Star Wars: The Old Republic

Marr

~Chapter Twenty-Eight~

Duty is the sacrifice of self.

I turned my back to Tersus and focussed my rage on the hearth. The flames climbed ever higher and the darkness was a chorale filling my ears with demands for Vilks's blood. The fire flared from amber to blue and its ferocity was enough to cow the darkness.

The agent said nothing, but I could sense the covert inner workings of his mind. It was a network of quicksilver webs filled with possibilities that grew into calculations and strategies—his acumen the near equivalent of Vowrawn's.

Tersus weighed his words, refining them until they were efficient and cautious enough to begin the conversation his intellect demanded.

"My lord," he began. "May I speak freely?"

"I would prefer it."

"Thank you, my lord. The recording served to allay many of your concerns regarding Intelligence. It would seem Lord Vowrawn's interests still serve the Empire."

"So it would seem."

"That said, I would recommend an extensive security sweep of every location you frequent and thorough background checks of those who serve you. It's quite apparent that Lord Vowrawn has been monitoring you for some time, my lord."

"He's known me since I was a boy—and he does not rely on technology alone."

"A spy network?"

"A given—but more than that, he's an unparalleled ritualist. He's capable of summoning entities to ferret out information for him—many of these older than the Force itself. One of his first lessons to me was that technology could be defeated, but subverting a Force augur is quite another matter."

"Nothing exists that doesn't have a countermeasure."

"I never took you for an optimist, Tersus."

"More of a realist, my lord. The work demands it. The Sith have an abundance of esoteric wisdom. Surely something exists that would preserve your privacy, and perhaps employing similar means to monitor your peers would serve you as well."

By now, my anger had dissipated, but a weary foreboding persisted. "Spycraft—is not my forté."

Tersus's brows furrowed and his eyes became small and sharp. "But it is mine, my lord."

"I've noticed. In the short time you've headed Destab, the progress you've made has been nothing short of staggering."

Tersus bowed slightly. "Thank you, my lord. I've had the good fortune of assembling an efficient task force. The position has expanded my understanding of the ministry exponentially." He drew a deep breath and his icy gaze fixed squarely upon me.

"I sense there is something else on your mind."

"There is, but it's not my place. Inappropriate curiosity in my line of work can often lead to disaster."

The agent's terse observations amused me. "Hmph. Allow me to decide what's appropriate, Tersus. You wished to speak freely—do so."

"Very well, my lord. Your connection to the Jedi puzzles me. Lord Vowrawn spoke of Rylister's betrayal—by revealing your location to the SIS. That suggests to me that he was to join you on Zygerria, but to what point and purpose? I fail to see the connection. There is a common thread, but I fail to see what—or perhaps who—you and the Jedi have in common to merit the necessity of an alliance."

I regarded the agent for a long moment and I sensed his disquiet. To confide in him would be a risk—one I could not bring myself to take. Revealing my connection to Liaseph would endanger her. Finding her fell to me alone—a task that grew more daunting with each passing day.

"You've proven yourself a valued resource, Tersus."

"Forgive me, my lord, I've overstepped."

"Continue monitoring the climate at Imperial Intelligence—if you learn anything else…"

"I won't hesitate to contact you, my lord. But if I may, there is one more thing—the Jedi. You said it was imperative he be found…and now that he has been, what is to become of him? He's a loose end and he betrayed you—a crime punishable by death."

"He lacks the answers I seek, but I will not take his life. Let the will of the Force decide his fate. I owe him nothing."

"Shall I monitor him? Lord Vowrawn and the hunter spoke of a bounty—and your reaction suggests that you were not the one to set it—so who did? Not to mention Vowrawn's interest in the young man. It might be prudent to allow the situation to unfold and see what comes of it."

"Agreed. Many questions remain, but I'm no longer in a position to pursue this. The Emperor demands all-out war."

"I understand, my lord."

"Your assistance has been invaluable."

"Thank you, my lord. With your leave, I will monitor the situation and apprise you of any pertinent developments."

"Good. Dismissed."

"May the Force serve you in the battles ahead, my lord." Tersus bowed curtly and took his leave.


The Erinyes raced through swirls of cobalt blue and the Imperial fleet followed in her wake as we sped through hyperspace toward Balmorra. My reflection stared back at me through the viewport, silent and judgmental.

