A/N: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Life Day to you all, Star Wars fans! May you get to spend time with your families this holiday and not get captured and frozen in carbonite by some Mandalorian bounty hunter who has a puck with your face on it? Enjoy dear readers!
DG
Chapter 65: Weakness
Avaryss sneered down at the little Jedi Master. Had the creature been human she would have put her age around fourteen or fifteen. The impishness of her face did not hint at this being a long lived being. Her pale skin, small pointed ears and markings on her face did little reinforce that this Vey Ilo was a being of great power.
The eyes told a different story. The Jedi's eyes were old.
They hinted at something more. Most beings would not simply walk up and greet a Sith so openly. Some would call such a willingness to do so foolish.
Avaryss did not, not given what she sensed through the Force.
She is not afraid of me, the Sith realized, if what I'm sensing is real, this little creature likely knows more about the dark side than she, Avaryss, had even had a chance to discover yet, and in spite of that knowledge, still walked the path of a Jedi?
Why? Avaryss wondered.
Surely such an old being was not so foolish or naïve?
She gave the Jedi an icy smile.
"You think that I'm worth saving?"
Vey Ilo smiled.
"I take it that you feel that you are not?"
There is no reason for someone to try and save me. I don't need saving or protecting. I made my choice long ago. I will not turn my back on it now."
"Perhaps," the Jedi Master said, her expression did not suggest that she believed her.
Avaryss eyes narrowed.
They did not have time for this!
She was not about to surrender this place to the Jedi, not until Holli was able to figure out a way to save the Sith Fleet. She looked at the Jedi being here as a useful distraction, nothing more.
Avaryss glanced over at Shyra Viel and Jas Dar Bynn.
She had enemies here, for the moment they were trying to deal with larger threat, but…
What would happen if they decided that she was the more immediate problem?
I don't want to waste time and energy killing these fools, she thought. Terrog was the real problem, but she could not allow the Jedi to hamper her efforts to stop him
There was tension in the room, The Jedi and their allies, Avaryss and hers, they had secured this control station, but it would not be long until Terrog's forces realized that it had been lost and send people to try and reclaim it. They would need to…
"Avy?"
Avaryss turned her head; Taya had stayed near the back of the room when the Jedi had arrived. The look on her old ally's face was a mix of pain and surprise.
"Tay?" she asked.
"Avy…I don't feel…"
Taya's eyes rolled back in her head as she collapsed, her lightsaber falling from her hand.
Avaryss' eyes widened.
What was going?
What had happened?!
Holli was out of her chair and at the blonde girl's side. It was at that moment that Avaryss realized that Taya must have been injured when they had attacked.
Her friend gripped her side, moaning weakly.
Avaryss felt her life flicker in the Force.
Holli looked up at her.
"She is cut pretty bad, my lord," the engineer informed her.
"I thought she got hit when we were dealing with Terrog's pet," Xen said coldly.
Avaryss' apprentice smiled.
"I guess she wasn't as fast as she thought she was."
The young Sith almost snarled at the girl, but doing so seemed pointless now.
She could sense what was happening in the Force.
Taya…was dying.
That realization…hit Avaryss like an asteroid.
Taya was dying.
No.
She could not be?
NO!
In that moment she almost forgot about the Jedi, and about her mission, she almost ran to her friend's side. She…they…us…
She couldn't think!
She wanted to go Taya's side. There…there had to be something she could do. She had saved Quenya, but in doing so had changed the girl, made her into Necris.
She could not tell if that was a good thing or not.
I can help her. I can save her, but…
Avaryss' eyes narrowed.
Weakness, the darkness whispered.
You cannot show weakness.
She swallowed hard.
No…she could not…
…Not in front of enemies…
…or in front of allies.
She looked coldly down on Taya. She couldn't and wouldn't let the Jedi see weakness.
She would not let them see her in such a state.
At the same time, she could not allow Xen to see her rush to her ally's side. The former Jedi had taken to the dark side with a dedication that most Sith Hopefuls did not possess.
