Due to University Deadlines (Oh joy), I'm not going to be posting again until June, so yeah. Hope you enjoy the chapter, even though it is a short one, and good luck to anyone with deadlines and/or exams coming up. Trust me, I feel your pain.
Chapter Seventeen – Home away from Home
Vette decided she would miss the Sith's apartment. It was quiet there, far above the walkways and skylanes of Kass City, roaring engines and chattering pedestrians replaced by the regular, soothing rhythm of rain. An occasional dull echo of thunder relieved the monotony before fading away into the ever present blanket of dark bluish clouds.
"Your duties are likely to take you to the far reaches of the galaxy," Baras informed them as he paced across the floor of his office, "And I will need to deploy you at will. You shall have a starship of your own," He paused before adding almost offhandedly, "You've earned it. Go to my personal hanger in the spaceport and claim it."
They'd packed quickly and Vette was standing in the foyer, leaning her head back against the wall. The Sith's and her own bags sitting by her feet, she wondered what kind of ship Baras had given them. She seriously hoped it was better than the shuttles they'd been in so far but wasn't holding her breath.
"I will likely be away from Dromund Kass for some time," Aindri said to Seban, giving him a barely there smile, "Look after the apartment until I return."
"Of course young mistress," He bowed, giving her his own warm smile as he straightened, having known her for years he understood what went unspoken, "Be safe and good hunting," He lowered his voice to a whisper, "May the Force be with you."
Aindri smiled, brief but genuine, before nodding and fixing her mask onto her face and drew up her hood to hide crimson hair before picking up her bag as she strode to the turbolift. Vette pushed herself off the wall, her own bag thrown over her shoulder, and entered the lift behind her.
"So we're finally getting off this rock huh?"
"Do not," Aindri emphasised, "Refer to Dromund Kass as a rock Vette. It is my home and the Empire's capital," And there were those who wouldn't hesitate to put Vette in her place if she insulted the Empire's heart.
"All right, all right," Filters, Vette forgot about that, "Soooo, we're going to be tracking Jedi. You excited?"
Aindri cocked her head at her companion as they exited the elevator crossing the garage to their speeders, Vette had squealed in joy and all but tackled her when she told the Twi'lek the Aratech she'd used to get to the Dark Temple was hers, confused by the question.
"Why would I be excited?"
Vette cocked her own head, "Well aren't you guys mortal enemies? I thought Sith were all about, raahh! Destroy all Jedi," She lowered her shaking fist to scratch the dip between her lekku and scalp sheepishly as the Aratech's engines rapidly cycled to life, sending a pleasant sensation up through her body, "Know what I mean?"
"We have Baras's network to secure." Aindri reminded Vette, and conversation ceased as they peeled out of the housing tower's garage and slipped into the late morning traffic.
"Focus on the task at hand Vette," She told the Twi'lek when they hit the jungle paths, "We have plenty of time to deal with the Jedi," Even as she said this, a smile worked its way on her face, "But yes I'm excited. It will be quite a challenge."
One which she would relish.
It was only an hour of racing through thick trees before they thinned, opening up to the wide area of cleared and somewhat tame land on which the seemingly single-floored space port sat. She knew there were further levels below the surface, leading to hangers imbedded in the cliffs.
Aindri gave a small shake of her head as Vette jumped off her speeder and bounded ahead of her. Dismounting at a more sedated pace, she flagging down a worker to secure their speeders and take them down to Baras's hanger and load them onto the ship.
Crossing the threshold, flanked by tall twin statues of the Emperor, she only took a few steps before hearing Vette's voice and feeling a pull through the Force. Scanning the fairly crowded room, she arched a brow upon observing several of its occupants wore Mandolrian or heavy but non-imperial related armour. It was when one such individual moved out of her line of sight, she saw her Twi'lek being accosted by a spaceport security officer, flanked by two other agents.
"Look pal I just warning you, but you may seriously want to let me go." Said Vette glancing at her as she silently approached and Aindri could see she was actively trying to keep the smile from her face when he snarled at her.
"I'll do no such thing alien scum. I've had three ships stolen this year by the Mandalorians and their unwashed cohorts. I'm not having any more starships getting stolen on my watch!"
This time Vette really did smirk, her eyes meeting her own over his shoulder, "Well it's your funeral."
Realising Vette wasn't looking at him, the security officer whipped around, blinking at her appearance before paling once he saw the lightsaber at her hip.
"Ah… apolo… apologies my Lord," He stuttered, "I didn't know the Twi'lek was with you."
Ignoring the dig about her species, Vette watched grinning as the security officer fidgeted under her Sith's, and yes she started thinking of the Sith as hers, silent scrutiny. It only took a second for Aindri to decide he was below her notice and he had to jump out of the way as she strode past.
"Vette."
"Coming, my Lord." She called cheerily giving the officer a small wave before skipping after her and leaving him fuming, a dark blonde and tanned mandalorian with a tattoo by his right eye approaching him with a Neimodian hot on his heels.
