ZIOST

Necrolis stopped at the corner of the building, slowly peering about the corner checking ahead down the cross street they needed to take. Frowning, his eyes took in the trio of troopers as well as someone he was all too familiar with following just behind them. The sith grit his teeth, jaw clenching tight in anger. He knew the man would be about somewhere, but had not thought he would actually run into him. For a moment, his hand strayed to his lightsaber and Necrolis had to shove the thought to use it away.

"We're not alone." Was all he said as Shadelis waited beside him.

Shadelis Darkstar frowned, noting her brother's tone of voice, the tensing of his body. She could well imagine the scowling dark look that was on his face hidden by the gree helmet he wore. Something is really wrong, she noted, something more than just a random problem. Sliding down into a crouch, the chiss carefully leaned about her brother, taking a quick peek. She made out the four men heading down the street towards where they were. Her red eyes locked immediately on the figure in back, taking in features she would never forget. She moved back, putting her back to the wall and tried to draw in a long deep breath but found herself almost gasping quickly.

"Shaddy." Necrolis said, looking down and touching her shoulder. When she didn't react he swore under his breath.

Crouching down next to his sister, Necrolis reached to touch her cheek. She once again did not respond and he could see the far off look in her eyes. Once again swearing under his breath, Necrolis peeked back about the corner. The group was still coming and had just passed the only other cross street. Glancing around, he noted the deep set doorway of the building across the street. Dark and shadowed, they would be safely unnoticed there so long as they did not turn and come down the street. Grabbing his sister by the arm, Necrolis lifted her, scooping her up to carry over into the doorway.

"Come on Shaddy, snap out of it. Come back girl, you can do it, snap out of it."

Shadelis could smell the musty stale smell of the Head Master, feel the weight of him against her as he tried to pin her down. She squeezed her eyes shut as she remembered the feel of that wet lick of a tongue against her cheek. That followed with the metallic taste of blood in her mouth. She had bit him, tearing a chunk out of his cheek. I have to get away, the thought ran through her mind. Blinking as she opened her eyes Shadelis barely registered Necrolis crouching before her. He was saying something but she didn't understand. Run, the little voice in her head screamed, run away. She made to move but couldn't. It took a moment for her to register Necrolis had a hold of her, kept her from running off into the streets.

"Shadelis! You're ok. Stay still and be quiet." Necrolis said, voice low and calm, reaching up to stroke the chiss' dark blue hair gently.

"Necrolis…" Shadelis said his name, almost a whisper even as her eyes watered with tears.

"You're ok." Necrolis reached up pulling off the helmet, giving her a small smile and letting her see his face. "I'm here. I've got you."

Shadelis looked at the pure blooded sith, studying the features of his familiar face. Reaching up she brushed fingertips over his brow, tracing down over his cheek and jaw. Forcing herself to take a few deep breaths, Shadelis forced back the tears as the flood of memories threatened to overwhelm her again. How long had it been, she wondered, remembering it had been the same then as now. Necrolis, the red skinned dark angel suddenly there to pull her back from the abyss. He had been her strength and security.

"I'm here." Shadelis managed to say, trying to collect herself.

Necrolis nodded, rising and peering around the corner of the doorway, watching the four men pass them by. Counting to ten, he then looked down and offered a helping hand to the chiss. Shadelis took the help, getting to her feet. She felt her legs shaking but forced herself to remain standing. She had to focus on the moment, she knew. Nodding she was fine, Necrolis then lead the way from the doorway to the corner where the streets crossed. After checking they were far enough down the street, Necrolis then lead the way over to the other side. Shadelis was halfway across when she stopped, head turning to cast her gaze down to the man at the back of the group.

She stood there in the open, eyes narrowing in hate. Even though her hands shook, Shadelis unslung her rifle and brought it up. Nobody would see it coming, she knew. The troopers were focused on what was ahead and on either side of them. None of them even glanced backwards. Weapon up, the chiss sighted down the barrel, putting the back of the man's head in her sights.

