Chapter 17: Fun and Games
The Nexus Room Cantina was the place to be if you were a Sith in Kaas City.
Avaryss had been here many times since she had arrived with Darth Feer, usually on his arm, or acting as a bodyguard when he met with one of his allies, or rivals. The Sith both understood and accepted the fact that the Nexus Room was more than just a drinking establishment for the Empire's ruling class, it was neutral territory, no violence was permitted here, and so it served well as a meeting place for both the great, and near great of the Empire.
Avaryss was neither of those, not yet, her purpose for coming to the Nexus Room this evening was the fact that it was likely the only place in the capital that she could get a decent drink. It was likely the only watering hole on the planet that kept Oridanna wine among its vast collection of drinks and spirits.
To most Sith, places like Oridanna were backwaters. They saw little or no value in such places; they thought it devoid of any treasures, despite the valuable resources that the Empire collected from such worlds. The Nexus Room did so because it tried to encompass the full experience of Imperial rule. Food and drink from almost anywhere in the Empire was available here.
If Avaryss desired a small taste of home, she needed to come here. It was one of the least expensive drinks on the menu, but that was fine with her. Thanks to her new deal with TCS, she could afford the more exotic if she desired it, but, for the moment, that had little appeal.
"So what do you think?"
Avaryss looked up at her friend, Taya had joined her this evening, both to help her relax, and to give her an update on how the work was progressing with the alchemist that Avaryss had acquired
She brought the wine glass to her nose, smelling the sweet smell that she had first experienced at fourteen, when she and Ro Wilkes had helped themselves to a bottle from her father's stores. The smell took her back to a simpler time, a time before it felt like she had the weight of the galaxy on her shoulders.
She intended to savor every sip.
It was possibly the only way she would experience a taste of her former home.
"I think that we need to be cautious," she admitted, after what I saw on Taris and Nar Shadda, I would say that the Empire as a whole is in danger."
She shook her head.
"I think I might need that mask that the alchemist promised soon enough."
They sat at a table in the back; watching their fellow Sith as they wove their way back and forth through the establishment. It was a subtle thing, but if you watched closely, you could almost tell who was currently at odds with, or in open rivalry with their fellows. Sith ambitions knew no limit, so it was not hard to imagine that at least some of the lords here had one issue or another with one or two of their fellows.
Avaryss found the whole display…distasteful.
The whole thing sickened her.
We are being threatened, she thought, an unknown enemy, with both Jedi and Republic ties is manipulating us, and we continue to dance to the tune they call. We proceed ahead with no thought of who might seek to benefit from our infighting.
She had theory. She believed that the droids under the sway of Republic SIS were feeding what they learned to Republic agents, who, in turn, using pawns, were offering that information back to the Sith, information that the lords thought would aid them in the destruction of their rivals. She was not yet sure what role the Jedi Order had in this, whether that knight she had faced on Taris had simply been supplying security or if he had truly been a part of what was going on. Regardless, what was happening showed that the Republic and Jedi had evolved in their dealings with the Empire. This whole scheme showed a cunning that no Sith would have expected out of their old adversaries. It spoke of an unexpected embrace of the game that was Sith politics It was an old game, the gathering of such information against ones rivals was not uncommon in the Empire, what was uncommon was the amount of information. Too many Sith were learning too many things, too fast…
It was a recipe for disaster.
"The mask will be ready soon," Taya promised her, "At least that is what our friend says," the blonde smiled.
"My father asked me to thank you; the man is proving to be quite useful. Father still hopes to convince him to join our family permanently; his services would be more than valuable. Plus, both mother and my little brother have taken a bit of a shine to the man's daughter."
Taya giggled.
"I think my brother is experiencing his first crush."
Avaryss nodded.
She cared little about the man and his daughter, she had spared him for a reason; if that reason paid off, so be it.
She just hoped that Taya and her family were prepared to do what must be done if things did not work out. What good was a threat if not carried out?
In the meantime, it was not a bad idea to provide a little incentive to one's would-be minions.
"I may have something more for your father in the near future," Avaryss informed her, "I've recently come into some credits, and I could use his help in setting up a way for me to have easy access to them. I trust your Lord Father understands such things?"
"Quite well," her friend agreed, "Speaking of credits, I've been spreading a few around, looking for information on your master and his family, as you requested."
