Chapter 53:

When Atrox and Mara entered the brig, their prisoner was fully awake, though his mind was still raw from his previous torture. He didn't say anything; he merely watched them, a look of hatred burning in his eyes.

Atrox could not help but to laugh at his prisoner and also draw his hatred to himself, feeding his power. "Amusing. You realize that you are feeding my power with your hatred." He did not speak again until he was right next to the force cage. "You will tell me where the Rebel fleet is, or I will extract it from you." He said coldly.

The Rebel fought to control his hate, and muttered, "Do what you will. I don't have what you're looking for."

Atrox's face formed a twisted, dark smile. "Very well." He turned to his apprentice. "Find the Rebel Fleet. Release your aggressive feelings while you tear his mind inside out. Do not kill him, apprentice. I will be most displeased if you do."

"Y-yes, master." Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated. The man gasped in pain as she entered his already-raw mind and began digging through his memories, searching for the information her master required.

"You- you don't have to do this," he whispered. "Can't… you see how evil he is? You don't have to join him."

Mara's eyes flashed, angrily. "You know nothing of which you speak, fool," she hissed, and tore into his mind even harder, trying to cause him even more pain as she did so. She hunted his thoughts, seeking everything he knew about the Rebellion. A few minutes later, she released him, letting him crumple to the deck. "He… spoke the truth, master. He does not know the location of the Rebel base."

Atrox turned towards her, an angry glare on his face. "Find out what he does know then." He said, turning back towards the Rebel.

After a few moments' silence, she replied, "He has a contact to whom he transmits information every month. He doesn't meet with him in person, though. The information is transmitted via a special frequency over the Holonet, one that changes each month. The next transmission is due…" she paused. "One week."

Discover how he communicates with his contact... and begin to prepare a message to be sent in place of his original message. Be sure that it helps us in our efforts to locate the Rebels, apprentice. Atrox said through the Force to his apprentice, then stormed out of the room, heading for his quarters.

Yes, master. Mara glared at the Rebel. "I hope you know that you will be responsible for the downfall of the Rebellion," she spat at him, wanting to cause him pain for angering her master. He didn't reply, and she tore into his thoughts in retaliation, determined to rip the information from his head if she needed to.

She had carried out interrogations before, when necessary, and had a certain idea of what to look for. A string of numbers, or letters and numbers, which could be inputted to a comlink or some other transmitter…

There. She tore through a well-hidden barrier in his mind, not minding the agony she caused. There was the data she needed, and the algorithm for determining the frequency code. She committed the numbers to memory, and blasted him unconscious with the Force. Now… to put together something to fool his contact… then maybe Atrox wouldn't be angry with her anymore.

An hour later, she had composed what seemed to be a fairly reasonable transmission.

Can't say much---think I'm being watched. Have urgent information regarding traitor. Need to meet in person.

She looked it over, satisfied, and stored it in her datapad to show her master. She then sought him out, knowing he would want her to report on her progress.

She found him in his quarters, meditating, and waited for him to acknowledge her. Master, I have completed the task you assigned me.

Atrox did not move from his meditative posture. "Show me, apprentice."

She knelt down by his side and drew out the datapad. "I was able to determine the frequency to transmit it with, and I put together a message to send when it's time. If the contact takes the bait, you'll get him, as well. With any luck, he'll know more about the location of the Rebel base."

With this new information, Atrox's eyes opened and turned towards his apprentice, taking the datapad as he did so. After looking it over his face formed a dark smile, "Excellent work, my apprentice. You have done well. Meditate with me."

"Yes, master." She closed her eyes, withdrawing into herself. She could feel her master's dark presence beside her, overwhelming in its power.

Atrox resumed his meditations and reached out to his apprentice with the Force. Embrace your aggressive feelings, my apprentice. Let them flow through you; know the power of the dark side.

Y-yes, master. She drew on her dormant anger, infusing it into the Force. She felt the rush of dark energy as she did so, and allowed it to flow through her as he ordered. She hesitated, then reached out to Atrox, wanting to feel him, be a part of him again.

Atrox felt his apprentice completely embracing her more aggressive emotions and felt the surge of power coursing through her. Then he sensed her embrace him completely as well. Reaching out to her, Atrox completely embraced her, merging the two minds into one, feeling the extreme surge of power as he did so.

Mara let out a quiet gasp as they became one, suddenly knowing and feeling everything about him, and knowing with equal certainty that she lay as open to him.

The effect rippled throughout the ship, causing even the crew to feel that something was… off.

Leia awoke, abruptly. At first, she couldn't place what had awakened her, then it washed over her again. The… whatever it was, was so… dark. And very, very powerful. She rose at once, and left her room. She met Vader in the adjoining room, apparently awakened as well. "Father, what—"

"Someone threatened the safety of Mara's child," Vader informed her, shortly.

Leia's eyes widened. "Is she alright?"

"For the moment… I would say she is perfectly fine," he said, dryly.

