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Chapter 2: Know thy Opponent

The cold ventilated air blew down harshly on her skin while she stood near the entry way from the hanger waiting for the boarding call of the Virago like spacecraft. Her violet eyes stared out pass the glass into the ship hold watching all kinds of men and creatures prepare for the debarking of the second in command that evening. Machinery, oxygen tanks, supplies, and other things were waiting and some were being installed by the crewmen. They yelled out amongst each other throwing figures, numbers, and percentages regarding various matters. There was no laughter or words of playful banter that day. Two ships of different sizes were being prepared for departure. She curiously looked onwards in wonder of the need for the smaller vessel when she was preparing to depart in Vader's larger craft.

Kleio's lavender gown flowed around her catching a few looks from those that dare to take a glance. The bright lights shined down on her nearly blinding her because of its shine. She was so use to the dark lighting in the other parts of her steel home that she found her own eyes to be irritated by the change. Her soft fingers clutched her leather bound book and black lacquered writing case tightly to her chest. A sigh escaped her pink lips while staring at her new means of transportation amongst the bleak world of devious intentions. She looked onward at the crew members reading them like little story books. These were people of good and yet the empire had them breaking their backs to support it. The daunting appearance of the ship seemed to exemplify its master's visage and the empire's legacy.

The nerve endings in her mind tingled and she continued to stare straight out the window focusing on portraying nothing in her being. Coldness crept over her body almost stroking her into an involuntary shudder. She shifted out of the way of the vents hoping that it was the air. Her soul knew that this was not the cause of her discomfort. The Emperor Palpatine's command carried soon down the metal halls leaving his footsteps to trail. She steeled her body and nerves from any additional words or services requested of her. She enjoyed the idea that she would be away from the icy dwelling. She hadn't been out of the emperor's presence for a very long time since the demise of the last Darth she had to document that was under his rule. However, she wasn't quite so sure she should be thankful for exchanging one hell for another. He came closer and she immediately bowed properly giving him her attention. She could see what the dark forces took from an individual. Life was foolish is the belief that one could take and there wasn't proper exchange. His skin looked decayed and his body fragile despite the power he had in his body. His body thrived on the darkness and return the darkness snatched his soul. A modern day bartering system with the devil is all that it was. And they thought so foolish to tame it and make the devil call him master.

"Foolish" She muttered to herself. Her voice came out more like a high pitch whistle unheard of by anyone. Her eyes were fixed on the malevolent man. His black robe and hood was up hiding him from the eyes of those that swore loyalty to him.

"Kleio. You are prepared for the journey." He spoke with bright demonic yellow eyes watching her carefully.

She nodded her head and looked to see one of the clones walking and holding two of her bags. He walked pass them both through the exit into the hold. Both of them watched in silence as he loaded her things properly into the smaller vessel and disappeared from view.

"You are to learn all that you can about my young apprentice, Kleio." He spoke lowly only for her ears to hear. "The same that you have done with the others, you are to do for this one. Write everything and leave nothing hidden or you will suffer greatly in the worst way. Do well and you shall be rewarded, again." He spoke staring through the glass with her.

Kleio nodded a bit disgustingly. His rewards for her consisted of things she had before such as paints and kohl for sketching. He even allowed her one companion. A robotic one but one none-the-less. She had done this before…exactly forty six times for Darths that were under his rule and requested by those that simply wanted their story told and remained free from his hand. Her life was threatened multiple times and every single one of them died for even so much as having the thought. The ones that requested her specific skills, were free people and allowed her to document exactly how things were wanting some tangible proof of their experiences without judgement. Darth Traya appeared before her once while in the Emperor's home near Hydian of all places. The old woman nearly scared her to death appearing before her in a blink of an eye sitting casually before her writing table as if waiting for an appointment. She requested her sensibilities and discretion in the telling of her story because she had mentioned enough lies had been spoken thus far. Her powers were so great, no one knew she was in her quarters telling her story for hours while clearly in pain for death was not far. Apparently her recent battle with a foe who had thought to have killed her did leave the desired impact. There were of course very few Darth's left to document as they seemed to shroud themselves in mystery.

Another shiver seeped under her skin and pressed against her sensibilities. The heavy aura of power and darkness fogged her vision and had her wishing the doors would open and swallow the being. She scoffed at the chauvinistic display of power. After being in the presence of various Darths and self-proclaimed Sith Lords she had found the ones to show off their attributes to be the ones with the most to hide or fear. Her head turned and she shared a glance with her master in understanding of what she was to do.