Avaryss gave her an arched look.
Before she had returned from Nar Shadda, she had contacted Taya, and asked her to see what she could find out about Darth Feer's daughter. The holo she had seen in Lady Synestra's quarters all but convinced her that one had existed.
Now she wished to know what the other girl had found.
"You found something?"
Taya shrugged.
"I found nothing, which is…something in itself."
"Explain," Avaryss said.
Her friend smiled.
"I had to be discreet of course; most Darths do not look kindly on apprentices looking into their history. You said to look for a girl about our age, perhaps a little younger. I found several promising leads, yet they all led me to nothing, records that should have existed were simply not there. Every time I thought I was on the right track, it fell apart. Whole sections of information dealing with House Feer's history were purged, possibly at the Darth's request."
Avaryss grinned.
Taya was right, sometimes finding nothing was something.
Erased, huh? How interesting.
Feer had covered his tracks; clearly there was something in the past that he did not want others to have access to. Was it the mysterious girl she had seen in the holo? Had he had another child beside Bael? What had happened to her? Something bad, she figured, something embarrassing, it could be, she supposed.
What are you hiding, master, she thought to herself, and how can I turn it to my advantage. How can I sharpen it and turn it into a weapon that can be pointed at your throat?
She nodded.
Taya had done well.
"You will keep searching," she told her friend, "But remember to be discreet. Lord Feer may not like you digging into his past."
"Of course," Taya replied, "Anything for you, you know that."
Avaryss forced down a blush.
There it was again and again Taya must have picked up on it.
Her friend smirked at her, giving her a knowing look that drew Avaryss out of her musings."
"What?" she asked.
Taya chuckled.
"Enough business, I thought this was supposed to be a party?" she said, "It is not often that we both can get away from our burdens. Perhaps we should try enjoying ourselves?"
Avaryss nodded.
Perhaps that was a good idea.
For the moment she was free of her master's chain. He had allowed her free reign of the city tonight, to celebrate her recent successes, but the work still intruded on her, even as she was surrounded by the pleasures that the Empire offered one such as her.
How can I enjoy myself when we are being threatened? She wondered.
She knew there was nothing she could do until Warmaster Feore deciphered the carrier signal's transmissions, once that was done, they would at last know where to strike, and they would need to strike hard.
That is the future, the darkside seemed to whisper. Try living in the present, revel in your success.
Who knows when you will get the chance to do so again?
She acknowledged the truth in that, still it was not an easy thing to let her guard down. She had contacted Taya, hoping that the other girl could help. They had had good times together.
She hoped that they might find some tonight.
She gave Taya a sheepish grin.
"I think I've been an apprentice for too long," she said, "Since I joined House Feer there have been little time for revels. It seems that everything I do these days is for my master or my desire for greater power."
"That is important," Taya agreed, "But you have to know how to let your hair down too. What is the point of saving the Empire if we don't enjoy living in it? We might as well be Jedi if all we have is duty.
She gently touched Avaryss' wrist, ran her finger down her hand.
It was…a simple gesture, but it made Avaryss shudder, her arm broke out in gooseflesh.
The touch had been innocent, she supposed, but combined with Taya's emotions and what Avaryss was feeling through the Force, it also suggested an intimacy that she had not experienced in quite some time.
It threw her off balance, at least for a moment, Taya seemed to enjoy that; no doubt she could sense what Avaryss was feeling.
The blonde girl smiled, and gave her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"You will be no good to anyone if you're mentally and physically exhausted. Let us find some fun tonight. Surely the capital has something to offer two beautiful young Sith?"
Avaryss smiled gamely.
"The capital is not without its charms," she agreed, "Do you have any ideas?"
"Hm," Taya said searching the room with her eyes, and possibly even the Force.
She stopped when she found the bar; a sly grin came to her face.
"Ah, there we are," she purred.
Avaryss followed where the other girl was looking.
She gave her friend a sly look.
"So I see," she murmured.
It appeared that the two of them had been noticed.
The two boys at the bar were watching them, now that Avaryss realized that, she sensed their subtle regard through the Force. Both were broad shouldered brutes, handsome in the way that most Sith warriors were. One was paled skinned, the other was dark skinned, they radiated a sort of danger, a potential for violence and dark power that some female Sith found intriguing. The dark side crackled within them.
