Having a laptop is a lot more convenient than I first thought. Who knew my writing would get done quicker?
Thanks for the wonderful comments guys. I'm so happy you're enjoying this!
Now I will answer questions.
Gundam Chief: All Error Correctors can control all elements to a certain degree using Telekinesis, but can only produce and truly command the one they choose as their own personal Psi Power. As to your other question, just remember what Harlene's job is.
Tarva: My father was the one who gave me the idea for a game-based society in the future, but other than that, this story is of my own original creation.
xXx
"I know he shows respect to people who are able to defeat him or hold their own against him for a good while, but giving her a lightsaber? Isn't that a bit out-of-character for him?"
"Not at all. He already respects her, but she's starting to fascinate him more. Also, remember that he doesn't know she could have just summoned a lightsaber if she wanted."
"I see. He said he wanted a rematch."
"Yes. Step number one is complete. He respects her fighting abilities, and will never underestimate her again."
"And what, pray tell, is step number two?"
"Now, he needs to respect her as a person. She's going to tell him more about her past, and he's going to discover how much they have in common."
"Her admiration for the Jedi isn't going to help though."
"Actually, it is."
xXx
A fine sheen of sweat coated Harlene's forehead. Her breath was labored though she wasn't exhausted, thanks to her powers. Calm, black eyes stared into fierce yellow ones that were burning in triumph.
"Take your time and gloat, Lord Maul," she said wryly. "I'm in no hurry."
He didn't find her witty comeback amusing, judging from the look on his face, but he did extinguish the red blade pointed at her throat.
Harlene had gone sight-seeing for a few days before visiting her new Sith acquaintance again. True to his word, Maul had challenged her to a pure lightsaber duel, but this time he had ignited both blades and fought to his true extent.
Damn it.
That was Harlene's first thought after the duel began. Apparently when Darth Maul kept his word, Darth Maul kept his word. He hadn't offered her any reprieve as he poured practically every last drop of his abilities into the fight. It had been blindingly obvious that the dark side was especially strong in him during that time. No doubt he used the memories of his past defeat at her hands to fuel his rage.
"Three minutes," he said holstering his blade.
Harlene frowned. "You sound almost disappointed. Thought I would be more of a challenge?"
"Your swordsmanship is quite admirable for someone of your age," Maul replied smoothly. "It would be foolish to expect more. But you are correct. I am disappointed that you have no Force touch. It grants you an advantage since I cannot foresee your techniques, but if you had it, you would be a better fighter."
"Well, at least I didn't last only half a minute like you said before," she smirked. "Actually, I have a psychic ability that's similar to a Force touch," Harlene said. "I can sense brain waves that enables me to anticipate my opponent's thoughts and intentions."
Maul's eyes flash dangerously. "Why did you not use it?"
God, this guy was so damn clueless sometimes. No wonder Sidious found his arrogance infuriating.
Keeping her face neutral, Harlene replied. "I did use it. It activates automatically, like a Force touch."
"Then you should have lasted longer."
(stay calm, child, treat insignificant matters like they are)
Harlene slammed up a calm barrier and fought the desire to punch that condescending look off his face.
"My powers are different than yours," she explained. "My speed and strength are set at a certain level. I grow more powerful as time passes, but I can't increase them in a split second like you can by calling on the Force. In other words, I have a limit. Right now, you are faster and stronger than I am. My mind may be able to anticipate your moves, but if my body can't follow through, then my psychic ability is only good for telling me that I'm screwed." she couldn't stop herself from adding a, "get it?"
Fortunately, he didn't seem angry. In fact he nodded in an almost satisfied way. "You know that understanding a technique is pointless if you do not have the physical dexterity to carry it out."
Hmm. Ironic. That was an almost word for word replication of what Rock Lee told Uchiha Sasuke after he defeated him in battle. Sasuke's Sharingan eyes were able to anticipate Lee's moves, but Lee was far too fast for Sasuke to block them in time.
"I have said before that you are skilled beyond the norm of your age," Maul's voice broke into her thoughts. "And you said you had a mentor. Who is it?"
