Chapter 7
"You were fortunate, my lord. The bolts merely grazed you, though the wounds are both quite deep. The risk of infection concerns me."
The pinch-faced man fussed over the Sith lord, who sat upright on an exam table in the med center.
Vette stood at Varkoor's side opposite the base's chief medic, who was currently demonstrating his complete lack of bedside manner…not that Varkoor paid him any heed. His awareness was singly focused upon the twi'lek. He held her hand, his thumb rhythmically stroking her slender wrist, uncaring that the medic glowered, even under a thin facade of deference.
Varkoor lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips to the heel of her palm, his eyes burning into hers. She self consciously caught her lower lip between her teeth and then smiled shyly at him. His heart thudded in his chest at the sight.
The Sith lord didn't flinch as his whole right side was doused in ice cold bacta and thoroughly scrubbed by the frowning muttering human. Above a deep gouge in his side where a blaster bolt had grazed him, there was another deeper grazing wound, so deep one of his ribs was visible.
He was grateful for the injuries…they had created a situation, thanks to painkillers, where he'd had no choice but to spill his guts out and be honest with her, even if he'd looked like a complete arse while doing so. Now that he'd told her the truth, and it was clear she felt the same, he didn't want her out of his sight. His hands twitched to touch her all over. The drive to claim her made him tremble.
She frowned. "Are you cold?"
"No," his voice cracked. "No, it's just the bacta…it's freezing," he lied.
"You could be a little gentler, ya know…we just saved your life. Ingrate." she groused to the cranky healer, who emphatically ignored her.
Varkoor sucked in a breath as her other hand wrapped around his bicep as she leaned into him, likely just in a comforting way. She had no clue how her every innocent touch set him on fire. He took in a deep pull of her scent, her familiar fragrance inflaming him.
He felt like a sleeping beast had been awakened with the knowledge that she accepted his advances. A voice in the back of his consciousness once again reminded him to tread carefully with her. His sanity desperately clung to that wisdom. His instinct longed to taste every inch of her…and he feared that once he started down that course, he would not be able to stop.
He didn't want to scare her.
Right now, he just wanted to be alone with her, and ground his teeth, his voice rough and guttural, "Just bind it and be done. I don't have time for this."
The medic pursed his thin lips and straightened. "Apologies, my lord, but I recommend a few hours in the bacta tank to ensure complete healing occurs and infection does not take hold. Injuries such as this can turn serious if proper care is not taken."
Varkoor snarled in disgust and was about to get up from the table when Vette's small hand on his chest stopped him. "Please just do it, for me…it's my fault it happened," she murmured.
"It wasn't your fault. All this fuss is unnecessary," he replied.
Her beautiful face was marred with worry. "C'mon, please? It'll make me feel better about disobeying orders," she tried to joke.
His face softened and his mouth tipped up on one side. He had no power to deny her anything. "I will, only because you ask it."
She blushed, breaking eye contact with him and biting her lip. Varkoor felt powerful desire stir at the sight of her white teeth abusing that delectable lower lip and rumbled a low laugh. "You're already getting your way…no need to resort to such ruthless tactics."
Her eyes widened and she glanced furtively at the medic, who had turned away to adjust the settings on the bacta tank. "Tactics? What're you—"
He took advantage of her confusion and pulled her closer by their joined hands, and brushed his lips against hers. He loved how her breathing sped up at his touch. She made a surprised sound in her throat but did not resist him.
He was about to explore her mouth further when the medic cleared his throat.
Vette squeaked and tried to pull away, but Varkoor wouldn't have it. He took his time sweeping his tongue over the lower lip that so enthralled him and gently took it between his teeth. When she responded to his actions with a little nip of her own, his self-control nearly snapped.
There was a long moment where they both lingered on the tail end of a kiss that felt woefully brief, and the reassuring squeeze she gave his hand was enough to bring him back to sanity.
He finally broke the contact with Vette's heavenly mouth and fixed his glare upon the medic. Vette was blushing deeply as she tried to pull away, though he would not release her hand. The medic was scowling disapprovingly.
"My lord, if your…companion…could step outside, I will ready you for the bacta-tank." Varkoor curled his lip threateningly at the man's sneering undertone in regards to Vette. The medic shrank back in fear.
"She stays," the Sith growled.
"Y-yes, my lord, of course."
