Chapter 2: The Task

The storm finally hit as Avaryss began her vigil, clad in robes of midnight black, she stood upon the landing pad of the Feer estate, waiting for the arrival of her master.

Thunder rumbled, and the sky opened up, rain came down in heavy sheets, drenching both the landing pad, and the waiting apprentice. She stood unmoved, her crimson eyes gleaming out from beneath the rain soaked cowl. Water ran down her cheeks like tears she had never shed.

Lady Synestra and Bael had not joined her; they were waiting in the receiving room to greet the master of House Feer. Avaryss could have joined them, if not for the Force whispering in her ear.

"You will wait for me here," Darth Feer's voice rippled through her mind, "What is a little rain to a Sith, it is nothing, a distraction."

There was a brief pause, and then she felt her master's anger, held in check by his harsh will.

"I will punish you if you are not waiting on the pad when I arrive. Do not believe that I won't."

"I believe, my lord," she murmured.

"You are mine?"

"I am."

"Body and soul?"

"Yes, my master," she murmured, "Body and soul."

The connection ended, she felt her master's pleasure at her submission, her loyalty.

She masked her anger well.

One day I will be stronger than you, dear master, she thought, and on that day, you will truly see how loyal I am.

You will see what a good Sith I am.

She awaited that day with baited breath, the day when she could finally stop pretending that her hatred for her master and his family did not exist.

On that day, she would burn this entire place down, and from the ashes build her own house.

The House of Avaryss would rise and take its place among the other great Sith clans.

She welcomed the coming of that day, but it was not yet here.

Not yet.

She heard the sound of engines over the pounding of the rain, soon lights appeared in the sky as a Sith shuttle began its approach towards the compound. The defense towers that shielded the estate locked on to the ship, only to be deactivated by the master's clearance codes. As the towers powered down, the shuttle began to fold its wings and begin the final approach to the landing pad.

Avaryss dropped to one knee, she bowed her head in reverence, ignoring the cold rain that was soaking her, her cloak no longer offered protection; the rain had soaked her, through and through. Her robes, even her underclothes were soaked.

Yet…she remained silent, waiting for her master, and his word. What did her discomfort matter when she was asked to pay homage to the man who offered her true power?

What was a little water to a Sith? It was nothing?

She remained where she was as the shuttle touched down before her. She listened as the hydraulics hissed and the ramp lowered. Through the Force she could sense her master inside, sense his curiosity.

She remained silent, volunteering nothing with her emotions.

She was a blank slate, waiting for his orders to fill her.

Such was the way of the master and the apprentice.

Such was the way of the Sith.

She heard the footsteps coming down the ramp, she kept her head bowed, seeing only his boots as he stood before her.

She did not rise, not yet.

It was up to him to give her that permission.

"Come to me my darling wife," he called out, "Embrace your loving husband. Come to me my son, let your father know that you have missed him."

Avaryss heard nothing and said nothing. Clearly Lord Feer could see that they were not here. That only she, his loyal apprentice, had come out into the rain to welcome him.

She heard her master sigh. Clearly he was unhappy with the greeting that awaited his homecoming.

He walked past her without a word. Yet, still, she remained where she was. She could sense his annoyance at his family; she had no desire to become their scapegoat.

In the first six months of their relationship, he had only needed to punish her once; it was not an experience that she was eager to repeat.

She still had nightmares about it. Being trapped in her own mind, unable to move, subjected to the most horrific nightmares that she had ever endured.

He will not need to do that again, she thought.

I am a loyal apprentice. I will kneel here all night if that is what he wishes.

I am his…for now.

It sickened her to grovel like this, but it was all part of the game. For now, she was the good little servant, the loyal soldier.

That would not be the case forever.

At last he seemed to remember her presence, he paused and looked back.

"Arise, my child," he called out, "Arise and follow, we have things to discuss."

She did as she was bid; she stood and followed behind him, though she did not remain behind him for long. He slowed just enough for her to catch up, and moved so that they may walk side by side.

"I prefer you where I can keep an eye on you," he murmured, "To let someone walk behind you is to invite a knife in your back."

Avaryss chuckled.

"Would I do something like that, my lord?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm, even as she batted her eyes innocently.

"If it was in your best interest," he said, "Sure."

She gave him a sly smile.

"You are wise to recognize that," she said.

"I am your master," he reminded her.

"That you are, my lord," she replied.

For now.

