Chapter Twelve – Homecoming
Dromund Kaas was a world of jungles and near endless storms, their entire descent punctuated by lightning strikes and crashing thunder. One couldn't even tell it was early evening so thick were the dark grey clouds. Even when the shuttle finally broke through the clouds, thick foliage hid the planet's surface from view. Peering out the viewport it was, in Vette's opinion, definitely forbidding enough to be the capital of the Empire.
"Welcome to Dromund Kaas, were freedom goes to die and legends are force on the Galaxy." She murmured, looking down at the thick canopy
"I will not silence your voice, but I'd refrain from making such comments unless in private." Aindri informed her, eyes closed as she was submerged in the Force, basking in the planets presence. The darkness shrouding Dromund Kaas was more subtle than Korriban's but no less present.
Ziost may have been where she was born, but Dromund Kaas would always be her home. Whatever tied her to her homeworld died the day her brother did, the memory drowned in a series of screams, blood, fire and tears. Collateral damage in an attack, arranged by her own father.
It was ironic, her family name meant honour as holy yet her family was steeped in sin.
Vette flicked her eyes toward Aindri a sheepish on her face, internally chiding herself. Just because this Sith removed her shock collar and didn't mind her quips and sarcasm doesn't mean others would. And she all but admitted she wasn't a typical Sith when they'd first met. So employing her rarely used filter might be a good idea, particularly in what you could argue was the Empire's heart. If it had such a thing…
Right, filter.
Treetops spun as the shuttle pilot, the Black Talon remaining in Kaas's upper atmosphere, turned ship, reversing into an a hanger, dark blueish grey skies replaced by industrial yellow. Seconds later there was a lurch as the shuttle touched down, hatch depressurizing and hissing softly and gangway extending to hit the floor.
They left the shuttle, Aindri remaining watchful and Vette keeping close to her side, superstitious glances cast in the direction of imperial troopers. Though she didn't voice it aloud, a wise decision on her part since to show weakness was to paint a target on your back, Aindri could sense Vette's worry at the likely hood of being snatched and collared. Not surprising given the Empire's less than stellar treatment of non-humans being well known throughout the galaxy.
The spaceport itself was clean but rather monotonous, the only splash of colour being the blood banners hanging from the gun metal grey ceiling and walls. Fat rain drops slapped heavy plastiglass windows, straight-lines and duracrete construction all but screaming 'military'.
Aindri's eyes swept over the crowded arrivals area, pausing when a frantically waving hand. It belonged to a small balding and harassed looking man wearing simple slave garb who hurried over when he realised he'd gotten her attention.
"You're the one, yes. Not like the scabs around here. You radiate power, lord, I bow before you," Aindri arched an eyebrow at the slave who bowed so low his head almost hit the floor, "I serve Lord Baras. He sent me to meet his new apprentice, and I made sure I was here on time, I certainly did. Yes indeed," He rapidly rose from his bow, but continued fidgeting, never quite meeting her eyes.
Aindri crossed her arms and regarded the man coolly, "And?"
The slave fidgeted and twitched as he informed her Baras wanted her to meet him in his chambers in the Citadel first thing in the morning before bowing again and scurrying off, presumably on another errand for Baras.
"Wow, what a weasel. Dromund Kaas needs some pest control." Vette murmured from the corner of her mouth as they entered the turbolift.
Aindri sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she leaned against the wall. Baras likely wouldn't appreciate her killing one of his servants, particularly one who had such potential for espionage. Nobody would give a second look to such a pathetic creature, it would grant him a certain measure of anonymity over others.
Sometimes, it is the most unassuming and invisible of people who are worth the most – her uncle would explain to her – Even those who are pathetic at first glance.
Still, she hoped other of Baras would have a little more backbone.
"Somehow I doubt you're the only one." Vette snickered and Aindri was glad she still had her hood up to hide her blink. She hadn't realised she'd voiced the thought out loud.
The tuborlift's doors opened, spitting them out into spaceports main hub, walking past an officer shouting loudly at a technician about malfunctioning beacons causing the wildlife from the surrounding jungle to become more aggressive. Her boots touching wet springy ground, Aindri glanced around at the thick tropical jungle surrounding the building, well-worn dirt paths running off into the trees.
