Chapter 14: Celebration

"TO OUR HEROES!"

Glasses and cups were raised in celebration.

They had only gotten back an hour ago, but that had been long enough, long enough to count blessings and be thankful that they had returned. Now, the members of Survivor Squad stood around the table in the mess hall of their underground base.

Time to give thanks for a successful mission.

Time…to celebrate.

All had come, even the technicians that tried to stay out of the way of the fighting men and women that called this base home. They all shared in the celebration, all stood together while Colonel Capistan made his toast. They stood before the men the soldier, Master Jas, Fenn, and his young padawan.

Avaryss stood near the back, not because she didn't deserve a place of honor, but because she had chosen to keep her distance.

She reached out to Fenn with the Force, she could sense his gratitude, even from here. Twice now they had met each other's gazes, only to look away shyly.

It had been a while since they had worked together, much less succeeded…together.

What else might we accomplish, she thought.

How far can we truly go?

She stood a member of the group now, the Republics seemed to have…accepted that she was one of them. Even the mongrel, who had not wanted Avaryss on the mission, had to admit she had done well.

She and Temmin had brought in the prize after all.

Success had made the assault team heroes, and heroes deserved to be honor, they stood before the crowd and their success was lauded, all but one…

Yet, even that served its purpose.

Avaryss didn't need to be called a hero.

Technically, she could have been considered one of the heroes of the mission, she had been on the transport that acquired the prize, but she saw no reason to force the issue. She had been called a hero by others before; others that she considered the betters of these Republic and Jedi dogs…

…Besides, this was Temmin's moment…she would not step on it.

The boy had saved her life…that deserved…recognition.

Temmin Tagge stood next to the Colonel, Fenn on his immediate left, with Master Jas not too far on his right. The boy's deep pink skin was slowly turning a deeper shade of red, a sign of nervousness in one of the old-blood.

The boy was trying to remain humble, to remember his Jedi calm, but at the same time, he…enjoyed the recognition he was receiving, for so long he had stayed in the background, had been forced to stand in the shadows, because of who and what he was.

It was not a place for one who was born with pure Sith blood in their veins, Avaryss knew this to be true. It had been the destiny of the Sith people to seek out greatness, to bend the lessers of the galaxy to their will.

Temmin didn't understand that, not yet, but in time he would.

The thought made her lips curl in the hint of a smile.

Yes, in time, the boy would understand.

They had escaped with their prize without incident. Zakuul forces had not responded in time to stop them, by the time the enemy had rallied, they were already aboard their ship, just about to enter hyperspace.

Avaryss had been pleased with how it had all gone. She had to admit, her new pawns were quite skilled, they would be more than useful in fulfilling her ambitions.

Still, at the same time…

Once the mission had been over, they had worked so quickly, her new allies, they checked each other for injuries and tended to the ones that were. Even she had been examined carefully, and not just by Fenn. Gilly Locke herself had seen to the Dark Lord, and what she had sensed from the old soldier surprised her.

They still didn't trust her, nor should they, but at the same time, she sensed gratitude, both for what she had accomplished, and what had happened with Temmin.

She was winning their trust, starting to be accepted, and that was good, it was all part of the plan, but still…still…

She had not been completely prepared for those feelings…those sensations. The first raid she had been sent on, they had looked at her with disdain, they thought her a monster, she had shown what they expected, now…they were seeing there was more to her, and what they were feeling, those emotions…

…she was still trying to process that.

For now, she stood quiet, trying not to draw attention, and fit in with the others. Fighting men and women needed to celebrate, to remind themselves just what they were fighting for, not just the acquirement of their prize, but another equally important fact as well.

"To our heroes," Gilly Locke added, raising her own glass high "and to all coming back alive, and to those that are no longer with us. May they never be forgotten!"

"To the heroes," they all said in unison, even Avaryss.

An interesting point of view, she thought to herself.

The Sith chose not to think much of those that had fallen, the dead were left behind, their sacrifice only to prop up the living, greatness belonged to those that could still make a difference in this galaxy.

The dead had their place, the Sith teachings understood that, but once they were done, they were left behind.

Such was the way of the dark side.

