Chapter 2

Four months later

"Are you sure you don't want me to come along? You know, in case old tentacle-face tries something funny?"

Twi'lek Jedi Tal'ilavi turned around to see her Padawan standing in the doorway of the small transport ship.

"Thanks, Kira. But if he does, he'll regret it."

Kira may have been Tal'ilavi's Padawan, but in reality, Tali thought of her as more of a little sister. Tali's childhood had been spent on the streets, as had Kira's, and both had come into the Jedi Order at an older age than was norm. Kira's irreverent humor and casual manner may have ruffled a few of the more traditional Jedi, but Tali could relate and felt right at home in her company. And Tali wasn't a typical Jedi herself.

Maybe it was because Tali's Force sensitivity had been discovered late, giving her many formative years in the company of rascals and vagabonds, but Tali's philosophy was to trust her gut instinct over blind rule following any day. And now, after a string of impressive achievements, the Jedi Council gave her considerable freedom, preferring to focus on her results and less on her methods, as long as she didn't venture too far afield. And so it was that Tali had abandoned the unpalatable notion that Jedi needed to be vigilant in avoiding so called "attachments," and had instead welcomed a strong friendship with Kira.

Tali may not have taken to a strict interpretation of Jedi rules, but recently she had gone and broken a pretty big one. She had allied herself with a notorious Pureblood Sith with a rather fearsome reputation, and over the last few months, the two of them had developed a workable - if tense - relationship. Scourge had been ornery and difficult at times, but Tali had found him to be curious and interesting company. In spite of their differences, Scourge and Tali shared the same goal. They both had wanted to stop the Sith Emperor from completing a devastating ritual intended to destroy the galaxy. Scourge had assisted in the rescue of Tali and her crew after their capture at the Emperor's space station, and later had given invaluable help in tracking down the Emperor in his lair on Dromund Kaas. Tali knew that their mission would never have succeeded without him. In the end, all of her crew, even Scourge, had been granted the Republic Cross of Glory for their heroism in defeating the Emperor.

"I just don't trust him, Tali. Why couldn't he say whatever it was over the holo? Why insist upon it being in person?"

Tali tried to give Kira her most reassuring smile. "Lord Scourge has been true to his word so far. I still plan to be careful, though, you can count on that."

Kira let out a resigned sigh. "I'm here to if you need me. Be safe out there."

Tali gave Kira a nod and one final wave before turning to head up the trail. In truth, she was concerned. Scourge had ended their partnership a week ago on friendly terms - if any relationship with a Sith could be called "friendly" - and she had heard nothing from him until today, when he had sent her a cryptic holocall.

"We need to speak again, Jedi." Even when seen in miniature over holo, Scourge cut a forbidding figure. At least over holo Tali didn't have to put a cramp in her neck just trying to talk to him, which was an improvement. He glared at Tali from under his strong eyebrow ridges, his face set in a permanent frown. Was it simply a part of their biology that made all Sith Purebloods look so perpetually angry? Tali had tried to joke with him on occasion, but usually he just glowered at her without saying a word, although once she had gotten an eye roll out of him.

"What's this about?" she asked.

"The Emperor. I will say no more than that. This is not a conversation to be had over holocommunicator."

And so Tali had agreed to meet with him at his designated coordinates, which ended up being on this rocky mesa on the planet Makeb. Make that a remote, windy, cliffside mesa with nothing but blue sky and death-inducing drops all around it. Tali paused. Was Scourge luring her here to kill her?

Tali disliked the thought that Scourge would turn against her, but long ago he had betrayed the last two Jedi whom he had joined forces with. He had been unapologetic in relaying this story to her, claiming that in the end, he had delivered them to the Emperor in order to secure his own life once he foresaw that they would fail in their quest. She was different however, or so he'd led her to believe. He had seen a vision of the true Jedi who would defeat the Emperor and that Jedi, he claimed, was her. Flattering to be sure, until Tali realized that Scourge believed in the truth of this vision wholeheartedly and was not just trying to win her over.

He wanted to speak with her about the Emperor now, but the Emperor was dead. Tali had stepped over his lifeless body herself after striking him down. Yet, shortly after the battle, Scourge had expressed doubts. His concern had been all but forgotten in the wake of the crew being showered with accolades and awards. Tali had meant to ask Scourge about it, but the conversation had never happened.

