other bunk. It was odd but he felt pulled to her in some way, as if they were drawn to each other or connected to each other in some. He could feel it in the air around him almost as if it was something tangible and not just a mere feeling in his heart or a thought in his mind. It felt as if an outside source was drawing them together, somehow.

He turned over and faced the blank hard wall of the ship. It was strange, but for the first time in his life he felt like he belonged somewhere. He belonged here, with these people, on this ship. He had spent countless years wandering the galaxy aimlessly, taking on odd jobs here and there but ultimately without a real home or group of people that cared about him. He knew it probably wouldn't last, but he felt at home with these people, as strange and different as they were.

His thoughts soon carried him off to distant worlds, remembering planets he had visited in the past, people he had met. He could never remember the names of the planets he had been to or the people he had met, but he remembered them all the same. Yet, it all seemed like his whole life had been building to this, joining the Republic, the Endar Spire, meeting these people. Maybe Bastila was right, maybe the Force was involved...

Two Jedi walked through tall brown grass against a backdrop of a dark, gray, and foreboding sky. A light breeze licked the air. The first Jedi wore long brown robes that flowed in the wind. His head and face were covered by a hood a red and gray Mandalorian mask. The other Jedi, a tall bald man with blue tattoos running along the top of his head, wore a slim fitting brown tunic and pants.

"Revan," Alek said, "I can feel it, we're close."

Revan and Alek walked through the field, a clap of thunder sounding in the distance. A gust of wind swept through the plains as they made their way along further over to a sloping hill. They climbed to the top of the hill and as they looked down they saw the ancient ruins. Strange stone pillars were placed sporadically throughout the area below. Further out, carved into a smaller hill, was a stone entrance of some sort sealed by a large heavy stone door.

The two Jedi made their way down the first hill into the ruins below. Upon closer inspection, they saw the pillars held all sorts of strange markings and patterns. The stone was a dark color, almost black with a tinge of purple. They had never seen anything like it. They approached the entrance at the smaller hill, slowing their pace as they made their way to the large stone door. They stopped in front of it. Revan began pacing back and forth, as if pondering what to do next.

"Can you feel it?" Alek said, "Can you feel the power of this place?" He closed his eyes and inhaled, letting the power of the Force wash over him. "The Dark Side is strong here. If we do this, if we open it, we can never go back."

Revan suddenly turned toward the door and reached out a hand. The door began to groan and the sounds of smaller stone locks moving around inside the door reached their ears. "The power here... its... intoxicating... but at what cost?" Suddenly, the stone door slid upwards, locking in place in the ceiling of the stone entranceway. Beyond lay a dark and gloomy passageway, and without hesitation, Revan and Alek walked inside...

Venar gasped as he suddenly sat up in bed, his skin slick with sweat. Another dream, this time more vivid and also like there was another presence within the dream. He looked over to the empty bed across from him. Bastila...

He quickly threw on his boots and his jacket and briskly walked through the ship, his heart still pounding from the dream. He found Carth in the cockpit, but they were no longer in hyperspace, they weren't even in space anymore, they had landed!

"Carth! Where's Bastila?" Venar asked, slightly out of breath.

"She just left," he replied with a worried look on his face, "she's heading to the enclave... hey you don't look so good... come to think of it, she didn't either. What's going on?"

"No time to explain," Venar said bolting out of the cockpit towards the ship's exit.

"Some other time then..." Carth said to himself then let out a deep breath.

Venar ran down the ramp of the ship and found Bastila walking away from the ship just a couple yards away.

"Bastila! Wait!" he called running up to her. He almost ran into a repair droid carrying a box of tools. They were in a circular spaceport dock with an open roof that showed a bright blue sky. Even though he couldn't see what the outside world looked like yet, he was sure this was the same planet from the dream.

"Come with me," Bastila said, "I take it you saw it too."

"Yes! Wait... you had the same dream?"

"Of Revan and Malak before they turned to the Dark Side, yes."

"How... what... this doesn't make any sense. Why am I having these dreams?"

"I don't know. Perhaps the Council can shed more light on the matter."

"It looked... like they were searching for something," Venar said puzzled. He followed Bastila from the docking bay down a long sidewalk that he noticed was populated with mostly Jedi. He noticed her robes weren't as plain as the rest and was suddenly conscious not to inspect her too closely. "You know... I'm not sure I like the idea of you being in my dreams."

"What?" she said turning to regard him, "and are you so certain that it is not you who is in my dreams?"

"Well... pretty certain yes."

"Hm... well that's most likely vanity speaking considering I'm not so sure myself."

They came to an entrance that opened up into a large circular room with several chairs arranged in a half circle. However, inside there were only four Jedi present. As Venar and Bastila entered the room, the four Jedi rose from their seats to greet them.

"Bastila, it is good to see you alive and well," Zhar Lestin, a middle-aged twi'lek man said as he gave her a brief hug.

