Chapter 73: War and Love

Necris stood over her; she had heard her master's call through the smoke.

The Devish looked down upon Avaryss, her bound and helpless master, her lightsaber lit and engaged.

Avaryss could almost hear her apprentice's thoughts, her emotions churned.

For the first time since she had met the girl who had been Quenya Sai Malloc, Avaryss felt…real fear.

Beware your apprentice.

It would be so easy for the young Devish; here she was, standing before her master, her bound and helpless master.

Was this the moment? Had Avaryss miscalculated?

Was this the moment when Necris would give into her hatred? Was this the moment she would avenge herself on her master?

Impossible, the dark side whispered, she has only just begun to walk the dark path, if she was to kill you now she would be left rudderless, to walk the path in the confusion of a novice, a talented novice perhaps, but still just a novice.

Then again, Avaryss thought, what of Feer did not go back to Korriban to search for a new apprentice? What if he sensed the change within Necris when they met?

What if he thought his student's student would serve just as well as her.

Necris' eyes had a mischievous glint to them.

Had Feer got to her, had he made the girl an offer?

If he had…?

"Necris?"

Beric's voice cut through the haze, through the dark side that had been swirling between the two Sith.

Necris blinked.

Beric came between them, fully armed and armored, he glared at the Devish.

"What are you just standing around for," he demanded, "Help me get her out of this chair."

Avaryss' apprentice smirked.

"You are being right, lieutenant," she purred, "We should be doing that, yes."

Necris gestured.

The restraints popped from Avaryss' neck, hand, and feet.

She was loose.

She was free.

She…

"AHHHH!"

Beric looked up in horror.

"XEN! NO!"

The Sith apprentice was flung at their feet, left groaning, her lightsaber clattered across the deck.

The cloud of smoke parted and began to dissipate. Fenn stood before them; he held his lightsaber at the ready, golden lightning crackled in his off hand.

He looked like some warrior god, Avaryss thought, her mouth went dry at the sight of him, her whole body warmed with attraction.

My lord, she thought, my love.

Oh my?!

"Lower your weapons," he shouted.

Beric started to raise his rifle.

Fenn reached out with the Force and yanked it from his grip; he sliced the weapon in two with his lightsaber.

The soldier started to go for his sidearm.

"Don't," Fenn warned.

"Next time…I won't just chop your blaster!"

Beric glared but kept his hand away from his other weapon.

Avaryss stood between her brother and her apprentice. Necris had not yet lowered her lightsaber. The air was thick with blood and tension.

Beric knelt down to check on Xen, she was murmuring about Sy Dar Bynn, whimpering about him deserving what he had got.

Avaryss shook her head.

Force judgment, she thought.

It truly was a terrible ability.

They were lucky the Jedi had all but abandoned it.

Avaryss weighed their options.

Xen was down. HK was scrap. Holli was still lying on the deck looking dazed, and she, Avaryss herself, was in no shape to fight.

She shook her head.

She could still escape, but there would be a cost.

They would need to kill Fenn.

She did not want that.

In the back of her mind she heard her mother's lullaby. She could almost see Mya Lylos' face.

"You can't kill him, Keera!"

"You love him!"

Avaryss shuddered.

You love him?

She pursed her lips.

Yes, she did love him, she had loved him for years, but to free herself, to rejoin the Sith.

She was willing to sacrifice that love.

She was willing to let that love go.

Fenn looked at her, she could feel his fear, but at the same time, he was committed to this, to stopping her from getting away.

"Keera," he called out, "I swore that no one would hurt you."

He gave her a pained look.

"You don't have to do this."

"Keera," Necris said, "Who is being this Keera?"

Avaryss sighed.

"She is someone who no longer exists, apprentice," Avaryss said, "Just as Quenya Sai Malloc no longer exists."

"Ah," the Devish said, "I am seeing it now."

Good, Avaryss thought glaring at the Jedi.

I'm so pleased to have enlightened you apprentice.

She tried one last chance to save his life. She did not desire his end. Fenn Shadowstone was the one Jedi she did not want to see destroyed.

"Fenn," she said holding out her hand.

"Come with us."

The young Jedi's eyes narrowed.

"You know that I can't."

She closed her eyes; a shudder ran down her spine.

Yes, she thought.

I know.

"You are being outnumbered, Jedi," Necris hissed, "It is you who should be lowering his weapon."

The Devish grinned.

