ILUM – SPACE

The Fury class sith star fighter sat dark and silent, resting with mooring hooks attaching it to the floating giant chunk of ice and rock that hovered over the planet below. The ship was running on minimal power, undetectable unless visually seen, but then nobody would be seeking out a single ship well past where most would choose to travel.

With the fall of the usurper Darth Malgus, even Imperial travel to the planet had become sparse. There were too many more important planets both sides in the conflict wanted. Recently the Hutts had also gotten involved and with a three way war now shaping up, it was definitely getting messy. The fight for resources was in full force. Ilum, as much as all sides wanted its crystal resource, had more important strategic targets to secure at this point in the ongoing war.

It was for that reason that Necrolis Darkstar had chosen to return to Ilum. The view was spectacular, and nobody would think to find him there at all. Following the battle with Darth Malgus, and then another handful of missions, including Makeb, Necrolis found he was in need of a good deal of rest. It seemed to be one fight after another for him these days. Baras, Malgus, the Republic and Hutt Cartel, the Emperor's Wrath had been kept busy.

All the fighting had taken its toll. Injuries had mounted to the point where Necrolis had simply been ordered by his medic, Malavai Quinn, to rest. Broken bones, bruises, cuts, he had lost count of the injuries he had suffered. In truth they all sort of blurred together into one painful beating. He had, of course, argued against bed rest and taking a break.

That fight had lasted right up until his wife had pointed out she had to literally help him get dressed every morning. When he could not even lift his arms up to put a shirt on, even he had to admit it was time to rest. Vette had even threatened to use her long forgotten shock collar on him if he didn't listen. It was a rare occasion when she and Quinn ended up agreeing with one another. It had almost been worth seeing the looks on their faces as they realized they were on the same side.

Settled in the command center of the ship, Necrolis sat and peered out the viewport, lost in his thoughts. Things had certainly changed for him. He had come a long way from his days as an orphan on Ziost in Imperial care. Thinking of those days made him wonder how the rest of those he called family were doing. Oh he knew Teffa was married, and Aela was well enough. The others he had not seen in a very long time. His sister Shadelis was dead, a casualty of Imperial Intelligence falling. Even with his standing he had not been able to find out anything as to what happened.

He shook his head as if to ward off the more morbid thoughts, knowing it did no good to dwell on such. He'd killed and seen enough death recently to last a half dozen lifetimes. Since Tremel had fast tracked him to Korriban death seemed to always follow him, death and secrets. Damn the man, but Baras had been the worst for such. Then again his own lineage was still shrouded in such. Necrolis was tired of secrets, and the sith seemed to love them. Lost in his thoughts, Necrolis barely heard the soft steps of the twi'lek before Vette had wrapped arms about him and nuzzled his neck.

"Hi there!" She chimed in that all too familiar melodic voice.

Necrolis spared a soft quick smile. It was not something he did often, but Vette always seemed to draw such out of him, much to her enjoyment. At times Necrolis swore she made it a point to do so intentionally as if it were some sort of game, or a challenge. He was not about to complain however, after all he had married the twi'lek. I'm such a glutton for punishment, he thought.

"And what has you brooding so, husband?"

Necrolis took her arms and guided her about, settling her lithe frame into his lap, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of her against him. She was always warm and soft. It was one of those things he had noticed early on in their relationship, a guilty pleasure he had indulged in. He'd found excuse often to take her hand, or her arm, evolving to just wrapping an arm about her shoulder. Nowadays, whenever they had the chance, they tended to touch and or cuddle together. Malavai Quinn, even Jaessa Willsaam had picked up on such and teased them often enough about it.

"I had a vision." Necrolis said, brow furrowing slightly.

"I take it not a good one?" Vette asked, reaching up to brush her fingertips over Necrolis's brow, tracing the lines and ridges of his dark red skin.

"No." Necrolis answered pointedly, sighing heavily. "I saw others I know. They were in trouble, in pain."

Vette stared at Necrolis, studying him with her violet eyes, trying to read him. Even after being so close, after all the time together and being through all they had, he still managed to confound her. He was always stoic, always calm and cool no matter what, save on rare occasion when he was angry. In that case, Vette had seen just how strong of a force user Necrolis really was. It was not something she wanted to see often at all, and she pitied those that found themselves in his sights. She remembered all too well what he had done to Baras. The sheer power he had brought forth had stunned even the Dark Council. Good old Darth Thermaslice, well he had never seen it coming at all. Remembering Baras's end brought a small smile to her face.

Vette had learned long ago to trust in Necrolis' instincts. The pure blood sith warrior was not prone to jumping at shadows, so when he had an uneasy feeling, her lekku tended to shudder. For a moment she had the sinking feeling she would be hauling out her armour and blasters soon, but she brushed those thoughts aside. He was supposed to be taking it easy, and she was not about to let him go traipsing off over just a feeling to get out of such.

"Don't dwell on it." She said softly, nestling her head up under Necrolis' chin comfortably. "And don't make me call Captain Killjoy!"

Necrolis chuckled at the mention of calling Quinn, wrapping his arms about his wife. The passing thought of being able to press a shock collar button ran through his mind and made him chuckle once again a little louder than before. He didn't need to see Vette to know she had arched an eyebrow questioningly and was curious at the sudden sound from him.

"I won't let it distract me, my wife." Necrolis said voice low and light. "I think we better send word and recall the others just to be safe, however."

Vette nodded and smiled softly. Hearing such was not unexpected. When it came to the crew of the Wraith, they had all come to be more like family. Necrolis had come to trust all of them, and he was rather protective of them. With any luck, it would all turn out to be nothing. The twi'lek did not believe such for a minute, but she could still hope. Most of the others could take care of themselves too, she knew. Quinn, despite being a stuck up pain in her ass, was quite competent. Pierce was a fighter, as was Broonmark, both very capable. Then there was Jaesa. Necrolis's apprentice, she still managed to scare the hell out of Vette with her bloodlust and wild untamed nature. At least we get along now, the twi'lek thought happily.

"And here I was rather enjoying it just being us."

Necrolis smiled and laughed again before shaking his head. Damn the woman, he thought. Vette just had that ability to lighten his mood, no matter the moment. He knew from the moment they had met there was just something about her that seemed to build an instant connection between them. It was as if they completed each other, brought out the best in them. She still didn't like or understand a lot of what he did at times. She called it his sithy side, but it was something she had come to accept.

"We still have a bit of time before they get back." Necrolis grinned, hand stroking down the twi'leks side slowly and lightly, a brushing teasing stroke.

"And I know where the shock collar is too!" Vette grinned as she leaned in and nipped at his neck before laughing and waggling her brows at him.

Necrolis gave her an intense look, one of hunger and lust that made Vette shudder even as she leapt off his lap, grinning over her shoulder as she bounced off heading to their chambers and making sure to give an extra emphasis in the sway of her hips. Necrolis rose and gave chase, hurrying after her even as his eyes devoured her. It had better take them a while, he thought as he went.