She glanced at Fenn, he was pleased with his young student, and why shouldn't he have been? The boy had performed his duty flawlessly, not only securing the captured Archivist, but also making good on their escape. The vessel that Gabe Cooper had prepared for them had fled just as the first sky troopers had arrived at the docking bay, unable to stop their lift off, from there, it had been clear sailing out of the atmosphere, and into safe embrace of hyperspace.

The Zakuul had been none the wiser.

Avaryss had praised Temmin's strength and skill, and had been doing so since their escape. The boy had fought well, and saved her life, she was not above handing out praise when the situation called for it…

…especially when it served her purpose.

Fenn and Shyra Viel's team had met them at the rendezvous, by that point, Avaryss had rendered their prize unconscious, the fool had been in a state of panic, terrified of not just her, but of what the Zakuul would do to him if he was captured by them again.

The display sickened the dark lord.

Plus, she had needed to shut him up, the fool was babbling about things that the Jedi didn't need to hear about, not yet.

When she had first sensed Marr's death, she had hoped to acquire the information that the archivist had gathered. She had thought of risking what few agents she had left, sending them to Dromund Kaas to retrieve all the data she had desired on Hecaetus and the keys.

Data was useful, finding out the man was still alive, was not, especially when she learned he was in Zakuul hands.

That was not good.

Some people were too dangerous to be kept alive.

Dahl Cuur had once been a member of Darth Marr's entourage, one of the weakest of it, perhaps, but still a man who stood at the side of one of the most powerful men on the dark council. Marr had understood the man's weaknesses, but tolerated them because of his skill and memory. He was more than talented at his job, but lacked the back bone of a true Sith.

He has his uses, Marr had informed her once, enough that I may…overlook his weaknesses…for now.

A mistake, Avaryss realized now.

It had been a colossal mistake.

Avaryss had hoped that the archivist had perished with his master, Marr had usually kept the man close. Yet, somehow, Cuur had managed to remain on Dromund Kaas when Marr had left to hunt the Emperor in Wild Space, and therefore had escaped the fate that befell her fellow Dark Lord and the rest of his men.

Fortunate for him, she supposed, and quite useful for her, if not a little inconvenient.

Agony maneuvered through the crowd, finding her way next to her friend and master. The blond wore her left arm in a sling, she had been wounded when the Zakuul on the decoy ship had sprung their trap.

She had a concerned look on her face, they had not had a chance to talk on the way back. Avaryss waved her off.

She was fine.

"So," Agony said with an appraising look at Fenn's Padawan.

"The boy saved your life?"

Avaryss nodded, she saw no reason to repeat herself.

Her fellow Sith shrugged.

"I guess I owe him then."

"He is more skilled than I expected," Avaryss replied, keeping her voice low.

Agony smirked.

"You are not the only one that thinks so," she said gesturing, drawing Avaryss' gaze.

Zay stood in the shadows to their right, the girl was watching the scene with bright and interested eyes. Her focus entirely on Temmin, she seemed almost…enraptured by the boy.

"Gallant," the girl whispered.

"He is so…gallant."

Avaryss sneered.

"I'm going to need to speak with her," the Dark Lord growled, "I didn't bring her along so she could drool over a handsome face."

Her fellow Sith chuckled.

"Don't be too hard on the girl. I seem to remember another young woman who once stood enraptured by a boy of the old blood, and how far she went to earn his favor and attention."

Avaryss frowned.

No, she thought.

No…it…what had happened…it had not been the same.

She glanced back and forth between her slave and the pure blooded padawan.

Memories came flooding back, and not all of them were pleasant, or rather had been pleasant at the time, but experience had soured them like a ruined wine.

They fired her anger, but also…a sense of regret.

Avaryss shook her head.

Regret was useless, she didn't need it, but…she…she couldn't discard it either, it was there…and…and…

She shuddered.

…It hurt.

No.

She shook her head.

NO!

This was not about him.

Fehl.

In that moment she saw his face again, the fine old blood features, that arrogant smirk that had excited her when they were together. He had been so powerful when they met, so aloof, she had tried to ignore her attraction, but…

She almost growled, trying to find her center, her anger.

Fehl.

It was not the same.