Sending Vette to requisition a speeder she clicked on her holocom, leaving a message for Seban, one of her own servants, informing him of her arrival planetside and to expect the Twi'lek who'd be arriving with her. Slipping the communicator back into her robes she tipped her head back and breathed deeply, enjoying the scent of rain. A nice change from the arid atmosphere of Korriban, it brought her a sense of comfort. After two long months she was finally home.
They pulled into Kaas City, a beacon of civilisation in constant contention with the jungle beyond its walls. Bringing order to the chaos of nature, or at least trying to. Even as the wind rushed past Aindri didn't miss the low amazed whistle from Vette who was seated behind her on the speeder.
"Why are the walls so big?" Vette asked, her neck craned upwards to look at the giant walls separating the city from the vicious wilderness stretching across most of Kass surface before replying.
"To keep the beasts out," She paused, recalling a incident during her youth when a pair of Yozusks got into the city and the damage they'd wrought. Those patrolling the wall that night had been severely punished, "They manage slip through on occasion."
Vette gulped having seen the kinds of animals stalking the jungle as they rode through an urban jungle of metal and glass. Looking around at the faceless buildings she'd have thought the cities architects were colour blind to anything not black, grey or red. It was certainly no Coruscant, or Nar Shadda.
"So where are we going?" Vette asked trying to change the subject, she did not want to think about the animals which could tear her in two. She'd never seen a Gundark before and after getting a good look at one she had no desire to get close, "Or are we just gonna, you know, speed about aimlessly?"
Throwing her companion a quick glance over her shoulder, Aindri returned her attention to street before her, skyscrapers looming high into storm-wracked skies, and replied with a small smile touching her lips,
"Home."
The Imperial Citadel loomed over the city in the distance as they passed the Spires of Victory, a monument commissioned by Darth Gorgos after the Sacking of Coruscant, cascading spires symbolising ascendancy of the Sith and downfall of their enemies. Directing the speeder into the residential area, Vette glanced up at the towering apartment buildings with apprehension. To her, tall buildings on a world wracked by near constant lightning storms was a recipe for disaster.
Aindri leant to the left, speeder sliding into an underground garage full of speeders of numerous shapes, sizes and designs. Expertly guiding the speeder into one of the spaces set aside for temporary use, she cut the engine and dismounted.
"Damn," Vette murmured with wide eyes as she hopped of the speeder, taking in the sheer number and variety of vehicles, "I wonder how long it will take to hotwire these things."
Aindri arched an eyebrow as Vette blinked, suddenly realising she'd spoken out loud and whirled around with a slight panicked expression, "Err, I mean not that I would. I mean I'd have to be insane and…"
"Come." She said, cutting through the Twi'lek's babbling, turning sharply on her heal and walking towards the turbolift.
"Right." Vette muttered, clamping her jaw shut before her mouth got her into any more trouble and followed her dutifully.
Aindri leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, Vette glancing at her once or twice before looking at the rising floor count as the lift speed upwards.
"That's a lot of floors." Vette stated, trying to fill the silence that had descended between them, and she just hummed.
There was a sharp ding, the indicator for the top floor lighting up, turbolift doors sliding silently opening open to reveal a richly red carpeted foyer. Two massive floor-to-ceiling windows took up the right wall affording a view of the ravine separating the Citadel from the rest of the city, rocky crags faintly visible through the fog. Couches were artfully arranged around a coffee table with their backs to the view and a chandelier hung from the ceiling.
Like throughout the rest of the city, blood red banners with the familiar circle within an octagon were draped over almost black walls.
"Whoa." Vette breathed as she stepped out of the elevator and took in opulent surroundings.
It was a penthouse apartment.
But then of course it was a penthouse apartment, she probably shouldn't have expected anything else. Three people wearing the same simple dark grey, but nicely cut, clothes stood waiting in the foyer. Servants Vette guessed, her suspicions confirmed when they all bowed deeply to the Sith.
"Welcome home young mistress." Said Seban, a pale skinned man with jet black hair reaching the nape of his neck before straightening, "I trust you had a pleasant journey."
