- Master Mehile, I-I can't do it... let's just move on. – A young padawan tried to forcelift a massive boulder but no matter how hard he tried the rock didn't even budged.
- Have patience padawan... concetrate, become one with the Force. You must feel it inside you for you to succed. – A man with light brown hair and beard walked around his padawan. He was wearing the typical robe of a jedi consular.
- But master... we have been through this so many times. I want to learn to fight... to get to the front lines and battle siths. They are on the run since they lost their Emperor, now is the better time to strike. – He stood up.
- In time you will learn to fight, but for that you have to bond with the force to proceed further. – Mehile said calmly.
- But master...
- Padawan... what does the code says about passion?
- There is no passion, there is serenity.
- Indeed... you must calm that passion of yours to become a jedi. If you won't the passion will consume you and fall to the dark side. Keep that in mind, padawan.
- The dark side is weak... the siths are vulnerable.
- They may lost their head but think... underestemating them is a bold move even for a Jedi Council memeber. Do not rush battle at times of peace... – Mehile's holocomunicator beeped up interupting them in their conversation.
- Master Mehile... – A projection of a republic officer saluted. – I am Major Gildfor of the 137th battalion, I have recieved you request and consulting with my superiors they approved. We are ready to move when ordered sir.
- Very much appreciated major, Mehile out. Forgive me padawan, I must leave the Republic needs my assitance.
- Then I go with you, master.
- No... you stay here on Tython and finish your training. I'll be back shortly, I hope by that time you will succed.
- But...
- A good padawan always respects his master's orders. You should know better... now please, I have to leave. May the Force be with you padawan.
- May the Force be with you as well... master.
Mehile walked acrossed the pillars of the Jedi Temple, wondering about his padawan. He was devoted and loyal but to sensitive and for that he has some thoughts on whether he can become a sucessfull jedi.
Deep in his thoughts he couldn't notice that a friendly presence was following him among the pillars.
- Mehile. – a woman's voice called.
- Ariana. – He walked closer to her and huged the young woman. – What brought you here? I thought you were standing guard on Belsavis.
- I came to report in to the Council. Eversince the Sith Emperor's death the imperials are not as vicious as they were before. – She smiled at him then came closer. – I missed you so much. – She whispered to him.
- Ariana, please. You know we can't... – Mehile looked away from her. It was hard for him to ignore those pleading brown eyes.
- Just once... I can promise no harm will be done after that.
- The Code forbidds it... and now I'm a master... even if I want to I must set an example.
- Mehile, why do you ignore me... am I not...
- I'm not ignoring you... I just want to block the feeling out.
- It is the same thing. – She unfolded her arms around his waist. – I can't understand you Mehile, at first you say you love me... then you say we can't be together. Excuse after excuse... why can't we enjoy the peace we have? The Empire is on the brink of falling apart and then the Sith will be no more. Why can't we start a new life... together in peace and traquility?
Mehile then grabbed her by the sides of her arms and they came close almost kissing. He was desperate to hold back, the urge and the feeling he felt for this young knight. Eversince they met on the first assigment he was sure he can work well with her on his side. She was a good and agile fighter with the wisdom of a Jedi Consular. She always sowed mercy to those who wanted to turn to the light, even sith who seeked redemptions. Eventually her kindness what got his attention on the first thought.
- I would lie if I wouldn't want what you suggest and yes I still love you. If you say that I have ignored my feelings for too long then be it. I will go to the Council with it then.
Ariana's eyes sparkled up. – You would really...
- I will... I swear it will be the first thing I'll do after I come back from my current assigment.
- What if they won't approve?
- Then I'll quit being a Jedi... as you said yourself, after peace will be achived there won't be a need for me then. Will you still follow me after that?
Ariana jumped into his arms and burried her face in his chest, a single tear of joy rolled down on her cheek.
- I would follow you where ever you go. – She smiled at him.
