Work Text:
...
Lukas stood out brushing the dirt off his pants. A single letter lay on his bed he knew that Kavar would find it later. Long after he was gone. This was it. This morning before the first light of dawn he would follow Revan to war. As much as he didn't want to go to war there were too many lives at stake. No longer could he standby and do nothing.
For a moment his mind flashed to the Jedi Council. Anger made his face flush for a moment. They knew what was happening out on the Rim. How the Republic would lose if nothing was done to help them. Yet they still advised caution.
Only one master could have convinced him to listen. Kavar is the youngest member of the Council and a good friend. It had been a long battle on who he would follow. Revan or Kavar? One friend or the one who could be more.
Breathing out a sigh he pushed away the thoughts of indecision. He had made his choice. There was no backing out now. Revan needed him. Malak was too bloodthirsty to counterbalance her. Lukas would be the level-headed one of the three.
A part of him wanted to snort. Right him level-headed. No one who had spent any significant amount of time would ever accuse him of that. But he had to try. For Revan and the good of the Republic.
With that, he slung his packed bag over one shoulder and left his room. To his right leaning against the wall of the padawan hallway was XIII Hunter newly anointed Jedi Knight. He had hair that was blacker than the night sky and eyes that were even darker blue than his own. He stood just over six and a half feet tall one of the tallest of the Jedi in the temple.
To Lukas, he asked, "Are you sure about this? If we leave there is a good chance we won't be allowed back."
Lukas said looking at the man through the fringe of his dirty blond hair, "We don't have much of a choice. Revan seeks to save the Republic and she can't do that without help. You don't have to come. I'll understand if you want to sit this adventure out."
"Hell no," snapped back his friend, "Where you go I'll be by your side. You need someone to watch your back after all."
Lukas sighed, "It's not like I can't take care of myself, XIII."
"Your reputation says otherwise."
The glare he gave could have burned through durasteel. His friend simply grinned like a fox before pushing off the wall. Together they headed for the hangers where the others would be preparing to leave.
It only took a few moments but they passed by many padawans and Knights. Some seemed to be waiting to see what Lukas would do. Upon seeing him with a bag slung over his shoulder they followed.
Many would follow into a star if that was what he thought was best. He had never understood why so many would follow him without question. It didn't make sense to him. No matter how much XIII tried to explain it.
All around him people felt the urge to follow him. The stronger their presence was in the Force the stronger the urge was. Where it stemmed from only one of the Masters could say and they weren't talking.
There Revan was waiting for them. Next to her was Alek his arms crossed and he looked put out. Only about a dozen padawans were looking uncertainly at the ships. When Lukas appeared all eyes were upon him. Many padawans' shoulders slumped in resignation. A few looked to him for confirmation. Shortly Lukas nodded and walked up to Revan.
She said her voice calm and cool, "I'm glad that you're joining us, Lukas. We need your help."
"I promised I would," he replied then went up into the ship with XIII on his heels.
...
Three Jedi Masters from the High Council were right on Kavar's heels. The four of them had come to an agreement on what to do. It had been six months since Revan and his group had gone to war. It had taken him six months to convince enough Council Members to overrule the decision.
Finally, the third master had agreed giving them four in total. Vandar had reserved his judgment. He would not stand with them but neither would he stand against them. Only Vrook and Atris refused but they had enough.
The four entered the Council Chambers where Atris and Vrook sat in their seats. A look passed between them. They knew what was coming. It was hard not to when Kavar had not tried to hide it.
To Vrook he declared, "I am taking a contingent of Knights to Duxon the moon of Onderon."
Vrook replied his eyes narrowing coldly, "You can't. The Council has chosen to stay out of this conflict."
Kavar grinned, "That's where you're wrong. With those behind me, I have gathered enough to overrule that."
Vrook looked past him to the other Council members. They nodded their acceptance. Then he said bitingly, "This is a mistake Kavar. There is a bigger threat to consider."
Kavar growled, "No. I believe that we will create the bigger threat if we stand by and do nothing. I'm going. With or without you Vrook."
"Fine," he growled, "But neither Atris no I approve. If you die in battle know we will revoke this."
Kavar didn't wait to listen to Atris's arguments. Instead, he spun on his heel and headed for the hangers. Already his comlink was in his hands and he was giving orders.
Hold on Lukas, I'm coming.
...
Pinned Lukas kept his lightsaber flowing through Form III: Soresu. It was not his best form but he had learned to tighten it since becoming a General. It was his job to protect his men and right now this was what they needed.
