Chapter 24: Apprentices
"Hello, Master Jas. It...it has been a long time."
Avaryss stood back and watched as the interrogation began. Xen sat in a chair before her, clad, no longer in robes and armor of the Sith, but in the simple military style jump suit so common here at survivor base.
Jas Dar Bynn stood before her, as did the Colonel Capistan. Understandably the two men were quite interested by the stray that Avaryss and the others had brought back from Sullust.
The Dark Lord said nothing, she was content to watch…for the moment.
In truth, this promised to be a most interesting conversation, considering what had happened in the past.
She glanced up at Jas Dar Bynn, she was curious what the old Jedi was thinking, given Xen's history.
Are you thinking about your brother, Master Jas?
And what might you do to his killer?
All intriguing questions, and important if she was to truly understand the mind of Jas Dar Bynn. Useful information for when the time came to destroy him, and her new allies.
Yet, it didn't seem important, not now.
She only just held back a hiss of pure anger.
Normally, this reunion would have consumed her attention, and she would have taken a certain dark joy in it.
Sadly, she could not enjoy it as she would have liked, her thoughts were elsewhere, mainly on the medical bay.
Fenn was there now, floating in a kolto tank.
He had fallen ill shortly after they had fled Sullust; he, and five of the others. What had started with a simple cough had evolved into a shortness of breath, and soon he had been bleeding from the mouth.
The Dark Lord cared nothing for the others, but Fenn…Fenn.
She…she couldn't lose him.
They were still not sure what was wrong with him, it wasn't Death Knell, Avaryss was quite familiar with what the early stages of that looked like. Yet, he was ill, that was for certain, all those that had been injured on the mission were. All who had suffered damage to their suits. What it was the dark lord could not say. Some infection common to Sullust. Something that had been in the air in lab ship? Who knew for sure?
Fenn had done the only thing he could and went into a healing trance, a means of slowing his bodily functions. Shyra had done the same for the other soldiers who had been suffering. Yet, that had not saved one of them, the young man died before they had reached survivor base.
Avaryss had been powerless, the dark side was weak in the healing arts.
She hated that feeling.
That sense of helplessness.
All she had been able to do…was watch.
She hated that too!
Once the ship had landed, they had carried Fenn and the others straight to medical. Avaryss had wanted to go with him, but she dared not leave Xen's side, not until she was certain what the other Sith's game was.
So, she had waited, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Avaryss felt something she didn't like.
Concern.
Fear.
Worry.
Such thoughts were beneath her, and yet, they were there.
She didn't like it.
She didn't like it one bit.
The mere realization angered her.
I want to go to him. I want to be by his side.
Yes, she desired that most of all, but she dared not.
Not until this interrogation was over. Xen knew too much about her plans, and besides…
…she had SEEN her face. Xen Loor had seen her TRUE face, not the glamour she hid behind, but the spell that covered the face of the Jedi this body had once belonged to.
No.
She couldn't take that chance.
If the other Sith talked, told them…
No.
Avaryss clenched her fists in impotent rage.
Perhaps I should have killed her on Sullust.
She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, so not to draw attention.
It was too late now.
What was done, was done.
So, she stood back, and watched with her eyes, and listened with her ears. Yet, through the Force, she reached out to Fenn, her dear dream friend.
Even now she could sense his pain, when their minds touched, she suddenly felt short of breath and could taste the kolto in her mouth.
Fenn.
Frustration started to rise anew.
Can't we hurry this up, she thought.
I need to be at his side.
Again, she could almost see Darth Feer's face, her master looked down upon her with disdain.
Compassion, my child? How disappointing.
She could almost see his cruel frown.
I taught you better than this.
Once that comment would have brought a sense of shame, but not now, not with Fenn.
Fenn…he…he was different.
In this…she could not deny her emotions, even the weaker ones.
She couldn't help it.
She cared.
Jas Dar Bynn and Colonel Capistan continued to pace before Xen. Avaryss' former student remained glib and uncaring.
She seemed to be enjoying herself.
"What were you doing on Sullust?" Master Jas asked her.
"Awaiting, my master," Xen replied.
"How did you know that she would be there?" the Colonel said.
"Because I KNOW my master, and so did Acina."
Xen chuckled.
"Darth Avaryss never did like others playing with her toys."
Avaryss' old student sighed.
"You don't understand, neither of you. When I still served the Jedi Order. I was taught one thing, above all. I was told to let go of my emotions. Master Sy insisted that I not even acknowledge them, that they were dangerous, and a hinderance to my education."
Xen smiled.