"Shaddy! No!" Necrolis hissed the words, unable to yell for fear of drawing attention.

Shadelis ignored everything but the moment. Long standing routine kicked in, training replacing fear as she aimed her weapon. Her finger hovered on the trigger. All she had to do was pull it. One shot, that was all it would take to end the man's life, leave his head in pieces, his brains spread over the street. It was no more than he deserved, if a bit too quick. It was so simple, Shadelis knew, so easy. She heard Necrolis but did not want to listen, even if there was that little voice in the back of her mind screaming at her to stop.

"Shaddy you pull that trigger you put us all in danger." Necrolis stated. "You know not to jeopardize a mission. You trained for this."

Damn you, she thought as she heard Necrolis' words. She knew he was right. The man was always right. Her resolve wavered under practicality and she moved her finger away from the trigger. The rifle snapped up in her hands hard and she turned a cold glaring gaze of her red eyes on her brother. Necrolis bore that gaze unflinchingly. He had endured that and more in the past helping his sister, this was no different now. She would be angry he knew, and rightly so, but it would pass as it always did between them.

"Damn you!" Shadelis hissed at her brother, her vision blurring with the unshed tears of pain and frustration.

Necrolis reached out and took her hand in his, drawing her out of the street and out of sight. There was nothing more he could say to her that would change things or bring comfort. Time was the best healer, and the sooner they were away from Ziost the better. And that was not just for Shadelis, but all of them. This place had too many skeletons in the closet for everyone, himself included.

Head Master Valderas Lokhee paused in his walk through the streets. For a moment he had sensed something, a presence and thoughts from a mind he had not had contact with in so long it seemed a dream to him now. He had not forgotten her, not at all. The troopers were before him, and they had seen nothing, so he immediately looked behind him. The empty street greeted his cold seeking gaze. Reaching out with his abilities, the man probed about trying to catch that feeling again, those thoughts, but he could not seem to locate them. Had it been passing fancy, he wondered?

"My lord?" The lead trooper inquired as he stopped and turned to study the academy Head Master.

"It is nothing." Valderas waved a hand dismissively at the man. "Call ahead and double the guards, just to be safe."

The Head Master sighed, thoughts lingering on the chiss he had taken a fancy to all those years ago. He had been so close to having what he wanted, sating one appetite, if not both that he craved. Feeding on her would have been icing on the cake to his enjoyment. Such a shame I was interrupted, he thought. That brought memories of a different kind, of a red skinned pure blood sith who had defied him. He had sought to teach the whelp a lesson but had been stymied. The Dark Council had stayed his hand from killing the boy, kept him out of his vengeful grasp. Old days, he knew. One day he hoped he might get free of Ziost, and then he would have his revenge, and he would have his chiss once more. If only he had not been stuck on the frozen planet, he thought.

Valderas Lokhee knew he had been all but banished. When the Empire had reclaimed the home world of Korriban everything had changed. The academy and most of the Overseers had been moved to the new facilities. He and a handful of others had been left behind, more as caretakers than trainers and teachers. After all his years of loyal service, he was left behind. They fear me, he knew, though he knew there was good reason to do so. Still, it was not like he had been excessive in feeding his appetite, and it served a purpose in weeding out the weak too. The Dark Council could hide him away, but he would not be forgotten. He would be here long after those like Darth Baras were nothing more than dust and a footnote in the history of the galaxy.

KORRIBAN

Loun paced the octagonal room in the depths of the tomb of Naga Sadow. The Overseer had gambled and now it was time to see if her faith and trust in others would pay off, or lead them straight into a holding cell. She had little choice, she knew. They would need help if they were to have any chance of saving and rescuing Blackheart Darkstar. Raistlis leaned against a wall, eyes watching the woman as she walked back and forth in place, hands clasped behind her back and robes swishing with each turn she made. There had not been a lot said between them since he had returned from their failed attack. He knew all he could do now was follow the Overseer's lead and keep his mouth shut.

