Chapter 19: Clearance
"You are certain of this?"
Avaryss looked at Hissa; the man stood at attention while she read the report he had presented her with. She had been meditating in her quarters when he came to her with this report. Though her body was tired, the Force had made sure that her mind was sharp, and her temper equally so.
She had scowled when the magistrate had come, insisting that she look at this report.
I do hope that you are not wasting my time, magistrate, she had thought.
She was in no mood to be bothered by something trivial.
As it turned out, it wasn't.
"It is certain, my lord," he assured her, he looked nervous; he could probably detect the warning in her voice. "I double checked the information myself."
Avaryss nodded.
Very well, she thought.
The report the magistrate had brought her was in regards to the granary attack she had investigated. Though she had executed the soldiers for their incompetence, it was clear that something else was going on here.
She sighed.
It seemed that nothing was as it seemed on her homeworld.
The rebels had destroyed the computer system that monitored the granary and its systems, but before the attack, the computer had flagged event that it considered…unusual, that report had been broadcast back to Danna City, and it had only now come to light.
"The droids were in their recharging sockets, as I discovered," Avaryss said thoughtfully, "but even then they should have activated remotely at the first sign of trouble."
"That is true, my lord," Hissa nodded, "It is a standard security function on all war droids, defense against surprise attack."
"But they didn't activate, did they?" she said shaking her head and holding up the data pad Hissa had given her.
"According to this, someone sent an all-clear command to the droids before the attack, an order saying that they were not needed."
Avaryss sighed.
"The rebels have our command codes."
Hissa pursed his lips in distaste.
"They have command codes, my lord, not necessarily ours."
She pinned the Imperial with a cold look.
"Explain?"
"According to the computer, the commands issued to the droids were not the ones that Oridanna security is currently using, they are older codes, far older than I would have expected."
"Then why did the droids not activate? Out of date codes should have been flagged and ignored."
"Because the codes contained an executive cypher," he informed her, "As I said these codes are not currently used by Oridanna security, but they are viable because of whom they belong to, who they were created for."
Avaryss nodded, she understood now what the man was saying.
The codes used to deactivate the granary's security were not Oridannan or Imperial.
They were Sith codes. They were codes used by the Dark Lords.
The realization did not surprise her.
I should have known, with everything happening in the galaxy right now, it was obvious.
There was a dark lord involved in this rebellion.
So much for unity in times of war, she thought morosely.
Was this some rival of her master's making a power grab? Was it Darth Sadi? Was the dark lord looking to step up by embarrassing Lord Feer? Was she trying to make him look unable to defend his holdings?
Too many possible enemies, she thought...
…Far too many questions.
"Can we identify whose command codes these are," she asked the magistrate.
"Could we find out which lord had access to them?"
"Unlikely, my lord," Hissa confessed, "As a mere Imperial official, my reach is limited when it comes to the Sith Order."
Avaryss nodded, of course it was.
The Sith could not have their Imperials interfering in their power games could they?
She shook her head.
Damn, she thought.
It was another dead end.
She could poke around herself, of course, but that might not end well, if Sadi was involved, any channel that Avaryss could use to learn about these codes was likely being watched.
"Can you tell me, anything else about these codes? Do standard procedures reveal anything else?"
"As I said, the codes are old, they should have been considered out of date."
"How far out of date?" she inquired.
Hissa shrugged.
"Two decades at least."
His words shocked her.
Two decades?!
And the codes were still accepted?!
"As I also said, they contained the Sith executive cypher. Though odd, it is not impossible for a Sith that had been gone for a long time to return to the Empire, and start accessing Imperial resources. Back before we revealed ourselves to the Republic, it was quite common for dark lords to be out of contact for years, moving silently was one of our best security measures."
Avaryss nodded.
She could see that, as the Empire had expanded into what the Republic called the unknown regions, Sith had been known to go out of contact for years, not wishing to risk being discovered by the Republic and Jedi, still…two decades.
What Sith would have dared being gone that long?
