Revan and Malak descended through a tangle of branches and vines. The jungle howled and shrieked around them. It had been a long and grueling descent through the giant wroshyr trees. Their robes were dirty and tattered. Now, they neared the forest floor- the Shadowlands.

Revan let himself drop the last few meters to land on the soft damp ground. Mud and water splashed around his feet at the impact. Malak followed suit landing behind him a few moments later. Revan held up a small ancient-looking device that seemed to resemble some sort of compass. He consulted it before starting off through the jungle.

"We are nearing the end of this path," Malak said.

"There are no paths down here," Revan replied, his voice distorted through the mask.

"I meant our journey to uncover the secrets of the Rakatan."

"No," Revan said, consulting the compass again, "It is just beginning."

Just then, the bushes and foliage began to stir and hiss around them, as if calling out the intruders. The two former Jedi ignited their lightsabers, casting the darkness in a blue glow just as several large wyyyschokk spiders crawled out of the bushes and surrounded them.

The spiders edged in closer, hissing and snapping their mandibles at them. One of them lunged forward, aiming to strike. Revan easily sidestepped the large creature and with a precise swipe of his blade, chopped off several of it's legs. The massive spider screamed in pain as it was lifted into the air and thrown backwards crashing into another lunging wyyyschokk.

Malak had leapt onto the back on the spider closest to him and had jammed the blue blade of his lightsaber deep into the back of the creature. He let himself drop off the back of the creature and let his momentum cause the blade the slice down the creature as he fell. The wyyyschokk fell to the ground, dead.

Three more had surrounded Revan, hissing and snapping at him, but he stood his ground. The ground rumbled beneath him as the Force swirled around him. He stretched out his hands on either side of him and let out a large blast of power that swept out in a radius around him.

The three spiders went flying backwards through the air smashing into rocks and the roots of the large trees that populated the planet. Their hard shells cracked and splintered on impact, oozing a pungent green blood.

They continued on through the jungle, using their lightsabers to cut through a sense tangle of vines and vegetation. They crossed a small stream, unfazed by the tachs, small monkey-like creatures, that hopped and paced around the flowing current. The whole planet was alive and full of energy, it was strong in the Force.

Revan stopped, looking around, and consulted his compass.

"We are almost there," he said.

'Yes, I feel it. It's nearby," Malak said.

They approached a large tangle of vines and roots that blocked their way. They began slicing through them with their lightsabers, clearing themselves a path. They stopped when they saw a smooth metallic surface reflecting the glow of their lightsabers back at them.

They carefully used their lightsabers to clear away some more of the vines and roots that were obscuring the large object. As they cleared away the blockage, they realized it was some sort of crashed spacecraft.

"It doesn't look like any ship or freighter I've ever seen," Malak commented.

"It's of an ancient design," Revan replied. "Who knows how long it's been here."

There was an access panel next to what appeared to be a cargo bay door. Revan tapped the panel and to their surprise it lit up.

"The star map is just beyond this door," Revan said, "I can feel it."

--------------------------------------------------------------

They came out of hyperspace in orbit around a large planet that was mostly a dark green color interspersed with some vast blue oceans. Kashyyyk was, of course, a forest world teeming with life. It was mostly untouched, however, that had started to change in recent times. The two massive frigates with the logo of Czerka Corp proudly displayed on the hulls was evidence of this.

Even though there were no advanced civilizations on Kashyyyk, the Wookiees had carved out a prosperous existence in the trees, constructing large settlements and villages built around and sometimes carved into the trees themselves. In his research, Venar found Czerka was interesting in Kashyyyk for two reasons: precious metal ore deposits beneath the surface, and the Wookiee slave trade.

"This is Czerka patrol to the Ebon Hawk," a male voice came over the speaker in the cockpit. "Welcome to Edean, please standby for scan and docking procedures."

"Standing by..." Carth said in response.

"Edean? What do they mean? This is Kashyyyk," Bastila said.

