Singer of the Dark Heart (Part I)
By: Muse of Scrolls
The place was crawling with a variety of male alien forms gathering around the stage areas. Most of them carried credits or had drinks in their hands and waved at the girls onstage dancing or singing. Darth Maul merely watched the display in disgust as some of the girls were pulled offstage and into the arms or whatever appendages the owner had. His fire-rimmed, gold eyes flicked away from the swarm. Right now, his mind was focused on more important matters that his master, Lord Sidious, had given him.
"My apprentice, I require that you search for a young being. She is kin to one I am sheltering. Her name is Kaia and she is the last of a race called Muses. Her cousin, Celiuun, has asked as a final request that she be found and brought back here to safety. I trust you will not fail me, Lord Maul," Lord Sidious explained to him several days before.
"That trust will not be broken, my Master," Maul told him with a bow. "I shall find and retrieve this Muse swiftly."
In all his travels, Darth Maul didn't imagine the journey would end in a place of such ill repute. Yet, from what his findings could tell, this was the place where he would find this Muse, Kaia. Another puzzling factor was that Lord Sidious had failed to supply a visual of her. However, it wouldn't be hard to find a Muse in this place since she was the last one of her people.
Glancing over towards the stage to the right of his almost hidden table, Maul saw that the girls had cleared it. Then, a mature Twi'Lek male approached the microphone, saying,
"And now, the Kiratua Rapture Tavern is proud to present one of our leading ladies, Kaia."
Raising an eyebrow at the name, Maul turned his head towards the stage focusing all of his attention on the curtains. As they opened, a blue stage light shone through the blackness that fell about the room. Soft music resounded through the organitar (something similar to an organ in a guitar-form) as light synthetics joined in harmony.
Then, a tall, slender form wearing a short, black dress with matching tight leggings walked through the small opening in the curtains as a long, blue mane spilled over wide, pale shoulders. The oval face held large, green eyes lined with dark lashes and accented with pale blue shadow extending to the brow ridges. A pair of pink lips opened as a light voice joined with the melody already present from the two instruments.
A strong force behind that voice slammed into Maul's mind as he kept hold of his senses. However, it was only a brief occurrence as nothing more tried to make its way into him. His eyes widened at the sight of the one he was to retrieve. She was beautiful; there was no doubting that fact. But, there was something hidden within her voice as she sang. Maul knew the emotion well enough...melancholy, and perhaps loneliness.
xXx
Kaia knew that the song she chose for her first number would upset her boss because of its mellowness, but she just didn't feel like singing an enticing number now. She had worked in the Kiratua for almost two years now, and the thought of gaining her freedom was growing fainter. The one mistake Kaia made when she first came looking for work was coming into this place of burlesque. However, she had agreed to work for Jhurak, the Twi'Lek male, and she would continue to earn him as much money as possible.
As her green eyes scanned the crowd, Kaia tried to root out newcomers that she would go to during her next song. Most of the usuals flocked to the edge of the stage while novices stayed back to watch from a distance. Coaxing these potential regulars into buying drinks or borrowing one of the girls for a night was Kaia's main task.
Striding to the edge of the stage, Kaia bent down to sing to some of the regulars as they reached out to touch her. Before their hands could come within inches of her skin, Kaia moved gracefully out of range. Slowly twisting her body to where she sat onstage, the Muse settled against the stage floor with her chin on her hands, gazing out into the audience.
Within the shadows, Kaia spied a dark-clad man sitting alone at a table practically hidden away from the rest. Raising an eyebrow, she thought, 'So, we have someone who is a little shy. I wonder what's hidden under that black hood. Perhaps I will find out soon enough.'
Placing her forehead against her hands on the floor, Kaia ended her first song as she turned her back on the audience to prepare for her next number. The rhythm picked up as a set of drums joined with a different set of minor synthetics. Arching her back, Kaia rose into a low-set split before bending over backward and slowly flipping to her feet.