"We should deactivate these codes," she said, "If the rebels have access to them we can deny them this…advantage, force them to function with limited resources."
'It would be wiser for us to do nothing at this time, my lord," Hissa advised, "Right now, we know that the rebels have access to our systems by using these codes, if we were to simply cancel them, we lose a valuable opportunity. Rather than cancel the codes, we should watch them, see if they are used again and by whom. It could give us an idea where the rebels intend to strike next or…"
Avaryss smiled.
"Or it might reveal who gave the rebels such access, if it was a dark lord, they may try to use it themselves, and if they do, we will have evidence of their link to the rebellion. We could crush them all in one swift stroke."
"It is a possibility," Hissa said with a hint of a smile, "Do I have your approval, my lord? Shall we let the rebels continue to use the codes?"
She nodded.
It was a subtle, plan, she liked it, and if Hissa could identify any dark lords conspiring with the rebels, that could be useful too.
If she knew who was behind all this, she could use that knowledge as leverage; she could bring it before the dark council, or at the very least threaten to bring it before the council. If she could kill any Sith support for the rebel cause; it would go a long way to containing and resolving this rather tense situation.
Yes, she thought.
We will be patient.
We shall lay in wait, and let our enemies reveal themselves.
"Continue your observations, magistrate," she ordered Hissa, "Either find me the rebellion, or the Sith Lord aiding it. Do so, and I will see you greatly rewarded."
"It will be done, my lord," he promised a hint of a sly smile on his lips, "I will bring you these rebels' heads on a plate."
Hissa left her then, eager to continue his investigation, she hated to admit it, but the man was beginning to prove most useful.
Perhaps her father had been wrong about him all those years ago.
Perhaps the man was not the fool that Andur Lylos feared he was.
She sent the Magistrate on his way, he was to watch and see if the command codes they had discovered were used again. In the meantime, Avaryss still had work to do.
The sun was barely up when her brother came to join her; she had sent him a summons the night before, or rather a request to dine with her this morning. Despite his relationship with Xen, knowing her apprentice's appetites, Ric seemed…well rested.
Avaryss frowned.
If only she could say the same.
She felt weary, more than weary. The Force sustained her, but it was only a matter of time until its power proved unable to hold back the ravages of her dreams and nightmares.
I will need to find a solution, she realized, and soon.
She did not think she could go on like this.
Yet for now, she had to, she had a rebellion to defeat, and a world to bring back to order.
She would not stop until both had been accomplished.
"Tell me what you have learned of the Pho ambassador," she ordered, "What is his take on the current situation with the rebellion."
"I tried again to meet with him, he saw me, briefly," Beric said, "He is still not sure of your intentions. He came to Oridanna to assure Darth Feer that his people would continue to honor the pact that they had made with the Empire years ago, but he has already heard rumors about an increase in the quotas for his world. He is worried that the rebels will find allies among his people if those new quotas go into effect and that the Empire will respond by crushing his people."
Avaryss nodded.
Viable fears, she acknowledged.
Feer was not the type of man to accept no for an answer, if he felt that the quotas needed to be increased, they would be, that was simply the way it was.
She shook her head.
You will need to go to Pholis, Avy, Keera said, the seal men must see you as an ally, someone who will look out for their interests as citizens of the Empire.
She had never been to Pholis, had only read a little about what it was like in her early schooling.
It would not be easy to put the people of that world at ease.
"I will speak with the ambassador myself," she told her brother, "Perhaps it is time that I arranged a visit to Pholis. It might be in our favor to remind the people that their new Inquisitor is both there to help, and watching them.
Beric shrugged.
"It couldn't hurt," he agreed, "Provided you showed the people there that you are not simply your master's mouthpiece, or errand girl."
Avaryss gave him an arched look.
"Do you see me as an errand girl, Ric?"
"I see you as your master's apprentice," he replied diplomatically, "His commands have influenced your judgment in the past."
She frowned, but said nothing more.
He was right, in that at least.
"Is there anything else that I need to know?"
