Last time: Ikari and Mendax continue to be at each others throats. Viran struggles with Sasha's absence.

Now: Sasha decides she is tried of waiting and tries an escape.

Chapter 7 The Breakout

After being stuck in this place for a little over two weeks now, Sasha had reached her limit of just sitting around and doing nothing. Initially, she avoided doing anything as she wasn't sure of what she could do while pregnant. But as time went on, she did mediation, moving through her basic forms and katas without her saber, and stretching and things like that to keep herself from going insane. But also it turned into her observing how this place worked from the window of her room and from listening to the guards. She hardly ever interacted with anyone. The guards would check on her daily to see if she needed anything. A servant would bring her food. The medical droid stopped by at least twice or so for basic check up and routine scans. Occasionally Cien would stop by to see her. And on very rare occasions did Sasha ever see Ikari. However, most of the time she was alone.

But from the information she gathered, Sasha was able to figure out where the weak points were in this security system. In the middle of the night when Sasha was supposed to be sound asleep, the guards would switch with the next shift of guards. There were at least three guard changes regularly through the day. To be more exact two during the day and one in the middle of the night. And during the shift change, usually one would switch while the other remained guarding the door until the next guy arrived. Then the other guard who waited would then do the same. It was like clockwork. But in the middle of the night, only one guard change happened and both guards would go, only to be replaced by two others a couple of moments later. That left a perfect window of opportunity of at least five minutes before the next shift arrived to take their station outside her room for her to try and escape.

And tonight was going to be the night, Sasha was going to finally escape and find the guys or at least a ride back to Haven. And maybe a communication device of some kind.

So just like every night, Sasha climbed into bed to go to sleep. However, she laid on her side with her back to the main door, pretending to be sound asleep. And just like every night at the same time hours later, she heard the door open as they checked to make sure she was asleep in bed. As soon as the door closed, Sasha moved from the bed as quickly and quietly as she could. She then stuffed the bed with extra pillows to give the illusion of her still being sound asleep in bed. Once that was done, she slipped on her boots and made her way towards the door to her room.

Taking a deep breath, she was shocked to find the door unlocked. She expected it to be locked like it was everytime she had to get the guards attention. So very slowly, she opened the door and peeked out into the dark corridor. The guards were gone and no one was in sight. It was strange that the door was unlocked and she took that as a mistake on the guards part, but the thought had crossed her mind that it might be a trap. Excellent, she thought sarcastically. Sasha quickly and quietly closed the door behind her, locking it with the control panel. Once the door was secured, Sasha took off down the corridor.

She wished she had the Force with her to help her disappear better and know where to go to as she snuck down the dark hallways. But doing what she could, she was able to sneak around with ease. She stuck to shadows and nooks when she did see someone. And thankfully wasn't spotted, but she wished there was an easier way to do this. She had realized while she was stuck in the room that she couldn't use the ventilation systems to sneak around as she had come to discover that they were for one thing just too small to begin with. And for another thing, even if she could fit normally, she couldn't now with her slowly forming bump. And she probably wouldn't be very comfortable if she tried to do that. Besides, it still wasn't that big as it still was barely visible from under her shirt, but it was enough. So she made do with what she could.

Rounding another corner, one that seemed to lead towards an exterior exit, Sasha made for it as fast as she could. She could almost taste freedom as she got closer to the exit as her escape was close to success. However, from the shadows before the exit, Ikari suddenly appeared, her red staff lightsaber coming alive in her hand. Sasha skidded to a stop and actually slipped backwards due to the rather slick floor boards. She landed on her butt with a hard thud, a protective arm immediately wrapped around her belly to prevent any harm that she could. She then looked up to Ikari in shock, frustration, and exhaustion from sneaking around.

Ikari glared down at her as a villainous smirk formed. "Nice try. But where do you think you're going, Jedi scum?" Ikari hissed.

"Ikari…" Sasha hissed as she glared up at her.

"I suspect that you would try and escape at some point. And I see that I was correct," Ikari said. "I admit I am impressed that no one else in this palace seemed to notice you, but even you are not the master of stealth at the moment. At least not from me."