A small, sly smile spread across Kaia's face as she began the next song in sultry soprano. Walking along the stage with graceful stride, Kaia approached the edge where many customers stood, gaping at her movements. With the agility of a cat, the Muse flipped over the wall of males onto a more open area of the floor.
The crowd moved a little closer to where Kaia landed, but, holding out her hand, she halted them in their tracks with a smile. Running her fingers through the black hair of a regular she knew, Kaia moved in among the males, touching a few familiar shoulders or faces as she went. But, her eyes flashed over to the dark man's table every so often as she continued in her song. Slowly, Kaia maneuvered through the crowd towards the barely-lit area of the far table.
xXx
Darth Maul could hardly believe his fortune. Here she was walking straight towards him on her own. Her actions towards the other customers were a little difficult to read. At first she avoided them before making contact with what appeared to be a select few of them.
As she approached him, Maul bent his head lower to hide his face with the black hood of his cloak. He had no desire for his face to be remembered by any of the filth within the establishment. However, when he saw her long, blue hair sweep past him on one side, Maul favored her with a glance as she came around from behind him.
xXx
At first, Kaia moved right past the one whose face she desired to see, but turning her head, she made sure her presence was known by him. Circling around him, Kaia felt some odd energy about this stranger that made her not touch his body. However, that only made her more curious to see his face.
Still singing and moving with the music, Kaia turned to see him look up at her as she passed on the other side. His face was etched with black and red symmetrical marks, and the eyes that stared straight into hers burned like flames. Bright gold, rimmed with fierce fire locked with dark green as time ceased to exist for a brief moment. Then, with a flourish of dark blue hair, Kaia broke the gaze as she moved back towards the stage and ended her song.
'That was...peculiar,' Kaia thought to herself as she frowned slightly. However, the frown righted itself as she smiled and bowed to her cheering audience throwing more money onto the stage than before. Bowing once more, Kaia moved backwards until she was beyond the curtain range before they closed in front of her.
xXx
The glance between them told Darth Maul enough about his charge. Kaia seemed to know he was one to be reckoned with, even for a newcomer. But, there was something else...something Maul never really felt in himself. It was desperation. She wanted off this planet.
Glancing over to the closed curtains, Maul saw Kaia exit from the right side of the stage. Following her with just his eyes, Maul watched the Muse stride to the bar where the Twi'Lek male stood. Honing his mind to them, he listened to their conversation.
xXx
Approaching Jhurak, Kaia put forth her best face. Seeing that he was smiling was a good sign, most likely because of all the money raked in tonight. Taking a seat on the barstool next to the Twi'Lek, Kaia asked,
"Did we bring in a lot tonight, Jhurak?"
"Of course, Kaia, better than before," Jhurak smiled at her. "But, most of it is because of that golden voice of yours, my Muse."
Giving him a small smile, Kaia declared,
"Well, once you've had your fill of credits, you'll have no more need of me, correct, Jhurak?"
Ceasing in counting the large wad of credits, Jhurak looked straight at Kaia, saying,
"There will never be enough credits, Kaia. I thought you understood that...in your contract."
"What are you talking about?" Kaia inquired, frowning.
"In the contract you signed, you basically promised to work until I see that you are of no use. Frankly, you are the most useful of all my girls," Jhurak explained. "You're fortunate that I care enough for you to protect you from the harm some of the others receive."
Closing her eyes in dejection, Kaia started to walk away, but felt Jhurak's firm grip on her arm stop her. Turning to look at him again, she saw his eyes turn cold as he added,
"I hope you don't forget that if you leave the planet your collar will self-destruct and take you with it."
Swallowing slowly, Kaia stated,
"No, I haven't forgotten."
"Good," he said, releasing her arm. "Oh, and Kaia? Be glad that I don't force you to work like the rest of the girls."
Nodding as Jhurak picked up the credits and left, Kaia silently cursed herself for ever making that contract. Now, she knew she was stuck here for the rest of her life.
xXx
All of what was said in the conversation reached the Force-keen ears of Darth Maul. Although he had agreed to retrieve Kaia already, he now felt he had something personal against this Twi'Lek. Suddenly, one of the girls, a humanoid with bright pink hair, came over, asking, "What'll you have, Stranger?"