"When we had heard about Taris, we had feared the worst," said another of the Jedi, a balding stern-faced older man by the name of Vrook Lamar.

"Thank you, masters," Bastila said with a cordial bow, "It was a harrowing experience to be sure, but it seems the Force was on our side."

"And who is your friend here, Bastila?" said a small little green alien Jedi with large pointy ears.

"This is Venar Moonrunner, a survivor from the Endar Spire. He was instrumental in securing us a way off-planet. Venar, this is Master Vandar Tokare..." (The little green alien) "Master Dorak, the Chronicler here at the conclave..." An older bald dark-skinned man took a slight bow. "Master Vrook, and Master Zhar Lestin."

"Great to meet you, Masters," Venar said with a little wave.

"I believe Venar here, may be... gifted in the Force," Bastila explained, "Upon arrival on Taris, he experienced a vision of me fighting Darth Revan, and last night we both shared a vision of Revan and Malak before their fall to the Dark Side."

"This is most unusual," Zhar said bringing his hand up to his chin in thought, "did these... visions tell you anything?"

"The vision we shared showed Revan and Malak years ago on this very planet. They were in some ancient ruins, they appeared to be looking for something."

"And you saw this as well?" Master Vrook asked Venar.

"Yes that's correct."

"I also ran a test while we were on Taris and he seems to also already possess extrasensory abilities," Bastila continued.

"Hmmm... Yes I felt the great power within him as soon as he entered," Master Vandar said, his pointy ears twitching slightly.

"Yes but his power is wild and untamed. I sense a great amount of pride in this one," Master Vrook said bluntly, "I see someone set in his ways."

"He is typically much older than we would ever allow to be trained," Master Dorak said.

"Surely, you can sense the power within this man, though," Bastila proclaimed, "surely you can sense his potential. I assure you from what I've seen he is a quick learner."

"We do know of the ruins you speak of. Perhaps something has been overlooked-"

"We're not seriously considering training this man, are we?" Master Vrook interrupted.

"It is true he is much older than would normally be allowed," Master Vandar began thoughtfully, "However, we cannot be too prideful to admit that our numbers have been drastically thinned, many fallen in battle, many more have sworn allegiance to Malak. Perhaps the Force has guided him to us for a reason."

"He is too old!" Master Vrook raised his voice, "training a youngling is one thing, they're innocent, they can be taught, they can be molded. Adults have preconceived ideas, they have their own agendas. The lure of the Dark Side is especially strong with these ones."

"We need all the help we can get," Master Zhar argued, "With Revan dead, Malak has only gotten increasingly-"

"Are we so certain that Revan is actually dead? What if we undertake to train this one and the Dark Lord should return?" Even as Master Vrook said the words Venar felt increasingly more uncomfortable with the situation. He felt like he was being dissected by the four Jedi Masters, as if they sought to peer into his very soul.

"Please," Master Vandar spoke up, his large eyes widening on his old wrinkly green face, "these are matters best discussed with the rest of the Council in private... Bastila, Venar, please pardon us. Take some time to rest up. The Council will hold a special meeting and we will summon you tomorrow morning. May the Force be with you."

"Of course, Masters," Bastila said with a bow, "we will await your summons."

"I um, I appreciate the consideration, Masters, I think," Venar said. They all gave him a respectful nod with the exception of Master Vrook. He got the impression that Vrook had already judged him unworthy of the Jedi.

As they made their way back to the ship, he studied Bastila. He wasn't sure why she had stood up for him so strongly. She hadn't said a word to him since they left the Council chambers. So he decided to pry.

"So... um thanks, for you know... sticking up for me back there," he said.

"Don't mention it."

"So... can I ask why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you stand up for me?"

"Because I see you as someone who could be an extremely viable candidate for the Jedi, even if you aren't the most likely of candidates."

"I didn't know you thought that."

"Don't get me wrong I do agree with them in some ways," she said, "You do have a habit of not taking things seriously enough."

"Maybe its you who's taking things too seriously."

"I highly doubt that given what's at stake. Look, if I'm going to put a good word in for you I expect you to take this seriously."

"Why do you care?"

"What?"

"I mean it, why do you care if I become a Jedi. You haven't even asked me if I want to be a Jedi."

"I... its hard to explain," she said, avoiding his gaze, "there's something different about you. I don't like to admit it but I feel a connection to you, like there's something that binds us, like what one of us does will affect the other."

"Oh..." Venar said with a sly smile, "well if that's how you feel why didn't you just say so?"

"That's... that's not what I meant," she said suddenly flustered, "what I mean is like you know, a connection through the Force."

"Maybe the Force is trying to tell us something-"

"Exactly!"

"Like maybe its trying to tell us that you know, you and me, need to you know, use the Force." He winked at her after he said the last part.

"You are so simple-minded!" She said beginning to raise her voice as they entered the ship, "You are a fool if you think that's what the Force is trying to tell us! The galaxy is in peril and you're concerned about- no you know what? I refuse to indulge you... you... you little child!"