Vette squealed with delight, ignoring the Sith apprentices chuckle as she ran forwards to lean across the console, whistling when she saw the shiny new starship awaiting them in the hanger, "Wow, look at that. We're going in style now…"
It was definitely much better than a shuttle, the Twi'lek grinned.
Aindri agreed it was magnificent vessel, the design sleek, angular and streamlined forgoing the roundness of most Republic made vessels. Her eyes roamed over a stunning black durasteel finish and chrome detailing, boarding ramp folded down and leading towards the main hatch. It was practically begging the two to enter, rev up promisingly fast engines and shoot out into open space, a whole galaxy at their fingertips, waiting to be explored.
She pinned as an Imperial Interceptor, Fury-class, described by Darth Mekhis as the hammer that would shatter the rib cage of the Republic. What she knew of its' schematics certainly lived up to such a statement, the advanced hyperdrive and state-of-the-art sublight engines made the starship one of the most versatile in the Imperial Fleet and was a product of centuries of evolving design.
Down below, hanger workers conducted final checks on the ship but there was another presence there, standing in the shadows watching and waiting. Like a Shryack wheeling over Korribanian sands in search of carrion. It wasn't a hanger worker, or a security like before, no this one was more… oppressive.
"I'm going to check it out!" Called Vette, racing down stairs leading from the control room and onto the hanger floor and it was only once the Twi'lek was out of sight that she spoke.
"You are not good at concealing yourself." Soft thudding of boots met her words and she turned to meet the Sith who had stepped out of the shadow.
"Nice ship," He chuckled, in a way meant to be menacing and send a spike of fear up her spine. As it was she stood relaxed but ready, "A reward from your cowardly master for killing Lord Grathan's son?"
"Yes, and?" Aindri queried, one hand held loosely by her side and the other drumming lightly against her hip near her lightsaber. He was smiling but she could feel the Sith's bloodlust. It didn't matter, he was not one to fear.
"That's refreshing. I won't have to beat a confession out of you before I take your life. A true Sith thanks his foe for providing an outlet for his rage. My master wanted me to thank you before I killed you."
"It was my pleasure." Aindri replied calmly.
"You have guts, I'll give you that," The Sith smirked, "I'm Lord Grathan's top assassin, he sends me to eliminate those he wants to suffer most. I'm here to kill you, friend, for murdering the son of my master."
"I'm honoured." She deadpanned, igniting her lightsaber bring it up in a two handed stance.
"As you should be." He leapt at her in a poor imitation of a Force enhanced jump. Really she'd seen better in the academy.
He was the kind who would have survived Korriban through schemes and backstabbing not direct confrontations. A single glance told her the assassin wasn't used to confronting his targets in straight forward, toe-to-toe fights. It proved to be his undoing.
She dodged the strike to her shoulder, allowing the sabers to grind against each other until they were a few inches from the hilt. She suddenly spun on the ball of her left foot and without him seeing, twisted her blade around into a reverse grip, impaling her opponent through his neck.
Deactivating her lightsaber, she tilted her head in consideration as she regarded the assassins' corpse before shaking her head. Some Sith took trophies from the fallen enemies, but she personally didn't see the point in it.
"There you are!" Vette exclaimed happily running up and grabbing her hand as she descended the last step, "What kept you? This ship is absolutely gorgeous!"
Vette's excitement radiated through the Force, looking like a child running down stairs to find presents on Life Day and feeling indulgent, she allowed herself to be obediently dragged up the boarding ramp and into the ship's hull.
Aindri blinked, her eyes taking a moment to adjust from the switch between the darker interior of the entryway and glaring hanger lights. Walking down a short corridor, their boots clicking on polished metal decking, they entered into the ships main room, various strategically placed lights on the walls and floor cast a red glow across the room and corridors.
A large holoterminal dominated the centre space, faux Sith pyramid standing on a pedestal behind it and a diagnostic console set against the opposite wall. To the right of the holoterminal stood a Dejarik table, encircled by a small sofa and made a mental note to play against Vette at some point. The Twi'lek was surprisingly adept at the game, clearing out both Seban and Mira and it would be nice to have someone new to play against. She would have to place limits on bets though, it seemed Vette liked gambling and had a luck streak a mile wide.
"Oh!" The unfamiliar mechanical voice brought her attention to a droid standing at attention by the hatchway leading to the bridge, shifting nervously, in a way only droids could before giving a short bow, "Ah, I mean … greetings!"
Aindri raised an eyebrow as the droid stammered, "Welcome aboard this Fury-class Imperial Interceptor, a versatile craft combining a starfighter's manoeuvrability with armament to rival larger military vessels. I am 2V-R8, factotum droid for this vessel. You must be my new master. Gentle, kind new master …"
"What is your aboard my ship?" Aindri interjected before the droid could go into a sycophantic spiel.
