AN: Here is the next chapter, sorry it took so long on it, was revising it a few times. The more I do, the more worried I get on if it's gonna be good enough or tolerable. As of posting this I did re-read my old one which gave me a few more ideas on how to change and handle things. So without further ado, enjoy Balmorra...the short short version.
Balmorra: Multiple Locations
After breaking the siege on Sobrik, Kuro and Kory sat down with Major Bessiker in his war room. The holo-console held various information of military personnel locations, bases and shipyards and the like. As well as various warehouse locations with tech from when the planet wasn't a bombarded, war-torn wasteland. It was these warehouses and tech sites that interested Kuro the most. One of these places should have the Cybernetic Nullifier device, or something like it. If not? Well she was confident she could end Skotia without it.
Major Bessiker was telling them all he knew about the planet and what things they may find interesting. "There is even a vault that was blown open. Normally this would be taken advantage of, however the vault is filled with toxic gas that bypasses even some of our strongest gas masks and filters. Hmm, not that I think about…Captain Ilun, do we still have any pumps for this sort of thing?"
Captain Ilun was a, by the book, kind of man. Kuro got the impression he was more informationally detailed than the Major who, while professional and undoubtedly resourceful, was a little scatter-brained at times. "If it's the vault I'm thinking of, sir, it won't be that easy. The fumes alone have put our men in the medical center."
"Bessiker, if you have a location for this vault, I would love to know. It may have what I'm looking for and if not. Well, the good stuff is always being guarded, right?" Kuro said, with a giggle. "Also…where is the medical center?" The captain informed her of its location and without saying anything to anyone, Kuro left.
Kory just smirked as Bessiker's mouth flopped like a fish. The Sith twi'lek was just such an oddity to him and all the other Sith he had experience with. He looked at Kory in confusion, hoping for an answer to his unvoiced question. "Don't mind her. Like I said, she's just like that." She smiled sadly. "Training on Korriban isn't pleasant, as much as I hate to admit it, the sheer reality is that she is clinically insane. One moment shes mass murdering with a twisted grin on her face like most Sith, the next shes in a medical center doing what she can to heal people, treating them like her babies or something." She nodded to the door, indicating she was probably doing just that.
Frowning, the Major felt his heart fill with sorrow. "I understand, I have a son on Korriban who is being trained. I have heard very little to nothing on how it's going. I am ashamed to admit I don't even know how the training goes other than its brutal. But so is the Imperial military." He sighed, rubbing his face. Kory nodded and patted him on the back. In a small modicum of comfort. "Thank you. Anyway, I will look into the best locations I can for this device and send you both the coordinates for that vault. You ladies are smart, I'm sure you will find a way in." He smiled at the human Sith. "For the record, my Lord. It's been an honor meeting you. If only more Sith had even half of what you two do. Thank you for the help, and if there is anything else you can do for us here to quell this resistance, I would appreciate it. But again, you are under no obligation to."
The human Sith Sister smirked and teased. "That's basically one way saying you really desire our help. No pressure and all that." Seeing his look of fear and opening his mouth as if to backpedal she shook her head, with a dry chuckle. "Relax, I'm kidding. I can tell you're an honorable man and wish the best for you and your men and women. So yes, if it's within our power, Kuro and I will help. Keep in touch." She smiled at the man, more warm this time before taking her leave.
Once the Sith were gone, Bessiker let out a deep breath. It wasn't one of relieved tension, like with most Sith he met. More one of awed reverence. He had never felt more at ease with any Sith before meeting the Sith Sisters. He smiled and went to work on finding anything he could to help his new Lords.
Kory finally dragged Kuro away from the Medical Center. She was correct in her assumptions, Kuro was busy using her Force power to heal who she could and if she knew her sister like she thought, she wasn't doing it for power, for influence or reverence. She was doing it simply because she could and wanted to. The one armed human had watched for a while, smiling lovingly at her sister hard at work to help people.
But eventually she was just getting in the way, fussing over people she already healed and limiting the work the doctors were trying to do, so Kory dragged her off. Of course she whined about it. "Nooo! I need to help my little darlings! They fought so hard!" Kory just smirked and winked at a few doctors who seemed immeasurably confused and paid her sister no mind.
Now they were traveling the lands of Balmorra in a compact land speeder, looking into the locations Bessiker had given them. It was only a few so far but it would do. Currently Kuro was on holo-com with Khem. They had him stay on the ship, because as much as they trusted the Imperial's they didn't want to leave their new home unguarded in case some thief or other miscreant tried anything. An eight foot tall monster was a good deterrent. "How's the ship, Khemie?"
Khem growled, glaring into the holo-com "The ship is fine…master. I just want to know why you would abandon me to this fate. Surely I'm more useful than a mere guard." He grumbled angrily. Kuro grinned, teasing him was a wonderful time for the twi'lek, but despite her teasing she really did like her da'shade companion.