Her brother frowned.
"Les Moor approached Xen, yesterday evening. He wanted her to know that should we need anything she should seek him out."
Avaryss sighed.
Unsurprising.
And so it begins, she thought.
She wondered which of her master's pawns would make the first move. As Avaryss' apprentice, a former Jedi that had betrayed her oath, Xen might have seemed the vulnerable link in the young Darth's entourage.
What would he offer her, Avaryss wondered? It probably depended on who he was speaking for. Darth Feer had almost unlimited resources. He had never really showed an interest in turning Xen against her, but that might have changed now that she was here and he was back In a the seat of power on Dromund Kaas.
If it wasn't her, master, if it was Darth Sadi; that would be different.
She had warned her people about the…charisma of the Lord of the Itae system. Even she had almost fallen prey to it, she would not let her people fall into such a trap.
"Be mindful, and careful around her, know that she is perfectly capable of changing your minds if you let yourselves get caught up in her words."
She could only hope that they would listen.
It was as she had said when they first arrived.
They were surrounded by enemies here.
For a bit, the brother and sister ate in silence, there was one last thing she was curious about; she would not mind his opinion on it.
"Did mother ever talk about her history," she asked, "Did she ever…talk about her family. Where she had come from?"
He gave her a curious look.
"We were her family," he reminded her, "That is what she always said. Why do you ask?"
Avaryss sighed.
She had hoped for more.
Ric was the eldest; mother had married father right before he had gone off to war. Beric had been born nine months later.
She had hoped that he might remember something. That she might have shared something with him before her father's improving fortunes had shaped her life, before her other children had come and become so important to her.
"What do you remember about her?" she asked, "Your earliest memories."
Her brother shrugged.
"Not much, little things about my childhood, her smile, her lullaby."
Avaryss frowned.
She did not need to hear about that damned lullaby.
She heard it almost every night now; it had ceased to be comforting.
"Why so curious?" he asked.
"Because during the course of my work I found myself looking up mother's history, imagine my surprise dear brother when I discovered that she has none. No real record of her life here exists, with the exception of her proof of marriage to father."
Beric paused, a biscuit half way to his mouth.
"No record at all?"
"None," she said shaking her head, "None that I could access anyway."
"But you are a Darth," he reminded her, "How could anyone deny you access to anything?"
"I'm a young Darth, and my authority is not limitless, not yet."
She frowned.
"Only two bodies in the Sith Empire can deny a Darth access to anything, members of the Dark Council, or the Office of the Emperor."
That got her brother's attention; he gave her an incredulous look.
"Why would someone in the Emperor's office want to hide mother's history? She was a farmer's wife, what would be the point?"
"That is what I'm trying to determine," she shrugged.
She found it interesting that her brother's first thoughts went to the Emperor. Avaryss had suspected Dark Council involvement, but what would be the point?
She considered what Beric had said.
Why would someone in the Emperor's office care about mother?"
"I will continue to look into this," she promised, "Perhaps I shall make a journey to Orid; take a look at the hard files they have stored there."
He nodded.
"Mother was always busy with us, but she still attended gatherings at father's side. She still did business with people. One of them has to know something."
"My thoughts exactly, and with Ro Wilkes at my side, things should go swifter, he is known there, and his presence will likely open many doors."
Her brother smirked at her.
"You and Ro Wilkes, huh? the two of you working together?"
She was not sure why, but she blushed slightly.
"Hissa claims that his contacts here will be useful. He knows better than to lie to me."
"And is that the only reason you are willing to work with him? Not trying to rekindle and old flame?"
Now she did blush.
"It was never like that with us."
"Mother worried that it was," he reminded her, "I remember that she always wanted you to marry up."
"Ro is beneath me now. I'm a Darth of the Sith Empire, how would it look if I was observed…fraternizing with him."
He is beneath you, Keera chuckled, what an interesting turn of phrase.
Avaryss ignored her, but she could not stop the color in her cheeks.
Damn it, she thought.