Vette huffed. "Vark, really it's ok…"
At that moment, Jaesa swept into the room. "I've spoken with the Grand Moff's lieutenant, Master. Regus is eager to confer with you as soon as you are healed up. I've also checked in on Major Pierce, and he's resting and healing nicely."
"Pierce must have had a different medic," Vette said loudly. The healer still ignored her.
"You have my thanks, Jaesa," the Sith said, smirking at Vette's temerity. Jaesa waggled her eyebrows at his and Vette's joined hands. Varkoor rolled his eyes. The damned girl missed nothing.
"Of course, Master. How are you feeling?"
He reluctantly released Vette's hand as the medic handed him the breathing mask he'd have to wear while submerged. He waved the thing in annoyance. "I'd be better if I didn't have to submit to this foolishness."
Vette took that opportunity to gather up his bloody armor and cloak. She waved him off and looked at Jaesa, the medic, at anything but him. "You'll get over it and you'll thank me later. Trust me. I'm going to get you something clean to put on when you're done here."
Jaesa snorted. "It'll do you good, Master!"
His eyes hooded when he caught Vette sneaking another glance at him, her gaze sweeping his chest. Her emotions caressed him in a seductive wave, her naive curiosity calling to his predator instinct. Soon, my beauty…
The medic began shooing both women out of the room. "Lord Wrath needs at least three hours submerged in the bacta. You may return then."
"Are you deaf? I said she stays."
The medic sneered. "Of course, my lord. I must ask you to remove the rest of your clothing before stepping into the tank."
"Oh, by the Force," Varkoor growled as he started yanking at the fasteners of his kilt. He possessed not an ounce of modesty, even with women present.
"Alriiighty then, that's my cue to get lost!" Jaesa covered her eyes and tugged on Vette's sleeve.
Vette grinned sheepishly at his surliness, and reluctantly allowed herself to be tugged out of the room by Jaesa. "I'll be here when you wake up, ok?"
His eyes smoldered as he grinned roguishly at the twi'lek, still deftly unbuckling his clothing. "I'm counting on it."
Vette looked like she was going to faint at his suggestiveness and the two women exploded in giggles as they fled the room.
Jaesa squealed once they were out of earshot. "Freaking finally! I knew my little talk with him last night made an impression. Who knew he could flirt like that?"
Vette made a noise that was meant to be an outraged gasp but came out a breathless giggle. "I think the kolto helped…"
"Nuh uh, he's lucid, girlfriend. That was all him just now," she snickered.
Vette looked almost smug as she murmured, "It was, wasn't it?"
"Force alive, I'd have jabbed you both with kolto a lot sooner if I knew this would happen! Truth serum for the win!" Jaesa crowed as they hurried out of the medical wing of the base.
Vette flushed as she hefted Varkoor's armor closer to her even as she fumbled for her comlink. "Shut up, you hussy," she said without any heat. She was still smiling like a fool.
Jaesa playfully shoved her shoulder into Vette's with a sassy tongue in teeth grin. "Make me!"
Vette stumbled in a fit of giggles as she spoke into her com. "Toovee, I need you to bring me one of Master Varkoor's cloaks and a clean set of robes. We are in the Imperial Base in the commissary."
"Of course, mistress, and might I also bring to your attention the additions I have made to the galley menu. As I have stated before, the importance of biologic fuel consumption for organics is—"
"Later, Toovee. Just the clothes, ok?"
"Right away, mistress."
She was tucking her com back in her coat when Varkoor's com beeped an incoming transmission from within a deep pocket of his cloak. She and Jaesa exchanged a look. Vette shrugged and pulled it out, hitting the answer button.
Her voice reflected baffled surprise at who was calling. "Lord Rathari?"
The hulking, hooded Sith was standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He inclined his head respectfully. "Greetings, my lady." He paused noticing Jaesa. His voice dropped in pitch and he smirked. "…ladies. I'm calling the Empire's Wrath on behalf of Darth Vowrawn and Dr. Kyros. As they are both currently engaged in the laboratory, I was asked to let him know of our arrival at the Ilum Orbital Station."
"You're with them?" Vette blurted, and both women glanced at each other in puzzlement.
"It is my honor to guard Dr. Kyros for Darth Varkoor."
Vette covered her mouth to hide her amusement. "You've got a strong stomach, dude."
Rathari frowned. "I wish to speak with him right away."
"You can't. Not right now. He's…um…in a bacta-tank for a couple of hours." Vette replied sheepishly.
