Chapter 13: Sadi
"Your Enforcers will be back in the capital tomorrow morning," Darth Sadi informed her.
"You will be able to meet with them all then."
Avaryss nodded, pleased to hear that it would be so quick. In fact the longer she had sat here, the more relaxed and pleased she had become.
She smiled.
Perhaps the Dark Lord of the Itae System was not so bad after all.
The two Sith had been talking for about an hour now. She had been hesitant, at first, not even wanting to remove her mask and helmet, but now, it sat on the floor at her feet. Sadi had been most pleased.
"Bael told me you were beautiful," the other Darth had told her.
"It is safe to say that his words did not do you justice."
The compliment had surprised Avaryss, but as their meal had progressed she realized how heart felt it was, how truly honest the woman sitting across from her was.
It was a refreshing change.
After their initial encounter in the meeting room, Avaryss had gone to her new quarters in the capital tower. Once Holli had made sure that any cameras or listening devices had been disabled, Avaryss had taken a quick shower, changed her clothes and tried to relax. She had just emerged from the fresher when her holo beeped; it was a message from Darth Sadi, an invitation to dine with her this evening.
She had considered declining, but realized that such a move would not be smart. Sadi had her master's ear, and already knew all the players here on Oridanna, it would be smart to get her alone and see just what type of Sith she was.
Who knew, she might just find an ally; at the very least she would learn some things about the other Sith, perhaps even get an idea of how she might destroy her, when the time came.
It had seemed so simple, but that was before they had actually met, actually had a chance to talk.
Avaryss had not been impressed with the other woman during the meeting. She had not been sure why Darth Feer would have put her in such a post; she did not seem…the type to manage a star system and its population, especially a star system with such valuable resources.
Now…after sitting a talking with Sadi, she had to admit that she had been wrong.
The Dark Lord was probably the best thing to happen to Itae. The only one who might have been better was herself.
That realization put Avaryss at ease.
Sadi lounged at the table, an amused smile on her face. The Oridanna gown she was wearing fit her perfectly, leaving Avaryss feeling a little…self-conscious; her dress robes almost embarrassed her, made her feel like she had no sense of style.
It was strange; she had never really worried about her looks before. Even when she stood next to Xen she had not cared.
Beauty was fleeting, power was eternal, but in that moment, in Sadi's presence, she felt that…she may have been wrong.
She felt a little like a peasant, fortunately, the other Darth did not call her on it.
Avaryss was grateful for that.
Not only was Sadi beautiful and intelligent, but she was humble too. Oridanna could not have asked for a better dark lord.
It was good that her home was in such good hands.
What are you doing? Keera asked from her place in the back of her mind.
What are you thinking right now?
Avaryss ignored her, as she usually did.
Not now, Keera, she thought.
I'm working.
Sadi's quarters had a warm…homey feel to them. Not content with the traditional Imperial style of slate grey walls and bright white lighting panels, the dark lord had chosen a more…Oridanna design. The walls and flooring was a mixture of tans and dark browns, in fact the quarters remained Avaryss a bit of the farm where she had grown up.
She felt comfortable here, welcomed, the presence of Darth Sadi made things even better.
Sadi sat close to her, an amused expression on her foxlike face. Her eyes almost glowed in the low lighting, her skin catching the light of the setting sun.
As the suns at set the room became darker, more intimate.
Avaryss had never felt more comfortable.
The two sat at a small table near a balcony, the door leading out to it was currently closed, and the glass darkened the privacy mode engaged.
It felt like the two Sith were the only two people on the planet.
The dinner that they had enjoyed had been perfect; all local delicacies. The buttered land shrimp had been delicious, as had the spiced Yogga root. It had been some time since Avaryss had enjoyed such a meal. Such foods were quite common on feast days during her childhood, but beyond that the Lylos family had eaten simply.
They could have had better, Father being an overseer, but he had not wished for his children to be spoiled.
Those had been simple times, Avaryss thought, happier times.
Sadi smiled at her and she looked away slightly, blushing.
It all seemed, so perfect, it was perfect.
Bael emerged from the shadows, offering to refill their wine glasses. Her master's son had been a perfect gentleman this evening, serving his master and his guest without a word of complaint.
