It is rough road that leads to the heights of greatness...
It had been a blow to the Jedi Order to learn of Oriana's betrayal. Obi-Wan was heartbroken as he watched the blue image of his second Padawan declare the corruption of the Republic, denounce the Jedi Order, and ask to be allowed to join the Separatists. Then, just when things couldn't get any worse, Oriana, they heard, had been denied and executed.
For Obi-Wan's first Padawan, Anakin, the news had tripled his previously subdued anger. He blamed a lot of people for this sudden turn of events. Dooku, Ohnaka, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Mace, but he especially blamed Oriana herself. It was all her fault. She was the one who wanted to go down to Florrum. She allowed herself to get knocked out and taken. Then, she tries to join the very people who were against everything they stood for. How could she!
Since then, no one spoke much of Oriana. However, almost immediately after Oriana's death, entire fleets would just disappear. When they were found, there was nothing left of them but scrap metal. Rumors grew of a new Separatists weapon similar to the Malevolence. Then, something strange occurred. A Republic fleet, specifically, Kit Fisto's fleet, was attacked and left survivors.
There was no new weapon, Kit reported, just a number of Separatist frigates, but the strange thing was their attack pattern. They knew every move that the fleet would attempt, and even stranger then that, Kit received a hologram of a cloaked figure asking for surrender or if they would like to retreat. When he refused, the cloaked figure asked again after demonstrating her (the voice being awfully feminine) skills and power. Refusing again, Kit's forces were destroyed, leaving him with nothing but a few escape pods.
They could only speculate that this strange occurrence happened only to Kit. They had nothing to suggest that this happened for the others. It seemed that Dooku had found himself a new assassin. The thought of Oriana still being alive did not even cross their minds.
Planet Ryloth had been invaded by an onslaught of Separatist forces. A heavy blockade kept Republic forces at bay as Wat Tambor headed to the planet's surface to take any and all valuables. Not long after landing, he contacted his blockade. Sitting in the captain's chair, the Neimoidian, Mar Tuuk, gave Tambor a rather smug smile as his image flickered into view.
"Captain," he said, "are you prepared?"
"Our blockade is impenetrable," replied Mar Tuuk. "When the Republic attacks, they will get quite a surprise."
"I'm counting on you, Captain," said Tambor. "We cannot allow the Republic to invade this planet."
"Don't worry," said a figure in the shadows as it stepped out into the light. "Even if he fails," a pair of dark eyes flashed beneath the shade of the hood, "I won't."
Tuuk turned to the mysterious stranger. "What do you mean, 'even if he fails'?" he asked after Tambor's image faded. "Are you implying that I will fail?"
"Anything is possible," she said rather sneeringly. "It all depends on who we will be facing."
Before long, the Republic indeed make an effort to defend their planet. Several Republic Cruisers came out of hyperspace, ready for battle. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, were aboard. Their orders were make a path for Obi-Wan and his fleet to get to the surface and rescue Ryloth's dying people from the Separatist invasion.
A squadron of fighters were released and headed for the blockade. "Launch all fighters!" ordered Tuuk. The cloaked figure stood next to his seat, looking out through the window at the oncoming fighters.
"There's a Jedi among them," she said. "We must not get overconfident."
"I think we can handle anything they throw at us," said Tuuk.
"I will not underestimate them," she said forcefully.
"Sir!" exclaimed one of the few battle droids in the room. "Their fighters are closing in."
"Patience," said Tuuk. "I'd like to see what trickery the Jedi have planned for us."
"I'm not in the mood for any of your games, Captain!" shouted the cloaked girl. "This particular fleet is merely trying to create a clear passage for the invasion fleet, and they are undoubtedly not far behind."
"Sir!" exclaimed another droid. "Another squadron of fighters is attacking. They have a clear path right to us."
"Time to call in for reinforcements," said Tuuk with a sly grin. "You see, Miss Lilith? Everything is just fine."
"So you think," replied Lilith. "Things are not always as they seem."
"Battle cruiser 17, Battle cruiser 19, attack position." Four more ships joined them instantly, ready for the assault. The vulture droids and the frigates had the Republics fighters surrounded. Lilith watched in compelled silence.
'Come on, Ahsoka, go back!'
