Rage levelled her eyes up at the Thalcein enforcer. "Watch your tongue, Drakahn. Frankly I do not care how others speak to you." She turned curtly on her heels. Her Sith cape billowed out behind her as she stepped towards the instillation where the current regiment was housed, just off to the side of the fortress.

Drakahn snorted, glancing down at Reg. "High spirited, isn't she?"

He sighed and followed. "Sir, you don't know the half of it." Drakahn watched as Rage moved into the barracks then turned to see how his prize was faring.

*****

He watched the monitor as Gade sobbed, and a cold smile reached his features. She was completely alone. Completely vulnerable. Completely in need of a gentle hand. He stepped towards the cell, unlocked the door open and stepped in. Her sobs had stopped as soon as she heard the bolt of the door sliding, but she couldn't wipe the tears from her face.

He brushed the side of her face with his hand as he pulled the blindfold from her face, and she jerked her head away so violently that he heard her neck crack. His eyes studied her features. His touch was gentle, almost caring and his eyes, although cold, held a kind of compassion. Drakahn could feel the emotional conflict beginning within her. She did not shrink away from his touch like she had before, but her muscles trembled in revulsion. She was simply too exhausted to fight any more.

He cautiously leaned over her and unlocked the shackles on her legs, then the ones keeping her arms pinned back. He carefully ran his hand over the abused muscles of her shoulder, using the Force to soothe it. The pain was eased and his strong sure hands massaged the torn and pulled muscles. He slipped the lock off the muzzle and backed away to give her space.

"I'm sorry about the treatment you received from the troopers. I spoke to Lady Vader and hopefully that will help."

She rolled to her feet quickly despite her fatigue, her mismatched eyes where cold and suspicious as she backed away from him. She snorted and shook her head - a threat, telling him to keep his distance. He smiled warmly. "You are very strong. A true credit to your bloodline."

He slipped a bundle from behind him and she could smell the smoked meat. Her mouth watered despite her uncaring appearance. He opened it and a canister of water as well, placing it on the floor in the middle of the room. Her ears flattened and she raised her head, tilting it slightly to one side, her body language clearly stating she did not trust him. He stood at the opposite end of the large room from her, pretending to busy himself by studying his surroundings. He remember how she used to love the smoked pellon meat when she was a child. Starved though she was, she was cautious, moving slowly, never taking her eyes from him. She crouched and picked up the smoked meat, sniffing at it tentatively before she took a great, tearing bite, then took a long drink of the water. The food hit her belly like a stone and she slowed so that her stomach wouldn't reject the sudden intrusion of nutrients.

"Rehn..."she looked up at him, chewing somewhat noisily. "This doesn't have to be difficult. You don't have to suffer. The Emperor is a hard master, but he has much to offer."

She snorted incredulously, her eyes looking coolly into his. "Nothing he could offer remotely interests me." she shot back venomously around a mouthful of food, finally breaking her silence. He could see that the very thought of having anything to do with Palpatine rankled.

"I don't want to see you destroyed, little one. There are so few of us left." Drakahn said, his tone soothed with the Force. He resisted the temptation of reaching out with it to touch her mind, recalling violent reaction it had previously brought on.

She watched him carefully, chewing slowly. She tried to pick up any indication him lying to her, though his eyes and body languages made him look sincere "Why have I been brought here?"

"You have a gift...a special gift, passed on to you by your ancestors...I can teach you how to use it."

-Kelly Black-