Chapter 10

'A Sith By Any Other Name'

'Slip of the Nip'

'Broken Idol'

'Venus, goddess of love that you are

Surely the things I ask

Can't be too great a task'

- E. Marshall

The chat across the campus is the most pleasant experience Dantius has had since his arrival at Theed University. He hangs on to every word Sigrid says whether he agrees or not. He holds onto his wounded hand even though the weather on this sunny day dips five below zero. He cannot wear his gloves and there is still a bloodied dagger in his right coat pocket. Sigrid takes his mind off the fact that his hands are freezing.

As they get closer to the student infirmary Dantius is getting the 'lubdub' feeling in his chest. His complexion turns pale. He panics. He interrupts Sigrid for the first time. She is talking about her hiking trip on Endor during the summer with her activist friends.

"Anyway Magnus has always taken care of us. He is a great organizer…so smart and so funny…believe me, he does have a sense of humor, and people don't always see it…one time…"

Dantius cuts in.

"You know…if I just get a decent dressing for this cut, I should be fine. I don't need to go to the infirmary."

Sigrid sees how anxious he looks. Dantius backs away as they stand on the campus walkway.

"Okay. okay…calm down, but we have to do something."

"You don't understand… I can't go…"

"But you could contract something awful like Dagobah tetanus or something worse."

"I can't have this on my medical record."

He explains to Sigrid in a way that she would understand, that the wound could be construed as an extremist attempt to gain sympathy for the 'Students Against the Trade Federation.' The flimsy excuse works. It was better than telling her that his parents and the dean believe that he is unstable and he could intentionally harm himself. The last thing he wants Sigrid to think is that he is crazy.

Just then, Sigrid, being the resourceful, independent, and beautiful radical that she is, has an idea.

They wind up at the Theed University Medical School Outreach Centre.

Dantius is amazed by how many resources she has at her disposal. They enter a nondescript building. Security lets her bypass the waiting area. After a brief private chat with the triage intake clerk, Sigrid leads Dantius down an empty corridor. As they turn the corner, there is a small waiting area filled with peasants and refugees from the Outer Rim Territories. A woman at the desk directs Sigrid and Dantius to an exam room. Dantius has never been this close to poor people before. She helps him remove his coat. She hangs it on the hook next to a white lab coat. Dantius is nervous as he watches his coat. Sigrid tosses her white parka on the counter next to jars of sterile dressings.

As the two wait in the room, Dantius notices his hand had bled on Sigrid's nice tunic sweater while they were still at the dining hall. He points to the stained garment.

"Will that come out?"

Sigrid looks down at the stain embedded in the yarn.

"A life is more important than a piece of clothing."

Dantius has always been cynical. Sigrid is the polar opposite. She is full of love, hope, and does he dare say it? Charity. Could he change to be more like her?

The door opens and a handsome young medical student enters the room. He has feathered blond hair partially smashed down by a pair of surgical goggles. He is wearing a long white lab coat over green surgical scrubs. A wide smile creeps across his face. Dantius wonders how a person can smile surrounded by so much disease and death and poverty. The doctor greets Sigrid with a warm hug and kiss.

"Hey, angel, what can I do for you today?"

Sigrid looks deep into his eyes.

"Birg, I need your help…we need your help." She turns to look at Dantius. "I know here you don't ask questions. My friend has an injury that requires treatment. If he goes to the school infirmary, they write up a report. He can't have that on his permanent record."

He stops her.

"Okay. I got the idea. Let's see what we're dealing with here."

Sigrid makes the introductions.

"Dani, this is my friend Doctor Markus Birger. Markus, this is Dani."

"Hello."

"Hello, Dani. Have a seat."

Markus knows just the right questions to ask. He purposely neglected to ask his full name. If he had, and records were seized, then he would have to admit that he treated him at the clinic. Markus, nevertheless still has to log in each patient he sees. He locates an old incomplete data chart. The name 'Sidney' is already programmed into its memory. The patient it belonged to was old and deranged. He fought with the staff before they had the chance to examine him then ran off pass the triage area. Once data is entered, however, it is permanent. This supposedly prevented the alteration of data. The only data entered was the first name of the unfortunate soul. Markus saw a loophole in system. He uses it to great advantage. He and a few other interns hid all of the incomplete charts, as long as there was no date or other data pointing to a specific individual. Political dissidents or refugees from hostile planets were able to hide from their tormentors. There were about 100 of these 'recyclable' data charts in the clinic. Dantius is relieved that this silly 'accident' will not appear on his university profile.

