Chapter 60: The New Enemy

Darth Thanaton led the way. The dark lord said nothing to Avaryss as they made their way down the long corridors of the Sith Citadel. Scotia followed behind them, his eyes, both organic and synthetic, never leaving Avaryss' back. Lord Zash walked beside her; the old Sorceress had an amused expression on her face.

The young Sith frowned.

She saw nothing here that was even remotely amusing.

Being here in such a state, and in such company, left her feeling…uneasy. They had not returned her lightsaber to her, and with the exception of having a servant droid offer her a robe to protect her modesty, they had said nothing of what had been happening since she had been brought here. She was not even sure how long she had been here for.

She had been to the citadel many times since her master had first brought her here to Dromund Kaas. Normally, the hallways were a flurry of activity, this tower was the nerve center for the Empire, yet the halls that they were going down were empty, not even a droid crossed their path.

"What is going on," Avaryss whispered to Zash.

"Where is everyone?"

The other woman smiled.

"Just a precaution, my dear, the Fydon virus is quite…aggressive, the Dark Council thought it prudent to isolate you, just in case Lord Thanaton was wrong about the conclusions he has made."

"And what conclusions are those?" Avaryss asked.

It was not Zash that answered, but Thanaton himself.

He did not sound pleased.

"The council does not wish to cause a panic. Word about Fydon is starting to get out, even more so since Lord Terrog made his grand announcement."

The Dark Lord turned to her.

"He mentioned your name specifically in that announcement, claiming you were the proof that his work was not only viable, but the reason that we should all flock to his banner.

Thanaton leaned in closer; it was all Avaryss could do to resist the urge to step back.

"Tell me girl, why would he do that?"

She stood before him, defiantly.

"Terrog's apprentice injected me with something during our fight at the estate," she replied, I didn't know what it was, but it felt like someone had planted a star in my chest."

She glared.

"I didn't know what was going on when I came home, in truth I still don't."

"Perhaps you would care to enlighten me."

The Dark Lord gave her an icy smile.

"When you were first taken into custody, your blood was swimming with a strain of the Fydon virus. We isolated you as fast as we could, quarantined the survivors, but even then we suspected that it was too late. The virus destroyed our forces on Fydon within a matter of days."

"And yet…I do not feel sick?" Avaryss informed him, "When the council informed me of this virus, they said it destroyed the Force connection of any Sith that had been infected, yet my powers remain."

"How is that possible?"

"Because the strain you were infected with what not meant to make you ill," Zash said quickly.

Thanaton nodded.

Terrog wanted to make an example of you," he said, "We have kept you sedated here for the last six days. We have performed multiple tests, both through the Force and by scientific means. Hours after your infection, your body's functions seemed to have returned to normal. Further tests revealed that what you were injected with has strengthened your body, making it resistant to the strain that was released on Fydon."

"Really," Avaryss said, a hint of surprise in her voice, "How were you able to test that?"

"Blood Samples taken from you were exposed to the original virus. A body recovered from Fydon, but kept in extreme isolation provided the sample we needed. When exposed, your blood did not mutate, in fact the virus died within a matter of minutes, unable to interact with the cells."

Thanaton smiled.

"Zash says you are intelligent. What is your conclusion, apprentice? What did Darth Terrog's servant inject you with?

She really did not need to guess. The answer was fairly obvious, considering Lord Thanaton's explanation.

"Fe…Lord Terrog's apprentice told me what he injected into me would not hurt me, despite the pain it caused."

Avaryss nodded.

"It was not the disease he injected into me. It was some kind of vaccine, wasn't it?"

The Dark Lord nodded.

"Bravo, apprentice," he said smirking.

"Bravo."

Avaryss smirked.

Oh Terrog.

What are you up to?

"We needed to make sure that we were correct," Scotia added, the metallic ring of his voice echoing off the deserted halls. "Test subjects were placed in your examination chamber, to see if air born infection was possible. We then exposed them to your blood."

"All tests came back negative," Zash said merrily.

"It seems that you have been made immune to the virus, child," Thanaton added, "Now we have to decide what to do with you."

"With me," Avaryss blinked.