"You can't win."

Fenn sighed; the Force shifted slightly, him coming to a decision perhaps.

"Maybe," he agreed, "But I can make sure that you don't win, either."

He took several steps back; he moved his blade from them to the bulk head. He pointed his lightsaber at it.

"NO!" Beric shouted, his voice thick with fear

Necris's eyes narrowed.

"What do you think you are doing, Jedi?"

"The fuel cell," Beric gasped, "If…if he puts his lightsaber through it?

Fenn grinned. He said one word.

"Boom."

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

"You would kill us all? You would destroy us all just to prevent my escape?"

He gave her a sad smile.

"There is no death, there is the Force," he said, "I'm willing to take that next step, how about you?"

Avaryss hissed.

She…she had not anticipated this.

He is bluffing, the darkness whispered, he must be.

Avaryss reached out with the Force, she felt Fenn's sadness, his grim acceptance.

No, she realized, he wasn't bluffing.

No, she thought.

NO!

DAMN YOU FENN!

DAMN YOU!

Necris gave him a hungry smile.

"You are thinking that I'm afraid of death," she laughed, "I was being a slave of dead men my entire life."

She gave him a wide toothy grin.

"I am not being afraid, Jedi! Let us be going into death together. Let us be passing to the other side with my teeth at your throat."

Avaryss' eyes widened.

Necris you crazy shutta!

What are you?

"Let's not and say we did, eh, Nek?"

Avaryss glanced over her shoulder. Rink had found his way up into the hold, he now stood beside Beric.

He had a dazed Shyra Viel in front of him, a vibroblade at her throat.

The former street rat looked over at Avaryss. He grinned triumphantly.

"Oh come on, boss," he said, "Don't tell me you don't understand the concept of taking a hostage."

He turned back to Fenn.

"Are you that willing to kill your friend too, Jedi?" he asked, "Is stopping us really worth that? Do you really want this one's blood on your hands?"

Fenn frowned.

Avaryss could see him weighing his options. His chance of saving Shyra was…slim. He could still blow them all up, but was that what he really wanted?

It would have been easier of Shyra had already been dead, but now…it was not easy.

She looked at Fenn; she could see the conflict in his eyes.

Had it just been him, he would have been more than willing to roll the dice and take them all with him.

You are brave, my love.

But are you a cold blooded killer?

No, she knew.

Not yet.

She tried to reach out with the Force, the adrenalin of this rescue attempt had helped her burn the chemicals out of her blood.

The Force was starting to open up to her again.

She started to see what might happen. She tried to use it to guide her hand. She needed to know what choice was the one that granted the best chance at success.

They were all still very close to death. Fenn was not bluffing. If he saw no way out of this, he would take them all with him. He was too brave for his own good.

If he did lower his weapon, if they did take him prisoner, if she brought him and Shyra back to Dromund Kaas as prisoners, she would be greatly rewarded, but that would not end well.

So many possible deaths resulted from that choice, Fenn killed her and escaped. Fenn killed her and took her place at Feer's side. Fenn helped her overthrow Feer, only to kill her and rule with Shyra at his side. Shyra and Fenn became lovers, and she was forced to kill them both. Shyra killed her and joined Darth Feer.

She cursed under her breath.

Damn it, she thought.

There was no way to win!

In all of those scenarios she either died or lost, but that was not the worst of it. Defeat happened, and all things die in time, only one Sith had learned the art of immortality.

No one outcome was always certain, it whatever future she looked into, no matter what choice she made.

I'll lose Fenn, she thought.

No matter how I win here, the result is the same.

I lose Fenn, and I always will.

Her mother's song was still in her head, the lullaby and the command to go home.

She was not sure what to make of that, but…

She frowned.

Fenn Shadowstone is my destiny, she thought, she knew that now. Fehl had only been a distraction, or rather an instructor, to show her the wonders of love, and what a life it could bring.

It was Fenn that would help her continue her line. He would be her love. He would share her council and her bed. He would father her babies. She knew that now. She could almost see it.

But to preserve that future, she would have to let him go…for now.

Now is not yet the time, she realized.

Fenn did not join her here.

It was here that their paths would part…again.

She almost wanted to scream. Frustration burned in her gut.

Why?! Why must we part again?!

It isn't fair!

The darkness washed over her, its energy was a cool and soothing balm.

Be patient, the dark side whispered.

He will be yours...