"Of course you are, Khemie. We just don't have a crew to keep it locked down yet. I promise if I come across a Forcer-user, Jedi or otherwise, I will knock them out and bring them to you." Kuro promised with a wink.
Kory just shook her head, grinning keeping her eyes locked ahead so they didn't crash. Before long she had hung up with their monster friend and were alone again. "So, what do you think of the Major and his information?" Kory asked.
The twi'lek shrugged. "I do like him, and I'm sure his information is solid. But, I don't know him well enough yet, but I like him so far. Seems like a good man, cares for his people, is knowledgeable if not a little scatter-brained." She tapped her chin with a finger. "Like a bumbling uncle."
The one-armed human nodded. "I agree. He's a good man. Did you know he has a son on Korriban right now?" She gossiped, grinning. "He mentioned it after you left. I think he's confused by you, but seems to really like and respect you."
"Psh, I don't deserve any of that." She said negatively, trying to play it off. "But that is interesting. I hope his training goes well, but not likely though huh?" She asked rhetorically. Kory could only nod, reaching over to gently rub the twi'leks lekku in a means to comfort her sister from her negative thoughts. Kuro smiled gratefully.
The pair traveled in silence, enjoying the landscapes, despite it being ravaged by war, and filled with outposts and large artillery turrets and… many other militant things. They avoided confrontation as best they could but occasionally they had to wipe a few pockets of enemies out, both humanoid and indigenous lifeforms. Before long they arrived at one warehouse that held a plentiful amount of military weaponry, bombs and the like. Nothing inside indicating it would help with cybernetics.
So they continued on to the next: Medical supplies. And the next: Clothing and food. And another: A warehouse full of…games? Each discovery was interesting but not what they were looking for. Kory contacted Bessiker about each one so he could send personnel to retrieve or lockdown the locations. "Bessiker, none of these places have cybernetic tech. Is there anything else?" Kory asked, getting a little frustrated.
Bessiker's form on holo frowned and ran a hand through his beard. "There are many warehouses and stations filled with all kinds of technology. I'm afraid it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where they could be. Perhaps if you investigate the vault I mentioned? The toxic fumes and sludge there is dangerous to most races but a local species called a colicoid literally feeds off it. Perhaps you could somehow splice their DNA with your own safely and become immune to the toxins?" He suggested in his attempts to help.
"Eww, gross. No way!" Kuro responded, who was listening in. Just the mere thought of having another species' DNA spliced into her made her want to vomit. "I am NOT doing that!"
Kory laughed and replied. "I have to agree with my sister, that sounds incredibly disgusting."
The Major frowned, looking upset that he couldn't help. "I apologize, my Lords, I…wait, perhaps you don't need to do that at all. I have no idea how the Force works, as that is your specialty. But could you perhaps make them clear out all the toxins in that vault?"
Kuro blinked and the sisters looked at each other. They, themselves, were not sure it would work, so it was hard to tell Bessiker though. Because it could work. "Well now, that's more like it! There is hope for you yet, Major." Kuro teased with a giggle. Bessiker couldn't help but smile at the teasing praise. "Let's go, Kory. We gotta domesticate some new pets!"
Taris: Jedi Enclave
"I am really disappointed in you, Ashara. Sneaking off in the middle of the night into a dangerous wilderness. Not only that but you went into an Imperial base of all places. Do you realize how dangerous that is?" Jedi Master Ryen chastised his young Padawan.
Jedi Master Ocera was with them, his face emotionless. Typical. Ashara thought with more than a little disdain. "Yes, Master." Was all Ashara responded with, head down. She knew it was dangerous, and that was before meeting Yoko. She wouldn't make the same mistake again. She would be prepared next time.
"We are just concerned for you, Ashara." Ocera said, placing a hand on her shoulder, as if somehow that would comfort her. It didn't. In fact she had to resist the urge to roll her shoulder to shrug him off. "You have amazing potential, and your rebellious actions are dangerous to yourself. You are dismissive, arrogant. You lack self control, prone to action rather than diplomacy. The path to the dark side has many roads. This is but one." If only you knew. Ashara thought, holding back her eye roll.
"Yes, Master. I will be careful." She answered, monotone and just wanting to leave. Shi'ara was waiting for her and she would much rather talk to her than her Master's. They were going to meet before she was called in to speak with her Master's. She supposed they sensed a change in her and wanted to investigate. Once again, no privacy. I hate this place. She finally admitted to herself. It was stifling, restrictive and emotionless. Kuro and even Shi'ara were right. The Jedi Order had many great teachings, but they were more emotionless drones than Protectors of Peace. Kuro's words, not the Barsen'thor's. Shi'ara had too much love to think like that.
"You must show restraint, Ashara. Remember what I taught you during training?" The cathar Jedi pressed. Indicating her training with some weaker members of the group in the lightsaber duels. It frustrated her then, and it frustrated her now to be told this.