Narrowing his eyes at her, Maul was about to order her to be gone when another thought came to mind. Giving her an emotionless smile, he said,
"I want to speak to the woman with blue hair standing by the bar."
"Kaia?" the girl asked, looking that way to be sure. "Sorry, but I can't do that."
Waving a hand slightly, Maul ordered,
"You will bring her over here, and then leave us alone."
Repeating his order, the girl complied and then went over to Kaia.
xXx
Leaning on her arms against the bar, Kaia knew it would be hopeless to try and escape. The moment she signed Jhurak's contract, he clipped the collar around her neck. It was like that for all the girls, except the fact that not all of theirs were set on 'destroy'.
Sighing, Kaia reached for a glass of water when she felt a hand grasp her wrist. Looking up, she saw Ninuna, one of the humanoids Kaia couldn't place in a planetary category.
"What is it, Ninuna?" Kaia inquired.
"A man wishes to speak with you alone," Ninuna replied rather blandly.
"Well, according to Jhurak, I don't have to go," Kaia tried to remind her co-worker.
However, Ninuna refused to listen. Pulling Kaia from the stool, Ninuna dragged the Muse towards a hidden table.
Looking at the table they approached, Kaia recognized the newcomer she had sought out during her last song. 'Damn! I didn't think he would want me. I probably shouldn't have gone near this man,' Kaia thought to herself.
As soon as they reached the table, Ninuna left Kaia's side. Glancing at the hooded man, Kaia looked at the table before saying,
"I'm sorry if you were expecting something after what I did during my song. But, that's all I do...perform."
"I realize that," a deep voice stated softly. "I had no intention to try and 'buy' you as some of these so-called men would."
Giving him a perplexed stare, Kaia asked,
"Then...what?"
"I only wanted to talk with you," he replied in smooth baritone. "But, only after you trust me with your full attention, Kaia."
Looking from the stranger to Jhurak in his office, Kaia shook her head and sat down in the chair opposite him. Keeping her gaze on the newcomer, Kaia waited for him to say something. To her surprise, he remained silent as both merely say at the table.
At the moment Kaia was about to stand, she heard him inquire,
"Do you want your freedom?"
Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Kaia asked,
"What?"
"I was sent here to find and bring you back with me," he explained.
"Who are you to even say such cruel things to me?" she questioned as she frowned.
"I'll explain myself further once we are off the planet," was the reply as his eyes darted over to Jhurak's office.
Shaking her head, Kaia declared, "I can't leave. If I do, my collar will explode."
Turning his eyes and locking them with hers, he stated, "Leave that to me. Does the collar only bind you to this planet?"
"My powers are bound to it, too. If not, I wouldn't be here now," Kaia informed him. Seeing him raise an eyebrow in curiosity, she added, "Trust me. This collar is the only thing keeping me here."
"I will speak to you tomorrow," he nodded before rising and vanishing outside.
Blinking in slight confusion, Kaia thought, 'Did this conversation...just happen?' Shaking her head, Kaia rose and went to work at the bar. Through her shift, Kaia kept an eye out for the dark-clad man who promised to help her. But, he didn't return to the tavern.
xXx
Moving back into the tavern with absolute stealth, Darth Maul kept his full attention on Jhurak. The Twi'Lek was still inside his small office. Every so often Jhurak moved around towards a file cabinet, rifling through some papers.
Although Maul was ready to go in, kill Jhurak, and take Kaia's file, he knew that wouldn't bode well for the Muse. Patience was of the essence, and Maul's sith training had prepared him enough.
Somewhere near mid-morning, Jhurak stretched his arms and left the office. Glancing around the tavern, Maul discovered the remaining girls shutting the place down. Apparently, they opened at dusk and closed at dawn. Used to moving at night in the cover of darkness, Maul liked the challenge of hacking into the office in broad daylight.