Syndell was in her quarters on her deceased master's ship, here she could be herself, to be alone with her feelings and thoughts. She was standing in front of her full lenght mirror, without her armore, and inspected her voluptuously curvy body. She was 15 when she met her first master, she was just a developing teenager, a slave for those slugs. She hated the mare thought of it, too much pain struck her at that time. The sith who came to make a deal with the Hutt noticed her strong sensitivity to the Force.
- Do you want me to kill them? – She recalled the first words he said to her. She was confused but nodded slightly. The sith followed the mercenaries, she watched him as he walked in the Hutt's palace. A few moments later the sounds of screams and blaster fire came out from the building, the overseer of the slaves flew out and landed dead on the ground before the others.
She was in awe and saw that the shadow of the sith she met towered over her. He was smiling warmly at her and cut the collar of her neck. She was confused and looked up at him, he gently offered his hand at her to take, she didn't know why but back then something in her mind told her to take it and she did.
She slid her hands down her waist, she was a goddess she was always told that by men, then up to her oversized breasts. Her last master who she killed only took her in because of her face and looks. The only thing he managed to taught her was how to channel her rage and take it out on her enemies. That pervert deserved what he got from her, her hands moved to her womb, he robbed her from her hope of being happy forever.
A tear escaped from her eye and she could feel that she soon starts to cry, she didn't want to hold back. Gritting her teeth and shutting her eyes tight she weeped silently letting the feeling go and pour out. She wished that with all the tears her sorrow would be washed away but she was racional enough to not believe that. After finishing she slowly wiped her eyes with a silk cloth but then he heard a knock on her door.
- My lady this is captain Hoft speaking can I come in? – He was about to open the door but she intercepted him with a threat.
- I dare you if you want to die! – She hissed out at him. She quickly wiped her face clean from any trace of crying and grabbed her sheets to cover her naked body. – Done, you may enter.
The Captain stepped in but was stunned by her lack of clothing, he so wanted to see under that purple fabric but his trail of thoughts was interupted.
- I can clearly sense and see what you are fantasizing about... I can easily help that captain. – She croocked a sly smile.
- M-My lady I-I... – He stuttered while blushing wildly.
- No captain, the pleasure would be mine... I would enjoy the process of unmaning you myself. – Her tone changed from soft to harsh.
The captain then straightened himself and stood there like a statue looking anywhere but at his new master.
- Khm... My lady I only wanted to report that we will reach Tython in about two hours. But I and the crew has some doubts about this request.
- Speak up then. – Syndell turned away and walked to her locker and let the sheet fall of her body as she searched for clothes.
- Well... you know my lady, Darth Thorvus ordered most of his troops on the ship to stop you from reaching him.
- And? – Syndell asked as she pulled out robe then tossed it away.
- Most of the storm troopers are either dead or gravely wounded for days. Not to mention that the casualties of our regiments were great. They won't be able to invade Tython and even if they were in their full power we would still lack the manpower.
A belt flew across the room and landed at the wall not missing him too much on hitting him.
- Idiot. – Syndell walked to him now dressed in a casual clothing. – You really believed that I wnat to invade Tython?
- Yes? - Captain Hoft stammered out in fear.
- Was that an insult, Captain? – She asked in an intimidating voice.
- No... no, absolutly not I didn't meant to.
- Be glad I have to conserve my powers for the Jedi. I don't want to invade Tython nor destroy the Jedi Temple.
- Then why we are...
- That is none of your concerns... that reminds me. Upon reaching Tython I want a shuttle prepared for me ready for launch. – She adjusted her boots and cliped both of her lightsabers to her belt. – I'll go suit up by the time be ready, am I clear?
- Of course my lady.
On Thython, at one of the training field a padawan and her master stood there just the two of them. The girl was looking away trying to avoid her master's gaze who frowned at her behaviour.
- Padawan how many times do I have to tell you that... – He said but was cut off.
- It wasn't my fault! – The girl talked back. – They were the one who started it, I was just protecting myself!
- They were your fellow padawans, as a part of the group you should respect and understand them.