She dared not show any weakness before her new apprentice. If she did, it would be the first nail in her coffin. Xen would use that knowledge against her.
She could not allow that.
So she stood there, watching her friend, perhaps her only true friend dying. Holli looked up at her.
Avaryss shook her head.
"Return to your work ensign," she ordered.
"There is nothing we can do."
Holli's eyes widened
"My lord…we?"
"She is gone," Avaryss said flatly, "Leave her."
"She is dead."
"I can't believe you people!"
Avaryss looked up, her hand on her lightsaber.
Who dares?!
It was the Bothan that spoke, he pushed his way past the surviving technicians; he did not even look at Xen as he made his way to where Taya lay wounded.
The alien looked up at Avaryss and bared his fangs.
"How did your people ever manage to build an Empire," he spat. "If you give up on your own so easily…?"
She sneered at the Bothan.
"Taya is Sith," she said, "She knows what it means to fall, to fail…"
Avaryss stood taller.
"I will not dishonor myself or my order by doing otherwise."
The Bothan's fur rippled as he glared at her.
"Honor?" he spat.
"Since when do the Sith know anything about honor?"
Avaryss almost drew her blade, almost lunged at the alien for his insolence.
She was stopped by a gentle touch, both on the shoulder and through the Force.
Fenn was at her side.
She looked over her shoulder with an icy glare.
"Keera," he said softly, sympathetically.
"Let him help."
Her anger cooled, but, but…
This was not right!
Taya was done, best forgotten!
Let her die, the darkness whispered, she has given you the connections that you needed. Now she has outlived her usefulness.
Let her go.
She is done.
Cast her aside.
The darkness whispered those words over and over again, but deep within her, in the shard of light within Avaryss, that damnable stubborn piece of Keera that refused to die.
She felt…hope…gratitude.
Save her, the light whispered.
Please.
Save my friend, my sister.
Save her…please.
It would be better to let Taya die. The loss, the pain and anger of that loss would fuel her power, and cut away yet another chain that bound Avaryss' heart.
It would serve a valuable purpose; she should push the Jedi away, better yet, simply reach out with the Force and break Taya's neck.
Her death would serve better.
It would…but…but…
Avaryss frowned.
She could not raise her hand. She could not summon the darkness to do the deed.
A hiss escaped her lips.
She.
Just.
Couldn't.
DO!
IT!
"Your friend is in good hands," Vey said, "Mox Devrn'alya is one of the finest healers I've ever seen."
The Bothan looked up at her from his place at Taya's side.
"I…I haven't tried anything like this in years, master."
"What if I fail?"
Vey gave him a stern look.
"Do or do not, Mox," she said, "there is no such thing as try."
The Bothan sighed and shook his head, his muzzle pulled back in a grimace.
He placed a cream colored paw on Taya's wounded side.
Avaryss said nothing.
She simply watched.
Unsure if she wanted the Bothan to fail or succeed!
For the first time…she felt pulled in two directions at once.
She was not sure what she wanted.
Holli and Xen said nothing, the engineer continued to search Terrog's computer system while Avaryss apprentice watched silently, her features hidden by her hooded top.
Avaryss felt the Force, it answered the Bothan's call; the light flowed around him, but…moved sluggishly.
It had been too long, Avaryss thought.
He will not be able to save her.
The other smuggler, the woman, Tru Halcyon went to her partner's side. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You can do this, Moxie," she said, "We're with you."
Fenn was also there, now, offering his strength as well.
"You can do this," he told his friend, "I know you can."
The Bothan shook his head.
"Padawan Pack forever, huh?" he sighed, looking down at the injured Taya.
"Can't believe that I'm doing this for a Sith."
He closed his eyes again, and reached out to the Force, Avaryss felt it.
The light filled the three Force users.
Avaryss turned head away, she…she could not look at it!
It was too bright!
At her side, Xen was equally, affected, Avaryss felt the anger radiating off her.
She looked at her master, Avaryss nodded, offering her support.
"Jedi lies," she whispered.
Xen nodded.
She at least understood.
Redemption.
Compassion.
Peace.