Once the remaining workers left the tavern, Maul removed the black hood of his cloak. Leaving the shadows, he strode to the office door. Using the Force, Maul unlocked and entered the small room. Slowly walking inside, Darth Maul went straight for the cabinet. With a wave of his hand, the lock opened as he pulled the top drawer out.
'A rather primitive form of record-keeping, but I suppose it is suitable,' Maul thought as he raised an eyebrow.
Thumbing through the papers, Maul found Kaia's record in the middle of the large stack of sheets. Removing it from the rest, he discovered only the contract agreement she signed. Taking a closer look at it, a small slip of paper fell gently to the floor.
Retrieving it, Maul saw two sets of numbers. 'The codes to her collar?' Maul asked himself. 'But, how does he control the different collars?'
Glancing around the room, a mini-computer on a side desk made its presence known to Maul. He strode over to the machine still holding the codes. The computer was already active, and Maul merely typed in a universal access number from Lord Sidious.
Instantly, dozens of records appeared on the small screen. Scrolling down, Maul's fiery eyes searched for Kaia's record. However he failed to find one under her name or planetary species.
Frowning for a second, Maul stared at the screen again. A single word in the subject column stood out from the others. It was called 'Sume'. Entering into that record, the computer asked for a code. Typing in the first set of numbers, Maul gained access into a file for a Muse. 'An anagram. Clever, but not enough,' Maul smirked.
Scrolling down again, the file basically contained a physical description of Kaia as well as her job description. At the bottom, Maul saw a column for 'Collar Status'. It said 'active for destroy'.
Deleting the 'active', Maul was greeted by a surprise as another code was demanded. However, this one needed the collar owner's codename along with the numerical code. Placing a hand on his chin in thought, Maul knew Jhurak wouldn't make this code that easy. It wouldn't be Kaia's name; perhaps another anagram, but not a direct name.
Trying the same anagram 'Sume', Maul was denied access. Keys clicked softly as Maul typed in 'Akia', an anagram for Kaia's name. After being denied again, Darth Maul tried to remember something said in Jhurak's conversation with Kaia.
Suddenly, the sith lord recalled the Twi'Lek counting his credits. As Jhurak did this, he called Kaia his 'golden voice'. Frowning, Maul thought, 'It's worth a try.'
Hearing something, Maul left the mini-comp and Force-lifted himself to the ceiling. A light came on inside the tavern area. Placing a hand on his light saber, Maul kept his eyes on the office door. However, it was a false alarm as the light went out. Sensing no one in the tavern, Maul landed gracefully on the floor.
Returning to the computer, Maul typed in 'golden voice' under the filename. It was accepted, and the comp asked for the numerical code beneath the name. Entering the numbers, Darth Maul changed the collar's status from 'active' to 'shutdown'.
Nodding in satisfaction, Maul exited the program. Keeping Kaia's file in his hand, he made sure that no trace of the Muse remained on record of this planet. Leaving and relocking the cabinet and office, Maul followed a back hallway towards the girls' sleeping rooms.
Quickly glancing through the list of names, Maul soon located Kaia's room. When he arrived, however, he discovered the room was unoccupied. As the corners of his mouth pulled into a slight frown, a look of thought crossed Maul's face. It would be rather risky trying to get Kaia off the planet in broad daylight. Somehow, someone would see them departing, and Maul knew he couldn't have that happening. It was best that he return for her later on tonight.
Satisfied with his judgment, Maul exited the tavern's back door. Then, he pulled out a holo-transmitter and called his master. The small hologram of Lord Sidious was still rather ominous as he asked,
"What news do you bring me, Apprentice?"
"Master, I have taken care of all documents and records of the Muse on this planet," Maul answered with a bow. "And tonight, I shall depart with her and set a course for Coruscant."
"I am pleased, my apprentice," Lord Sidious stated. "I trust that you will take the utmost care in bringing her here."
"Of course, my master," Maul told him, keeping his head bowed.
"Good. I shall await your return to Coruscant," Lord Sidious declared as the figure vanished from the transmitter.
