Dark Sun Rises: Chapter 6

The orbital station was busy as the Imperial troops came and went, hurrying to get on their shore leave or rushing to get back in time to avoid being late for their assignments. Onyxa stepped from the shuttle and glanced about. Getting her bearings, she struck off towards the turbo-lift to get to the main level. Vette kept herself close by, quick light steps ensuring she remained just off of the larger woman's left shoulder. She had never been on the fleet space station before, and given she was a twi'lek female, and a captured thief at that, she was not about to stray from the one person she felt she could remotely trust to be her protector.

The turbo-lift was crowded but not uncomfortable as five others caught the ride from the hanger deck. One wore the black robes and armour of a Sith, and Onyxa kept a close watch on them, one hand hovering above her lightsaber. They kept to the far side and away from her, quickly departing after the turbo-lift had only gone a few levels, which suited Onyxa just fine.

The other four in the lift were ordinary troopers, clearly on shore leave. By the way they spoke casually and showed their eagerness with one another, they were in search of a good time. Vette stepped in closer to Onyxa's back, and she could feel the tension in the twi'lek's movements. Casting a slight glance at her over a shoulder, it did not take long for her to figure out why she was growing increasingly more worried.

"Hey rat-tail!" One of the troopers remarked. "Wanna earn some credits?"

"Yeah, she looks like she could handle all of us!" One of the others remarked. "She and her big lady friend!"

Vette growled at the insults, her hand dropping to the blaster on her right hip. It was instinctive, an action fuelled by her anger. But before she could get the weapon free of its holster, Vette felt Onyxa's hand close over top of hers, stopping her from drawing it out of her holster. She glanced at the golden eyes, head shaking ever so slightly, even as she gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance. Onyxa's head turned to glance over her shoulder more, her other hand tapping the lightsaber hanging on her hip, producing an audible metallic clink each time. The motion and sound was not lost on the troopers.

"Oh shit!" One of them, the one in the back of the group, blurted out as he grabbed at his fellow soldiers. "Guys that rat-tail is with a Sith! Shut the hell up, or we're all gonna get sliced!"

At least one of them had some common sense and powers of observation, Onyxa thought. Even as she dealt with things, she kept a firm grip on Vette's hand. Her annoyance was one thing, but Vette she was quite sure would not have hesitated to shoot a few holes in them if left to her own devices for too long. She could not blame the twi'lek of course, but she also could not allow it. Truthfully, she simply did not feel like having to contact their superiors in order to explain they would not be coming back. That was not even taking into account having to deal with the station security contingent, or trying to keep Vette from being killed for assaulting an Imperial trooper. Sometimes you have to pick the battles you can win, Onyxa knew. She had learned that several times from her mother personally, until the lesson had become almost second nature.

The turbo-lift came to a stop and after the door opened, Onyxa practically dragged Vette out of the lift, keeping her moving forward out onto the station promenade. From behind, Onyxa did not miss the loud obnoxious trooper's last comment.

"Bah, we all know the rat-tail just likes her Sith friend!"

Try as she might, Onyxa could not quite suppress an eye roll. Then, at the exact moment she was certain Vette was out of earshot, that same trooper very suddenly, through absolutely no possible fault of her own, crashed heavily into the turbo-lift walls, hard enough to crack the glass. Twice. Once against the right side of the lift, once against the left.

It was the damndest thing. What could have ever compel him into such blatant self harm?

Truly, a mystery for the ages.

Vette yanked her hand free and glared at Onyxa. She regarded the twi'lek calmly as she always did. Vette glanced at her, first in anger, then slowly with more confusion as she waited for the Sith to respond, yet never did. Not only was the Sith just completely dismissive of her feelings, she was calm as ever and that just infuriated her. Was it some sort of odd Sith joke, she wondered, to drive her mad as she tried to pierce through that emotionless wall of indifference?

"Should have let me blast a hole in his ass." Vette grumbled.

"Sometimes the best revenge is silent." Onyxa commented simply.