Anxiety gripped her. Scourge had one, single minded goal and that was to see the Emperor stopped. If he wanted to talk about the Emperor now, and feared the holo call being overheard, it could mean only one thing. The Emperor was still alive. The thought filled her with dismay. She recalled all she and her crew had worked so hard for, the sacrifices they had given, the courage they had shown. How could she face them to tell them it was not over?

If the Emperor was not dead, then that meant she had failed, or failed in Scourge's eyes at least. And that also meant Scourge's interpretation of this vision had been wrong. Tali's thoughts wrestled themselves in her head. What new treachery he might be planning? Years ago, Tali might have approached Scourge assuming innocent intentions. But now, circumstances had changed, the galaxy had changed, she had changed. She drew her lightsaber and held the hilt at the ready as she ascended the final loop of the trail.

At the top of the mesa was a tall rock formation, and there in front of it, Tali spotted Scourge, standing with his arms folded, waiting. He was alone.

Tali crept off the trail and began to circle around. Lord Scourge was a formidable opponent, but Tali had defeated him once before, and had brought the Emperor himself to his knees. She was alert and cautious, but she was confident as well. If it came to it, Scourge would not escape here alive.

She kept her footsteps silent and sure, until Scourge's back came into view. He showed no sign that he had detected her, and so Tali readied herself for the attack. She would not kill him outright, but she would make it so he had little choice but to surrender.

She leapt out from behind the rock, igniting her lightsaber in midair. She landed on her feet and thrust the glowing blade at his throat, stopping just before impact.

Scourge's hand flew to his belt, but he quickly drew back and held out his hands instead. Tali was pleased to see that she had clearly taken him by surprise.

"Oh, my clever little Jedi." There was mirth in Scourge's red eyes. "You are wise to keep such close tabs on me. But this time, you are mistaken. Lower your lightsaber. There is no need for this."

"How about you just tell me what you came here to say?"

"No. I don't like that arrangement."

Scourge became a momentary blur as he pivoted on the balls of his feet, pushing her back with a wave of dark energy. She flew backwards, coming perilously close to the edge of the mesa, and saw out of the corner of her vision Scourge's own lightsaber called to his hand in an instant. Tali lunged forward again in an Force-enhanced leap, but he met her, blade for blade, blocking her strike. Their sabers stalled at an impasse, sputtering together, and Scourge looked down at her.

He was unusually calm. Tali felt a spark of annoyance kindle inside her.

"I won't let you get away with this," she said. "I have brought the Emperor low, and I will defeat him again if I have to, with or without your help."

"You misunderstand my intentions. I am not here to kill you."

"Could've fooled me. Why are you resisting now?"

"This is not a discussion I want to have at the end of your blade. Put away your weapon and we will talk in a civilized manner."

Was it a trick? Tali reached out and lightly touched Scourge's mind. She was hesitant to do this, because with every attempt to link with him, however small, he gained a new advantage over her. He was adept at discerning the weaknesses of others, and Tali was wary of letting him get too close.

She felt no deception in him however, only amusement and, oddly, a smug satisfaction. Tali drew away, taking a few cautious steps backwards.

Scourge put away his lightsaber. "Such fire in you. You have missed your true calling."

"What do you want, Scourge?"

"The Emperor's body is dead, but his essence survives. I am sure of it."

"Doesn't that invalidate your vision?"

"My vision is true. The Emperor is no longer the ruling power in this galaxy. He is greatly weakened, but we must make sure that he never recovers."

Then, unexpectedly, Scourge dropped to one knee before her. "I wish to reaffirm my loyalty to you. I will fight at your side until the Emperor's influence is vanquished for good."

Tali said nothing, too startled to speak. Scourge was closer to her height when kneeling than he was when standing. He was searching her face, waiting for a response, his red eyes intent.

"Do you doubt me?" Scourge's voice was quiet. "I have never been dishonest with you, Jedi."

"No, I believe you." Tali sheathed the hilt of her lightsaber. "I accept your offer."