Sasha didn't answer. She just glared at her from the ground as she slowly scooted back from her. If she could just get far enough away, she could try running in the opposite direction. But it must have been a trap and she fell for it. She mentally slapped herself for that as normally she wouldn't fall for something so easy. Of course, normally she would have the Force with her to actually succeed in her escape.

"No response? So be it," Ikari said then used the Force , freezing Sasha in place, making her unable to move further. Sasha tried to move in anyway, but she literally couldn't. Ikari knelt down to eye level with her and leveled one of the blades at her neck. Sasha stared at the blade as it was mere inches from her throat. Then she looked back up at Ikari. "It's time you return to your permanent cel… I mean room," she corrected. Sasha glared at her on that as it gave her a brief glimpse into this acolyte's thought of her. "And prepare to be punished. My lady will hear of this."

She growled at the acolyte. Suddenly from around the corner, came two guards. The ones that were supposed to watch her room right now. How did they get here so quickly? She wondered, and when did Ikari have time to summon them without her realizing? She turned her attention back to Ikari, a pissed, but defeated look on her face. She was caught and there was nothing she could do at the moment without a lightsaber or the Force, or risking her unborn child's life. So surrender was her only option for now. The guards came over to the two of them.

"Take the Jedi back to her room. And let's make sure she stays there until the Empress arrives," Ikari ordered.

Both men saluted. "Yes, ma'am!"

The two guards reached down and grabbed Sasha by the upper arms and the Force grip disappeared, allowing Sasha to release a breath in relief. They then pulled her to her feet very carefully and escorted her back to that room, not releasing their hold the whole way. And following close behind them was Ikari, keeping an eye on Sasha the whole way back. She could feel her eyes burning a hole into the back of her skull with a glare. As soon as they were back to the room, the guards released her inside the living area. They then returned to their post and left the door open for Ikari to follow them. Ikari walked over to the other control panel in the room, that one only seemed accessible by anyone with the master key. Sasha could have tried to hack it, but she was not the master of rewiring panels like Viran was. That is why she was going to pick the lock instead if the door hadn't been unlocked.

Ikari slashed through it with her saber. Sasha raised a brow at that. Why did she just destroy a panel that Sasha hadn't even used before. It struck her as odd as she watched her do it. She wished she had the Force to get a glimpse in this Sith's mind to understand her motives and what she was up to.

With the panel fried, Sasha expected the Acolyte to leave. But Ikari, however, remained behind until Cien would show up some time later after being summoned by the acolyte after she dealt with the panel. She even ordered the guards to close the doors and lock it with her inside. That made Sasha nervous as to what the acolyte might do to her now that they were alone. Especially after everything she had seen thus far. But instead, she remained by the door, arms folded and glaring down at Sasha.

"What? Not going to punish me yourself?" Sasha asked, mockingly.

"As much as I would love that, no. But I am going to stay here until Empress Cien arrives. She will be the one to punish you," Ikari said with that same villainous smirk from before. "And I can't wait to see what she will do."

"Then tell me, is that what this was all about? To watch me suffer under Cien as she punishes me for an escape attempt?" Sasha asked, almost accusing her, coldly. "How crazy are you?"

Ikari hissed at Sasha and actually lashed out at her. She Force pushed Sasha backwards into the couch. She landed with a soft thud and the impact caused the couch to tilt slightly before straightening back out. And because this hit was more cushioned than the slip up she had in the hall moments before, Sasha wasn't as worried about how the child might be after that. She was still worried, don't get her wrong. However, the hit was enough to give Sasha some serious whiplash as her neck and head were not too pleased by the push.

Sasha glared up at her from the couch as her vision blurred for a moment before clearing. Oh, this witch was in for it big time later. For now though, she thought it was best to wait for Cien. She got up and made her way over to her bed. Sasha sat down on the bed, keeping her gaze on Ikari. The two practically locked in a glare contest. As she sat there, she thought about the trap Ikari had placed and that bothered her greatly. And it annoyed her that she couldn't, or well shouldn't, put up a fight, for the sake of her and the baby. She was already regretting the back talking she just gave her even though it had amused her slightly to piss off the Sith. But the fatigue from sneaking around, from her whiplashed moment, and from the pregnancy was wearing heavily on her. She rubbed at her belly and hoped the little one was okay after her fall and the push. After a few minutes of sitting there, rubbing, sleep actually arrived to take her.