Ashara was showing restraint alright, and it was slipping. She turned to look at her Jedi Master, and couldn't keep the glare off her face. "Yes, Master. I do. Can I go now? Shi'ara is waiting for me and I need to speak with her." She didn't wait for their permission. She turned and left. They didn't stop her, but shared a look with each other, shaking their heads in disapproval.
As she stalked away, clenching her fists, she had to repress tha anger, but it was hard. Ashara was so angry, she had never felt this angry before. She was taught for so long to keep her emotions in check, at peace, so she could embrace the Force and use it wisely. She felt like she's been lied to. She remembered all the things Kuro had done. The vast power and control she had over herself, the confidence in her abilities. It came at a great cost but she was so powerful it sometimes hurt to think about. She felt weak and useless next to her. She felt restricted. She had to speak with Shi'ara before she lost her sense of self.
She found the adult human woman in her quarters, sitting on her bed in her beautiful robes befitting a Barsen'thor, reading a novel of some kind. "Shi'ara…" Ashara announced her presence. She felt so drained and moved to her bed and sunk down on it next to the human.
Hearing her arrival and feeling the defeat in her voice, Shi'ara smiled at the girl next to her, set her device aside and pulled her in for a comforting hug. It was so motherly and warm that Ahsara felt her emotions just let loose. She cried and clung to her friend. "I have to admit it." She cried. "I hate it here. I hate how restrictive it is, how closely I'm watched, how the Master's look at me with disapproval and their lack of confidence in me. Have I not tried hard enough already? Please, Shi'ara what do I have to do? I can't take it anymore" She sobbed.
Shi'ara cooed to her friend, running her hands down her back in soothing motions. "It is okay, Ashara. It may not feel like it, but the Master's do care for you. As I have told you, the Jedi Code and the teachings are for the betterment of yourself, but they do have a negative side. You are experiencing it now. Self-doubt when you do not perform as they expect. Bitterness, anger, a sense of betrayal. All of this is-"
"A path to the dark side right?" Ashara interrupted, she couldn't help it, she was tired of hearing it. She knew herself, she wasn't going to become some monster just because she loved learning new things, doing what she wanted and how she wanted. That was a foolish way of thinking in her mind to restrict her in doing just that. She didn't want to think badly of her friend but she was just so drained.
The Barsen'thor only smiled and kissed the torgurta's forehead. "No, my dear. It is natural. Emotions are natural. Yes, even anger and hatred. The emotions themselves are not what make you a Sith or a Jedi, it is how you use them. Look at your darling Kuroki." She said, lifting the girl's face to look at her. "She is on Balmorra as we speak. She fought off a resistance group trying to siege the Imperials. People from the Republic. Now would you say that is evil, to protect her own people from an outside threat, even if it is your own faction. Or your own race?" She asked.
Ashara didn't even need to think of the answer. Even if it wasn't Kuro the answer was still the same. "No, of course not."
Shi'ara nodded. "Correct. Not to mention the fact she offered them a chance to surrender during her speech to them. It was a cute speech." She giggled as the visual came to mind again. "Instead they shot at her, cutting her off mid-sentence. So set in their ways and their hatred of the Empire they were willing to shoot at someone showing no outward signs of aggression towards them. I do not believe that to be an evil act either, but it was far from a morally just one."
Hearing that Kuro was shot at, Ashara sat up, wide eyed. "What?! Is she okay?! She's not hurt right? Please tell me she's okay!" She asked, almost hysterically. Wrapped up in Shi'ara's arms she had to look up sharply to stare in her eyes, as she was pressed tightly to the woman's ample bosom.
The human giggled and soothed her desperate friend. "Yes, dear Ashara. You can relax. Kuroki is smart and conjured a barrier before lifting herself with the Force to be seen, and augmented her voice with the Force to be heard. She is immensely skilled and powerful. She is just fine."
Ashara sagged against her friend, forehead against her chest. She idly thought how nice Shi'ara smelled and how comforting it was as she knew that her lover was safe. "Thank the Force." She breathed as she closed her eyes. "What happened next?"
Shi'ara continued. "She sent Kory out to kill them, and she did. Kory jumped over the walls and charged into the enemy ranks of hundreds. Alone. She drove them off. The ones that fled she did not pursue, a sign of mercy and respect for her Sister. As Kuroki knew that unnecessary deaths would only cause you sorrow. Kory knows her sister well so she did what Kuroki would have done. They laid waste to the siege and liberated Sobrik of Balmorra in only a few hours. Where the Imperials were fighting for weeks."
"Anyway, I am sorry for rambling. My point is, Ashara, is that just because Kuroki is a Sith does not mean she is evil. In fact after the siege was over she had learned many were in the Medical Center because of the battle and some were there because of toxin inhalation of a vault they were trying to explore. She went there to heal them. People she did not know. A rather Jedi-like quality would you not say so?" Shi'ara giggled, poking Ashara's nose. "Emotions are important and how you use them even more so. For the record, my dear. You did nothing wrong in your adventures here on Taris, other than not letting anyone know you had left." She gently chastised, followed up by another kiss to the temple. "Sometimes, my dear, your curiosity gets you into dangerous situations. Do be careful with that." She smiled.