"Darth Vader…" Her master stated. "-Soon to be Lord Vader if successful in finding the hideouts of the remaining Jedi." He spoke watching Vader nod once in understanding. "Lady Kleio is ready to board. I leave her in your protection. Give her your hand."

Vader hesitated looking at the small fragile woman staring stoically at him. Her hand arose with her palm facing up. He placed his hand on top of hers. His hand rested in her small palm for a second before she nodded. "It is done." Her hand went back to holding her things tightly to her bosom.

"Excellent." Emperor Palpatine spoke. "Good. The empire needs you, both. You leave now." Master spoke bowing slightly and moving away with reason back to where he had come.

Vader looks down at her again before swiftly turning away. His long black cape billowed behind him. Vader looked to his gloved hand and felt clenched his fist not understanding what transpired and quickly seeing hat the two had no intentions on telling him.

Kleio's feet moved to follow after the strange being towards the smaller space craft. The doors opened for her just as they did the others. She took a big breath and walked forward after the suited being. Her mind flooded with images and memories from that simple touch of his being. Her eyes widened a bit before she closed them going through all that she had seen. Her pam itched naturally desiring to write down what she had seen. She stopped and looked to the creature that she was to share her time and space with.

Betrayer.

It sung loudly in her ears. Everything he did was for the Empire but she could sense a dense wall up blocking something. Something he clearly didn't want anyone to see. But, she knew his master knew all even about his past. She touched her hands feeling the cold sensation of his touch lingering on her flesh. Images tried to push forward into her mind but she held them at bay for when she was in private to fully experience Darth Vader's past and present. The Emperor was very specific when he spoke wanting only Vader's experiences. She had learned many secrets of Emperor Palpitine doing his best to annihilate his past from every atom of Vader's being.

She walked forward towards the front of the ship. A drone came to guide her and a helping hand steered her to her seat inside the smaller craft. The roar of the engine cut on and her heart beat sped up. Vader got in as well and gave a direct order to the surrounding men. The men closed the doors and the little robotics all went scattering away. Red lights and an ear bursting siren went off warning all those to exit the facility or risk being snatched into space. She looked forward the see Vader switching on several switches in the small vessel while the storm trooper beside her looked at a few charts. She leaned back in the stiff leather black chair to look out the window next to her. The small ship shook before it rose above the ground hovering in place. The massive doors opened slowly revealing the expanse of space before her. A weight sat on her chest pushing her into her seat as they took off forward into space.

Kleio's eyes looked at the back of the shining mask underneath the lights of the star in space shining through the glass. His anger and bitterness flowed through him making her smile a bit. Clearly he was annoyed and confused as of her station. She shook her head and resolved herself to her new fate. Her body could feel the effects of space and the slight shift of the aircraft. She placed her things on the side of her gently and closes enough should she need to record. She gazed one more time at the dark being and found her eyes to seal shut.

Pow

Kleio woke up with a start, disoriented. Her body launched forward at the sound. The blood in her veins beat loudly in her ears. She looked to the cockpit and noticed it was vacant. Information began to flood her mind and she swallowed thickly while looking around for clarity. Thick trees and lush foliage surrounded her while a dense fog hugged the lower area of the planet. She looked again and checked the small vessel. Even her silent watcher the clone gentleman was gone and she was locked inside.

Her stomach felt queasy; a sure sign that something horrible was happening. She focused her mind to find Vader and she gasped choosing to not look at what he had done. But, she knew it needed to be recorded. She reached for her case and very quickly she prepared it for an entry in the black leather volume. She kept her face neutral while she wrote along the pages quickly. Tears no longer wept at the sight of devastation. Her heart broke the same but over time she trained herself to be very controlling of her body. Her pen moved with precision and skill while ink words absorbed into the material of the paper. The words just spilled form her pen onto the blank pages recording the horrific crimes being committed. Her script captured every detail while her eyes began to glow seeing life through the visage of a black mask. The sound of her pen scratching against the paper was all that was heard in the silent space of the aircraft. Time became her companion again gazing upon her work with a silent mournful woe. Pages flipped and more words were written detailing the victims' demise, screams, and cries. The powerful power of a light saber hummed in her hand relishing in the blood and easy glide through tissue and bone of a young warrior no more than child. The sweat and blood of the innocent coated the bodies and the floor of the terrestrial terrain. Gun fire shot all around her from various directions hitting the trees and the flesh of those wishing to escape. Her gloved hand grew warm from the force building inside of her coaxing her mind into manipulation. To seek and destroy. The crush sensation of bone breaking was felt in her hand and life was taken. No words were exchanged except the few yells behind her from those still holidng onto their lives. His troops rampaging through the land destroying everything and going into combat with the small force there. She could see it, feel it, and hear it as if she was there herself.