Harlene smiled wryly. "You don't have to beat around the bush with me, Lord Maul. I know what you're really asking. You want to know more about my creed in case we ever become a threat to you and Lord Sidious."
She expected him anger from him, but instead he looked almost amused. "There is no fooling you is there? Very well. Yes, that was what I wanted to know."
Harlene nodded. "Well, I can assure you that I'm the only one of my kind that you'll ever meet. Our superiors never come with us and each member of my creed is assigned to one dimension each. And we're forbidden from going to any others."
That was true enough. In the beginning, the Four Founders had considered assigning more than one Error Corrector to a reality and switching the team to another when the story was complete, but the idea was dismissed after it was tested with members of the First Twenty-Five. Too many people interacting with the characters in different ways caused the plotline to be corrupted beyond repair. And there was the fact that one Error Corrector was more than enough to take care of the reality.
"Regardless," Maul continued. "I am curious as to who taught you."
Well, there was no harm in telling him. "Her name is Claire Selton. Basically, she's the best of our entire creed. The prodigy of prodigies. No one took to the fighting arts like her. The reason we're taught them, as you can already guess, is to defend ourselves against the more…aggressive people we encounter. We're recruited at a very young age since, of course, the earlier training starts, the better. When our mentors deem us ready we take an physical exam that determines our rise to the rank of Fledgling, which is the lowest. That's what I am right now. I was the last member of our kind recruited. Claire was already way more skilled than necessary to take a student by the time I arrived and she chose me."
"Do you know why?"
A dark look crossed Harlene's face. "Yeah. I do."
Maul hesitated. Not out of consideration of course. He thought she would leave if he pried further. So Harlene decided to volunteer the information.
"Do you remember the way I looked when I visited you the second time?"
The look on his face said 'how could I forget?', but he merely nodded in a gesture for her to continue.
"Well," Harlene sighed. "That's pretty much how I looked when I was recruited. Permanently."
He frowned. "And why is that the reason your master chose you as her student?"
"I was four when I was recruited." Harlene replied dryly. "And seriously, Lord Maul, how many four-year-olds have you seen that had the same look I did."
It was meant as a clue. And after ten seconds, realization dawned on him.
"They were afraid of you," his voice was barely above a whisper. "Your recruiters wanted you removed from the program."
She nodded, and Maul's eyes burned. "That was incredibly stupid of them. To throw away such potential because of ignorant fear. Your superiors are pathetic."
It took a considerable amount of willpower not to gape outright at the disgusted look on the Sith's face. He was indignant on her behalf?
No. She mentally shook her head. Harlene reminded herself not to delude herself when dealing with Maul. He was a weapon capable of no emotions apart from hatred and bloodlust. Nothing more.
"It wasn't just the way I looked and sounded," Harlene continued. "Though that was the main part. But it all originated from the fact that I couldn't feel emotions. Don't ask me why," she added when he opened his mouth. "I don't know the answer. Just like I don't know how I can now control them so well now that I have them back."
"And how did you get them back?"
Harlene narrowed her eyes. "You don't want to know."
"Why is that?" he growled in impatience.
"Because it has to do with the emotions you label as weak."
The way his disgust took a sudden turn told her she didn't need to elaborate. Then he stepped closer to her, and she felt the familiar push of his furious gaze boring into her.
"You were scorned because of your condition, were you not?"
She nodded and felt the memories
(crawl back to the hell that spawned you, demon child!)
Of past abuse gnaw at her. It must have shown up on her face for Maul was now directly in front of her.
"Yes," he whispered. "I was not mistaken. You hate them for it don't you? That was what you should have drawn upon to bring back your emotions. And you are a fool for not doing so."
Great. More brain-washing Sith sayings.
"Don't lecture me, Maul," she said coldly. "Though its very tempting, I'm not insulting your beliefs, so grant me the same courtesy if you will."
He glared at her fiercely. "Of course," he sneered. "I should have guessed."
Harlene raised an eye-brow.
"Pardon?"
