Chapter 13 – Duties of an Apprentice
Aindri awoke early the next morning, dark emerald silk sheets slipping from her shoulders to rest in her lap, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep. Rising, she stretched luxuriously, falling into the familiar routine she'd done each morning before leaving for the Academy.
Showering, she changed into her training gear calling her lightsaber from her bedside to her hand with Force. She showered again after training and changed into a favourite grey high neck tunic over black pants with black combat boots, gauntlets and pauldrons.
Clipping her lightsaber to her belt, she paused in her movements her gaze shifting to zero in on her desk upon which rested a box. Slowly closing in on her desk, Aindri removed the boxes lid to reveal a faceless mask.
Pure black and painted with red accents, it shone with a metallic sheen in the cold light of the room, sculpted to perfectly sit upon her face, and commissioned long before she'd even step foot on Korriban. Her uncle, one of the few who had faith she'd defeat her siblings and claim the right to go to Korriban for her final trials, had been the one to put in the request.
It had been long standing tradition, that a member of the Hallow clan received their mask upon successful completion of their Sith trials. Concealing their countenance, only to remove their mask in public.
There was normally a ceremony involved and she knew her uncle would have preferred to give it her himself but circumstances worked against them. He likely had Seban retrieve it from his own holdings, not trusting anyone else with such a task.
She never much cared for the tradition, and neither had her uncle but they followed it all the same.
Tying up her hair, Aindri lifted the mask from the box turning it over slowly in her hands lifting it up and slipped it on, only needing to adjust the mask slightly so it sat comfortably on her face.
Pulling on a hooded black zeyd-cloth robe, making sure it was one of her many waterproof ones, she exited her rooms and walked down to the foyer, already haven eaten between shower and training, to find a still sleepy eyed Vette – who had been rather pleased to learn all buildings in Kaas City were thoroughly sound proofed so the near constant thunder storms wouldn't keep her awake – waiting for her.
"What's with the mask?" Vette yawned as the turbolift descended.
"It is better if I know my opponent and they do not know me." She replied vaguely.
"Cryptic," Vette replied sarcastically as they exited the lift, "So in other words creepy, menacing and mysterious good?"
"It is better if I know my opponent and they do not know me." She replied vaguely.
"Cryptic," Vette replied sarcastically as they exited the lift watching as Aindri pulling up her hood throwing her mask into shadow, "So in other words creepy, menacing and mysterious good?"
Aindri eyes moved heavenward at the Twi'lek's quip before repeating, "Yes Vette. Creepy, menacing and mysterious good," Vette smirking at her as they walked down the city streets, heading for one of the many public taxi terminals.
"Right I'll make sure to take notes."
She gave a fractional shake of the head and looked up at the sky. It was only early morning and yet already the clouds were a heavy midnight blue. As much as she loved the scent, Aindri was thankful it wasn't raining, Vette likely feeling the same. Hailing a taxi, she ordered the droid to take them to the Citadel upon boarding, snapping its door shut behind her.
The largest buildings in the city, the Imperial Citadel towered against Dromund Kaas's perpetually dark skies, framed by the ever present lightning flashing in the distance. It was broken in three segments, their entrances connected by skybridges, the centre and largest tower housing the Sith Sanctum, a mixed bag of Darths and Lords, symbol of the Empire mounted high on its front. Either side where the buildings housing the Mandalorian Enclave, and Imperial Intelligence respectively.
Passing a large statue of the Emperor they entered the central chamber, a huge enclave with a high ceiling and plunging floor crisscrossed with suspended walkways leading to multitudinous offices, libraries and laboratories, catering to all sorts of Sith.
She could feel the ebb and flow of dark side, like an undercurrent in the air.
In her peripheral vision she saw Vette wince at the bright green holo display reaching up into the ceiling, styled as the Empires' insignia, illuminating the dark space.
"Urgh, come in here and it's an instant headache." Vette groaned, diverting and keeping her eyes down on the ground in front of her.
Giving her companion a warning look, there was only so much she could do to protect her, Aindri lead them in the direction of Baras's chambers on the third floor.
Passing the troopers who stood guard, their presence ceremonious more than anything else, at the entrance to her master chambers she strode into the first room. Ignoring all the aides scurrying about no doubt in an attempt to do his bidding, she headed to the second room where she could sense the Darth's presence.
She wondered what her role would be. The duties being an apprentice entailed varied from master to master.
Her own father had been his masters' face representing him at various functions many ending violently. Darth Hyal, her mother had her masters' foremost interrogator and assassin using her wiles and sadistic taste in pleasures to drag out his enemies darkest secrets. Her uncle primarily did research for his own master, who was obsessed with ancient Sith artefacts.
