Episode 3 Part 1 - The Apprentice
Koj's presence on the ship was unwelcome. The average soldier didn't know or care about who this alien was who passed them by, and neither did the officers or civilians or engineers or maintenance staff or anyone else. Yet he still felt his presence was unwelcome. It wasn't until he stood before Mandalore alongside his select Alliance magistrates that his musing became prophetic. Mandalore was indeed displeased the Ghorfa was here. Granted, Koj was requested, but it was not to exchange pleasantries.
Although who has ever known a Mandalorian to exchange empty pleasantries?
The exchange was as quick as Koj had come to feel was normal for men like this. Straight as an arrow, brave enough to give the ugly truth and demand nothing less of others, firm ideals, and not giving enough of a damn to care how many toes got run over in the process. In many ways this was the kind of personality Koj respected and desired to see more, as the exchange with Outsiders growing up as a young Ghorfa in the sands was surrounded by liars, deceit, and backstabbers. How unfortunate it was that his exchange was proving to be one of alienation from an individual he might otherwise consider a friend and ally were it not for his own decisions. How unfortunate it was that Koj, himself, was the backstabber.
"You broke a contract, Ghorfa." Mandalore stated. "Before I tell you what I think of what I intend to do about this, I would like to know: Why?"
"I was a leader amongst the Rebel Alliance, and at the same time I was a leader of my people, the Ghorfa. I recognize that our contract gave Tatooine to my people, and you gave great aid in the Alliance fighting the Cartel. However, I chose to reach out to the United Systems Alliance because to follow through with our deal, and join your Clans, would result in the destruction of everyone who had only just freed themselves of the yoke of slavery. To say nothing of the security or protections that would be offered by being part of a grand nation, it is nothing of the economy, but it is of your intentions toward the future."
"You presume to know what my intentions are for the future?"
"I presume to know that you have no intentions for the future. None. Your vision leads to death."
"How big of an idiot do you think I am? My vision is what brought the Mandalorians together once more, my vision is what kept the Sith Triad at bay for the Republic's sake when they were busy pissing each other off and being pawns to yet another Sith, my vision is what turned this group of squabbling clans into one of the greatest nations in the current galaxy, my vision is what saved your sorry ass from a bunch of overgrown slugs and let you have a pile of sand as a prize, and it is my vision that the Sith Empire that has orchestrated war after war for a thousand years will pay and beg for forgiveness from everyone they have used as entertainment!"
"Your 'vision' is to go into the mouth of death itself and hope to stab it in the heart as it swallows you whole." Koj countered. "And not just a hand, but the entire arm up to the neck. You have pooled together the resources of not only an army, not only a mighty army, but of your entire nation even to the extent of calling upon other nations, mercenary groups, and many favors you have that could benefit less bloody ends. Tell me, have you given thought to what will be left of your 'mighty' nation if you lose? Or let's pretend you will win What will be left to return to? Or what little will return to begin with? I say your vision leads to death because I forsee that all of what you have ever desired to accomplish, from the very beginning, is this war and nothing else. You haven't planned for victory nor defeat, but war itself."
"Then you very much underestimate us." Mandalore scoffed. "We are not a people who greed and lap at the finest wine or sensual pleasures until our teeth or flesh rot. We are warriors. Times will be tough, but this is a challenge just as much as the war itself. One we have faced many times, and even relished in. You say I have no vision past this war? I will grant you that because I am a man of war! I know my place and it is here. That is why I left behind a woman on my throne whose vision is not my own, but whose ambition is for peace and prosperity. We are warriors. We fight true and with honor. It is not my integrity that should be questioned, but yours. I question your honor, and find myself seeing you as little less than the scoundrels you lead, and the terrorist your fame professes."
"I do not mind." Koj shrugged.
"You don't mind?" Mandalore questioned in disbelief. "You do not mind that your very integrity, honour, trustworthiness, is in question?"