Dantius sits in an exam chair with a surgical tray and armrest attached.

Markus sets the chart onto a vertical port, also attached to the chair. It hangs as if from an intravenous walks across the room and inserts his hands through a stainless steel box. The unit emits a soft humming sound that lasts about five seconds. The contraption resembles a microwave without a door. When he withdraws his hands, he is wearing a pair of sterile surgical gloves. They are a perfect fit. Markus sits on a cushioned stool and wheels himself over to the exam chair then lowers the goggles over his eyes. He wiggles his fingers playfully then winks at Sigrid. She smiles back Markus lifts Dantius' arm and pushes his sleeve up toward his elbow. He has a firm but gentle touch. He lowers the arm then glances at the data chart. It lights up ready to receive medical information. He glances across the room at Sigrid who is sitting on the examination table. He shifts his eyebrows comically as he activates the 'recycled' chart.

"Okay, 'Sidney,' let's have a look. Could you open your hand for me please?"

Markus lifts the thick wad of blood-soaked napkins. The shreds of paper stick to the drying blood in the wound. He slides a magnifying lamp over the wound and flushes it with a sterile solution. He removes all foreign matter then makes an assessment.

"Oh, man, that's a nasty cut."

Markus does not need to ask the type of cut or inquire how it happened. As a medical student, this is what he is trained know. It would be a waste of time anyway. He will not get an honest answer; why else would Dantius aka 'Sidney' be in this clinic? Markus can make a determination of the size, shape and at what angle a wound was inflicted. Dantius could sense that he knows but that his secret is safe.

Markus injects Spectacillin into the wound. Sigrid observes as he sutures it, and then applies a Bacta Patch to accelerate the healing. His work is meticulous. As an afterthought, Markus fits Dantius with a sterile fingerless glove that will protect Dantius from infecting or reopening the wound. The glove is tight fitting but flexible enough to allow for limited use of the hand such as writing.

Markus rolls backward in his little chair and tosses the used surgical kit into a compactor.

"Okay, sport. All done."

Dantius carefully opens and closes his hand.

"Thank you."

Sigrid is beaming.

"See…he does beautiful work. He's going to be famous some day."

Markus stretches his arms over his head then lifts his goggles up to his forehead.

"Sigi, you know I don't crave fame. Serving the masses is more my speed." He smiles.

He stands and removes the gloves then cleans up. He snatches the data chart from the data port after making some notes. The entry on the chart reads 'D. Sidney.' Sigrid whispers to Dantius.

"Do you have any credits on you? An honorarium would be a nice gesture. Markus helps to feed the poor and brings medicine to the homes of the sick."

Dantius uses his good hand to search his rucksack He gathers up 80 credits. Sigrid takes it and walks over to Markus as he makes a few final notes on the data chart. She grabs waistband of his scrubs and stuffs the credits inside. He jokes with her.

"I'm not sure I know you well enough to do that."

"Eighty credits."

"Oh, well, since you put it that way…"

Sigrid gives him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, babe."

"Thank you. You and your new friend keep out of trouble, okay?"

"Being a political agitator is what I do best."

"I know that." Markus gives Dantius a nod.

"Take care of our girl, Sid."

"Sure. Thanks for this." Dantius raises his right hand.

Sigrid and Dantius leave from the rear service entrance. She looks up at the sky.

"It's gotten colder." She reaches into her leather satchel and pulls out a hat. It is no normal hat but a traditional Tauntaun wool earflap from Hoth. It is blue with a pattern of white silhouettes of the iconic Mount Ison over black with a yellow border. A long multi-colored tassel sticks out at the top. Dantius watches as she puts it on. It would look ridiculous on anyone else, but on Sigrid, it looks beautiful but he is not going to admit it. Even the braided earflap tie-downs have tassels on the ends. She puts on a pair of matching gloves. Dantius smirks. Sigrid flashes that now famous toothpaste commercial smile.