Months, even years might pass before I could resume my search for Liaseph personally—but I knew not one day would pass, that I wouldn't think of her.

She had left a mark upon me, as vivid and indelible as if fate's own signature had been branded into my spirit. Duty demanded I forget her, love demanded I never let her go. The seeds of my own private war germinated within me and I summoned the resultant guilt and anguish into a weapon I could use to cleave open the enemies of the Empire. Every fallen world was a step closer to her.

My reflection remained unsatisfied and I turned my back to it.

"Admiral Ivernus, I trust the ground teams have completed their tasks?"

"Yes, my lord. They've reprogrammed the networked security systems of the factories, the laboratories, and the weaponry to turn against the inhabitants on your command."

"Do it—but keep the damage to the arms factory at a minimum. I want that facility."

"Understood, my lord." Ivernus tapped a string of encoded commands into the console and watched the incoming readouts as they blinked across the monitor. "The mutated colocoids have been released from Lab 352. They've eliminated the surrounding population within a twenty-kilometer radius with an eighty-five percent efficiency rating. The droids are responding to the virus and are coming back online to begin their assault on the Okara Droid factory."

"Good. Keep me apprised, Admiral."

Admiral Vilks approached and I sensed his trepidation—our disagreement and Ivernus's subsequent reassignment to the Erinyes left Vilks on edge.

"My Lord, Darth Vengean and Darth Azamin are in position. The mine field has been installed, and they are prepared to herd the Republic ships into the trap."

"Excellent. And what of Sobrik's anti-aircraft guns?"

"They're offline for the time being. Darth Azamin's agent will see to it, the guns are reprogrammed to fire on all Republic vessels. Targets have been marked, including the med center."

"Leave the med center. The sick and injured are no threat and we may require the facilities for our own. Send an occupation force, in case there is any resistance inside."

"Yes, my lord."

"Dismissed. Captain Crenshaw, estimated time of arrival?"

"Two hours, fifty-three minutes."

"I'll be in my ready room."


I settled within my meditation chamber and focussed on the flaming brazier before me. The coals winked scarlet and amber and the roots of the flames paled to a white-gold. I gave myself to the Force and allowed my mind to travel where it would.

The flames formed into fleets and I watched the battle over Balmorra unfold. The fleet bombarded the surface of the planet and I noted any vulnerabilities in our formation and committed the revelations to memory. The vision soared over the world's surface—spanning the assault on Sobrik all the way to the laboratories in the northlands. I released the darkness, knowing it would spread fear and panic to the enemy troops as it glutted on their lifeforce.

The aerial bombardment would decimate the Traken-4 Chemworks and the resulting spillage and toxicity would drive the colocoids outward to the green poison lakes forming over the terrain.

Satisfied that the battle would unfold as I hoped, I allowed myself to slip into a deeper reverie—this one fuelled by the Forcetide.

I craved answers to the questions that plagued me and while there was nothing to be done about them on this plane, the simple knowing was enough. The vision resumed where it had left off, like a holovid in progress.

Liaseph stripped away the wet clothes clinging to her body and changed into a fresh nightgown. She caressed her forehead and the look in her eyes suggested she didn't remember how she came to be back at the apartment. She disposed of her clothing and spread Ravage's cloak before the hearth to dry.

He strode out of the bedroom, putting the finishing touches on a com he'd received. He clipped the device into his belt and yawned.

Liaseph's eyes widened and her mouth fell open, but she recovered quickly.

He fixed her in his gaze. "I missed you—what are you doing?"

"I couldn't sleep…so I went to the roof. I didn't want to wake you to ask if I could—but it was raining…so I came back inside. Please don't be angry."

"Never do that again," he warned.

"I'm going mad…I need to be able to go outside. I need plants and trees—a garden. Something! It's boring here. I'm not some dim creature that can exist in a vacuum. I need more."

"Liaseph, I have no time to argue with you. I have urgent business at the Citadel." He tugged his boots on and rolled his cloak over his shoulders with an elegant flourish.

"You can't just leave!"

He pointed the unlit hilt of his lightsaber at her and narrowed his gaze. "You overstep," he admonished. "I can do precisely that and whether I return is my prerogative as well. I am your lord and master, a fact you would do well to remember."