"I am programmed for a wide array of tasks," Replied Arrate looking thrilled to be even asked, "Including but not limited to meal preparation, ship maintenance, janitorial duty and etiquette."
"Well your enthusiastic one ain't you," Vette said sounding amused and cocked her head as she eyed the droid speculatively, "Your joints don't look all that strong though. Can you do any fighting at all?"
"I regret I am unable to offer you combat support, masters," To her Arrate didn't sound to regretful, "Frankly my chassis couldn't withstand the stress. However there are many other duties I can perform should they be beneath your superior status. Please don't deactivate me!"
She moved to pinch the bridge of her nose only to remember she couldn't because of her mask and let her hand dropped back to her side. There was a reason she preferred having organic servants, Seban, Shee and Mira in particular could give a Sith acolyte a run for their money. Mainly she hated protocol droids, even on the best of days and this one seemed to be able to out talk even Vette.
She wondered whether she could rip out its voice box, or flush it out the airlock. But then at least he would carry out basic functions and having eyes and ears on Dromund Kass was beneficial.
"I have no current desire to deactivate you," She replied dismissively and knew if it could Arrate would have sighed with relief.
"Thank the maker!" Arrate rejoiced, "Before I forget Master, the ship is currently without a name designation and the marker plate is available for modification at your convenience."
As soon as Arrate said 'marker plate' Aindri could see Vette's eyes light up and she was soon bouncing on the balls of her feet, excitement thrumming through the Force.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Vette cheered, "I've always wanted to name a ship."
"Any and all suggestion are going through me first." Aindri immediately interjected, she could only think of the kind of names Vette could and would come up with.
"Aww. Come on my Lord, please!" Vette whined adopting her best puppy-dog look, "Please can I name it. Pretty please with a cherry on top."
"Vette."
Vette pouted at the warning note in the Sith's voice, "Fine. But I am going to pick a bunk and I am going to sufficiently trash it," She headed off to explore the rest of the ship calling out, "Don't wait up!"
"Is there anything I can do for you Master?" Arrate asked politely.
"Prepare the engines for take-off and hyperspace." She ordered as she ducked through the hatch towards the bridge. Baras would likely contact them once they were offworld so the sooner they got into space the better.
Located in the forward centre of the Fury, her favourite part of the bridge was the huge viewport looking out onto the hanger bay, and soon the stars. It was flanked on both sides by jutting out sections of the prow where the ships forward guns hid within black and grey metal. Displays blinked to life as engines roared, the hanger crew sprinting away as a hiss and clunk resounded through the ship, boarding ramp clicking into place and the hatch slid shut.
Lifting a few metres off the deck there was the tell-tale thunk of landing gear being stowed and she slid into the pilots' chair. Taking the controls, she guided them gently out of the hanger and into Kaas's upper atmosphere before breaking into Imperial Space.
"Okay I just putting it out there but I am not, I repeat not eating from rations every night," Aindri looked up from where she was sitting back in the chair as Vette walked in waving a packet of rations, "I've yet to find one of these that doesn't taste like carbonite."
"I am sure…" She was interrupted by the holoterminal pinging from the main room
"Probably Darth Potbelly." Chimed Vette causing Aindri to arch a brow as she rose from the pilot chair.
"Darth Potbelly?"
"Well, you know his belly is huge." Vette explained sitting on the sofa out of sight of the terminal
"Baras could just as easily Force Choke you through a call." She warned, tapping at the buttons on the console.
"Yeah well as long as I don't do it when he calls I should be fine then." Vette smirked fearlessly and Aindri shook her head, as Baras's image flickered to life.
"Apprentice, I trust you find your starship satisfactory."
She gave a short bow of gratitude, "It is an outstanding vessel."
"I hope that it serves you well. Now there is much to be done, my interests must be protected and my enemies destroyed. Nomen Karr's efforts to expose my spies and proven his Padawan's power to the Jedi Council must meet with systemic failure. You will exhaust yourself in this charge."
"You want your network secured first."
"Correct." Baras affirmed, clasping his hands behind his back, "We know my spy on Nar Shaddaa was being surveilled and the Jedi have sent someone to investigate my spy on Balmorra. They must be silenced before you hunt the Padawan down."
"Why not simply recall them?"
"Their disappearance would look suspicious and serve to confirm the Padawan's accusations. They must die," She bowed her head in acquiescence, losing such valuable operatives was a shame but she understood the need, "My contacts on Balmorra and Nar Shaddaa will detail what must be done. Your tasks are paramount apprentice. Bring cruelty. Bring rage. Bring death." She bowed as Baras's cerulean image disappeared.
"So Balmorra or Nar Shaddaa, where to first on our journey of galactic conquest?" Inquired Vette from her slumped down position on the sofa.
"Balmorra," Aindri decided after a moment of thinking, heading for the bridge to input the coordinates, "The agent there is in the most danger of being discovered. Until then make yourself comfortable." It would be a couple of days before they arrived in the Nevoota system and she planned to make her own self comfortable in their new home away from home.