Chapter 15: Inspiration
"Y'know it wasn't that bad." Vette tried consoling her partner who had her face buried in her hands. Vette kept prodding the other girl in hopes for a reaction, but in truth she was having too much fun annoying her.
"Yes, thank you love, it's not like I should know that a Sith charged speech isn't really the best kind for a bunch of just freed slaves." Uri murmured into her hand, using the bandaged one to fend off Vette's poking. The twi'lek snickered as the two waited for Halidrel setsyn to come back and give them their next tasking to draw Lord Rathari out of hiding.
"It was very…strong! Yeah let's go with that." Vette chirped half happily and sarcastically. Uri shifted her hand so only her eyes showed from behind it.
"You're so not cute." Uri teased while rolling her eyes groaning.
"Psh, we both know that's a lie." The Twi'lek sat back and huffed in her chair triumphantly. Just then the door hissed open revealing Baras and Uri's contact on a datapad murmuring to herself.
"No… about twenty four of them… and oh!" She stopped dead in her tracks. "My lord!" Halidrel snapped up from her datapad giving Uri her full attention. "How fares your business with the hutts, Ma'am?"
Vette spoke up first, "I think that it went rather well." Flashing a cheeky grin at her partner.
"Ugh, yes yes, are you finished?" Groaned the sith. Vette in response merely shrugged trying to stifle her laugh. Halidrel stared at the both of them the same way she met them, inutter confusion, before clearing her throat.
"Ahem, right. I suppose the next order of business to draw Rathari out of hiding." Halidrel moves her attention to her datapad bringing up relevant data. "Ah here, we've been getting reports that Rahtari is going to be making a move on the Republic base in this sector. I suppose ruining that little raid will do us some good?" she suggested, wrinkling her nose giving the duo a look over . Uri clasped her hands together before standing up enthusiastically.
"Fantastic, we have our tasking! Let's be off, love." Uri shot an excited look at her companion who sighed and shrugged knowingly.
"No rest for the wicked." The twi'lek stood from her seat with a half smile towards the white haired Sith who was already marching towards the exit. Vette turned to Baras' contact giving a small wave "Later, Setsyn. We'll be back before you know it." She shot her awkward finger guns followed by a wink as the door closed behind them. Halidrel just stared at the door, still in confusion and slight disbelief.
=0=
"Troopers keep up suppressive fire on that barricade, we'll draw out a surrender or they will die before long, either way victory is assured for us." A gray haired imperial officer commanded to the small squad unloading a hail of blaster bolts at an opposing make-shift barricade of overturned tables and other pieces of command furniture. He stood with his hands behind his back admiring his tactical victory over the republic base now basically under his control. One of the men under his command came up from behind and tapped the officer on the shoulder.
"Sir, Someone is approaching from behind. Looks to be a friendly." The trooper gestured with his weapon towards the entrance where two women walked through, one with white hair the other a Twi'lek.
"Hello Officer!" the white haired woman cheerily spoke first raising a hand in greeting. The two strangers stopped a couple steps away from the gray haired imperial.
"...Hello-" He spoke, the look of wary written all over his face as he scanned the woman before him, nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first before he spotted a familiar object clipped at her waist. "M-My lord! I was not expecting you…Lord Rathari assured me that we would not be receiving any backup."
"Oh? Then Rathari isn't here? Would you mind giving his location to me?" The white haired sith beamed, mocking the officer's stance by placing her own hands behind her. "It...seems as though I've forgotten his whereabouts."
"My name is Officer Kligton, commanding under the authority of Lord Rathari, appointed to Nar Shadda by the dark council. I mean the utmost respect when I ask: Who are you?" The graying Imperial adjusted his stance in an attempt to make himself seem bigger. Kligton still scanning the woman looked over to her partner who walked in with her. The Twi'lek stood with a hand on her hip as she was looking around the room, he turned his gaze back towards the white haired woman who has yet to reply to his question. The gears in his mind began to turn as he remembered something that Rathari had warned him about.