"No. You're my jailor," she spat. "Can't you see what this is doing to me? I have nothing and no one here and I can't stand it. It's almost Life Day and I can't even decorate my cell," she threw her hands up and started to cry.

"It's hardly a cell—you have every luxury. You do realize the Sith don't observe Life Day celebrations?"

"I'm not Sith!"

"I don't have time for this." Ravage stormed out of the apartment. The sound of something shattering in his wake followed him into the hall.

Her sobs faded as the vision shifted to the inquisition chambers at the Citadel.

Vowrawn clasped his chin and toyed with one of the tendrils there as he considered the dozing Jedi pinned to the angled table. The corners of his lips curled into spirals and his eyes twinkled at the approaching footsteps. "Now that's an unexpected wrinkle," he said under his breath.

"Vowrawn…" Ravage grumbled.

"This—is a surprise."

"Don't play coy with me. I should've known you would be the one behind this. You interfered with my hunter—that can only mean one thing. What do you want, Vowrawn?"

"Oh, nothing more than your expertise—perhaps you could turn your talent on him for me…and once I have what I need…then he's yours to do with as you please."

"It never occurs to you to simply ask—everything is a game to you, isn't it Vowrawn."

"Ah, but if I'd asked, you might say no. Or worse, I'd owe you a favour."

"Let's get on with this I haven't all day."

"I suspect this Jedi knows the identity of the individual who killed the Minister of Intelligence."

"And why would you care?"

"Perhaps, I wish to retain their services," Vowrawn deadpanned. "In all seriousness, justice must be served and his killer cannot be allowed to walk free. Who knows when they might strike again. And against whom," he said meaningfully.

"Law and justice is Mortis's sphere, not yours. This is his problem."

"Do you see him standing here? No—and if you want this Jedi then you'll play along."

Ravage's mouth tightened and he held his index finger up in warning. "Fine. But mark my words Vowrawn, if this comes back to me—"

"It won't, I assure you," Vowrawn purred.

Ravage threw his cloak back over one shoulder and leaned in over the Jedi. "Hmph. A near-human. Miralukans are the worst—they believe themselves to be so virtuous."

Awakened by Ravage's voice, the Jedi struggled against his bonds and held his breath against the shocks that followed. "I don't know anything. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." Rylister spat, the spittle clinging to Ravage's cheek.

"Jedi filth," Ravage snarled. He removed a pocket square and wiped the spit away. "You will suffer for this."

Ravage fixed his glare on the Jedi's forehead and bored into his mind.

Rylister gnashed his teeth and his body shuddered as he fought the white hot savagery tearing his mind apart.

"The name…now!" Ravage barked.

Blood spilled over Rylister's parched lips as he bit down to keep from speaking.

"Biting off your own tongue, will not keep me from knowing, Master Rylister. Yes, I know who you are. I've been looking for you."

The light shimmered behind Rylister's visor in an attempt to lock Ravage out. His fingers coiled into fists, his knuckles fading to a white-gold. Blood coated his teeth and he nearly choked on it as he growled.

Ravage sneered. "All too easy. The name of your assassin is SIS Agent Aruna Zane. Alien filth."

Vowrawn clapped his hands. "Wonderful. That gives my people something to go on."

"She's probably long gone. You have what you wanted, now leave us."

"A deal is after all a deal," Vowrawn conceded. "Pity. I would have enjoyed watching you work."

"You're trying my patience. Stay. Go. It makes no difference to what I plan on doing to this Jedi."

Vowrawn folded his arms and leaned against the counter. "Pretend…I am not here."

Ravage scowled and turned his interest back to the Jedi. "Tell me about Liaseph Teraan, of Alderaan. I want to know everything!"

Vowrawn's brows pinched together and his gaze shifted.

"I don't know anything about her," Rylister hissed.

"Lies! You love her—and she loves you. She told me. Don't try to deny it!"

"Y-you…know where she is?"

"I ask the questions. Not you." Ravage snarled and unleashed a volley of lightning into Rylister's chest.

The Jedi's back arched and he cried out.

"Tell me about her family. Now."

"They're…they're dead—her father—her sister. Marr…killed them. Burned everything." Rylister's head drooped and gooey strings of blood hung from his lower lip.

"Marr! Why? Why would he kill them?" Ravage released another volley of lightning. "Tell me why!"