"What he should have said was that they were a hinderance to HIS plans. Because, that is what he cared about most, HIS plans…HIS ambitions."
She turned to Master Jas, her golden eyes flaring with hate.
"All your brother did was USE me, LIE To me! I was a symbol to his greatness. I was one of the padawan pack; my service to him was proof of his superiority. I was a trophy, not a padawan. He honored himself by taking me as a student, but then taught me only to see things HIS way."
Avaryss was curious to hear what the old Jedi Master would say next. She had fought Sy Dar Bynn, stood with Xen when she finally destroyed him.
What would the brother say about the man's final, and complete, failure?
Jas Dar Bynn sighed and shook his head.
"I tried many times to save my brother. He made many mistakes in his life. I forgave them all, because I believe what he did, he believed it was for the greater good."
Xen scoffed at that, but before she could reply, Master Jas stopped her with a raised hand.
"That being said, you are not wrong. Sy was ambitious, far too ambitious. He let those ambitions blind him to what he was, and what he was doing."
The Jedi gave her a sad look.
"You could have come to me, you know. Fenn was your friend. In his name, I would have tried to help you. Helped you work through your anger, work through it, and deal with it."
Xen smiled then, not the wolfish smile she usually wore, but something sadder, more real…perhaps.
"I would not have heard you. Master Sy's teachings blinded me to all else. He saw you as a disappointment, you know that. HE believed that you had thrown away your Force-given gifts for a life that was wasted."
Master Jas shrugged.
"He was entitled to his feelings. I made my choices, and I do not regret them. All the pain and joy in my life, that was mine to experience. Sy had no right to judge me, just as I couldn't judge him."
"But he DID judge you, Master Jas," Xen replied, "He judged all that didn't serve his desires. That is why he launched his secret campaign against the Sith, and why so many of our brothers and sisters joined him."
Xen's golden eyes fell on Avaryss, her expression was warm, almost…worshipful.
"I understood that what we were doing was wrong. I knew that the council would call it wrong if they ever had proof, but I didn't care. I was prepared to go to any length to avenge those we lost when Darth Malgus took the temple."
"And how does hurting the Jedi, and joining the Sith help you take vengeance on the Sith," the colonel asked her.
"And better yet, why would a Jedi seek vengeance," Jas Dar Bynn added, "Revenge is not the Jedi way."
"It isn't the Jedi way, master," Xen agreed, "But…it is MY way."
"Sy Dar Bynn and his followers wanted vengeance," Avaryss chimed in, "They dressed it up by saying that it was for the greater good, but vengeance is still vengeance, is that not right Xen?"
"Yes, Master," the girl agreed with a nod.
"I will not lie about what I sought, not anymore. Master Avaryss offered me the chance to get close to those that had sacked the Jedi temple, the Sith Lords that were beyond our reach. Most died at the hands of others before I could get to them, but their deaths were enough.
Xen smirked.
"Master Avaryss never lied to me. She was honest with me from the moment she offered me a blade and a chance to serve her. It is for that reason, that I'm hers. If I must die at her command, so be it. At least, in this, I die for what I want. She gave me the chance to have everything I desired; my life is the least I can offer in return."
"You say this now," Master Jas said, "But you were not at your master's side when she came to us? You say you are loyal to her, but you weren't there when she was forced into exile?"
Xen frowned.
Avaryss shot her a cold look.
Here we go, she thought, moment of truth.
The Dark Lord scowled.
Be careful, Xen.
Be VERY careful what you say next!
The young Sith shook her head.
"It shames me to admit it now, but I was not at my master's side, because I needed to pay penance for what I had done."
"And what was that?" the Colonel asked.
Xen winced; her expression pained.
"I fell in love," she said in a small voice, "I…I had not expected that. When I first came to the Sith, I reveled in my emotions. Rage, fury, hate, lust, suddenly, they were all open to me. I…I was overwhelmed. Lust and desire were MY favorites. I understood, for the first time, that I was beautiful, something that men desired."
She smirked.
"I played with men, they wanted me, and I liked it. I enjoyed making them mine, toying with them, and discarded them just as quickly. I reveled in that, their pain and disappointment. When…when love came, I was caught completely off guard. It...it ensnared me, and suddenly, that was all that mattered. I was willing to do anything to preserve it.
She looked at Jas Dar Bynn.
"You understand that, don't you, Master Jas? Master Sy told, me said that you married against the council's orders. He told me that you violated the code, became a husband and father."
Jas said nothing, but he showed no sign of shame either.