She had done such tasks herself once. Early in her training Darth Feer had kept her close, asked that she serve him during the visits of Important Imperials and fellow Sith. She had been forced to stand there while he had told the tale of her recruitment into the Sith, and the breaking she had endured. Feer had enjoyed telling the tale of how he had brought her into his service. She had bristled each time he had done it, but she had been forced to remain silent, lest she anger her master and be punished as a result.
Now Bael was doing it, and he was doing it without complaint. She did not even sense any anger in him.
His actions, and feelings, surprised Avaryss.
Bael refilled their cups; Sadi accepted only the finest of Oridanna wines. It was good, but it was a little stronger than what Avaryss was used to, a lot stronger actually. She briefly wondered if Darth Sadi was trying to get her drunk. If that was the case it would not work. She had learned long ago to use the Force to purge poisons from her blood; it worked just as well on alcohol. She was using that power now, it was subtle, and she guessed that her host was none the wiser.
She listened closely as Bael spoke both softly and respectfully to his master, he even smiled at Avaryss when she nodded in thanks.
Strange, she thought.
Very strange, indeed.
Something is wrong, Keera whispered, he doesn't…feel right in the Force. Reach out, Avy; tell me that I'm wrong.
Again, Avaryss ignored her, the annoying voice in her head.
Why couldn't Keera just shut up and leave her alone.
Let her enjoy this wonderful evening with the rightful Lord of the Itae system.
Still…Keera did have a point. Bael was different, more than different.
She definitely wanted to know why.
She held her tongue while Bael was there; she had no desire to upset him, which might bring out the old Bael Feer that she hated. She waited patiently, waited until Darth Sadi had dismissed him for the night.
When he was safely out of the room, she began her probing.
"He seems so different," she said, trying to make this sound as mere conversation, and not an accusation.
That is the understatement of the century, Keera said, Bael was an idiot, a hateful cruel idiot. Yet, now…he had seemed almost like a real Sith Apprentice.
Sadi laughed, and waved her hand dismissively.
"I will confess, when I first met young Bael on Korriban, I was not impressed with his attitude. He had a sense of entitlement that was bigger than the Valley of the Dark Lords.
Avaryss almost laughed at that.
Yes, that did sound like Bael.
"We all grow up eventually," Darth Sadi said, "The trials on Korriban change you, and once I was able to reach him, show him what kind of master I could be…"
Sadi giggled.
"He had come quite far, don't you think?"
Avaryss nodded.
The change was almost unbelievable.
It was another instance of the Dark Lord's brilliance.
"But how did you do it?" Avaryss inquired. Memories of the hateful little rodent her master's son had been continued to play through her mind.
Sadi smirked as she took a sip of her wine, Avaryss sat entranced, watching the way her lovely neck moved.
If the other dark lord was aware of her watching she did not show it.
She seemed pleased with herself, like this was the most entertaining of games.
"I did the one thing that no one else in Bael's life has done," Sadi informed her with a shrug, "I listened. I listened to him, his hopes and dreams, and together…we built a rapport."
She leaned in closer, Avaryss could smell her perfume, sense her strength in the dark side.
It was enough to make her swoon.
"I've always been good at listening," Sadi murmured, "You would be surprised what people will tell you when they know they have found a sympathetic ear. The Moff has come to trust my council, the trade minister too; they both have accepted my input."
"Wise of them," Avaryss said dreamily.
"I'm glad you agree, inquisitor," Sadi said using her official title, hearing it made Avaryss almost beam with pride.
"I'm good at listening, I always have been, always, and right now, Lord Avaryss, you have my complete and undivided attention."
Avaryss felt warmth suffuse her, she was grateful that she was so important.
"There are those however who do not agree," Sadi said, her smile fading, "Those who think they know better than me, better than the one that Lord Feer trusted to govern this place. That alien that calls himself an ambassador is one, and Magistrate Hissa is chief among them."
Avaryss felt a flicker of rage.
How dare they oppose the will of Sadi.
Maybe she could do something to them. Prove her willingness to work with her fellow Sith.
She wanted Sadi to be pleased with her.
What? Keera asked.
"Avy, are you listening to yourself?
Avy?
Avy?
Darth Sadi could not hear Keera's words, a fact that Avaryss was grateful for.
She did not wish to be embarrassed by what she had once been.
"Perhaps you can do something about him; the magistrate I mean," Sadi requested, "Hissa has no respect for his lord. You saw how foolishly he allowed the attack on you today."
"Yes," Avaryss said nodding dumbly.