Aindri lowered her hood, a hint of warmth seeping into her eyes as she gave the man who'd been with her since she was a little girl a small smile, "Indeed. The speeder on which I arrived to be returned to spaceport."
"Understood young mistress" The man replied bowing slightly, "And I might ask who this is?" He asked glancing calculatingly at Vette – searching for whether she would be a threat – who looked back curiously.
"Vette is a, freelance bounty hunter, has recently come under my employ. I trust you to show her the ropes Seban."
Aindri had been working on Vette's citizenship status since she'd taken off the Twi'lek's shock collar. Mess with the Brentaal Star notwithstanding, she'd managed to get the ball rolling between Vaiken Spacedock and Dromund Kass. Now it was just a matter of waiting for it to go through.
"Of course, I will begin at once." She gave a nod of dismissal and Vette followed Seban with a bemused look on her face.
"My Lady," She turned her head to look at Mira, another of her servants with honey coloured skinned and raven black hair, "I have prepared your rooms for you."
Nodding her thanks she strode out of the foyer looking forward to basking in the privacy of her own rooms after having to share hers at the Academy. She liked Tormi and enjoyed her company, but the Twi'lek with her flirtatious nature could be exhausting.
Vette followed Seban as he gave her a quick tour of the penthouse apartment. Turns out it was three floors not just two. The turbolift had deposited them what could be considered to be the ground floor, containing the foyer and two further rooms, one of which looked like a public audience room and the other a small office which was connected to both it and the corridor.
Near the end of said corridor where two staircases separate staircases one going up and one going down, and at the very end was a large room easily twice the size of the others. Peering into the room, Vette guessed it was for training room seeing as it was filled with weapon racks. She was surprised to see there were even blasters, some of the training dummies had targets on them.
The bottom floor were spartan but comfortable and Vette was more than a little astounded to see each of the servants had a small room rather of their own. Each easily fit a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and set of shelves all filled with more than a couple of possessions filling the shelves. Located on the floor was also kitchen, two bathrooms and a storage room, a small cargo elevator to carry up deliveries.
"So, Seban right?" Vette grinned mischievously as they walked up to the stairs, "What's it like working for a Sith?"
The man eyed her a moment before replying, "Serving under the young mistress is both an honour and a pleasure."
"Kay, not exactly the answer I was expecting," Vette paused before shrugging, the Sith said to keep her tongue unless in private and she guessed this count since if he served her then Seban was used to her mannerisms, "Well none of this is what I was expecting. I mean for a start I'd thought a Sith would have loads of servants or is it a unseen and unheard kinda gig?"
"The young mistress believes in not becoming dependent on others for that which she could do herself."
"Huh. I thought all Sith were bossy gits who'd expect anyone and everyone to cater to their every whims." Vette blurted out, blinked, then snapped her mouth shut and cringed when she registered what she'd said. Lack of filter aside since when was she that reckless.
So imagine her surprise when Seban not only didn't blow up but laughed outright, "I believe I can see why the young mistress has taken enough of an interest in you to go as far as to offer you employment."
Vette was about to ask what he meant when they arrived the upper floor which to Vette surprise – that seemed to be a common emotion in regards to her new employer – was almost as spartan as the servants' floor, not to say it wasn't luxurious.
At the top of the landing were two doors, one opening out onto a balcony, which Vette doubted was ever actually used much. The other led in a room larger than any she'd seen so far, another floor-to-ceiling window taking up the entirety of the black wall while a long black table with several chairs took up most of the black metal floor. But it was the room beyond the dining one which caused Vette's eyes to widen.
In the centre of the room was a large circular open fireplace, an actual karking fireplace, surrounded by several very comfortable looking deep red armchairs and sofas. The rest of the space was filled with bookshelves, the only space free them was the space in front of the window.
"The only rooms you are not allowed in are the young mistresses own rooms," Seban continued drawing her attention as he indicated to a set of rooms just beyond what was obviously the library, "Other than those areas you have full access to the facilities here."
"Seriously?" She asked in astonishment grinning when Seban nodded, "Sweet."