Vette noted the smirk that was slowly forming at the side of her mouth, which was as much as the Sith ever truly smiled, at least when outside of combat. Her confusion deepened, knowing she did not do such a thing lightly. Violet eyes looked into her golden ones, still trying to figure out what Onyxa had done. It was only as she looked down and noticed the quartet of newly acquired hip pouches in the Sith's hand that it finally dawned on her. Onyxa could see she finally understood, the cloud of anger passing enough she remembered what every soldier about to go on shore leave knew: never provoke a Sith. They always made you pay for it in more than one way.

"Oh… no… you didn't?!" Vette suddenly burst into laughter, arms wrapping about to hold her sides. "You did! You totally did!"

Onyxa kept the smirking grin on her face, well aware of the eyes on her as Vette bent over laughing and seemingly could not stop. Finally, she pocketed the freely given credits before placing a hand on the twi'lek's shoulder and patted it. Vette took a deep breathe and straightened up, her violet eyes meeting her own.

"Hey, thanks." She remarked and Onyxa nodded. "Appreciate it."

"Let's get a drink." Onyxa stated, turning and headed to the stairs that lead down to where the station cantina was, knowing without a look Vette would be right on her heels.


Onyxa glanced about her, watching the coming and going of the people all around through the cantina. A number of troopers were lingering about, drinking and revelling. Live hard, play hard clearly was their motto, though Onyxa could not fault them. Troopers were expendable assets tossed on a battlefield to live or die. All that ever mattered was the objective was completed. There were a few officers, and Onyxa had even spotted a handful of bounty hunters, some appearing to be newly arrived from Hutta, if what she overheard from their conversation was any indication.

While she knew the odds of anything happening were slim, Onyxa was still cautious. Bounty hunters were always a tricky bunch, with plenty of quirks. Especially with new ones, all to eager to prove their worth, no matter the bounty's difficulty. There appeared to be a two woman team in particular that caught her interest briefly, both human, one with dark skin, black hair and an implant around her temple, the other a pale skinned redhead that was a full head taller, built like an amazon and dressed in a full suit of combat armour with weapons to match. Unlike others who had noticed her gaze and quickly averted it, the redhead instead stared right back, deep blue eyes almost challenging the Sith. That bounty hunter would be an interesting one...

"So…" Vette said, snapping her attention back to the twi'lek. Vette's violet eyes stared at her while fingers drummed on the glass of her drink.

"What's on your mind, Vette?" Onyxa glanced at her and away from the crowd around them.

The twi'lek studied Onyxa for a moment longer before looking down into her glass. Taking another drink, she then looked back at her and spoke. She was hesitant to broach the subject, unsure how the Sith would react. She still was too hard to get a proper read on.

On one hand she had seen just how dark and violent the other woman could be. Thoughts of Vemrin, broken and bloodied, came to her and she had to push them away quickly, not wanting to remember such. On the other hand, she had shown an almost caring side, a willingness to risk her own person to protect the life of her companion, and a sense of humour that was surprisingly receptive to her own.

She had even given the twi'lek what passed for a smile, something she had come to realize was a rare and treasured thing. Two sides of the same person. Which one would she find if she spoke about the subject? She could only wonder. Only one way to find out girl, she reminded herself, thinking nothing ventured then nothing gained.

"I was thinking, perhaps you could take this off?" She said, hand rising to brush against the side of the shock collar about her neck. "I think I've proven I'll stand with you. I mean, its not like I have anywhere else to run off to. Plus I don't really enjoy the thought of perpetual electrocution."

Onyxa let that smirk pull at the corner of her mouth, and shook her head. In truth, she had wondered when the twi'lek would get around to asking such. What was it about her, she wondered, that made her want to laugh and smile so much? She seemed to just have that ability. Still, the woman was right. She had stood by her, had not caused any trouble, and had at least to this point proven herself loyal to her. What more could she have asked for?

She had decided she liked having her around, though that, in of itself, made her wonder if it was such a good idea. She made a note then to keep the twi'lek at arms length. Do not get attached, she reminded herself, no matter how damn cute the other woman was.