"Can't you see the boy is unconscious?" Vowrawn strolled closer. "At this rate, you'll kill him and you won't learn a thing."

"This is none of your business."

"That's true, of course. But I do happen to have the answer to your question."

Ravage's eyes narrowed. "I'm listening."

"Marr killed them…because they were in league with the Organas."

Ravage's eyes widened as something occurred to him. "She…doesn't know—she thinks they're still alive."

Vowrawn folded his arms over his chest and circled the table. "How is it that she's still alive, I wonder?"

"Her father sold her—or else she too would be dead," Ravage mused aloud.

Vowrawn tapped his index finger against his cheek. "And why would he sell his own child?"

"Because of him." Ravage nodded at the unconscious Jedi.

"That would make sense…the puzzle pieces do seem to fit." Vowrawn turned away. His mouth fell open as he shifted his gaze. He ran his hand over the lower half of his face. "And what will you do about the Jedi now?"

"What do you think I'm going to do to him? Honestly, Vowrawn, the questions you ask…are positively inane at times."

"Then it's as I suspected…you plan to kill him." Vowrawn spun around to face Ravage. "But…consider this: What if you could break him and make him yours? The prestige of having a Miralukan apprentice—who else could make such a boast? You yourself said Miralukans are so contemptibly virtuous. They're a rarity. Others would regard you as a paragon of dark side mastery."

"You're suggesting that I make him my apprentice?" Ravage's lip curled.

"You are still in the market for one, are you not? But…bringing a Miraluka to the dark side is no small feat—perhaps even beyond your considerable ability, I'm afraid."

"He's a threat."

"Precisely. And what do we do with our greatest enemies?"

"We kill them."

"No, no. Besides that…"

"We keep them close," Ravage muttered.

Vowrawn's lip coiled up as he made for the door.

Ravage abandoned the Jedi's side to catch Vowrawn. "One more thing—"

"Mmm?"

Ravage sighed. "In what hell would I find Life Day decorations?"

"Life Day?" Vowrawn smirked. "I never took you for the sort to indulge in such festivities."

"I don't," Ravage scowled and shook his head. "Forget it."

Vowrawn plucked a card from inside his robes. "This florist traffics in rare items and frivolous contraband. Ask for Brin Ka'zaal and mention my name to get the best deals. I recommend his snow spheres—women can't resist them. And several dozen Malreaux roses wouldn't hurt either. Thank me later."


The com chimes drew me out of my reverie and to my astonishment the flames in the brazier had shriveled into a few dying embers.

"Go ahead."

Admiral Vilks cleared his throat and gulped. "Pardon the intrusion, my lord, but we're about to drop out of hyperspace. Admiral Ivernus informs me that the ground forces have begun their assault and vessels matching Republic signatures have been detected approaching Balmorra."

"Acknowledged."

The Erinyes broke out of hyperspace and the Imperial fleet spilled in after it. I took my place on the bridge and appraised the quiet before the storm. Through the darkness, I sensed the terror soaking the landscape below, as well as the insectoid minds clamoring in pursuit of easy prey.

Mark VI Supremacy Class starfighters winged out of the bellies of the flanking Harrower-class dreadnoughts and moved into position.

Balmorra's orbital defense satellites hung lifeless about the world—a sign that the virus implanted into the planetary defense systems had disabled their shields and guns.

Republic ships emerged opposite our own and a swarm of Talon fighters roared out front to defend their fleet. Tangles of green and red bolts sizzled between the fighters.

The Mark VI's jetted forward to break apart the Talon swarm and herd them into the minefield. Republic anti-mine vessels moved in to decimate the field.

Myriad explosions lit up the Balmorran thermosphere as the Talons collided with the mines.

The defense satellites blinked as they came online and ion cannon fire erupted from the planet's surface to the Republic's position. The Republic corvette's shields blinked from the incoming fire and lurched from side to side upon impact.

A dozen of the Republic's low altitude infantry transports dropped below cloud cover.

"They're sending ground reinforcements. Deploy all AT-DP units."

Spying their capital ship rise over the horizon, I nodded.

"Fire at will."

((to be continued…))

A/N: I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading, and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas or whichever holiday you hold most dear, and a joyous festive season. May you know good times with family and friends where ever you may be.