"I have lived my entire life labelled as a terrorist and barbarian, first for my race and second for my actions. I have never found it worth the effort to consider myself anything else. In my eyes I am a rebel who fights for his people. In the eyes of my victims, I am indeed a terrorist. You look at me, and my actions, and see a backstabber, a scoundrel. I look at myself and see a selfless Ghorfa who is willing to shoulder the dishonour that comes with it. I will not change my decision. I will manipulate, I will adapt, I will use whoever and whatever I need. These may not sound the words of a selfless man, but they are for the sole reason that nothing I do has benefited me, and I don't believe it will. The only party who benefits from my deals is my people. My people will have their home. They will have a protective power over them that isn't about to dive into the jaws of the beast. So if you want to take my name and rub it into the dirt, do it. It is nothing I am not used to."
They stood in silence a long moment, neither really willing to budge on their points. While they would not say it, they both silently respected the other's position. Mandalore saw him as a kind of selfless for his own people, one who was willing to dirty his hands to keep his people's innocence and protection. But that was all he was he was no leader.
"If that is what you think, then you have failed as a leader." Mandalore stated. The Ghorfa looked at him confused. "A leader represents his people If you are a scoundrel, how much less are your people who you lead by example?"
What the man said dawned on Koj and for a moment he saw his decisions as perhaps not being as good as he originally thought. He did not see it from the Mandalorian's point of view, in that the impact wouldn't be as big as he was making it out to be. Not all Outsiders were evil, this the Ghorfa knew. Just as not all the Ghorfa would be scoundrels, as the Outsiders would come to know. It was far too generic to declare that one bad Ghorfa meant all Ghorfa are bad.
However there would still be at least some far reaching problems.
"I recognize what you are trying to say. I will admit it is not a perspective I reflected on, however even if I did, I would still make the same decision. An impression is one that can change. Mandalorians are proving to be far more civilized than originally believed for a rag-tag scattered assortment of bounty hunters and mercenaries, for example."
"Our situations are completely different. Mandalorians have had a strong presence in many places and many areas for a long time. We have shown many faces over a long time. You and your people on the other hand. You have only been in the public eyes for a few years. You, Koj'Ineh of the Ghorfa, a leader against tyranny, a fighter of oppression and freer of slaves the first and only Ghorfa the galaxy as a whole has known. And one just as slippery and deceitful as the very monsters he fights like a true hypocrite."
Koj grit his teeth. "It is not that way! Why can you not see that?!"
"It is not about what I think!" Mandalore barked. "And that again is your failing as a true leader! You are the first, the only, Ghorfa the galaxy has come to meet! You are the public image of what a Ghorfa is! And now the public eye, no matter the nation, will look to your hunk of sand and say they are all like you!"
"Then that is where we are very much not alike. I care little for what anyone thinks. They want to despise me? Let them. They want to look down on an endamgered species doing what it can to survive? All they prove is how sad they themselves are! They push someone into a corner as we have been and they will see what we will do to survive! I have been beaten down by this galaxy all my life, yet I will be called criminal for fighting back? I have not betrayed the things that i fight for, and if fighting for it makes me a liar to one but truth to another, then I stand proud!"
To Koj's amazement, the Mandalorian started chuckling.
"You find my resolve amusing?" Koj demanded.
"Despite myself, yes. Not funny... but astounding. There is foolishness but i cannot help but respect it more than my dealings with the Republic or United Systems... Unlike them you have some serious balls. I disagree but there is pride and honor of sorts within yourself. So I will offer you a deal."
"Im listening..."
"Your insight into Valkorian is immeasurable. Join us on my personal staff and I will consider your peoples debt clear."
"... if i refuse?"
"I will see your peoples debt to me paid one way or another." Mandalore replied darkly.
"You speak of honor... yet resort to blackmail?"
Mandalore smiled in his helmet. "Perhaps we are more alike than either of us are willing to admit. I too am willing to do what is necessary for my people... even work alongside... some i otherwise would never." He said vaguely.
Following his conversation with Mandalore, Koj made his way to his brother's cabin. It was the most likely place to find his daughter and part of their plans was to spend time with the Wryns.