Just thinking the words made Avaryss sneer.
Peace was a lie, there was only passion!
As for redemption, it was a false promise, a trick to make you think that turn away from something eternal; you could never turn your back on what you chosen. It was part of you.
The darkness was eternal.
Compassion...was…was…
Avaryss cursed under her breath.
She cursed the light, cursed that it still had influence over her.
It is all Fenn Shadowstone's fault!
The darkness roiled, she could feel it reaching out, trying to get her to do what needed to be done, to punish these Jedi for interfering in something that was none of their business.
Yet, the darkness could only touch her weakly, Fenn's presence, these other Jedi…
She shivered as she felt Taya coming back. She felt her friend's presence returning. Life flowing back, called back by the power of the Force.
She felt a wave of gratitude at that realization, and immediately hated herself for it.
The light has no hold over me!
She wanted to shout it to the heavens.
I DON'T WANT REDEMPTION!
She felt the power fade, felt the darkness of the station rushing back as the power of the light returned to its normal level.
Taya groaned and shifted where she lay.
Avaryss felt her reach out with the Force, reach out to her friend.
"Avy?"
"I'm here," she murmured.
"I'm here."
She felt Taya relax, felt her presence stabilize.
Avaryss was grateful for that, and despised herself for her weakness.
I'm a fool.
The Bothan leaned back from Taya's body, Fenn and the girl, Tru, whispered words of support and thanks.
Slow clapping interrupted the scene, its source…Avaryss' apprentice.
"Well done, Mox," Xen said sweetly.
"The healers at the temple would have been proud."
The two former Jedi and Fenn looked up at Xen, perhaps for the first time realizing who it was under that hood.
She removed her cowl and smiled at her old comrades.
"Isn't this special," Xen said, "A regular Padawan Pack reunion?"
"How…lovely."
Xen's former allies looked at her with a mix of disbelief and horror.
"Xen?" Tru Halcyon gasped.
"Xeni..." the Bothan said, his fur shifting as his eyes widened.
"What…what happened to you?"
Xen Loor laughed.
"Do you remember what it was like," she asked, "Do you remember when we fled the temple, when we tried to outrun the darkness, but no matter what we did, it seemed to be there?"
Avaryss watched the two Jedi Masters, wondering what they were thinking at that moment.
What did they think of the new Xen Loor?
And…would they blame Avaryss for her decisions?
"Master Sy told me to forget what happened," Xen continued, "He tried to convince me that the darkness had no sway, that it was weak, and only a weakling would not resist its call."
She giggled; a single tear fell down her cheek.
He lied," she purred, "He was a liar! The darkness was nothing to be afraid of. It...It offers freedom, free from pain, free from doubt."
She smiled at her old friends.
"The dark side has set me free! Master Avaryss has freed me! We…we could all be free together! The Padawan Pack reborn!"
She sneered and turned to Masters Jas and Vey.
"Do not believe these liars! They are jealous or cowards! They want to hold us all back! Master Avaryss has shown me the truth! She…she has given me a life that I never imagined!"
Xen turned to Avaryss a look of gratitude on her face.
"I will follow her forever."
Avaryss smiled coldly.
In this, at least, she was back on familiar ground.
She was glad that Taya was back, but the Jedi would come to regret saving her.
She was Avaryss' as well, just like Xen.
They might come to regret the choice to save her.
The Bothan gave Avaryss an evil look.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded.
The young Sith shrugged.
"Nothing that she did not secretly want," she replied.
Tru Halcyon glared at her.
"You've brainwashed her!"
"Master Avaryss did nothing of the sort," Xen said, "She gave me a choice, Tru."
"I simply chose to make it."
The female smuggler was hearing none of it.
"She does not even feel the same through the Force!"
"She is thinking for herself now," Avaryss said dismissively.
"Do not be disappointed that she no longer fits what you think that she should be."
Xen turned to the Bothan, her smile wide and hungry.
"Don't you like seeing me like this, Moxie," she pouted, "You use to like watching me, when we in the temple. I remember."
Xen laughed lightly.