Ashara had calmed down throughout the retelling. She smiled back at her close and dear friend. "There, you see?" She asked. "Was it so much to chastise me like that? If I do something wrong I want to be told, surely. But not as if I'm a child who knows nothing of the world. I'm not stupid. I knew leaving was dangerous but I had confidence in myself. The Masters don't seem to." She sighed to herself. "You fill your advice and reprimands with love and care, Shi'ara. The Master's feel like stone, as if they don't actually care but are only following a doctrine to make it seem like they care."
"Oh?" Shi'ara chuckled and hugged her friend tighter. "Thank you, my dear. That does mean a lot to me. But are you telling me you want the Master's to hold you like this, give you light kisses and whisper words of love and encouragement to you?" She teased, a grin on her face.
The togruta's face scrunched up in disgust. "Ewww, by the Force, NO!" Still she couldn't help but laugh into her friend's chest. "Why do you always have to tease me?" she asked with a smile.
"Why indeed." She answered. Ashara had heard that line so many times she was beginning to wonder if Shi'ara was going for a catchphrase or just loved to play the mysterious role.
Balmorra: Bugtown / Hazard Vault 205
Kory could not believe this was happening. She was disgusted, horrified and disturbed. Why were they here in this place? Her sister decided it would be a good idea to follow along with Bessiker's suggestion: Using the Force to control the colicoids and clean up the vault of all toxins. A sound plan with one minor setback.
The colicoids were disgusting! They were insect-like in appearance, four scuttling legs, two pincer-like arms, and a center torso ending in a gross insect face that had Kory shuddering in revulsion. Most creatures she could handle, but bug-like ones? A hard no there.
Her sister however had no such reaction. "Oh. My. GOODNESS!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down. "Kory! They are so cute!" The human Sith looked at her twi'lek sister with utter confusion and disgust. Kuro had practically sprinted towards them, arms out as if to hug them. They reacted violently of course and Kory was about to spring into action and destroy them but a simple look from Kuro and her Force abilities had them pacified and under her control. "Oh, Kory. These cuties are so very intelligent. Seems they can make droids! Isn't that neat?"
"W-whatever you say, Sis." Kory's shuddering reply was all she could manage, trying to stay as far from them as possible. "C-can we just get them on board to clear out the vault please?"
Snickering at her sister's clear revulsion of the intelligent insectoid race, Kuro decided to appease her. "Ok, ok. Now then my little lovelies. I just need your help in a small matter. In fact I'm sure you will find it quite pleasant. You see there is this super secret vault with some super cool stuff I need. But I can't eat toxic waste like you guys can, which is so cool by the way. So I could really use your help. Once done, I can give you access to all the droid facilities you could want! Maybe even let you stay in the vault, I'm sure more toxic waste will appear again. Isn't that a great deal?" She explained, bargained and rambled to her new friends.
Kory shuddered as the colicoids seemed to agree with this and very soon Kuro had gathered dozens upon dozens of them to trek along with her to the location of the vault to put their plan in motion.
They led them in their land speeder to the vault and got to work on trying to purge the toxins from the facility. All the Sith Sisters could do was sit and wait. "Not a fan of insects huh?" Kuro teased.
"Please don't…" Kory replied, groaning. It was so uncool of her to have acted that way but she just couldn't help it. Bugs grossed her out beyond all mental capacity. The sorceress giggled and poked her, to which Kory screamed and shot away from her. "Kyaaah! D-don't touch me after touching those disgusting things!"
Kuro smirked. "Oh my, that was a lovely girly scream, Kory." She remarked, a small bit of her insanity coming forth only for the fun of it. "And what are you gonna do to stop me, dear sister?" She stood to follow Kory who kept backing away from her.
"P-please, Kuro. Don't!" She begged suddenly being locked in place by Kuro's Force power. "Noooo!" She screamed as Kuro drew nearer and nearer a manic grin on her face as she lifted her fingers, curling repeatedly like some mad woman, to touch her. In no time at all, Kory passed out from the shock and revulsion of the situation. Kuro only cackled. Back in the city of Sobrik, for no reason people could determine, the populace shuddered.
Hours later, Kory came to. She groaned as she sat up, her sister nowhere to be seen. Panicked, she sprang to her feet, looking around wildly in fear. She was about to call out when she remembered why she was unconscious. She grumbled and frowned. "Yeah you better hide." The one-armed warrior was where she had fainted, in the grassy fields outside the vault. She couldn't see the bug creatures anywhere so she assumed they were inside, or perhaps done with their job and were back at their little town. She waited for a while longer, hoping to see her sister emerge from the vault or come across the grassy fields from a different location. Neither happened.