She looked again at Temmin, not really seeing the boy, but…seeing through the Force, a possible future that had never come to be.

She saw herself on Dromund Kaas, not as Darth Avaryss, but as simply…Lady Avaryss. She saw her half-blooded children. In that place, she seemed…happy, happier than she had ever been in the real world. Her children made her happy, what they represented, a future for her line. Their crimson skin was not as dark as their father, and they had blue eyes…Keera's eyes. They…

The sight made her shudder, her stomach roiled nervously.

No, she thought angrily.

NO!

That was not meant to be!

It had NEVER been meant to be!

She looked at Temmin and Fenn, trying to focus, to let her anger at what could have been return her to the moment. Sadly, it didn't work, she still kept seeing Fehl, and the children that might have been, had Darth Feer and Nass not intervened in her life's plan.

Avaryss took another drink, but the cheap liquor turned to bilge water on her tongue, it took all her strength not to throw the cup across the room.

She turned without a second thought.

"I need air."

She tried to walk slowly, not draw attention to herself. Agony was smart enough to say nothing, and simply let her go.

Avaryss was grateful that she didn't have to chastise her friend, right now, all she wanted was out.

She couldn't be here. She needed to clear her head.

She needed air.

Yet, in the last moment, she turned, she looked at Fenn, he had his arm around Temmin, looking on the boy with pride.

Part of her wanted to reach out, let him know that she needed him, that they should speak alone, there had been so little time, normally, this would have been the perfect moment. He would be grateful to her for keeping the boy safe.

Sadly, she didn't trust herself to do what was needed, to move the plan forward.

She left without another thought.

She needed air.

IOI

She stepped out of the underground base, and onto the surface of this unnamed world.

Fenn had still not told her what this world was called, or where it was located. She didn't blame the Jedi for their caution, it was one of the few things she admired about them. They would only let her lead them so far…

The day was fading, night was slowly falling, the setting sun turned the world orange, crimson and brown.

The Dark Lord took a deep breath and tried to center herself. She thought of seeking out Cuur, beginning his interrogation, but she doubted her allies would agree with that, and for the time being, she still needed to play nice.

Remember the plan, she thought.

Remember why you came here.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she reached down within herself, seeking the fury and rage that gave her power. She sought the heart of the dark side.

Her thoughts turned to her master, to Darth Feer, the man who had destroyed any chance of her having a normal life. Even now, she could still see his face, that sly cruel grin, and remembered the slights and pains he had inflicted on her.

She waited for the hate to rise, for the rage to rise up and scour her clean once more. Darth Avaryss was a Dark Lord of the Sith.

Fury was the true coin of her realm.

Strangely, the fury didn't come, she still felt the anger about the slights of the past, and about Darth Feer, but it no longer fueled the all-annihilating rage that it once did. That hate was still there, but it was a flame that no longer blazed, it crackled like any other fire, but didn't burn away everything, not like it once had.

Instead, she was left listening to the sounds of this world, the breeze blowing through the tall grass. The cool evening wind tickling her face.

Her thoughts drifted to her home world, to Keera's home world. She thought of Oridanna, the violet skies, the tall grass blowing in the wind, of racing across the plains on her swoop bike, and all those she had known as a child.

She thought of her father's garage, of Andur Lylos tending to his various projects, but when she tried to see him in her mind's eye, it was not Keera' father that she saw.

It was a woman she didn't recognize, working in a garage far grander than anything her father had ever had. A starship lay in pieces around her as she played nearby, a little girl with so many possible futures before her. The woman, clad in a mechanic's overalls tended to the ship, pausing ever briefly to check on her child, make sure that she was not getting into mischief.

The vision haunted Avaryss…that…that was not her past, yet…it felt real. She could feel the woman's feelings through the Force, remember those feelings, the love of a child, and the loving attention of a moth…

"My Lord?"

Avaryss blinked, saved from the memory by a voice, she blinked and looked around, remembering where she was, and why she was here.

You can't forget, or conscience chided her.

You must never forget.