IOI

She stood patiently while he inspected his family, and the rest of the household that had awaited his arrival in the receiving room. She watched the exchange between her master and the rest of his servants carefully, looking for weaknesses, trying to see, to recognize, who was truly loyal, or just appeared to be.

Her teeth chattered from the cold and wet, despite her cloak, the rain had soaked her through to the bone, but she dared not ask to go change, not without her master's leave, and certainly not when he was addressing the rest of his power base.

It was all part of the game, it was all about dominance, and for the moment Darth Feer held all the power. He was stronger than her, wiser than her, and knew things about the dark side that she did not.

Those three facts would need to change before she could make her move. She needed not only power, but also information.

Moments such as these were excellent teachers.

No one could pull off a coup alone. She would need allies when that glorious day came. It did not hurt to start looking, even at so early a stage.

She suspected that she was not the only one here who desired Darth Feer's end, and many of these had skills or access that she would need on that fateful day.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, GIRL!

Avaryss glanced over; Lady Synestra was looking at her with wide angry eyes.

She tilted her head curiously.

What have I done now?

She is awaiting my orders," Darth Feer replied for her, "Avaryss is right where she is supposed to be."

"She is dripping all over the Alderannian rugs," his lady wife complained, "They were spoils of war, and irreplaceable!"

She glared at her husband's apprentice.

"Were you raised in a barn, girl?"

"Perhaps she was, mother," Bael laughed, "She is from a farm world after all."

Avaryss cheeks burned, her fingers curled into angry fists.

They knew nothing of life she had lived before.

They knew nothing!

Her master, no doubt sensing her anger, finally took pity on her.

"Return to your apartment and dry yourself off, Apprentice. Then meet me in the communication room. I have a task for you."

"Yes, my master," she said bowing.

As she turned away, she heard him address both his lady wife and his son.

His statement brought a hint of a smile to her face.

"Now that is how an apprentice is supposed to act. Avaryss may not have been born into the order, but at least she knows her place.

There was a brief pause.

"Unlike others I know."

She resisted the urge to laugh.

That last statement was clearly directed at his son. Bael's mother had been training him in the dark side since he was five. Yet, Darth Feer remained unhappy with his progress, and rightly so. He seemed to believe that he would just be handed his father's estate one day. Such thinking on the boy's part was part of the reason that she was here.

Her smile grew.

She would never be friendly with Lady Feer, she knew that. When she had first arrived, Lady Synestra had called her "a stray," that and "the Bumpkin from nowhere." Clearly the lady did not see her as being worthy of being a member of House Feer.

She is just jealous, the dark side whispered in her ear. Since you have come here, it has been you that the master has brought to official functions. No doubt there are many here in the capital who thinks that you are more than just Lord Feer's apprentice."

That last thought made her a little nauseous.

So what If people thought that she was Feer's paramour, the thought might have disgusted her, but it also served to keep her enemies off balance. If they did not see her as a true apprentice it might give her an edge at a crucial time.

Such an edge could be as precious as kyber crystals.

Of course, those rumors also deepened the dislike between herself and her master's wife. So far, Lord Feer had kept the lady in check, but if and when she made her move…?

My master's problems are not my own, especially where his family was concerned. In fact any problem between the Feers worked to her advantage.

She smiled.

Let them snipe at each other, it will only make it easier when the day comes that I rise up and replace my lord as head of this house. For the moment she had few allies here, little power of her own. One or two of the staff looked upon her fondly, but that would not be enough.

She needed to expand her powerbase. The last few months had given her little chance to do that. Running errands here on Dromund Kaas did nothing to help gather followers.

Perhaps this mission would serve as a spring board, perhaps; at last, she would be able to start building.

One thing at a time, she thought.

First, gather, then consolidate, and then the fun begins…

…obliteration.

IOI

After a quick change in her room, Avaryss made her way down to the communication room, and her master's side.

She arrived to find him in holo-communication with another Sith Lord.

She paused, staying out of the broadcast field.

She did not wish the other lord to see her.

The Sith that her master was speaking was a huge man, broad of shoulder and thick of chest; massive shoulder plates expanded his girth even more. The dark lord's face was covered by a masked helmet that left little of his expression visible. Despite this, she could feel the hate and dislike radiating off him, even at such a distance.

Lord Feer did not acknowledge her presence; his attention was directed entirely at his fellow lord.

A fellow lord that was clearly not happy.

"I'm not plotting against you Baras," Lord Feer said shaking his head, "This call was a courtesy on my part, I had hoped you would understand that."