"He's been injured?"
"Sort of. Yeah. He'll be fine." Vette added hurriedly. She winced at Jaesa, who was looking at Rathari with narrowed eyes, biting her lip.
The huge Sith stroked his chin and looked right at Jaesa. "I will come to ascertain my lord's condition myself."
"Fine. Just don't go reporting to his mom—er, Dr. Kyros why you're coming! Vark doesn't need her storming the base." She shuddered at the thought, and muttered to herself, "Nobody needs that…"
Rathari paused and then nodded. "Duly noted, my lady. I will arrive to the surface shortly. Rathari out." His image flickered and it was gone.
"Good call, Vette," Jaesa whispered in approval, as if she expected a hysterical pureblood woman to come tearing through the base at any moment.
"Yeah, no doubt. The last thing we all need is that woman freaking out over what happened. Ugh. I'd forgotten she was on her way here…something about the crystals." Her expression suddenly went incredulous. "Did he just call me 'my lady'? What Sith even does that?"
Jaesa wore a frank look of disapproval. "Weird ones…like him."
Vette snorted in agreement. "Yeah. Although…" she looked sidelong at Jaesa and her eyes narrowed deviously. "He's kinda cu—"
Jaesa shot her a glare and cut her off, slashing the air in front of her with her hand, her cheeks darkening. "He's weird."
Vette held up her hands, trying to keep from smiling. Payback time. "Chill, woman! I didn't disagree with you or even say anything else."
"You started to and you were thinking it. No. Just no. Absolutely not." Vette bit back a smirk.
"Whatever you say. I'm going to go try and catch a few winks on that uncomfortable looking couch in the med center. We got a few hours to kill. I can't imagine why Rathari is in a hurry to get here," She grinned evilly at Jaesa and then yawned hugely, the exhaustion from the past few days galloping upon her.
"You can't seriously go to sleep, Vette. One of Master's 'former' enemies with a past as a ruthless crime lord is on his way here now! Don't even think about leaving me alone with him!"
Vette grinned at her friend and another yawn nearly swallowed her words. "Use your gift on him! You'll see, he's ridiculously loyal to Vark."
"It's not his loyalty that concerns me," she muttered.
Vette raised a brow, waiting for Jaesa to elaborate. Jaesa groaned and covered her blushing face with her hands.
Just then, Toovee, the faithful factotum droid of the Scythe shuffled over to them in the midst of the bustling commissary, carrying a large duffle. Vette took it and hefted it by the strap, dumping the SIth's bloody clothes in the droid's outstretched arms. "Thanks, Toovee."
"You are most welcome, kind mistress. I've taken the liberty of including sustenance specifically for your benefit. My my, the climate of this planet wreaks havoc upon my delicate circuits. If there won't be anything else, I shall resume my post aboard the Scythe."
"Sounds good, Toovee. We'll let you know if there is anything else."
Jaesa grabbed her arm in desperation as they made their way back to the medical corridor. "We're sticking together until Master is released, woman." she hissed.
Vette snorted. "Rathari won't bite you…well, probably not hard anyway. He's harmless as a baby nexu." She giggled when Jaesa's mouth dropped open, an alarmed squeak escaping. "Honestly, if you don't want him flirting with you, just tell him to stop. Simple."
"You know he won't!" Jaesa hissed desperately. "Have you forgotten the Dark Council chambers? He begged me to go to dinner with him even after I told him to get lost! Good thing I didn't slap him…he probably would have proposed!"
Vette plopped down onto the worn sofa and curled up in a corner, covering up with Varkoor's cloak. "Then use the Force on him or something…or one of those Jedi mind tricks," she smiled sweetly, her eyes already closing, clearly unconcerned with Jaesa's predicament.
Jaesa growled, "Traitor!" The twi'lek was already softly snoring.
Jaesa threw her hands up and hurried back to the crowded commissary. She would feel safer if there were lots of people around. Better yet, maybe Rathari wouldn't be able to find her if she stayed out of the medical wing of the base.
She found a vendor whose whole stock was geared toward making the lives of soldiers in a frozen wilderness bearable…and to feed their bad habits. She made a face at the selection of dirty magazines and began browsing the colorful offerings of sweets and cigarettes, as if such things interested her greatly. Her eyes darted around as she absently picked up a carton of Dewback UltraLight 100s. Thankfully, there were a ton of people milling around in the late evening, most of them soldiers returned from field patrol.