"You-... You belong to Darth Baras!" He took a step back from the woman out of instinct. He held his hand above his head balling it into a fist and commanding his troops to hold fire. The group of troopers followed the order and trained their weapons on the two women. Kligton reached for his sidearm. "Lord Rathari gave me specific orders to destroy you if you were dumb enough to show your face here." He took aim with his pistol.
"Well as you can see I am quite dumb," Uri sneered stepping forward to close the gap once more between herself and the officer. "Though I suppose the question is, are you? Just tell me where he is and i'll leave. You and your men get to live and get to bring glory to the empire! Sounds like a good deal to me." The human woman waved her hands around as an attempt to soothe the tension in the room. The Twi'lek girl moved her hands closer to blasters at her side as she scanned the room with a little concern.
Kligton narrowed his gaze at the girl gaining a confident smirk On his lips,"My lord. We have you outnumbered and surrounded I think we have the upper hand in this circumstance." he audibly readied his weapon while his squad followed suit.
"One chance Officer, Do you and your men yield." A pair of golden eyes glared and seemed to flare at the imperial. His hand wavered for a moment before he pushed through the doubt and spoke loudly.
"Full Attack men!"
=0=
"Sir… They've stopped firing.."
"Yes, I can see that Weggland."
"It could be a trap."
"Yes, Weggland, it could very well be a trap." Finally against his better judgment the Republic commander peered out over the barricade. His eyes widening at the display before him. "Men, prepare to move out." the remaining republic troopers didn't question the order and began to pack what little munitions they had left. The commanding officer turned away from the barricade and also began to prepare his own things.
A few minutes pass by as the Republic squad are packing up their supplies along with the sound of blaster bolts and a lightsaber whirling around accompanied by a couple of shouts and screams before the commotion finally settling down to an uneasy silence. The republic trooper spoke up albeit quitely. "With one exit we're gonna have to make a break for it.. Let's get mo-" just as the commander rose from his position there was a loud thud as something slammed against the Republic barricade.
The republic soldiers all gathered at the front of the barricade to see an unconscious imperial officer leaning against their makeshift barricade. Simultaneously each trooper looked up to see Uri brushing herself off and Vette holstering her pistols. Golden eyes turned towards the commanding officer, "You there, you look rather important. As you can see-" she points to the almost lifeless imperial body. "I have brought a peace offering of sorts."
The commander shot a look at the opposed officer groaning on the ground then back to Uri. "I see… I am commander naughlen Sith. Who are you?" The man shifted his weight to one foot.
"My name is Uri. Pleasure to meet you commander." The Sith offered her bandaged arm to the commander, the latter took it reluctantly. Uri took a breath before she spoke, "Look, I know we are sworn enemies and all that, but just for a little while, since I brought you this…" Uri kicked the foot of the imperial on the floor prompting a groan. "-lovely present, let's say we'll be good friends. For a little bit." The white haired girl must have stepped a little too close as she was talking, Naughlen heard his men's weapons power up. Uri kept her position.
"Do we have a choice?" The republic commander cleared his throat, hoping the bad feeling in his gut was would go away. He was sweating a lot, he only realized when a bead of moisture made it into his eye, which eh hastily wiped away.
"Of course you have a choice, feel free to say no and I'll leave, no harm no foul. But-" Uri ignited her crimson blade at the unconscious imperial. "You won't get my present I'm afraid...well, not in-functioning condition at least." Naughlen looked thoughtful for a moment before raising a hand to his men to stand down.
"As you say Sith, if your interests do not conflict with the republic's, we will assist you. You have my word." Naughlen placed a hand on his breastplate. Uri smiled brightly as she sheathed her weapon.