Cien stormed into the room twenty minutes later, the first time she had been here since their last conversation that had disturbed her so deeply days before. Her gaze settled on Ikari, who was lurking in the living space, Sasha was beyond in the bedroom. "You were supposed to be in charge of security, what happened?" She demanded of her Acolyte.

"The Jedi snuck out during the guard change," Ikari explained, her head bowed in shame before looking back up. "Thankfully, I caught on to her ruse and was able to catch her before she got away."

Cien looked at her furious for a moment. "She snuck out because the guard rotation was so open she could simply walk out the door?" She hissed. She turned back to the guard, who was still at the door. "Double the guard, and never leave the door unattended." She turned back to her Acolyte, seething with anger and trying to bring it under control, then she walked towards the bedroom.

Sasha stirred to the sound of shouting, her head pounding slightly and her neck stiff. She sat up in the bed and looked toward the living area to see Cien talking with Ikari in a very angered manner. She didn't move from the bed as Cien approached.

"Were you injured?" Cien inquired coldly.

Sasha took a second to respond. She wanted to rat Ikari out to Cien, but she realized that now may not be the best time for that. Especially with Ikari in the room, Cien may not believe her. Ikari would get her just desserts soon, but for now, Sasha played it off as if it was nothing. "I just tripped is all," Sasha said simply, not meeting her gaze, but definitely looking past her to Ikari with a glare. "I'm okay and I think so is the child."

Cien eyed the Jedi for a moment and then followed her glare back to the Acolyte. She turned and walked back to Ikari in the living room. She could well imagine how gentle Ikari had been towards their guest. "See that the medical droid comes to examine her in the morning." She ordered coldly.

Ikari nodded, not meeting Cien's gaze, and left to go inform the medical droid.

As the Acolyte left, Cien also started heading towards the door.

Sasha watched Ikari go before turning to Cien. She rushed after her. "Wait, Cien please. Stay. At least for a moment," she said once Ikari was gone.

Cien stopped and barely turned, her head turned back in a sideways glance at Sasha. "What?" She asked.

"I'm sorry for trying to escape, but you must understand, I only want to return to the others," Sasha apologized. "I can't stay here forever."

"I understand." Cien said, and she turned to go.

"You could come with me," Sasha blurted out. "I know you built all of this, but even without the Force I can tell you are not happy here."

Cien turned to face her fully, an incredulous look on her face. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing, where I'm supposed to be. Why should I leave?" She growled.

"But is this what you want? What you really want? To rule over a small empire with an apprentice who is loyal and nothing else. Not a friend or an ally. Just a loyal acolyte? Or officers who just nod and do what you say and never invite you to drinks?" Sasha inquired. "That sounds like a lonely life to me." She paused. "I know you don't want to be alone, Cien. And you never would be with us."

Cien stood there, seething, and she looked away, like she wanted to turn and leave. "I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing." She repeated. "That life you describe, that's not for someone like me." She said quietly. "I'm of the Sith. Sith gain victory through strength. And with my 'small' empire I'm still stronger than you or your friends will ever be." She said, but her words lacked conviction.

Sasha frowned at her. "Everyone deserves a happy life. The life I described. Sith or not, it doesn't matter. Cause I don't see you as a Sith anymore, not like what I saw on Vestora all those years ago. I just see Cien."

"Sasha," she began, closing her eyes. "I don't seek a happy life." She said quietly. "I went to my temple, trained in the ways of the Sith, and if I was the kind of person who sought that out, I would not have survived." She said. "You are so tainted with the light, you can't understand the darkness." She said, softly. "I seek strength, power and victory." She said, opening her eyes and looking at the Jedi.

"And I'm just offering you a chance to do something else. Something else that might make you happy," Sasha said, softly.