The Sith Lord, Darth Baras, chuckled, but there was little amusement in his laugh.

"I know what you intended, Feer," he replied, "I know of your feud with Lord Terrog, and I know that you hoped to use me, to strike at him from a direction that he would not see coming."

Lord Baras shook his head.

"Your ambitions will get the better of you one day."

If her master took the rebuke as an insult he did not show, he continued to smile pleasantly.

"I would never perceive to try and manipulate you Baras, I know how…well informed you are. I was simply offering what I had heard of Lord Terrog, how you choose to use that information is entirely up to you, but I would advise caution.

Lord Feer leaned closer, like he did not wish to be heard.

These are exciting times in the Empire. A wise man knows how to use such times to his advantage. Wise men such as you and I must be ready to do what is needed when the time comes; am I right?"

The large dark lord sighed.

"I will consider what you have said, and my agents will investigate this information of yours. We will see if it proves valuable, or not."

"A wise decision," Feer responded grinning, "You will not regret this, Baras."

"We will see," the man responded as the transmission faded out.

Avaryss waited, she stood back and waited until her master summoned her forward.

Darth Feer cackled excitedly.

"Another log on Terrog's funeral pyre…," he murmured.

"…Another step towards victory."

He turned to her a triumphant grin on his face.

"I swear, that man's shoulders have their own gravitational pull, I'm surprise that all of Dromund Kaas is not rotating around them.

She smirked, only just suppressing a giggle.

Immediately, he regretted hearing her master's words. If she should ever meet the dark lord in person, she did not want to be giggling like some foolish little girl. Darth Baras did not strike her as the type who accepted such foolishness gladly.

She would need to maintain her composure, should they ever meet, and considering that her master had chosen to involve him in…whatever it was he was planning she just might someday.

She would need to remember to be respectful, when that day finally came.

She would not throw away her life on something as foolish as some overheard comment.

"And so begins the long fall of Darth Terrog," her master said, "Baras should prove to be a most interesting pawn, and the best part is, I did not even have to lie to gain the man's support, merely out old Terrog."

Feer laughed at the mere thought of it.

"Terrog should have known to leave well enough alone. Baras is not the type of man to be trifled with."

"Yet, we are doing just that," Avaryss said with a slight frown, "Is that truly wise, my master?"

"As I said, it is not like I lied to Baras, what he was told; everything that I learned was the truth. Baras likely already suspected what I just told him, but now he has the evidence he needs to act, and in doing so, he will draw the attention of Darth Terrog away from a certain world, and a certain item waiting on that world."

Feer's eyes practically radiated with childlike glee.

"That distraction is where you come in, my dear. It is time to take your first step into a larger world. It is time to truly serve me."

She dropped to one knee.

"I am ready, my master," she said, "Command me."

At that moment, the door to the communication room opened, admitting a very old Sith Pureblood. His crimson skin may have dulled, the tendrils on his chin may have thinned, but the eyes of the old Sith remained as strong and pitiless as they had almost two centuries ago. Though age had left his body slender, the ease with which he moved did not suggest weakness. His dark hair had gone gray long ago in the service of House Feer, yet none would doubt that he had served both ably and well. Once he had served her master's father, had been a close friend of his long before any oath of loyalty had been uttered.

Now the old man advised her master in his endeavors, his wisdom was welcome above all others, and he was one of the few people in House Feer that Avaryss had come to respect.

Her master nodded respectfully at the new arrival.

"Feore, my old friend," he purred, "I trust that you have good news for me?"

Feore Monn, War master of House Feer nodded.

"I do my lord," he said bowing his head in bot respect and submission; he then glanced over at the kneeling Avaryss.

"Apprentice," he said respectfully.

"War master," she replied.

Feore grinned as he returned his attention to her master, their master.

"Your information has paid off, my lord," he said, "We have identified the location of the safe house, and confirmed the package is there."

"Excellent, my friend," Feer cackled, "Excellent!"

He turned to his young apprentice.

"Pack your sunscreen, my child, you will need it on Tatooine."

Avaryss' brow furrowed.

"Tat...oween? I've never heard of this place, master, is it in the Empire?"

"Tatooine is in contested space," Feore informed her, "both the Empire and the Republic maintain a presence there. It is a desert world, some indigenous tribes and scavengers. A harsh environment breeds harsh people."

"It is also far enough from the Republic that it escapes the notice of most, but close enough that they can smuggle items of value into the Republic if needed," Feer said.