Dangerous these two, Avaryss thought, and possibly exciting.
"Look Avy," Taya said hungrily, "Party favors."
She pursed her lips, evaluating the two.
"Cute," she murmured, "But…"
Taya shook her head.
"I thought you were going to try and enjoy yourself?"
"I am, but…"
Her friend gave her a sad look.
"It has been almost a year, how much longer are you planning on mourning Fehl? I know you loved him Avy, but he is gone."
She touched her hand again.
"He is not coming back."
Avaryss said nothing, but she felt a flicker of anger at the other girl's words.
In this, Taya knew nothing.
She could bring Fehl back, she was sure of it.
She just needed the right materials, and his spirit. The dark side offered the chance of resurrection, one just needed the strength and the will to see it carried out.
"Even if you could bring him back," Taya continued, "You have to ask yourself, what would be left? The madness beyond death that awaits all Sith is not called that because it is a gentle rest. There is a reason why the ancient lords chose to bind their souls to the tombs on Korriban."
All the more reason that I must try and save him, Avaryss thought, plus, who knew what things Fehl had access to beyond the world of the living. What secrets was only the dead privy to, how strong they would both become when she finally brought him back? Together they would change the Sith order forever.
Taya smiled at her.
"Try to have some fun tonight," her friend advised, "That is what those two boys want, and what we should want. Why should we not do what we can to enjoy the evening, and all its…possibilities?
Avaryss thought about that and smiled.
Taya did have a point, and besides…
She still needed to find a strong handsome body to bind Fehl's spirit to, someone both physically pleasing, and with a strength in the Force.
Why should she not begin her search here? Why should she not…sample the merchandise on offer?
She nodded.
"You are right Tay," she said, "Let's have some fun."
Her friend giggled and rose from her chair; she began to make a slow lazy path over towards the two young warriors, Avaryss followed in her wake.
They did not wish to startle their prey, or seem…over eager. They moved as one, but with a sense of subtlety.
Avaryss' heart fluttered nervously.
It has been a long time, she thought, she hated to admit it, but she missed the pleasures of the flesh. She had not experienced such sensations since her last morning with Fehl.
Perhaps it was time to change that.
It was at that moment that her path was interrupted. A small thin human blocked her way. She stopped glaring angrily, Taya noticed and turned around.
Avaryss regarded the one who had bumped into her with disdain.
What was this now?
He was scrawny, clearly not well fed, and from his clothes not from among the ruling class. He was young she thought, her age perhaps, but having none of her talents in the Force. He refused to meet her direct gaze, looking down at the floor, but that might have been more to do with his…alteration than his self-worth.
The whole left hand side of the boy's head was cybernetic, chrome plated with copper colored fittings, as was his arm on that side. Avaryss had seen many cyborgs here in Dromund Kaas, but never a slave who had been so augmented.
Why would a Sith waste time giving a lesser cyborg components, it did not make sense?
"What is this," she demanded, "Why are you interrupting my evening?"
"My apologies, great one," the slave stammered, his voice clicking slightly, sounding more machine than human, "Are you Avaryss, apprentice to Darth Feer?"
"I am," she said, "What is this about?"
The slave nodded grimly.
"Not here," he said, "My master has a message for you, and it is not for prying eyes. Will you follow me, please?"
Avaryss sneered down at him.
"Why should I?"
"It is about the prize you recovered on Taris," the boy said, "My master wishes to offer you some insight into what you have discovered."
Avaryss's eyes narrowed.
What was this now?
Taya gave her a curious look.
Avaryss smiled at her.
"Go make the proper introductions for us;" she told her friend, "You should hurry, before someone else seeks to…enjoy such pleasing company."
The other girl nodded.
"You will be back?" Taya asked.
"Yes, I need to take care of some business, it should not be long."
"Okay," Taya said, and continued on towards the two men.
Avaryss looked down on the slave.
"Lead on," she informed him.
"Let's make this quick."
IOI
He led her to a small alley not far from the Nexus Room, his one human eye darting back and forth, likely checking to make sure that they were not followed.
This better be worth my time, she thought angrily, the evening was just starting to get interesting, if this worm has spoiled that, he will answer for it. No matter who his master is, he will pay.