"You gonna buy them smokes, love, or just stroke 'em?" the vendor drawled with a cackle.
"Maybe both," she snapped as she pet the carton and then dropped it back on the display, sticking her tongue out at the man.
She meandered around the stalls for a while, and breathed a sigh of relief that just maybe she'd managed to evade the persistent Sith lord.
No such luck.
"Ah, the lady Jaesa, a bright and delicate flower amongst weeds, just as I remember."
Jaesa winced as she heard Lord Rathari's deep quiet voice, and looked up from the saber hilts she'd been examining. She grudgingly admitted to herself that the broad shouldered Sith lord was easy to look at…his dark side pallor, forehead cybernetics notwithstanding.
She couldn't help a split second peek up and down his form. He wore his armor quite well…no doubt about that.
"Lord Rathari. Err…hello." She set down the hilt and backed clumsily into the wall as the burly Sith lord advanced slowly, coming to stand right in front of her. He planted one hand on the wall and looked down at her with a lazy besotted grin on his face. He caught one of her hands by the fingertips and planted a suave lingering kiss on her knuckles. Her breath hitched in her throat at his boldness.
"Hello there. It's a simple matter spotting such radiance in a crowd," he murmured.
"What do you want, my lord?"
"There are many things that I want, my lady. Preeminent among them is before me now."
"Please don't call me that, my lord. The medical wing is that way." She gestured with her head.
"You just called me lord…and you are most certainly…a lady," he oozed.
She cleared her throat nervously and tried not to notice the vivid green of his eyes and how good he smelled. "You're most certainly making me uncomfortable."
"The moment I laid eyes on you I was struck by your beauty…your burning light."
"How nice. Eloquent words, my lord. Only one problem. You're full of nerfshit," she replied caustically in a conversational tone of voice.
His verdant eyes smoldered with heat. By the Force, the more she rebuffed him, the more it seemed to encourage him.
His voice dropped in pitch and became rougher. "Then use your sight on me, my lovely. See for yourself that I am true."
She really wanted to…but she was afraid that she would find he was being truthful about his…outlandish declarations. She wished he were someone she could simply ignore and write off as full of crap. Trouble was, he was starting to get to her. Her stomach flipped pleasantly.
"Your first meeting with my master was marked by deceit and lies as a glorified mob boss on Nar Shaddaa. You trafficked with Hutts!" He started to speak but she cut him off. "Oh yes, I read your file, Rathari. Truth is not in your vocabulary," she pronounced archly, as if she were a judge passing sentence. She deliberately avoided his request and crossed her arms.
Rathari dropped to one knee and gazed up at her imploringly, one hand outstretched and palm upward and the other over his heart. "I've given it all up! And I'd give it all up a thousand times over to win such a goddess as you."
Jaesa slapped her forehead and groaned. "Seriously? Are you really kneeling?!" He grabbed one of her hands, only to kiss it again.
His sweeping gestures of chivalry were becoming embarrassing. People were starting to stare. "Please, Jaesa. I am a changed man," he begged. "Allow me to prove myself to you."
She pulled her hand free and tugged on his thick bicep. He wouldn't budge. "Get up!" she hissed. "Are you crazy?"
He spread his arms wide and closed his eyes. "Your power and purity call to me. Such searing light…" he groaned and pinned her with his intense gaze. He growled with conviction, "Oh Jaesa, use your power on me and you will see that I am hopelessly in love with you."
Jaesa slapped him. Hard. "Snap out of it!" she shouted. As expected, her anger only inflamed him more. Someone close by gasped.
He was like a lovesick nexu and gazed up at her adoringly, his grin predatory. "Impossible."
She threw her hands up and stalked off. Imperial personnel around them were snickering, and not even trying to be discreet about gawking. No way was anyone brave enough to come to her rescue and tell the massive Sith lord to leave a lady alone. Cowards. Yes, he was getting to her…but he was going to have to do better than this.
He was right on her heels, and he growled savagely, "You're beautiful when you're furious."
Vette woke up in a most agreeable position. She moaned hoarsely as she hovered between wakefulness and blessed slumber, and realized she was in Varkoor's arms as he strode with a purpose down the ramp of the Orbital Station shuttle. She breathed deeply in happiness. His hold tightened slightly around her. There were definitely worse ways to wake up.
"Mmmm…what time is it? What day is it?" she murmured.
"0400. We were in the Republic bunker yesterday."
