The Foundation of All Desire (Part 25)
"Trust me, I have the hands of a surgeon…I'll have it fused in two jiffs." Doc pulled the goggles over his eyes and fired up the stylus sized welding torch. He squeezed into the cramped access panel and went to work.
Scourge crossed his arms and drummed his fingers over his bicep. While Doc hustled to finish his share of the work, the Sith lord scanned the ship with his trademark disdain.
Blue sparks shot out at Doc and he swore.
"Hands of a surgeon huh?" Kira teased. "Careful in there. I don't want to be scraping bits of Doc off the manifold."
"There's no chance of electrocution." Rusk reassured.
"Pity." Scourge muttered under his breath.
"Aren't you just a happy little sunbeam?" Kira eyeballed Scourge.
"See how your people skills fare after three centuries." Scourge hissed.
"That's not it, and you know it." She dismissed him with a wave and turned back to Rusk to compare her scans with his readouts. "Looks like we've almost got it synced."
"Agreed, let's get the changes uploaded." Kira and Rusk disappeared into the cockpit.
The Defender's hatch slid open. Two sets of footfalls ascended the stairway. Liatrix leaned into Theron, both arms curled around his left arm. "You really know how to show a girl a good time." Her eyebrows puckered together earnestly.
"As promised." Theron grinned.
Hearing the arrivals, Doc smacked his head against the panel door. "Kark." He roughed his hair to soothe his scalp. Shoving his goggles up, he peered over at the pair standing on the bridge. Doc's eyebrow nearly grazed the ceiling.
Scourge glowered from behind the portable console. His clenched jaw only served to intensify the narrow slits his eyes had become. He eyed the stranger up and down, sizing him up to be SIS. Of course she'd be draping herself all over an agent. She knew his opinion of them, but that didn't stop her.
Liatrix traced Theron's jacket lapels. Her fingertips veered from the leather to the thin shirt he wore underneath. She could feel his heat radiating through his shirt, his skin simmering under her hands. She beamed up at him, eyes alive with the wanting charm of hungry Nekarr cat.
Theron breathed in the heady scent of citrus and fresh linens like fine perfume. He pressed against her and his heartbeat quickened. "We're going to have to do this again sometime. Soon." He tilted his head and moved in closer. Liatrix closed her eyes, and parted her lips in anticipation.
"Ah-hem." Kira stood in the cockpit's entry and smirked. "Welcome back Master. Was just about to send out a search party."
Liatrix giggled. "Sorry, the meeting ran long."
"I can see that. So are you going to introduce us?"
Doc and Scourge exchanged annoyed looks and crossed their arms, almost at the same time, and then scowled at each other anew, when they realized their synchrony.
Liatrix turned up her palm. "This is Agent Theron Shan…Theron, this is my crew—Kira, Doc and Lord Scourge. And there's Rusk over there. Best crew ever!" She stepped away from the railing encircling the bridge and lost her balance. Theron snatched her up with lightning reflexes.
"Steady now." He murmured. "I've got you."
"Master…have you been drinking?"
Liatrix pinched her thumb and index finger together. "Just a wee bit."
"I think it was more than just a wee bit." Kira smirked.
"A wee bit of…Kri'gee!" She made a face. "Tastes terrible, but I feel…fantasic." She purred the last.
Kira covered her mouth to hide her amusement. She'd never seen Liatrix drunk before. She'd never even actually seen her drink.
Doc stepped forward and glared at Theron. "Kri'gee? You gave her Kri'gee? Why didn't you just let her drink unrefined rocket fuel? Anything stronger than wine…and…well look at her. She can't handle it." He shook his head. "What were you thinking?"
"How would I know? But, noted for next time." Theron shrugged.
"You could've asked. A gentleman always asks."
"And what would you know about being a gentleman Doc?" Kira teased.
Liatrix tossed up her hands. "I'm right here."
Lord Scourge's scarlet gaze fixed on Theron. He twisted his left tendril ring and his envy writhed around him like campfire shadows.
Theron scanned the crew's reaction. Only the other Jedi was entertained. None of the men were amused. Not even the Chagrian soldier.
Then again, when have you ever seen a Chagrian look amused? Theron thought.
"Well, you're back safe and sound now. I'll be in touch. Good meeting you."