His demeaner was troubled though. He had hoped to avoid returning to war but... now whether he did or didn't he would have to sacrifice something. Go into danger and leave his daughter alone... permantely or otherwise. Or stay and let his people be used as a political pawn.
His heart ached with the weight of his decision. For the thousandth time he cursed his concience... his concience that refused to sit and ignore his responsibility and potential to help his people through a galaxy that even now insisted on putting them to the corner.
His eyes lifted as he reached his destination and though he tried, he could not entirely bury the troubles that showed in his face. He knocked. When response was given to enter, he entered in.
Ahsoka Tano sat on her couch furiously studying something on the terminal screen before her. Periodically she typed something before focusing again on the screen. She was so focused, so intent on her work, that she barely gave Koj a glance. Her food sat cold by her. Her repeated sighs showed her to be troubled as well.
A quick glance revealed a lack of anyone else present. The cabin was large, with two rooms, but not so large that anyone could hide too well.
"Good day." Koj greeted her warmly.
"Hey." She grunted shortly.
Koj raised a curious eyebrow at her clipped response, but otherwise chose not to take offense. "Where are the others? Did Cahj not meet up with you?... and why is there bubbles?" Now that Koj saw it, he realized there were small patches of bubbles everywhere tucked in the corners and crevices. It was about an unusual thing as he could have imagined.
Ashoka grit her teeth a moment before calming herself and sighing in exasperation. "Varus and Cahj are... in the brig."
"What?" Koj stared at her blankly, barely able to process it. He had seen her only hours ago! How did she and his brother end up in the brig?
Now that he thought about it... it was rather typical with Varus so the bigger question he should be asking himself is: why is he surprised?
"Yeah, the two had the oh so brilliant idea to rip a water pump out of the lobby floor and pour dish washer soap into it. Thereby making a water slide and a bail of ten thousand credits along with a repair bill of ninety eight thousand!"
That explained her aggravation. All Koj could do was put a hand to his face and sigh. "Where do they get these ideas?..." He wasnt entirely sure he wanted to kmow either.
Ashoka warmed at a thought, even smiled lovingly, and said, "For Varus... its a defense mechanism. He did better when we were on Naboo and he had something to keep him busy, hobbies and such. Even in our travels he does moderately well handling himself despite the boredom... its just... recent events have made him desperate to avoid thinking."
Koj nodded. He recalled part of the last few years. He considered them a time of healing for Varus. A time to settle and have peace for once. "He has... what was it? All the letters for mental illness..."
"PTSD?"
"Yes, that."
Ahsoka replied, "He has it. So do I, but not near to the degree he does. We found meditation, training, keeping busy, and sports helped. The war games were good therapy."
Koj smiled. Those games had been fun for him as well. He was on their side and by the time the match was over he had stealthily kidnapped half the opossing side and tied them all to trees.
Their parents did not as amusing.
"I believe Cahj shares a similar curse. Her brief war as one so young with slavery to follow was enough to shatter her fragile mind." Koj sighed. "She has gained a mindset that suspects abandonment and I have done my best to give her what she needs, but now that may prove... difficult."
"What do you mean?" Ahsoka put down her terminal and looked at him with worry. She sympatgized greatly for Cahj. She, herself, had a fear of being alone and abandoned or betrayed.
Koj considered whether to reveal his innet thoughts to her, then reasoned there was no reason not to. He had cast aside his hate and disdain for Jedi and she was his sister-by-law by custom. He collapsed onto the couch by her and no longer pretended to be anything less than extremely troubled.
"I am being blackmailed into joining the war."
"What?!" She gasped. "By who?"
He whispered, "It is my own fault in the end. I had struck a deal with the Mandalorians to turn Tatooine to them in return for help. I turned on them by giving it to the United Systems. Mandalore has threatened to take it back since it is not yet officially under the Systems protection. But if i join him and give my expertise and knowledge of Valkorian he will rescind the original deal and let my people be."