The girl frowned and turned away then said: - I can't uderstand them for picking on just me. Master, they were picking on me since I arrived here, humiliating me in front of the other masters and not letting me concentrate. I just want them to leave me alone one way or another.
- And by that you mean using the Force against them? – He asked her.
- If they leave me alone... then yes. – She answered still having her back at him.
- Victoria... you are here to become a Jedi, our order have dedicated itself to use the Force to protect the weak and aid our allies in need. If you turn it against your friends you will only fall to the darks side.
Victoria remained silent them straightened her back. – They are not my friends... I don't feel pity for them for what I did. – Then the ten year old girl was grabbed by her shoulders and was turned to face her master in the eyes.
- Listen! I wish you could have heard yourself. When I found you in the slums of Nar Shaddaa I senced great potencial in you. Here we can teach and help you to use this potencial for good deeds not to hurt anybody.
- I only accepted it because I didn't got any other choice! – She yelled back with teary eyes. – The other kids had a choice since they have everything, a safe home to go back to, a good life far from any violance and a family! Now if you are right I have this... this thing that I can be proude of but... no. I want them to accept me or they can just go to Hell!
- VICTORIA! – Her master quitened her down. – You let go of your emotions to fast, they let your vision to be clouded and open for corruption. I can understand the hardship you went through but you must put all that behind and aside for you to advance in your training.
Her master let her go and stood up. – 40 years ago when the Sith Emperor still lived and the Empire and the Republic was on the edge of another war after the Treaty of Corusant, there was a Sith lord called Kheal. This warrior of the Sith was talented and was a serious threat to the Jedi. His master was the infamous Darth Baras who later betrayed his order. Barass' first assigment for Kheal was to seek out a padawan who had the ability to see into another's heart and soul. She was able to sence the aligance of anyone let it be a common spy or a strong Jedi. Her name was Jaesa Willsaam, at first she was, just like you, a rare find for the Jedi. Her master, Nomen Karr wanted to train her to use her power for good deeds, to seek out any Sith or spy who wanted to destroy the Republic and the Jedi. Kheal on his master's order set out to find her by any means, he mercilessly killed her first mentor then her family, Jaesa upon hearing the loss of her dearests wanted to face him and so she did. It was a mistake, Master Kaar wast defeated by the sith and her padawan was left to his mercy.
Jaesa on the other hand was not so disappointed, during their fight she got fascinated of the sith and the dark side's power. Against all reason her master tried to imply on her Kheal convinced her to leave the Order and join him. Her first test of loyalty was to kill her own master... which she did without hesitation. Experiencing the thrill of emotions and killing, she carried out whatever her new master wanted.
After Baras was defeated by Kheal for betraying him, he and Jaesa let their desires flow out. The messege of their union in blood and lust was sent to the Jedi Council to mock us. Kheal was brought down by the same knight who killed the Emperor not too long ago. Both of them have fallen by each others hand, however the offsprings of Lord Kheal, also known as the Emperor's Wrath, still lives to this day and so does Jaesa, still mourning the loss of her mate and fueling her anger against the Jedi.
This is a story you must learn from Padawan, the dark side always seek to tempt the souls of those who let their desires and emotions lead their reasoning.
Victoria reamained silent and only nodded but deep inside she smiled a bit, not at the thought of the knight finishing Lord Kheal or the mention of the deeds of Master Kaar but at the thought of siezing power and freedom.
- She is almost like me... Wilsam, Jaesa Willsaam... I wonder will I be able to gain freedom just like her did? – She thought to herself.
- Are you ceratain of it, Master Mehile? – the projection of a Jedi Council memeber asked.
- Indeed I am, I have done my research in our archives and with the data I found in the temple I am sure that these ruins on Tatooine are built by forceusers several hundred years ago.
- The Council is still skeptical about your finding Jedi master. What do you expect to find in these digsites?
- Artifacts, holocrons and if we are luck ancient noeticons containing data before the Jedi. Imagine how much we can profit from this knowledge.