"The man was a fool."
Avy? Keera hissed, Avaryss?
Wake up.
Can't you hear me?
Darth Avaryss felt like she was floating, she was lost in the eyes of the lord of the Itae system she was drifting.
Damn it, Avy!
WAKE UP!
Avaryss' mechanical hand moved almost of its own accord, it struck her wine glass, causing it to tip.
The contents spilled in her lap, shocking the young Sith Lord.
She gasped in surprise, it made her lean back, the wine had been chilled, it was ice cold.
It was at that moment that it happened.
It was at that moment that Keera finally struck.
She used her strength to push the befuddled Avaryss into the back of her mind.
Keera blinked and looked around.
She could feel the warmth of the room, the pressure on her mind.
She did not like it.
"Oh dear," Sadi said, still trying to sound like the generous host.
"You have spilled all over yourself."
Keera rose from the table, moving away quickly.
I gotta' get out of here, she thought.
I have to get out, right now!
She bowed her head and forced herself to giggle.
"I'm sooorry," she said, adding a bit of slurring to her words, "Toooo much wine."
She backed away quickly; she reached down inside herself and summoned her mental shields, bringing them fully to bear.
Act drunk, act like you are not a threat; give the other Sith no reason to suspect otherwise.
Avaryss was still out of it, her will nothing to Keera's in that moment.
The girl that Avaryss had once been now had total control...
…Lucky for her, lucky for both of them.
She took another deep breath, her mind and will now shielded by the strength of her mental shields.
It was good.
Her head felt clearer when it was done, Sadi did not seem to sense the change, or if she did she did not care.
What is going on witch," Keera thought, her purple eyes pinning the dark lord.
What were you trying to do?
Keera could feel Avaryss trying to come back, to force her way back to the forefront.
Keera did not give her the chance.
"Excuse me, my lord," she said bowing her head to her host, "thank you for the lovely evening, but I should go. I…I need to get cleaned up."
"Off course," Sadi said dismissively, "Have I good night, Inquisitor, I will make sure that the enforcers will be ready for your inspection in the morning."
Thank you, my lord," she said bowing, all the while backing up towards the door. She used the Force to retrieve her helmet, she snapped it on quickly. It had been created by a famed Sith Alchemist, one who had designed it to help protect the wearer from the Force abilities of a stronger rival.
Avaryss felt better with it on, she could sense the runes inside the helmet powering up, drawing on her connection to the Force; reinforcing her own mental defenses.
She needed that, it…it felt like she was drowning, it was all she could do not to sit back down and listen to Darth Sadi drone on and on for hours.
Get out, she thought.
I have to get out now!
Keera nodded and retreated trying very hard not to run, to not let the other Sith know that she was on to her.
What was that about, she wondered?
What had Sadi been doing to Avaryss?
She did not feel safe until she was out of the dark lord's quarters and back into the hall, moving quickly away, her two bodyguards walking a respectful distance behind her.
Keera sighed.
Now, she thought shaking her head.
That's better.
She did her best to appear drunk until she was out of eyeshot of the other Darth's quarters. Even then she was slow to lower her guard. She walked straight and with purpose, trying to get away, to regroup and regain her composure.
She did not stop until she was safely back in her quarters. Once the door was safely closed and locked behind her Avaryss removed her helmet and flung it across the chamber.
"Damn you, Keera," she shouted out loud, her voice thick with emotion and a Dromund Kaas accent.
"Don't you know what you have done?"
"I just saved us you ungrateful shutta," Keera responded, it was funny that Keera never used the Dromund Kaas accent that Avaryss had worked so hard to pick up.
Her former self sighed.
"The least you could do is show a little gratitude."
Normally Avaryss' anger and rage would have been all that she needed to push Keera back, to send her back into the shadows in their mind, but not this time.
"You are lashing out at me like an angry child," Keera hissed, "your anger has no real focus, another effect of Darth Sadi's perhaps?"
"Don't speak badly of her," Avaryss snapped back, "She is the rightful lord of Itae. We owe…"
"Her nothing," Keera spat, "Can't you hear yourself? Sadi is not our master; she is enemy to be swept aside. She is Feer's humble dog, but it is you that is acting like one right now."
Keera shook her head.
"If I hadn't intervened, who knows what you might be doing right now? You were about two steps away from declaring yourself Darth Sadi's loyal dog. I would not have been surprised if you lay down at her feet and begged for her to rub your belly."
