Chapter 12: The Dance
"Am I dreaming this, or are you?"
The words were old, something that had passed between them many times, a greeting that only the two of them truly understood.
"I don't know," Fenn replied, "Does it really matter?"
Avaryss smiled, a soft gentle smile that few of her servants or foes would recognize. It was a smile that only Fenn Shadowstone could bring out in her.
The smile…of her dream friend.
It had not been hard to find him, it was never hard for her to find him, not if she was willing to open herself up.
He had not gone far from the base, a few hundred feet away, she found him sitting on a large rocky outcropping, his legs crossed, just emerging from meditation.
Avaryss swallowed hard; her throat was suddenly very dry.
It was funny, after everything she had done, all she had seen, and sacrificed, being here…being with Fenn. It still…intimidated her.
She was a Lord of the Sith, and yet, in his presence, she felt like an uneducated farm girl again.
Such was the power of the emotions that flowed between them.
The connection between them…remained strong.
Do not be distracted, the darkness within her whispered, you came here with a purpose.
She nodded grimly.
Yes…a purpose!
You are the heir of the corrupter; the legacy of Darth Hecaetus is yours…the galaxy must be saved…from itself.
The thought brought a smile to Avaryss' face.
Yes, she had to save it, but she couldn't do it alone.
She refused to do it alone.
She…wanted…Fenn, and now…the time had come.
Now, I plant the seeds of dissent, I must make him mine.
Avaryss shivered with anticipation.
I will NOT fail!
She stood before him, waiting for him to make the next move. This meeting was a dance she had thought about often.
Fenn…he was not like the others. He was not a childish idiot like Necris, or a hypocrite like that faithless harlot Xen Loor.
No, Fenn understood what the darkness was, he had felt its call, and turned away from it.
It now fell to Avaryss to make him rethink that decision.
The wind of this simple world blew her hair, and tickled her face. The Force flowed different here, it was not as structured as the worlds she had come to know well. Dromund Kaas, Korriban, and even her native Oridanna all had bowed to the power of the Sith.
This place…was not like those worlds, it was still wild, untamed.
Much like the man standing before her.
Fenn sighed and rose to his feet, she sensed him reaching out to her, their connection in the Force always bringing them far closer than they should have been.
His expression…turned sad.
"Tara told me what happened," he said, "The weapons depot, I take it that wasn't part of your original plan?"
His comment made her eyes narrow, she didn't like that question, the tone of it.
"Are you judging me?" she inquired.
He shook his head.
"Merely questioning what happened, we are trying to build an alliance to oppose a deadly enemy. It seems counter productive to kill those that might have become our allies."
She was about to lash out at him.
How dare he judge me for what happened…he…
Be cautious, the dark side whispered.
You are here to win him to your side, not to argue, and certainly not to alienate him.
She took a shuddering breath, and gathered her wits.
There were alternatives to anger, and as a lord, she needed to use those alternatives from time to time.
That was one lesson that her master had not taught her, it was something she had needed to learn on her own, but…it had served her well.
"Ravage's agents caught me off guard," she said dismissively, "The deaths on that station were unfortunate, but necessary to continue our plans."
Fenn nodded, he could sense that she was not lying to him, they had never lied to each other. If the galaxy had one truth, that was it.
She would never lie to Fenn Shadowstone, she might not tell him the full truth, but she would NEVER lie.
She prepared herself to face another rebuke, another series of Jedi platitudes about working together and building alliances….
Again, he surprised her.
"Are you okay?"
The question caught her off guard, made her blink with surprise.
"What?"
"Are you okay," he repeated, "It can't be easy, killing your own kind, not when you know that a larger enemy waits to be dealt with."
Avaryss' brow furrowed.
She was…unused to such questions, it had been a long time since someone had inquired after her mental state, not without motives of their own driving the question.
How long had it been since someone asked…simply because…they cared?
As always, Fenn was someone different, someone far more than others she had dealt with since leaving the simple life of a farm girl behind.
Be honest, the darkness advised, but be careful.
Do not let him fool you.
Avaryss looked away, she let him sense her regret, or rather as much regret as she allowed herself these days.