Then it stopped and she closed the book with a snap letting it rest in her lap. Her eyes went back to their violet color and she looked down at the book with disdain. Shaking fingers flipped the book open again to look at the first chapter already filled with words and deeds done. She swallowed thickly shaking inside while closing the book shut again. Her pen trembled in her hand and she lay it on top of the leather bound book. Sadness filled her soul and she prayed silently for the victims of the cruel monster that was Vader. These people were innocents and had no knowledge of Jedi yet he still took it upon himself to take life.

Her eyes looked outside of the window in his direction feeling his dark energy swirl throughout the area. Something red flashed over the ship and which she deduced must have been a force field to protect her or maybe the ship because she was sure Vader did not want her there. She sees a clone running towards her and unlocking the door on the driver's side. He nods at her and begins cutting on the small carrier and preparing to move again. Through the brush of foliage came Darth Vader walking ever so casually with heavy feet. The clone immediately got up and went to his previous position. Vader swung open the door and sat down in his little craft and sat in the pilot seat. He closed the door beside him and spoke but did not face her.

"Did that amuse you?" He asked switching on other controls with a dark smirk underneath his helmet. He turned when he heard no reply to look at her. Her body was upright and she stared out of the window with a stiff body. Her hair color seemed like it shifted from the ombre purples, blacks, and blues to that of a more dominant blue. Her eyes looked out the window still to stare with seeming indifference. His eyes looked to see the book with a red string in the front as a marker and curiosity settled inside of him.

He smirked and turned around. He couldn't feel her emotions but her face said it all. Very slowly he pulled upwards from the ground disturbing the foliage and the dirt underneath them. She watched with slowly widening eyes at the direction they were going. She cringed and quickly moved straight in her seat to avoid looking out of the window. Her eyes glared into Darth Vader's helmet to avoid the breaking of her heart all over again at the madness. Another prayer came from her lips for those fallen while she focused her energy on keeping the darkness out of her heart. Tragedy and sadness have led many people rage. She refused to be so weak and allow the darkness to find soil in her heart. She looked over at the clone to see him looking at her curiously. She nodded and turned away watching him quickly do the same seemingly deciphering her actions himself.

The ship moved upwards and eventually they attached themselves to the main ship that they had left before. She waited with as much patience as a riled caged horse to flee the small vessel and find her room. The sound of them landing in the hanger and the doors closing were like the sound of another chapter ending. Oxygen filled the room outside and immediately her door was opened by the crewman. Taking an offered hand she was placed down on the cold floor and directed towards the exit. Her items now weighed heavy in her hands and she longed to drop them out of her sight. The evil that started the first pages were disgusting to her. They were inside of the ships hallways when suddenly they stopped walking. The presence of Vader behind her caused a shiver to run up her spine. The feel of his giant nature walking around her brought the sensation of annoyance to the forefront of her mind. The Emperor was without a doubt more malicious but Vader's looks took him the extra mile. She waited as her guide instead followed the beast and indicated that she follow as well. She picked up the edges of her gown and walked after them in silence. Her feet had to move extra fast to take cover as much ground as they did. Her eyes took in the people, droids, places, spaces, and things around her. Everything was cold and detached from the world. His men moved with precision and efficiency about them and never crossing their way as they walked.

They walked until they came to a very well protected room. It was dark and had the similar design of the Emperors war room. A round table sat on the side indicating the holographic messages it received. A large throne like leather seat sat at the large window looking out over a reddish planet in the background. She listened as her escort received information and soon turned around ushering for her to follow.

"No. You wait outside. The woman will be out shortly."

She stilled and her spine stiffened while bowing politely to the attendant. He quickly left her and with as much dignity as she could muster she turned to face him. Holding her book and pen to her chest tightly she looked upon her new chaperon. She refused to call him master and if he asked she would tell him so.