Avaryss hissed.
"How dare you!"
"I dare because I'm right, and you know it!"
"You know nothing! Sadi is…"
"Our enemy," Keera spat, heading for the fresher, she turned on the faucet and splashed her face with cold water.
"Wake up Avy!" she shouted.
"Wake up already!"
Keera looked into the mirror; she was shocked by the reflection that stared back at her.
It was the reflection of the Avaryss, and it wasn't pretty.
The image that stared back at her was cringing creature with glowing red eyes and bone white skin. The eyes were ringed with deep purple circles, the flesh puckered and wrinkled from the dark side. A heavy respirator mask hid her nose and most of her jaw.
The reflection surprised Keera.
She could almost hear the mechanical in and out of the respirator mask; taste the kolto rich air on her tongue.
It sickened her.
We left that look behind on Korriban, she thought, it was strange that Avy still saw herself like that, still identified with what had been arguably their weakest moment.
I thought I left this reflection behind me, long ago, Keera thought morosely.
She was annoyed that Avaryss reminded her of it.
"What are you talking about," Avaryss snapped at her, "I was in the middle of gathering information. I was starting to work Sadi, learn her secrets."
"That is not what I felt," Keera said with a frown, "You were loving Sadi's attention. You were reveling in it that was not strength…that was surrender."
Avaryss blinked, those red eyes showed…confusion?
"I was?" she asked.
"You were, search your feelings, think back, and remember, how were you acting, and why."
Keera watched as Avaryss shook her head, trying to think back and clear it. She waited watching her other-self working through her anger and taking a look at what had been happening, what had really been going on.
She could feel the change, when Avaryss realized the truth, she felt it, and saw it in her reflection's eyes.
"I…what was I doing?"
"I was asking you the same question," Keera said, "Sadi is not our ally, yet you were willing to side with her for…what?"
Avaryss' eyes narrowed. She looked at Keera with a look that was thick with a cold simmering anger.
"What happened," she asked, "Was it the wine?"
Keera shook her head,
She did not think so, of course, then again maybe it was.
Avy had been so focused on how strong the wine was, using the Force to burn up the alcohol. What if Sadi and drugged the wine with something…subtle. What if she used a drug that made a person more open to…suggestion?
If you combined such a drug with the Force, you could go a long way in influencing someone, even a Dark Lord of the Sith.
"Impossible," Avaryss spat, "My will is too strong to be manipulated in such a way."
"Don't let your over confidence blind you," Keera said, "You were so focused on not getting drunk that you could have missed a more subtle drug in your system. Remember what Master Adaz told us once."
"The moment you believe yourself invincible is the moment that you are not," Avaryss answered, she was no longer angry at her other self.
She was still pissed, but not at Keera.
She was angry at herself.
"Perhaps we now have an answer to what happened to Bael," Avaryss suggested, "Perhaps Darth Sadi is not the good little Sith she pretends to be?"
"Maybe," Keera agreed, but she would rather not say anything until she was sure what had happened.
She looked down at her wine stained robes.
Perhaps she should send them back to the Emperor's Wisdom, the science section aboard her destroyer might be able to analyze the wine, and determined if it was drugged or not.
One thing was certain, if Sadi was using drugs to control Bael, Darth Feer would not be happy. She would wait and see what the report from her science officers said.
She might just have an opportunity here.
Avaryss seemed to be back in control of herself, but Keera was still hesitant to let go.
Twice now she had been able to throw of the shackles that held her in Avaryss' subconscious.
She was in no hurry to go back.
"It seems that we have come to a dangerous place," Avy said, "More so than we realized."
"So it seems," Keera agreed, "What are we going to do about it?"
Avaryss nodded, she had come to a decision apparently.
Keera was curious to see what it was.
"We cannot continue on as we have," Avy informed her, "We will need to come to a new arrangement."
"What sort of arrangement?"
Avy sighed.
"We are surrounded by enemies, more so than usual, enemies that are far more cunning than we realized."
"That is true," Keera agreed, "So?"
"So, I'm tired of fighting with you. We waste our strength struggling with each other. We could use that strength to oppose the foes that mean us real harm."
Keera almost laughed.
Was she for real?
"You want to form an alliance?"