"I can't deny that I found the whole matter wasteful. Had we been able to establish a true contact among Darth Ravage's people, that would have been ideal, but that was impossible. There was no time, and I had no leverage to begin such negotiations.
The dark lord sighed.
"It is funny, I joined the Sith Order to both avenge my family, and aid the Empire, my people, and yet…"
She chuckled mirthlessly.
"I believe that I've been forced to kill more Sith than I have those outside the Empire. It seems that no matter what I do, it always comes back to the power games of the Dark Council and our superiors."
"It is not so different in the Republic now," Fenn said with a shrug, "The Senate continues to function, but now it does so under the watchful eye of the Eternal Throne. The government seeks only to preserve its own power, not help those that are being hurt beneath Arcann's heel.
Fenn clenched his fists.
"It feels like it did after the temple fell. It feels like surrender."
Anger sparked within her dream friend, Avaryss felt it, a gentle ripple, controlled, mostly, but one…none the less.
And there it is, she thought, suppressing a smile.
It was that flickering emberthat she would need to nurture.
The anger that Fenn had felt as a boy was still there.
She needed to pour fuel on that fire.
She would turn that ember into an inferno, and then…he would be hers.
"I'm starting to realize that there is little difference between your Senate, and our Dark Council, both so afraid of losing their power, of doing what is necessary for the greater good."
Fenn smirked at here.
"Is that why you are here, Avy? Are you fighting for the greater good?"
"I've come because I desire to see the Empire survive, to flourish again. It cannot do that with Arcann looking over our shoulders, that and…and…"
She paused, not for pain, but for dramatic effect.
This was another step in the dance, a means of testing her partner, see how far he was willing to go.
"I…I also came…because of you. It…It feels right that I should be here now. It feels like the time has finally come for us to be together, to fight together."
He blushed slightly at her comment, about them…being together.
She gave him that shy smile again.
"Please tell me that you feel it too? Tell me that I'm not wrong?"
Now it was his turn to pause, she felt a sense of tense anticipation. Would he make the move that she desired, or would he take the Jedi path? She had offered him the chance to take the next step, would he take it, or remain the Jedi fool he was trained to be.
Come on, Fenn.
Come on.
She started to look away, to walk away, sensing rejection, she would need to come at this from another direction. She wouldn't give up, but…
He reached out to her, took her hand, his touch firm, but gentle, holding her in place.
She met his eyes, she could see his desire there, and sense it through their connection.
"You…you are not wrong," he confessed, "It does feel right that we are here, that we stand together… now."
She let him lead her off, they walked together, not as Jedi and Sith, but man and woman.
He wanted to explore this feeling, this moment.
Avaryss held back a cunning smile.
He had taken the first step.
The dance…could continue.
IOI
They walked together, close enough, yet, maddeningly, not.
Their fingers kept brushing against each other, the slightest touch sending electricity up her arm.
They were not holding hands, but part of her desired it.
She wanted to reach out, take his hand in hers, but that…could cause trouble so early in the game.
It was hard, balancing one's emotions, especially when one's desire was so close. A Sith was no Jedi, they were passionate, and wore their hearts on their sleeve. Yet, she could resist. She could do it, and would do it. She trusted that her Sith pride would help her stay focused, stay on task.
A desire could become a weakness if you let it. She would have him, but in due time, and on HER terms.
She knew the dangers of following her heart.
She had learned THAT lesson the hard way.
Her thoughts returned to her days on Korriban, her first real adult relationship. She had let her feelings for Fehl blind her, those feelings…they had made her sloppy.
Fehl…
Even today his death haunted her, she had thought she had left it in the past, that her ending his abomination of a life on Terrog's station had closed that chapter.
She was surprised that it chose to rear up now and try to distract her.
It is nothing, the darkness within whispers, echoes of a forgotten time, a time best forgotten.
Let go of it.
It was Keera that was romanced by Fehl, you're NOT her.
You are Avaryss…
…The purified…Avaryss.
You're…perfection…do not forget that.
She nodded.
She wouldn't forget.
She would not be distracted by past failures made in a different life.
She needed to be cold now, not brazenly foolish.
She needed to remain in control, order needed to be maintained, she could afford nothing less, not when she was surrounded by her enemies.
Fenn chuckled.