She began to worry now and with a heavy sigh and a visible shudder, she set off to the vault. Thinking it the most logical place she would be. She drew her lightsaber just to be safe and crept along to the vault. No sign of the bugs or Kuro still. She came upon the entrance to the vault. The warrior was hesitant to go in, but it didn't seem like there were any toxins remaining inside. Her desire to find her sister outweighed her self preservation. So with a deep breath to steady her nerves, she went inside.
Kory relaxed when she didn't feel pain or die instantly so she ventured forth, looking around for anything of interest and keeping an eye out for their cybernetic inhibitor. She came across something that seemed noteworthy. She scanned the device with her holocom and the little information she got back indicated she found what they were looking for. The Cybernetic Inhibitor. Grinning, she took it and pocketed the device before continuing on. It was strange that her sister wasn't here. Surely she would have seen this and taken it. Despite her acts of childishness and faux idiocy, Kuro was in fact very intelligent. She would not have missed this unless something else took her attention. So what happened?
A giant hole in the wall and floor produced an answer. She rounded a corner in the vault and came across it. Well almost fell into it. It led downward into what looked like a natural cave. Curious she ventured further in and finally, she found her sister. She was standing before an altar that held an artifact of some kind. A holocron? Kuro was reaching out for it. "Kuro?" Kory called out.
Kuro turned to look at who called her name, and beamed a happy smile seeing her human sister. "There you are, I was wondering when you were gonna wake up." She giggled and turned back to the artifact. "Check this out, I was exploring and found this tunnel and it led to this. Wonder what's inside…"
"Should you really be poking at something, when you don't know what it can do?" Kory asked, coming to stand beside her sister. She looked at the artifact and felt something that had her on edge. This thing was powerful, and dangerous. Though if there was anyone who could handle it, it was Kuro.
"Well how else am I gonna figure out the mystery of a holocron, stare at it?" Kuro replied, grabbing the holocron. Kory held her breath. Nothing happened. Kuro looked it over. It was orange in color and cube shaped, definitely a holocron. "Wonder what's inside…" Kuro repeated, excitement in her voice. She pocketed it though and spun around and skipped back to the entrance. "Later. For now, we have a cybernetic doohickey to find."
Kory chuckled. "Well while you were messing around with unknown things…without me." She glared playfully at the twi'lek, who grinned sheepishly. "I found what we actually came looking for."
"Oh. Well…good job." Kuro said dumbly, shrugged and skipped away to return to the surface. "Time to leave then." Kory just rolled her eyes and followed. The trek back to the outside was silent for a time.
"So….where's the bugs?" Kory asked after a while.
"What bugs?" Kuro asked in turn, innocently. Skipping along beside her.
Kory glared. "Don't. You. Dare. Play dumb. You know what I mean."
Kuro giggled. "Okay, okay. They cleared out the vault and I sent them away. I sent word to the Imperials, if they see these things to leave them alone, and in turn the colicoids have access to some droid factories. Well unless those things attack first then, well, you know."
Kory continued to glare, but relaxed her posture as they made it outside. She shouldn't have let her guard down as one of the bug creatures was standing right there near the entrance. Kory screamed as Kuro cackled. The human glared furiously at her sister who took off with Force speed, Kory gave chase. "You are so DEAD! YOU LITTLE…!"
As the two disappeared, the colicoid tilted its head as if to say. The hell was all that? I just came back for more toxins. It shook its head and went about its business.
Balmorra: Sobrik, Major Bessiker's Office
"You found it? That is great news, my Lords!" Bessiker exclaimed. Kuro and Kory had returned to Bessikers office. Kory had chased the twi'lek for hours, so long in fact they had run all the way back to Sobrik before they realized it. After literally choking her sister half to death with her bare hands, in front of many a soldier and civilian, all the while Kuro was just laughing…and struggling to breathe
Kory had finally calmed down enough to stomp away to Bessikers office. Kuro coughed, wincing at her sore throat and grinning. Worth it. She thought as she stood and hobbled after her. Waving off more of the concerned people she just winked and ducked inside the Major's office. They explained everything they had been through and the outcome of their adventure. Bessiker seemed fascinated and thrilled at not only helping the pair get their device but that they had stumbled across a Sith artifact as well. Yet he also seemed distracted, even upset.
"So yeah, thanks a lot for your help." Kuro said with her raspy voice, still recovering from her constant laughing and getting the life choked out of her. "If there is anything we can do to repay you, please let me know." Kuro offered. She meant it. She hated when someone gave false platitudes and offers of help for condolences sake.
Bessiker was quiet for a moment, as if he hadn't heard the Sith. Kuro and Kory looked at each other in concern. They had come to like the Major, he was proud, dedicated, perhaps a little scatter-brained but he meant well. So seeing him out of sorts was disheartening. "Uh…Major?" Kory prodded.