"Ah apprentice, your timing is impeccable," Baras's voice echoed throughout chamber his helmeted head, faceless and without expression, looking up at her from the datapad he was reading.
"Did it just get considerably colder?" Vette whispered, shivering slightly in the cool air and pressing closer her. Her discomfort in Baras's presence sending small waves throughout the Force.
"I see you decided to keep the slave," Baras said giving the Twi'lek a dismissive glance, "I hope she amuses you. I trust you've had a good homecoming?"
"Indeed master. It is good to be home."
"Good, good," Baras lifted himself from his chair, walking around the desk to stand before her, "Now onto your responsibilities as my apprentice. Your mandate will put you in contact with my various minions. Meet my directives, and you may do as you will to anyone you encounter, adversary or ally."
"I will use good judgment, master."
"Good. A lightsaber can only achieve so much, the most powerful weapon in a Sith's arsenal is information. To that end, I have painstakingly built a vast network of spies and operatives embedded throughout the Sith, Republic and Jedi alike. I have fingers, eyes and ears everywhere."
Aindri could understand spying on fellow Sith, theirs was an opportunistic culture. Those who rose in rank by dismantling the people around and above them, accumulating many rivals who would seek to destroy them. But her mind's focus was on the knowledge Baras had agents who'd successfully infiltrated the Jedi Order.
Such a feat would not have been easy and her mind whirred at the potential advantages such an operative could provide.
"You're my enforcer, deployed to protect my interests, intimidate my rivals, and destroy my enemies. It is time for your tenure to begin. A military starship is touching down at the Kass city cargo port, delivering a vitally important prisoner to me. Meet Commander Lanklyn at cargo deck Cresh-4 there and make sure he and his men successfully off-load this prisoner."
"Lanklyn isn't capable?" She asked with an arched brow.
"He is competent, but that is moot. Always assume we are being plotted against apprentice, especially when the stakes are high. The importance of this prison cannot be overstated."
Knowing a dismissal when it was given she bowed her head and walked from the room.
The cargo port was a flurry of activity, people rushing to and through, coming and going. It put her slightly on edge, an enemy would easily be able to slip in amongst the chaos.
Many of the bodies were bounty hunters, Aindri recalling news the Third Great Hunt, an open secret amongst the criminal underworld and the Sith, had begun the competition for the final spot. It was likely the reason for the increase in activity.
She resolved to keep an eye on the competitors, for it was during such competitions unknown talent emerged.
They entered the docking bay Cresh-4 the military transport already having landed and an imperial officer shouting orders at two troopers unloading a block of carbonite. Aindri watched with no small amount of amusement as Vette sneaked up behind the man, who she assumed was Commander Lanklyn, shouting orders.
"Hey, Captain Oblivious – boo!" Lankyln jumped and whirled around as Vette stepped back with a wry grin on her face. Before Lankyln could shout at Vette, Aindri covered the length of the docking bay in several long strides the commander blanched at seeing lightsaber at her hip.
"Oh, I – I," Lankylin stuttered before clearing his throat and smoothed down his uniform, standing at attention until she gave him a curt nod, "My Lord, I didn't see you enter," He hesitated a moment before adding, "Lord Baras didn't need to send a welcoming party."
"My master feels otherwise," Lankylin hid a frown, but Aindri could sense his displeasure roiling through the Force at Baras thinking they required oversight to do their jobs, "Sith interests are complicated."
"Yes my Lord, whatever you say," He bowed his head in acknowledgement, "Let's get this oversized block of ice to your master."
Lankylin turned back to his men who had finished offloading the prisoner and they were about to move forward when Aindri felt killing intent echo throughout the bay. Holding her hand up to stop them, she half turned to face the rest of the docking bay.
"You are not welcome here," Her tone cold as she called out to the intruders who were attempting, very poorly, to sneak up to them. Even without her sense enhanced by Force Sense she would have easily heard them, "Leave."
"Well too bad," Smirked a scruffy clothed smuggler, "My master ordered that block of ice. So I'm here to relieve you of your burden," His smirk grew wider, "Whether that includes your own lives as well, is up to you."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Vette flexing her hand near her blasters and gave her a small shake of the head her companion arching an eyebrow at her. She turned her attention back to the two groups as a male Houk pushed his way to the front of the group to the right of them.
"Lookie lookie, if it ain't Slestack." Sneered the Houk his weak grasp of basic doing nothing to undermine the venom in his voice, "Your master be wanting the frozen man, too, huh? Too bad for you. It mine."
She looked between the two leaders with narrowed eyes, one of Baras's rivals must have sent them to ensure he didn't get the prisoner. Whether they killed or revived him to take the information for themselves she couldn't sense, only their intentions to take him.