Ahsoka could only stare at him wide eyed. A chill went down her spine. The burden on him was huge. From what little she knew, he had borne massive burdens all his life, but this was the first time she was present in one being placed on his shoulders; and this was the most vulnerable she had ever seen him. No wonder he was so composed all the time. Every day little problems wouldnt make him blink.
"Does Cahj have a home to go to? She has been with you for years!"
"She has a home on Tatooine, and Forge. It has taken much time but Ashley Marr and her are close once more. No longer as a motherly role model, but as an older sister. Cahj is too independent for it to work otherwise. She is no longer a child, but a woman."
"Wha- how old is she?"
Koj caculated it briefly. "Twelve of your Coruscant cycles? Thirteen? I am unsure."
"And that makes her an adult?"
Koj looked at her from the corner of his eye. He raised an eyebrow. "This is normal. A girl becomes a woman on their first bleed. If we were to return fully to the customs of the Gorfa she would already be wed and on the way to birthing children. However she has chosen to refuse to follow such customs and find her own path."
"You can hardly expect her to follow or believe in customs she never knew."
He nodded in reflection. "Indeed. We are in agreement."
He rubbed his face and sighed. He had failed her in many ways... and he did not want do do it again.
"To make it more complicated... her spritual gifts have grown and have become difficult for her to control. My teachings offer her little since i have always gone by... how you say? Stomach?"
"Gut."
"Right, yes."
"I can relate. Using the Force at that age is always difficult. Controling the Force isnt an off/on switch, it is as much as controlling yourself or an extra set of limbs. I wouldnt let it bother you too much. She will grow into it or find a teacher that helps her develop her talent. But is this really what is bothering you?"
He shook his head. "Forgive me. I have diverted from the source of my concern. I find no problem with going to war to give my people peace. It bothers me, but i will lay my life down if need be. But i know Cahj will follow me to war, as is her right as a woman, and will defy my wishes for her to stay safe at home."
They sat in comfortable silence for a time. Each had their own thoughts and feelings. For Koj he felt a bit better to get it off his chest and to share his burden, a luxury he rarely used. For Ashoka though, she plotted. She had her own troubles and her own concerns, but Koj may have given her something she could use.
While it held no relevance to the conversation, she was worried about her students. She discussed establishing them as kniggts with Skyguy, and they were in agreement. Her students would be given the rank of knight tomorrow after a final test.
Her second concern was more selfish. Varus was resisting Nihilus' invisible hold, but for how long? It had already been a short time and his personality had deevolved much. She was searching for a way to help him... something to let him focus away from the darkness pulling him back. She needed him to look forward, not backwards.
She had promised to help. Now she realized how she could. Or rather... who could.
"Koj. I think i may have a solution to both of our problems." She decided.
He looked at her from the corner of his eye.
I lean back against the wall and groan to whatever deity will hear. Ahsoka wont even let me tease her or anything! Her mind is focused and doesnt want me interrupting. She gives her love, but it still leaves me with a dilemna of being in a cell! "This sucks!"
"Its only been an hour." Squirt replies simply.
My eyes explode open in disbelief. One hour? That cant be! I've already counted all the dots and smudges on the ceiling! "You've gotta be kidding me!" I groan.
Squirt eyes me before returning to her inner musings. "Relax, with your connections we wont be here long."
That is a pampered, prideful, arrogant thought and I couldnt agree more. I cant help but smile in pride. "When did my niece get so conniving?"
She blushes. In emberrasment she looks away and says, "shut up." I chuckle.
"What you guys doing here anyway?" I ask. "I know you guys may have screwed over Mandalore, but it surprised me Koj would still come to meet with him."
"He's marshaling an army to overwhelm the enemy in one campaign. The big guy probably wants to recruit him."
"Even after Koj betrayed him? If i were in his position i don't know what i would do."
Squirt shrugs.
Something about the neutrality of her expression rubs me badly. Isnt sje bothered at all by the idea of her dad going to war? "How do you feel about it?"
"Meh."