The Major looked up, determination in his eyes. He took a deep breath and asked. "There is something, if I may, My lords." The two nodded, urging him to continue. "You know of my son, Hiran. He was finishing up his training on Korriban and was on his way here. He…is being held prisoner." He looked so crestfallen that both the Sisters felt compelled to stand up and circle around the table, and hug him. He stiffened, but accepted the form of comfort. To the Sisters, emotional connections came easy, as they vowed themselves that they would control their emotions and make connections wherever possible. The Major felt like a long lost friend, and they felt they had to help.
"Hey. Consider it done, Major." Kory said, not even needing confirmation from the twi'lek Sith.
Bessiker smiled. "You have my utmost thanks, ladies."
They smiled in return. "Don't thank us yet. We haven't gotten him back. Where is he being held, do you know?" Kory asked.
"Yes, of course." He gathered himself and sent them the location to their holocom. "It's an old and supposedly abandoned outpost. Please get him back. He's all I have left. He's a good boy and means the galaxy to me."
Balmorra: Gorinth Plateau; Outpost Victory
Kuro had to disagree with Bessiker's assessment of his son. Perhaps before training, he was a good boy. Much like how Kuro was a sweet, shy child, now she was more or less a monster. Hiran was much the same. When he saw them he immediately spat venom at them. Saying how pathetic the Sisters were and bragging about his Lord. About finding some holocron that led to a specific weapon his master would want and that it would surely impress him. The same schtick she had heard before. She fought to not roll her eyes, it was very, very hard.
She was going to release him from his cell and just leave but then he said something that changed her plans. Oh she was still going to release him, but how she was going to do it, had changed. "About time my father sent someone though, useless old fool is at least good for something." Kuro's eye twitched and that old feeling came back. "How I came to be born in a family with no Force potential is beyond me. Useless, the lot of them."
Kory sighed, flicking her eyes to Kuro. Yep, there it was, Kuro's features went blank and a small smile played on her lips, eyes half lidded as if almost falling asleep. "Shouldn't have said that, boy." She warned before turning away to watch for any more Republic troops in the area.
The twi'lek reached over and opened the cell. Smirking, Hiran made to move past her, thinking he had swayed her, but instead he felt a coldness seep into him as he glanced into her eyes. Then suddenly he was locked in place. He couldn't move, no matter what he did, his eyes locked to the Sith in front of him. "The Major is no fool. He is a smart man." The voice that greeted him made his insides curl in fear. It was light, soothing even, but held the dangerous and malicious undertones he felt within his very body as she spoke.
But even so he would not bow. "Smart? Ha! Non Force-users are just pawns in our game. Surely you should know this?" He was about to continue when his vocal cords ceased to function. Kuro was staring at him, all too intensely.
"You know what I learned on Korriban, my dear boy?" She asked the younger man. "They took everything from me. From you. From every Sith ever created. Some embrace that darkness they teach. Others don't, like myself. I learned the hard way what these negative emotions do. I lost…Everything. My mother, my innocence, my will to live, everything you can think of. What I didn't lose is my love for my family. Something you seem to take for granted. Let me show you the difference between you and me, boy. The level of my love for my family and the power that gives me."
Without preamble, she let it drop, the restraint she had on her Force Powers, the sheer control she strived to keep from exploding forth. She laid it all bare and she knew he could sense it. All the while she stared him down, that playful, yet smug smile on her lips.
Kory, too, sensed it and her neck almost twisted painfully when she shot a look at her sister in sheer shock. She had to step a few feet back at the overwhelming feeling she was giving off. She knew her sister was powerful but this? Not a single Sith they had encountered gave off this intense feeling of power that instilled fear and dread in anyone around her. The brain giving off warning signals. How would you even combat something like this? RUN! It would scream. She had to grin and chuckle at this immense power she was feeling, satisfaction written all over her face at the fact that this was her friend, her sister. Her family.
Hiran sensed it too, but worse, as it was directed at him. She just stared at him, into his soul and burned him from the inside out with her gaze. He felt weak, afraid, inferior and worthless. He began to shake. All of the training on Korriban was nothing compared to this feeling of intense weakness and terror. He could see her aura, a blazing inferno of black and red. It didn't just hover around her. If they were outside it would be a beacon, shooting straight to the stratosphere and into space. It felt limitless and he could see in her eyes that all it would take to end him…would be a single thought. Then it was over.
He fell to his knees, shaking violently. "Do you see now? That feeling? That is my love for my family and I will destroy anything and everything to keep them from harm. That family includes your father. He is a great man, a great father and a great Major of the Empire. It shames me to see what kind of son you are when he has done nothing but praise you. You are a spineless ungrateful worm that does not deserve him. But I will leave that for him to decide. He asked me to get you and here I am." She paused, watching with detachment at this arrogant and pathetic…thing, in front of her. "Kory, my dear sister?"
Kory came over, obeying on instinct. "Yes, Kuro?" She asked.