The slave did not stop until he was sure that they were not being observed.
He sighed.
"Accessing system, beginning transmission, now," he murmured.
The young man began to convulse.
Avaryss reached for her lightsaber, fearing this might be a trap.
Foolish, she thought, she had sensed no deception in this man, but that did not make him any less dangerous. A cyborg could be programmed to inflict damage without the human mind knowing anything about it until it was too late, it could be…
The slave's cybernetic eye began to glow, he lowered his head before her, and a holographic image appeared between them, projected from the cyborg's mechanical eye, a very familiar one.
Avaryss sneered.
"Darth Terrog," she said coldly, "What a surprise!"
"Greetings, youngster," the massive cyborg said, "It appears that my slave managed to find you after all, how fortuitous."
She crossed her arms over her chest; she looked upon the holo with disdain.
"You turned your servant into a living hyper-comm? Your toy is an interesting use of technology, my lord, but possibly a waste considering the subject."
"One of my more successful experiments," the Dark Lord said, "I wanted to see if it was possible to slave advanced technology to the human mind, My success with this one taught me so much, my new apprentice's programing is far superior and much stronger."
The dark lord beamed with pride.
"Perhaps the two of you will meet one day."
Avaryss suppressed a shudder.
She knew of course that Terrog did not limit his research to himself and his slaves. He used his genetic and scientific skills on his followers as well, seeking to improve not only their physical bodies, but their connection to the Force as well.
His success…was debatable, but also undeniable.
He knew how to make powerful brutes, that was for sure, Terrog's own form was proof of that.
She found herself grateful that she was not Terrog's apprentice. The man did not seem to understand the difference between student, and test subject.
She actually felt sorry for whoever had been chosen by the Darth.
Do not be intimidated, the darkness within whispered, do not give him that advantage.
Stand up, and remain strong.
She decided to do just that.
"We could stand here all night debating the pros and cons of your research, my lord, but I sense that is not the reason you sent your messenger, is it?"
The Dark Lord nodded.
"You are correct, it is not."
Terrog sighed and met her gaze, his strange droid-eyes staring into her organic ones.
"I have a task for you, young one. It is a task that will benefit both your master and I. You would be wise not to reject this offer out of turn."
Avaryss almost laughed.
Neither she nor her master were in the habit of doing favors for people, especially people that made them look bad before the dark council.
"And what makes you think that I will do anything for you? My master would never agree to help a rival, especially one that he seeks to replace."
"He may change his mind when he sees what I've brought him. It is a chance for him to avenge not only a recent slight, but learn more about the enemy that is even now plaguing our Empire. The ones who placed droids with a subtle espionage program build into their core programming."
Terrog smiled cruelly at her.
"I know you were recently on Taris, girl. I trust you got the carrier frequency from Sego Thunn before you killed him? After all, it is what I would have done in your place."
Avaryss frowned.
The Darth was…well informed, that was for certain. Still, she decided not to make it too easy on him.
"I know nothing about any carrier frequency," she lied, "You must be mistaken."
"There is no reason to lie, child," he said, "I found the programming that Thunn had hidden in so many of our droids. It was not difficult to trace the work back to him, not when I knew what I was looking for."
Avaryss eyes narrowed.
"And how did you find that out, my lord?" she asked, "I cannot confirm or deny what I know, but perhaps you would be willing to share what you found out, in the interest of good will, if you truly want me to undertake a mission on both my master and your behalf, I will need details."
Terrog chuckled, amused by her audacity.
It seemed that he was willing to humor her.
He told her what he knew.
"I've used droid processors to augment my experiment's minds many times child. Before any installation, I go over the mechanical parts I'm using quite thoroughly, I found the program that you and your master are no doubt investigating, and from there traced it back to its source."
Terrog sneered.
"If your master had not decided to involve Darth Baras in our affairs, it might have been me that beat you to Thunn on Taris. Yet, I hold no grudge, I admire him for the use of trickery and deceit, it is a weapon that all Sith must use if they wish to succeed."
"So, what is it you want, my lord," she asked, "I can't imagine that there is anything I can do that a Darth could do better."
"You may be surprised, youngster," he replied, "You remember the food shipment that was lost, the one that your master blamed on me."
"I take it you are going to claim innocence?"