The concern gradually faded from her face. "Thank the Force," she murmured.

Vader studied his daughter. "If you wish, you may meditate with me. I doubt either of us will be able to sleep again tonight."

She paused, considering. "I… I would like that." He beckoned, and she sat down next to him, seeking inside herself to find her calm center. It was growing increasingly difficult to find; everything was changing and happening so quickly. At times she couldn't even think about it, it was too much to grasp. Vader as her father, Luke her brother, and as if that weren't enough, fallen to the dark side as well. And her mother was alive. And yet… it was sometimes hard for her to think of the new Vader as the same one who ordered the destruction of her home, of Alderaan; who had held her back as Tarkin gave the order; who had tortured her for information, tortured Han, and turned Luke to the dark side. She knew that side of him still existed, yet he seemed different with his wife and children. More gentle, sometimes. And so she found her measure of peace, come to terms with her father, and also hope, knowing that change was possible.

Padmé awoke alone. Concerned, she slipped out of bed and quietly opened the door of their bedroom. A small smile crossed her face as she saw her husband and daughter meditating together, and she closed the door once more.

Mara awakened to herself, slowly. She felt… she couldn't describe it, even to herself. Her bond with Atrox had deepened considerably, but it was more than that. She felt the power of the Force opened to her in a way it had never been before. Her eyes opened as she felt Atrox awake beside her, and she looked at him, waiting for his reaction.

Atrox slowly opened his eyes, locking them instantly with Mara's. One of the first things he noticed was that she had truly opened herself to the dark side of the Force, and finally was beginning to realize her full potential. Then he noticed that her eyes also showed this change, the eyes he had locked with were no longer emerald, but were a sickly yellow. He chuckled. "Very good, my apprentice. You are learning well. Rely on your passions, your… darker feelings, and the Force, and you will become more powerful than any Jedi."

"Yes, master." His praise warmed her, filling her with happiness to have won his approval. She could still feel his thoughts, his feelings, almost as strongly as her own. What in blazes was that? she wondered to herself.

In our meditation, we both deeply strengthened our bond. It is now to the point where we will sense each other's thoughts as though they are our own. He sent through their bond, observing her, noting how well her Sith robes suit her now, as well as keeping her slim figure, he added, smirking at her.

She sensed his thoughts about her and retorted, Enjoy it while it lasts. It won't be long before everyone will be able to tell I'm with child. Her hand strayed to her stomach, as if to emphasize her point.

Atrox reached his own hand out to her stomach, placing it next to hers. Our child, and one day we will both teach it our knowledge of the Force, if it does not pick up some… abilities from us as it grows. He then leaned into her and kissed her with a fiery passion.

Engulfed in the hurricane of their passion, she slowly deepened their kiss, no longer able to tell which were her feelings and which were his. Her arms tightened around him, as if she would never let go, not wanting to lose him.

You will never lose me, apprentice. Atrox sent through their bond as he gave into their kiss, his gloved hands caressing her face.

There was a knock on the door, shattering the moment. Mara's eyes snapped open, pulling back from Atrox slightly. She glared at the door, furiously, observing, It's one of Piett's men.

"Lord Atrox? Forgive me for disturbing you, but—"

Darth Atrox never gave the man a chance to finish his sentence. He could feel the dark side flowing freely into him as began to draw it into himself with his rage.

Mara's anger was only fueled by her master's rage, and both of them rose at once. The door hissed open, and the man was hurled down the corridor and smashed into the blast doors.

Atrox slowly walked towards the fool of an officer, his arms outstretched as he once again gathered the dark side of the Force into himself, his pure rage further fueling the dark side's power.

The officer lay slumped on the ground, peering up at the two dark figures as they advanced. Their eyes burned with rage, and Mara could feel the dark side singing through her veins, urging her to draw on it to make the fool suffer.

Atrox extended a hand towards the man, lightning crackling at his fingertips. A blast sizzled through the hapless officer, causing a jolt of agony where it touched.

"P-please, my lord! F-f-forgive me…" he begged, his face screwed into a tortured expression.

Mara reached her master's side, her hand coming up alongside his to send her own cruel lances of pain through the man, disgusted and incensed by his groveling.

After several moments, Atrox stopped the lightning emanating from his fingertips, glaring at the form in front of him. "What pathetic information do you have for us that you find more important than my apprentice's training?" Atrox said with a deadly chill to his voice.

"A-admiral Piett sent me to inform you that… that we've dropped out of hyperspace. Your… your comlink was shut off, so... so he couldn't reach you," the officer whispered, raggedly. Mara noted that he seemed very young.

Atrox locked his cold eyes with the young officer at his feet. "And you never thought that might indicate that I was busy." Atrox said, his voice becoming deeper as his anger fueled the dark power at his disposal.

"F-f-forgive me, my lord," he stammered, crushed beneath the Sith Lord's gaze. "It will never happen again."