- I see... but requesting an entire regiment to secure a piece of the desert is too much I think.
- That area was in the hands of the Empire, now mostly it is patroled by sand people and Hutt pirates. Luckly none of them know about the ruins but maximum security is needed to shipout what we might find there.
- Well in that case the Council wishes you luck in your archeological expedition but remember, knowledge is for the benifits of others but too much knowledge will twist ones aligance. If you manage to find something regarding anything about the dark side of the Force then we suggest you should dispose of it.
- I'm very aware of that and I will, thank you for your audiance.
- May the Force be with you, Master Mehile. – Then the projection faded.
Mehile walked out to the hangar where his Protector-class ship awaited him, his crew and companions were around the vessel to run test and get it ready for lift of.
His pilot Rogans turned away from checking the landing gears to speak with him, he waved at him t come over and both of them found comfort sitting on a few supply crates.
- Did I meantion that I hate sand. – Rogans pointed out a bit cynical. – Where ever you are the damn thing will find its way into the gears and mixing with fuel or oil it will jam the whole system.
- Worry not my friend, I'm sure our ship will endure that much.
- Yeah it may but it won't save me work. Also, Tatooine is not a place for me to walk around casually. People there would rather point a blaster to my head then pull the trigger.
Before meeting with Mehile, Rogans in the smugler business. He had his own ship and crew and they were willing to make contract whoever paid the most. They never asked question about the cargo, let it be spice, illegal stims, implants, organs or aritfacts. He wouldn't admit it but he recalled those days when he and his gang managed to slip through the Imperial Fleet and fly to Korriban. They managed to tip off the Siths but he still says it was worth it, over a million credit was paid to them for whatever they managed to dig out from the hunk of rock. From that it was a quick trip to Nar Shaddaa and to that to the nearest cantina.
- That was the best night of my life, good food, booze and women. Mate, I would never trade that feeling when that twi'lek chick...
- I think I understand friend. – Mehile stopped him before he would say something disturbing for him.
- Hard to believe that we are winning, I wish the boys would have made it too to see this day. – He sighted and his eyes got filled with a glimpse of grief.
Both his ship and crew got blasted by imperial fighters, whether it was bad luck or he was just in the wrong palce in the worng time he almost lost everything that time. It was a battle between two Siths, the infamous Darth Malgus and Darth Marr. Malgus claimed himself as successor of the Emperor after his death. However the other Siths didn't approved much so they decided to turn against him. The battle between the two fleets were inevitable and he just jumped right into that mess, the crew prepared an emergency jump to escape pirates, like said bad luck or just karma.
Marr was the victor and the Sith found the ravanged ship, he and his crew were imprisoned for a lifetime. Tortures were an everyday event for 20 years, until Mehile who was just a padawan back then came along with his master and freed him with the rest of the prisoners. However his crew didn't make it, eversince that he pledged himself to serve the Republic and have revenge on the Sith.
- Ya know mate, it has been a while since we had a decent fight with imperial bastards. Can't we just make a quick raid on one of their cell? I have a friend who can hack into comms and arange a good ambush.
- That won't be necessary, we are to meet the 137th battalion on the way to Tatooine. We can't let them wait or they might cause suspicion.
- Just suggesting, alright... back to work, droids might have handfull of tools but ain't got the eyes of a gunslinger like me. Better check the cables, I don't want any surprises if things go bad to worst.
Mehile soon left Tython to meet with his escort on Tatooine, his ship entered hyperspace soon after leaveing the atmosphere. Ariana watched as her love departs and was hoping to see him soon for their meeting with the Council.
An hour later the flagship exited from hyperspace and onboard everyone was holding their breaths back to see when will the Jedi notice that such huge imperial vessel came this far into Republic territory. The shuttle was ready as Syndell requested, it was simple but it was equiped with the best cloacking system they could spear on the ship. Tython came into view from the bridge and Syndell contacted the Captain to give her orders.