"Not really an answer, Squirt. If you were in control here, would you let your Dads forces be recruited?"
She doesnt answer at first. She just twiddles her thumbs, not really thinking but avoiding having to answer. Finally she says, "They're fine... they are grateful and by doing this they can be considered an actual narion... and supporting Mandalore wi earn them favor from the clans."
"And your dad?" I insist, despite her attempt to evade the question.
She doesnt answer and i sigh. She doesnt want Koj to go to war. But then thats normal... right?
"Its just..."she hesitates, biting her lip and avoiding my gaze. "Great leaders dont always make great dads... you know? But now things are going well... and..."
I lean back, close my eyes, and sigh. "I get you. I still remember my dad. Or rather... i remember how little i saw him so i guess i never knew him much. He tried, but i was so jealous of the other kids i ran into. Things might have gotten better or i might have just been a stupid kid." I wrap my arm around her. "But let me tell you. Your situation may not be ideal, but he is still a great dad."
"How you figure that?"
"Because i know that the unreadable lug takes you into consideration in every decision he makes. Your never far from his thoughts."
Wjether she acknowledhes it or not, i can tell she needed to hear that. Her eyes water but she says nothing. Doesnt have to either.
"Well if he's gonna fight, so am i!" She states with resolve.
On my end... i am not sure how to take it. I know she is a young woman by her cultural standards, she is ywice as old as i was when i witnessed death intimeyely my first time, and as much as she has already endured she is made of some strong stuff. Doesnt mean i have to like the idea of my niece going to war.
Anytging i say would be me being a hypocrite. And im not her father. Hopefully Koj can get her to compromise and not stand on the front lines. For that matter, i could just use my connections and have her assigned to waitress.
And yeah... i'm bored. Been here for hours going on days it feels like! I skipped lunch!
Im breaking out. A mans gotta eat.
I glance out to see the guard isnt paying attention, and jump to action. The room is baron. It is ray shielded, and plated in Mandalorian plates. Mando metal has special properties for being extremely Force resistant. I would be able to break out, but i know much eadier ways.
I use a crevice in the wall to propel myself even higher up and nudge the ceiling tile up. The gap is merely inches, but its enough for me to stick my hand in and grab hold of a metal wire used in holding up a ventilation pipe. After some twisting it comes off.
I jam the wire into the corner of the wall where the ray shield meets the wall. I apply a bit of lightning to make it hot and squishy enough to mold into corner more sharply. Finally it penetrates. Just like picking a lock, i work the electrified wire around till it makes contact with a wire... and...
Ray shield down.
"Whoa..." Squirts eyes widen in awe. I smile in pride.
"Still got it."
"Still got what?" Tree-Hugger asks.
Shit!
I freeze like a deer in headlights. Squirt does much the same, but with much less of a nervously guilty smile on her face than mine. I, ever so slowly, inch my face around till i am facing my former Jedi master. Judging from the soldier standing by him emitting subtle Void energy, Nihilus is also here.
"Hi." I greet him.
He looks at me disappointment, then sighs in recognition. "Varus... what will i ever do with you?"
Nihilus says, "you can start with giving me my money."
"Wha?" I wonder. Since when has he given a crap about money? He isn't running an army he has to feed anymore.
Tree-Hugger glares at the Sith but begrudgingly relents. He pulls out a credit chip and slaps it in Nihilus's open palm. "I hope you choke on it!"
"I just might if it proves entertaining. Not that choking to death would hurt." Squirt stared at the 'man' in shock, not understanding who he really was. "Would you like to place another bet?"
"Wha?" They bet on me?!
Tree-hugger explains, "I said you could last a full night in the brig before breaking out. Our mutual friend here said five minutes if you are alone but just over an hour if you have someone with you."
"It would appear I know him better than you do." Nihilus says. Despite his usual flat voice, I can all but smell the smugness stemming from him.
"Shut up." Tree-Hugger scowls.
I gulp. "You're going to turn me in?"
"Technically you were pardoned after five minutes, as Nihilus' cooperation hinges on you. But I requested you stay longer to have some time to think, or at the very least be kept out of trouble."