The fighters retreated as the Separatist vulture droids were attacking the Republic cruisers and breaking their lines. The Republic's forces were forced into retreat. Lilith knew, however, that they wouldn't be gone for very long.
"Shall we pursue, Miss Lilith?" asked Tuuk.
"No," she replied. "They'll be back, and with a plan. We're dealing with Jedi. Give me a scan of their damage, I need to think about what they're going to try to do." She removed her hood to reveal short auburn hair and a very lithe and feminine body. She was wearing a black tank top with a deep square neckline and long sleeves, as though she were hiding her arms. She wore leather jeans and knee high boots.
"Do you know this Jedi?"
"Yes, and there are two of them," she replied. "Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, their methods are normally unorthodox."
"What do you think their plan of attack will be when they return?"
"That's why I need a damage report on their fleet. I need to know what they have to work with."
Tambor's blue image flickered into view on the holotable. "What is the status of the enemy attack?" he asked Tuuk.
"The Jedi were crushed of course," he replied. "They fled the system, their ships in flames. I assure you both Admiral and Assassin Lilith that our blockade is very much intact and impenetrable."
"You are concerned, Assassin?" asked Tambor, his image turning to her.
"I am," she replied, looking back at him. "This is Anakin and Ahsoka we are facing. There is no doubt they'll return."
"Mistress," said a battle droid. "We managed to get a scan of the cruisers before they left."
"Good."
"They lost a whole cruiser and an entire squadron, there was severe damage to the second cruiser, but the last was virtually unharmed."
Lilith made no response. She was silently trying to come up with the same plan that Skywalker would not fail to produce. The problem was that Anakin was very unpredictable, and his plans were far from orthodox.
"Well, if I know Anakin," she thought aloud, "He'd be stupid enough to send the damaged cruiser straight into the blockade." She had to resist comically slapping her face into her hand. "That's exactly what he's going to do."
"You really think he's that foolish," asked Tuuk.
"Foolish? It's brilliant," said Lilith. "The only way to stop it would be to get on board and changing it's course. Boosting the engines and getting off the ship moments before impact." She looked at their positions on the holotable. "He's going to send the ship into the blockade. His second ship will come in for the attack on the frigates."
"How do you think they'll attack the rest of the fleet?" asked Tambor
Lilith shook her head. "Don't know, but, in any case, be prepared to move this ship out of the cruiser's way."
"Aren't you going to try to redirect it?"
"I'll try, but that doesn't guarantee anything."
"How can you be so sure that he's going to do what you are proposing?" asked Tuuk.
"Call it intuition," said Lilith. "What a more perfect plan since they're outnumbered. Even if we were to blow it up, it would still be hazardous. Flaming pieces of debris would be more dangerous for this blockade than two thousand cannons. If you want to wait and see what happens, be my guest, but I'm going to try to board the cruiser. Alert me when he comes out of hyperspace."
Lilith snatched up her cloak and made a beeline for her ship. This would probably endanger her identity, and Dooku had warned her that if anyone found out about her, she would have to die. She had readily agreed that she would willing be put to death if it came to that. If she came in contact with Skywalker, she would have to kill him...
...if he recognized her.
Much to everyone's surprise, or expectations, Anakin did not fail to do what Lilith predicted. He appeared in his single Republic cruiser. Scans indicated that there were no life forms aboard. Everything Lilith had said, Anakin was executing perfectly. With no one else aboard, it was certain that sneaking aboard and putting it off course or simply stopping it would be easy so long as Anakin could be taken care of.
Lilith boarded her fighter and flew out to meet the cruiser when she received a transmission from Tuuk. "We're getting a transmission from the enemy ship."
"Go ahead," she replied. "Let me hear everything."
"Greeting Captain," said the familiar voice. "I'm Anakin Skywalker. General of the Grand Army of the-"
"I know who you are, Skywalker," replied Tuuk. "I've heard plenty about you from a colleague of mine."
"Well, my reputation precedes me then," Anakin responded. Lilith could hear the smirk in his voice. "I've been ordered to surrender myself the entire crew of this vessel and my ship, in exchange for safe passage for food, water, and medical supplies to the people of Ryloth."
"A noble gesture, Jedi, and your capture would make me the envy of the Separatist Fleet."