"A temporary one, at least until we have completed our mission here. We must stop the rebellion. The Empire needs us to succeed. "
Keera nodded.
She understood that.
Of course, it led to another important question.
What would happen next?
What happened after they had crushed the rebellion and dealt with Lord Feer?
"What happens when we win?" Keera asked.
"We are getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we?" Avy cautioned.
"I just want to make sure that we are on the same page," she replied.
"What happens after?"
Avaryss pinned her with a cold and imperious look.
"When we are done, when the rebellion has been crushed and Lord Feer is dealt with. We finally settle this matter between us."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Keera inquired.
Avaryss sniffed.
"We have ourselves a good old fashioned mental Kaggath, you versus me, to the death. The winner takes full possession of our body, and the loser fades away forever."
Keera smiled gamely.
"You would face me for control?"
"I would."
"No tricks?"
"We are beyond tricks, are we not?"
Keera nodded, she could not help it.
She was intrigued.
It was a chance to rid herself of her weaker self, to be free to make her own choices, without Avaryss' interference.
Yes, she was most intrigued.
She had been growing in strength for months now, years.
Avaryss' victory was no longer the certainty that it once was.
Keera could do it.
She could defeat her other self.
She was sure of it.
She smiled gamely.
"We could do that," she informed her dark reflection.
"I would be willing to work with you under those conditions."
"Good," Avaryss said, "But if we do this, you will need to accept one final condition. It is the one thing that I need to make this alliance work."
"I'm listening."
Avaryss sighed heavily, the sigh sounded even worse coming from the breath mask.
"Fenn," she said.
"Fenn? What about him?"
"You will not reach out to him on your own. You will make no attempts to contact him, not until our work here is done."
Keera's eyes narrowed.
"Avy?"
"That is my one condition. Once we are done here, we will be free to pursue Fenn again, but for now I need you functional without any distractions."
"And what about you?"
"I will do the same," Avaryss promised, "I will not reach out to him in any way. If he contacts us, that will be one thing, but I don't believe that he will."
"He is too caught up in the Republic's war effort," Keera said, "He will not seek to be distracted."
"Yes," Avaryss said, "He was right to distance himself from us, now we must do the same."
Keera suppressed a growl.
She did not like being told what to do, especially by Avy.
Of course, her other half did have a good point.
Fenn might make things…difficult.
She nodded grimly.
Fine, she thought.
Just fine.
"Agreed," Keera said, "I will not reach out to Fenn."
"Good," Avaryss said sounding pleased.
At least they could agree on one thing.
"So what happens now," Keera asked, "Where do we start?"
"We need to find allies," Avaryss said, "And I think I have a good idea where to start."
"And where is that?"
"We follow Darth Sadi's example," Avaryss said, "She named two members of the ruling council that may prove useful to us.
"The Pho ambassador, Lobb Vekk," Keera said, "And Magistrate Hissa."
"Exactly."
Keera pursed her lips, she considered that.
The two could be useful, the Pho were pacifists, but the ambassador might have some idea of what Sadi was truly up to, both here and on the Pho homeworld. Keera was hesitant to trust Hissa, but she played things just right.
She might be able to turn things to her advantage, maybe.
"What about the enforcers," Keera asked, "Feer has placed them under our command."
"We will need to test them," Avaryss said, "If Sadi could find a way to control Bael, who knows if she has not done the same to the Enforcers here."
"True enough," Keera agreed, "We will need to watch them.
"Agreed."
Keera frowned.
An alliance made sense, what did it matter who won between her and Avaryss if the body they were fighting over was killed before she could reclaim sole possession of it.
Still…It did feel a bit like surrender, she did not like that.
She did not like the idea of giving Avy any kind of victory, no matter how well it served her at that moment.
She sighed.
What options did she have?
It was not smart to stand alone, not when she was surrounded by people that likely wanted her dead.
Keera nodded.
It was an alliance then.
So be it.
"How do we start?" She asked Avaryss.
"So you are willing to let me take the lead?"
"For now," Keera said, "where do we start?"
"I will speak to Hissa tomorrow; try to get an idea of what I can expect from our new charges, these enforcers that our master has saddled us with.
"And if they cannot be trusted."
Avaryss chuckled.
"Then we will need to arrange some accidents," she said, "The Empire needs a strong Oridanna, we must do whatever it takes to see it come to pass."
Keera nodded.
"Agreed."
"Whatever it takes."