"What?!" I yell. I shove Tree-Hugger aside. "Come on, Squirt. Lets get out of here." She stands and follows me out. But as we pass, Tree-Hugger speaks up.
"Great, we'll join you. Ahsoka called. Says she wants us to bring you when you bother escaping."
... does everyone expect so little of me? The fact that theyre right notwithstanding.
"Fine..." i sigh. I shove a finger at Nihlus. "But he stays in confinement. I dont want him near-"
"Ahsoka wants to see him too. She was very specific."
Nihilus and I both look at him in surprise. Nihilus' surprise quickly dissipates in disinterest, but mine morphs into horror.
"What?" I exclaim.
Ahsoka have you lost your mind?! Why do you WANT to see Nihilus!?
'I have a plan, Love. Trust me.'
I growl inside. 'Its not you i cant trust, its him. I dont want him near you.'
'You cant protect me and let me help at once. Let me do this. Let me help.'
I close my eyes and breath. The rage and fear spinning in my gut is a living thing, one that takes time to force into submission. 'Fine.' I answer. 'But only if there is a strict ten yard distance between you two, and you dont stand under any shadows. Put a light under your skirt if you have to!"
My wife chuckles in my mind. 'I dont mind putting up an extra lamp, and i will keep what distance i can have. Promise. Trust me, this is for us. Love you.' She conveys assurance. She has confidence.
'I dont agree with any of this... i hope you know what you are doing. Ill see you soon. Love you.'
I open my eyes. The time we spent talking barely lasted ten seconds, so Tree-Hugger is still explaining to me what i had basically just gone over with her.
"Just talked with her. Ill consent so long as he keeps his distance from her." I interrupt, shoving my thumb at Nihilus.
"Whatever." Nihilus shrugs.
"I dont agree with this, but im curious what she has in mind. Cooperate." Tree-Hugger eyes our mutual friend.
"This IS me cooperating..."
We arrive at my cabin to find Ahsoka sitting at the table. She has her hands together and was waiting for us. True to her word there is a light under the table. I nod to Koj standing to the side. Squirt throws herself on the couch. Tree-Hugger smiles in silent greeting to her.
Nihilus enters, without preamble or social niceties. He opts to stand in the middle of the room. He cuts to the chase. "I am told you wanted me. What is this about?"
Ahsoka says, "Koj, Cahj, would you two mind standing outside a moment? Some matters of this is confidential."
Koj nods and with a motion for Cahj to follow, they leave together and shut the door.
"Remove the helmet." Ahsoka tells Nihilus.
Nihilus glances toward Tree-Hugger, who says to go ahead. Nihilus looks to me, to Ahsoka, before slowly nodding.
Nihilus unclasped his helmet, and slowly peeled it up. At first it revealed the black underarmor that was skin-tight up his neck. Then it gave off a squelching sound as it rubbed flesh. I try to ignore the foul odor released. Finally the helmet leaves him.
The host hasn't decayed yet, but the 'flesh' skin around Nihilus does look like it has a very high fever and is sick. Rashes cover his face. The eyes are turning a shade of greenish-grey, but aren't dead yet.
Ahsoka motions for him to go to the otherside of the table. Nihilus sighs at this. "I cooperate solely out of interest of seeing what lies at the end of it all."
"I'm sure you will find this very fascinating." Ahsoka assures him, coldly. Mentally she wants me, so I stand by her and watch.
Ahsoka taps her datapad a bit and shoves it across the table to Nihilus. He gives it a measuring glance before gazing at Ahsoka.
I feel Ahsoka's patience. She is, in many ways, playing Nihilus' game. He is a creature that measures time differently. Combine this with being naturally silent, and you have silence that reaches unnatural levels.
A moment passes, a long moment, a whole minute. The clock silently clicks by until it becomes mesmerizing, and finally Nihilus is the first to look away. He picks it up.
