Chapter 15: Hope
"We're too late," Shyra growled, "They're here."
Avaryss regarded the scene before them, the abandoned spaceport, the lonely sound of the wind blowing through broken windows. The iron-grey sky filled with heavy clouds…
…and the five golden helmets staked out before the main structure, dented and damaged, but recognizable just the same.
The helmets of knights of Zakuul, helmets that were both battered and bloody.
A hint of a smile came to her lips.
The mongrel was right, the enemy was here, but…
It didn't look like they had been successful.
She strode down the ramp of the Stolen Heart, her golden eyes drinking in everything, her senses hyper-aware; she reached out with the Force, scanning for a trap.
She sensed nothing, but that didn't mean that they weren't being observed. Someone had staked out these helmets, someone had wished to make a point.
As points went, she thought, it wasn't that bad.
The uneven ground cracked beneath her boots, she approached the helmets warily, arrogance could kill if one underestimated an enemy, even a mundane could harm a Sith if she refused to acknowledge them.
She leaned in closer, inspecting the five stakes, and the grim items that sat upon them.
She frowned slightly.
No heads inside.
She sighed.
Perhaps these people were not as strong as she had thought.
"Careful, witch."
Avaryss nodded, acknowledging Shyra's warning, she was no fool.
She reached out with the Force again, and now…now that she stood upon this broken ground…she…she felt it.
Something sang within the dark side something very close.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Finally.
She could not help but grin.
One of Hecaetus' keys…it was here, she could sense it, almost smell it on the air.
So close, so very close.
She took a shuddering breath.
Mine.
IOI
The world they were standing on had no official name, not one that the archivist knew of, only some numerical designation that the Republic had given it years ago. An unimportant world to most, which is likely why it was chosen.
Darth Marr had learned that Darth Hecaetus' servants had been here once, and that they had likely left something behind.
As locations to hide something went, it wasn't bad. Out of the way, but close enough to the established trade routes if one needed to find it, it was the perfect hiding place.
Marr's people had found it, and now…that information had drawn Avaryss and her new allies here.
Avaryss had found herself wondering what kind of defenses that Hecaetus would have set up to protect his toy.
Whatever they were, it would not be enough.
She would have the key.
In the end, even Marr had seen the value of seeking new forms of power, and that search had led here.
Avaryss found herself thinking back to their final conversation, her and Marr. He had all but consumed with the idea of making sure that their old Emperor was destroyed. She didn't blame him.
Not after Ziost.
Marr had been one of the most powerful Sith Lords in the Empire. He had not been the type to go seeking the leavings of others, choosing instead to use his own might, and the strength of the Empire.
After the Emperor had returned, returned and killed an entire world of loyal Sith, he had been forced to reconsider that stance. The Emperor, the FORMER Emperor, had proven himself far more dangerous than Marr had anticipated, Marr had hoped to track him down using the Sith fleet, but…at the same time…had sought to explore…other options.
The master of them all had betrayed them, the Sith Emperor had sought the death of his own people. Such strange times called for actions that were not normally taken.
Marr understood that the Empire had needed more than the dark council, or the Empire's military might. He had sought power elsewhere. Power he had once though unnecessary, dangerous, or unstable.
He had sought out Darth Hecaetus, those who had once served his late rival had believed that the dark lord had been close to achieving absolute victory. Marr had come to understand that the Empire might just need that victory, and had turned to Avaryss for help. During their first meeting, she revealed to him that she had been trained by one of Hecaetus' follower, and, knowing her history, Marr had thought her the most valuable right hand in acquiring his late rival's secrets.
Hecaetus had been very close, or so he had believed. The keys that he had created, he had thought them the answer the Empire had sought; that they were (pun intended) the key to the Empire's final triumph.
It must have been galling, Avaryss realized, Marr and Hecaetus had been deadly rivals during the early days of the war, a rivalry that had resulted with the other man's death.