=0=
After the two exchanged holofrequencies with the republic troopers they said their farewells and went their separate ways while the opposing forces tended to their wounded as well as their newly acquired prisoner. Uri thought quietly to herself alongside Vette while the two walked. "Oh dear Rathari, one of your men mucked up your perfect republic raids… a true shame" the girl smiled to herself as continued to be petty in her head. A sudden ringing noise snapped her out of her trance and Uri pulled her communicator from her pocket, it was Halidrel.
"-My lord! M-" the woman is cutting in and out. There's an explosion in the background as she open fires with a stowaway blaster in hand. "My lord, my base is under attack. Please help!" The transmission continued cutting in and out. Uri tensed up as she shifted her weight to one leg.
"Halidrel, we're coming. Just try to hold on." Uri's eyes narrowed at the device, as if she was trying to make out the scene. The image was cut short and only the sounds of blaster bolts some screaming remained, until she heard what sounded like an explosion followed by the familiar low hum of a lightsaber. Vette stood in front of Uri with a grim expression on her face with one of her hands covering part of it, as she also watched and listened to the scene.
"Oh...no… s-such raw power." The two heard halidrel whisper before the whole transmission was stopped. Uri looks as though she's seen a ghost, she stared blankly at the device in her hand. The white haired sith crushed the communicator in her hands and tossed it to the side with a frustrated grunt.
"DAMMIT"
Uri just stood in the middle of the complex the two had found themselves in. Her eyes wide with, shock? Or was it fear? She held a fist hard enough that her arm began to shake with anger, a nearby lamp blew out as it sounded like the whole thing was trembling.
"Uri, are you okay?" Vette questioned as the two stood still, the constant sound of speeders passing by filling the air. The white haired girl clenched her fist. Her anger practically spilling out of her body, she didn't hear. "Uri!"
"WHAT!" Her voice boomed as she released all her frustrations, suddenly freezing Vette in place with a gaze. Uri saw the look on her partner's face and her demeanor softened, and she seemed to shrink almost. "I'm-I'm sorry… I didn't mean that." Vette still blinking in surprise nodded silently.
"It's uhm… o-okay." Vette says but she's not convinced. Her hands are readily placed on her blasters, her eyes wide with shock and fear.
"It's not..." Uri breathes out. "I'm afraid…" the Sith pauses. "We barely know Halidrel, and they're already using her to get to me." Uri's voice begins to crack as she continues. "They did it to me on Ziost… If it was yo-..." she looked to Vette as her lip quivered for moment before gritting her teeth to stop it. "I can't protect everyone I want to…I can't go through this… not again." she resigned hanging her head. "Today, Halidrel. Tomorrow Quinn. And the next, you…"
Vette was quiet for a long time before she stepped forward and placed a tentative hand on Uri's shoulder. "Hey...lo-look, I know captain smiles back on the ship doesn't look it but I'm sure he can handle himself. As for me you've seen me in action, c'mon a little faith, I'm stronger than you think."
The sharpshooter gave her best consolation smile.
"That's not what I mean...They get you when you're not ready, when you're not looking. They're crafty like that. They find your weak points and they exploit and manipulate you into their bidding. Once they have you they don't let you go…" Uri explained almost pleading, she ran a hand through her hair and gently brushed her companion's hand away as she began to pace back and forth. "For as strong as you think you are, they always find a way to knock you down."
Vette watched Uri go to and fro in front of her and she took a deep breath. "Sometimes...sometimes that's just the way things happen. It's not your job to protect everyone you know." She pursed her lips "I know you're not like the others… but you are a Sith. That line of work tends to get people hurt, not just yourself."
"That's...Not good enough…! I-I am tired. People think this is something I wanted to be." Uri gestured to her being. "These robes, this blade, the force. It's all I know now. It's all I remember. Who I am was chosen before I could realize who I wanted to be." She gently brushed Vette's hand away. "Uri, the killer. The Sith. I never actually wanted this, and I had nothing left to go back to… no one! Uri the farm girl had nowhere to go. So she became their tool, their pawn to do their bidding. And whenever She would try to carve her own path, make her own decisions" she glanced at her communicator "it's like you said: 'it's bound to get people hurt.'"