"Let me see what you have written, woman." Vader demanded.

Kleio did not move and only looked to him with a smirk. "This is meant for the eyes of your Emperor. Or have you forgotten what he said? Maybe you wish to betray even those words you yourself heard him speak." She stated watching him carefully. She knew his weakness. She had felt it when she touched his cold clammy gloved hand.

"Do you wish to test me?" His hand reached out towards her.

"I wouldn't dare." Her eyes began to glow eerily yellow. "Harm me and he will see this!" Her eyes began to glow yellow reflecting Palestine's eyes.

His hand fell and she pushed her chin up haughtily. "Now you see my purpose is far more important than just recording what you do. I can show him if need be and you will be dealt with like the others before you." She spoke already tired of his false power. She bowed politely to him trying to stay within manners because she knew this one could possibly lose his temper.

"I have documented forty five Darths of the Palpatine Republic Chronicles. With you that makes forty six. Forty six out of forty six have done the same that you have done back on that planet Trying to prove your cruelty only brings to light your weaknesses. Five Darths at least managed to end the suffering in the first five minutes compared to your thirty minutes under similar circumstances. Ten Darths actually completed this mission instead of wasting resources to terrorize others." Her voice was monotone matching the coldness of the room.

He sneered with shaking hands. The darkness and the anger swirling inside of him wanting so desperately to lash out and kill her. His fury could be felt and she knew she treaded on very thin ice. But, having done this before exactly forty six times she had learned plenty of things to keep her head on her shoulders and her messages received.

"Yes, ten out of forty six Darths did not like the answers I gave as well. Three of those ten died under the hand of the current Emperor for even having the thought of harming me and thus the truth. One out of those three tried to manipulate his pawns to do the job for him and he had his whole crew wiped out. The other seven were intelligent enough to stay away and later valued by skills for their own use." She said as flashes of those Darths came to mind. She pulled upon the information as if she had an infinite library inside of her mind.

"I have recorded what needed to be written, that is all. If you would like I can write something for your eyes if it pleases you Darth Vader." She spoke bowing low indicating that she was ready to leave him. His hand waved and the doors behind her opened swiftly with a hiss. She turned away and very quickly left the dark one alone to be by himself and deal with his deadly anger. She quickly rushed out of the room and urged her escort onward. He hesitated before moving forward; their footsteps echoing amongst the steel of the ship. They seemingly walked for what felt like eternity for Kleio who simply wanted to be in the fabricated safety of her new prison. Simple white doors opened and they both stepped inside. She looked on the bed to see her things sitting there waiting for her attentions. She nodded to the man and he hurriedly left the room. She waited until he had left before she walked over and cut off the lights. She turned slowly to look at the incredible small space and fell to the floor in a heap. The book and pen all fell to the floor sprawled about her forgotten. Tears slid down her face and her body shook looking around at her backtrack.

The room was small and dark with no windows but two Lithonia lights above her. Her plain bed and table sat in the room offering her very little comfort. She had lived and she constantly questioned for what purpose if she continued to be held prisoner like this. She shakily pulled herself together and wiped her face trying to get herself in check. She looked to her black sheeted bed missing oddly the plain white ones she had before. She stood up and walked over to her suitcase and opened it. She pulled out a round mechanism and held it to her body tightly. She pulled away and pressed a button on the side watching the device change many colors from green to blue to red and orange until its round eye glowed white. It flew in the air and hovered above her looking down.

"Good day, Kleio." He spoke delicately flashing a blue light over her body scanning for a few minutes. She pushed her suitcase off the bed and lay down heavily against the firm mattress. "Ninety-six degree temperature, no wounds, healthy measurements, appetite - oh my." It spoke flying down to look into her face. "Kleio what's wrong?" It asked with sadness to its voice.

"Maestro please play Tomaso Albinoni…Adagio in G minor." She requested with her face in her pillow and her eyes facing the wall.

"Yes, love." The device spoke and on cue the music played. At the sound of the string being stroked her tears finally fell from her eyes. Her lip trembled and she crawled herself into a ball. A headache began to form and she was thankful for the lights being off. Her fingers clutched her pillow and she buried her face wanting to be rid of Vader already. She swallowed thickly and very slowly she began to peer into the memories and desires of the man she slowly began to hate.