Now, Marr had to turn to someone educated by one of Hecaetus' servants…
…Irony.
Not that Marr had denied her much, he had been a major player in her rise to the dark council. He had recognized her talent, and desire, early on, not to mention the fact that he saw her as an excellent tool to keep Darth Feer in check. By supporting her, Marr had sought to have an ally close by to claim Darth Feer's holdings, and make sure that those resources remained directed towards what he saw was best, the continuation of the Empire, and the preservation of what he had built in the years since the last war ended.
Avaryss had played along, happily, she had her own agenda. Marr might have suspected that, but he had still given her what she wanted. He had moved her into a place of great power, and even aided in accelerating her plans to replace her lord and master.
Marr had believed she was a Sith like him, one dedicated to his ideals.
He was…mistaken.
She had her own vision of what the Empire needed to look like, and now that he was gone, she was finally free to pursue those desires.
It took an empress to rule an empire, Marr might have supported her, thinking to put her on the throne as a figure head, his puppet.
He didn't understand, she was no puppet.
In life, he had been a useful mentor, teaching her lessons that Darth Feer would not, giving her what she had needed to overthrow her master and take everything that was his.
In death, Marr had become a useful idiot, he had listened when she suggested that they acquire the keys, and put his most skilled people on it. He had thought her a useful pawn right up until the end, and now…he had, through his archivist, shown her the path to the first of the five, the first step on her final conquest of the galaxy.
He had killed Hecaetus the man, but not his dream.
Avaryss would finally see that dream fulfilled. The Republic, The Empire, and the Zakuul would all be subjugated under a new order…HER order.
Hecaetus' ideals, her ideals, would become the law of the galaxy…and…perhaps…beyond.
But first, she needed to find the first key, that is why she was here.
It was time to get moving.
IOI
Avaryss had still been studying the helmets when another voice drew her attention.
"We should probably make this quick, masters," Tara Valenthyne said poking her head down the ramp. "The radiation levels here are a little too high for my tastes."
The woman shook her head.
"The sooner we are off this rock, the better."
Avaryss nodded, she couldn't agree more.
Again, she looked up and took in her surroundings, the ruined hopelessness of it all.
A dying world, but one that might just lead to a new life for the galaxy, a future under the Sith.
So, it had some value, if nothing else.
Shyra made her way down the ramp and to Avaryss' side, followed closely by Zay, the slave girl hobbled quickly with her leg brace, doing her best to keep up. Tara Valenthyne would remain behind, and keep the ship ready if the group needed a quick exit.
Shyra sniffed the air, her amber eyes settling on the ruined helmets of the Zakuul.
A low growl escaped her throat.
"You sure this Sith artifact is here?"
"Cuur believed so," Avaryss reminded her. The archivist had not shut up about it, not to them, and not to the Zakuul.
Avaryss took another shuddering breath.
"It IS here," she said with a hungry grin.
"I can feel it."
The Jedi looked at the helmets with a sense of distaste. She may not have appreciated what had been done, but that didn't mean she didn't understand the value of such symbols.
"Is this thing as powerful as you think it is?"
"The Zakuul thought so," Avaryss shrugged.
The Jedi growled.
"I wonder if these colonists know what they've done. The killing of knights…the Zakuul don't tolerate that kind of thing. If the people here were trying to scare them off, they were gravely mistaken."
Shyra's eyes turned skyward.
"I'm surprised that the Eternal Fleet was not in orbit when we arrived, if this item is as powerful as you believe…"
Avaryss smiled.
"It is not surprising at all; if you think about it, Mongrel. Archivist Cuur spoke not of Emperor Arcann seeking the keys, but his young sister. It was the lady that sought him out. It was for her that the man was seized and questioned."
The dark lord chuckled.
"If she had told her brother about the key, there would have been a Zakuul fleet in orbit, and likely an army down on the surface, scouring these ruins in search of it. The fact that there was not, suggests something more subtle, maybe the sister doesn't want the brother to know about the key, maybe she desires it for herself, and no one else."
