Chapter Four
It had been a couple of days since we 'secured' Shili before Republic forces arrived. But arrive they did. Apparently one of the fighters we ran into on the way down was none other than Master Shaak Ti. It was such a shame I did not get the opportunity to add her lightsaber to my collection.
And… uh… My mind was a fog… I couldn't concentrate at all. Where was I? Oh, yes.
By the time they arrived, we had already secured the area, set up patrols, and put up a shield. Ventress was well-pleased with our progress, confident that she would have the advantage against Skywalker in the muddy forests of Shili. I was not convinced.
Then again, I was slowly going crazy. It had been over a week since my last resting cycle. My mind was slowly beginning to rot. Even my 'master' Asajj had remarked that I was, "A bit worse of a general" than usual.
As always, the Republic forces were about even to ours. I swear- it's like neither side ever has a clear advantage over the other. This war… will drag on… forever.
My mind aches with need. The machine… I needed it back- now!
I sighed, hearing the drumbeats of Kalee in my head. My ancestors were calling me to sleep the final sleep. I refused them, as I always had. Revenge… it was out there for me. Once the Jedi were finished, I would destroy all the people that had ordered the defense of the Huk. Then, maybe, I would rest.
The drumbeat got louder and louder. Then I realized it was one of my prisoners.
Guess which one!
"What do you want, JEDI?!" I yelled over the comm.
"We want to go home!" She demanded.
I sighed wearily. For the last week, I had supplied these wastes of space with food and water, even going so far as to allow them access to a lavatory. Yet now they demanded freedom?!
"Why?!" I demanded, losing my temper, again.
"….please…" She pleaded. It would be fitting for a warrior to beg. I stomped angrily down the passage.
"NO!" I yelled. I opened the shield. Her little friend dodged back into the corner of the cell as I dragged Tano out, "Let me show you why you and your friends will die!"
I took her to my room. The door slid open with a 'hiss' and I threw her in front of my machine.
She looked over it curiously, "Is this…?" Somehow she knew. I just watched as she checked it over. The Togruta muttered, "This is completely wrecked."
"I know that," I growled, "Which is why I am slowly going mad!"
It was not like me to reveal my weakness to an opponent. Her eyes went deep into thought, "You're… dying aren't you?" I huffed. That did nothing to dissuade her from her opinion, "What if… I could help you?"
I stared at her in shock. Then I laughed, long and hearty at her foolishness.
"You, help me? I'm your enemy! I cannot even fathom that you would have the technical skill with which to rebuild this device!"
"If I could!" She said, rising with gusto, "Would you let my friends go?"
I glared at her suspiciously, "…how?"
"I want your word as a warrior," She said, convinced in her plan, "And I'll give you mine!"
"No deal," I said, gesturing around the room, "I am the galaxy's greatest general/warrior. And I have no time to debate with my prisoners!"
Obviously, this was not true. Still, her eyes lighted on one object she knew all too well. Tano walked across the room and put on something I never thought she would ever willingly wear once more; a slave collar.
I had designed it especially for Jedi; shock systems, lethal capabilities, and enough backups that it was impossible for the wearer to escape. Even Dooku himself admitted he was incapable of slipping this particular bond.
It snapped on with a 'clack', securing her arms, legs, and neck. She stared at me, awaiting my judgment. I knew there was no way I would ever make a deal with a duplicitous Jedi that deserved to die at the end of my blade.
…
"…what kind of help?" I asked. The week had lasted forever. And… I could not keep it up. The prisoners were no threat. No one ever really was unless I allowed them to be one.
"There's a Jedi meditation," She began. I held up a hand.
"I have no connection to the Force," I explained. She did not believe me.
"Everything is connected; the rock, the tree…"
"What rock?! What tree?! We're in my quarters! There are only weapons of death in here!"
She looked around for a bit, "Fine! That… thingy with the hook in the corner, this slave collar… and that disgusting decapitated head that looks eerily familiar, and, by the way, ew. Whatever- the point is, I think I can put you into a dream-like sleep. Would you like to try?"
I thought over my options. If it worked, I could keep her as my personal prisoner. If it didn't work, I would kill her loved ones in front of her- slowly.
"…what do you need from me?"
"Lay down," She commanded. I scoffed. My body was mostly indifferent when it came to 'rest'.
Still, I lowered myself into a reclined position. Tano waited a moment before sitting where my head was.
"Now… I need you to close your eyes and relax."
Hardest thing in the universe for me to do. I'd tried relaxing my mind so as not to strain it. The pounding in my head got more intense.
"Breath," She commanded, "Breath…"
I took a breath. It tasted of… well, it tasted like home. Which was unusual. Firstly, I could not taste anything anymore. Secondly, to taste my home in a dream…? Reality warped as my mind struggled between staying in the dream-world, and rising back to consciousness.
"Qymaen jai Sheelal."
I turned at the mention of my true name. My ancestors were there; all of my people were.
"My brothers!" I cried happily. Actual tears fell from my face. They stopped me with their disapproving scowls.
"You dishonor us, and our people," The leader held up my mask. I felt naked without.
"Father…?"
He threw it at my feet, "You will have no rest with us until you slay he who is responsible for all the sins against our people; the invasion of the Huk, the attack of the Jedi, and the maiming of my greatest son."
I stared at my father in shock, "Who?" I demanded again, "Who?!" They disappeared as I screamed into the heavens of my home-world, "WHOOOOOOOO?!"
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