"Yes," Scotia hissed, "You have the secret of Terrog's weapon in your blood. We contemplated your…dissection, brain matter, organ tissue, bone marrow; any of them could have yielded the means of protecting the order from what Terrog has created."

Avaryss winced.

Scotia's words reminded just how much a single life was worth in the order. Still, she still drew breath…

"Why am I still alive?"

"Any attempt we made to extract the vaccine from your body destroyed it." Thanaton said, "Lord Terrog has once again proved his brilliance in the field of viral weaponry."

"Killing you would have yielded nothing."

Avaryss almost laughed.

Terrog did have a unique sense of humor.

He sends Fehl to burn the Feer Estate, yet he has him give Avaryss the means to survivor his little plague.

Interesting.

She remembered Fehl's programed speech about her having potential, did Terrog think to shame Lord Feer by having her join him? Had he thought showing her Fehl in such a state would have prompted her to join him?

If he had…he was greatly mistaken.

What Terrog had done to Fehl had guaranteed only one thing.

He had stolen Fehl from her, their chance to be reunited properly.

She hated him for that.

She would kill him for that, no…killing him was too small a word.

She wanted to punish him, she would tear him apart, she would pull out his cybernetics, bolt by bolt, and circuit by circuit. She would make him beg, but those pleas would fall on deaf ears. She would keep him alive long enough…just long enough.

The last sight that Darth Terrog would see would be her tearing his heart out of his chest and beginning to eat it. The light would fade from his eyes as she stood before him smiling, her teeth and lips red with his life blood.

And even that…seemed too good for the dark lord; even that vengeance did not seem to be enough.

Avaryss smiled.

She would need to give it some thought

Death is too good for the Hutt spawn.

She would need to come up with something more…delicious.

She gave Darth Thanaton and his underlings a sly look.

"Where is Terrog," she asked, "I feel the need to…thank him for his lovely gift."

"That is an excellent question, apprentice," Thanaton said, "At the moment we do not know."

That did surprise her.

"I thought he was under house arrest?"

"We thought so too."

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

"Then how can we not know where he is?"

The Dark Lord's eyes turned cold.

"Do not forget your place girl," he reminded her, "I'm a Darth of the Sith Empire."

"You have no right to demand answers from me."

"My apologies my lord," she said quickly, "I was merely wondering how Terrog could have escaped the might of our Empire."

For a moment it seemed that the lord was not going to let it go, that he was going to punish her for her insolence, but then…he relented.

"After the attack on the Feer estate, a team was sent to take Lord Terrog into custody. He invited them in, everything seemed normal…"

"That is when they were attacked," Zash offered.

"Yes," Thanaton said glaring at his underling, "What the council thought was Terrog was actually some alchemical creature, probably grown from his cells. The creature killed the whole team, it died shortly after, but by then it was clear that we had been tricked.

"Terrog has not been on Dromund Kaas for days, possibly months."

Avaryss considered that.

Her hatred for the dark lord only grew.

How long had he had Fehl's body, how long had he kept it hidden, working on it, changing it, implanting cybernetic devices?"

She did her best to keep her calm.

She wanted to get back to her Fury, to hunt the mad cyborg where ever he had gone…

But she couldn't…she needed to be smart about this.

"You said Terrog sent some kind of announcement?"

"Indeed," Thanaton said. "It was broadcast galaxy wide, both the Empire and Republic heard it."

"What does he want?" she asked.

"The Force itself, apparently," Zash answered,

"The fool claims to have moved beyond being Jedi or Sith," Scotia said, "He has claimed dominion over the Force itself. He says that any that oppose him will have the Force stripped from them, and that those that follow him will be granted a stronger connection to it. He has commanded that both Jedi and Sith assemble, and swear allegiance to the Will of Terrog, the guiding hand of the Force itself."

"Does he honestly believe that is going to work?" Avaryss asked, "It's insane!"

"Insane or not, his virus as the capability to do what he says, all the Sith exposed to it on Fydon lost their connection. If it is a threat…then it is one he is capable of carrying out."

Avaryss nodded, she was thinking about was the Force meant, both to the Jedi and Sith. She thought of Sy Dar Bynn and his fanatics.

