The tension had been high on the starship Defender since the Sith Lord joined the crew. Most went about their business, taking care to steer clear of Lord Scourge.
"Honestly, I don't know if this was such a good idea." Kira Carsen said as she peered out the corner of her eye at the Sith as he walked by the cargo hold.
Lylandra was hunched over, busy rummaging through old boxes. "I understand your concern, Kira, but we don't have much of a choice. Since he was the Emperor's Wrath, he's the closest link we have to stopping countless worlds from perishing."
"What about you?" Kira asked.
Lylandra stopped and glanced at the Jedi Shadow. "What about me?"
Kira stepped forward and directly pressed the Jedi, "Well, you had a direct link to the Emperor when you were captured. You must have some information we could use."
"I…I don't like to think about that time." Lylandra resumed taking inventory.
"You always tell me to confront my fears and find peace through the force. Why don't you do the same?" Kira folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Lylandra.
Lylandra stood up abruptly. "That's enough, Kira. Please check our supplies in the med bay."
Kira sighed, "Yes, Master."
Lord Scourge was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. Kira gave him a dirty look and brushed passed him.
Lylandra knew all too well how close she had been to the emperor. Countless hours of meditation had proved fruitless. The dark side still dwelled within her. There were times when the Emperor still reached out to her mind and it took all she had to break the link.
"Jedi." Scourge sauntered towards Lylandra.
Not looking up from the box she was sifting through, she asked, "What is it Sith?"
He leaned over her shoulder, "What are you so fixated on?"
Lylandra stood up and faced Scourge, "Nothing of importance to you."
"Everything that goes on here is of importance to me."
"And why is that, Lord Scourge?" Lylandra felt unnerved.
Scourge stepped forward, a bit too close for Lylandra's comfort. "Because I just find it all so…fascinating."
Lylandra took a step back and tried to maintain her composure. "I'm glad the occupants of the Defender are the subject of your amusement."
"One occupant fascinates me the most." Scourge stared into Lylandra's eyes and she was captivated for a moment.
Shaking her head and regaining her wits she took a step backwards. "If you are quite finished, Scourge, I-"
He cut her off, "How is it after being touched by the Emperor? Do you find yourself wavering? Have you noticed things aren't so black and white anymore? I have noticed the path you walk isn't so…pure…as of late."
Defensively, she responded, "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
Scourge stepped closer. "Oh, I think you do."
Lylandra backed up, nearly tripping over a box, until her back was against the furthest wall of the cargo bay. Scourge placed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. Lylandra's heart leaped into her throat. She put her hand on her lightsaber.
"What is going on here? Scourge!" Doc growled from the doorway.
Staring directly at Lylandra, Scourge allowed a menacing grin to reach one of the corners of his mouth. "Nothing of consequence, Doctor." He pulled his hands away from the wall and spun around to face Doc. "I was merely having a conversation with our valiant Knight. Now, if you'll excuse me." He chuckled as he left the cargo bay.
Doc rushed to Lylandra who was staring blankly at the direction Scourge had left. He snapped his fingers in her face. "Hey, Jedi. You in there?"
Lylandra shook off the confusing emotions that washed over her. "Yeah, yeah…I'm…okay. Scourge is just being…himself."
Doc glanced around the cargo bay, "Did you find what you were looking for?"
She smiled as she held up a holocron in her hands. "I did."
Doc brought his hand up and caressed her face, "Well now that your task is done, how about we have a drink?"
Lylandra shrugged off his show of affection. "Maybe later. I must meditate on this holocron. If you could, see that my chambers go undisturbed?"
Doc sighed, "Of course, Master Jedi."
"Thanks. You're always so kind to me." She smiled as she walked into her quarters and closed the door.
So kind? So kind? She can't be so dense that she can't sense how I feel about her…
Scourge walked towards Doc, his arms crossed with a bemused smile on his face. "Tsk tsk. You know relationships with Jedi are forbidden."
"I don't know what you're getting at, Sith." Doc tried to dismiss the claim.
Scourge snickered, "Of course you don't, Doctor." He turned and walked away. "Don't forget to guard her quarters well. You never know what form of evil lurks around."
Doc scowled. Yeah, I know exactly the evil that lurks around.