Well, if the plan wasn't obvious before, it sure was now. The transmission cut, and Lilith was currently leaving the blockade. "Subtlety never was one of your strong points, Skywalker," she said with a smirk of her own.
Aboard the Republic Cruiser, Anakin received another transmission. A hologram of a figure in a hooded cloak appeared as a blue image. He could see the person was sitting in a space craft, possibly a small one, but all he could make out were human hands and the person's mouth and nose.
"Thank you, General Skywalker, for your noble gesture," said a very feminine voice. "I'll be coming aboard to take over your vessel before it crashes into our blockade."
Anakin eyes widened in realization. They were onto them, but they couldn't stop now, Ahsoka and the other cruiser were already there to begin the attack. He quickly cut off his communications with the Separatist fleet and got a hold of Ahsoka.
"Master, what are you doing?" she cried. "Get off the ship."
"I can't," he replied. "They're sending someone to take control of the ship. They're on to us, Ahsoka."
"Should we abort the mission?" asked Admiral Yularen.
"No, I'm going to stay aboard as long as I can until I can get this person off," he said. "I'll let you know when to come pick me up."
"Master! What if you can't get off?" asked Ahsoka.
"Then I can't get off," said Anakin, "and you have to take over completely, Ahsoka."
"But Master, I-"
"No more arguments," said Anakin. "She's boarding now." With that, the com was cut. Lilith was indeed boarding the Republic cruiser. Anakin didn't bother to hide himself as she deliberately made it obvious she was seeking him out using the Force.
"Artoo, boost the engines," he ordered. The door to the bridge opened revealing the assassin. Anakin turned, pulling out his light saber. A slender hand pulled out a red blade. "Who are you?"
She didn't reply, nor did she remove the hood to reveal her face. She quickly took the offensive, leaving no room for Anakin to make any escape. He defended, but was nearly overwhelmed by the sheer number of blows his enemy was delivering. He tried to focus on following the flow of the Force to guide his actions and reactions.
He finally managed to get onto the offensive, forcing his opponent to back off and defend. He forced pushed her into one of the control panels. Her hood fell off from the impact, revealing dark auburn hair and a pair of deep brown eyes. For a split second, a familiar name and face flashed in his mind's eye.
"Who are you?" he asked again as his eyes narrowed in concentration. She looked at him, her eyes empty. There was no anger at being overcome, nor was there any contempt for his existence. He could see that in her eyes, he was not an obstacle constantly getting in her way. She saw him as a person.
"My name is Lilith," she said lifting her hand. Anakin thought she was going to force push him as he had done to her. All he saw was a blue flash and a very familiar pain coursing through his nerves. This was force lightning. Something he had only seen and experienced Count Dooku do. Unlike that time against the distinguished Count, however, this was stronger, more painful. Darkness closed in around his vision, and for a moment, he thought he heard her say something.
As Anakin lay on the floor, Lilith turned to the Artoo unit. "Did you boost the engines?" she asked. The small droid gave a small squeal of affirmation. "Good," she said as she bent over and checked Anakin's pulse. With a small smile, she picked him up and began carrying him to an escape pod. "Come on, Artoo," she said to the droid. "This ship's going to crash into that blockade any minute now. I don't think you want to stay here when that happens."
Artoo followed her down the hall in what was probably a very stunned silence. Then, as she put Anakin in the escape pod, Artoo exploded into a flurry of excited clicks and whirls. Lilith turned to Artoo and put her finger to her lips in a gesture of silence. She moved to allow the droid into the pod. Artoo clicked and whirled at her as it parked itself at the entrance.
"Sh..." she said quietly. "Don't tell anyone okay? No one else knows I'm still alive. I'm going to save the Galaxy. Now don't tell anyone, not even Anakin."
Artoo was silent momentarily before clicking in assent. The little droid stored the file memory away, never to be seen again.
"Captain Tuuk," she said as soon as she was back in her ship was leaving the cruiser. "I couldn't redirect the ship. Skywalker had the course locked and he got away before I could get to him."
"You said you wouldn't fail!" shouted Tuuk.
"Guess there's a first time for everything," she said with a smirk on her face as she cut the com and made the jump for the surface of the planet. Meanwhile, in the pod, Anakin slowly woke up to Ahsoka's voice urgently calling him.