How many more Jedi were like that? How many more ticking bombs were hiding in the order? How many would follow Terrog just to keep their powers?

How many Sith would join him?

"Has the Emperor been told of this nightmare? He must emerge from seclusion; he might lead us against this threat!

The look on the three lords' faces told her all she needed to know.

The Emperor remained silent.

He was not going to answer this threat.

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

What good was an Emperor that did not rule?

"I suspect that the council is organizing a response, but…"

"They are probably not sure who to trust," Avaryss said nodding.

How many fools would follow Terrog? If the Emperor did not stir himself from his seclusion...?

"Are we going to strike back?"

"That is up to the council," Thanaton said.

"I want in," she said.

Scotia snorted.

"You are not going anywhere, girl, the means to protect us from Terrog's virus is inside you."

"Yes it is," she said, "And that is the best reason that I should be the tip of the blade that we point at that mad fool's throat."

She looked at all three of them.

"My loyalty is to the Empire, first and foremost. I will not rest until Terrog lays broken at the Emperor's feet. Send word to the council, to my master, I'm sure that they will grant this request."

She once again turned to Thanaton alone, he was the senior Sith.

"I can do this my lord. Grant me the chance."

"Yes, give her the chance," a familiar and cold voice rang out.

Lady Synestra had appeared out of nowhere, she strode towards the four of them. Her eyes were cold and imperious.

"Give her a chance to go running to her new master. I'm sure that Terrog will welcome her."

My lady," Avaryss said bowing, "Forgive me for saying so, but you do not know what you are talking about."

Lord Feer's wife stopped before them, her hand on the lightsaber hilt on her belt.

"Lady Feer," Thanaton said nodding in greeting, "You were advised to remain in quarantine with the others."

"An unnecessary quarantine," she spat back, "Terrog would never have threatened this one, not after everything she has given him."

"You don't know what you are talking about," Avaryss hissed, wishing she had her own blade.

If Synestra Feer attacked her…?"

"I've seen the recordings of the attack," the lady said, "Terrog's creature, the beast he sent to burn my home was this one's toy back on Korriban. Terrog brought him back to please her, to reward her for her loyal service."

"LIES!" Avaryss snarled.

"She has been part of Terrog's schemes from the beginning. She had sought nothing but the death of my family. She wants to kill us all. She wants to kill my son! She wants to kill me!"

Avaryss had heard enough.

She leapt away from the group, but not before she used the Force to yank Zash's lightsaber from her belt.

She caught the blade and ignited it. Before the Lady could respond, she lunged forward, the crimson light illuminating Synestra Feer's features.

"WITCH!" Avaryss shrieked swinging her blade down in a wicked arc.

Somehow the lady managed to get her blade up in time.

The two weapons met with an evil hiss.

Avaryss snarled as she tried to bring her blade down on her enemy.

Lady Feer struggled; she was clearly not used to lightsaber combat anymore.

Avaryss grinned.

She felt the dark side surging inside of her.

"I never betrayed our house," she hissed, "I played the good apprentice, I truly did."

"STOP THIS," she heard Thanaton shout.

"Both of you stop!"

Avaryss and Synestra did not obey.

This fight had been a long time coming.

Avaryss had put up with the woman's slights long enough.

She would hear no more of her lies and slander. She would no longer tolerate the woman's son.

She would never again ignore his perverted glances.

She was sick of it.

She was sick of all of them!

Avaryss leaned in closer, as Synestra Feer was forced to her knees, only just able to hold the blade back.

Avaryss felt triumphant, she felt justified, and hungry for blood.

Only a little more…, she thought.

…Just a little farther.

"I am going to kill you, milady," she confessed, "And I am going to kill your rodent of a son.

"No," Synestra Feer hissed, Avaryss could feel the fear in her, see it in her eyes.

It was delicious.

"Your house is mine," Avaryss said as the blade got closer to the lady's shoulder, the fabric of her robes began to burn from the merest touch of the blade. I single tear ran down the lady's cheeks.

Glorious!

Wonderful!

"I will rule all," Avaryss promised her.