Replacing the small device inside his black cloak, Darth Maul faded into the streets filling with people. He would return after dusk to retrieve Kaia.
xXx
Later on as the sun hung low in the sky, Kaia dressed for tonight's performance. During the remainder of last night and today, all Kaia could think about was the dark stranger. He had promised her freedom, and tonight he would speak with her again. Pulling on her black, leather boots, Kaia strode out of the dressing room. Heading for the bar, she had first and second shifts tonight before she would sing.
The first shift went by rather slowly, but once her second shift started, Kaia had her hands full. Dashing from the bar, Kaia passed on orders to the back and returned quickly with customers' drinks.
Finally, when there was a break in the orders, Kaia glanced around the tavern trying to locate the dark stranger. Sighing in disappointment, Kaia prepared to get onstage.
'Kaia, come to the far corner of the bar,' a familiar, dark voice said inside her mind.
Glancing in that direction with her eyes, Kaia grabbed a rag and began wiping that area of the bar. Although no one sat there, she saw a faint movement in the shadows.
'Now, listen carefully,' the voice resounded through her mind. 'Your collar has been deactivated. All files about you on this planet have been removed. We'll be leaving soon.'
'I can't believe...I am really free to get off this planet,' Kaia thought to herself even though he seemed to hear her thoughts.
'Believe it. Now, we need to get off-planet,' he told her firmly.
'The most discreet way would be mine,' she informed him. 'Leave the tavern when I get onstage, and I'll join you outside afterward.'
The silence between them seemed filled with hesitance as he finally answered,
'Agreed.'
Slightly nodding her head, Kaia replaced the rag on the back counter before going behind the curtains. Waiting for Jhurak to announce her, Kaia gave him a smile as he asked,
"Are you ready to perform, Kaia?"
"Of course, Jhurak," she replied. "I'll make this a performance that won't be forgotten."
"Great," Jhurak said, rubbing his hands together greedily. Kaia could already see the credits and other monetary items shining in the Twi'Lek's eyes.
After announcing her, Jhurak left the stage as Kaia walked through the curtains. Her eyes darted over to the doors in time to see the edge of a black cloak waft a moment before disappearing. Seeing her mysterious ally gone, Kaia began a slow-tempo song.
xXx
Outside one of the windows, Darth Maul watched and listened to Kaia. The dress she wore was an ankle-length split front, blue skirt with a black top and leggings, and her long, blue hair was also tied high on her head. Just as before, Maul felt an energy wave pass through him when he heard Kaia's voice. However, this time it was smaller, a little more subtle, and it was followed by more waves.
Gazing inside at the crowd, Maul noticed everyone slowly nodding their heads. Some of them already lay down on the tables. It was a very puzzling sight. Raising an eyebrow in thought, Maul's fiery eyes turned back towards Kaia. Her voice had become very soft now as she closed her own eyes. As he looked around the room, not a single person, either customer or worker, was still awake. Then, Maul saw Kaia move slowly towards the door.
'So that is a Muse's power,' Maul thought. 'Peculiar, but effective.'
"Where's your ship?" a soft voice asked as Maul turned to see Kaia standing next to him.
"On the outskirts of town. I prefer to keep a low profile," Maul told her. "We'll use my speeder."
Turning to stride down a side alley, Maul stopped when he didn't hear Kaia's footsteps behind him. Looking back, he saw the Muse rip the collar off her neck.
Ripping the metal band from around her neck, Kaia threw it back into the tavern. As she strode towards her ally, Kaia said,
"I have no need of that anymore."
Nodding, he moved back into the alley where Kaia followed. It was a dark, sleek speeder, one Kaia had never seen before. Watching him mount the machine, she slowly swung her leg over and settled behind him.
Starting the speeder, Darth Maul felt Kaia's arms grip a little harder around his waist. The feeling wasn't annoying as Maul thought it should have been. It was rather...pleasant as the speeder shot out of the alley. Approaching the ship, Maul steered the speeder onto the open hangar door as Kaia gazed around in slight suspicion. After shutting down the speeder and settling to the ship's floor, Maul turned his head towards Kaia and ordered,
"Dismount and sit down."