"Wow…I've been asleep a while."
"After I was released from the infirmary, Rathari, Jaesa and I met with Malgus and Regus. I wanted you to sleep." He growled. "I also didn't want Malgus anywhere near you."
"Thank you…" she whispered, looking up at him, warmed by the protectiveness he didn't even try to hide. He glanced down at her as he walked then looked straight ahead, but his mouth tipped up slightly. He stepped into an elevator that would take them to the level where the Scythe was docked.
"You're welcome, Vette."
The elevator hummed as they were swiftly carried to the appropriate level. Vette cleared her throat, her awareness zeroed in on the feel of his arms holding her body close, as if she weighed nothing. To him, that was likely the case. "Um…Vark?"
"Yes?"
"I can walk…you don't have to carry me."
"Do you object?" he replied without looking at her.
"N-no…not really."
"If it's all the same to you, I'm quite enjoying myself. Indulge me."
She smiled, bit her lip and snuggled closer. "Fine with me, big guy."
Once inside the ship, he set her on her feet near the jumpseat. He looked down at her intently. The ship hummed quietly and she wondered if they were alone. Toovee was powered down, so they were spared his exuberant greeting.
"How's your side?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"The wounds are completely closed. Not even sore."
She sighed in relief. "I was so scared when you got shot. I've never felt fear like that in my life."
He smirked and lightly ran his knuckle over her cheekbone, stopping at her chin and tipping it up. She shivered at his touch. "You worried for me?"
"Well, duh! If that guy's aim had been better, you'd be…" she swallowed and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry for going against orders, Vark. Will you forgive me?"
He leaned down and inhaled at her neck, his hands grasping her hips. His voice was a hypnotic rumble that tickled her skin. "There is nothing to forgive. If it hadn't have happened, I wouldn't be doing this…" his mouth traveled slowly up her neck and she gasped, her hands flying to his shoulders, "or this…" he kissed along her jaw, peppering his progress with playful little nips "….or especially this…" she made a noise in her throat as he did the thing he seemed to not be able to get enough of, and closed his mouth over hers in a scorching kiss that left her breathless.
When he finally withdrew, she knew she must look a boneless mess. He looked at her with such hunger that her stomach fluttered.
"Whoa…maybe one day I'll figure out how to give as good as I get…" she breathed.
"Later. Quite frankly, if you did now, we'd never get anything done." She blushed deeply at his innuendo. "But for now I want you to stay here. That's an order. The rest of us can handle the refinery."
She sighed. "I earned that didn't I? OK, you win. I'll stay here. I feel like I might be coming down with something anyway."
The concern that came over his face was followed by a stern scowl. "Then you're definitely not going anywhere. Besides…" he sat down on the jumpseat and pulled her down next to him and began nosing around her neck with a growl, making her giggle. "I don't want you anywhere near Malgus. I'm considering killing him just for looking at you, the prat."
"You haven't told me about the meeting with Regus. I guess disabling the bomb and decimating a Republic base wasn't good enough for him?"
"Something like that. I'm about to meet with Vowrawn…" he sighed and rubbed his face with a resigned look, "…and my mother. Apparently, she and her team have been running tests since arriving and came across some troubling results with these crystals. And I'm hoping Vowrawn has more for me regarding Malgus." His expression darkened.
"Sounds heavy. I guess you need to go meet with them, huh?" she crawled in his lap, straddling him so she could face him while they talked. She frowned in confusion when he groaned. He seized her hips, reflexively squeezing. He dropped his head to the back of the couch and blew out a shaky sigh. She wondered if she'd upset him.
"What's wrong? Something I said?"
Varkoor barked a laugh and gently lifted her off his lap and set her next to him on the jumpseat. "No, Vette…nothing you said. You are…exceedingly tempting and you don't even know it."
His words didn't compute for a few seconds and then she flushed to the tips of her lekku. She felt baffled, sort of the way she'd feel when Taunt used to tease her for being so innocent, whatever that meant. She drew her knees up and rested her chin on them, looking at him hopefully. "Umm…is that good?"
He tipped her chin and ran his thumb over her lips. Intense was a weak word to describe the look in his eyes. Ravenous was closer to the mark. Vette's stomach flipped and she figured she didn't have to understand everything. She was with him and that was all that mattered.
"You definitely give as good as you get," he murmured. He lightly kissed her lips and then heaved himself up from the couch with a sigh to put some distance between them, presumably. He sat casually against the edge of the holoterminal, crossing his arms and looking intently at her.
