Disclaimer

All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Star Wars – Dichotomy: Twins of Light and Darkness – Prologue Two Cyrin's Bad Day

By

Celgress

4 BBY

Lothal

Darth Cyrin listened disinterestedly to Lothal Minister Tua drone on and on and on about the Minister's difficulties implementing Imperial orders. Not for the first time, Cyrin fervently wished she could dispose of Tua somehow, perhaps via manipulation of the Force. Of course she couldn't because her master would disapprove. Minister Tua may be an idiot but she was a useful idiot. Still Cyrin found the blonde-haired woman, with her bubbly personality, insufferable. How Tua had ever achieved such a lofty political appointed boggled Cyrin's mind.

"My sincere apologies Lady Cyrin." Minister Tua said. "I do admit I failed the Empire in my duty as a Minister of Lothal. However, in my defense, I am unskilled in applying such brutal tactics. While I agree these rebels must be brought to heel I cannot condone using torture to extract confesses from their possible co-conspirators, it isn't justified nor right."

At Minister Tua's last words Cyrin inclined her helmeted head slightly as if considering Tua's argument with great care. A visible involuntary shiver ran through Minister Tua's body. An action which filled Cyrin's heart with cruel glee. Cyrin was acutely aware that her fearsome appearance, clad in a modified version of the crimson body armor wore by the Emperor's Royal Guards, including dark-visored helmet, intimidated most other sentient lifeforms. Cyrin's hooded black cape only added to the specter-like effect. Many consider her a dark wraith who had risen up from the abyss to snatch away unwary souls. A fallacy Cyrin reveled in. Could it be the Minister was such a person?

Cyrin flicked the obsidian hood off her head. "You simply lack imagination Minister Tua when it comes to dealing with events beyond the ordinary, a sad commentary on our political system." Cyrin announced. Cyrin turned away from Minister Tua. She added almost as an after though. "I would expect nothing more from a bureaucrat, a useful yet dull group."

Minister Tua sat there behind her desk stunned into submission by Cyrin's remarks. Her mouth agape. Should couldn't find her voice nor the words necessary for a retaliatory statement defending her honor along with that of her blighted brethren for some time. At last Minister Tua spoke.

"B-B-But these men and women are led by former Jedi. The Jedi fought in the Clone Wars. Surely they can't all be bad?" She stammered. "Perhaps we can negotiate with some, find common ground?"

"No," Cyrin screeched. Cyrin whirled around on the terrified Governor with remarkable speed. "Never again will I treat with Jedi slime!" Cyrin's gloved fists crackled with intensely localized discharges of blue-white electricity.

"Pardon, my error Lady Cyrin. I meant no disrespect. I only thought further bloodshed could be avoided if we talked with these renegade leaders, give peace a chance and all that." Minister Tua said cautiously.

"Tell me Minister have you ever meet a Jedi in person?" Cyrin asked.

"I can't say I have." Minister Tua admitted.

"I have," Cyrin said. "In fact, I was one of them long ago during the waning days of the Clone Wars." The electrically charged particles slowly dissipated from around Cyrin's tightly balled fists, until they vanished altogether.

"I was unaware." Minister Tua said.

"It isn't a something I'm proud of. My perspective on their defunct order is thus a unique one." Cyrin continued. "In stark contrast to romanticized portrayals which still circulate unchecked in certain circles, Jedi were not noble, selfless, perfect beings. In truth, Jedi were a vicious cult of warrior monks. They're sole care perpetuating the order which birthed and sustained them. Within that world, individual needs mattered little collective concerns trumped all other considerations. When a member 'faltered' that member was discarded without a second thought. Contamination by nonconformist ideas was the Jedi's greatest fear. Ironically this same stubborn adherence to orthodoxy which many assumed, themselves included, comprised their greatest strength spelled their ultimate end." Cyrin couldn't hold back a chuckle at her own words. "See Minister their greatest weakness was that for all their supposed legendary wisdom they couldn't comprehend compromise when faced with rapidly changing times. Evolve or die as many philosophers say, unable or more precisely unwilling to evolve the Jedi all but died out. Those few who remain are nothing more than a shadow of what the Jedi, for good or ill, once were. A wise being once said: 'the only constant is change itself'."

Minister Tua was once more rendered temporarily speechless. She had been enraptured by Cyrin's, apparently, first hand description of the all but vanished ancient order of the Jedi. She was about to ask a probing question about Cyrin's precise background when Cyrin's wrist mounted comlink chirped loudly for attention.

"Excuse me Minister I am required elsewhere." Cyrin said. Cyrin departed the office without another word exchanged between the two. In her wake, Cyrin left behind an intimidated and deeply troubled Governor.

Inside her personal shuttle under five minutes later Cyrin fell down on one knee before the life-sized holo emitter. Her head bowed low in deference. Tense seconds ticked by without resolution. Finally, after an agonizing wait with a low whir, the emitter sprang to life.

"Lady Cyrin,"A flickering blue hologram of Darth Sidious' hooded visage said.

"Master," Cyrin replied her head remained bowed. She dared not make eye contact with Sidious considering her recent failure.

"I am most displeased," Sidious said his grimly.

"Allow me to offer my sincerest regrets master," Cyrin said. " Minister Tua has obstructed my efforts at every turn. The woman has no concept of correct counter-terrorism methods."

"I see," Sidious said thoroughly unimpressed by his apprentice's words. "Cyrin I did not contact you to hear excuses. True Sith make no excuses. True Sith rises above the shortcomings of others. Are you a true Sith or merely another pretender?" The old jackal smiled. His statement loaded with sinister meaning.

Beneath her protective armor and tunic, Cyrin felt sweat form upon her body. She could tell she had lost favor with her master. She had to smooth over the situation at once, but how? Without further thought she blurted out.

"Of course I am a true Sith." Cyrin's held her head high. Her ego bruised by Sidious' latest barb.

"Prove it," Sidious taunted. He added, ominously. "Get me results. Locate this den of traitors, locate them soon, or else."

"I shall do so at once master," Cyrin said confidently. "Rest assured the situation is well in hand." Sidious nodded his head. His hologram then flickered out of existence.

Once her master was no longer present, if only via holo projector, Cyrin got unsteadily to her feet. She had no idea how she could accomplish her lofty goal in a timely fashion. She pondered her problem for a considerable time before she came upon a likely solution.

Perhaps Grand Inquisitor Grievous and his minions who were scattered across the galaxy could be of help? Grievous did owe her a favor. Besides Grievous was infatuated with her. An obsession she had done nothing to dissuade her fellow cyborg of.

"Yes, even a grumpy out relic such as Grievous has his uses," Cyrin said aloud.

Things were looking up. Hunting Jedi and wanna be Jedi with Grievous or his underlings always proved enjoyable. Perhaps her mission on Lothal would not be a total loss.

She wracked her brain. Where was Grievous anyway? Ah she remembered he was not far from the Tatoo system. She would rendezvous with him there in a few days. If she timed her arrival right she could even pay Hapari a visit.

Hapari was why Cyrin did much of what she did these days. While Cyrin might not live to enjoy all the fruits of her labor Hapari and her eventual Sith descendants, either by training, blood or both, ruling over their Empire would. In her own way Cyrin deeply loved the girl she had helped raise and would do anything for Hapari.

Cyrin left the holo chamber. She would leave Lothal soon as she could. She would not miss the rebel infested world. Perhaps she would take Agent Kallus with her. He seemed the only competent person on this entire Force forsaken mud ball. Yes he would make an interesting companion on her voyage.

To Be Continued