"You still see the Republic and Jedi as enemies, despite the coming of Arcann and his legions?"
Avaryss cursed under her breath. She had forgotten that Fenn could sometimes pick up on her surface thoughts, he had done so in the past.
It should have come as no surprise that he had now.
She winced.
"Force of habit," she said sheepishly, "I was raised to see that Republic and Jedi as my enemies."
She shrugged.
"It is hard to move away from a lifetime of Sith propaganda."
He nodded, once again, her statement had not been a lie. She had been around the galaxy a few times now.
She had come to understand just how much the Empire shaped the minds of its citizens.
"And how do you find them, my Lord, the enemy that you have known for so long?"
Avaryss reached out with the Force, taking in the base and the people that labored here. It resembled most army camps that she had walked through in the last ten years. The Survivors' base was mostly underground, but right now they were moving about the surface, probably had some kind of early warning system in place; should any probes or ships come sniffing around.
They know how to…well…survive, this group. She respected such professionalism, but it was unsurprising, considering they had been bedeviling the Empire for almost two decades.
Of course, that was not what was bothering her.
"This…place…it feels…different."
"How so," Fenn asked her.
"I've often found myself in the company of soldiers. One thing remains common in Sith military camp; the troopers and officers know when a Sith Lord is in attendance. When I approach them, their heart rate increases, the tension grows, it is a heady sensation, addictive, many Sith thrive on creating such fear in their underlings."
"And our base is not like that?"
"No," she said with a hint of a frown, "I'm acknowledged, but I also sense grim resolve. I'm NOT trusted, but the fear is not the sensation I'm used to, the people here…they have killed Sith before, and they are wondering what it would take to kill me."
"Does that hostility, that sense of distrust, does it bother you?"
Fenn's question made her smile.
"Not trusting me is the wisest decision that you and your people can make. As for the courage, I sense, I'm impressed, such bravery is foolish, but worthy of respect."
She wasn't sure if he understood her reasoning, but he did nod.
"Most of the staff and soldiers here are veterans of the Great Galactic War, the one that first brought your people back into our lives. They have been fighting Sith for almost two decades. It has…colored their perspectives."
"How so?"
Fenn shrugged.
"The Colonel, Major Locke, and the others, they were our age, or younger, when the Sith first reappeared, they still remember the time of the grand expansion. They remember when the galaxy seemed open to all, and everything seemed possible."
The dark lord nodded.
"The Empire's return ended that era. I imagine it was quite a shock when our first fleet emerged and seized Korriban."
"I think that some of them blame the Sith for the loss of that time," Fenn said, "Me, I can't imagine what it would feel like, living in a galaxy without the Sith.
Avaryss smirked.
"I've heard it said that ignorance can be blissful, sadly, I never had that choice. As for living in a world without the promise of war; I can't say that I know what that feels like either. As a child the first thing I learned about was our enemy the Republic, and the war that would come. My people, we knew what would happen when we finally revealed ourselves. We were led to believe it would be a swift and easy victory, but…
Fenn laughed.
"Propaganda is rarely the most realistic of opinions."
"Yes," she agreed.
"No argument there."
She hissed in disgust.
"I've come to realize that war is in danger of become obsolete, as is the Empire, and the Sith as well."
Fenn glanced over at her.
"What do you mean?"
The Dark Lord sighed.
"A Sith once said that the Empire was war given form, and that is why it is perfect. Yet, I've come to see the foolishness in such a statement. Darth Marr, Darth Feer, they both recognized that mere conflict was not enough to bring order to our troubled galaxy. Feer tried to do it with deception and trickery. Marr used cooperation in times of trouble."
Avaryss shook her head.
"Neither method was up to the challenge."
"Do you have a better idea?" he asked her.
"The beginnings of one," she replied, "Having a common enemy helps, the Zakuul have forced us to realize that the Republic isn't the only threat we needed to worry about. It is troubling to us because it is not truly of the light or dark side, but something both."
"I think I know what you mean," Feen said, "I've fought their knights. They have ambitions, but their loyalty to the throne is absolute, they feel what they are doing is for the greater good, the whole of THEIR Empire."
Avaryss nodded.
She had sensed the same on Pholis, when Arcann and his brother had drove her into exile.