"Czerka views the Wookiees as little more than animals with no real rights," Venar explained grimly. "They don't recognize the local name. As far as Czerka is concerned they are the first settlers of the planet and they chose the name Edean."

"That's horrible..." Bastila said. "Can you feel it? The suffering on the planet's surface? I can feel the sorrow of the Wookiees being transported off-world."

"It's disgusting," Venar said, a slight edge to his voice.

"Czerka Control to the Ebon Hawk, you are cleared for Docking Platform 22-AO," the voice came over the mic.

"Copy that," Carth said as he began flipping switches on the control panels. He began guiding the ship through atmospheric entry procedures as the others strapped themselves in. He consulted his screen and followed the nav point towards the correct docking platform.

As they descended through the atmosphere they were struck by how much green there was. It seemed there was nothing but lush forest for miles. Nighttime gave the forests a rather haunted feel. As they got closer to the nav point they saw the massive complex that had been constructed around one the massive wroshyr trees. Mission thought the trees were comparable to the massive towering skyscrapers of Taris. Zaalbar let out a soft groan at the sight of his home-world.

The Czerka outpost was constructed on top of massive platforms that were hung from supports all around the tree. The entire outpost was lit up by massive floodlights that only further seemed to make the entire construct stand out like a sore thumb. There were also several offshoots of the main circular hub to smaller but still large platforms that served as docking platforms for incoming freighters.

Carth set the Ebon Hawk down on their assigned landing platform. Not more than a moment after the ship settled they could see a couple Czerka inspection officers walking towards the ship.

"One of you better deal with that," Carth said, nodding toward Venar and Bastila.

"Right," Venar said. "Carth, stay with the ship. Mission, Z, with me and Bastila. Juhani?"

"Yes?" she asked.

"I want you and Canderous to find out everything you can about Czerka's operations here. If you can, document what you find, something we can forward to the Jedi Council and the Republic."

"Of course."

"What are you doing Venar?" Zaalbar spoke up.

"What someone should've done a long time ago," Venar said. "You're a valued member of this team and I know it's already hard enough coming back here. I'm afraid it's only going to get tougher from here. But the Republic and the Jedi need to know what's going on here. If there's a way we can free your people I'm taking it."

"Thank you. I will do my best to guide you."

"Then let's head out." Bastila shot him a sideways glance that indicated she wanted to say something, but she refrained.

Venar, Bastila, Mission, and Zaalbar walked down the ramp of the Ebon Hawk to greet the two Czerka officers. The two men seemed to glance at each other in surprise upon seeing them.

"Greetings, Master Jedi," the older man said, "We are honored. I am Senior Representative Halrow. We don't get many Jedi out here..."

"You have nothing to worry about," Venar said reassuringly, "Edean is not under the jurisdiction of the Republic. Whatever your business is out here it does not concern the Jedi."

The two men suddenly looked more relieved. Venar knew, of course, that Bastila was influencing their emotions through the Force.

"What then, brings the Jedi to Edean?"

"I'm afraid the details are classified," Venar said, "but I can tell you we're searching for a Jedi artifact. We believe it may lie on the forest floor."

"Ah, the so-called Shadowlands," the officer said. "Well you are more than welcome to stay here while you search. I take it your slave will be joining you?"

"The Jedi don't believe in slavery," Venar said, his tone becoming more firm. "Zaalbar here is our guide."

"Ah, yes. How noble. He is permitted to accompany you so long as he does not interfere with our perfectly legal trade."

Venar could sense through the Force the turmoil that was ever growing within their Wookiee companion. He did what he could to project a sense of calm on him through the Force.

"He will cause you no trouble, I assure you," Venar said with a curt smile.

"Of course. Feel free to stop by any of our vendors here for supplies if you like. My associate rep here, Mr. Drous can point you in the direction of the lower walkways. Other than that we can't tell you much about how to get where you need to go," Halrow explained. "The jungles and trees here are very dangerous and I'm told the forest floor is especially nasty. There are a few Wookiee villages in this sector the further down into the understory you go. Not that they'd be much help I suppose."