"Master! Can you hear me? Please answer!" Anakin shook his head and got in his seat to take over from Artoo.
"I can hear you Ahsoka," he said.
"Oh, good," he could hear the relief in her voice. "Stand by for retrieval."
"What happened?" asked Anakin before turning to the droid. "What did happen, Artoo? Why am I not dead? Wasn't she trying to kill me? Why would she help me escape? Who is she?"
Artoo was silent. He knew very well what had happened and who this mystery person was, but he had been told not to tell, and that was just what he was going to do.
"Guess you don't know either, huh," said Anakin. Ahsoka's cruiser came up to the rest of the blockade and turned the belly of the ship towards them, reverting all power to the shields. It took a moment, but the droids took the bait and attacked the cruiser. They were quickly outflanked by Ahsoka's fighters, and Anakin waited patiently to be picked up while he watched the fireworks.
Several more Republic Cruisers came out of Hyperspace. Obi-Wan and Mace had arrived for a ground assault. Ahsoka, in her fighter, received a transmission from Obi-Wan.
"Ahsoka, this is Obi-Wan," he said. "May we begin our landing?"
"Yes, Master," she replied. "You're cleared for ground assault."
"I won't even ask where the rest of Anakin's fleet is," he said with a hint of exasperation, "or why he's in an escape pod."
"That's... probably for the best," Ahsoka agreed. "Rex, that reminds me, send a shuttle to pick up Master Skywalker."
Back in his pod, Anakin watched as a shuttle flew overhead. Rex's voice came over the transmitter. "General, you still there?"
"Yep! Just enjoying the show!" he said a little too cheerfully. He was still concerned over what had happened onboard the ship. Another of Dooku's lackeys was out and about, but she, unlike Ventress or Grievous, knew how to use Force-lightning. This was a problem.
Obi-Wan was the first to land, followed closely by Mace Windu. It didn't take long for Obi-Wan to take control of the southern hemisphere, but the only way for the Republic to take the planet back was to take the planet's capital. That was where things got complicated. Wat Tambor had it well occupied. In the depths of the city, Wat Tambor and Dooku's new assassin, Lilith, were protected by walls of sheer rock and a moat several hundred meters deep. The only way across was a plasma bridge.
The Republic was making remarkable progress. Of course, only Lilith found it remarkable. "The Republic is advancing faster than I expected," said Tambor. "Of course, they wouldn't be advancing if you hadn't failed protecting the blockade."
Lilith glared at him, but said nothing. "I calculate they will reach the main gates by morning," said one of the commanding droids. "I suggest we prepare a retreat."
"I will not retreat," said Tambor. "That Jedi does not have the troops to take this city. Bring our units inside the walls and secure the bridge." As the droid did what was ordered of it, Lilith circled around the holotable, removing her hood to look Tambor in the face.
"Mace Windu may not have the troops, but he has more then enough skills," she said. "Do not underestimate him. If you don't prepare for a retreat soon, I will be forced to contact my Master."
"I already told you, I will not retreat," replied Tambor. "Why should I have to suffer embarrassment for your mistakes?"
"You have been warned," she said. "If you think for a moment I will fight Mace Windu, you've got another thing coming. I'm good, but not that good."
"Your tactical droid and my apprentice have informed me of the pitiful job you have done protecting our investments on Ryloth," said Count Dooku. His blue image on the holotable looked momentarily at Lilith who was standing silently near the wall.
"It's not my fault," shouted Tambor. "Your apprentice failed to protect the blockade. None of this would be happening if she had done what she had promised!"
"The fact that she failed does not excuse your pitiful attempts to correct her mistakes," said Dooku.
"Besides," said Wat, "the droid and your apprentice exaggerate! I have not lost yet!"
"You are no match for Master Windu," said Dooku, "and my apprentice has come a long way from what she was, but she is no match for him either. Take what valuables you can and destroy everything else."
"Everything?"
"We can put this defeat to political use," said Dooku. "The charred ruins of Ryloth will demonstrate to the galaxy the cost of a... Republic victory..." As he spoke, an evil grin spread across his face, and his eyes flashed momentarily.
"As you wish," said Tambor.
Battle droids were carefully loading Tambor's spoils onto his personal craft. Lilith stood back and watched as load after load was placed into the ship. "Is this all of it?" Tambor asked one of the battle droids.