- Once I launch I want your ship to commence an orbital barage on the Jedi Council building, send out the fighters as well to hold the intercepting attacks back. Let they believe that we are here for an invasion, destroy any strategic target on the planet's surface but do not dare hit the Temple. Am I clear.
- Ceratainly my Lady, godspeed. – He saluted then ordered the ordance of the ship to target the AA towers and the main comunication arrays of Tython. The alarm soon set off declaring that the Jedi have already noticed the ship.
- All fighters launch, blast every single Republic dog into space dust even if you have to Kamikaze into them!
Meanwhile Syndell's shuttle activated it's cloack and launched with the rest of the fighters not to raise any suspicion. She flew in formation with the imperials until the first squadron approached her's. She quickly broked off and looking back she could only see the red and green beams clashing into fighters and explosions tainted the black space.
Syndell could care less, the only goal that mattered for her is to use the time and get what she came here for. For that she had to break in to Jedi Temple's archives where they kept the holocrons, well of course the holocrons there are no use to her. What she seeked was under the Temple's archives along with it's treasures.
Tython was in shock, the first bombardment damaged the comunications and the main AA batteries were offline. It seemed like that a few shots missed and hit some generatiors near the region. The civilian populance and the refugees panicked, they feared that this is the first wave of an imperial assult. The Jedi were on high alert, they once lost their Temple on Coruscant once, this time they won't let it happen again. Along with the garrison they started to prepare for the first transports to land with imperial soldiers. The skies were clear for now only the image of the massive ship and the battle above the stratosphere was seen from the ground.
Another bobardment hit the comunication arrays directly, some Jedi were desperate to send a distress signal out to the fleet but the main channels were now offline. The astromechdroinds tried to open up a secondary line but they were rarely used so these were off most of the time. Booting the system would take at least half a day for the whole planet. However the radars didn't detected any signs of future reinforcements for the imperials so that was a reliefe.
Syndell successfuly landed on the surface and stepping out from the shuttle she inspected the surrounding enviroment. From afar she could see the Temple, also she saw that the refugees were smart, they noticed that what ever the imperials want they somehow don't want to hit the Temple and anything around it. She hoped that the Jedi weren't so smart, she wanted to wrap this up quickly as possible. She approached the area pulling her hood over her head to blend into the crowd of scared people.
Getting near to the Temple was easy enough but now she had to get in, a direct approach would risk being detected so she had to do a little sneaking.
- Captain. – She contacted Hofth.
- My Lady? We have the situation under perfect control...
- Drop a shell 100 meters away from my current location... did the fighters managed to clean up the first wave?
- They did but...
- The send down bombers and make them hit the Temple.
- What about you, the orders were to...
- I know what I said... time to proceed to the next stage, execute the order now!
She dashed away from the main entrance as far as she could, in any minute the one of the canons will hit this ground and even 100 m away it can cause serious damage. Better safe that sorry she got at least trice the distance and saw as the beam hit the yard in front of the structure. Many lives were consumed by fire and plasma on that night, she then turned back and walked thorugh the crater. Sneaking in her vocabulary meant distaction with huge firepower, now that the mob was cleared out of the way and the Jedi forced out from the building as the bombers arrived and dropped their first load on the building.
Inside the celing was cracking and some of the pillars collapsed leaving rubble in the hall. The left stairs got broken and the holoprojections of previous Jedi masters shutted down one by one as power failed. A Jedi ran pass her, he was young and just passed his training the other day, he wanted to alert her not to go in but then noticed the heavy malice and bloodlust around her. He was about to grab his saber but his mind got crushed as he met those bloodred eyes of hers. The young knight collapsed onto the ground and Syndell's eyes turned back to their natural blue color.
Ariana sensed this wave of the Force, it was dark full of despite for the Jedi and it was here. A Sith entered the Temple and commenced the attack.
- V4 try to establish a link as soon as possible if we can't get in touch with command directly then try any ship that is in range of our communicator and make them alert the fleet! – then she strode out of the comunication room and headed towards the archives. Whoever the intruder was she could sense that it was heading towards the archives.