Liatrix grinned impishly "Bye Theron." She gave him a little wave.
Theron caught himself returning it and then masked it by running his hand over his hair. "Uh, right. I'll be in touch." He trotted down the stairs and out the Defender's hatch. On the boarding ramp he blew out a long deep breath and shook his head. He shivered at the memory of her prowling fingertips and the almost kiss. Meeting her crew was like meeting a girlfriend's family for the first time but worse. Way worse. How many families include an ex-husband, and an ex-lover? He shook his head and crossed the hangar bay as if it were on fire. He stepped onto the elevator.
"Note to self: Lay off the Kri'gee." Then again, who am I kidding? The Kri'gee isn't the problem, he thought.
Kira swooped in and looped arms with Liatrix. "Let's get you settled in. It's been a long day." She turned back to Doc. "Do we let her sleep it off? Or do you want to give her a shot?" She mouthed.
"Sleep it off. Get her to drink some water." He muttered. "If anyone needs me…I'll be scraping energy pudding off T7."
Kira arched a brow, but stopped short of asking why…
Darth Arkous stalked into the Dark Council chamber, robes billowing behind him. He took the floor and let his gaze land upon each of the members present for the emergency session.
Darth Mortis shifted in his seat. "What's all this about Arkous, and why is the ante chamber filled with mercenaries?"
Ravage glared down at the floor with haughty indifference. "Is it really necessary to waste our time with this? Surely you don't require our help in retaining thugs. Instruct them, pay your advance and be done with it. I fail to see why you're troubling us with this."
"Oh my dear fellows. Perhaps Arkous means to entertain us all. By all means, invite the mercenaries in, and let us pray one of them had the good sense to bring a decent brandy. I have the feeling we'll all be in need of a drink soon." Vowrawn sat back as if waiting for the ball to drop at a Hutt-ball match.
Darth Marr remained silent for several moments. "Proceed Darth Arkous."
Arkous waited until the holo projector rose from the opening in the center of the chamber. The console flickered to life, and the image of the Hero of Tython appeared at its center. The image rotated slowly for all to see.
"Behold, the Butcher of Korriban." Arkous began. "As you've no doubt heard by now, many of our people were slaughtered and our Academy destroyed. This is the Jedi responsible."
"Didn't that one strike against The Emperor as well?" Darth Nox crossed one coltish leg over the other and rolled her hand as she spoke.
"The one and same." Arkous nodded. "This Jedi is also the one responsible for the massacre of our forces on Tython." He turned and gestured toward the door. Two troopers rolled in an artillery case. "This is what she did to Lord Goh, a valued member of my operations team." He threw back the lid.
Ravage snorted. "Close the damn case Arkous, you're letting the stench out."
"I must concur, it is rather spoiling the air in here, and it's already quite hot as it is." Vowrawn quipped.
"What does that say…there inside the lid?" Mortis sat forward.
"It reads, 'You're next, Sith.' A message from the Butcher of Korriban, directed at me."
"Such a dramatic title…" Vowrawn needled, and stroked his chin tendril.
"So, Arkous, care to get to the point? Korriban has been retaken by the Wrath, myself and our teams. The Jedi have their pile of rubble back. Though I do find it unusual that the attacks were so closely executed." Nox crooned in a tone fit for the bed chamber.
Mortis nodded his assent. "Indeed. That is troubling. It begs the question, which of us harbors the traitor—us, or the Republic."
"The fact that we were unaware, suggests, it is we, who have the traitor in our ranks." Nox said.
Arkous slammed the lid shut and clasped his hands behind his back as he paced. "My point is, that this Jedi must be eliminated once and for all. She's trespassed on our tolerance too long already."
"And you think this band of mercenaries are up to the task? Why not ask the Wrath?" Mortis suggested.
"The Wrath is otherwise engaged at the moment," Marr announced. "Enhance images."
The holo projector zoomed in on the Jedi's face, focusing first on the Intelligence file image, and then on the feral spattered countenance that greeted Arkous on Tython.
Nox tilted her head. "Bit savage for a Jedi. So wild looking, tsk tsk. Is that a piece of Chagrian caught in her hair?" Nox chuckled.
"Continue Arkous." Darth Marr nodded once.
"I want to send a message to the Republic. Twenty million credits bounty. Such a sum cannot be overlooked or dismissed, and will surely result in her capture."