The woman who had spoken stood before her. She was in her early forties, with short reddish-brown hair, lightly frosted with grey. Though Avaryss wouldn't consider her beautiful, she had a sort of impishness in her features that some males might have consider cute when she was younger. Though slender of body, no one would could say the woman weak, she stood not as prey, but a predator, relaxed for the moment, but still capable. Like everyone else here, she wore a grey unmarked combat suit, the only difference being the short lab coat she wore over it.

Avaryss managed a weak smile.

"I'm fine, Doctor Tagge," she said, "Just…enjoying the evening air."

The woman nodded and wrapped her lab coat tighter around herself.

Avaryss could not say if she believed her or not? Did it really matter in the end?

She had needed to get away, the past had soured any celebration of the victory they had won, and perhaps she wasn't the only person who felt that way.

Like Krys Capistan and Galadriel Locke, Roxanna Tagge had been known to Avaryss before coming here, Sith Intelligence had several files on the woman, files she had accessed when looking into Jas Dar Bynn and his known associates.

Dr. Roxanna Tagge, known as Roxie to her associates. She had been born into great wealth and privilege, the scion of a powerful mining clan. Yet, the woman had turned away from that, sought a life away from the family business, and had apparently been disowned for it.

Not that she had needed their aid, Tagge had had her own talents. According to Sith intelligence, and the records they had obtained. Roxanna Tagge possessed a genius level intelligence, and a hologrammic memory. The girl could memorize what she read in seconds, storing it for analysis and consumption later. She had graduated from the Republic's basic education system at the age of ten. Her family had likely had great plans for the young prodigy, but she had had her own mine. She desired to study medicine and bio-chemistry. Her brilliance drawing the attention of many, making it easy for her to continue her education, gaining several degrees and even a doctorate by the time she was seventeen.

The same year that the Sith returned and reclaimed Korriban, just in time for the girl to be drafted into the Republic army.

From there, her army record had become spotty, like the rest of the Survivor Squad. Sith Intelligence had little on the group's founding, only that they began their operations against the Empire less than a year after the war began. From listening to the others, it was clear that Dr. Tagge had been one of the groups founding members, and had remained with the unit throughout the war.

She, like many soldiers, had left the service after the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant. Though, the fact that she was here was proof that she had never lost touch with her old comrades. Tagge had done quite well for herself, despite never mending bridges with her family. She was now considered one of the top bio-chemists in the galaxy. A professor at a prestigious university on Chandrila.

She was also Temmin's mother, a fact that Sith intelligence had missed, no one had known Dr. Tagge had a child, much less one of the old-blood.

Avaryss gave her a soft smile, she respected Dr. Tagge, anyone who could make their own way in the galaxy was worthy of that.

"Is there something I can do for you doctor?" she inquired.

Roxanna shifted uncomfortably.

"I was hoping to talk to you, my lord, about Temmin."

"Yes?"

Temmin's mother refused to meet her gaze, she seemed…uncomfortable.

"I spoke with my son when he returned, he…he told me what happened, on the transport, the thing with the knight, the blade. I…um…wanted to thank you, for keeping him safe."

Avaryss only just managed to keep any surprise from showing on her face.

In truth, she had expected a threat, she had thought that the good doctor would order her to stay away from her son.

Avaryss should have used this moment of weakness in the good doctor to take advantage, but she found herself suddenly feeling quite awkward.

She was unuse to Republics offering her their thanks.

"Your son saved me first," she replied, "He is quite skilled, Fenn should be proud."

"He is, I'm sure, and so am I," the doctor smiled, finally meeting Avaryss' gaze.

"He never knew his father, which is a shame. I don't think he ever really liked the republic, but he respected Master Jas enough that he went from being a prisoner, to being an ally."

"A Sith openly aiding the Survivors," the dark Lord purred, "I'm sensing a story there."

There is," Roxanna said, "Stick around long enough you just might hear it."

Avaryss nodded, at least now she understood why Master Jas was so open to a possible alliance with the Sith. If one had joined the survivors of his own free will…?

It sounded impossible, but Avaryss was pragmatic enough to accept the impossible, the Force moved in mysterious ways, after all.

Nothing was impossible.

"And you two ended up together."

Roxanna nodded.

"And he gave you a son."

"Proof that darkness is not the only thing the Sith are capable of."