"A warped sense of justice, they care nothing for themselves only the glory of their Emperor. It is not Arcann that I speak of now, but his father. My sources have learned much about him, I do believe that the rumor about the previous Emperor was true, that he was a version of the Sith Emperor, another host body."
Avaryss' anger roiled with that thought.
"He betrayed his own people. He BETRAYED us! The Sith allowed him to achieve near godhood, and worshipped him as such, and he has repaid our faith by building an empire of mongrels out in wild space. These Zakuul are a mistake, a people unworthy of the Force or its gifts."
Fenn gently brushed her hand with his, seeking to draw her away from her dark thoughts.
"Your anger is understandable, considering."
Again, she was struck by his reaction, another Jedi might have chided her for her feelings, reprimanded her for her anger.
Fenn did not.
The thought made her smile.
He was a most singular man to be sure.
"Once Zakuul is defeated, what will happen then?" he asked, "Does everything go back to the way it was before? Does the Dark Council and the Senate command our mutual governments to resume the war?"
Avaryss' eyes narrowed.
"Wasteful, and unacceptable, no, that will NOT happen, not if I have anything to say about it."
Fenn gave her a surprised look.
"You intend to reclaim your seat on the council, you will try to bring peace?"
The Dark Lord shook her head no.
Peace was a lie.
"I will bring…order, stability, to the Empire. Acina and the others will see that, they have too. Fleets, armies, covert agents…irrelevant, or will be in the new order. The Empire needs new leadership, an Empress that is so powerful, that she will be able to keep the other lords under control, their desires properly contained, and those that will not get in line, will need to be…removed."
She met his gaze, in this she wasn't lying, it was the endgame that she desired.
"The Republic will need to change, too. They need to accept the new order. If the Sith reach out, if the Empire offers a ceasefire, they must not give the Dark Lords a reason to continue the war, or reignite it."
Fenn's brow furrowed, considering what she was saying.
"You will fight your own people?" he asked, "You are willing to stand up, and try to make them understand?"
The dark lord shrugged.
"I won't need to, they will see that I'm right, my victory, our victory, over Arcann will prove to all that I'm right. As I said, war must the end, all war.
Fenn smiled; he was happy with her commitment to bringing peace.
He didn't understand everything, not yet.
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Those words were true, she knew them to be true. There would always be some opportunist looking to turn things to their advantage, whether it was a Sith or a Republic Senator.
Her plan would remove that threat, forever.
War was obsolete, what she had in mind, was something better…grander!
She could not wait to show him.
Her new order…it would be perfect!
Obedience and stability would become a way of life, for all beings. Her will would be supreme.
It was a tough road to walk, but it was possible.
She would bring order.
She would DEMAND it!
Fenn moved in closer to her, they were not touching physically, but the Force connection they shared wrapped around them like a warm blanket.
Avaryss couldn't help it, speaking of her plan…it…excited her. Being this close to Fenn, feeling that closeness through the Force.
He felt it too, their connection was so strong.
She took a shuddering breath, her heart fluttered.
I WANT him, she thought hungrily.
I want him so…BAD!
Fenn said nothing they stood there in a comfortable silence. His hand started to go up, perhaps to stroke her cheek.
She started to lean in, she wanted his touch, hungered for it.
It had been some time since she had cast aside her last lover, it would be nice to feel physical contact again, this new body remained…untouched, and with Fenn, that experience, it would be so much more. She…
The roar of a ship overhead drew their attention, Avaryss and Fenn looked up seeing the arrival of a light freighter.
Avaryss' eyes narrowed.
What is this now?
Fenn was practically beaming, she sensed he was relieved to see the ship arriving.
Another friend?
"The captain is back," he said gently touching her hand.
"Excuse me," she said, "The Captain?"
Fenn nodded.
"Come with me, I'll introduce you."
She let herself be led away. Fenn seemed happy with this arrival.
She found herself curious.
Another ally, perhaps, another pawn on the board?
She smiled slightly.
There was always room, for another pawn.
IOI
The freighter maneuvered easily as it spun around and touched down near the Survivors' base. The ship was old and beaten, but it moved with a swift smoothness that suggested that it was well maintained.
The dark lord blinked.
She recognized the ship.