His sneer amplified. "You believe in the hypocritical lies of the Jedi, do you not? I suspected it when I first met you, but now I can see it is true. You believe that anger corrupts you when in actuality it gives you power beyond imagining."
Harlene was getting annoyed. She hadn't done anything to provoke him. She had just been telling him about her past and he had to go ahead and turn an almost cordial conversation into a sparring match.
Well, if he insisted…
"Hypocritcal lies?" she laughed scornfully. "What about you? You accuse the Jedi of arrogance, yet you believe all life forms apart from you and Sidious are worthless. So tell me, what does that make you?"
With a snarl, he activated his lightsaber. "Don't you dare insult my master." he hissed in malevolence.
Now it was her turn to give him a disgusted look. "You really don't know how to do anything except start a fight, do you? And I wasn't insulting your master. I was insulting you. If I wanted to insult Sidious, I would do it to his face. It would be a lot more fun that way." Rolling her eyes, she turned on her heel and walked away.
"Where are you going?" he demanded after her.
She didn't answer and teleported away.
xXx
Livid, Darth Maul activated his assassin droids and began to vent his rage on them. He should have guessed from the start that the girl was a Jedi supporter. It made perfect sense they way she had compared he and his master to them during her first visit. The presumptuous infuriating little…how dare she accuse him of hypocrisy? She was not stupid. She must know the lies the Jedi spread. They claimed they did not seek power, yet they had it, and they kept it. Lord Sidious had once taken him to the Jedi Temple. They had disguised themselves as tourists and explored the headquarters of their enemy. The temple itself was enormous and filled to the brim with art, information, vehicles, and living quarters. They had vast influence in the galaxy one could not believe if they did not know better. If a Jedi were to go on a mission that was for the so-called 'better of the galaxy', they were granted unlimited resources by the Supreme Chancellor and the Senate.
The Jedi were wealthy. They were influential. They were powerful.
And they had the audacity to act as if they wouldn't care if it was all taken away from them in a heart beat.
Hypocrites. All those who gained power feared to lose it. It was a universal law.
But it would all be taken form them one day. Lord Sidious would make sure of that. And hopefully, Maul would be deemed worthy to lead the attack on the temple. To reduce it to the pile of rubble that it already was. To extinguish their light from the galaxy forever.
Maul immersed himself in the dark side as he blocked a barrage of laser blasts. His thoughts turned to Harlene once again. He was angry at her for allowing herself to be blinded by the Jedi, but he mentally berated himself for making her leave. Granted, she would be back, but Lord Sidious had specifically told him not to do anything that would make her leave regardless.
It was disappointing. The girl had anger, power, hatred. Yet she admired the Jedi.
It was her who was the hypocrite. Not him.
Still, she had potential. A lot of potential in fact. If she had Force touch she would have made a fine apprentice to the dark side.
Maul grinned a feral grin.
You know a lot less about yourself than you think you do, little girl.
xXx
It was different. Very different. So different Harlene would not have believed it if she wasn't watching with her own eyes.
The air was quiet, almost relaxed, yet it radiated a sense of foreboding that completely contradicted the original atmosphere.
Music, laughter, and chatter no longer filled the air. People still went about their lives, but instead of the almost carefree expressions, they now wore looks of confusion, and grim fear.
Harlene smiled bitterly.
Not so sheltered anymore are you, Naboo?
Her satisfaction that they were finally getting a taste of what their government had blinded them to vanished into a scowl when she thought of a certain arrogant fanatical, tatooed Zabrak. She was annoyed at him, but also annoyed at herself for not anticipating this. He was a Sith for Christ's sake! Of course he would try a impress his beliefs on her. With Sith it was either their way or the high way.
But she couldn't help but be surprised at how much he spoke when she was with him. She had expected him to ask and answer questions in only one or two words. After all, he only spoke a few sentences in The Phantom Menace movie. Here, he wasn't exactly a chatter-box, but his willingness to talk to her was…
Harlene stopped her line of thought and cursed. What the hell was she thinking? He was only talking to her because his precious master ordered him to. Maybe he respected her skills and powers, but he wasn't social. If Sidious hadn't ordered him to tolerate her, the only communication between them on his part would be threats and insults.