This is why I wear the mask in public!
"Ro Wilkes is nothing but a tool, dear brother, I can promise you that."
"Okay," he shrugged, "Just remember what you told me, what the Wilkes did to our family. Don't let your old boyfriend sway your judgment.
Avaryss' eyes narrowed.
"He is not my…"
She rolled her eyes, and stood up. She was angry at him, though she was not sure why.
"You have little room to talk about my past dalliances. I have warned you about Xen, please do not forget who and what she is."
If he took offense he did not show it.
He merely smiled.
"We love who we love, sister. I understand that better than most."
She frowned, remembering what Xen had said to her, about not believing in love.
She feared that her brother was in for a rude awakening down the line.
She would do what she could to protect him.
After their meal he left to see to his duties. He would make the request of a visit to Pholis to Lob Vekk; hopefully the Seal Man would see the wisdom in accepting her request.
She sighed.
In the meantime, she intended to go to Orid, not just to see what files there said about mother, but also to remind the local population that the Inquisitor was here, and at their service.
She had laid the first stone with the deal with the two boys; in fact, she would return them herself on her way to Orid. She would show the people that she was true to her word, and that she was more than her master's blade.
She went to fresher; she would have a quick shower, and get dressed.
It was still early, but that was fine.
She had much to do today.
She preferred an early start.
IOI
Twenty minutes later, she was going down the hall clad in her mask and full Sith robes. When she first set foot in Orid it would be as a Sith Inquisitor, she had to have the people's attention and fear from the start, but then she could begin injecting her sense of patriotism, and desire for the restoration of order.
Her people would respond to that, as they had before.
The Republic offered only the chaos of the illusion of democracy with the Jedi enforcing that will as long as it led them to greater power. The Sith were at least honest about their desires.
A Sith wanted control, and through that control, order was established.
What more could people want? Order ensured that they got to live their lives without worry, they could be confident that their leaders were in control.
Was that not better than the chaos and corruption that the Republic offered?
Avaryss made her way to Ro's quarters. She was eager to get started, so eager that she simply entered without knocking.
"Lieutenant Wilkes," she called out, "We need to…"
She froze mid-step, her words caught in her throat.
Um, she thought, her mind trying to get running again.
I…um…
Oh my.
Ro Wilkes was not yet awake when she entered, he had fallen asleep on the small couch in the main area of his quarters, and a data pad lay on the floor next to him. He lay on his back, with his right arm over his eyes, but that was not what had stopped her in her tracks.
There was barely any light coming through the windows, but what she saw intrigued her.
Ro had taken off his shirt during the night, the sight that now greeted her was…interesting to say the least. Strong muscular arms a flat muscular stomach that rose and fell slowly with each breath. The slight dusting of hair across his chest taking nothing away from the physical perfection she saw lay out before her.
Beneath her helmet, she blushed scarlet, her mouth went dry, and a sense of warms began building in her gut and working its way down quickly.
She shuddered.
Mmmm, Keera murmured happily, enjoying the view, isn't this a sight for sore eyes, huh Avy?
"I want one."
Ro startled slightly and sat up.
"My lord," he said in a groggy voice looking around quickly.
"Can…can I help you?"
She was speechless for a moment; the spell that she had walked into robbed her of all speech.
She shook her head. It was all she could do to try and regain her composure.
She cursed herself silently.
He had heard Keera, she realized, the stupid farm girl had spoken out loud!
Damn!
She straightened her robes and tried to regain her composure.
"I…Um…I will be journeying into Orid today," she informed him, "I wish you to accompany me when I journey into Orid today."
He looked up at her, his expression still cloudy with sleep.
Again she cursed under her breath.
Journey into Orid today, I wish you to accompany me when I journey into Orid today.
Had she actually said that?
Was she actually so tongue tied?!
Ro did not call her on it; he simply nodded, rose and stretched.
"As you wish, my lord," he said yawning, "I'm here to serve."
And what kind of services do you think he offers? Keera purred.
It might be fun to find out.