"You're laughing at my hat?"

"It's…interesting." He says this with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

"Thank you…I think. I bet I'm warmer than you are."

"At least I don't look ridiculous."

"Ahso…Where's your hat?"

"It's in my pocket."

"Let's see it. Come on, Mr. Snob"

"Okay."

He takes out a red woolen ribbed cap. He manages to pull it over his head with one hand. Sigrid stares. She is speechless at first.

"Are you planning to rob a bank?"

"No! I usually wear it with my coat hood up." He flips the hood of his down coat over his head. His face disappears inside. Sigrid is silent for a moment. Suddenly she pushes the hood off his head.

"Sid, that is not a good look."

"Looks aren't everything you know."

"They are if you don't want those idiot frat guys and jocks laughing at you." She rolls the red cap up until it only covers his ears. He feels like a child whose mother is preparing to send him off to school. It feels a bit humiliating but he does not want her to stop fussing over him either. She stands back to evaluate her work. He is not getting a good vibe from her silence.

"Well?"

"It looks better than the grim reaper thing you had going on there."

"I look like a dork, don't I?"

"A cute dork."

"Oh, I feel so much more confident now."

"You're welcome."

They walk across the road to the main campus. Sigrid turns to Dantius with a mischievous expression on her face.

"I just skipped a class."

Dantius does not share the same glee. He looks at his watch.

"So did I. Oh dear. I'm in for it now. I'm missing my whole day."

"It can't be helped now. You had a legitimate reason; you could have bled to death. Just think of all the horrible things that could have happened. You could have contracted Plyridian Fever."

"I don't believe what happened to me was life threatening."

"Dagobian Swamp Cough."

"—Never been to Dagobah."

"Rodian influenza."

"One does not contract Rodian Influenza from a cut."

"What about Yellow-blood Malaise?"

"That's a Wookie disease! Do I look like a Wookie to you? Now you're being ridiculous." He shakes his head in disbelief. He suddenly breaks into a smile. Sigrid points her gloved finger at him.

"Aha! I got you to smile. You need to relax."

"I am relaxed."

"If you say so, Sidney. Hey, come with me. I need to grab my sociology textbook for my next class."

Dantius decides he may as well follow. They wind up at the Jafan Hall co-ed dorm. This is the first visit to this dormitory for Dantius. He stops as they enter the lobby. He pulls back.

"I'll wait here."

Sigrid urges him to come inside the room.

"What's wrong?"

"I shouldn't be here."

"Why not?"

"I can wait here in the lobby or outside…"

"Don't be silly. It's freezing outside. It's not a convent. It's a coed dorm."

"Oh."

"We're the progressive dorm on campus."

"I bet."

She hears his flippant remark but chooses not to acknowledge it and continues talking.

"Besides, I need someone to chat with while I gather my stuff."

"Uhm…alright."

Sigrid signs him in at the security desk. Dantius still feels uncomfortable. No one has ever taken to him so quickly. He imagines the looks they must be getting. Actually, no one is really paying attention. It is the first day back on campus after a long holiday week. Students are preparing to take the final exams of the semester.

As they stand at the elevator bank, Sigrid whispers in his ear like a giggling schoolgirl.

"Don't worry; I signed you in as your new alter ego. She winks then nudges him gently with her shoulder. "How's that, Sid?"

They go up in the elevator and exit on the fourth floor. The hallway on her floor looks festive. There must have been a birthday party before the holiday break. Leftover red and gold streamers hang from the ceiling along the length of the hall. A sign is draped over one of the dorm rooms: 'Happy Birthday Wina'

As they make their way down the hall, Dantius is getting that 'lubdub' feeling again. He tries to tell himself to calm down as he follows Sigrid. She stops at a door with a bin attached to it. There are hand-sized holovids of student testimonials in preparation at the hearings before the Galactic Senate. She scoops them out and continues inside.

It is a fair sized dorm room. Dantius notices the two beds, on one each side of the room. It is almost cramped once you realize it is for two people. There is no sign of her roommate. He asks the dumbest question just to make conversation even though the answer is obvious.

"You share your room?"

"Of course I share a room. Single rooms are expensive. All the rich students get the private rooms with the fancy amenities. They want to prove how special they are."