Ahsoka smirks, just as I give her a mental high-five, and she talks as if no time had passed. "What you will find is a document listing laws, and detailing a court case held against you. Based on your warmongering, acts of terrorism, mass genocide, and most of all, in this case, a refusal to be taken prisoner and held for justice against your crimes; the former Republic held your crimes at trial in your absence and gave you the death penalty. It was a case proving to the exception, as most trials require the defendant be there and have due process. You refused, bounty hunters could not bring you in, and strike forces could not do it either. Chancellar Palpatine had the case presided over in your absence."
"Does make one wonder what my sheet looks like now that my former judged proved to be just as vile. Being a Sith Lord." Nihilus replied.
"It does." Ahsoka replied. "Which is what the document details. While Palpatine was a Sith Lord, he was crafty and in ways had his honor. He stayed within the due process of law to the best of his ability and was a talented Chancellor who did much good, despite what his ultimate goal might have been. Your case was carried forward to the Old Republic, and a special talk was held between all the major powers, even in the existence of war, about what to do with it. It was decided to keep it intact and holding."
"Perhaps i should feel honored so many warring factions could come together long enough to agree about how to handle me." Nihilus stated.
"With you captured and placed in high security confinement encased within a crystal, the legal dilemma becomes a bit confused. Stripped of a body, are uou dead? Are you alive? The courts were appeased with your imprisonment and did not revive your case. That is... until you broke out. Your case was immediately revived long enough to change the definition of death. No longer will your execution be based on a heartbeat, but by addition, with the government no longer to keep you contained, your case now falls under the category of vigilantes and above. So long as you cooperate, your execution will be suspended and you will be protected from legal vigilantes looking to kill you, but the moment that protection is gone... anyone is legally allowed to kill you. In this case death defined as your existance so far as the spirit."
Tree-Hugger stares at her in shock, and i feel like ive been eltrecuted. The bombshell she dropped on us was not a small one and immediayely i feel the impact it has on me.
Anyone can legally murder Nihilus.
I can do it legally. No need to run from the law.
Nihilus continues to stare flatly at her. "Are you threatening me? Because if you are, then this is old news. I found it boring the first time I learned of it. And it is only a waste of time to learn it a second time."
"Oh, no. I assure you. That was not a threat. That was a series of facts." Ahsoka replied. "However you have a hold over my husbands life, and i dont appreciate it. He loves me. He hates you. And among the things i have come to learn ive learned that hate is often as strong as love. Pardon me for sounding like a jealous woman but i dont want there to be a second woman... or whatever you consider yourself to be. You, by right as a Sith Master, want to keep Galen Marek to yourself, and you keep this by stoking hatred and vengeance within him. As his wife, best friend, and lover I want him to myself. And I want to see him heal and learn to love and be happy."
"What is your point?" Nihilus asks with a sigh. Bastard couldn't possibly sound more bored than he is.
"This is my threat." Ahsoka cuts to the chase. "You hold his heart to the past through vengeance. I will take it from you by turning him to the future through justice. Defeating you will no longer require he do it alone, or as murder. To do so would compel him to the darkness and emptiness. Defeating you will now be alongside his family and with the full authority of the galaxy behind his hand and a future to look forward to."
Ahsoka my beautiful crafty brilliant lover stops and watches with no small sense of accomplishment.
Nihilus shows a hint of surprise, which for a being like him, is like a fully animated cartoon screaming 'WHAT!?'
Nihilus says, "Your threat is based on the idea that my hold over my apprentices heart, whether it be that he is mine or yours, that law and justice matter. However, this is not so. Whether he wants to fight me, and whether he does so with the Dark or Light side in his heart, is based on the heart. You can give him authority, but if what sits in his heart is selfish vengeance, no amount of paperwork will change that. But the same can be said in reverse, as a man who has lived his life in darkness may weep in joy upon finding a new path revealed to him and take it. This question of yours is as old as the Light and Dark What is justice? What is revenge?"
Nihilus leans forward on the table, showing interest for the first time since he came in and to my surprise and horror he smiles. Nihilus smiles widely. The empty gleam in his eye turns to amusement to fun.