(you are deliberately blinding yourself child. Do not underestimate personalities)
So basically, this whole civil companionship would be an illusion created by Darth Sidious. She would have to explain that to Claire when this was over.
xXx
"So she is a Jedi supporter after all?"
"She has not said so outright, Master, but her words and behavior heavily implies it. I…grew angry when I found out, and she left."
Darth Sidious pursed his lips disapprovingly at his prostrate apprentice. "This is the mission I have assigned you, Lord Maul. I am satisfied with the information you have gained so far, but you will not let your hatred of the Jedi interfere."
"Yes, Master." Maul said quietly.
Sidious had been content to find out that he had been correct about the girl being from another dimension. It made perfect sense after all. But he had been shocked upon hearing of his apprentice's defeat at her hands. For someone to have such mastery of Telekinesis or the ability to paralyze a sentient creature's nervous system by just one blast of electricity, he could not help but be very grateful that she was just an Observer forbidden from interfering. He was also growing quite annoyed that she was more willing to give his apprentice information on herself rather than him. He was after all, the Grand Master of the dark side. Perhaps she was trying to deliberately insult him by acting as if Lord Maul made for better company than himself. It was rather childish, but then again, she was a child.
If that was the case, he would not giver her the satisfaction by ordering his apprentice to demand her presence.
xXx
Two days later when Harlene returned, she found him meditating. And like the last time, proceeded to join him. Meditation was another crucial part of training. Teaching oneself how to breath properly and focus the mind was the key to controlling the psychic abilities the Error Correctors were granted.
As Harlene sat beside him and took a position, she realized she wasn't angry anymore. His past behavior was only natural when reminded of what he was raised to believe. And he hadn't done anything horrible to her. It would be pointless and immature to hold a grudge and ignore him because of it.
Three hours later, she heard his voice.
"I did not expect to see you again so soon."
Harlene opened her eyes and looked at him. "I know."
"You were angry."
She sighed. "Forgive me if I sound offensive Lord Maul, but I am not nor ever will be a Sith. To me, holding onto anger unnecessarily is counter-productive."
She studied his reaction carefully and could have sworn there was a hint of dark amusement in his fierce eyes.
"Would you care to train with me again?"
So he was at least pretending to be polite now. Good. Hopefully he wouldn't start anymore arguments. She really wasn't in the mood for his fanatical bullshit right now.
They proceeded to the training room and Harlene made to pull out her lightsaber when Maul's voice stopped her.
"We will not be using lightsabers for now."
Harlene raised an eyebrow. "Dare I ask what we will be using then?"
By way of explanation, he took a martial arts stance that Harlene immediately recognized from her research as Teras Kasi or 'steel hand'. It was one of the most lethal forms of unarmed combat in the Star Wars reality.
Excellent.
Harlene smirked and removed her cloak, flinging it off the side. She took a Capoeira stance. "I was hoping you would save the best for last."
Maul looked slightly surprised. "You enjoy this better than lightsaber sparring?" She nodded and he added. "Then I hope you do not disappoint me."
"Just don't hold back." she replied. "Now, let's rumble."
The Sith Lord looked pleased. "You're not afraid of getting hurt. Good. Because you will."
With that he sent a flying kick at her followed by a bladed hand. Harlene dodged both blows and began the constant Ginga dance that was the trade mark of the Capoeira style. Falling into motion, she aimed an Armada spinning kick for his knee cap and flipped backwards into the defensive Au Batido cartwheel when he propelled a snap kick at her head. Taking advantage of her low defensive position, she swept her right leg in a low roundhouse kick for Maul's ankles. He jumped and slammed his leg down in a hammer blow. She rolled out of the way and leaped to her feet and ducked as he aimed a deadly butterfly kick at her.