"Ah TuMarr," The man, Slestack, greeted cordially, though there was a mocking tone to his voice, "I would say it was nice to see but I'd be lying."
"That go true for you too, Slestack" TuMarr growled, "If you don't flee, this be like killing two stone with one bird."
"I'm such a fool," Lankylin cursed quietly as TuMarr and Slestack continued to argue, "I'll never doubt Lord Baras again. What do we do?"
"Don't panic." She intoned, sending a calming pulse through the Force to smooth the panic lacing his voice and rippling through the Force. Hearing him take a calming breath, she took stock of their current situation. Seven people, not including her, Vette, or Lankylin and his men, and she could also sense eighth sitting atop one of the stacked cargo containers.
Sniper.
"You wish TuMarr," Said Slestack cockily, "On your own you and your lackeys wouldn't be much of a fight."
Tumar growled in response, "You mouth always get you in trouble, Slestack. It about to chew off more than it can bite."
A plan formed in her mind and the corner of her lips turned up underneath her mask, she could use this to her advantage. There was obviously no love lost between the two groups, all it would take would be one, little, push. Summoning the Force to her, she subtly exerted her will on Slestack's psyche turning the Houk's anger and aggression to full out rage and bloodlust.
"Come on, boys!" Roared TuMarr, completely blind to her use of the Force manipulating his mind, "We smash the talk from Slestack's big mouth now!"
An explosion sounded as TuMarr threw a grenade towards Slestack and both groups leapt apart, blaster tearing across Cresh-4 between them. With their enemies now occupied, she waved Vette and the others forward, blocking the occasional stray blaster shot with her lightsaber. A blinking light caught her eye and Aindri whirled around to find a thermal detonator tossed into the air. Summoning the Force to her, she snapped out her hand and swung sending the detonator careening into the wall.
After what happened in the docking bay Aindri wasn't letting the prisoner out of her sight. She kept her senses sharp even as they left the cargo port, lightsaber deactivated and reclipped to her belt.
Lanklyn was now more than happy with her presence as they escorted the carbonite block back to the Citadel. And continued to supervise even when they entered Baras's chambers watching the troopers' hook the carbonite block onto a wall mount, Lankyln going ahead to report to their shared master.
Turning her masked head, she bowed her head in greeting to as Baras entered the room followed by Lankyln, his expressionless mask focused on the carbonite.
"You are dismissed Commander," Lankyln bowed, first to Baras and then to her before walking from the room, door sliding shut with a near silent hiss behind him.
"Apprentice," Baras turned from the prisoner, "Lankyln informed me of the ambush. Apparently, there are more eyes on us than even I thought."
"I have felt a disturbance in the Force. It leaves doom imprinted on my dreams, a grave and mysterious threat that could bring down my entire power base. And this…" He indicated to the carbonite block as he began pacing across the chamber, "Frozen man is a top Republic agent, captured while investigating my most deeply embedded spy on Nar Shaddaa, one of my 'invisibles'. My untraceable spy, who has left no footprints, no trail, is almost exposed. It makes me furious."
She stayed silent, her mind shifting through the information Baras had shared. An answer wasn't always obvious, nor given at first glance. She had to pick apart the information to find what was useful and what was not.
You cannot always accept things at face value Woyunoks. Read underneath the underneath.
"Whatever tipped off the Republic agent," She began slowly, "Is undoubtedly linked to the threat you are sensing."
"He is the key to uncovering the nature of this threat, of that I am sure," Agreed Baras who stopped pacing and began fiddling with the carbonite controls, "Now, while I thaw the prisoner and painfully siphon every morsel of information I can from him, I have some concerns that require your special talents."
"The slave rebellion master?" Aindri asked, aware of Vette who stiffened imperceptibly as she elaborated, "I have heard whispers."
"Indeed Apprentice," Baras replied, pausing in his fiddling as he look at her, cementing her suspicions, "There is an Imperial outpost in the jungles outside the city. Seek Commander Pritch, he will relay the necessary information for a seek-and-destroy task for you."
"It will be done master." She bowed her head and left Baras's chambers.
"No rest for the wicked, I guess." Vette muttered under her breath as they walked through the hallways of the citadel and she cast a sideways glance in the Twi'lek's direction.
"You may stay in the city if you wish Vette. I am under no illusions my orders will be to kill the slaves and I will not force you to do the same given your history."
No longer hearing footsteps behind her, Aindri stopped and turned towards Vette who had a shocked look on her face. But the shock soon morphed into a thoughtful frown and she could see the cogs turning in her companions' mind, internal conflict warring across her features.