Atrox's cold expression turned into a dark, twisted smile. "Very well." He said coldly, as he once again raised both of his arms, pointing them in the direction of the broken man, releasing an even more powerful blast of lightning than the first time. Mara joined him, and for perhaps the first time she began to enjoy the rush of power they felt through causing him to suffer. When it seemed he could take no more abuse, they released him, and he crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Atrox turned on his heel and stalked off towards the bridge. How much longer until you need to send the message, apprentice? he demanded through their bond.

Four days, master, she told him. If we deviate much from standard protocol, he could get suspicious.

Atrox's eyes began to burn with an inner fire, his skin leeched of all color. The dark side had likewise bleached his hair nearly white. A nearby bulkhead exploded, causing klaxons to go off throughout the ship. Go perfect your training, apprentice. Atrox said through their bond coolly as he continued for the bridge.

Mara bowed her head, submitting to his displeasure. As you wish, master. She turned in the opposite direction, heading for the brig. The rebel was awake, and glared at her as she entered. She sealed the door, and with a flick of her hand deactivated the force cage. "I don't suppose you've had much in the way of recent news, have you?"

He didn't respond, his jaws clenched tightly together. She smirked, and moved closer. "I assume you did hear of that rebel woman… what was her name? Mothma?"

"Mon Mothma," he ground out, anger blazing in his eyes.

"Ah, he speaks," she mocked. "Yes, Mon Mothma. You heard how she died?" He gave her a sullen look. "No? Oh, you've got to hear it," her eyes danced fiendishly. "My master took control of another person's mind… in fact, your own Leia Organa. Princess Leia," she spat scornfully. "He used her to torture and kill your precious leader, and your pathetic Alliance let her go."

Something snapped inside the Rebel, and he lunged for her, his eyes wild. Almost without thinking she drew the dark side into herself, seizing him by the throat and slamming him against the wall. Her arm remained steady; the dark side seemed to enhance her physical strength as well as her strength in the Force. She held his gaze, deathly cold. "You sad, sad fool," she said in a low voice. "My master has taught me too well for that." Helpless in her viselike grip, he merely glared at her dully. "You will be broken, and the Alliance will fall, and you are responsible. And you will live with that knowledge for the rest of your pitiful existence." She released the rebel, allowing him to fall to the floor of the force cage as she reactivated it. She turned and left the brig, the dark side still storming inside her.

She returned to their quarters, only to find Atrox there already, meditating. He opened his eyes, briefly, as she entered, a mere reddish gleam beneath the shadow of his hood. She paused, hesitating, then knelt down a respectful distance away from him. She opened herself completely as she dipped into the Force, ready to respond in a moment's notice should he need her.

Atrox continued to meditate in the shadows of his quarters for several more minutes before speaking to his apprentice. Touching her mind, he said, I could sense your… conversation with the Rebel.

Y-yes, master, she replied uncertainly, not sure if he was angry with her again.

You are learning your lessons well, he continued, slowly opening his eyes again, revealing their sickly yellow color once more.

She relaxed somewhat, recognizing that his anger had subsided for the moment. Thank you, master. She looked up, meeting his eyes from across the room.

You have begun the process of eroding the Rebel's will... a process which we will see through to the end. He motioned for her to join him in the shadows of his quarters.

She rose, and went to his side, glad to be near him again. He's stubborn, it will take time. But when we succeed… he could be valuable when we approach his contact.

My point exactly, my apprentice. Atrox replied, reaching out with one of his gloved hands, caressing Mara's face even though he could not see it through the darkness of the shadows, letting the Force guide his hand to her.

Her body trembled under his touch, her feelings tumbling out through their bond. She remained intensely still, though her breath was shallow and her heartbeat quickened.

Atrox smirked, enjoying the power that he had over her. He slowly began to reach out with his other gloved hand and caressed the other side of her face, using the Force to send a tiny amount of lightning into her face, causing her no harm.

She sensed his thoughts through their bond, and her eyes narrowed dangerously. Two can play at that game. She moved a little closer to him, and began to run her hands across his back, softly at first, but with growing intensity.

Atrox shivered involuntarily at Mara's touch. After several moments, a smirk formed on his face. Perhaps I should assign you another guard detail... we don't want any... accidents, now do we, my apprentice?

Her nails dug into his back, and he felt her scowl despite the darkness. If I didn't know better, master, I'd say you didn't trust me.

Atrox's smile grew even more as he felt her nails digging into his back. Or... perhaps, my apprentice, I could order them to give you more... space. However, if you would like more guards... I can certainly arrange it... apprentice.

Oh… I think you already know what I would like… master. Her nails tore deeper into his back. As well as what I wouldn't like. Her fingers tightened on his cloak, slowly pulling it away, and the tunic soon followed. She drew him closer, the passion he had been stirring in her too much to withstand any longer.

Atrox reached out and strengthened their connection to each other. I think we have... more than enough time, my apprentice he sent through their bond, as he used the Force to remove her outer cloak, and then reached out to remove her tunic, his gloved hands trailing her slim figure, teasingly.