Chapter 16: Fallout

"So…not only has your presence not helped in quelling this rebellion, but it seems to have given it even more traction, and inspired the rebels to greater acts of resistance, to even suggest the desire to leave the Empire."

The hologram of Darth Feer shook his head as he glared down at her.

"Less than well done, my child," he said with a cold sneer.

Avaryss did not rise to the bait.

She suspected that her master wanted her to argue, that he wished her to complain. He wanted her to go on about all that had happened so that he would have a chance to not only rebuke her performance but slap her down.

She would not give him that opportunity

As she knelt before the hyper comm in her private quarters, it took all her self-control not to scream at her master. Not to lay the blame for everything she had faced up to this point at his feet.

And why should I not, she wondered.

It is his fault.

He dropped us into the middle of a shadow wasps' nest and now expects the impossible, Keera thought angrily.

Feer had taken one of the most vital and loyal worlds in the Empire, and turned it rabid by his greed and cruelty, and now…now we have to deal with it.

It was not what either Avaryss or Keera; would call a…ideal situation.

"We are currently interrogating anyone who had access to the Imperial holonet, my lord," she assured him, "Every interrogation suite from here to Worro is currently being used."

She smiled coldly.

"I'm surprised that you can't hear the screaming back on Dromund Kaas."

Feer nodded, his smile was small, but it was there.

"I assume that Darth Sadi has declared martial law. We cannot afford rioting and looting to affect the war effort, the food and medical supplies of Oridanna must continue to flow."

"Both Lord Sadi and Moff Galek assure me that all is being done to protect our interests, though defensive measures are only half the solution. We must crush this rebellion, and make sure that all this talk of succession is forgotten.

"And how do you intend to do that?" her master inquired.

"By making sure that the people realize the cost of rebellion," she answered, "They must see that the Empire is necessary. We must show them how their happiness and sovereignty is only guaranteed by remaining under Imperial rule."

Now, her master's smile widened.

"I'm starting to like the sound of that," he said, "I assume that you have a plan already in motion? How are you going to show the people the necessity of my rule?

Sith rule, Avaryss thought to herself, Feer was not necessary. In fact, if everything went as planned she would pin all that had happened to her people, all their troubles, on Darth Feer. He would be her scapegoat, and she would deliver his head to the people of Oridanna, and both they and the rest of the people of the Itae system would love her for it.

It was…a risky game to be sure, but now that she had Feer's daughter in hand, and a planetary system that she could organize against him, perhaps, at long last, it would finally be possible to unseat her master, but doing so would require expert timing on her part.

Everything would need to be prepared just so.

Everything…would need to be flawless.

Right now, Cynn Feer still remained her guest aboard the Emperor's Wisdom; she would need to find a way to move her down here without attracting too much attention. Obviously she could not simply tell the Moff and Darth Sadi that she was bringing down something important, she was starting to think that there were far too many leaks in the Oridannan government.

"I would rather not discuss my full plans on an open channel, my lord," she said apologetically, "For now, let it be said that my first step in defeating this rabble is understanding the Oridanna mind set, and I believe I have begun to do just that."

"Explain," he said.

"I've been a walking target since I first stepped off my shuttle. The Oridannans are creatures of habit and routine. The Moff's office knew that they had a VIP coming down in a shuttle the day I arrived, and at least a hundred people associated with that office, knew that this VIP was being accompanied by a full company of soldiers. At the same time, the landing field were we were redirected is the only one used to accommodate incoming military vessels."

Feer nodded.

"Routine and habit can be dangerous if read by an enemy. I assume that you think that the rebels have spies within Danna City? You think that the government tower has been breached?"

"It is most likely, my lord," she agreed, not adding the fact that it was also possible that either Darth Sadi or Moff Galek could have let it slip that she was coming, hoping that the rebels might deal with her.

Whether they would do so on their own, or under Feer's orders was the only thing she did not know…yet.

"Is that why you had the Moff's broadcast crew executed?" he inquired, "Did you believe them conspirators in the rebels' plots."

Avaryss winced.

That had been…a loss of control on her part, she had been angry and not responded as well as she could have.

"They refused to cut the transmission as I ordered, my lord," She explained, "Whether that act was simple incompetence, or treasonous, I do not know, but it is safe to say that it will not happen again."

She smiled slightly.

"It was not the introduction to the people that I wanted, but it did make my point."

Feer laughed.

"Moff Galek was…most disturbed by what happened. He contacted me directly after your little…demonstration."

"Are you angry with me, my master?"

"Not at all, my child, I believe you are starting to see how and why I've needed to be so harsh with these people. Much is needed of them, and they need tighter reins."