"I think we'll be able to manage just fine," Venar said.

"Right then," Halrow said turning to leave. "We will have your ship serviced and fueled for you by the time you return. Standard fees apply, of course."

"Of course." Venar said with a nod. Internally, he was finding the interaction rather nauseating. He wished he could break up this entire operation single-handed right then and there. He knew too little about the situation, however. If he was going to make a move he wanted to do it right.

The other Czerka rep gave them a quick tour of the outpost. As they had observed before, it was a circular complex built around the center of a massive wroshyr tree. The large platforms it was built on contained a market with several vendors selling various items to off-worlders, a maintenance shed, and two lodging buildings for housing employees and customers.

Now that they were walking around the place, they could actually see that Czerka's headquarters for the planet had actually been carved out of the center of the tree the platform was built around, making it the very center of the complex. Durasteel and plasteel had replaced what was once the internal bark of the tree. Venar wondered what else Czerka had invaded on this planet.

The market, though, was really the main attraction. Sure, there were vendors for medical supplies, food, armor and weapons; anything a spacer might need while traveling. The most lucrative, of course, was the Wookiee slave market. Here, Wookiees could be purchased as 'single stock' or in 'bulk stock'. There were even a few Wookiees in chains that were being hauled off to their new owners.

They didn't seem as healthy as Zaalbar, Venar noticed. Their fur was matted and even bare in some places, where nasty scars could be seen. He felt his anger rising within him as the Czerka rep lead them through the outpost.

"I see it too," Bastila whispered, "remember, there is no emotion, there is peace."

He nodded in the direction of the beaten and defeated Wookiees that were being lead off in bondage.

"Tell that to them."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Juhani opened her eyes in a dimly lit room. It was a small room. Too small for the amount of people that lived there. But such was the way of things for the so-called "alien species" in the Lower City of Taris.

She had been an infant when her family had moved from their home planet of Cathar. Panic had broken out on their planet as the Mandalorian war machine moved ever closer to their world. As other planets in their sector fell to the brutal war tactics of Mandalore, fear grew that Cathar was next.

Rather than stay and find out, her family fled before the approaching armies got closer. They relocated into Republic space and settled on Taris only to find that their kind was not welcome. They hadn't had much choice, their family wasn't exactly well off even back on Cathar. That was nearly seven years ago.

So there they lived, a family of five living in what would have been a single bedroom in the Upper City. It wasn't all bad though, they were at least fortunate enough to be a close-knit family unit. They had their squabbles, sure, but they looked out for each other.

Juhani stirred from her sleep, and was jolted further awake when her younger sister Murghil kicked at her in her sleep. She rubbed at her eyes and sat up.

"You're up early," came her mother's voice. Juhani turned and looked to see her mother washing some of their clothes in a tin bucket.

"Where's papa?" She asked her mother.

"Gone to work already," her mother said with a smile, though her eyes spoke of sadness.

"Czerka needs him at this hour?"

"According to him it was urgent."

"It always is, mother", she said with a sigh.

"Listen," her mother said kindly, resting a hand on Juhani's shoulder. "Your father is doing what he needs to do, for all of us. We all do our part so that we can survive."

"Papa isn't the same since he started working for them, though, mama. He never has time for us anymore. He barely eats with us, he always sleeps."

"I know its hard for you to understand, Juhani. Someday you'll understand, when you're older," her mother looked lovingly into her eyes. Juhani could still see the sadness her mother tried so desperately to hide, and pretend wasn't there.

Her mother returned to washing their clothes, and Juhani knew, the conversation was over.

Now, as she walked through the Czerka outpost of "Edean" she was reminded of her life so long ago. The uniforms of Czerka still left a sour taste in her mouth.

Now, though, she became aware of the awkward and weird stares she was getting from some of the customers and Czerka staff that were mingling about the market. She could just make out some of them whispering and gesturing in their direction.