Syndell bent the doors to the archives that came down once the Temple got hit by the first barage. The archives were dark and only the emergency lights were on creating a dim green shade to the halls. All the data in here were invaluable for both the Jedi and the Republic, ancient technicues and knowledge was stored in these holocrons, they were just here for the taking. She ignored all of them and walked strainght to the middle of the entire archives. With her right she touched the floor and a sudden strike hit her mind. She saw catacombs, ashes and corpses and at the end a perfectly crafted holocron but in the shape of a tetrahedron rather than a cube. She smiled under her breather and using her force abilities she crushed the ground beneath her. The floor was though but after a few more blasts she managed to break into the ancient catacombs.
It looked like it was abonded for millenias, on the wall they were writtings similar to common but 2/3 of them were in a language no one spoke anymore. Strange hierogliphs decorated the massive pillars and on the ground was the continuation of those strange constellations like the ones on the walls. Dust and strange ash flew in the air, she thanked the Force for wearing her breather that filtered the dusty air for her. Slowly walking and inspecting the writtings on the wall she reached the object of her mission.
This „holocron" was different from the others that the Jedi and Sith knew, not just in shape but in purpose. It held date, yes... but not just data but energy, raw Force energy that could rip appart anybody who didn't mastered to wield or control it. She reached out for it to hold it, she was shivering under her armor in joy and excitement.
- What... is that? – She hear a woman's voice behind her. She turned and threw her lightsaber at the source. Ariana jumped dodgeing the flying saber at her that hit a pillar, the structure shaked, not because of the bombing but because the still active saber damaged the hierogliphs on the pillar.
- Surrender Sith... there is no way to run for you... wherever we are. – She pointed her deep blue saber at her.
- Ignorant Jedi knight... of course you don't know... what is the use of being able to wield the Force if you can't bend it to your will.
- What are you talking about... is this one of your tricks?
- You sensed that wave didn't you? The pure power of the Force, the malice and the rage. My rage.
- So it is from the dark side, then I must end you for using such technic.
- You really are ignorant... I'm not surprised by it. – She said it sarcasticaly.
- Answer me... what is this... if this was all under our Temple then why didn't we...
- Found it yet? Easy, because this is just a piece of the whole picture. – She expanded her arms. – This place is primitive, ancient but holds many secrets that we can use. This place is older then the first civilization of this planet. Older than the Infinite Empire, it is a heritage of a much more greater power. Who built these halls were also forceusers, they were masters, everyone of them. For them there wasn't ligh or dark just the Force, pure and raw Force that they managed to bend to their will. The writtings on the walls are just a description of what this thing holds... whats more this whole structure is alive because of it. Once I leave this planet with this in my possesion this whole catacomb will collapse.
- Then I have another reason to stop you from leaving. – She hissed at her. – I won't let you use this knowledge for evil.
- This is not evil... well unitl I learn to control it to be exact. – She activated her lightsaber and retrived her second one from the pillar. – Now that you know I can't let you live. – She jumped at her to strike down.
Ariana deflected Syndell's strike and slashed back at her, Syndell blocked with her left then used a storng forcepush on her sending her flying back at the other end of the hall. She put the „holocron" in her pouche and charged at Ariana who threw a boulder at her, the structure shaked again like a giant animal who got injured gravely. Syndell cut the boulder in half and threw the other half back at her, Ariana flipped and using her power stired the dust up to cover her tracks. Syndell turned around, circleing around to find her prey. She was talented she admited but she still outbested her in many way. Her eyes widened when she heard a lighsaber to shizzel up behind her upon activating and she barely managed to roll out of the way. Ariana ran right behind her, her cloak swayed behind her.
- Give up Sith... surrender and maybe I can redeem you.
- Redeem me? - Syndell laughed maniacaly then disappeared into the shadows. – I am far from any redemption, Jedi. I am ultimate, I am more powerfull as a Sith than any other being in the known and unknown galaxy. Once I deliver this to my fellow Siths, our order will consume everything in its path. – At that Ariana slashed at a pillar making the catacombs shaking again. Syndell laughed again like someone who lost her mind.