"I always wondered about that? How could a Bothan be…intrigued by a human? I remember when you always tried to find ways to stand close to me. You had such a crush."
She ran her finger down the front of her body, her Sith garments leaving little to the imagination.
Her smile turned cruel.
"Your attention made me uncomfortable. I was to be a Jedi that was the life that my parents had wanted for me. I didn't want to hurt you, and then when we were lost in the tunnels beneath the temple."
She shook her head.
"The Xen that helped you was a fool. She was afraid of her emotions, afraid of feeling. She didn't want to disappoint her parents, or the masters, all she had wanted was to make them proud."
"I don't care what others think anymore, Mox. I only care about what is right for me! What I want! I will deal with those that killed our friends at the temple. I will destroy them all."
She held out her hand.
"You can come with me," she offered, "Neither of us are Jedi now. Would you like to explore what that means?"
She gave him a seductive come hither look.
"It could be…fun."
Mox Devrn'alya did not respond with words, he radiated with a sense of distaste through the Force.
Xen felt it, she sniffed.
"You don't like me anymore? Fine." She turned away petulantly.
"I won't waste my time then."
She looked at Avaryss; the look on her face was almost worshipful.
The Bothan growled at the Sith.
"I hope you are proud of what you did to her."
Avaryss shrugged.
"I'm afraid that Sy Dar Bynn deserves most of the credit," she replied, her eyes turning back to Master Jas.
"Your Hutt spawn of a brother, did this to her, he emotionally crippled her, and all to turn her to serve his ends."
Master Jas did not respond, he simply watched her, his emotions hidden beneath his Jedi calm and will.
"If Xen Loor is ruined it is because of his actions, not mine. I'm going to give her a new life, one in which she does not have to pretend that she feels nothing."
Her gaze turned to Fenn.
"You helped Fenn, Master Jedi; he showed me some of that. I'm in your debt for that."
She gave him her own wicked smile.
"Let me help, Xen, we will see what kind of Sith she becomes."
The sound of armored boots drew their attention, through the view port of the control room they could see more soldiers approaching.
All the arguments and blame ceased. Both Jedi and Sith drew their weapons.
Lightsabers activated, their hum filled the room.
"I will shield Taya," Avaryss said to her apprentice, "Feel free to indulge yourself with these fools."
Xen giggled eagerly.
"I was hoping you would say that master." She whirled her cross-guarded lightsaber around.
More nerfs to the slaughter!
IOI
It did not take the two groups long to deal with the next wave of attackers. In this, at least, the Jedi and Sith had a common enemy, Darth Terrog needed to die.
These were not like the guards that had been protecting this place, these were modified…they were like the creatures that Terrog used to burn the Feer estate. Avaryss was limited in her range of attacks because she was keeping Taya safe. Her friend was awake, but it was clear that she was not strong enough yet to join in the fun.
That is fine, Avaryss thought.
More for us.
The Jedi attacked Terrog's monsters with the cool efficiency of droids. She found herself watching Master Vey especially; the little Jedi master's style was a blend of Ataru of Avaryss' own Soresu. The Sith tried to absorb what she was seeing, if the day ever came that she would need to kill the little Jedi she wanted to have an idea of what such a challenge might be like.
It would be quite the battle that was for sure.
This one should not have survived the first war, she thought, she should have been eliminated. Her knowledge of the dark side is a threat.
When she returned to Dromund Kaas, she would see what Imperial Intelligence had on Master Vey Ilo; such threats should not be ignored.
The two smugglers proved equally interesting, they did not use lightsabers, despite their strength in the Force. Their reliance on blasters was a bit odd, but not in the way most would think. Avaryss watched as the two fired on Fenn, not to hit up, but to use him to deflect their bolts at targets they could not have hit normally.
It was an impressive display.
It seemed that the Jedi were taking this matter seriously, not risking their own lives with pointless displays of mercy.
She was happy to see that the Jedi did not even try to offer mercy to Terrog's freaks. Even they could see that these monsters were beyond saving.