Harlene was so caught up in the exhilaration of the fight that it took her a minute to remember to observe her opponent's fighting style. She noted that his speed hadn't decreased the least bit when they had been fighting with lightsabers. And his blows were just as swift and lethal as her research had described. The Teras Kasi consisted of lightening fast moves that were almost too quick for a normal eye to see. Combined with hard techniques it was a style that was designed to end a fight in a quick, bloody mess as the Pike sisters Zan and Zu demonstrated with a squad of elite stormtroopers in Shadows of the Empire.
However, it seemed that the esteemed protégé of Darth Sidious had never expected the magnificent offense and defense of Capoeira.
Harlene leaped back in time to avoid Maul as he executed a Spinning Rawl. The two opponents faced each other. Maul held his guard up. His face was set in concentration, but Harlene was very pleased to see frustration there as well. She continued her constant Ginga dance that was specifically designed to confuse the opponent of what one's next move would be. With a growl, he lunged at her with a charging Wampa. It was so fast, his shoulder hit her in the side even as she side-stepped out of the way. He swung his leg in a sweeping back kick which Harlene rolled under and caught him in the stomach with a double-kick. His eyes widened as he was thrown back, but used the momentum to regain his feet in a defensive flip. When they faced each other again, with Maul's eyes blazing at her, Harlene knew she wouldn't win here either. She had the potential to be the most talented martial artist in her creed, but it was still only potential. Her physical strength was inhuman(enough to cleave a wooden table in half with one punch) but Maul was older, faster, and more experienced.
Just because your opponent is better at something than you are sure as hell doesn't mean that they will always defeat you in battle, Claire had once told her. Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open, and be aware of those natural skills of subtlety that you already have, and the ones that sometimes surface at a split second's notice.
Still, this was a match Harlene wouldn't win, but at least she could go out with a bang.
Simultaneously, the two combatants charged at each other. Before Harlene knew it, she was on defensive with Maul executing incessant chops and kicks. If Harlene had wanted, she could command the interface of the reality to soften his blows so it would be easier to dodge and block. That was a major part of why no Error Corrector has ever failed to keep the plotline in tact. Apart from a psychic ability that would warn them when and how an error would occur, they had a certain control over the interface in which they could slow down time for a short while, and minimize the power of their opponent's blows while fighting. But Harlene decided not to use it when sparring with Maul. It didn't seem right to take advantage of that ability, especially with an opponent who fought with honor.
She parried a palm blow and ducked two kicks. Five chops attacked her upper body and managed to hit her three times. She barely managed to dodge a punch to the face. This wouldn't continue much longer. She could stave off exhaustion with her psychic abilities, but only for a short amount of time. After all, she was only just a Fledgling.
Maul's eyes gleamed in triumph when she tried to break through his guard. His elbow blocked a high kick. He grabbed her arm when she aimed a knife blow for his throat and twisted it back. Pain shot up her shoulder, but it was nothing compared to when he pushed her forward and slammed his knee right in her stomach. The breath was forced out of her lungs and she felt a few ribs crack. Maul held her there for a brief moment before back-handing her off of him. The impact on the hard floor jarred her broken ribs, but only a shocked choking sound came from her throat instead of a cry of agony.
Harlene lay on the ground, wheezing, and summoned her healing powers. She heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Darth Maul standing over her. His previous triumph had melted into disgust.
"Pathetic," he spat. "You are skilled in offensive and defensive attacks, yet your resistance is abysmal. Surely a few bruised ribs don't hurt so much?" She didn't answer, and his disgust and anger amplified. "Submissive little girl. You can do better than this. Get up. There is no pain where strength lies!"
Harlene's injuries were now fully healed. She had been staring at him blankly, but her lips suddenly stretched into a wicked grin.
"As you wish."
He tensed in preparation. Arrogant fool. He thought he wasn't underestimating her. But he had forgotten one important thing: this match had no rules.
In the blink of an eye, Harlene teleported behind him and struck a pressure point at the back of his neck. Claire had taught her some basic ninjetsu and Harlene decided she would take advantage of those skills. The perfect strike to one of the main spinal nerves shocked Maul for a split second, but it was enough time for Harlene to summon her strength and send a hammer fist to the back of his head.