…One day.

She sighed.

She knew what she had to do.

Damn it.

She sighed and there, surround by her crew, her house…she made an offer.

"Her life for ours, Fenn," she called out, "Let me and my crew go, and we will not kill Shyra."

"What," Necris hissed.

"What," Fenn said, his blade never leaving the spot behind the fuel cell.

Avaryss gave him a sad smile.

"Our story does not end here," she said, "You saved my life back on Terrog's station; I offer to spare you and Shyra now. You will not be taken prisoner. We go our separate ways. You have my word on the Emperor's name that I will not try to harm you or this vessel."

"The…the other pilot is still alive," Holli said rising from where she had fallen, the changeling shook her head.

"I didn't kill him. He is only stunned."

Avaryss smiled.

Good move, Holli, she thought.

She just upped the ante; Fenn had another life to consider.

He is a Jedi.

He will not let two lives end to stop this. He will not kill his own.

He was not that ruthless.

"No one else has to die today, Fenn," Avaryss said.

"I can just take my belongings, and my crew, and we can leave."

"We can settle this matter…another day."

Fenn's eyes narrowed.

"Why should I trust you?"

She smiled.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

Fenn frowned. She could feel his emotions, he did not want to hurt her, but he knew what it meant to let her go.

She was Sith; she would continue to serve the Empire. She would continue to serve the Emperor.

When the next war came, she would fight.

He was weighing the lives she might take against his life, Shyra's, and that of the pilot. If he decided that they were worth taking Avaryss off the board.

Would he do it?

Did he dare?

Fenn kept looking between her and Shyra, she could feel the concern he felt for his friend. He cared about her, but it was not the carrying of a man for a woman, it was the love of a sibling. Shyra would be angry to know that, perhaps, but that was how Fenn and how he would continue to feel unless something extreme happened.

Avaryss was unwilling to go that far.

Fenn would not have to make that choice; he would be hers…eventually.

Shyra growled weakly, she was still out of it from Holli's stun blast, but that would not be forever.

"The choice is yours, Fenn," she said, "Do we all die here, or do we part…cold warriors."

Fenn Shadowstone's eyes narrowed.

"Swear that you will simply leave. Promise that you will not kill anyone else this day."

"I swear it," Avaryss promised.

"Swear on the name of your Emperor."

"I swear it."

"Swear it on the name of the family that lost."

Avaryss winced.

"I…I swear it."

"Make these others swear too."

Avaryss blinked.

"What?"

"Say it, Keera; neither you, nor any of these will try anything if I let you go. Say it!"

Avaryss smiled.

Clever boy, she thought.

Fenn had a suspicious mind that would serve him well when they were dealing with enemies of their house, enemies of their family.

"Swear it," Avaryss ordered, "All of you; you will not try to harm this ship or these people this day."

One by one, her crew agreed murmuring acceptance. Necris had been the slowest, but a cold look from her master made her agree.

No harm would come to the Jedi and his companions.

They all swore it.

Fenn still kept his blade directed at the fuel cell, but he did allow Avaryss; crew to start to depart. Beric helped Xen down the hatch and back aboard their interceptor. Holli was a bit wobbly, perhaps even concussed, but she was able to make it back down the hatch under her own power. Necris used the Force to retrieve the deactivated HK Sigma 3. Holli would need to repair him, but considering the state she had brought him back from before, it should not be difficult.

Rink sliced the storage locker on board, the one containing Avaryss' personal effects, her alchemical bracer, her lightsaber, and the crystal containing Darth Terrog's tortured soul.

She grinned at the crystal.

The texts she had read said that a soul so bound suffered horribly. If she knew Marr and the rest of the dark council, they would find a way to make that suffering even worse.

She was curious to see exactly what that meant.

It would be fun to watch.

Avaryss looked down at Shyra Viel; the beast girl was still out of it, Beric had secured her with binders just in case.

She sneered down at her rival.

I will not kill you in such a state, she thought, when the day comes that we face each other, it will be as equals with a lightsaber in hand.

On that day, I will be either stronger than you, or I will be dead, but that will be okay.

That is the way of the dark side.

That is the way she preferred it to be.

She glanced up at Fenn, who finally turned off his lightsaber.

He sighed and shook his head.

"You don't have to do this," he said.

She smiled.

"This is who I am," she said, "would you want me to be any other way?"

He snorted and smiled at her, a bit pink colored his cheeks.