It is an HSS P-26, Avaryss realized, how she knew that, she couldn't say.
Ships had never really been her area of interest.
Yet, this was no mere freighter; this vessel appeared to have been heavily modified. She recognized the upgraded weapons ports, and the engines were far larger than they were on other such vessels.
Again, how she knew this, she couldn't say, the knowledge just came to her…unbidden…
…a most interesting mystery.
The loading ramp lowered smoothly; steam hissed as the ship opened up for all to see.
Master Jas and the Colonel stood before it, waiting for the crew to disembark.
The Jedi Master stepped forward.
"It has been a long time, brother. I hope you have good news for us."
Two men emerged, or rather a man and one alien. The alien, a Rodian, was a Jedi, his robes stood out sharply among those who had abandoned them in the desire to remain covert the other…
Avaryss' eyes narrowed.
You, she thought as she stared at the man, the captain that Fenn had referred to…
YOU!
He looked about the same age as Master Jas, perhaps a little older. His swagger suggested someone used to command, or simply a life spent on the wrong side of the law. His black hair was grey at the temples, as was his neatly trimmed beard.
A wave of black hatred washed over Avaryss, though she didn't entirely understand why.
She had never met this man, but…
Her hand drifted to her lightsaber.
End him, something within her cried out.
KILL HIM!
It took all her self-control not to obey.
She shook her head.
What was this?
Who was this man?
Fenn glanced over at her. He might even have sensed the spike of rage that she had felt.
"You, okay?" he asked.
Avaryss nodded.
She took a deep breath and centered herself.
She was no mindless animal.
She would kill, but only when it served her purpose.
Simple desire alone didn't guide her actions.
"I'm fine," she replied, trying to keep her voice cool and even.
She put on her most winning smile, the one she used to hide the blood thirsty killer within.
She was patient.
She could wait.
"Let's go meet your friend," she said pleasantly.
Fenn nodded and led her forward.
The two of them approached, unhindered.
Jas and the man stood before them, conferring in hushed tones; their every movement suggested something that went far beyond mere comradery.
Finally, noticing his old student, Master Jas waved them forward.
Fenn and Avy approached.
"The guy you're looking for is definitely on Vel," she heard the man say to Jas, "We can…"
The captain noticed Avaryss and paused mid-sentence.
He smiled, it was…friendly she supposed, but guarded.
He glanced over at the Jedi Master.
"I thought you were kidding when you said you had recruited a few Sith for this op."
"The rules have changed," Master Jas replied, "If we are to survive Zakuul, all will need to help."
"Hello, captain," Fenn said, "It has been a while."
"Sure has, kid," he answered, shaking the younger man's hand boisterously, once again, the captain glanced at Avaryss.
The Dark Lord kept her mask firmly in place.
Who was this man, she wondered, and why do I want to kill him?
She had no idea.
"Captain," Fenn said, "May I present, Darth Avaryss of the Sith Order."
The man nodded, and bowed respectfully to her.
"Miss," he said, "Or do you prefer, my lord?"
"Avy, actually," she answered, "we are all allies, are we not?"
"I suppose so," the man said, once again, he bowed respectfully.
"Nice to meet you, Avy. Captain Gabe Cooper, at your service."
The name sent another spike of rage through her, though she didn't understand why.
Captain Gabe Cooper.
The name was…unknown to her, but…it felt…his face, it seemed familiar, like she had known the man by another name.
Strange, perhaps she had read about him in some intelligence report, Emperor knew she had tried to read up everything she could on Jas Dar Bynn and his allies. Maybe that is why she recognized him, she may have seen his face under another alias, still that didn't explain the desire to kill him.
Interesting.
She would need to give this matter some thought.
"It is good to meet you, Captain," she said sweetly, ignoring her bloodlust, but all the while, imagining taking the man's head with her lightsaber.
She held out her hand which the old rogue took and kissed like he was some gentleman.
Avaryss grinned, only just containing her desire to lash out.
Your time will come, but first she would put him at ease. This was yet another dance she knew well, a dance of death.
She would enjoy seeing it reach its conclusion.
"I look forward to working with you, sir.
She laughed imagining the smell of burnt flesh and blood.
"I'm sure we will have some fun."