Moving about the table they stood at, Onyxa came up behind her, drawing close. She could feel her momentarily stiffen. The reaction, she was quite sure, was warranted given how Khash had treated her, let alone everything else in the past few weeks. It would likely would give anyone plenty of reason to distrust others, and she was not surprised. Reaching up, Onyxa deftly and quickly removed the collar. Leaning in close, Onyxa half whispered in her ear then.

"Don't make me regret this."

Vette felt the Lady Sith's words, the soft brush of warm air against her skin and she couldn't help but shudder just slightly. She watched her then as she returned about the table before them. It felt strange, the weight of the shock collar suddenly gone. It struck her as almost funny how she had become so accustomed to it being there in so short a time. She smiled then at her, regarding the Lady Sith anew once more. She really was such a mystery, and she could not help but be attracted and intrigued by such. Careful girl, she reminded herself, she is sith and you just can't go getting involved at all emotionally.

"Thank you." She said simply. No need to overstep her newfound freedom too quickly.

"Vette, I want you to do something for me." Onyxa suddenly spoke as she peered at her drink, the gaze rising then to bring those golden eyes to bear on her. "And no questions asked. Am I clear?"

Vette nodded then, curious as to what the woman was up to. She still had not figured her out at all. Even that smirk that passed for a smile was irritating, though she knew it was special to even get such from her. She had already decided that it was now a challenge and a game. She would make her laugh and genuinely smile if it was the last thing she did. The serious tone of her voice now, however, made her stay silent.

"Take this, keep it safe for me." Onyxa said, hand digging into a pouch at her waist before reaching across the table to press the a single black-silver ring into her hand. "This is something most precious to me, and I want it to be safe. Though that doesn't mean we're married or anything of the sort."

Vette was not sure what to make of it all, but the Lady Sith's last words made her laugh. Instead of saying anything she simply nodded, putting the ring away into a pocket and taking a long deep drink. Married to a Sith, she thought. Yeah, that would prove interesting.

What bothered her was the fact she did not cringe at all at the thought of such with her. She wanted to scream at herself and run at the realization she had just come to. It was going to be hard keeping tall, dark and scary at an arms length, she finally decided.

"So back to Sith business then?"

Onyxa nodded, then slid one pouch across the table top towards the twi'lek. She wanted to get going but knew they still had some time to take care of a few details before reaching Dromund Kaas. Once there, she had little doubt they would be tied up nonstop by Baras.

The thoughts about the bounty hunters came to mind. The fact remained that Vette would need new armour before they faced whatever Baras put in their way. Dromund Kaas was not the place where mistakes were given a slap on the wrist, and it always payed to be prepared for anything. Besides, there were some matters she wanted to keep private, even from Vette.

"Take this, go to the vendors and get yourself some new armour." Onyxa stated and watched as Vette stared between the pouch and her.

"I get to shop?" Vette asked in disbelief. "And you're paying?"

"Indeed I am. Even still, don't go too crazy." Onyxa replied, pointedly giving the twi'lek a stern look.

Vette laughed and snatched up the pouch quickly, not taking the chance Lady Sith would change her mind. Moving about the table she tempted fate by giving Onyxa a quick, tight hug. She half expected a remark about putting the shock collar back on when she did such, or worse.

When she saw and felt her instead reach a hand up to pat her arm, she was almost too shocked to move. Accepting it, Vette then bound away heading to the vendors area of the station. Onyxa watched the twi'lek go and shook her head.

"Still so much like a child in some ways."

Focusing back on what she wanted to do now that she was alone, Onyxa pulled out a small data pad. Putting in the code for her own set personal channel, Onyxa typed in a quick message. She watched as the device blinked a couple times before connecting and sending it to the intended recipient.

There's still time to meet up if you wish. I'm at the cantina, back row.

She sat quietly for a couple minutes in silence, waiting. The reply, when it came, was equal parts quick and to the point.

I'll be there soon. Can't wait!

A small, genuine smile touched her lips as she read the reply. With the messages delivered and received, she shut off the data pad and waited, passing the time while nursing her drink.