"You're kinda cute when you're angry." Venar said with a half-smile and leaning himself against the wall of the ship.

"You're more delusional than I-"

"What's going on?" Carth said walking through the doorway from another room, "what did the Jedi say."

"Nothing, Carth. I'm sorry we can't talk about it," Bastila said, a little more aggressively than she intended, "I need to go... meditate." She smoothed out her robes, and left the room at a brisk walk.

"What's her problem?" Carth asked.

"I don't think its her. I think all Jedi have something stuck up their-" Just then T3 came around the corner bleeping a message that he finished diagnostics on the ship and no real damage was taken during their escape.

"Oh, thanks T3. Good work," Carth said then turned back to Venar, "so what did the Jedi say?"

"Not much to be honest," he admitted, "mostly just debating whether I should be trained as a Jedi or not. Apparently I'm too old, risk falling to the Dark Side, blah blah blah."

"What do you make of all of it?"

"I'm not really sure. I mean, never really thought I would be given an opportunity like this. I won't admit this to Bastila but I feel like everything that's happened so far, its all brought me here. Its odd but I feel a connection here, within. Its... strange."

"Just... be on your guard," Carth said, "I don't trust the Jedi Council."

"You don't trust anyone."

"This is different. Remember what I told you about the Mandalorian War, with Revan. They did nothing. They just sat back while countless worlds fell. As far as I see it, they're partially to blame for what happened to those worlds."

"Well, they seem to be a secretive bunch I'll give you that. I'll be careful. After all, come on, its me."

"That's... not reassuring."

"I know."

Mission had heard Venar and Bastila come back into the ship a couple hours ago, and it was now early afternoon. Still, she couldn't seem to bring herself to get out of bed. She lay there, paralyzed by her thoughts. She had slept all through the night, so it wasn't that she was tired. She felt a nagging weight in her chest that seemed to be suffocating her. Memories rose up from the depths of her psyche, burdening her with pain and despair.

She remembered how her and Zaalbar had first met several years ago. She had gone into Javyar's Cantina late one night after scrounging up enough credits for a meal. The bar was occupied by some especially rough types that night. A couple rodians and a zabrak from the Vulkar gang. They came over and started hassling her, trying to get her to come with them back to their base. She called them all 'Hutt-lickers' and told them to get lost. They had grabbed her by her arms and began to drag her outside when she heard a loud roar. She remembered falling to the floor as the two rodians were lifted in the air by Zaalbar's huge arms and smashed together into a heap on the floor. The zabrak didn't even bother he just ran off out of the cantina screaming. The two of them had stuck together since.

It had been nice to have someone to partner with after her brother had left Taris, leaving her behind by herself. Even still, she did look back fondly on the memories her and her brother had shared together when she was young. Yet, all of it, everything she knew and called home had been destroyed in a matter of hours. She had heard Carth listening to the HoloNet earlier. The report was that Taris was completely destroyed, all that was left was the rubble of the city. Republic rescue teams haven't been able to get to the planet's surface because of the remaining Sith flagships continuing to bomb the planet even now. She had no energy anymore. She was lost in a galaxy bigger than she could comprehend, with people she had only met a week before.

"Hey," came Venar's voice as he knocked on the entrance to the room before coming in. He walked over to her bunk and sat himself down on the edge.

"Hey," she responded in a weak voice.

"I was wondering... uh if you wanted to play pazaak?"

"No thanks."

"Right, well you should get up for a bit. Maybe give Zaalbar a haircut."

"Grrrrrraaaaaawwwwrr," the wookie bellowed from across the room.

"Right, right, look Big Z," Venar said to the big furry heap laying on the bunk across from him, "All I'm saying is maybe just a little trim, maybe brush those teeth once in awhile and..."

"GrrrrwwwwwwrrrrraaaaaaAAAAHHHH!"

"Don't bother," Mission said, rolling her eyes, "I've tried."

"There's the Mission I know," Venar said, encouraged, "Look, why don't you get dressed I found a nice little café outside the enclave. I'm starving, and I know you haven't eaten yet."

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Grrrrwwwwwhhh! Graaaahhhhwr."

"Alright, fine. Is Carth and Bastila coming?" Mission asked, sitting up in bed.

"Nah," Venar replied, "Just us scoundrels. Besides I think Carth went for a walk. I think him and Canderous had an argument. And Bastila is probably meditating or something."

"Alright. They're no fun anyways."

"I tend to agree," he said with a smirk.

Once venturing outside the enclave, it was apparent that the enclave actually stood at the center of a small colony. There were some shops and houses, all made of marbled gray and maroon colored stone. It wasn't a very big colony by any means, only a few streets that went around the enclave and then from there just wide open plains of tall green and brown grass. The sky was blue and clear with only a few puffy white clouds dotting the expanse.