"They're wondering why a Cathar would be travelling with a Mandalorian," Canderous said to her. He was clad in his new beskar armor, which only drew more attention.

"Sometimes I wonder that myself," she said coldly.

"You know, not all of us agreed with what happened on Cathar," Canderous said. "There was no honor in what happened to your people. Cassus Fett was nothing but a brute and a coward."

"Right, because enslaving worlds is so much more honorable."

"I understand you don't like us," Canderous said, "but we always gave the worlds we conquered a choice to join us, to become Mandalorian. We accepted them as our own. We became a family."

"And those who didn't became slaves," Juhani said in disgust, "spare me your history lesson."

"Not slaves, servants, and we treated them well. At least Clan Ordo did."

"Well aren't you the noble conqueror," she said with contempt.

"And the Jedi are so much better?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Say what you will about Mandalorians but we've never pretended to be something we are not. And we never kidnapped children from their families to be inducted into an order that trains them to deny themselves everything worthwhile in life in fear that them living a normal life might somehow turn them evil."

"The Jedi saved me. They did not take me from my family! I chose to go with them, to dedicate myself to their cause." She could see in her mind's eye her former master, Quatra, standing over her as a frightened young child on Taris, tears streaming down her face. She remembered seeing the brilliant green glow of her lightsaber arcing through the air, deflecting blaster bolts all around them.

"Then you are more fortunate than most Jedi. Why do you think so many of you have left? Even your greatest hero Revan saw the hypocrisy of the Jedi."

"You forget, I already had a taste of Revan's path. I've felt the Dark Side course through my veins. It offers nothing but corruption."

"I'm not talking about the Dark Side," Canderous said. "Even before Revan left for the Unknown Regions, he had renounced the Jedi Order. He exposed them as the cowards they are."

"And yet these very same Jedi are the ones who defeated you."

"No, the Jedi didn't defeat the Manda'lor, Revan did."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Darth Malak stood standing on the bridge of the Leviathan, staring out the viewport, his eyes glimmering like embers. Something was stirring in the Force, he could feel it. No. Several somethings.

They were like growing tremors almost, a sort of building crescendo. He could not place the source of these disturbances. He took turns focusing his perception on one, then the other. The first one felt like almost a hollow emptiness, a void that seemed to want to devour everything around it. The second, an agonizing presence, fueled by pure rage.

These, he had only discovered recently, shortly before his visit to Malachor. That had been part of the reason for his visit. He thought he had pinpointed the source of the disturbances, but when he arrived, he felt nothing. He decided it would be worth another look at some point.

Now though, he had bigger problems. There was another rising presence in the Force. Unlike the others, he knew exactly the source of this rising torrent. Dealing with it was another matter. Everything he had worked for and built was at risk.

His thoughts turned to his former master, and how he might have handled a similar situation. Revan had always been a brilliant tactician and leader, and yet, despite Malak's best efforts, he could never seem to instill the same level of fervent loyalty that Revan had. It made his anger burn hotter within him.

"Everyone out," his metallic voice broke through the silence.

"Sir?" Admiral Karath looked up from his station.

"Did I stutter, Admiral?"

"N-no my lord," he turned, addressing the crew. "You heard him! Vacate the bridge!"

Admiral Karath looked back uneasily at his master as he and the rest of the crew left the bridge, before the blast doors hissed closed behind him.

Malak slowly turned and walked towards the holo communicator and punched in a frequency. He waited a moment, before the hologram materialized into the air. A tall muscular figure clad in heavy armor appeared, his eyes glaring with a cold focused precision even across the galaxy.

"Malak... you finally answer my call," the tall figure said. He was an alien of a sort that had not been seen in the galaxy for some time. He was humanoid in appearance, shaven of all hair, with tendrils hanging from his chin and jowls.

"I have been busy... Lord Wrath," Malak said.

"Too busy to contact your masters?" The dark figure had a deep and imposing voice, and yet it lacked any sort of emotion. "You've lost control. You and your master promised you could handle this assignment and yet we have not heard from either of you since you left."