Darth Terrog and his virus was a threat to both sides, both orders, no matter what either side thought of the other.
They needed to deal with this quickly, time was short…
And they still had another control room to secure, or so Holli believed.
We need to get moving, Avaryss thought.
We have been here far too long already.
The battle ended with the last of Terrog's monster's falling. That was a victory in itself, but of equal importance were the deaths of the remaining technicians. They had been torn to pieces by the dark lords' foul creation. The Jedi had managed to cut them down, but they were too late to save the remaining scientists, now only one of the creatures remained, it was badly wounded, but it still tried to crawl forward, snarling at its master's enemies.
Fenn ended its life with a single downward strike with his lightsaber. The blue blade impaled the creature's head.
A ruthless tactic, Avaryss thought with a smile.
There is hope for him yet.
She turned to Holli, hopefully the engineer had something for them; something they could use to push forward.
The changeling smiled triumphantly.
"I have something, my lord," she said.
Avaryss grinned.
Perfect!
Using the system here, I've been able to create a data spike," the engineer informed her, "If we can get it into Terrog's probes we will be able to reset their targeting perimeters. They will only attack what we want them to."
"And what target are we setting?" the Sith asked.
"Themselves of course, once this program goes live, every probe outside this station will target its nearest neighbor and not stop until all other probes are either destroyed, or it ceases to function."
"Well done, Ensign," Avaryss said, "release the program."
"It is not that easy I'm afraid," Holli admitted sheepishly. "The transmitter in here is not strong enough to reach the probes. We are going to have to slave this signal through the con/comm station that I told you about earlier. "
The engineer fidgeted.
"We're going to need someone here to run the program interface and someone in control and communications to broadcast the new commands to the closest droids."
"Can't we get them all at once?" Avaryss asked.
"Their CPUs aren't designed that way, but then again, they don't need to be, these droids are receiving constant updates from their fellow's CPUs. All we need to do is program one, and it will spread the new commands like a virus."
Fitting, Avaryss thought, Terrog's plague carriers would be brought down by a virus of their own; the irony was as hilarious as it was delicious.
She could not wait to set this plan in motion.
Jas Dar Bynn came up to her; she still felt his icy regard.
"You seem pleased, Sith," he said dryly.
"Should I feel sorry for someone?"
"For Darth Terrog," she replied, "My engineer has a way to disable his plague carriers, but someone will have to remain here, the console here and in the control and communication's room up ahead need to be accessed at the same time."
Jas nodded thoughtfully.
Tru and Mox can handle that," he offered.
Avaryss gave him a cool look.
"You will excuse me if I prefer to have one of my own people handle this."
"We both want the same thing do we not?" he reminded her.
"True, but…"
"I will do it Avy."
She looked up to see Taya back on her feet. Her friend was a little wobbly, but she had her weapon in hand again.
Taya gave her a sheepish look.
"I could not keep up with you even if I wanted to," she admitted, "But I can keep Terrog's goons back if they try to enter, and I can certainly handle using the data spike."
Avaryss nodded.
She did not like the thought of leaving Taya here alone, but…
She turned to Master Jas.
"Shall we compromise, master Jedi?"
"What do you have in mind, Sith?"
"Taya and your smugglers will remain behind. I trust that I have your word that they will not interfere in his mission. Those droids do need to be deactivated."
Jas Dar Bynn nodded; she still sensed hesitation, but…
"Agreed," he said, before turning his attention to Taya.
"Do I have your word that you will not try to harm Max and Tru?"
Taya shrugged.
"I not really in the shape to murder anyone," she said dryly, "They play things with me, I will do the same."
Master Jas nodded.
"This could work," he said, "We will help you reach this control and communications room you mentioned. You shut down the droids…"
"And the Sith fleet blows this station to pieces," Avaryss said grinning.
"Once we are all safely off, of course."
Of course," the Jedi Master agreed, but she could tell from the look on his face that he was not entirely honest.
If the Jedi couldn't find a way off this station, they would sacrifice themselves to ensure that Terrog's plans ended here.
Avaryss understood, but that did not mean she would go willingly to her death if she could help it.