"You take a great risk calling me here."

Loun jumped at the voice that suddenly called out from the dark entry off to her left. The darkness was the perfect cover, and the Overseer had let it be, forgoing all but a small burning brazier nearby. Too much light would draw attention, as she knew some acolytes were still sent into the tombs on their trials. Loun at the entry until Lord Abaron appeared, the other pure blood sith nodding to her in greeting.

"I'm taking a great chance even meeting with you, woman." Abaron stated.

"It is worth the risk, Abaron." Loun replied giving the other sith a smile.

Abaron had heard the whispered rumours about Loun being a traitor. He found them hard to believe. It would not have been the first time a pure blood had been targeted so, all in efforts to remove them from position of power. The fewer of them there were, the more they would fade into obscurity. That was not their destiny or place, Abaron thought. They were the chosen, the well of which all sprang from for force users. There were so few of them and more and more they were being held back.

"You've been named traitor." Abaron stated shaking his head. "What is going on, Loun?"

"You know I am no traitor, though I did help one who is of our race. The Emperor's Wrath needed help, and I did my duty, and upheld our bloodline."

Abaron arched an eyebrow questioningly at the woman. He had no doubt of the truth of her words, but the fact this involved Necrolis Darkstar took the matter to an entirely new level of seriousness. He had been quite pleased seeing a pure blood sith rise to that station. To hear he was being targeted made the man question the sanity of the Empire. Who in their right mind would want such a loyal and true soldier removed?

"Tell me what is going on." Abaron said, deciding he was willing to hear the woman out at the very least.

SPACE – THE WRAITH

Aela Darkstar cast a glance about the common area, grey eyes noting there were few about. Most had retired to the comfort of sleep. She could hear the thudding coming from the cargo bay however, and feel the disturbance in the force around her, knowing at least one person was far from resting. Aela made for the door then opened it and walked right in, ducking quickly as a container sailed over where her head had been to hit the wall. Glancing over she saw the shocked look on Asha Lightstar's face at the near miss.

"I apologize, I had not expected anyone to come in." Asha said quickly, frowning and blushing all at the same time.

Aela laughed and waved a hand dismissively to the other woman. She'd seen enough sith do the same a time or two, including her brother Necrolis. Blowing off steam, he had called it. Of course ask his droid 2V, he would have said it was more making a mess. Moving to settle on a dented and warped crate, the sith studied the jedi a moment.

"Does it help at all?"

Asha gave a weak small chuckle and shrugged. In all honesty, it had done little to ease the ache and pain she felt, the anger she had welling inside her. It gnawed at her, unyielding in its insistence. Thoughts and feelings came and went some bringing a sense of peace, the others darker and more dangerous. Scourge had tried to help her, talk to her about her grief and feelings, but it in the end had helped little at all.

"Not really." Asha finally answered the question.

"You're angry, feel it burning inside the pit of your stomach." Aela said, watching the jedi give her a wary glance at her words, but the green eyes that stared at her showed the sith she was correct.

"I will find peace in things." Asha said, though even to herself the words sounded hollow and empty.

"You want revenge." Aela stated, grey eyes meeting the green ones of the jedi.

Asha wanted to deny such but could not. It was the truth. She had thought about such, and often. Try as she might to control her anger, her hate, she found it welled up and turned to thoughts of killing the cathar sith that she knew was responsible. It had to be here that had bested her adoptive father. Only she could have done that, had the savagery to draw out his death so that his pain echoed through the force to her. It was not the jedi way, there was no death only the force, she tried to remind herself. There was no peace or comfort in that, not for her.

"I want that sith dead. I want my hands on her throat." Asha growled before looking away from the sith woman, ashamed of such. "I can't find my focus, can't find peace. This is not the jedi way."

"Peace is a lie." Aela recited a piece of the sith code, nodding in understanding as she watched the struggle the jedi had with her own nature and beliefs.

"No." Asha stated hard, gritting her teeth and shaking her head. "I am better than that. I must not waver and doubt."