Behind him was his three-man extraction team and an injured young Lieutenant. They had come to extract a First Lieutenant who had been unable to get away. Revan had not been pleased when he told her he was going back for the Lieutenant.
Did that mean he listened to her? Well, he may have turned his comlink off? The expletives she was using were so unladylike. When they got back she was most definitely going to yell at him. Oh well, he could deal with it then. First, they had to get out of here.
The half-smile that had formed dropped almost instantly as a grenade rolled towards them. Using the Force he was just able to send it back to the Mandalorians in time. A few in the front line were thrown back by the explosion. Only to be replaced by more.
To his team, he ordered, "Get that Force forsaken door open. We don't have much time left."
"I'm trying General," said one, "But I need time."
Lukas said more to himself than his men, "We are running out of time."
He had a lot of stamina but it wasn't endless. Already he was running on empty and it was beginning to show. If he had been half a second later the grenade would have killed them. Lukas wasn't sure if he could muster the strength to do it again.
Behind him, he heard the door open with a woosh. To his men, he ordered, "Get through there! Make it back to the exit! I'll be right behind you."
That may or may not be true at this point but he couldn't tell them that. They had to believe his words or they would never leave him. Until he heard footsteps behind him and a cold thrill of fear ran down his spine. This may be the end.
Only to see the Mandalorians in front of him get thrown back. Then came the familiar snap and hiss of a lightsaber being ignited. A familiar blond-haired man engaged the Mandalorians drawing their fire. Kavar?
A gentle hand touched his shoulder and he turned to face a familiar Jed Master. Zez-Kai Ell. What the fuck? What was going on?
Ell said with a nod, "We were surprised to hear you had gone off with a small rescue group. You should have waited until they could send more with you or go themselves."
Lukas shook his head as he said, "I couldn't. I barely made it in time as it was."
"Your heart is too kind," sighed Ell.
Kavar snarled, "Move! I cannot hold them off forever."
That had them moving. Kavar and a few other Knights covered the retreat. Once they had all crossed the doorway Kavar closed and locked it with the Force. He turned to face the exhausted extraction team. Light blue eyes fell onto Lukas who stiffened despite his exhaustion.
Kavar's eyes left him without any warmth and oddly Lukas was disappointed. Was the man angry with him? It would make sense considering the younger had left without a word.
Kavar ordered, "Let's go. I'll cover our retreat."
One of Lukas's men, Eon growled, "You're not put General. In fact, I don't believe I recognize you. Who are you?"
Lukas interrupted before Kavar could give the man a tongue lashing, "Listen to Master Kavar. I trust him."
There wasn't any hesitation to follow his orders. They trusted Lukas even if they didn't trust Kavar. It took them four hours to make a full retreat. More than once the Jedi had to confront Mandalorians who tried to cut them off. At one point Zez-Kai Ell had to grab him by his upper arm to help him keep his feet.
Finally, they had made it back to Revan's Basecamp. They were met with medics who first tried to approach Lukas who brushed them off. He was fine and they could do nothing for exhaustion. Revan looked to him before shaking her head. She began to bark orders to the men and allowed him to retreat to his own tent. Debriefing could wait until he had some rest.
So exhausted he did not notice that he was being followed until a firm hand pushed him into his tent. Lukas stumbled inside and spun slowly, too slowly for his comfort. He found that it was Kavar and he flinched. There was an unfamiliar look in his eyes.
Kavar didn't say anything instead crossed the room. Lukas refused to move away from his friend. Former friend? He wasn't sure what Kavar considered him as.
To his utter surprise, the man wrapped his arms around him. A warm embrace like he hadn't received since he left. His forehead pressed against Lukas's. The younger closed his eyes with a sigh.
He whispered hoarsely, "Do you know how worried I was when Revan told me you were gone? I thought I would be too late to help."
Lukas laughed without mirth his eyes opening, "I had to go. I couldn't just abandon them and if I waited there would be nothing left. What are you doing here, Kavar? The Council refused to send aid that's why we are here."
Kavar gave a cheshire grin as he said, "I got enough of the masters to agree with me. We brought reinforcements."
"You came to help?"
Kavar blinked then he said, "Part of it was to help in the war. But I refused to let you go off alone. Why didn't you tell me when you were following Revan?"
Lukas refused to meet his friend's eyes, "I knew you wouldn't be able to follow me. So I left."
Kavar's hand came up under his chin and firmly made him look at the master. The look was back and he said, "Lukas I will always follow you. Always."