"I'm…I'm not that special…"

"Ahso! You have one of the coveted rooms! Don't tell me, you live at Narmlé Hall? Ewww…I can't believe it. How could you? It's so elitist. It goes against everything I stand for."

"Are you going to ask me to leave?"

Her mock distain turns into a grin. "No, I'm just kidding. Rich snobs deserve a place to sleep too, Dani."

"I thought we were using my 'code name.'

"It's okay. The room isn't bugged."

She giggles then removes her parka and tosses it onto her bed. She sets the stack of holovid testimonials on her desk. Dantius is still standing near the door with his hands clasped together in front of him. She walks pass him and closes it.

Dantius looks and feels out of place but the excitement of being in Sigrid's room is amazing. He does not seem to mind getting two nicknames in one day either. At least it is not the typical derogatory stuff that he hears on campus like 'Spaz,' or Jerk,' or Weirdo.'

He looks around the room to take in the décor. There are many holographs on the desks and walls interspersed with political holoposters. Sigrid's roommate Son'ya Kuro, seems to participate in hobbies such as folk art. She also collects figurines from across the galaxy. The collection is quite substantial decorating her desk near her laptop and lining shelves above her desk. He gets an idea of what she looks like from a series of holographs strung up by wire. Two images show the roommate posing with a similar-looking female, possibly an older sister or cousin. They each have black choppy bob haircuts that frame heart-shaped faces. Thick long black bangs streaked with white just about cover the eyes.

Sigrid's side of the room reflects her activist views but also her social life. It is evident that she is a well-travelled individual and knows many people. The holographs show her in close friendships and looking happy. He points to one of the images.

"You travel a lot." His mobile phone rings in vibrate but it is an audible humming sound. Sigrid walks over and stands beside Dantius as they look over the mini gallery.

"Oh, the holographs. Yes, I love to travel." She goes off topic for a moment. "I could have had a private room too you know."

"I thought you said private rooms are for the rich."

"I never said I was poor. It was actually a tradeoff. My parents are very generous where it counts. Why waste credits on a room used only for sleeping and studying? I choose to use the difference on travel." She returns to the holographs. "This is my favorite holograph." She stops in front of a platinum-framed holo image. There is melancholy in her voice but also great joy and respect as she tenderly touches the frame with her fingers. "That's Nika. We met him a few years ago during a hiking trip to the ruins of Endor. He was looking for a trunk belonging to a Sullustan friend of his. We helped him search for it. He was surprised that we would want to help him. Nika was very funny, referring to us as his little band of young rascals. Only thing, he never talked about himself much. Nika helped to guard our campsite. I think he enjoyed being with a bunch of young students. I sensed loneliness in him. He was still young but I don't think he had much of a childhood. One day he confessed to us that he had done some terrible things and he wanted to clear his conscience. Boone sensed it was really bad and dark. But with all of the darkness, I saw a lot of good in Nika. He died recently. Some say it was suicide but Boone believed he was about to turn away from this dark side and someone killed him. The authorities found his body lying on the courtyard steps of Theed Palace. Who would do something so cruel? No one claimed his body. We all chipped in to help give him a proper burial. That new philosophy professor happened to overhear us in the cafeteria and offered to help but Boone refused. I thought it was nice but Boone can get really snippy if he has a strange feeling about someone. I think he doesn't like Muuns much." Sigrid sighs as she looks at the holograph. "Poor Nika. I will never forget him."

Dantius has an awkward response. He recognizes this man but does not reveal it to Sigrid. All he could utter was a faint, "Oh."

The incident on the night that Dantius travelled to the old cloisters are coming back to haunt him. He did not know about the palace courtyard incident because he had been sent home earlier than the other students had. His parents never mentioned it for fear that it could send their son over the edge. To them it had nothing to do with their son anyway. Knowing would not help him.

Dantius had a bad feeling all along that his duel would lead to some backlash. It soured that dubious moment of accomplishment that night. A rare emotion comes over him as he stands silently beside Sigrid: Guilt. He also felt shame for his actions and felt betrayed by his new master. He feels he should not be here.

Sigrid utters a bittersweet sigh as she gently touches the frame again.

"Too bad, eh?"