Shyra nodded.
"You think this is some type of power move? Do you think the sister is looking for something that might help overthrow her brother?"
"It is a possibility. I know little of the Zakuul royal family, but I do understand dark side rivalry. If Arcann's father was the Sith Emperor, then…he would have sought to prepare his heirs to fight for the throne, or at the very least taught them enough to compete for his favor."
Shyra snarled at that.
"It amazing that you Sith have not annihilated yourselves with your infighting."
The dark lord wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Zakuul are not Sith," Avaryss reminded her, "They are abominations, an insult to the true empire, and deserve to be cast down, just as their Emperor was."
If Shyra agreed with her, she didn't show it, she merely shrugged and glanced down at Zay.
The slave girl smiled eagerly, happy to be at her master's side.
"Perhaps the child should stay here. We have no idea what we are marching into."
"You expect me to go into negotiations without my hand maiden at my side," Avaryss asked.
"I'm asking you to think of the girl's safety. We have no idea what is waiting for us here. We believe that Marr sought these people out, but who can say they are even willing to talk? After slaying these Zakuul, who is to say that they won't shoot first and ask questions never. Taking the child along is risky, we might need to get out fast, and if the girl can't keep up…"
"Your concern for my servant is touching," Avaryss interrupted, "Fear not, I will keep her safe if it come to that."
The Jedi remained skeptical, Avaryss could see it in her eyes.
"You don't need to worry, Master Shyra," Zay said confidently, "My master will protect me."
"See," Avaryss said with a confident smirk, "She wishes to go."
The girl bobbed her head excitedly, she had heard much of the keys in the last year, how it would finally end the war. She wanted to see such wonderous objects for herself.
Avaryss was willing to permit it. It would help sell the fiction. Through Cuur, Marr had reached out to the people here, he had been planning to send an envoy before his death in wild space,
Avaryss was simply fulfilling that plan. According to Archivist Cuur these people were open for negotiation, or at least, willing to hear the Sith out.
They would take advantage of that, and use this opportunity to acquire the key for themselves.
Shyra and Zay would help sell that deception, the mongrel was dressed not in Jedi robes, but Sith armor, Zay was disguised as a Sith Hopeful, the kind of entourage a Dark Lord might bring to impress those at a formal meeting.
These people were not fans of the Republic, not that Avaryss blamed them, but they did retain a healthy respect for Sith power.
She would use that; it would make things…easier.
She scowled, taking one last glance at the helmets.
The Zakuul had failed, that was all that mattered.
"We have wasted enough time," Avaryss said straightening he robes, "As Captain Valenthyne said, we should not linger here any longer than is necessary."
The dark lord took the lead, while Shyra and Zay followed in her wake. The space port building seemed deserted, but Avaryss doubted that their arrival had gone unmarked. Eyes were watching them, even if they could not see them.
Let them watch, she thought, the key is here.
She would not leave without it.
The prize was hers.
IOI
The group made its way out into the main settlement, a small city that looked as bad as the space port itself, wind whistled through broken windows, speeders sat abandoned, and the only other noise they heard was the sound of a malfunctioning protocol droid, trying to walk through a door that was six paces to its left.
In the distance, they could see the colony's main power plant, the cooling tower looked…off, and…it was ringed with a shimmering blue haze, radiation leaking from somewhere within the structure.
Avaryss frowned.
Not a good sign, all it would take is a single missile or turbo laser strike, and this entire colony would be gone.
Still, she was not worried, mere radiation could not kill a dark lord. It was just energy, and that was one thing she controlled as easily as she drew breath.
Yet, the state of this place…it spoke of two very important elements.
Neglect, and hopelessness.
She shook her head.
This is where such things can lead.