"It is the perfect place for a safe house. It is the perfect place to hide something valuable in plain sight."

The apprentice's brow furrowed.

"We are going after the Republic?"

Feer nodded.

"I thought this was about Darth Terrog? Is he working with the Republic? Is he a traitor?"

"He is an opportunist child," Feore said, "That is not the same as being a traitor."

"Terrog has no interest in the Republic," Feer added, "What he does have is a network of spies who have discovered something interesting. We are not sure what just yet, but he has spread around a lot of credits in the last few weeks. According to my sources, he believes that he has discovered some involvement between the Republic and the death of several key Imperial officers, these officers may, or may not, have been pawns of Lord Baras."

Avaryss nodded, understanding dawning.

"I'm guessing that Lord Baras suspected Lord Terrog in these deaths?"

"He was one of several suspects," Feore offered.

"Regardless of who was responsible, the Republic is holding a certain package on Tatooine. A package that might reveal much about the deaths of those Imperial officers," Feer said smiling eagerly.

"I've paid well to ensure that Terrog does not find this package first, but it is only a matter of time until he does discover the location. We must act before then…which is where you come in, my child."

"We must proceed cautiously, but quickly," Feore said, "with so many active feuds between the lords, it is imperative that we get this item first. Whatever is in this package, it could be a time bomb. Whichever lord gains it first will have a great advantage over his or her rivals."

"Which is why it must be mine," Feer said with a hungry look in his yellow eyes.

He pinned her with his cold gaze.

"You will go to Tatooine my Apprentice, you will infiltrate this safe house, destroy it, and bring me the package, unharmed and undamaged."

Avaryss nodded, the mission sounded simple enough, but there was a problem.

"Won't the Pubs consider this a violation of treaty? A Sith attacking one of their safe houses could be considered an act of war? If we do this without the Dark Council or the Emperor's approval…"

"That is where the caution comes in child," Feore said.

"Plus, as far as the Republic is concerned, this place does not exist."

Lord Feer chuckled.

"If they were to acknowledge its existence, many people would have a lot of explaining to do. That fact will work in our advantage."

She nodded.

That was the problem with democracy. Too many people had a say, and some of them did not understand the value of keeping things secret.

It had worked well for the Empire in the past.

Sounds good, she thought, it could work.

"I assume that once we have this package, we will have leverage over Lord Terrog, or whoever else might have been involved in the deaths you mentioned?"

Her master nodded.

"It is one option we could take once we have what we seek. It is also imperative that no one knows that we have the package. Leave no witnesses, show no mercy."

Avaryss' heart beat quickened.

No witnesses.

No mercy.

She liked the sound of that!

Finally, she thought, I've been craving a little action.

This mission is exactly what I've been waiting for.

"I will need a ship," she said, "Once I do this I will need to escape quickly."

"You will have one, but only for the escape portion of your mission," Feore said.

She frowned at the old Sith.

"How am I supposed to get to Tatooine then?"

"You will not use registered transport," the war master said, "You will travel as a refugee, once you have reached Tatooine our agents there will point you towards your objective. As soon as you have completed the mission, you will activate a retrieval beacon, and a ship will be there in moments to pick you up."

"Many eyes are watching us, my child," Feer warned her, "The political situation in the Empire right now is…chaotic to say the least. We must assume that we are being plotted against, if not by Terrog or Baras, then by another rival most certainly. If my apprentice were to arrive in command of her own ship in Mos Illa, many people would start to ask why?"

"Until the package is secured, we cannot afford those questions."

Avaryss's frown deepened.

She did not like it, but there was little she could do about it.

She had wanted to get off world for some time, and this was her chance. If she did it well, her master would know that he could trust her to carry out other, more complex missions. Plus, who knew…

Whatever this package was might be the key to forging her own powerbase. Depending what it contained, she might just be able to use it to begin her own work to dethrone her dear master.

That possibility alone made this journey worth it.

She smiled gamely.

"It will be done, my lord," she said, "And there will be no failure."

Lord Feer smirked.

"I have no doubt, my dear," her master said, he stepped forward, gently he lifted her up to her feet, she found herself looking into his eyes, her crimson gaze to his golden one.

"Good luck, my child. Bring terror to our enemies, bring rage and death."

He leaned in close so that he could whisper in her ear.

"Prove yourself worthy of being a daughter to me," he purred, "Make me proud."

She smiled and bowed as he stepped back.

"That is what I do," she said.

"What I was made to do."