"Yeah… well, I haven't had it so easy either." Uri glanced back at Vette, and it only took a moment for the realization to hit her. "You have all these fantastical powers, you're super strong and could probably make it fine in this world without me...or anyone for that matter."
"Vette…"
"Sure I can pick a lock or break into a tomb but, I'm just me. An ex-slave and outlawr, plus an alien to boot." Vette turned away from Uri as she spoke. The other girl was felt an overwhelming sense of guilt weighing her head down. "I know this isn't a competition of 'who's life sucks more' but… what I'm trying to get at is." The twi'lek turned and faced Uri with a sad smile. "You've given me hope." Uri faced that sad smile, that mischievous and sometimes inappropriate attitude aura was gone from Vette. Replaced with a somber sadness and sincerity. "I've lived through many lives, through many cages… and that one on Korriban. As silly as it seemed, I wasn't sure I wasn't going to get out of that one." Vette traced a finger against her collarbone. "And when I thought I was going to suffer a terrible fate at the hands of some random evil, over lord or something, this girl with Snow White hair walks in with a stupid grin on her face."
"I-..." Uri was at a loss for words as she stared in awe or maybe wonder.
"You and I may have not had the best lives, but I think I'm doing the best I can with the one I've been given. You may not be able to protect everyone you want. You may even hate the life that's been forced upon you… but that doesn't mean you hurt everyone you come to meet. I mean look at me, I think you've made my life better and protected me well enough." Vette rubbed her eyes whether it was because it was itchy or she was tearing up, Uri couldn't tell.
Vette grabbed ahold of her arm with her other and turned away from the girl in front of her. "S-sorry for the rant...I-" The Twi'lek was interrupted when Uri almost knocked her over in a bear hug.
"Please don't be sorry...It's my fault." The embrace was tight but neither of them cared. "For a long time I was afraid. Afraid of what I could become, I was afraid I would end up like the rest of my...kind. Power hungry, apathetic to others, hollow. And so I ran from it, paid it no mind." For some reason as Uri spoke, with each word her eyelids became heavier. "But you are right, I take what I have for granted I made excuses ...but I-I think, you've saved me." Uri's body felt like lead as her eyesight started fading. "You-...you're my…"
Uri closed her eyes.
=0=
The white haired Sith opened her eyes nice more and she wasn't on Nar Shadda anymore, in fact she had no idea where she was, the only thing she knew was that she was alone. She scanned her surroundings and it was pitch black.
"Vette?!" Uri called out into the darkness. No reply. "Is this a test?" She hastily asked.
"Oh, it very well could be." She heard a familiar voice answer from behind her. She turned to meet the disembodied echo and was met with only herself. Only, it was a ghostly, shadowy version of herself aside from the golden eyes peering back at her. Uri was still speechless as she stared back and as she did, she took a step backwards and tripped.
Before Uri could feel the impact of falling on her ass she realized that something had caught her mid fall. She peeked out of one eye, looking up to see another version of herself smiling down at her only she was pure white. Again, aside from the golden eyes.
"Thanks...me."
"Don't mention it" light Uri chimes as she lifted normal Uri back into place. She stood between her newfound selves looking from one to the other.
"This is...different." Normal Uri cleared her throat, placing a hand on her hip. The two...beings, looked at one another then back at her.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever make your way here, if I'm being honest with you." Dark Uri snickered.
"I… have to agree." Light Uri chuckled. She met normal Uri's gaze and continued, "Welcome to the inner workings of your own mind I suppose." She gestured to the empty space. And normal Uri scanned her surroundings once more and found the pitch darkness was met with an almost blinding white, half and half.
"Huh, cliche…" Uri said under breath.
"I guess, but you've been out of tune with yourself for awhile now. Seems as though only now, you're able to access this place." Dark Uri explained. "You've been 'this isn't me, it's not who I am!' , the whole time till now...you're kind of stupid." She deadpanned.