She bit her lip and the light finally came on. "Ooohhh." Then her eyes widened. "OH. Um. Ok. Thanks? I think?" He broke into a boyish grin when she finally got it.
She scowled and muttered, "Excuse me for not being experienced."
"I prefer you this way. It's adorable. If we were both in the state of mind I'm currently in, we'd be holed up for the next month in that room over there." He pointed absently to the entrance to his bedroom.
Her mouth dropped open and she tried not to grin. "You're impossible!"
"I'm starting to get the feeling you like it." he rumbled smoothly.
She pouted. "Maybe. So um…I guess you need to go now? I can't say I'm not relieved to get to miss the meeting with your mother. I'm sure she'll be oh so thrilled when she finds out…" she blushed again and gestured between the two of them, "um…about us."
His expression became serious. "She'll deal with it."
Vette suddenly felt insecure and small. "So um…about this. Us. I was going to bring it up earlier but I was too busy worrying about you." She broke her gaze from his. "Why me? I'm just…"
He suddenly was right in front of her, kneeling on the floor before her. Damn Force users and their freaky speed. She still sat on the jumpseat and he insinuated himself between her knees so he could take her in his arms. Her eyes widened at the vehemence she saw etched on his features. "Why you? You're beautiful, charming, brilliant…you're a little bit crazy, you keep me sane. Vette…it's always been you."
She swallowed hard, a bit dizzy from being the primary focus of a super intense Sith lord. "Um…wow. Speechless," she replied stupidly. Smooth, Vette. He has the uncanny ability to render you stupid and tongue-tied.
She managed a shy smile and with a boldness she didn't feel she leaned forward and awkwardly brushed his lips with hers. His reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. He growled and responded hungrily. She let out a muffled whimper and could barely keep up with him. He pulled away with difficulty.
"Like I said, never get anything done…" he murmured.
"To be continued," she said saucily.
"Definitely, you minx," he rumbled playfully.
"So I take it Jaesa survived Rathari," Vette giggled, tracing her finger over the edge of his cloak.
Varkoor snorted. "I think it more apt to say Rathari survived Jaesa. They are both coming with me to the refinery, and I'm grateful for the strength they offer…but I might just knock their heads together before it's all over. On the way to talk to Regus, I found Jaesa looking rather rumpled and flustered, and not far on her heels an all too smug Rathari. If you ask me, I'd say she looked guilty. I don't want to know. I really don't."
Vette laughed. "Oh, I do…she's going to spill everything."
Varkoor shook his head. "You women are completely insane."
Varkoor was admitted to the orbital station laboratory without fanfare. He spotted his mother standing next to Vowrawn as they spoke in low tones, a few paces away from a group of busy research assistants. He rolled his eyes to take note of their close proximity to one another.
Both of them glanced up at the same time and his mother rushed over to him. "My lord…we've been waiting for your arrival. We have much to discuss." Thankfully, she had sense enough to maintain decorum in the presence of her subordinates.
"Dr. Kyros…Darth Vowrawn."
Vowrawn regarded him calmly, a slight smile on his face. "I trust Rathari has found you. I've placed him at your disposal for the duration of our stay on Ilum. I don't believe anyone could have prevented him, in any event."
"You have my thanks," Varkoor inclined his head respectfully at Vowrawn.
"Thank the Force. Ravilan, the man has been underfoot and driving me up the wall ever since you assigned him to guard duty," she informed the elder Sith haughtily.
Vowrawn laughed. "He takes his duties to the Empire's Wrath very seriously. I could think of no better bodyguard for you, my dear."
Z'kara huffed and rolled her eyes. "He's been an absolute pest. I don't need constant guarding."
Varkoor snorted in amusement. "I agree with Vowrawn. I wished I'd thought of it sooner. He's a powerful Sith, there is none better to protect you…and he owes me."
"Well, let him owe you as your bodyguard, then," she replied sullenly.
"To the business at hand," Vowrawn changed the subject. "It would seem the Empire might be jumping the gun regarding this stealth technology. Z'kara?"