The settlement here had been booming once, the faded awnings and darkened signs spoke of past prosperity. Thirty years ago, this place had been thriving, a place of hope and new ideas…
…now…it was a husk of its former self.
Most of the signs were for the Galactic Republic Colonial Service, the GRCS had once been one of the most powerful offices in the Republic, or so she had read.
Now, it was nothing.
"Where is everyone," Zay asked, "Does no one live here anymore?"
"Some do, child," Shyra responded, "Those who chose to stay when the Sith came."
The Jedi shook her head.
"Once the Republic was growing in all directions. A grand age of expansion that showed no signs of stopping. Worlds like this were located, and made colonies in a matter of only a few months. People from the core were inspired by tales of the expansion, sought to build new lives on new worlds…"
Avaryss felt the Jedi's eyes burning into her back.
"The coming of the Sith…changes that."
"Am I suppose to be insulted," Avaryss asked rolling her eyes, "Our time had come, and with it, judgment for the Republic, for their misdeeds at the end of the so-called Great Hyperspace War."
Zay shivered.
"So, the Sith Empire attacked this place?"
"Do you see any signs of weapons damage, my dear," Avaryss asked her, "No, the Sith never attacked."
"But your people killed it just the same," Shyra hissed.
Avaryss shrugged.
Perhaps.
"When the Sith returned, the Senate was forced to make a choice," Shyra continued, "The Sith Fleet was too vast, its armies too many. The Republic military, even with the aid of the Jedi, were not enough to push the invaders back…
"Did…did you see this war, Master Shyra?" Zay asked.
"No, I had not been born yet," she replied, "My master told me the tale, helped me understand."
"The Republic abandoned worlds like this," Avaryss chimed in, "anything of value was moved off world, towards the core, all those wealthy enough to leave fled. Those that remained were either too poor to escape, or crazy enough to stay and await the Sith's arrival. They sought to slow our advance, bog down our forces fighting for scraps. They believed they were defending their homes, but in truth, they were only buying time for the Republic and the Jedi to secure the core worlds against us. They couldn't protect everything, so they simply fell back. A smaller Republic could be held, if its armies were not scattered across the mid and outer rim…"
Zay's eyes widened.
"That…that is horrible!"
"Smart…actually," Avaryss added with a smile, "It is one of the few military moves that we respected the Republic for. We were forced to slow our advance, secure our flanks while the enemy dug in along the major hyperspace routes. Oh sure, we could have destroyed every abandoned colony we came across, but again, it would have been a waste of resources. The result, our flanks were rarely secure, allowing Republic militia groups like Survivor Squad to pick away at our supply lines, or to tie up troopers garrisoning next to useless worlds, subjugating populations that had little value."
The Dark Lord chuckled.
"As I said…it was smart."
Yet, as she looked around, she found herself surprised. Why did worlds like this fight so hard against the Empire, or allow themselves to be used as bases for criminals like Survivor Squad?
It made no sense.
They had to know they were only one word away from reprisal, all it would have taken was one dark lord to decide to make examples of them. It may have changed the very face of the war had that happened.
Yet, so many of these worlds had been spared, and the Sith Advance had slowed, ending any chance of the grand victory the Dark Council had promised…
Why? Why had people like this been so foolish?
Why?
Hope, my child.
Avaryss paused, again she was hearing her master's voice, she could almost see Darth Feer's face, that sly grin she remembered so well from so many nights of training, and lessons.
Hope is the enemy of true order, my dear. The Republic used that, got worlds like these to fight to the death against our forces, and in the end…it had worked. The cold war came, and with it no chance at the grand victory we had hoped for.
Avaryss nodded.
Even in death, Feer was not wrong.
Hope WAS the enemy.
If you are to rule completely, there must be no hope left in the galaxy. You must crush the galaxy beneath your heel. Make an example of these Zakuul invaders. If you exterminate them, then all will know the power of Avaryss, and they will fear, and they will never dare resist you.