She didn't have to wait for too long before a woman in full Imperial military regalia entered the cantina, quickly making a beeline straight for her upon spotting the Sith.

In a way, Onyxa was grateful for the cantina's poor lighting. It made it harder for others to see the faces and features, permitting a small amount of privacy even in so public a place. Thus, despite her earlier caution, she felt at ease enough to stand and walk around the table as the soldier approached, opening her arms up wide as they got closer.

Had anyone actually been paying attention to the Imperial soldier, they might have noticed she was almost an exact copy of the Sith warrior directly in front of her. She had the same black hair, though it was silky smooth and completely straight, tied back in a ponytail and cut exactly to the regulation approved sixteen centimetres. Her eyes were a rich cobalt blue instead of gold, her facial features similar but more youthful and friendly instead of imposing. For all intents and purposes, the woman was exactly what one would imagine if Onyxa had been born without force sensitivity, instead being raised as a soldier in the Sith Military.

Both sith and soldier hugged the other tightly, the embrace of siblings who had been separated from one another for far too long.

"Onyxa!" The woman's voice was warm and softer, sporting an accent nearly identical to Onyxa's own.

"Hello, Myyrha." Onyxa greeted her younger sister. "It's been far too long. Heard you were on station and wanted to make sure you were well. Is everything okay? The troops have been leaving you alone?"

"I'm alright." Myrrha Solaris answered and shook her head, taking a seat opposite her sister. "Father's been vigilant, and mother's been keeping an ear to the ground. You don't have to keep worrying about me. I can take care of myself, you know? I'm okay."

"Doesn't mean I'm gonna take my eye off of your deployments. I know a soldier's life isn't easy, but I just want you to be safe." Onyxa said with a shrug. "Ever since… well…"

Myrrha bit her lower lip but nodded. She knew what Onyxa meant by that unfinished statement. She had been fortunate her sister was as protective of her as she was. Not all Sith siblings were known to be as caring for those born without force sensitivity. Theirs was a very unique situation, and she was eternally grateful for the family being so close and supportive, despite how different they were in that regard. Her sister had saved her, more than once in fact. While they couldn't always show it in public, she trusted Onyxa would always be there for her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to switch the subject away from where it had gone.

"How was your time on Korriban? Am I supposed to be referring to you as 'Lord Solaris' now?"

"Hardly." Onyxa said with a laugh. "I'm Darth Baras' new apprentice. I'm headed to Dromund Kaas now. And you?"

"Same here. Gonna be on the same shuttle back home in fact. Guess that means you're stuck with me for the whole trip. Especially since I'm recently removed from another border skirmish and transferred to mother's ship. I swear both sides are getting more aggressive by the day."

Onyxa smiled and couldn't help but shake her head. Of course her sister was getting into trouble. Again. It seemed to just follow her around, especially as she got older. She didn't even have to try, and still her sister would somehow manage to get into a bind. In a way, that just made her stronger.

"Still being thick headed and stubborn?" Onyxa finally asked.

"You know it, so I guess it's as it always is between us." Myrrha said with a laugh and shrug.

"Hopefully some time aboard the Hydra will teach you some caution. You're too aggressive for your own good sometimes."

"Don't worry about it. We're not kids anymore, Onyxa." Myrrha said with a small laugh. "You don't need to solve all my issues and take care of me all the time. Not anymore."

Onyxa shrugged and grinned then, before glancing about and realizing how much time had passed. Vette would most likely be done shopping. She had not given the twi'lek that many credits, and doubted she would linger too long away from her sith protection. She couldn't help but sigh.

"Myrrha, I need to go. I'll try and touch base when I can." Onyxa said. "If you need me, you just need to call."

"I know, you be safe." Myrrha said back with a smile. "I'll see you again when we're on the Black Talon. Should be a nice, easy flight back home, right?"

The two siblings stood and embraced once more, then the younger sibling readjusted her cap and uniform before departing. She had barely walked three steps before suddenly stopping, turning her head to look over a shoulder. "And Onyxa? I just… thank you. For everything you've done for me."