The petite pureblood woman nodded and pulled her datapad out of her lab coat pocket, switching back to scientist mode. "It's just as I've feared for months now. I won't bore you with the science, Varkoor, but suffice it to say, these crystals will simply not maintain their stealth properties for any length of time on such a large scale. For a smaller, single vessel, the formulations we've come up with are reliable. But for an entire fleet? It's suicide. I've reworked the calculations a thousand times, and we always arrive at the same conclusion. The bottom line? More research is needed. In my professional opinion, moving forward with the transfer is grossly premature."
Vowrawn nodded in agreement. "I've been leery of the Empire's sponsoring of this mining operation. But Regus has a lot of pull with other members of the Dark Council, particularly Darth Ravage, so they approved Dark Ice immediately."
"Regus will not be happy about this." Varkoor said smoothly.
"Nevertheless, he will have to see reason," Vowrawn insisted.
Varkoor looked at the readouts on her datapad, not really understanding what he was looking at, but his mind going to back and forth between the two men who seemed almost desperate for this transfer to take place. Regus and Malgus both salivated for the Empire to take the Refinery from the Republic, and the whole thing seemed…off.
This morning, meeting with Malgus and Regus, the human Sith lord seemed poised to pounce, like a tightly coiled spring. It made Varkoor nervous for reasons he could not identify.
"So tell me what else you've got on Malgus." the younger Sith said as he handed the datapad back to Z'kara.
Z'kara and Vowrawn looked at each other. She sighed. "I suppose you should know, though for the longest time, I didn't see the point in telling you. The past is the past. Let it stay there."
Varkoor narrowed his eyes at his mother. "What are you talking about?"
She pursed her lips. "Information is power. You should be armed as much as possible." She paused and Vowrawn stepped behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Malgus was my father's apprentice."
Varkoor looked baffled for a moment. And then his features darkened like a tempest. "I sensed something about him…a familiarity I could not place. He seemed to notice me in the same fashion."
She shrugged, a sad look coming over her face. "Use the information how you will, my son. I've not seen him since I was a young girl, since…" she closed her eyes. "Knowing he is involved so closely, working with you, it brings it all back." She let out a shaky sigh and turned away from both men, hugging herself.
Varkoor stepped closer to her and turned her around, looking intently into her face. She looked vulnerable, so unlike the facade she put forth all other times. "I don't fear that crazy old man, mother."
That made her smile. "Indeed, you have no reason to. I just wanted you to know. He may try to use it against you."
Varkoor exchanged a look with Vowrawn. He looked back down at his mother. "You know the way of the Sith, mother. There is more you aren't telling me."
She closed her eyes and sighed again. "I'm not a very good Sith, Varkoor. You know me…I ran away from that life, became a scientist so I wouldn't have to go to the Academy…and then you grew up to follow your grandfather's path…" she rambled.
"Mother…" he prompted.
"Malgus murdered my father," she said abruptly.
Varkoor went really still for a moment. Vowrawn watched mother and son placidly, saying nothing.
"I said I was never a very good Sith…not that I was ignorant of the way of the Sith," she finally broke the silence. "I'm not a fool."
Varkoor didn't know what to think. It was true…Sith often murdered their own masters to surpass them. He himself did it. It's just the way things were done in Sith culture. He could not say he felt anything much at all at this revelation. He'd never known his grandfather. He'd died twelve years before his birth. His mother seldom spoke of him.
He looked back down at his mother and felt anger only on her behalf. The sadness she'd always had but hid so well was prominent on her face. It radiated through the Force. He touched her cheek with his knuckle.
"Malgus made an enemy out of me before you told me this, Mother. You have my word…I will end him."
She sucked in a breath and her eyes went wide. "Varkoor, don't—"
"Z'kara." Vowrawn broke in. "Allow your son to avenge you."
Back on the Scythe, Vette woke up with a start, her skin crawling with sudden uneasiness. She sat up in her bed and looked around the room she shared with Jaesa. Nothing seemed amiss. She heard what she thought was the hiss of the ship's airlock. She could have been imagining it though. She wasn't expecting anyone for a while as the rest of the crew were at the surface.
"Vark? Is that you?"
No answer. She got up and quickly jammed her feet into her tall insulated boots and yanked her tactical belt off of the floor and quickly donned it, shoving her blasters in place.
She stepped gingerly into the common room and saw nothing out of place. She was just about to scold herself for being paranoid when she felt a sharp pain explode in the back of her head before her world went to nothingness.
A/N- There's an easter egg in this chapter inspired by the most amazing rom/com movie in history, Moonstruck. I couldn't resist. In my opinion, it's Nic Cage's magnum opus.