"We're still waiting awaiting two transports from our southern base. Should we depart without them?"
"No," said Tambor. "I will have every valuable on this rock before I leave."
Lilith shook her head as the tactical droid held out a holocom. Once again, Dooku was making contact, and Lilith made certain to stay out of view. "Tambor," he said. "Why haven't you evacuated?"
"Our exit strategy is taking more time to implement," Tambor lied. Lilith shook her head at the Skakoan's foolishness.
"I want you out of the city before the Republic arrives," said Dooku, his rage growing with every word. "Once Master Windu has invaded the capital," he turned to the tactical droid, "we'll bomb it from afar. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Count Dooku," said the droid.
"You will not do anything until I give the order," said Tambor after Dooku's image disappeared.
"It is not wise to disobey my master," said Lilith. "You should leave immediately."
"I will not! I will have everything this rock has to offer," said Tambor.
Lilith sat patiently in the cockpit of the ship, waiting for the tactical droid to return. Tambor was still refusing to leave Ryloth. She hated such greedy creatures, and she wondered briefly why Dooku even bothered with them.
When the droid did return, Tambor was not with it. "Where's Tambor?" she asked.
"He refused to leave," it said.
"Ah well, sucks for him," she said as she prepared to leave. She could almost see the surprise look on Tambor's face.
The tactical droid made contact once again with Count Dooku. This time, Lilith could not avoid it.
"I'm afraid Tambor refused to retreat in time," said the droid.
"That is... unfortunate," said Dooku. "Lilith, since you are now in charge here, order our bombers to destroy the capital immediately."
"Yes master," she replied.
"And..." said Dooku. "Return to Serenno. We have much to discuss."
Lilith made it back to Serenno. The moment the Republic had broken through the blockade, the battle was over. Of course, she would have to explain everything to Dooku, but she found exploiting his plots to be a lot of fun. This would have to be the last time, however. Anymore and he would probably start getting suspicious.
"Welcome home, Miss Lilith," said Edmund as she climbed out of her ship. "Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Yeah," she said forcefully. "Let me know when Dooku arrives."
"I'm afraid he's already here," he replied.
"Good, then he should already know I'm here," she said angrily. "If he asks, tell him I'm in my room." She marched off towards her room, silently praying that he would just leave her alone. She knew, however, how that was not going to happen any time soon. If there was something he wanted to talk to her about, no doubt he would.
"Oh, Lilith, you're back," said Amethyst as she entered the room. Lilith looked at the older woman who was just smoothing out the wrinkles in her bed. Lilith narrowed her eyes.
"Get out," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," said Amethyst. Lilith felt guilt assault her feelings. Amethyst didn't deserve being treated that way, but Lilith felt so much angrier lately. It was the dark side, Dooku, the Republic, and the entire Galaxy.
As soon as the older woman was out of the room, Lilith slammed the door behind her. She sat down on her bed before letting go of her emotions. Tears poured down her face as they did every time she came back from one of her missions. She hated doing such dirty work, and most of the time Dooku was right there breathing down her neck. It wasn't until she battled Kit Fisto that she was free of Dooku. She had let Master Fisto live because no one had been there to tell her to kill them. She erased the memories of all the droids, as she did after every mission. Dooku gave her that luxury at least.
How long would that last?
She felt the dark side touch her, sending shivers down her spine. Dooku was coming, and he wanted her to know it. She hated him. With all of her Force-forsaken heart, she hated him. There was nothing she could do, at this point, to be entirely free of him now. He knew it, and he took great pleasure in that stupid fact.
The door opened, revealing the stuff of her nightmares. She glared at him, unable to do much else. Dooku merely smirked at her rage.
"Welcome home," he said smugly.
"This isn't my home," she said angrily.
"It might as well be," he replied. "You came running back here after your failure on Ryloth, despite the fact that I might or might not be here waiting for you."
"Where else would I go?" she snapped. "Coruscant?"
"That's why I said, 'It might as well be,'" he repeated. "So, how should I punish you? Not only for your failure on Ryloth, but for your failure to kill Kit Fisto."
"Let me guess," she said angrily. "Your Master told you."