Avaryss glanced at him, she had heard this before, from intelligence reports she had read, but still…to see the master not deny it.
Interesting.
"My love became a pawn in the games of the dark lords. HE turned against Master Avaryss. He tried to kill her, and should have died for that failure, but I…I spoke up for him, begged for this life. I…I wanted to save him, to save what we had, and Master Avaryss cast me out. It was her right, and I needed to be punished for my foolishness, choosing a mere man over what I was being taught, the power that was being offered."
Xen shuddered.
"I endured the penance she asked of me, and I escaped. While my master was in exile, I travelled the Empire. I sought out new teachers. I expanded my knowledge of the dark side. I told myself that I didn't need Avaryss anymore; that I could become stronger on my own. I had much to offer the Empire, and other Sith, and when I was stronger. I would return and reclaim my love, what we had."
She looked up at Avaryss again, a shamed look on her face.
"I CHOSE wrong. The other Sith that took me in cared nothing for my desires. They either sought an in with my master, to either destroy her, or steal what was hers. As for my love, he…he remained a slave to his former master. He was determined to avenge her, to punish Master Avaryss. It…it consumed him, he no longer thought of me or what was might have had, as I watched him from the shadows, I realized the man that had been so kind to me was gone."
The girl slipped from her chair, and knelt before her former teacher and master.
"Forgive me, my lord, I…I didn't see. You…you were right to punish me. I realized in that moment that I needed to come home. That only you could offer me what I needed, return me to the correct path."
She bowed her head.
"The Empire, what the invaders have done to it, it is no longer worthy of continuing as it has. Only you can burn away the sickness that has infected it, return it to the glory that it once had. The men who I sought to destroy, the ones that burned the temple are dead, my revenge is complete, now…now I only desire to see you restore the Empire beneath your rule. I will serve you in this. Together, we will sweep away the old, and bring about a new renaissance of power."
Xen glanced up, her smile hungry and cruel.
"You ARE the rightful heir of Vitiate, let us destroy what he built, and see our new empire rise from the ashes."
Avaryss nodded as she looked at her former student.
She hated to admit it, but…
Xen did paint a pretty picture.
Capistan and Jas Dar Bynn looked at her.
"You buy this, Sith?" the old soldier asked.
"I sense no deception," Jas added, "But Sith have managed to hide their desires from a Jedi in the past. She is your loose cannon, Avaryss. What do you say?"
The dark lord nodded. She was pleased that they were letting her take the reins in this.
She grinned.
"I sense no deception in her either. Xen is…difficult to read sometimes, but I promise to make sure that she doesn't harm what we are trying to build."
The Dark Lord turned to her student.
"I have allied with these people, Xen. Together, we are opposing the invaders, and seeking away to restore our homes to their former glory."
Avaryss' eyes turned cold.
"If this is some deception, a plan to avenge yourself for your…penance. Know that that deception will fail. I will punish any betrayal severely, and this time…you will not come back from that punishment, I will make sure of that.
"If you stand with me, you will stand with them. Can you work with the Survivors and their Jedi allies? Will you put away your disdain for the Jedi and serve me anew, and obey me in all things. Swear it on the dark side, and all you desire in this galaxy.
Avaryss left the last part of that unsaid.
Swear on your child, Xen. Swear it on the life of poor little Mya.
Serve me, or die!
"I swear it, my lord," the other Sith said bowing her head. "I am yours…forever."
She went from kneeling to bowing, lowering her head to the ground, debasing herself before her teacher and lord.
"What is thy bidding, my master."
Avaryss nodded, she was satisfied.
The Jedi and his Republic friend didn't seem to like it much, but they were not part of the world that Avaryss and Xen lived in.
They would never understand.
"She will aid us; know that I will watch her, and make sure that she does nothing to harm our cause."
The two men nodded, Jas accepted her word, trusted her as much as he trusted anyone who had been an enemy. Capistan remained unsure, but he would never trust a Sith.
She was fine with that.
"Rise, Xen," Avaryss said gesturing her up.
"It is time to take your place at my side."
Xen Loor rose, her smile wide and happy.
"Thank you, my lord…I…I will not disappoint you, not again."
Avaryss nodded; that remained to be seen.
"With your leave, Master Jas. I will show are new ally to quarters, after that, we will see how best to work her into routines here."
The old Jedi glanced at Capistan, who gave him a curt nod.
Avaryss was pleased.
She had gained another servant among the survivors.
…that would be most useful when the time came.
She and Xen left the room together. Avaryss now moved on autopilot. She would go to the base's quartermaster, find a place for Xen, and then…
She reached out with the Force, once again, she felt Fenn's pain, could taste kolto on her tongue.