"I am the rightful ruler of our house," she purred.

"I am…Avaryss! I am…"

The young Sith blinked, she sensed a new presence, a presence she had not sensed since…

"Master?!"

The Force lifted Avaryss up and away, it scooped her up ice she was nothing.

She struck the wall so hard she saw stars explode across her field of vision!

She hissed with barely restrained fury!

Damn it!

Damn it to hell!

Through the red haze of her fury, she saw Darth Feer standing before her, at his side stood Darth Marr and Darth Vengean.

They were all watching her, these high lords of the Empire.

Her master had her at his mercy.

What happened next was up to him.

She did not struggle, there was no point.

Zash reached out and retrieved her lightsaber through the Force.

Feer stood before her like some warrior god, his eyes cold and pitiless.

Marr and the other councilors said nothing; this had nothing to do with them. Thanaton and his fellows would do nothing, this was not their fight.

Avaryss glared at Lord Feer, her lord and tormentor.

Her master's eyes were as cold and dead as space.

"You forget your place…apprentice," he growled.

Synestra staggered to her feet.

"Kill her husband," she shouted, "The witch wants all us dead. She betrayed us to Terrog! Strike her down and protect our family!"

Synestra smiled triumphantly.

"Kill her husband!"

"Kill her now!"

Avaryss looked at Darth Feer, pleading for her life would not help, and if she did she would lose the respect of every lord here. She would not be able to show her face in the Empire again, not as a Sith Lord anyway.

Marr watched her, she could not feel his emotions; she felt nothing accept curiosity.

"What do you have to say, apprentice," Lord Feer demanded, "What do you have to say to me?"

Avaryss glared at him.

There were so many things she wanted to say.

I loathe your wife!

I despise your son!

I will destroy you for what you did to my family!

I will turn your dreams to ash!

I hate you.

Those three words echoed over and over through her blackened soul.

I hate you.

I hate you.

I HATE YOU!

The dark side flowed through her like oily venom; it was a fire in her blood. She wanted to lash out, to destroy anyone and everyone.

She wanted to kill everyone in this room!

Her eyes blazed with crimson fire.

In that one brief moment she was not here, she was standing on some distant rocky shore, great rivers of lava flowed around her. Words of rage and fury were echoing in her ears.

I HATE YOU!

I HATE YOU!

Avaryss shuddered, the fury passed, it turned into dark cold rage.

Rage would not save her; it would not give her what she wanted.

Only one thing would do that, only one act could save her, and give her the chance to continue on.

She took a shuddering breath.

Submit, only that would give her what she wanted. Submission.

There would be another time, a better time.

She bowed her head, and in that moment she hated herself as much as she hated everyone else in this room.

Submission.

Damn it.

"What is thy bidding, my master." She said it loud enough so that they could all hear.

Darth Feer approached. He was at least going to let her keep a shred of her dignity.

"Is that the only thing you want to say, my child," he whispered, "Is that the only thing you want to say to me...daughter."

She swallowed hard.

Damn him.

She met his gaze, feeling like a traitor.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Forgive me, father."

Darth Feer did something then that she would not have expected.

He smiled, and whispered in her ear.

"Your time is not yet here, daughter, be patient."

He gestured, releasing her.

She fell to the floor and to her knees.

She bowed in submission to her master.

"You are mine?" he asked, loud enough so that all could hear him.

"I am yours." She promised.

"Body and soul?"

"Yes, master," she said with a shuddering breath.

"Body and soul."

Feer nodded and stepped back.

"Rise…my apprentice."

She did as she had been ordered, and hated herself even more. She took her place at his side, bowing her head in submission.

He did it again, she thought.

He broke me…humiliated me.

But this did not feel the same as it had on Korriban. Her confidence was not broken, it had simply fallen back; it was waiting.

Now was not her time, not yet.

But it would come.

Eventually.

Feer turned to his fellow lords. Lady Synestra glared at her, but would not challenge her husband in front of so many powerful lords.

Feer smiled.

"Forgive my apprentice, my lords, she has been through much."

Feer's expression turned hungry.

"Now my friends…

His eyes flashed with excitement.

"…It is time to go to war."