"Good." Scourge rose. "We cannot touch the Emperor now while he languishes in a disembodied state. But we can assure that he has no assistance in recouping his strength. He has other servants who still do his bidding. They will be hard to locate, but if we could eliminate them, the Emperor will find that he has no foothold left in this galaxy. This could take time, Jedi."

Scourge's eyes locked with hers, and Tali felt like there was some unspoken question being asked here. She guessed he was implying that this next partnership of theirs could be a long lasting one. She may not have trusted Scourge, but she found herself not displeased by the thought of working alongside him once again. In spite of his threatening appearance, he was not a stereotypical Sith brute. He was intelligent and well spoken, and their verbal sparring had kept her on her toes. He made life, well, interesting.

"Your help is welcome."

"I doubt the rest of your crew will be so eager to welcome me back." Scourge fell into step alongside her as they descended the trail. His shadow easily enveloped hers as they walked. Tali couldn't shake the feeling that she was broaching new territory with this renewed alliance.

00o00

The droid was cleaning the galley kitchen when Tali entered.

"What do you want me to do with this meal, Master?" He pointed to an untouched plate on the counter. Tali knew immediately whose it was.

"I'll take care of it." She picked it up and made her way through the ship to the storage room. Scourge had taken over his usual spot now that he was back on her starship. He had refused to sleep in the crew quarters, claiming that his presence disturbed the rest of the crew and made it impossible for anyone, him included, to get any sleep. Tali had not disagreed and had given him a cot in the storage room of the ship. It was not the most glamorous of quarters, but it was clean and quiet, and Scourge seemed to prefer it. The door was cracked open, but Tali knocked anyway.

"Come in."

Tali stepped in to find Scourge seated on his cot, reading a datapad. He dwarfed the tiny bed, his weight sinking into the thin mattress, lowering it so close to the floor that his knees were practically up by his chin.

"You forgot to eat again." She held out the tray.

"Right." Scourge dropped the datapad and rose, taking the tray from her. He began shoveling food into his mouth as if clearing the plate was a chore that he wanted to finish as soon as possible.

"Don't forget to breathe while you're at it."

Scourge paused long enough make a huffing noise and shot her one of his typical red eyed glares. "It's sustenance, nothing more."

Scourge's long years of tenure as the Emperor's personal executioner had wrought changes in him. When Tali had first met Scourge, she was shocked to discover that he claimed to be immortal, saying the Emperor had altered him through a combination of Sith alchemy and dark ritual. Since then, Tali had seen Scourge survive wounds that no mortal should have been able to heal from, and a little digging had turned up records confirming that he had occupied the position of Emperor's Wrath for over three hundred years. Now he was a fugitive, and another Wrath had been appointed in his place, yet he remained tethered to the Emperor still, linked in ways that Tali did not quite comprehend.

"So...I'm sorry I almost tried to kill you the other day." We're off to an awkward start, Tali thought.

Scourge looked up and raised an eyebrow. "You were thinking like a Sith. I approve."

"That's exactly what I don't like about it."

There was the faintest curve to his lip. Was it a smile? He thrust the empty plate back at her and started to turn away before she could decide. Tali changed the subject.

"Is there any way to break the Emperor's hold on you?"

He tossed her a glance over his shoulder and picked up the datapad again. "The Emperor is stronger than any Jedi or Sith. No one can escape him."

"But he is weakened now. Perhaps with some help, we could set you free of him. Maybe even restore your...well, everything you have lost."

Scourge shrugged. "It is the price of immortality."

"But is the price you paid worth it?"

Scourged rounded on her. "To lose everything that made me Sith? Taste, smell, touch, color, emotion - the Emperor and I experience none of these things. Immortality is nothing but a burden. To experience these simple pleasures again, would be worth…" he paused, closing his eyes, "anything."

For a moment, Tali could think of nothing to say. Even the strictest Jedi would never forbid such basic joys. Tali tried to imagine not being able to see the colors in a beautiful sunset or enjoy a stroll through a scented garden. The thought horrified her. Yet every day, Scourge lived a life of such extreme asceticism that even those things were denied to him. No one deserved to live like that, not even Scourge.

"I'll see what I can do." As Tali left, Scourge waved a hand dismissively at her. He doesn't believe it can be done. I wonder if I can prove him wrong.