- You know why your Order won't prevail, you see why the Republic will never win against the Empire? Because of the Jedi ingnorance, what would have happened if the Jedi would find such a thing? They would have probably sealed off for the rest of their miserable lives just to avoid its powers. You say Sith are paranoid, but it seems that you are the one who are more afraid than anything in the galaxy. You denie life, freedom and the joy of a living being, your teachings are nonsenses and are the true basics for getting corrupted.
At that Ariana screamed angrily and slashed everywhere, it was like Syndell melded with the shadows and was around her all the time. Then she appeared, she threw a rock at her then disappeared, Ariana slashed but found nothing. Syndell appeared again and threw another rock at her, she blocked it and managed to hit Syndell but she didn't fall. Syndell started to fade and Ariana realized it was a trick, she stabbed behind her and her saber hit Syndell directly in the stomach.
Ariana smiled in reliefe. – You see Sith, your superior attitude was your end. The Ligh is strong in me, it will guide me and my fellow Jedi to true greatness and to peace. – Then she felt a sharp sting in her stomach and saw that a crimson lighsaber stabbed her through. She was shocked, she felt that after deactivating the blade blood oozed from the half burnt wound. The catacombs faded around her and she was there kneeling where they started their fight.
- Peace is a lie, the Empire will achive greatness that will outshine the brightess stars. It will destroy its enemies and will expand through out to infinity and far beyond that. – Ariana couldn't talk, she felt it, it it the end for her. Grief consumed her mind, she so wanted to cry but a strange shock still held her emotions back.
- Mehile... I-I'm so... so sorry. – then she fell and have becomen one with the Force.
Syndell deactivated her saber and her eyes turned once again back to their actual blue color. She snached the „holocron" from statis and started to walk out from the catacombs leaving Ariana's body down there.
She emerged from the hole she made in the archives floor and walked out to the stairs, by that time the bombing did a good job on scaring anyone away but soon the bombers were overwhelmed by the Republic fighters. In space the flagship recieved readings about that the Republic's fleet is only a few clicks away. The Captain tried to contact Syndell to get an exact view on the situation but her holocomunicator was silent. He and the crew was on the verge of panic, he withdrew the order of bombarding the planet instead they re-routed the energy into the hull and the shields and braced for an emergency jump upon her return.
The stairs were wrecked, she had to walk around to get down to the ground level and escape. She was in no hurry, as she walked down the half collapsed corridores she heard rustling coming behind her. She turned and activated her right lightsaber.
- I'm not really in the mood for games, come out and face me rather than hide like a coward, Jedi. – She pointed the edge of the saber at some ruins.
Victoria slowly stoop up behind the pile of ruble and raised her hands in surrender, ash covered her clothes and she lost her practicesaber as well. Weaponless she decided to seek out the source of this heavy dark energy while her fellow padawans ran. She was scared of her, all her time while eing here in the Temple she was told that Sith are dark abominations of the Force that won't show mercy and only trained to kill. They twist their emotions into their power making them falling further into the dark, in the end becoming less human.
But now as she was standing in front of Syndell she doubted those stories, she looked human. She could still feel the malice and rage but the woman at her was the exact contrast of what her master alway told her about. There weren't any singns of corruption on her, the only thing that made her scary at the moment that she was pointing her blade at her throat.
- Hmph... a Padawan, the Jedi have become desperate. – She chuckled. – You believe you can handle me weaponless young one?
- No... I didn't come here to fight you. – Victorias voice was like whimpering. – Do you know Jaesa? – She asked from Syndell.
She frowned at her a bit then eased her eyes – You have nerves to adress her by her first name. But to answer your question, I do but I haven't met her in person... yet.
Victoria's eyes sparkled up with hope and joy. – Please... let me come with you I... – She approached her but Syndell only slashed at her making her fall back onto the floor.