"Thank you." She replied quietly. "But it's too late for that." She turned her head away.

"It's never too late," Sasha added softly. Almost a whisper.

"It is for me." Cien turned and started walking for the door.

"No it's not," Sasha finished.

Cien turned back to her, angry. "What would you have me do, Sasha?" She almost yelled. "Leave all of this behind after I spent a lifetime trying to get to… this" She threw up her hands to encompass the palace around them, the fleet of Star Destroyers, the hundred or so star systems under her control, "so I could live in your little house and eat cookies, or whatever it is you do there?" She looked at the Jedi incredulously. "Just show up in a shuttle, apologize for the damage I did, kidnapping you and attacking Kyr, not to even mention all the other history we have, and sit down for dinner like it was all swept under the rug?" She looked at Sasha with a seething anger, "how could it possibly not be too late?"

Sasha was taken back by that and slowly backed away from Cien. She frowned so deeply that worry lines formed on her face. After a moment, she answered. "Sometimes all it takes is one act of kindness to spark change. But it's up to you if you even want to do it," she said evenly.

Cien stayed silent for a time. "How do you see this ending, Sasha?" She asked, looking away, "would you ever stay?"

Sasha paled at that question. "I… I don't know. I fear I may never see my child again or my family. I might stay if it meant I could be with my child everyday, but… I would miss Viran and the others. Besides, you know as well as I do that they are most likely on their way to find me. How soon that will be is the question, but you know they will come for me," she said, her emotions unclear.

"They are." Cien responded unequivocally, and distractedly, "but they are going the wrong way."

"What?" Sasha gasped as she sat down on the nearest item which happened to be a side table. Hearing they were actually looking for her made her relieved to the point where her legs couldn't hold herself anymore. "How far away are they? Do you know where they are headed?" She then rambled off.

"Far enough," Cien said numbly. "Following a cold trail I set for any Republic forces that may have come looking for me." She said, and then her face darkened, as if realizing what she had just revealed.

Sasha's chin lowered to her chest as a sadness seemed to wash over her suddenly. "So I may be here for a long time then…" She trailed off. Her voice was full of anguish. "At least I know they are looking."

"Yes." Cien said, "that's what friends do." She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering that Sasha had reached out to her as soon as she could, and Kyr had looked for her, remembering the emotion with which he had told her that before she had disabled him. She turned away to leave through the door.

Sasha didn't move from her spot. "Thank you for continuing to check in with me," she added. "It has helped me feel better while here."

Cien turned and regarded her for a while, a troubled look on her face, and looked away. She looked like she wanted to say something, and turned away instead, a flash of shame washing across her face before turning her back to Sasha and walking through the door.

The damage she had caused to the light controls and the wall had been repaired, and upon entering her suite she had walked over and dimmed the lights by hand. She moved to the seating area and sat down in her chair. It was facing a piece of art that had been gifted to her when she had conquered some world or other over the past few years. The rulers, in their defeat, had given it to her. Something that was priceless, she assumed. A crystal, it grew relatively fast, but it apparently took over three hundred years to cultivate into such a perfect form of randomized order. She actually liked it, she thought it was pretty, but she would never reveal that to anyone. She had learned a hard lesson at the academy about accidentally revealing what was liked and what wasn't liked, when one of the other acolytes she had studied with had been poisoned because they revealed a favorite food. Whoever had poisoned it had never been found. They would have been punished, killing other Sith was a crime punishable by death, especially at such an early level of one's abilities. But it had allowed someone to move up the ranks, and in the world of the Sith it had ended up with their cunning rewarded.

She sat there, in the dim light, the crystal caught even this minor illumination in its facets, and spread the light through the room. The cruelty of the Sith weighed heavily in her mind. With her gifts, more often a curse than a gift, really, she had had a unique perspective on it. When she was younger she had been far more aggressive, more like Ikari in a way. Stemming from when her training master had been killed, and she had sought revenge. She had been seen as weak before that, but after word of what she had done spread, she had received new found respect in the order, and had been able to finally go on missions.