Avaryss ignored her, or tried to at least.
She continued to keep her eyes diverted, trying not to be distracted by the handsome man standing before her, searching for where he had put down his shirt.
What is wrong with me, she wondered.
It hasn't been that long has it.
Almost three years, Keera reminded her.
Avaryss shook her head.
Damn.
Ro finally found his shirt and pulled it over his head, she felt the slight bite of disappointment, but hid it quickly.
She was not some ill-educated peasant girl or an innocent hopeful anymore.
She was a Dark Lord of the Sith.
She needed to start acting like one.
"What is your business in Orid?' he asked.
"A lord's business," she replied, not wishing to be questioned by him, "I've also been told that you can help me in interacting with the village's leaders."
"Is that so," he asked.
"It is…that is what Hissa told me."
Ro chuckled.
"The Magistrate has a gift for understatement. I've spent the last three years getting to know every overseer, mayor, and peacekeeper from Orid to Worro."
He looked up and gave her a warm smile.
"You want a proper introduction to those that lead our people; I'm your best shot."
"Impressive," she said, hoping that he was not simply telling her what she wanted to hear."
Ro gave her that confident smirk she remembered so well from her childhood.
"I know many ways to impress you Inquisitor," he said warmly.
"All you have to do is give me a chance."
Her eyes narrowed.
Was he flirting with her?
Surprising considering that he could not even see her face.
Still, she could not deny that she was responding to his attention.
Her body warmed under his regard, a flicker of lust flashed through her.
"I shall get ready," he promised, "Need to take a shower; we can be ready to go in an hour.
She pursed her lips.
He is going to take a shower, Keera purred.
Do you think he would like some company?
Again Avaryss tried to ignore her, but she could not completely stop the shuddering breath that escaped from her mask.
Damn it, she thought.
She did not doubt that Ro was enjoying this; it seemed he had learned how to play with a woman in the last few years.
She suppressed a shiver.
Lucky her.
"See…see that you are," she said, trying to keep any trace of huskiness out of her voice, "We leave in one hour."
She turned to go, to retreat and regain her composure.
He stopped her with a single phrase.
"Why do you always wear that thing?"
She paused.
"By that thing, you mean my mask?"
"Yeah, why do you wear it? You are around your allies here, you know."
Avaryss turned to him, in this she was at least in safer territory.
"In the Empire, and ally can become an enemy very quickly," she reminded him, "Dropping my guard around anyone is not the smartest of moves, at least until I know who my friends are."
He nodded. She sensed that he understood what she was saying, perhaps better than he was willing to admit.
She…she found herself feeling a bit sorry for him.
Poor boy, Keera murmured.
Maybe we can help heal his poor heart.
Avaryss hissed, despite her best efforts, she had let Ro get to her, just as she had done when they were children.
Damn the man, she thought.
Damn him straight to hell!
She…she had not wanted it to be this way.
It would have been safer if she hated him.
"One hour, lieutenant," she said flatly before fleeing his presence.
Avaryss made her way down the hall quickly, not even waiting for the door to close behind her.
She did not look back, she did not even dare.
I should send him away, she thought, there is too much history between us, to many old wounds.
You still need him, Keera reminded her.
Yes, but…
But…
She frowned, and tried to think of Fenn.
He was her destiny, not Ro.
That does not mean that you cannot have a bit of fun in the meantime, Keera advised her.
Fenn is not here, and Ro is, Fenn would not wish you to suffer in silence while he is off doing who knows what for his precious Republic. If that is not clearance to enjoy yourself a little, I don't know what is.
Avaryss could almost see Keera's face; she was smiling slyly at her other self.
Give Ro, a chance; he might be just what you need to find a good night's sleep. After all, when you were with Fehl you never worried about finding rest. Urtel was nice for that too.
Avaryss brow furrowed.
I don't see how taking Ro for a roll in the long grass is going to help anything?
Keera laughed again.
I didn't think you were interested in that?
Avaryss cursed under her breath again.
Damn it.