"Capture? Why not just kill on sight?" Mortis said.
"Oh, I intend to kill her personally. But I mean to make the entire galaxy watch. I want every frequency of the holonet broadcasting the execution." Arkous snarled. "Then I want her head delivered to the Supreme Chancellor. The rest, they can send to that insufferable Grandmaster of theirs."
"Can she not be turned?" Vowrawn's brows pursed. "I am in the market for a new apprentice."
"She spent a year and half with the Emperor himself…and broke free of his influence. I doubt your charms would work Vowrawn." Ravage said.
"Pity. It seems such a waste." Vowrawn argued.
"Do I have your support?" Arkous pressed.
"I have no issue with capture, but I think with a proper indoctrination, she could be an asset. The Emperor...clearly lacked my finesse." Vowrawn leaned back into his seat, having voiced his mind.
"I concur with Arkous. She must be dealt with." Mortis said.
"Do as you will. She is a threat, and threats must be eliminated." Ravage waved his hand dismissively.
"The idea of gifting her head to the Supreme Chancellor, does have a certain appeal. I would enjoy seeing that smug Twi'lek's face when she opens the box." Nox picked at her well-manicured nails as if bored.
"Darth Marr?" Arkous turned toward the final chair.
Marr's inscrutable countenance was fixed in the direction of the holo images.
"Call in your mercenaries and set the bounty. The majority has spoken." Marr decreed.
Kira dashed to Liatrix's room. "Master…are you okay?"
Liatrix sat bolt upright and looked over at the silhouette standing in the doorway. "Kira…" She exhaled heavily. "Yeah, I'm okay."
"I heard you cry out. You sounded terrified. Actually I'm amazed you didn't wake the whole ship."
Liatrix pushed back against the headboard and crossed her legs under the covers. "Just a bad dream. Want to sit with me for a while?"
Kira padded in and flopped down on the end of the bed. "Kind of like old times, when it was just the two of us."
"All we're missing are the snacks and holovids. I'm sorry about before. I'm so embarrassed."
"I thought it was hilarious. Never seen you drunk before."
"I can just imagine what Agent Shan is thinking…" Liatrix cupped her forehead.
"Oh, so it's Agent Shan now…" Kira twitched an eyebrow and smirked. "He's not related to Satele is he?"
"He's her son."
"She has a son?" Kira's eyes bulged.
"Yeah, but they're not close at all."
Kira nodded. "Still…who would have guessed? Who's his dad?"
"No idea. How are you doing? We didn't really get a chance to talk before."
"Meditating helped a little…but something is bothering me."
Liatrix silently urged her to continue.
"I didn't feel it when Master Kiwiiks…died." Kira looked down at her hands. "I should've felt that, right?"
"Not necessarily. Master Kiwiiks was always so…gentle, calm and kind. I think she was already so much a part of the Force that when she became one with it, it was just a matter of taking that last step. Remember how calm she was on Tatooine when we found her by the shock drum? I think much of her joined the Force then."
Kira nodded. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense…and it makes me feel a little better."
"You and Master Kiwiiks had a powerful connection...nothing can diminish that. You shouldn't doubt it. Not to mention you had your hands full getting our turrets back."
"Do you think…we'll feel it if one of us… y'know, goes?"
"I'd like to think so. You're like a sister to me. C'mere." Liatrix lifted the cover.
Kira crawled under the covers and turned to face Liatrix. "You kinda scared me at the Temple…I've never seen you like that…"
"I didn't mean to. I had a set-back. I guess you've realized by now, I have stunning anger management issues."
"Can't say I blame you…but I worry. I don't want to lose you to the dark side."
"To fight monsters, you have to think like them sometimes."
"Well, I have a confession to make too. Jedi aren't supposed to have attachments, but I'm not sure what I'd do without you. You're like a sister to me too," Kira whispered.
Liatrix smiled and squeezed Kira's hand.
"Hey, what happened in your dream?"
"Nothing…just darkness. I don't want to think about it. Go to sleep, I want to try and have a good dream."
"Like, about Agent Shan?" Kira teased.
Liatrix blushed. "Maybe. There's nothing in the code that says we can't dream."
"Cool. Now I just have to decide which holonet star will be in mine, maybe that hunk G'yan Rosling. Night Master."