Swinging her leg back over the speeder, Kaia landed on the metal floor without making any noise. Raising his eyebrow in surprise again, Maul thought, 'Rather graceful, this Muse. If I weren't in a hurry to fulfill my master's orders, I would consider studying her more.' Dismounting the speeder, Maul headed towards the control panel in the front of the ship and closed the hangar doors. Then, turning back to face Kaia, Maul noticed that she was standing and looking at him in what appeared to be caution.
xXx
'In all truth, I don't know why I should trust this strange man,' Kaia thought to herself as she kept her eyes upon this dark person who liberated her. 'For all I know, he could have said those things just to have my cooperation. But, then, how could he have been able to get rid of all the information about me on this planet?'
"Sit down," he growled a little in annoyance at her.
"If you will forgive me, I don't know what proof you have that I should listen to you," she informed him. "Who are you? Why did you come here for me?"
Inhaling slowly, he placed a hand inside his cloak and pulled out a small object, still holding it inside his tightly-closed hand. Returning his gaze to her, he replied,
"My name is Darth Maul, and I was sent here by my master to retrieve you upon the request of another of your kind. He said to show you this as proof."
At first expecting this Darth Maul to come closer and hand whatever it was to her, Kaia saw this as a foolish assumption and strode slowly closer to him. When she was within a few feet of him, Maul opened his hand and dropped the small trinket into her hands. Lifting it up to peer closer, a small gasp escaped Kaia's mouth as she stared at the necklace. Upon it was the royal emblem of her people, her own family's seal. Raising her eyes, Kaia stared at Maul as she asked,
"Who gave this to you?"
"He claimed to be a cousin called Celiuun," Maul gruffly replied as he turned back towards the control panel. "Now, sit down. We're leaving for Coruscant."
Blinking, Kaia couldn't believe what she had heard. Celiuun, her eldest cousin, was alive and apparently on Coruscant. But, why hadn't he come himself? Why did this man of such darkness come for her? It made no sense to the Muse as she sat down on a chair and snapped the harness around her body. 'I'll ask this Darth Maul my questions later,' she thought to herself as she braced her body for lift-off. However, within minutes after Kaia had closed her eyes, she opened them in slight confusion before turning to look outside one of the windows. Stars and planets burned brightly as the ship passed them.
"Have...have we already taken off?" she inquired in confusion.
Rising from his own seat, Maul turned to face her with those glowing golden orbs, his dark voice answered,
"Yes, we'll be nearing Coruscant within a few hours. I suggest you rest."
Almost instantly, Kaia felt exhausted as she realized that she hadn't gotten much sleep in the past two days. Leaning her head against the armrest of her seat, Kaia closed her eyes and drifted off into slumber, seemingly placing her full trust in Darth Maul.
xXx
Striding over to where she sat, Maul gazed at her in slight amazement. Not many women he'd seen before seemed to radiate with an essence like a planet itself. It was a bizarre phenomenon as he slowly reached a hand down towards her long, dark blue hair but stopped when he heard,
'Apprentice, I trust that you are close to Coruscant at this time.'
'Yes, I am, my master,' Maul replied as he dropped his hand to the side. 'We should be arriving within an hour.'
'Good,' Lord Sidious' voice hissed in satisfaction. 'I don't know how much longer Celiuun will live, but he refuses to pass on without seeing Kaia.'
'As I said, Master,' Maul stated with a frown, 'we will be entering Coruscant's atmosphere within half an hour and arrive approximately half an hour afterwards. That fool should have more patience, Master.'
'As should you, Apprentice,' Sidious declared as his voice seemed laced with suspicion. 'We shall await your arrival.'
'Yes, my master,' Maul said as he closed his fiery golden eyes. Reopening them, Maul's gaze fell upon Kaia as she slept peacefully, her long, bound hair hanging about her shoulders. 'I trust that you are worth something to my master, otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to send me to rescue you.'
xXx