Nihilus chuckles, a sound that sends shivers down my spine. He says, "Not many threaten me even fewer threaten me knowing what I can do and I can count on one hand the number of people who have threatened me knowing what I can do and what I am most willing to fight for I like you." He looks at me. "I see why you picked her."
I can feel Ahsoka's sudden need to bathe and scrub that compliment off.
"Is there anything else?" Nihilus wonders, truly interested now. He is actually enjoying this now, having fun in his sick way.
Ahsoka shakes her head.
"Then it is probably best we leave." Tree-Hugger reaches for Nihilus's arm, pulls him up, and hands him his helmet. Nihilus places his helmet on his face, still smiling giddily, and walks out.
Tree-Hugger stays long enough to give us thumbs up and says, "Good job!" before leaving as well.
"Pity, Sky-guy has to leave I don't think we will see him much without Nihilus."
"Nope." I agree. I look to her. "Did you really research all that since our fight?"
"That s not all I've been doing. There is paperwork in getting my Padawans to Knights, and with our little business-"
"Don't care about that." I interupt. I lean down and whisper, "How many times have I said I love you today?"
"Uh-"
"It's not enough." I decide. I kiss her. She is caught off guard and is half-way between trying not to fall backwards over the chair, while trying to push me away, while trying to say something about Koj outside waiting, all while giggling and trying to sound mad. Talk about multitasking. "Better idea." I interrupt again while kissing her. I suggest, "You felt earlier like you needed to scrub his filthy words off. Lets take care of that."
"Varus!" She finally manages to get a proper word out. "Koj is waiting! This is important!"
Important ? damnit. This better be.
"Sorry, but it is."
"Fine, fine, fine." I sigh. I straighten up, march to the door, and fling it open. "Come on in."
Koj and Squirt enter in. Koj eyes me curiously as he passes. "Did it go well?"
"Very." Ahsoka replies.
I'd like to think so. There are only so many ways that could have ended. Me wanting to kill Nihilus, angry with Tree-Hugger, having a fight with Ahsoka, thanking Tree-Hugger, or loving Ahsoka more. I mean seriously if she wanted to discuss multiple subjects then her kicking my master's ass should have come last because she knows that her kicking ass turns me on more than anything! I'm a Sith! She knows better!
Ahsoka smiles apologetically to me.
"Brother, a matter of import has arisen. As you know, I am a warrior of my people, as well as a leader, and a priest. In my time I came to witness the depth of Valkorian's hate, and glimpses of-"
"Okay, can we please cut to the chase?" I interrupt. "Not to sound rude, but your explanations can compete with Nihilus for sheer length."
Koj glances to Ahsoka, who nods in agreement. Koj says, "I will be joining the war as an advisor against Valkorian." He looks to his daughter. "As I have had you by my side in the campaign against the Hutts, am I right in predicting you will not go home?"
"Nope."
He nodded, now looking at me. "And that is a problem I have been pondering. Our enemy is more ruthless, more fanatical, and less merciful than any I know. With my daughter being a woman, I have lost my power to refuse her. However, I still want to find a way to ensure her security. I have tried teaching her to control the Spirit, but my ways are not hers. I do not know how to give her what she needs in teaching, and I can no longer ensure security."
Ahsoka stands up and walks between us. She looks at me. "At the same time you need something to focus on."
"What?" I ask. I have a bad feeling churning in my stomach My instincts have an idea where this is going, but I want to hear it.
"Our mutual friend's return in our lives has sent you sliding down a hole. Our little squabble stopped the decline too quickly, but every day you spend around him is another chance for him to set you back further. You will resist, and I have taken my shot at him as well. But we know you did-"
"Is seriously no one going to cut to the chase?" I wonder.
"your best when you had something to focus on."
"Yeeaaah?" I ask.
"I " Ahsoka says.
"We " Koj tries.
"Will someone please get to it!" I exclaim.
"Take Cahjinawl as your apprentice." They both say.