Vette was torn between going with the Sith, who'd somehow managed to gain her loyalty within only a few days – oh who was she kidding, the Sith had it the moment she'd shown to not be a complete asshole on Korriban only further cemented by taking off the shock collar – of meeting each other. But then she also really didn't want to have to go and shot a bunch of slaves, she kind of understood their situation after all, and Aindri was offering her a way out.
"Yeah," She sighed and looked at her Sith employer nervously, "That's if you're okay with it?"
Aindri nodded and resumed walking, Vette jogging slightly to catch up before falling in step behind her as they headed out of the citadel, "Head back. I can handle this alone."
They split once they reached the city proper, Vette headed back to the apartment whilst Aindri pulled her cloak tighter around her form and made for the vast jungle beyond the city.
Aindri returned much late that evening, robes soaked and splattered with blood. Vette found it quite funny when Mira and Shee descended on her like mother hens and positively sniggered when Seban did the same, though he was much more dignified about it.
Walking into the shower, hot water rinsing sweat from her skin and loosening the knots in her shoulders and back, Aindri breathed a sigh of relief.
She'd pulled into the outpost, bustling with military activity, and as soon as she dismounted had Commander Pritch hurry in a near sprint towards her. He'd taken her to a quieter area of the outpost where they wouldn't be overheard and when given a brief rundown of the situation she could only shake her head in disbelief.
She wasn't surprised it was Baras who'd orchestrated the rebellion for his own purposes, power plays were almost as common – if not more – here as on Korriban though the stakes were higher, but she had been at the slave captains' stupidity.
One would think they'd know better than even daring to attempt to blackmail a Sith Lord. Baras wanting them silenced, so the others would lose their resolve, was tame in comparison to some Lords.
Though Darth Vowrawn, whom the statue was dedicated too – she knew because Qet wouldn't stop raving about the idea – would likely find the whole situation highly amusing.
When she'd returned from what could only be called a one sided massacre, the slave revolt were down a few captains and Pritch had looked at her in awe. He told her it'd been impressive and inspiring to watch her work but she didn't feel either of those things.
Exiting the shower, she shook the water from her hair. Slaying the weak and defenceless had left a rotten taste on her tongue. She was glad Vette had stayed behind, especially when she returned to Baras before coming home.
Screams had echoed down the corridors and the stench of blood and urine had invaded her nostrils. She entered when Baras unleashed an especially intense and drawn out burst of Force Lightning, growling in frustration. If she ever fought her master, his lightning would have to be something to watch out for.
Vette herself had spent most of the day exploring the penthouse, trying the shooting gallery in the training room and playing cards with a droid who she swore blind had cheated. There was no way she'd lose so many sets otherwise. Turns out it did since it was a Hutt model and everyone knew those were fixed to nine Corellian Hells and back.
Dressed in loose clothing, Aindri had found Vette on one of the sofas in the library knees drawn up to her chest and staring into the dancing flames. Picking a book from the shelves, she sat next to her on the sofa content to sit there in silence.
Vette stretched out, heading lying on her lap and she stroked the Twi'lek's head in a subconscious motion. Like always, it was Vette who broke the silence first, having long since realised the Sith rarely initiated a conversation nor continue one.
"You know," Said Vette, still looking at the fire though her eyes were distant, "Mention of the slave rebellion kind of made me think about, well, coming full circle, I guess. Made me think about my time as a slave and all when I was a little girl."
"Many Twi'lek's are born into slavery, is that what happened to you?" Aindri asked and Vette shrugged as best as she was able.
"Near enough. My mother and sister and I were grabbed when I was little but I don't remember much of it. We worked the mines on Ryloth, then they separated us. I got sold to a Rodian, then a Hutt, then some sort of weird three-eyed thing. I was seven or eight at the time."
Vette paused, her eyes becoming clearer before going distant again, "Anyway, I guess you know you've moved around too much when even after a short time being with a Sith starts to feel like home."
Aindri stared into the distance thoughtfully, considering and weighing her words before she spoke, "People grow from challenges," She told her softly, "And adaptability is an important skill."
"Guess so," Vette hummed, "I was freed by Nok Drayen's gang you know. The pirate."
"He destroyed the Rath Cartel and the Vandelhelm Combine in some giant power grab."
Vette giggled a bit, "Yeah, same guy. Weird to think of him that way. Nok Drayen was the most famous killer in the galaxy but he set me free."
The Twi'lek fell silent after that and Aindri didn't push, and they remained relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere which had descended upon them. Silent, expect for the occasional rustle of a page and even that stopped, Aindri closing her book to gaze out the window at Dromund Kass's stormy night sky.