"I love you." She said and smiled at the human, who smiled back, returning that feeling of love.. "Take him to the speeder please. I need to…calm down."
"Of course." Kory roughly hauled the young man to his feet and pushed him forward. "Be thankful it's her dealing with you. I would have simply destroyed you. You shame the Force in your arrogance." She sneered at him. Kory hated arrogance among many things and he had it in spades. Hopefully that would change.
It took a while to calm down. Kuro didn't want to have to do that but she just snapped. She really, truly did like Bessiker. He was such a good man and seemed to care much for his family. So to hear his own son just hurl venom at him like that triggered her to no end. When she got back to the ship she would call her mothers and tell them she loved them. She never wanted them to feel like she didn't love them. Fully calmed, she put on a happy smile, turned and skipped out of the outpost. Past numerous Republic soldiers laying on the floor, of which, she didn't even spare a glance.
Balmorra: Bessiker's office
Another few hours later saw them back at Sobrik and Bessiker's office. The man himself was thrilled to see his son alive and well, but when he asked about what happened he felt ashamed of how his son had acted. "My Lords, I am so sorry for this insult. I thought I taught him better than that." He glared at his boy. "Racism, disrespect for authority, arrogance and hate? Hiran, what were you thinking?" He asked. The boy glared back, but didn't respond.
Kuro interjected. "Now, now, Major. It's okay. You don't understand what it's like on Korriban. You don't…come out the same." She informed, painfully, remembering her own time and the horrors and misery she experienced. If their training taught her anything it was that emotions were power. It was just unfortunate that most took that to mean anger and hate were power, when instead the opposite was more true.
"What do you mean? You are right, I guess I don't understand what it's like, but I would like to know." He implored.
So Kory and Kuro retold their training, and it broke his heart. Then Hiran told him of his own. It was just as miserable and depressing as the Sith Sisters. They also told him not to take offense to it. It did give them power and strength. Some learned the wrong way, but they would learn it correctly in time. Soon, the Sith Sisters bid their new companions a farewell, having got what they came for. They came for a piece of technology, but left with not only that, but a Sith artifact. And unbeknownst to the Sisters, the startings of their own Sith power base.
Fury Starship
"In its dire time of need, two beautiful Sith arrived to save the wartorn planet of Balmorra. They saved the Empire, rescued a Sith boy, tamed the local wildlife, found a Cybernetic Inhibitor and above all, a secret reward. An artifact of unknown origin, that we later found out was a-"
"Kuro…we were all there and we already talked about this. Especially the artifact." Kory said to her ranting sister, cutting her off with a dryness reserved for the deserts of Tatooine. Kanna and Zash were on holocom watching with amusement as their children interacted. Kanna personally loving the dramatization of their adventures on the planet from her cute daughter.
Kuro pouted and narrowed her eyes at her human sister, not pleased with the interruption. "You need to learn to relax a little…little sister. I was getting to the good part."
"That we already experienced and know. What's the point in retelling what we already experienced?"
"For the fun of it! Look! Mommy and Mama are smiling, that's the point. It's called drama, duh."
Kory rolled her eyes and smirked. "Of course they're smiling, Mama's girl. You're talking, so they're smiling, and I know what drama is. I just have to hang out with you all day and I get my doses in."
The red skinned Sith blinked, taken aback by the statement. She blushed, flustered at the appraisal. "S-shut up. It's not my fault I'm lovable." She flipped her lekku pompously. "Hmph." She hammed it up, going as far as sticking her nose in the air and crossing her arms. Kory smirked.
Finally Zash spoke and broke the two up from their consciousness, but admittedly hilarious, debate. "Now, now, Kory. It's okay to let your sister have her moments."
"Ha! See-"
"And Kuro, it is important to take things seriously and not always over-dramatize things." Zash continued, smiling at her two daughters. Kuro deflated with a pout and of course, Kanna came to her rescue.
The twi'lek mother smiled with a twinkle of mirth in her eye. "Speak for yourself, darling. My lovely daughter's dramatization of their adventures was wondrous to behold." She winked at her Sith daughter, who giggled. It was so good to have her back in her life.
Zash rolled her eyes, playing it up. "Yes, well. Anyway, Very well done, sweetlings. It's also rather fortunate you found that artifact. With the one I hold here, we need three more to complete a ritual I have been looking into. A powerful one. I will explain the details at another time." Zash's eyes stared into Kuro's trying to convey no deception.
Kuro stared back, deciding earlier that day that she would place her faith and love in Zash. The deception is over with. It has to be. Kuro just smiled at her second mother and nodded. "Yes, mama."
Zash's smile was the brightest the three had seen in a long time. Zash knew those words meant more than mere affirmation. Her heart swelled and she had to choke back tears. Instead she gathered herself and asked the final scenario she wanted to go over. "Thank you, sweetling. Now, with your wondrous retelling of your adventures you never did get to the part of what happened to Bessiker and his son."