"You drive me crazy, you know that?"

"I have that effect on some people."

He bowed slightly to her.

"May the Force serve you well, Keera."

"May it be with you, Fenn," she replied, "Always."

She turned to go, to return to her life within the Empire, to return to her hunt for power and prestige.

She stopped.

She could not leave, not yet.

There was one thing she had to do first.

"Damn it," she thought.

No choice.

She spun around quickly, before Fenn could stop her, before he could back away, she was in his arms.

She kissed him deeply.

He resisted at first, but only at first.

She felt his arms slide around her; felt them moving up and down her body.

She moaned into his mouth, a sound of pure lust.

Damn it, she thought.

I want him.

I want him so bad!

She pulled away, panting. She could see his lust mirrored in his eyes.

He doesn't want to let me go, she realized, his heart and Jedi training were definitely at war.

Wonderful.

She smiled slyly.

"Something for you to remember me by," she said breathlessly, "Until our…next meeting."

"Un…until then," he agreed his voice was husky, "Farewell, Keera."

She nodded.

"Good bye Fenn."

She leapt through the hatch; the emergency field sprang to life as her interceptor detached from the Republic shuttle.

Avaryss made for the bridge, she found Rink and Necris there, the two manipulating the controls bringing the ship around, preparing to make the jump to hyperspace.

The Republic shuttle floated helplessly before them.

"So boss," Rink said over his shoulder, "Do we make the jump, or do we get to blow that ship up first?"

Avaryss frowned.

"I gave my word, Rink," she reminded him.

"Yeah, I know, but…"

"No buts; not this time."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure, Mister Rink," she said patting him on the shoulder, "now…get us out of here."

The pilot shrugged.

"You are the boss, boss."

He brought them about, and after a brief check of the navi-computer. He pulled the handle in front of him.

The stars stretched as the Fury class interceptor jumped into hyperspace.

Avaryss nodded.

She had kept her word.

Fenn was safe.

Her heart did hurt though, their parting…their first real kiss, it had left a mark. That mark would haunt her, she feared.

She took a deep breath, and centered herself.

Fear turned into anger so easily.

This was not the end for her and Fenn.

They would meet again, and when they did…

She smiled.

Who knew what might happen?

We will be together, one day.

She had foreseen it, it would come to pass.

They could not escape it, and she did not wish to.

Fenn would be hers.

It was the will of the Force.

IOI

After a sonic shower Avaryss felt like a new woman. 2V-R9 waited for her outside the fresher, her clothes in his hands. She was still having trouble getting dressed with only one arm. The droid nervously helped her, in constant fear that she would dissemble him for the most minor poke or pinch.

Avaryss rolled her eyes.

She would speak to Holli about having the droids mind wiped, perhaps some new programs to its personality matrix.

She preferred to have servants with a bit more spine.

Perhaps the engineer would be able to help.

Now clad in a red leather vest and black leggings she felt more like herself, the addition of her lightsaber on her belt again also helped.

She frowned as she looked at her left sleeve, the one that was pinned up to hide her missing elbow and forearm.

When Beric had first come to her rescue he had not noticed the injury, with everything that had been going on he had simply thought that had had both her arms secured behind her back.

Seeing the missing arm, he had been angry.

"The Jedi?" he had asked.

"Terrog, she said, shaking her head, no.

Her big brother's eyes narrowed.

I hope he died screaming," he said.

Avaryss laughed.

"Oh he is still screaming brother," she said tapping the crystal.

"Trust me, his suffering has just begun."

Beric Lylos accepted that…for now.

He returned his attention to the wounded Xen. Her injuries were minor, but given the effect of light side Force lightning.

She was a bit surprised by his worry. Xen was useful, but…

She frowned.

Surely her brother was not…attracted to Xen. She was far from stable, still too lost in the dark side.

She would likely kill him as soon as kiss him, her emotions were all over the place, she was practically broken.

Avaryss would warn him.

Xen Loor was not the most…eligible of women. It did not matter how beautiful he thought her.

She was unstable, perhaps unsuitable.

She would see that her brother made the right choice.

She found Holli back in her work space, repairing, HK, replacing the connectors that Fenn had cut through with his lightsaber.

She looked down on the engineer.

"How are you feeling, ensign?" she asked.

Holli rose from where she had been kneeling, a good natured smile on her face.