In less than two seconds, Darth Maul was lying flat on his stomach, with Harlene sitting on his back, a foot on his head and his right arm pulled back in a shoulder lock.
She smiled though of course, he couldn't see it. It was a pity she couldn't see the look on his face. It must be priceless.
"Thank you for giving me such wonderful advice, Lord Maul." she said sweetly. "I think it will be very useful to me in the future, don't you think?"
"Get off me." he growled.
Harlene raised an eyebrow. "My, my, not a sore loser are we? You didn't tell me not to use my healing or teleportation powers, right?"
"You only won, because I cannot sense you in the Force," he hissed. "Otherwise, I would have crushed you when you teleported behind me. Now get off."
Harlene sighed and obliged. She telekinetically seized her cloak and refastened it. When they faced each other again she saw that the respect in his eyes had increased.
"You don't limit yourself," he said quietly. "You judge the best way all of your skills can be of use to you and execute them to their greatest extent," he paused, then said. "I am not familiar to the style you used. What is it?"
"Its called Capoeira. It's a style that was developed by slaves in a country called Brazil with the purpose of using it to fight their masters and free themselves."
He looked intrigued. "And how did these slaves develop it without their masters knowing?"
Harlene smirked. "They disguised it as a dance. See this?" she moved her feet in the Ginga dance. "This is called a Ginga. It looks like a dance, but is used to confuse one's opponent and to prepare for kicks or dodges."
Maul nodded. "Fascinating. I would like to see this style in action more, but at a later time. For now, we will train with lightsabers."
Harlene shook her head. "Thanks, Lord Maul, but at a later time. I think I'll go site-seeing for a while."
He frowned. "Site-seeing?"
She nodded. "This dimension is cool beyond words. So many exotic places to visit," a slightly dreamy look crossed her face as she remembered the beautiful forests of Yavin Four and the skies of Coruscant and knew that it was possible to die happy. The dreamy look died away as she focused on Maul again. "But my mentor says I shouldn't limit myself to places that I like. So I was thinking of going somewhere more…foreboding."
A dark look crossed her face. "Actually, I was considering going to Korriban."
Harlene really didn't want to go there. Unlike a lot of Star Wars fans, she wasn't into Sith culture. It wasn't that she was afraid of evil, but the Sith had always made her uncomfortable, especially Darth Vader. Everything they had done and everything they stood for went against the galaxy in general and life itself.
Maul's eyes widened a fraction. "The birth-place of the Sith?" he whispered.
Harlene nodded. Maul's fierce yellow gaze flickered with an emotion that took Harlene five seconds to figure out.
Envy.
Harlene's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Didn't Lord Sidious ever take you there to train? There's no other place stronger in the dark side, after all."
"My master takes me to planets that have dangerous terrain and wildlife. It is in those places that I can hone myself to become a better servant to him." he replied coldly.
Harlene was shocked to the bone. So much that she slammed up a few barriers to keep it from showing on her face.
"He…never took you there?" She didn't bother to hide the disbelief in her voice. "But you're his apprentice!"
"I am his servant first and foremost. Personal historical education into past Sith culture is trivial. My master has more important things to accomplish."
She hated the way his voice sounded. As if the way Sidious treated him was as natural as rain.
Before she knew it, the question burst from her lips.
"Do you want to come with me?"
His face was the epitome of furious disbelief and shock.
"What?"
Forcing herself into calmness, she repeated herself. "I said, do you want to come with me?"
His expression darkened heavily with suspicion. "Why would you offer such a thing?"
Truth be told, Harlene didn't even know why she had just offered what she had. But surprisingly, she found that she meant it. He wouldn't be satisfied with that, though, so she opted for a fake answer.
"You would be useful being a dark side Force-sensitive. Yes, I know you've never been there before, but you would connect better to the place than I would. In the process, I might find things that I normally wouldn't by myself."
That wasn't the reason of course, but it was true enough. There was a full minute of silence in which Maul scrutinized her before speaking.
"My master may not allow it."