At that moment, only one thing mattered.
Fear not, my love.
I'm coming.
IOI
She entered the medical bay alone. She followed the Force lost in desire, only one thing mattered…
Fenn.
She found her dream friend floating in kolto tank closest to the door. He didn't notice her when she arrived, he was unconscious, lost in a sea of painkillers and healing fluid. He…
"MASTER!"
Avaryss turned, so lost had she been in Fenn's pain, that she had not realized that she was not alone.
Doctor Tagge stood beside one of the tanks, checking the vitals of another of the troopers wounded on Sullust.
At her side had been Zay. Avaryss had not seen the girl since her return, not since their encounter in the commissary.
The serving girl hobbled to her, as fast as her ruined leg would allow.
Avaryss turned, tensed, feeling another Force wielder's approach always brought up her guard. She...
The girl's arms were around her before she could back away. Zay pulled her close, into an embrace of pure affection.
The Dark Lord tensed.
She was many things, not all of them good…
…what she was not…was a hugger.
Dr. Tagge smiled watching the exchange.
"I guess she missed you, my lord," she said with a smirk.
Avaryss looked down, unsure how to respond.
Zay was hugging her.
What…what was she supposed to do.
No one hugged a Lord of the Sith!
"Master," the girl said into her shoulder, her happiness radiating out through the Force.
"Praise the Force you are back! That you are safe!"
Avaryss let the girl continue to embrace her. She should have liked it, took comfort in it, once she might have. Yet, her posture was rigid, uncomfortable.
She…she was not sure how to respond!
This is not how you begin, my child, Darth Feer's voice echoed through her mind.
If the girl is to be your student, your TRUE apprentice. You must cultivate both resentment and hate. Some affection is to be expected, as existed in OUR relationship, but beyond that, the girl must care only for power, power that only YOU can give her."
Make her hate you, but be in awe of you. That is how you proceed.
THAT is how you make an apprentice!
Avaryss understood that, but now was not the time. Not with Dr. Tagge here, and certainly not with Fenn floating before her.
Even unconscious, she could sense him through the Force. Their connection brightening her darkened world.
She…she could not do what needed to be done for Zay, not yet.
"I…I missed you to, Zay," she said, though she was not sure why.
Why coddle the child?
She had no reason too!
The girl stepped back, her smile bright, lighting up her face.
Avaryss gave her a smile of her own.
"You look better."
The girl bobbed her head excitedly.
"I FEEL better! I…I feel so many things now! I can feel the emotions of everyone in the base! It…it is amazing!
The girl might have bounced for joy if not for her bad leg.
"I'm…I'm so happy, master. I'm…I'm like you and Lord Agony!"
The girl squealed with delight.
"I'm like you."
Avaryss nodded, yet she could not really focus, not with Fenn before her, not in the face of so many…happy emotions.
Like me and Agony?
Like Xen?
She gave the serving girl an evaluating look. She sensed no darkness in that moment. Yet, she knew it was there, within, hidden away for the moment, she had felt it when the girl awoke from her slumber.
She just needed to teach the girl how to tap into it. She had to either deceive or guide her into its embrace, and then…she would be hers.
She had done it before, with Xen, she could do it again.
But…did she want to?
Zay was so eager, so full of happiness, reveling in her new found ability.
Did Avaryss want to put out that light? Create a girl that both coveted her power and desired her destruction?
That is the way of the galaxy, Darth Feer whispered in her ear, THAT is the way of the Sith.
She understood that, but Fenn, his…his presence…their connection.
Avaryss pursed her lips.
Zay wanted to be like her.
Was she?
We will see?
In the tank behind her, Fenn shivered, Avaryss reached out to him, their connection filling her up, the Force between them shining like polished silver.
She shivered.
The Dark Lord knew her desire, what she wanted, to destroy Zakuul, restore the Empire, and end the Jedi and the light forever.
Yet, in that moment, with a happy slave girl at her side, and her love before her in the tank.
She…she felt…she wasn't sure what she wanted.
Fenn…most definitely.
Zay…her apprentice…sure.
Yet, the darkness…her plan…it seemed so distant in that moment.
Don't forget why you are here, my child, Feer reminded her.
She nodded.
She hadn't, but still…still.
She smiled at Fenn, enjoying the sensation of their connection.
She…they…us…
She shivered.
What is going on, she wondered.
What is happening to me.
For once she had no answer.
She knew the darkness, and desire, but this…
She…
…she didn't know.