"I heal fast, my lord, Two Vee has given me a clean bill of health.

Avaryss nodded.

If only she could heal that fast.

"I assume it was you that called the others, told them where we were?"

The changeling nodded.

"It wasn't easy; security is pretty tight on a Republic vessel, transmissions closely monitored. I needed to piggyback the signal on a Republic channel, not an easy feat to be sure."

"And yet, you succeeded," Avaryss said smiling, "You have my thanks and gratitude."

The engineer blushed.

"Thank you, my lord, you honor me."

"I'm just getting started," Avaryss thought.

"Though I must ask Holli, how did you end up on that Republic ship? What happened?"

The engineer sighed.

"Xen and I get separated after we left the control and communication room on Terrog's station. A Republic ship went down, somehow avoided being destroyed by the stations defenses, and crashed into it. A blast door separated me and Xen. I went off to try to find a way around, but I encountered some Republic troopers and officers, they had survived the crash and were looking for a way out."

How did you end up disguised as a Quarren?"

"I got lucky," Holli said with a smile.

"I found Lieutenant Slusk, the Quarren, dead; He had been killed in the crash. Considering the number of pub troopers around, I thought it wise that I not be seen wearing a Sith uniform. I transformed into Slusk, and rejoined his fellows. I acted like I was concussed or in shock, not hard considering what was going on around us. I stayed close to the pubs as we fought our way back to hangars. I thought to disappear in the confusion and make my way back to Rink and the others, but by the time we did, the battle was all but won, and the station starting to break up.

I decided to take my chances with the Republic. I was going to go back with them. Find a new shape and disappear when I saw an opportunity to make myself scare."

Her smile widened.

"It was then that I learned that you were onboard, that you had been captured. I tried to contact you, but there were too many pubs and Jedi around. The only thing I could do was try and contact the others. Fortunately for me, Slusk was a trained shuttle pilot, after that, it was just a matter of volunteering for the mission of flying you back to the Jedi, and hope that the others had gotten my message. Fortunately for the two of us, they did.

"We escaped."

Avaryss nodded. She had to give it to Holli the girl was not only smart but resourceful as well.

She would have been a boon to Imperial Intelligence, but their loss was her gain.

"You have done well, Holli, very well," Avaryss said placing a friendly hand on the changeling's shoulder.

"I'm going to see that you get promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and I would like you to consider remaining in my service, serving with House Avaryss."

Holli's eyes lit up.

"I…I…thank you, my lord," she said saluting, "I…I will gladly stay, but…Lieutenant Commander is quite the promotion, that is a three level jump."

"You've earned Holli, or may I call you Lujayne?"

The engineer was practically beaming.

"Whatever you like, my lord," she said

Avaryss nodded.

"This is just the beginning, Lujayne. Our victory here will cement House Avaryss' place among the other great Sith clans.

When war comes again, we shall be ready for it."

More than ready, my lord," the changeling promised.

She looked over at HK.

"I will get him up and running again. I'm guessing he is going to be very busy in the next few months."

Avaryss chuckled.

"I suppose he will be," she agreed, "See to it immediately, Lieutenant Commander."

"It will be done, my lord, it will be my pleasure."

Avaryss nodded left her ally to her work. She could not say if Holli was a friend, but she was definitely getting close to that designation.

I reward good service, Avaryss thought, that was the way to keep my underlings both loyal and hungry.

Now would come the hard part, she thought.

Now she had to face her fellow Sith.

They had sent word to both Dromund Kaas and Korriban of her escape. Both Darth Feer and Lord Marr had responded. She was to proceed to an intelligence center on one of Korriban's moons. She needed to be debriefed, what had happened while she had been in Republic custody.

She had been their guest for almost a week, the Empire could not be too careful.

She was not worried about the debrief. She had not broken, or given the Republic anything to use against the Empire.

Once her loyalty was assured she would be able to return to her duties, what those duties would be…she could not say.

I've given much for our people, she thought, looking down at her ruined arm.

Surely Darth Marr will be able to appreciate that.

She thought of Darth Feer, what would he say about her return, would he be grateful, or something else.

She smiled.

If it was…something else, she would need to be ready.

Fortunately, she already had an idea.

Ones options were almost limitless with the right amount of credits.

When she stood before Feer and the Dark Council, it would not be as a crippled apprentice.

She would stand before them as a peer, as Sith Lord.

..And she knew exactly how to do it.