Part 7
Yahzi awaited by her masters boarding ramp. She was dressed in all black, her brown hair pulled into a pony-tail, her bangs covering her hair. She didn't want to see him. She was still mad about the day before. He came down the ramp and then turned to face his apprentice. "How long will you be gone, Master?"
"No more than a few months" he answered plainly. Then she looked up to see excitement showing unrestrained in his eyes. Puzzled, she opened her mouth to inquire, but decided against it.
"Of course, Master." was all she said back. "I wish the best of luck to you."
Maul scowled. "I need no luck. I will get what I want." Yahzi nodded. "Yes, of course Master." she shuffled her feet as his gaze bore into her, then felt it lift when he looked away.
"Remember what I have told and taught you," then he looked back at her, his expression softening. "And remember my promise."
She was taken aback, but didn't show it. "If it is thy bidding master, I will strive to please."
"Good" was all he said then ran up the board and soon the ramp closed and the repulsors kicked in. Yahzi lingered and watched as the ship ascended into the sky above. In a matter of seconds she lost sight of his ship, but kept staring. Her heart ached after him despite her wanting it not too. She sighed and decided it was time to find a synthetic crystal for her new saber and begin her training in the arts of alchemy.
Three months later...
Yahzi sat on a large slab of rock, away from her base, a book open in her lap. Her Nexu lay next to her, its first pair of eyes shut, but the other set open, its fur the same color of the rock. She was reading about a new force technique used to confuse someone, make them see things from their worst nightmares and eventually, drive them crazy, if they didn't kill themselves first.
She stroked the Nexu's head gently, having grown fond of it over the past months. After training it basic commands, she finally put her knowledge to the test and successfully mutated the Nexu, Its quills became longer, harder and even poisonous, its whip-like tail now housing hundreds of tiny quills, and now to her pleasure, could camouflage itself. Its new natural fur color was pitch black but like a chameleon it could change color and pattern at any given time. Her master will be proud of her creation.
The Keshiri thought of her master often. She hated herself for it. She dreamt of his return, longed for it. The girl missed his presence, the large house felt empty without him. She fantasized on how much he would praise her once he returned, how proud he would be. She knew she had exceeded his expectations. And as if her prayers were answered, a dark, slim ship came zipping towards the base. The mutated Nexu leapt up, its quills quivering.
Yahzi carefully closed the book and set it down before leaping of the rock and running full speed towards the hangar. Her master was back. The Nexu ran alongside her, easily keeping pace. She entered the landing pad as the ship landed and excitedly awaited by the bottom of the ramp. As trained her pet sat by her feet, her excitement making it anxious. Maul came down the ramp, but never looked at her. His eyes were glued to the ground and were bloodshot. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. The Zabrak stopped in front of her and simply dismissed the growling Nexu, but mumbled to himself. Most was nonsense she couldn't make out. What she could was "Brother, brother, I must find you," but even that she didn't understand.
"Brother?" She asked. This got his attention for he stopped and looked at her. "Brother?" she repeated. Something registered in his brain, but he didn't respond to the question.
"Your hair" he stated. "It's white." She hadn't forgotten and had hoped he wouldn't notice, but knew he would.
"Yes. A price paid for practicing alchemy" Yahzi answered. Her brown hair had progressively lost its color the more she learned and master her newly adapted skills. He nodded as if he understood, then to her surprise he reached forward and stroked the scar on her face. She flinched away, but his grip tightened. She looked up and his face was there, inches away from hers. His eyes were dialated and had a crazened look. This frightened her. "Master" she gasped. Her nexu was now snapping at Maul, but with a flick of his free hand, he sent it sprawling a few meters away. "Maul! What are you doing?"
"I failed,"
Yahzi's eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard me!" he snarled. "I failed my task! I couldn't save him! That cursed Lambrigal tricked and used me." he squeezed her face then threw her to the ground. The girl was confused and afraid. Couldn't save who? She heard a click and her saber whip flew from her belt to her maddened masters hand. The whip ignited, and the purple humanoid tried to scramble up. She heard the crack of the whip and let out a shriek of pain as it connected with her back.
This continued for two more minutes. She had never felt so helpless and never felt so much in pain like this in her whole life. She lay on the ground, not moving, for fear of being punished again. Maul turned it off and tossed the hilt of the ground. He went over to his apprentice and knelt down by her, "Yahzi?" She closed her eyes. He continued.
"I'm sending you to Tatooine. You will hunt down and eliminate a human scientist that goes by the name of Ben Lambrigal. Kill anyone who gets in your way and I want no witnesses. You will bring your... creation and test it." He then got up and walked away.
Yahzi heard a snuffling by her face and opened her eyes and saw a familiar face. Her nexu sniffed her wounds on her back and laid down next her her. She then blacked out.