The Doctor shook her head.

"It is not easy for him, growing up the way he has. Master Jas helped…"

"It wouldn't be easy him," Avaryss said, "I can't imagine anyone with Sith blood is very welcome in the Republic."

Tagge nodded, she didn't need words.

Avaryss knew enough about the galaxy to know that was true.

"It can't have been easy for you, either. Loving a Sith, siring a child with one, I can't imagine that made you very popular."

Tagge gave her a cool look.

"What makes you think that Temmin's father and I were in love?"

Avaryss gave her a sly smile.

"The way Temmin talks about him, and what I'm sensing now."

The woman's emotions were an open book, what she was feeling, had it been some trick or seduction, Avaryss doubted that the mix of love, pain, and loss would be there.

No, the woman had loved Temmin's father, she couldn't deny that.

The dark lord crossed her arms.

"You are a clever woman, doctor, and you do know some things about hiding your feelings, but not when it concerns your child. Children have a way of getting through our defenses, and leave our hearts open for all to see."

Avaryss sighed.

"I suppose that isn't easy, for any parent."

"I suppose not," the Doctor said.

"And what of you, my lord?"

"Me?"

"Do you have any children?"

The question stopped her cold.

She should have been furious, how dare the mundane ask such a thing! Yet, again, the anger and rage didn't come.

Her thoughts filled with thoughts of Fehl, Ro Wilkes, and even Fenn himself. Her past, present, and hopefully, her future, they all seemed to dance before her, so many possibilities, so many roads not taken, and paths that yet stood unblazed.

Avaryss was left speechless, what had been lost almost overwhelmed her, a sense of grief and regret.

What is going on, she wondered.

What's happening?

"My lord?"

Again, Tagge's words drew her back to the now, the doctor looked concerned, actually concerned about her welfare.

How surprising.

Avaryss found her words, but it was not easy, she felt…dizzy, completely caught off balance.

"I…um…I was almost married once," she confessed, "It…it seems like it was ages ago, though in truth it has only been a few years. A young man of the old blood, a powerful Sith…"

Avaryss' eyes stung, despite having dealt with this years ago, the doctor's question had caught her off guard. The old pain came flowing back.

Again…why?

"He died," Avaryss said coldly.

"Oh! Oh…I'm sorry."

Avaryss waved her hand dismissively.

"The Force had other plans for me. A mate, offspring, they were meant for others. I was called to something greater, a glorious purpose, to help guide the Empire into a renaissance of power."

She smiled slyly.

"I guess…you can't have it all, can you?"

Yet, even as she said the words, the Dark Lord suspected that they were wrong. Fenn was here, Fehl was gone, and Ro Wilkes too…

…and the keys were out there somewhere, and she had Cuur, the first step to achieving all her goals, the dreams that Darth Feer had shared with her.

He had been unworthy, and cast down. He died a failure.

She…would NOT fail.

"Excuse me, doctor," she said with a respectful boy, "But…I wish to be alone right now."

"As you wish," Roxanna said with a nod, "Still…thank you, again, for what you did for Temmin, for watching over him."

Avaryss nodded, and turned her attention to the stars, the unfamiliar sky of this hidden world.

She sensed the doctor leave, and was grateful for it.

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

She could not say what had brought this…surge of emotions on, but it served no purpose, and if anything, it was a hinderance.

Weakness could not be tolerated, it had to be cast aside.

She had come too far to stop now.

The past was gone, dead and buried.

She would not let it affect her future.

She looked up into the sky with golden eyes; looking at the stars that would one day be hers to do with as she saw fit.

Her vision turned red, and wreathed in flame, the whole galaxy was burning.

The past will not stop me, I'm not some starry-eyed farm girl, not anymore! The thanks and respect of these people meant nothing to her. They were simply pawns, tools to pave the road.

She would not let them stop her, nothing would stop her.

The thought brought a cruel grin to her lips.

She continued to watch the stars, what the flames in her mind engulf them.

Soon enough, she thought hungrily.

Let it burn!

A bonfire to cleanse the galaxy of all that opposed her.

The thought sent a shudder of excitement down her spine.

This was the only celebration she desired, a true celebration…

…it…would come.