That was one interpretation of what was going on, Avaryss thought, personally, I have a better one.

Feer had created this mess with his pride and stupidity. She would need to win back support for the Empire. It would not be easily; the hatred and anger that Feer had planted had taken root, and now ran deep in the hearts of people.

She would need to be clever, deceptive, and cunning.

Fortunately, she was Sith.

Being clever, deceptive, and cunning was part of who she was.

"In the future, all my public broadcasts to the Oridannan people will be handled by the comm officer aboard The Emperor's Wisdom. I intend to give only a five minute warning before making any such announcement, which should cut down on the chances of the rebels slicing into any of my future broadcasts."

"Sounds reasonable," Feer agreed, "Anything else?"

"I will need your permission my lord to bring in unregistered supplies and personnel from time to time my destroyer remains on stand by and is one of the most potent weapons in my arsenal, not just because of its weapons, but the specialists on board. I will likely need their help from time to time. Standard imperial security says that I need to post the arrival time, crew, and cargo of any incoming shuttle a full twenty four hours before it lands."

"And you wish to shorten that time, to prevent the rebels organizing a welcoming committee?"

She nodded.

"As you wish," Feer sighed, "I will speak with Moff Galek; inform him that you have my full support in bringing in unregistered shuttles, for both the good of the war effort, and the security of your operations."

Avaryss almost smiled.

Now she would be able to bring Cynn Feer down here unnoticed, or at the very least with fewer questions asked, and all with the blessings of her father. How delicious was that?

She was most pleased.

"Despite a slow start, you seem to be quickly grasping the situation on Oridanna apprentice, now…what is your take on Pholis? Are those damn seals going to be a problem?"

Avaryss pursed her lips.

Beric had only gotten to speak with the Pho Ambassador once. He was understandably skittish about talking with anyone directly associated with the Inquisitor, and became even more so after the rebels hijacked her first speech. The broadcast delay with all off-world transmissions insured that the rebels did not get to beam their message to Pholis. The Imperials had managed to cut that at least, but it was only a matter of time until the rebels' message found its way into the hands of the Pho.

She would need to move quickly to get out ahead of that, but she had a few ideas.

She was not overly concerned.

"I was just about to send new orders to our people on Pholis," her master informed her, "I will be increasing their production quotas by twenty percent, the need of the Empire continues to grow, and the citizens must be prepared to meet our demands."

Avaryss frowned.

That would not do, not right now.

"May I respectfully request that you hold off any such orders for the moment, my lord? At least until I've been able to travel to the Pho homeworld, and get their measure."

She smiled slightly.

"Once they have seen me, once I've spoken directly with their leaders, they will know how important this increase will be. It may go far in defusing any tensions that could spring from our new demands."

In other words, Keera thought, we already have one world teetering on the brink of open rebellion; we don't need our dear master causing another to go into revolt with his greed and stupidity.

Avaryss fought the urge to chuckle.

She could not have said it better herself, though she would have been far more tactful.

Keera's social graces could be lacking sometimes.

"As you wish," her master said, sounding a bit disappointed, "Inform Lob Vekk of your desire to see his world soon. I need those new quotas filled, apprentice. My position here on Dromund Kaas depends on it."

"I will handle the matter quickly, my lord," she promised, her understanding of why he wanted this so bad now being made quite clear.

It is only a matter of time until the Council decides on which candidates should be put forward to sit the now vacant Imperial Throne. Darth Feer intends to buy allies with the supplies he is draining from the Itae system. She was not surprised, but at the same time she was annoyed.

Feer's claim to the throne was already quite strong, he had three full systems in his grip, that prestige and power made him a definite contender for the Emperor's throne, and as his first apprentice, that put her in very interesting position.

If Feer was to ascend, and then…be retired by his loyal apprentice, who would be able to deny her claim to all that had once been his?

It made her rethink her time table, perhaps she should slow things down. If she waited, she might find herself only one heartbeat away from the throne of the Sith Empire.

Was that not worth the pain of her people?

Was that not worth the suffering of a full star system?

"I will move swiftly, father," she said, knowing how much he enjoyed hearing her call him that.

"All will be in readiness when you need it."

"Good," he purred, "That is very good…my daughter."

A shiver ran down her spine.

There was so much tension between them now, far more than there had ever been before. It was a like a fire in her blood, it was intoxicating.

She smiled at her master.

Do you not realize how thirsty I am for your blood? Do you not see how eager I am to leave you dead and broken on the floor of your chambers?

The image of her master dead at her feet excited her.

So long she had played the good student, the willing apprentice, for too long she had bided her time learning at his feet, while at the same time seeking out new lessons on her own, expanding her powers without his knowledge.