"Uhm… y-yes…sure." His mobile rings again with a buzz that has taken on a life of its own as it almost jumps inside of his pocket.

"That could be important. You want to get that?"

He responds nervously.

"No…no…it's not important."

Her beautiful smile returns.

"Have a seat. You've had a rough morning. Sit anywhere. Nothing will bite you."

She has no idea how rough this day has been for him. The mobile buzzes again. Sigrid turns.

"Gee, must be important whoever is calling every 5 minutes."

Dantius nervously disagrees as he backs onto the foot of her roommates' bed.

"No…no…It's not important."

Sigrid remembers something as she looks down at her wool tunic top.

"Blasted…I need to soak this or the stain will never come out."

Sigrid walks over to her closet and pulls out blue top on a satin hanger. After a moment of consideration, she removes it from the hanger. The hanger is tossed onto her bed.

"Dani, I'll be just a sec. I need to change before this stain sets in." She tugs at her soiled tunic and gives it one last look. Blasted!"

Dantius feels responsible for the spilt blood on her tunic. It is obvious that this is a favorite garment of hers. She explains it was a gift from a deceased friend. What Sigrid does not mention is that her 'Sith acquaintance', who she knew only as the tormented Nika, sent the tunic as a gift when she expressed her love for ancient Tatooine folk art.

Dantius looks at the bandage on his wounded hand. Sigrid disappears into the bathroom after a last minute decision to select a new pair of leggings. Dantius hears her speak again in the distance. He cranes his neck.

"So, Dani, semester's almost over. What are your plans?"

"Plans?"

"Yes, what do you do for the holidays?"

"Oh…well…my father usually throws a big Befana Eve dinner party for his associates."

Sigrid giggles.

"Oh, that sounds like real fun."

"What was that?" Dantius stands so he can hear her. He cranes his neck again to follow her voice.

There is a mirror against the wall near her bed. He is startled to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She removes a white silk ski camisole. His mouth drops open. The mobile phone in his pocket makes that buzzing sound again. He feels inside his pocket for it. Sigrid, oblivious to what is happening, keeps talking.

"Your family is stuck on tradition aren't they? Gee, that phone is really loud. I can hear it in here."

"I…I'm trying to turn down the volume. Must be broken."

Dantius is still watching in the mirror. Sigrid turns and puts on a new camisole.

"Are your parents real strict about you attending these 'snooze fests' with your dad's business associates? Otherwise…" She flips her hair back and continues. "…otherwise I would invite you to our ski holiday on Hoth. Boone and Roman…I don't think you've met him yet…are throwing their annual ski party. It's great fun…if you can make the trip."

Dantius fumbles with his mobile phone while looking at the mirror. He is obviously distracted when he answers.

"I like to take tits...trips…Trips!… I like to take trips."

"That's good to hear, Dani. For a moment I thought you had no lust for life."

He rolls whispers to himself as he tries to recover his Freudian slip.

"Oh, dear god!"

"What?"

"Nothing…uhm...I admit I could get out more."

Sigrid decides to switch from a white camisole to a black one. Dantius forgets himself and tilts to the right to get a better 'view' from the mirror.

There is a loud crash in the room. Sigrid pulls on the blue tunic top then calls out to him.

"Dani? Dani? What was that noise?"

Dantius leans over too far and loses his balance. In an effort to break his fall, he grabs onto Son'ya's desk. Several of the stone figurines crash to the floor. He nervously attempts to gather the knick-knacks and arrange them on the desk. Sigrid emerges wearing her new pullover with cowl neck collar. Dantius springs upright as if shot from a rocket. Beads of sweat pulse from his forehead. His heart is pounding. Sigrid stares at him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yea…Yes! I'm fine…everything's fine…how are you?"

"I'm ready. Oh, wait…my book. Aha! That is the reason I stopped by in the first place, right?"

"Right." He is still holding a broken figurine. Sigrid grabs her white parka and book satchel.

Dantius discreetly slides the figurine onto the desk. The broken head belongs to a porcelain Galactic Chancellor figure and is part of a set. The head lies atop of the figure neck-side up. He is anxious to get out of the room. Once Sigrid's roommate discovers the damaged figurines, he is certain to be banned from their dormitory. He slides his rucksack over his shoulder and follows Sigrid out the door.