"Oh, right! That's what I was getting to…and I forgot about it on the first retelling." Kuro chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry anyway, here's what happened…"
After the recounting Zash sighed sadly, but was smiling. "Good, I am glad you didn't have to kill him. Though I would have understood if you did. Bessiker is actually a good friend of mine, you see. It would pain me to see him lose a child."
"Oh really?" Kanna said, arms folded and staring at the back of Zash's head on the holocom.
Zash grinned and looked at her. "Purely platonic, I assure you. I much prefer a good woman by my side. Preferably blue with twin tails and a huge-"
"Okay!" Kory interrupted, as Kuro was looking on slack jawed. Having, one, never seen her mother jealous before and two, never seeing Zash talk so crass before. "Moving on, please." Kory's reason to interrupt was because she did not want to think about her sister's mothers boobs. And if that thought didn't make her seem crazy she didn't what would.
The two mother figures laughed. "Right, yes. Well, as I was saying, it's good that didn't happen and I am glad everything worked out well. In the meantime. How about you two rest up for now. I assume you are on the way to Nar Shaddaa?" At their nods she continued. "Marvelous. Well, rest up girls, and take care."
"Good bye for now, my darlings." Kanna said, waving. Her loving motherly aura reaching them despite the difference in space and time.
The holocom went silent and the two sighed, feeling suddenly drained. "Nap?" Kory asked, turning to look at her sister.
"Nap." Kuro confirmed and the two went to their shared room to lay down.
It was with great relief that the two were together again to have their, both, exhausting days. Ashara, with both her internal battle with the Jedi Order and if she truly belonged there, and her literal battle with the Sith Juggernaut warrior. Kuro was not pleased with this knowledge. "I swear when I get my hands on her there will not be an atom left to identify her." She snarled, rubbing her face in her lover's larger chest. She sighed, the feeling of home returning to her and allowing her to calm herself once more.
Ashara smiled and stroked the twi'leks lekku. "You will do no such thing, my love." Kuro only pouted and grumbled, not liking it. "I'm sure Vette has already given her an earful of the matter."
"Oh my, that is surprising. Last I saw them Vette had a slave collar on remember? Now the little twi'lek girl is putting the Sith warrior in her place? How curious." Kuro smirked, her sarcasm heavy, knowing full well why that was the case.
Ashara only had to giggle. Kuro, not able to help herself, leaned up and kissed her lover lightly. It was getting easier and easier for the pair, especially Kuro, to engage in acts of love. The fact that Ashara let her go at her own pace put her at ease.
They laid there for a bit longer, until Kuro explained how her day was. Ashara knew a bit from Shi'ara on the defense of Sobrik but she listened carefully. It was much the same as Shi'ara explained, albeit she was sure Kuro exaggerated a bit to show off how cool she was. Ashara found it very, very cute.
She also talked about their search for a cybernetic inhibitor or some such, but the part Ashara loved the most was when she talked about the colicoids and Kory's reaction to them. Kuro had to pause her story and grin at her lover as Ashara hadn't stopped her laughing fit for the last ten minutes. "You are so cruel, love."
Kuro grinned maliciously, letting her Sith side be shown to her love, only to accentuate the joke. "Remember what I taught you, my apprentice? Never reveal your weakness, even to your allies." With that declaration, she attacked, and Ashara laughed. She tickled without mercy, just as she was taught as a Sith.
After a minute of the fun nonsense they had calmed down, Ashara was still breathing heavily at the attack but loved every second of it. It was moments like these that Ashara loved the most. Where Kuro could be carefree and silly. Truly carefree. After a moment she continued her story on how they found the inhibitor and then a Sith artifact. "Let me guess, love. Kory found your objective while you wandered off and explored the unknown and found the artifact." She grinned as Kuro looked away trying to look innocent. Ashara leaned in, kissing the tip of the Sith's nose. "How right am I?" She asked, with a smug grin.
"Hmph, you don't know me." She said jokingly, acting haughty. Her attempts at diversion would fail.
"Oh, I know you very, very well, my love." Ashara corrected, her voice dropping to a husky and sultry tone. The Jedi held her Sith lover close to her firm and toned body, running her fingers over the red skinned back, kissing along her jawline. Always soft, always light, conveying all her love with each kiss and caress. "I don't know everything about you, this is true. But I want to know everything. All your faults, all your positives. I want to study every inch of your body. Delve into your mind to learn who you are, and be connected to your very soul." Each admission was followed by a kiss.
Kuro had to try very hard not to melt into a pool of useless lesbian, but the words of love and their intensity made that impossible. She pressed into her Force-mate, tears coming to her eyes as she reciprocated each kiss she received, with mumbled "Thank you's" and "I love you's". Despite all the pain, all the misery she had gone through in life, she knew one thing for certain. So long as Ashara was in her life, she was glad to be alive.