"It is emotion, it is natural." Aela said and shrugged back. "The choice is simple really."

'What choice?" Asha asked, eyes moving to lock once again on Aela.

"Do nothing, find your jedi peace and let it go." Aela explained as her hand waving in emphasis as she spoke. "Or give in to that emotion, learn the power to be had from that hate and grab your revenge."

Asha stared in disbelief at the sith woman, shaking her head negatively as if to ward off the words she had spoken. She knew she could not go down that path. She would betray her order, she would succumb to the dark side, and she had barely escaped that fate once already. To flirt with such again was to go against all she had fought and bled for, all she believed in. And yet Asha could not shake the thought, could not get past how easy it would be and how good it would feel to avenge Kyl'thanis. He would not want her to, of course, but he was dead now. She wanted the sith.

"I… I can't… I just can't…" Asha stammered looking about in frustration, torn within in her thoughts.

"Think about it." Aela said before rising and heading towards the door. "Necrolis can help you. I can help you. Even Scourge could. It wouldn't be the first time a jedi crossed the line, nor the last, any more than it was so for Scourge or other sith."

Asha Lightstar watched the woman depart then reached out and grabbed the storage container the sith had sat on and sent it flying across the cargo bay to smash into the far wall leaving a dent in the durasteel wall. The container broke apart into pieces that fell to the floor. Staring at it, Asha then looked at her hands, frustration overwhelming her. I need to meditate, I need to find peace, she thought sourly. There was much for her to think on, and no easy answers for her.

Scourge watched Aela Darkstar leave the cargo area from where he leaned in the doorway to quarters he had been given. The former sith turned jedi cast a hard look to the woman. Pushing off the wall, he stood barring her way a moment in the hallway, his stern gaze locking with hers. Scourge had avoided contact with the other sith since arriving to the meeting place. It had been better to simply avoid the confrontation than cause more problems. Despite that, he was not about to stand by as they attempted to play with Asha at a time when she was most vulnerable. The woman had stood by him loyally through thick and thin, showed mercy when he had deserved none. He owed her.

"What do you think you are doing?" Scourge demanded.

"What business is it of yours what I do, traitor?" Aela asked right back, grey eyes intent upon the man.

"Jedi stand together, don't think I don't know what you are trying to pull."

Aela Darkstar laughed then right into the jedi's face. If she had not known he was serious, it could have almost been taken for a joke. He was the last person Aela would have thought would have the temerity to challenge her. This was a man who had turned his back on the Empire, betrayed them and failed in battle against the woman he was trying to now protect.

"I pull nothing, merely embrace what is." Aela answered after a moment, her gaze cold and hard. "Unlike you, a traitor and coward, who is banished from the Empire. You are nothing but a lost soul who is no more accepted by the jedi. You are nothing Scourge."

Scourge grit his teeth, evident in the muscles of his jaw tightening. His hands balled to fists but he remembered himself, forced back the anger and did not react to the baiting of the sith. She did not speak false, he knew. He was a traitor to the Empire, he had abandoned them and their cause. He had turned to the light and become part of the jedi order. Despite that, he was still viewed as a danger, not fully accepted and he doubted he ever would be no matter how he proved his loyalty. Even with all that Scourge wanted to give in to his anger and retaliate at the woman. It was no less than she deserved for the verbal jabs.

"I learned a different way, a better one. It is a path I now walk, lucky for you." Scourge commented looking down on the smaller sith woman.

"Yes, I'm sure." Aela shoved the man out of her way and walked off ending the confrontation as abruptly as it had begun.

Scourge watched the woman walk away. He heard a loud bang from the cargo bay and his gaze lingered towards the door there. He could only imagine what was going through Asha Lightstar's mind, but it could not be good. She would face hard choices, the former sith knew, ones that could well determine her destiny and if she would walk in light or darkness. All he could do was be there to try and help and guide her as she had once done him. I cannot fail her, Scourge thought.