Dooku's smirk turned into a frown quickly. Before she knew it, he was next to her, his hand barely touching her throat. She let out a gasp in fear as he lowered his face to hers. His eyes burned into her's, trying to look for something inside her, or so it felt. She tried to back away only to be held in place as the hand that was hovering over her throat grabbed her chin, forcing her to continue to stare into his cold dark eyes.
"So," he said again. "How should I punish you? Perhaps another lesson on the dark side?"
"No..." she murmured, almost daring to struggle against his grip.
"Then what?" he asked again, bringing his face closer. She felt tears well up, and in her desperation to hold them back, she shut her eyes as tight as she could.
"Wh-whatever you want," she whispered. "Just... please... let me go..."
Dooku felt a smirk return. "Let you go, but Oriana, I thought we had something special."
Her eyes shot open at the mention of her real name. He would be the only one who would ever call her that from now on. It was heartbreaking to think about.
"Don't call me that," she hissed.
"Why not, Oriana?" he asked. "It's like our little secret."
"You killed Oriana," she said angrily. "There's only Lilith now."
"What a shame," he said in mock regret. "I actually kind of liked her." Much to her relief, Dooku looked down in what she was wearing. A frown replacing the smirk. "What have I told you about wearing long sleeves?"
Now she tried to wrestle herself free from his grip. He released her only to grab one of the sleeves at the shoulder before ripping it off. Inhaling sharply, she retracted herself from him. There were burn scars covering her arms. She gently rubbed at them as she glared at him.
"What was that for?" she asked indignantly.
"I don't want to see you wearing long sleeves again," he said angrily. "Meet me outside in ten minutes. It's time for another lesson." He stormed out of her room taking the ripped sleeve with him.
Lilith, or Oriana, watched him leave, very confused and vulnerable, but all the more angry at her vulnerability. She hated this about herself. She was so weak around him. She couldn't stand up for herself at all. She hadn't been very good at that before, but this went beyond her inability. She was being oppressed, tortured, by him, and he enjoyed it.
"What is it, Skywalker?" asked Mace after reports had been given. Anakin had been a little fidgety during the meeting. Well, fidgety for a Jedi, any normal sentient being would have seen a perfectly still Jedi Knight.
"Something happened while we were trying to break through the blockade," he began.
"We're all ears, Anakin," said Obi-Wan.
"I ran into Dooku's new assassin," he said. "She knew what I was planning before I even started."
"So it is a she?" asked Mace.
"Oh yeah, and she's human," said Anakin. "The thing is, she used Force lightning to knock me out. The next thing I know, I'm on an escape pod, and my droid who was with me doesn't recall anything."
"This is intriguing," said Mace.
"Unlike the wielders of the dark side, this is," said Yoda.
"So, is she on our side?" asked Ahsoka.
"Don't know," said Anakin. "She had a chance to kill me, but she didn't. Plus she didn't even change the course of the ship. She just let it breach their blockade like that."
"Let us keep this between ourselves," said Mace. "We don't want Dooku's spies to find out about this."
"Did you get a good look at her, Anakin?" asked Obi-Wan, something begging for it to be Oriana.
"I did," he replied.
"What did she look like?"
"She had dark auburn hair and dark brown eyes," he said. "She was a little shorter then me."
"Let's keep our eyes open for her," said Mace. "There's more to this then meets the eye. Chances are, her mercy has probably ended by now, so don't expect her to show mercy when she catches you."
"Agree with you, I do," said Yoda. "Capture her, we must."
Well, here's the next chapter. I lied last chapter... I really tried to make it work with the whole trial and stuff, but it just wasn't flowing... So yeah, sue me...
Current vote
Dooku: 3 (a very original idea, and not entirely out there, I am a fan. It's just unusual... that's all. Definitely a strange twist)
Obi-Wan: 2 (not exactly original, but workable. Who doesn't like Obi-Wan, right?)
Anakin: 1 (You're kidding, right? It's not that I'm not a fan of Anakin... which I'm not really... but... doesn't he have Padme?)
Cody: 1 (Interesting...)
Oriana's former master returned from the "dead": 1 (What?)
If you haven't voted yet, please do so, especially if you want to change the odds.
Lilith: In Jewish folklore she is a vampirelike child-killer and the symbol of sensual lust. Of the various legends connected with her, the one making her Adam's first wife is the strongest.