- Why would I let you come with me? – She hissed in annoyance. – A Padawan like you would only be a burden... I despise the Jedi or anyone who is assosiated with them, and you are no different.
- Please... I'm only here because I had not other choice. – She stood up and begged.
- A likely story... a lie.
- No! Either this or returning to Nar Shaddaa, I never knew my parents, I grew up to be a begger or a thief, I was punished if I wasn't succesful and had no place for me there to call home. The Jedi took me in because I was special in some way, I went with them since I believed I will have a place called home. But here I was humiliated and discriminated by them and no matter how much I tried I can't accept a word from them anymore. The only hope for me is to meet Willsaam, she... she found freedom... I want to be free just like her. – She collapsed to her knees and tears started to fall to the ground. – Great... now I'm crying „ugh" – She tried to wipe them off as hard as possible but they just kept on flowing.
Syndell watched her as she told all that, after a while she feeled sorry for her. This girl before her had nothing now, she never had anything almost just like her. She was lucky enough to experience parential love, however her was robbed from it from the start. That was her weakspot her master tried to kill in her... the caring nature for children. Unknown why but as she matured as a slave she started to care for the young ones. She even took a few blows for them until her first master freed her along with them. Her hope was a family of her own, she shared this hope with her first master who didn't judged her and set her free to achive it. She wanted to love and to be loved, but the loss of her master and the „tortures" of her last master took that away from her.
He wanted to forge her to be perfect, he lied to her and by that ritual he robbed her from all hope of a family of her flesh and blood. Call her desperate but she pited Victoria and kneeled down to meet her eyes.
- Let them flow. – She wiped a tear away on her cheek and took off her breather. – It will only became worst if you hold back.
Victoria was confused, her touch was tender and warm, her voice becam soft and caring. Somehow that made her calm and let her emotions flow with the tears out of her.
- I...I a... – She tried to speak but couldn't. She didn't know what to say or feel right now.
- What you seek is nothing wrong or bad, but look into yourself and then say why would you want to leave or stay. – Syndell calmed her.
She wanted to belive her but should she, what she wanted? She wanted a home to be safe, she wanted to be free no one trying to control her personality or lie about who she is. But now realizing the only thing she really wanted was acceptance, people who accepted her and... cared for her feelings, then friends... and a family.
- Now do you know it? – She asked Victoria.
- I want to leave... and never ever return here. – She managed to stammer out. – I don't want to be alone anymore! I want to feel and not live my life by how others dictate it! – She cried out loud and sobbed qietly. A surprise soon followed this sudden out burst of hers.
She hugged her, hearing this much grief in her words she hugged her to give comfort to this girl. Victoria quited down, her embrace was warm and that made her feel safe, she give into the hug and did the same. In her life she felt that someone really cared about her and her emotions and she didn't want to lose this feeling ever.
- Then you won't be alone anymore, I promise. – Syndell whispered into her ear in a warm and caring tone and both of them stood up. Syndell offered her right hand to Victoria to take with a warm smile, at first she hesitated but then she took it, holding onto it like she never want it to let go.
The two of them walked out, Victoria staying close to her all the time, upon reaching the shuttle the comunicator of the ship beeped up and the projection of Captain Hoft stood there in panic.
- My lady... the Republic is here we... hold out... what are the orders? – The channel was breaking off. Syndell only gave him a short answer.
- No surrender. – She cut the line and turned the comunications off. The engines of the shuttle whizzed on and they started to lift off. Victoria watched as the surface of Tython became more distant to her, in space she saw the battle afar. The flagship of Darth Thorvus, the Gargoyle was on fire, explosions blasted the hull open and escape pods swarmed out from the huge vessel. She couldn't see the end of it but to be honest she didn't care much about it. Walking into the cockpit she sat into the seat next to Snydell. Before they entered hyperspace Victoria gave her a sincer and heart warming smile, saying.
- Thank you.
Syndell returned it with her own caring one and the vessel disappeared into hyperspace for now.