"That's not very nice. She's just been a little confused." Light Uri pouted.
"O-okay! Enough, is there a point to all this?!" Uri pinched the bridge of her nose and shot a glance at the both of them.
"Well, it seems you've embraced a part of you, that makes you up as a whole. You've opened up to possibilities, to potential." Dark continued. "You've been deaf to us, and have been acting on instinct and impulse, maybe there was some light thoughts here and there but never enough to form… well us."
"Think of us, as… a more in-depth connection with yourself. With you at the helm. You've seen despair when you were taken by the Sith and you wallowed in it." Light bowed her head. "When you struck down your friends on Ziost a piece of you died with them."
Uri closed her eyes and reached up to her temple. "So basically… I have unlocked a hidden portion of my own psyche that I've repressed, because of the fact that I hated who I am-uh was...is…" normal Uri scratched her head as she spoke. Both light and dark looked like they were attempting calculations at math before answering simultaneously.
"Yeah, mhmm, sounds about right."
"Lovely, But...how?" Uri brought her bandaged hand to her chin.
"A little push from your girlfriend. I'd say." Dark Uri hummed proudly. "You may have come to terms with your friends' deaths, but you never came to terms with why."
"Oh yes, she's been quite helpful." Light chimed in.
"She's not m-..." normal Uri was cut off almost immediately.
"Okay, come on. You're not fooling anyone here, we are you. We know, stupid." Dark sighed pinching the bridge of her nose. "Technically you never did make your feelings clear, back then. Just thought that you should know."
"Well I.. Uhm, It's not…" Light interrupted this time.
"You should sort that out before it's too late. Time moves forward even when we don't want it to." Light nodded solemnly.
"Or at least, you know." Dark snickered as she made two peace signs with her hands and moved them slowly and closer together.
=0=
"Enough!" Uri sat up looking around in confusion. She was back, on Nar shadda. With the sounds of the crime planet filling the air, the sound of chatter, the occasional blaster. She breathed a sigh of relief internally, looking to her side to see a wide eyed Vette with her head cocked to the side.
"Are you good? Did you get hit somewhere?" She teased.
"Wh-where did…"
"You kind of, fell asleep in my arms- mm, more like collapsed. So I hauled you over a couple of steps to this bench. You're welcome." Vette winked after playfully punching her companion on the shoulder. "I guess all of this has really caught up with you, huh?" She smiled warmly. "You're usually so composed, or I guess confident? It was a surprise to see you react like you did. Are you sure you're alright?"
Uri sat there staring up at her Twi'lek companion, speechless till a hearty laugh escaped her lips. "Ahaha! You-You're absolutely right. I suppose I was being a bit foolish, I am fine now. Thank you." The white haired girl sat up without breaking eye contact "Really, thank you. Thanks to you, I think I see things differently." she smiled.
"You were gonna say something...before you passed out, do you remember what it was?" Vette watched as Uri stood up and brushed herself off before offering a hand up. She wasn't sure what she meant by that previous saying but she shrugged it off.
"I do, but I've decided to keep it a secret." Vette took the hand rolling her eyes all the while.
=0=
A/N: HEY I'M BACK. AGAIN. For like the millionth time, and I don't mean to make excuses, again. BUT for a long time I was really unhappy with the direction I wrote this story and I kept putting it off for awhile until I eventually got my act together and started writing. And so here we are with this chapter, I hope that y'all still paying any mind to my lil story will like it. But just like the title of the chapter I think I've gained a new inspiration for it, i'm already almost done and have a direction for the next/upcoming chapter(s) so maybee expect something at the end of the month or the start of Janurary? Maybe? ANYWAY, just wanna say thank you for favoriting, following, and reviewing y'all are always in my thoughts. Even just taking the time to check out serendipity. I almost forgot how bright and beautiful you all look, happy (late) holidays! Thanks again!