But because of her skills, any time she visited cruelty, either from her hand or the hand of another, she had had to share it with the victim as they experienced it, at least before she had learned to mostly tune it out. Because of that she had spent more of her time in study or interrogations on Korriban after the aggression had worn itself out, and that had been where Dracul had recruited her.

The world of the Sith was nothing but pain, cruelty, and anger. And she had been immersed in it all her life, ever since she was taken into the order as soon as her gifts were found. The only darkside emotion she had ever truly been able to call upon was anger, because it was something she could hold inside herself, and stoke like a flame. Bringing pain, or being cruel would drown her in the sensations and emotions from her victims and would overwhelm her. Other Sith relished it, but she had to experience it.

All her life she had known anger. Anger at the Sith around her, anger at the Republic for being such a vicious enemy to her and her kind. Anger at Dracul, for his cruelty and the trap he had placed her in. Anger at Sasha and Kyr, for abandoning her.

But they hadn't abandoned her. She had finally learned from Sasha what had happened. Sasha, jumping forward six years in her life; she had thought that she had been in the void for that time, and simply not reached out to her. Kyr had left because… She blinked and turned away, swallowing.

And for the first time in her life she found her anger burning out, except for the growing anger she held towards herself. She was doing what a good Sith was supposed to do. Creating an empire, subjugating others. Building her strength, so she could have power. Building her power, so she could have victory. And through victory, her chains would be broken. So the code went. But the only chains she felt were the shackles of her office. The politics of the day to day running of an empire, because she was trying to build something that would last, learning lessons from the failures of all the other Sith empires that had preceded hers.

She had only ever sought power because that was what a Sith was supposed to do. And for her own sake, so she didn't have to be under the thumb of someone else's rule. Power so she didn't have to be afraid of what someone like Dracul would do on some sadistic whim. Power so that she could be safe, so she didn't need to be afraid. In the world of the Sith, amassing power was the only way to do that. So you didn't have to be the servant to another, and having such a fierce reputation that no other Sith would want to cross you.

And Sasha was right. It was a lonely life. After such a painful experience the one time she had tried to open up to those around her, she had slammed that door shut, and kept everyone further than arm's length away. She sat here alone in the darkness of her suite, as she often did. And she had been… satisfied, for the last several years, buried in her work. Alive, but not really living. But she had missed Sasha. And she had missed Kyr, especially after the time he had spent at her side. And realizing they hadn't abandoned her, at least not for the petty reasons she thought they had and hated them for, she couldn't help but think of what it would be to not be alone anymore. That conversation in that dining room, so long ago, the first time someone had reached out to her, and she realized how alone she had been because she finally wasn't alone. Those thoughts that she had buried so deeply were suddenly brought up by Sasha again. And she was drowning in them.

As her anger faded the last few weeks, she could feel her grasp on the darkside weakening. She could feel herself falling to the light.

She wasn't strong enough to do what she needed to do. She had taken Sasha with every intention of seeing this idea through, but she had been so angry then, at Sasha and everything she represented. Realizing that Sasha would probably need to be killed at the end of this, that was something she had assaulted the estate prepared to carry through with.

But now seeing Sasha again, not to mention the revelations she brought, she just… couldn't. And the thought of keeping her here, locked up with a lifetime of grief and sadness that would bring was unacceptable because it was something she would have to live with as well. She already was, she could feel the girl like a beacon, in the suites that were so close to hers because they were in the same complex of quarters for nobility and honored guests. A mistake, maybe, to be so close to the girl, but even if she had been on the other side of the planet, in another system it would have troubled her because of the connection they shared with each other after spending so much time in the mindspace together all those years ago. The cruelty of it all, one of the features she had most hated about the Sith around her, weighed so heavily on her mind, because she was having to experience it as well, just like she always did.

She couldn't kill Sasha because… she was a friend. And for that same reason, she couldn't keep her locked up here, and steal her child.

As she sat in the darkness, contemplating the crystal that had taken lifetimes to cultivate, that was ironically much, much younger than she was, the way it shone as a bright beacon in the darkness. She realized she only had one path that lay open to her.

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