"For the attack, yes, for the bacteria, no, It was created by me, but stolen and sold off by an unknown enemy, and enemy that sought to bring both your and master and I to blows. In that, they succeeded."
Avaryss considered what he was saying.
She frowned.
"You think it was the same people that hired Thunn? You think they wanted to force a conflict between you and my master?"
"You don't sound surprised? Good." Terrog nodded, "It seems that my old rival was not completely foolish in choosing a student. It seems that you are at least capable of thinking for yourself."
"More than capable," she said, "In fact, I can do far more than think. I take it you have a lead on theft?"
"I do, and that is where you come in, young one. I need someone to deal with the thieves. I wish to send a message to any who would dare oppose the Empire."
He smiled cruelly.
"I take it that you would be up for such a challenge?"
"I wouldn't mind," she replied, "Though I am curious. Why offer this to me? Why not handle the matter yourself, or send one of your own apprentices?"
"The Dark Council has forbidden my leaving of Dromund Kaas. They did not take kindly to the destruction of that food shipment, and blame me for what happened. I could send my apprentice, but he is not ready yet, his body has not adapted to all the improvements that I've made, not to mention the fact that his programing is incomplete."
Terrog shook his head.
"These thieves hurt your master as much as they hurt me. I'm sure that Lord Feer would not mind a bit of payback. He gets to destroy a place that once had value to me, and at the same time gain some knowledge about our mutual enemies."
Avaryss sneered.
"And if I fail, your rival loses his apprentice. You get to claim victory either way. Ingenious."
"Thank you, girl, as I said you have a sharp mind."
Avaryss suppressed a growl.
The cyborg would find her lightsaber even sharper, still, what he offered, there was value in it.
"I will need to bring this to my master. He still has to sign off on this."
"By all means," Terrog said, "Though I do advise speed. Who knows how long these thieves will remain where they can be reached."
The cyborg slave raised his arm, he seemed completely oblivious to what was going on around him, his organic eye stared blankly; a bit of drool ran down his gaping mouth.
The mechanical arm split open revealing a data card. Avaryss took it.
"That data card contains everything I know about the theft, and the location of the thieves, it is a space station on the edge of Hutt space. The slugs will not mind its destruction; it is currently under the control of the Exchange. I trust you are not afraid of such a low class of gangster apprentice?"
"Not at all," Avaryss said with a hint of a smile. In truth she welcomed the violence, it helped keep her sharp.
She had not expected to find any leads tonight.
This meeting proved to be most profitable.
"Thank you," she said to the hologram, "I will bring this to my master."
"I would expect nothing less," Terrog said, "And if I may offer a bit of advice."
"I'm listening," Avaryss said.
Terrog made a sound she took to be a laugh.
"Your master might find this offering more palatable if he knew that you took it from a slain agent of mine. I've learned all I can from this test subject. I would be most pleased if you terminated it for me."
Avaryss smirked.
She looked at the blank faced slave.
She grinned.
Putting such a creature out of his misery would be a mercy, and besides, Terrog was not wrong.
Killing one of his agents would go a long way to sell the story to her master.
"Good luck, youngster," the dark lord said bowing, "May the Force serve you well."
"And you, Lord Terrog," she said, igniting her lightsaber.
The image of the dark lord vanished; the slave blinked slowly becoming aware of his surroundings.
She did not give him the chance to finish.
Her blade took his head; it came away with a shower of sparks and the slight smell of burnt meat.
The body fell to the ground, just another piece of refuse to be cleaned up by the Imperial sanitation crews.
Avaryss shivered with excitement. She slipped the data card into her pocket.
Her master would be most pleased to learn of this conversation, but…
She smiled slyly.
…Not tonight.
The encounter with Terrog, the blood she had spilled set a fire in her. Every nerve ending was tingling, her heart beat faster.
She thought of Taya and the two boys back at the bar.
She had had her fill of violence for the night, now she was in the mood for some vice.
She took a shuddering breath, her mouth suddenly having gone dry.
She returned to the Nexus room with a tune on her lips and a spring in her step.
I do hope those boys are nice and rested, she thought. Most Sith bragged about having almost unlimited stamina, Emperor knew, her Fehl certainly had it.
She was looking forward to putting one of them to test.
Stay sharp boys, she thought, It is going to be long night….
…very long indeed.