Star Wars_ The Old Republic_ Revan - Drew Karpyshyn [70]
“If the Sith are planning another invasion of the Republic, they’d have to come through Mandalorian space first,” Canderous muttered. “Maybe they were trying to get us out of the way.”
“Maybe. Or maybe they wanted to twist your culture and beliefs in the hope you’d join them. Many of the Mandalorians are bitter, and hungry for revenge. Without a new Mandalore, how hard would it be for someone to manipulate them into going to war again?” Revan frowned. “Your people have lost their way, Canderous. You need to help them find it again. The fate of the galaxy could depend on it.”
Canderous stared at Revan, and then down at the Mask in his hands. He stood stock-still for a moment. Then, slowly, he raised the Mask and slipped it over his head.
“Mandalore has returned,” he declared. “I am Mandalore the Preserver, and I will restore the honor and glory of my people!”
T3-M4 GREETED REVAN’S RETURN to the Ebon Hawk with a shrill stream of beeps and whistles. The astromech was spinning in place so rapidly that Revan feared he might burn out a circuit.
“Settle down, little fella,” he said, reaching out to pat the droid. “I’m glad to see you, too.”
T3 stopped spinning and responded with an inquisitive chirp.
“Canderous is staying here,” Revan explained. “These are his people. This is where he belongs.”
T3 beeped twice.
“No, we’re not going home yet,” Revan said, settling into the pilot’s chair and punching in their hyperspace coordinates.
“We’re headed into the Unknown Regions, to a planet called Nathema.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SCOURGE KNEW THAT Nyriss was watching him carefully. For the past week, ever since she had told him the truth about Xedrix, he had felt her presence constantly. He had promised not to act on his knowledge until he saw Nathema for himself, and he intended to keep that promise. He knew she didn’t trust him, and he knew she’d try to kill him if she felt threatened—and also that she was powerful enough to have a good chance of succeeding. But he had his own reasons for obeying. He was curious about what she had told him. He wanted to know more about the Emperor’s mysterious past. And if it turned out that Nyriss was telling the truth—if the Emperor really was mad enough to start another war with the Republic—then maybe Scourge should consider taking her side.
Now the day of reckoning was here. Nyriss had come for him early, waking him with a subtle whisper in his ear.
“It’s time.”
He’d dressed quickly, then followed her out to the spaceport, where a private shuttle was waiting for them. Unlike the rest of her fleet, this one bore neither her colors nor her crest. This journey would be conducted in utter secrecy.
The shuttle was clearly built for speed; there was no armor to speak of, and at first glance it was easy to miss the single blaster turret mounted under the cockpit. Scourge was no expert on starship weaponry, but he guessed it would only be effective at close range.
The interior was more functional than luxurious, with room to seat six. On this trip, he and Nyriss would be the only passengers.
She settled into the pilot’s chair, her fingers moving rapidly over the controls with a dexterity that belied their gnarled, wrinkled appearance. Neither of them spoke as the shuttle took to the sky, climbing rapidly through the clouds and lightning until it broke free of the atmosphere.
Nyriss made a few more adjustments and punched in their route, and the ship jumped into hyperspace, leaving Dromund Kaas—and Nyriss’s loyal followers—behind.
“Nothing I tell you can prepare you for what you will see on Nathema,” Nyriss warned him. “But I will tell you the history of the Emperor and his homeworld.”
“How can I know you’re telling the truth?”
She shrugged. “Believe it or not as you see fit. If nothing else, it will help pass the time.”
She settled herself more comfortably, and as she spoke, her voice took on the