Excusing himself to continue with his regular duties, Seban left Vette to her own devices and she returned to her own room, deciding to have a shower before returning to the library. Feeling refreshed she perused the shelves which held just as many physical, leather bound, books as did the holo versions. She stayed well away from the cubes and pyramids scattered across the room.
"My grandfather preferred physical copies to holobooks," Her fingers halted from where they'd been stroking a books leather spine and she turned to see the owner, wearing plain but comfortable loose clothing, leaning against the doorframe of her rooms, "My uncle and I continued the tradition."
Pushing herself off, Aindri walked towards one of the shelves, raising her hand to run her fingers lightly across leather before stopping and removing a slim volume, one of her more lucky finds. Stepping away from the shelves she sunk into one of the armchairs, igniting the fireplace with a flick of her wrist activating its motion sensors. The flames jumped up, licking the fireplaces ceiling before dying down to dance in the grate. Lounging back in the seat, she opened the book, flicking through the pages until she found what she was looking for. The resulting silence that had descended was a comfortable one as she read and Vette returned to explore the shelves.
"And will I get to meet any family of yours?" She glanced at Vette, who'd flopped into the sofa opposite her, over the top of her book before returning her attention to the page below.
"Unlikely. Perhaps my uncle, but he's currently away doing something," She paused, pages hiding the upward curl of her lips into a smirk, "Sithy, as you call it. Regardless he has his own properties."
"Hey that's my line," Vette grinned before what she said registered and gaped at her, "You mean you have actually own this entire place yourself!?"
"I invested." Aindri replied and silence reigned as Vette digested this information before asking her another question.
"Okay, so the servants?" She turned another page and considered the Twi'lek's question before answering.
"Seban and Mira have been with me since I was very young," Aindri gave a faint smile, both had been her caretakers back when she still lived in the Clan's main compound and followed her from Ziost when she left, "Shee originally served my uncle before coming into my employ a few years ago."
Mira came first, looking after her when her own mother begun to disregard her child in favour of other, pursuits, when she failed to first show potential in the Force. Falling out of favour with her parents, she became all but invisible to both her family – extended and close – and the servants. It was shameful, for a Non-Force sensitive to be born to a family which had produced many a powerful Sith throughout their history. Mira was one of the only servants who treated her no different. The other was Seban.
It was Seban who deigned – he would snort at this, saying it was an honour to serve her and he did so willingly – to treat her wounds after she trained, later helping to keep her training secret. He was first on the scene when upon the assassination attempt, protected her when she was vulnerable, and bowed in supplication to her uncle when she was leaving Ziost.
Vette hummed again and was about to ask another question when there was a small knock, the door opening with a flick of her wrist to reveal Shee standing in the doorway.
Long white hair reaching to the small of her back and bangs hiding her face, Shee was soft spoken holding a certain kind of dignity. It was Shee who, out of all her uncles' servants, help her most in acclimatising to the capital. He bemoaned her loss, but respected Shee's request to be assigned her service permanently.
"My Lady, dinner is ready."
Aindri nodded in gratitude, shutting her book and walked next door where she took her seat at the head of the table. Vette groaned but heaved herself off the sofa, she was right it was very comfortable, and followed her.
Laid out on the table was more than a few of her favourite dishes. It seemed Seban and the others had gone all out to celebrate her homecoming and she tucked into the food before her with a small upturn of her lips. Weeks of academy food for Aindri and food from the jails for Vette, meant they ate their meal quickly and she even chuckled when the Twi'lek leaned back in her chair and sighed in contentment.
"I haven't food that good in ages!" Vette grinned as Mira began to collect the plates, "My highest compliments to the chef."
She rose with a chuckle, "I am retiring for the night and I suggest you do the same. We have an early start tomorrow."
Vette lifted her head from where she had leaned it against the back of the chair, tiredness obvious in her features as she supressed a yawn.
"Yeah good idea," Vette paused before giving her a cheeky grin, "By the way you do know you need to loosen up right?" She asked teasingly, "You're so serious all the time. Can't be good for your health."
Aindri turned, arching an eyebrow at her companion who mirrored her expression, the silence stretched until it was almost awkward when Aindri spoke.
"Then I will endeavour to do so," She replied, turning back and walking towards the door with an absent wave of her hand, "Goodnight Vette."