"Good night Kira." Liatrix turned over and flipped her pillow. She stared at the shelving unit and hoped she wouldn't see the departed younglings reaching out for her again with pleading eyes. Her gaze fell on the drawer where she hid the data spike from Korriban.
Tomorrow.
Arkous paced along the line of bounty hunters like a drill sergeant. He eyed the motley assortment, the who's who of the bounty hunting circle. Two of them could have been easily mistaken for droids with their thick metallic replacement limbs. The rest of the line- up included a Trandoshan, a Mirialan, a pair of humans, the Chiss Great Hunt Champion, and a humanoid swathed in thick leathery layers that made him look like something that crawled out of the Tomb of Tulak Hord.
"You there…what are you? I don't know your kind."
"I am Ubesian, My Lord. I am called Zee." The alien bowed low, his arm gently sweeping his chest. He lowered his head in deference. The voice was barely more than a gravelly metallic whisper through the breathing mask.
"Unusual to see fine manners in a mercenary."
"The occasion demands it, we are in the presence of the mighty Sith."
The Chiss champion watched the exchange, concealing his interest with well-practiced nonchalance.
The Ubesian's capitulation appealed to Arkous. "At ease."
Zee straightened and hooked his thumbs into his belt confidently.
While Arkous could sense the being wasn't a force user, he admired the barely contained hatred and contempt at the core of his nature.
"The Sith Empire is prepared to pay the sum of twenty million credits to bring this Jedi to me alive." He tapped his data pad and called up the holo images of Jedi Knight Liatrix.
The assembled hunters muttered amongst themselves, until one of the humans stepped forward. "We know of that one My Lord, and we opt to decline."
"I should have you executed for your cowardice." Arkous snarled and threw up his hands. "Be gone from my sight, before I change my mind."
The hunters stalked out of the chamber. Only two remained—the Chiss Champion and the Ubesian.
"I don't suffer cowards or fools gladly. Twenty million credits to the one who brings me the Jedi. Dismissed."
Mako leaned back in her chair. "That you, Boss?"
"Course it's me, who'd you expect?"
"Well, I'm not used to hearing you sing from Corellia's top forty, especially after a visit with the Dark Council."
"If you knew how much we stand to make off this bounty, I think you'd be doin' a lil singin' yourself."
"Maybe we can finally have that beach vacation we talked about."
"Baby, after this, forget the vacation. We can buy the entire nerf-fraggin' beach and retire. How's that grab ya?"
"Right by the—oh hold on. Incoming priority call—from Darth Marr."
"Secure the line, Mako."
"Always is."
"That's m'girl. Put it through."
"Darth Marr...what can I do for you? This about the Jedi?"
"Yes, and I urge you to walk away now. I assure you, I will make it worth your while. Our past dealings have set a precedent for my generosity, and in this matter, I intend to exceed it."
"You're payin' me to…walk away? I'm finally hunting a Jedi for you people, and you're tellin' me to give it up?"
"That is precisely what I am telling you."
"What about the other hunter? You tell him the same thing?"
"No, but he must be stopped, and you must speak of this to no one."
"Not even the Dark Council?"
"Especially not the Dark Council. The reason for the change in directive is my own, and must remain in the strictest confidence. Our past dealings have been mutually beneficial and have solidified my trust in you. I expect that to continue."
"Good, so do I. Because there is something you need to know about the other hunter—I've never seen or heard of him before today. Something is definitely off there. Someone like that, doesn't get within ten sectors of a job like this."
"Do whatever you must to thwart this other hunter. He must not succeed. That is imperative."
"Then we have a deal Marr."
The image of the Sith lord nodded once and vanished from sight.
"What do you suppose that's all about?" Mako said.
"Dunno, but if we're going to stop this guy, we'd better find out as much as we can about him. Get me Crysta."
"Sure thing Boss."
The Ubesian boarded his ship, and programmed the auto pilot. After imputing the coordinates into the nava computer, he stalked into his quarters and detached his mask. Next he tugged away the rebreather and disconnected the voice synthesizer. He coughed to soothe the abrasions and mucous the distortion tube left behind.
He hunkered over his dresser and stared into the mirror. "Twenty million credits…I would have gladly killed you for free Master Liatrix," the former SIS Senior Agent muttered.
((To be continued…))