After her last embarrassment on the Emperor's station, she was determined that she would not endure another. Darth Feer's time as her master was quickly coming to an end.

She welcomed that confrontation, and if the Sith throne was at stake when they finally danced their final dance, so much the better.

What a tale that would be to tell her children. How their mother, Empress of the Sith, had seized the Sith throne in one brilliant stroke!

It was a tale worthy of a Sith Opera; perhaps she would commission to have one written one day.

Feer smiled down on her, seemingly oblivious to her ambition, her lust for his power and station.

She was Lord of Avarice was she not, the lady of greed.

How could she not hunger to take the next step?

"So, now you understand what is expected of you," Feer said, "Oridanna brought back to order, and Pholis production increased to proper Imperial levels."

"It will be done, my lord," she said bowing her head, "It will be my pleasure."

"Good," he said radiating a sense of pleasure through the Force... It amazed her that her senses could pick it up even from here. The connection between master and apprentice was quite strong.

She would enjoy severing it when the time came.

"There is one more item you will need to deal with, I did my best to handle it from here but met with little success," her master said with a slight frown.

"My darling wife will soon be joining you on Oridanna. She will be there before the week is out."

Avaryss frowned.

That was most unexpected, unexpected and undesired.

"Is that wise, my master? Oridanna is hardly a secure world."

"I've already spoken with Synestra on this matter, apprentice. She does not care, and will make the journey, despite my opinion on the matter.

Avaryss rankled at that.

Synestra Feer had never been her greatest fan; in fact, she despised her husband's apprentice. The older Sith had always regarded Avaryss as a stray, a bumpkin from the imperial fringes who did not deserve her place in the Sith Order.

She was also Cynn Feer's mother, Avaryss thought unhappily.

What if the mother sensed her daughter's presence on Oridanna, which could prove to be a bit awkward?

"I don't suppose you could talk her out of making this journey?" she asked her master.

"I cannot," he said shaking his head, "My darling wife is worried about Bael, his last few transmissions home have left her…unsettled, she wishes to see him, to make sure that he is fine in his master's service."

Avaryss didn't think that Synestra would be happy when she arrived, when she saw Bael again.

The change in the young man had both surprised and unsettled her; he was nothing like he was when they had first met. She suspected that Sadi had done more than simply teach the boy about the dark side; she may even have done to him what she had attempted to do to Avaryss.

That would not please her master's wife.

"She has to expect some change in him," Avaryss said, "Korriban is a place of transformation, as Sith we simply need to accept that and move on."

"I'm sure that Synestra will come to that conclusion as well," her master said.

Though, personally, Avaryss doubted it.

She suspected that the lady of House Feer would be furious when she arrived and met the new and improved Bael, she would likely blame Sadi for the change, and would certainly blame Avaryss.

A star could go super nova half way across the galaxy and her master's wife would find a way to pin it on Avaryss, that was simply the way she was.

"This visit will cause disruption, my master," Avaryss said with a frown, "My task is difficult enough without Lady Synestra stepping on my toes, and second guessing my choices."

"You concern is understandable, considering your history with Synestra," her master said with a nod, "All I can offer is to remind you that, as a Darth, you now outrank, my dear wife. Technically she cannot tell you what to do. She can make suggestions, perhaps even offer them through me on her behalf, but beyond that, you stand above her now. Try to focus on that, and avoid any confrontations. Let her speak with Bael, and hopefully that will be the end of it."

If only that were so, Avaryss thought.

Why does the witch have to come here now, Keera hissed in the back of her mind, it is not like we don't have half a dozen other things to worry about.

True, Avaryss agreed, but this was her son, did she not have a right be concerned about his welfare?

"Motherhood is a powerful tether, my lord," she said, "I will not interfere with its pull."

"See that you don't," Feer advised, "You will both be happier that way."

Avaryss chuckled.

"Maybe I should try and observe what passes between them. One day, when I'm a mother, what I learn might come in handy."

Feer chuckled at that.

"Perhaps, my child," he agreed, "Perhaps so."

Avaryss shivered slightly.

Something…had…it had passed between her and Darth Feer. She sensed…amusement when she mentioned starting her own family one day. No, it was not mere amusement, but something else.

It felt like a tremor in the Force.

It left her unsettled.

"Is everything okay, my dear," her master asked, "You look…troubled.

She smiled dismissively.

"It is nothing, my lord, a slight shift in the Force, give it no further thought."

"As you wish," he said, "you know what is expected of you, my child, do not disappoint me. You will bring this rebellion to heel. We have too much riding on this to accept anything less."