"I think he would. Its part of your mission after all. Mine as well. It will benefit both of us," Harlene waved a hand. "Ask him. I'll wait for you."
Another minute of silence. After which Maul relented and gestured for her to follow him to a holoprojector.
"Stay out of site for now," he said while punching in the code. "If my master wishes your presence, you will obey him." He gave her a glare that emphasized the command.
Harlene wanted to scowl at him for giving her orders, but decided it wasn't worth it and nodded.
The ominous blue hologram of the Grand Master of the dark side flickered into view and Darth Maul knelt.
"My Master."
"Lord Maul," Sidious's hooded gaze bored into Maul's prostrate form. The sight sickened Harlene. "Are you reporting on you mission?"
"Yes, Master. I have more information, but…I also have a request."
"Oh?"
"The Observer has told me that she is going to visit the planet Korriban. She…desires that I go with her."
There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence. Harlene struggled not to shift as she felt a slight wave of embarrassment.
"I see." Sidious's voice was very low. "Why would she wish you to accompany her? Certainly not as a guide. You have never been to Korriban."
"She feels I would connect better to the planet than she would since she cannot sense the Force."
"Has she told you why she wants to visit Korriban?"
"She is carrying out the orders of her superiors. Does my master wish me to make a current report now?"
Harlene meanwhile, was mentally gaping. Maul was offering to make his report with her in the same room? Shouldn't he have kicked her out by now? He always reports to Sidious in private!
Lord Maul she sent him a telepathic message. I'll leave if you--
Stay. The order was abruptly snapped.
"You will make your report immediately afterwards." Sidious said.
Maul looked up. "Master?"
A smile of cruel amusement crossed the Dark Lord's face. "This may be a good learning experience for you, my young apprentice. To see the legendary tombs of the Dark Lords who founded the Sith Empire will perhaps enlighten you to greater understanding of the dark side. This is very generous of the Observer."
Harlene's teeth clenched in a silent snarl. She wasn't the least bit fooled. Sidious probably found this entire thing hilarious. He was a manipulative game-player after all. Harlene remembered how much he enjoyed toying with Darth Vader and Prince Xizor when they were both locked in rivalry for their master's favor in Steve Perry's Shadows of the Empire. That wasn't the case here, but it was no less degrading. Maul wanted to visit Korriban and the only way was through Harlene. And Sidious was making sure his apprentice knew that.
Maul was nothing but a weapon of hate and bloodlust to him.
(to you too, child. Yet you are starting to see that you are wrong)
"I assume your methods of transportation will be the Observer's teleportation powers?" Sidious inquired.
Harlene sent a telepathic affirmative to Maul.
"Very well. Then I give you leave to embark on this…" a cold sneer. "Field trip."
The hologram winked out.
Slamming up almost all her outward emotional barriers, Harlene proceeded to let her mind go on a ranting spree.
Field trip. I'll give you a goddamn field trip, you son of a bitch. Do we get a permission slip to sign? Do Lord Maul's parents need to sign it? What time should I, the chaperone, have him back? Does five-o'clock sound good? I wouldn't want him to miss his bedtime.
Despite her rage, Harlene couldn't help but mentally chuckle once her ranting was done. Those were the exact words Noelle would have said were she in her position. Out loud though. Noelle pretty much said whatever she wanted, the consequences be damned, but apart from letting little things go, Harlene knew when to hold her tongue. If she said those words out loud she would permanently ruin this illusion of companionship she was trying to create.
Suppressing a sigh she walked up to Maul who was now standing.
"Shall we go then?"
He turned to face her. His gaze was as fierce as ever, but there also something…strange. Almost like he was communicating with her, telling her that somehow he knew what this was to Sidious, yet did not blame her…
…Which caused Harlene to mentally slap herself. She had to stop deluding herself. She couldn't afford to be naïve here.
(are you being naïve, child, or are you discovering something you are afraid exists?)
She needed to keep her mind in reality where it belonged.
Forcing back a smile at the unintended pun, she reached out and wrapped her hand around Darth Maul's forearm. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the visual image.
Korriban.
Birthplace of the Sith.