Now if the Jedi were alone in that sacrifice she would not be too angry. Provided she could convince Fenn not to die so recklessly.
Master Jas was right, this could work. They could…
"Apprentice?"
Avaryss jumped, she shivered as a cool sensation consumed her, like the feeling of footsteps walking over her grave...
She looked around in surprise.
"Master?"
"Is something wrong, Avy?" Taya asked her.
The Sith shook her head no.
Her master had managed to make mental contact.
Wonderful, Avaryss thought.
Why now?
"Can you hear me apprentice?"
She took a deep breath and nodded.
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
She felt Lord Feer's pleasure through the Force.
"Lord Marr just informed me of his plan, the one that you chose to help him with without consulting me."
She felt a slight pressure behind her eyes.
"You have been a very bad girl."
"Lord Marr gave me a direct order, master. I could not disobey."
"I understand my child, but now we must work to turn this plan to our advantage."
"Master?"
"A Republic Fleet just jumped back into the system. They are holding just out of range of the station and its weapons, but if you are successful…"
"They will likely move in," Avaryss thought with a nod.
"How do you wish me to handle this, my lord?"
"Do you have control of Terrog's weapon yet?"
"We have a plan master; we are preparing to destroy the probe droids."
She felt her master's excitement.
"Excellent, my child, here is what I want you to do. I want you to find a way to seize control of Terrog's toys. You will turn them loose on the Republic fleet. Once the Jedi have lost their reinforcements, the taking of Terrog's station will be simplicity itself."
Avaryss frowned.
"Master, Lord Marr said…"
UGH!
Avaryss winced, if felt like someone was pinching her brain, she felt the Force shifting, she tried to break the connection but she could not.
A single drop of blood dripped from her nose.
She felt Darth Feer's anger and ambition.
He was not pleased with her.
"You will obey, girl. Your master has commanded that this be done, and it will. You will destroy the Republic fleet, you will do this or you will suffer. I will punish you most severely; do not believe that I won't."
"I believe you master," she thought, trying to think through the pain in her head.
"I will try…"
Do not try, girl, do, I will be awaiting your answer, we stand on the threshold of greatness."
Do not disappoint me."
I won't," she promised, "I will do what I can."
"See that you do, you are mine?"
"I am yours."
Body and soul?"
Yes my master, body and soul."
She felt the connection lessen; Darth Feer had said his piece.
She sighed.
This did not bode well.
She shook her head.
Well…wasn't that just great.
"What is it?" Taya asked.
Avaryss frowned.
"My master has his own plans for the station," she said, "I'm to help them come to pass."
Taya frowned; she no doubt could guess what Darth Feer wanted of them.
"So what are we going to do?"
Avaryss shook her head,
She did not really know.
"Be ready to send the command when you hear from me," she ordered, "I will see what I can do to get Lord Feer off our backs.
"It will be done," Taya promised, "oh…and Avy?"
Yeah."
Taya blinked, she seemed confused.
"Who is Keera?"
Avaryss sighed.
"Someone who doesn't exist anymore, she was weak so I cast her away. She died the day that I became Avaryss."
Oh," the blonde said.
"It…it sounded like it was not that simple Avy. What I heard between you and that Jedi boy, it sounds…complicated."
Avaryss sighed.
"You have no idea Tay."
"You have no idea."
Until today, she had thought that Keera was gone. That she was now only a mask to be worn when she was around Fenn and Beric, but after she had watched Taya almost die she had felt something, a change.
She had felt compassion, and hope for the first time in so very long.
She did not like that.
Hope was not something that she needed.
She had orders.
She needed to find a way out of this, to appease Darth Feer and somehow not alienate the dark council.
Then she had to find a way around Fenn, the mongrel, and two Jedi Masters.
No easy challenge.
She heard the sound of more boots approaching on the walkway.
She opened herself up to the Force reaching out.
More guards, she realized, but still no Fehl.
She sighed and drew her weapon.
It is time she thought ignited her blade.
Here we go again.
A/N: Once again Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
DG