"It will be done my lord," she promised, bowing her head in submission.

"All of your dreams will come true," she said.

"Both yours, and mine."

IOI

Avaryss left her chambers with a spring in her step, and plans and plots on her mind.

She made her way down the halls of the government tower, her black cape swirling behind her.

Imperials moved out of her way as she passed, word had gotten out about what had happened in the broadcast room. Officially, the people inside had been killed by a terrorist's bomb, but rumors still circulated that told of another story.

Avaryss did nothing to stop that stories spread; it would go far in establishing her reputation here.

She did not accept failure, not when the stakes of the game were so high.

The Imperials would simply have to accept that.

Speaking of Imperials, she was on her way to speak with Magistrate Hissa right now. Since he had decided to ally himself with her politically he had been working hard to ensure her success in the coming days.

She hoped the man was up to the challenge. She hoped that he would reward her faith in him.

If he did not, he knew what would happen.

The rebel broadcast had not helped her cause any. Hissa was forced to reevaluate the people he had been approaching about coming to her aid. Many had seen the broadcast of how Feer did business and now were worried about their own homes be razed, their people executed.

"I am not my master," she had told Hissa, "Make sure our people understand that."

"Actions do speak louder than words, my lord," he advised, "I believe you will find greater success once the people get to know you. Once they understand that you are willing to fight for them, and the interests of your homeworld, they will start to come around."

Avaryss nodded.

The man may have been a bootlick, but he did have a point.

Darth Sadi never left Danna City; she had always left all matters outside the city to her enforcers. Darth Feer functioned much in the same way.

If the people saw her in the field, if they saw her actively trying to help them, it might go a long way in winning their support.

It would also go a long way in cutting off the support for the rebellion; right now they were trying to claim the title of defenders of the Oridannan people. If she could take that away from them, their support would quickly dry up.

Plus, when she had the people on her side, her grip on Oridanna would increase fivefold. It might be just what she needed when she finally challenged Darth Feer. If she could bring his head back to her people, she would likely be hailed as a hero for it.

It was yet another reason why she needed succeed here.

Take the world, and everything else would start to fall into place, she was sure of it…

…she had foreseen it.

It would be done.

But first, she had to win the people's support; her first steps to that victory began now.

She had requested that Hissa find her a local Oridannan, a guide and advisor that she could work with. It needed to be someone that the people trusted, someone that could help sell the story that she was the people's champion and best hope of emerging from the chaos that was threatening to engulf their world.

Before the failed speech, Hissa had said he had several candidates, after it was done, he found himself with only one. The others had dropped out, not wishing to associate themselves with Darth Feer's apprentice. She did not blame them.

They would come to regret that decision, she thought, she intended to use her advisor, but at the same time reward him or her handsomely.

That was another step she had learned towards rising in power. It never hurt to elevate ones underlings. It motivated others to seek to find their way into her good graces and service.

As for Avaryss herself, she liked seeing her underlings rise, and was always careful to make sure they realized who it was that had seen to their promotion.

It was the smart thing to do.

Never let your underlings forget who they truly served.

As she arrived outside of Hissa's office she could hear voices inside. It seemed that Hissa had been true to his word and found what she had needed quickly.

Good.

She ordered her two bodyguards to remain outside the door, preferring to meet her new advisor alone. She checked her uniform, making sure it that it was spotless, and that her helmet was secured and sat just right on her head.

She knocked on the door, and stepped in when it opened. Hissa knew she was coming, and as a Darth she should never wait on the leave of underlings. She…

She froze as she stepped inside the door, her purple eyes widened in both shock and disbelief.

No, she thought to herself.

Damn it!

NO!

She had never been so grateful for the mask she wore.

It hid her shock, her sense of disbelief!

Magistrate Hissa stood up, he gave her warm and courteous smile.

"Lord Avaryss," he said, "Welcome, may I present the young man that you requested."

Avaryss swallowed hard.

No, she thought, no, no, no!

This was not right!

This was not fair!

Why did the Force have to be so cruel?!

WHY?!

The young man rose from his chair, she knew him the instant she saw him, despite the slight change of the last few years, and the peacekeeper's uniform he now wore.

She would have known him anywhere; the Force would have told him who it was.

She could have been blinded and knew who he was.

She…she was left speechless.

It…it could not be.

"My lord," Hissa said motioning the man forward, "May I present Lieutenant Roan Wilkes of our security forces."

He Magistrate's smile widened.

"He will be showing you around."

"My lord," her child hood friend said, snapping to attention looking like the good soldier that he was.

He gave that smile she had known so well as a child, warm but mischievous.

"I look forward to working with you."