Chapter Eight- From the Inside Out
"You want me to do what?!" Ira leapt up from his chair, his chest heaving, "I can't believe you! First you claim that you're Jedi through-and-through, then you go and ask me to do that?!"
"Ira, calm down," L'anyn reached a hand out to his shoulder as she stood up calmly, "It's not like I'm asking you to run around and murder younglings. I simply asked you to find a man called Orkaan and tell him you are ready for the test. He's a friend of mine and--"
"Orkaan… Darth Orkaan! You call him a friend of yours?! What sort of company do you keep, L'anyn?! Fraternizing with the DARKSIDE!" he sneered and fled the room, heading straight for his private quarters, "I'll never trust you again!"
L'anyn grinned slightly and settled back into her seat then sighed. "I think that went rather well, don't you, Prastii?"
A dark-haired Wookie stepped out of the medbay and took Ira's empty seat and growled quietly. "Rrraaaaa, nyaaaagh, rarrr."
"That's right, we're right on schedule," L'anyn reclined in her chair and let her eyes close slowly, "It's only a matter of time."
"Rrrrrragh," Prastii nodded and stood up then left the room, returning to his private quarters.
"Life is good," L'anyn whispered as she rose then stretched and walked to the cockpit for the remainder of the trip.
--
"What do I do now?!" Ira fumed as he paced his bed chamber furiously, "My master's got ties to the Darkside… and she's practically asking me to join her! Maybe Sanreth had it all figured out… maybe it was L'anyn that murdered him, not that Sith Lord- Darth Kamyra- that everyone's been whispering about. She probably just made up Darth Kamyra to cover for her own rage… unless…"
The door to his room slid open, revealing a dark-haired Wookie bearing a frighteningly large bowcaster. He growled and motioned for Ira to follow him.
Ira's eyes grew wide as he slowly stood up and stepped out the door hesitantly. The Wookie shoved him forward and jammed the bowcaster against his back, causing all the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. Ira gulped and walked toward the cockpit; fear, rage, and confusion mixing into a lethal combination as he watched a hooded and shadowed figure rise from the pilot's seat and approach him and the Wookie.
She laughed musically and held a lightsaber out to Ira, her cold gray eyes glowing from beneath her heavy, black cowl. "Come along, young one, come and meet your master."
"Darth Kamyra," Ira glowered, snatching the lightsaber from her and extending the lethal green blade, "You murdered Sanreth… I cannot forgive you for that."
"The little boy is so clever," she snickered, "How did you learn my name? Surely you did not read my mind. No Jedi could do that and live with himself. That is a skill for Sith Lords only. However, the Lady Oumarin has taught you the trick well, no doubt."
"But she--" he stuttered, trying to wrap his mind around exactly what was going on.
"She cannot help her mind wandering into others," the Sith laughed again, "It's just the way she is."
"You speak of her as though you know her," Ira clenched his jaw and began circling the cloaked figure warily, "How do you know her?"
"That's simple, Ira Solaris," she threw back her hood and grinned maliciously then reached for her twin sabers, which were concealed in the folds of her heavy cloak, "She's me."
Ira charged, his emerald blade leading him to his mentor's chest, "You've chosen the wrong Jedi to corrupt, L'anyn."
"Ah, but the corruption hasn't even begun, padawan of mine," L'anyn stepped to the side, evading Ira's glowing saber. Her twin crimson blades flashed toward Ira, slicing his green saber in thirds. "Green is so unbecoming of you, Ira. Now, grovel at my feet, if you don't mind."
He fell to his knees and looked up at her, still clutching the smoldering and broken hilt of his destroyed saber. His lip quivered ever so slightly as he watched everything around him continue in slow-motion. L'anyn put a foot to his chest and shoved him backwards so he was lying on his back, propped up on his elbows. She walked one circle around him, making a gesture to the Wookie, who took aim and fired a small charge, hitting Ira squarely in the chest. He choked and fell back.
"I think you put a bit much power into your stun bolts," L'anyn commented as she examined Ira carefully. She opened his burnt sienna-brown tunic, revealing his chiseled torso. The energy bolt had left a deep burn that spider-webbed across his heaving chest. "That's going to scar. He's got his first battle wound. Go make sure that's all the lasting damage there's going to be. The Master won't be happy if we've ruined this one."
Prastii nodded and growled then lifted up the young Jedi and carried him to the medbay.
--
Has the day come?
Patience, Orkaan. The full extent of this operation has only just begun. He'll be on your doorstep by the end of this week… if you even last through this week.
Why does it take you so long to corrupt such a young and simple mind, Kamyra?
This one's mind isn't nearly as simple as yours, Orkaan. I believe he will be able to outwit you easily.
No padawan can outwit me.
Your pride will lead you to your fall.
And your ignorance will lead you to yours, Kamyra.
We shall see.
I suppose we shall.
--
"Master Burke, it has been too long," L'anyn grinned to the holographic Jedi standing on the projector before her, "How may I be of assistance, sir?"
"Prepared for the test, the council believes your padawan is," replied the aged master, "Immediately to Coruscant will you both return for the examination to prepare yourselves."
"Yes sir," she nodded and turned in her seat to face her student, "Ira, we're going back to Coruscant for your trial before the Council. Prepare yourself, young one."
"Yes, master," replied Ira placidly.
"We'll be back soon, sir," L'anyn beamed and switched off the projector, then swiveled her seat around to face Ira, who was seated beside her. "Feeling better?"
"Yes ma'am," Ira nodded with a slightly pained smile, "My head still hurts a little, though."
"Mm-hm," she reached a hand out and touched his forehead gingerly with the tips of her fingers. Her eyelids slid shut and her brows furrowed as she concentrated on relieving the pain from the memory wipe she'd administered the night previous. She lifted her hand and sat back from Ira, whose face had relaxed into a gentle grin. "That should do it."
"Thank you, ma'am," he nodded in appreciation.
"Don't mention it," she turned back to the controls to prepare for their descent onto Coruscant.