Again, Feer's face appeared, that cold hungry grin she knew so well flashed before her eyes.
Kill all hope, and you and your progeny will rule this galaxy for the next thousand years.
A shiver of cold excitement ran down her spine.
Genocide, and then…an order that would last for a millennia, and then…one day…a grateful galaxy would bow before her…bow…in humble gratitude.
No more Zakuul.
No light.
No more Jedi.
All that would remain would be the order and security of a just galaxy…her galaxy! She would…
"Master, look!"
Zay's words caused Avaryss emerged from her thoughts, a lone figure clad in black stood in their path. Hooded and cloaked, he did not radiate with the power of the Force, but even...here…she could sense his emotions, a devotion bordering on fanaticism.
She smiled.
It seems that they had found the people that lived here.
The dark lord and her party paused.
She stepped forward, holding up her hands in submission.
"I am Darth Avaryss," she called out, "Ally to Darth Marr, I've come at his order. I believe you have been expecting us."
The hooded figure nodded.
"Greetings to you, Lord of Sith," he called out, "and in the name of the one true Emperor, I bid you welcome."
Avaryss bowed her head slightly, but then his words struck home.
Emperor?
What Emperor?
"It is the Dark Council that currently rules the Empire," she lied, hoping this man didn't know how the Eternal Throne had crushed the Sith beneath their heel.
"It is in their name that I greet you."
The colonist merely chuckled, Avaryss didn't like that, it made her feel that this mundane knew more than she did.
No, she didn't like that at all.
"Your council is faltering Sith, it was for that reason that Darth Marr sought us out, he understood that the Empire needed more, it needed the will of the true Emperor. The one who we worship, the one who will rise, and with him, the people of this world. We shall be the nobility of a new and glorious age."
Avaryss held her temper in check. She…she didn't like what she was hearing.
What had Marr found on this world? Did he even realize?
She frowned.
Did she have a rival?
Had another Sith beaten her to the key?
No.
She would not have it.
Careful my child, Feer's voice advised her, do not fly into a rage, not until you know what it is you are facing.
Yes, she realized.
That…that was smart.
She willed herself to be calm, she even smiled sweetly. She needed to know more.
"Does your lord and master have a name? Let me hear it so that I may sing his praised back on Dromund Kaas?"
The man chuckled again, and removed his hood. He was young, and might have been handsome once, but burns left by too much radiation had scarred his face.
He didn't look well, and it wasn't just the burns on his face and hands. His eyes shone with a crazed light, the gaze of a zealot.
He smiled widely.
"In the name of the true Dark Lord of the Sith, Exar Kun. We offer you our hospitality, please…follow me."
That name gave her pause.
Exar Kun?
Impossible!
Kun had died centuries ago!
Shyra came up beside her.
"Any thoughts, witch?"
Avaryss didn't dignify that with an answer.
What these people believed was irrelevant. They had come here for a reason.
They would need to leave with it, before the Zakuul came in force.
However, if another dark lord had beaten her…and…if it was Exar Kun, but it wasn't possible.
Was it?
Had she not come back from death, or as near to death as she had dared? Had she not claimed a new body for her own?
If Kun had found a way back?
It was a daunting thought, but…
"If Kun is back, then you know what to do…your path is clear, is it not?" Darth Feer whispered in her ear. His voice cold and angry, the kind of voice he used when he thought she had failed in some part of her training.
That voice snapped her out of her rumination.
It helped her focus.
If Exar Kun has returned, he must be dealt with. You must suffer no rival. He has given these fools hope, and…you do know how to deal with those who hope, do you not, my daughter?"
Her master's visage remained with her, that cold smile.
Yes.
Avaryss nodded as she followed in the zealot's wake.
Yesss, I do know how to deal with those foolish enough to cling to hope.
Her own smile turned venomous, almost shark-like.
Yes…I do know.
She almost laughed. She would show these people the price of having hope.
Thank you for reminding me…father.
