Chapter 26: Reprisal and Reward
"Veldora is no more."
The statement both hit and surprised the Survivors, though…perhaps not as much as it should.
Avaryss watched from a corner of the room, her loyalists close by, both sheltering her, and seeking shelter by the dark lord and her power. Xen, Agony, and Zay understood what the planet's destruction meant.
The Sith remained aloof, her golden eyes distant.
Blame.
She was waiting for that blade to fall.
The realization of what had happened had come last night, a great disturbance in the Force. Avaryss had felt it too.
A sensation of hopelessness and loss, voices crying out in pain and terror, voices quickly silenced.
The Jedi had felt it, Master Jas seemed…wearier than usual. Shyra Viel seemed subdued; the beast woman's energy lessened by so much loss.
The dark lord's eyes remained focused on the holo, Gabe Cooper, Master Jas' old friend's image shimmered there. It was the captain that had brought news of what had happened, his agents having witnessed the destruction from a safe distance.
"Is there anything we can do," Master Jas inquired, "I know we don't have much to offer, but…"
Captain Cooper shook his head.
"There is not much you can do in this situation, buddy. The Eternal Fleet is in orbit of Veldora. They dropped out of hyperspace without warning, dropped out, and opened fire. Once the planetary defenses were gone, bombers and fighters were sent it. They handled the smaller settlements while the Eternal Fleet targeted all the major cities, any ships that tried to flee were blasted to bits."
Coop shook his head. The old man's eyes remained focused on Master Jas.
"We have seen a lot of bad things in our time, brother, but this…the coldness of it. I…I don't even think the Zakuul warned their own people about this. They just carried out the attack and…"
The smuggler chieftain shuddered.
"There may be survivors on the planet, but right now, they are living on some stone age world, their cities are burning, power and water supplies are gone…"
Shyra Viel growled under her breath, at her side stood Temmin Tagge, the half-blood's skin darkened in a mix of anger and shame.
"Did they do this because of us?" he said in a low voice.
"Is…is THIS our fault?"
Avaryss said nothing, she understood what the destruction of Veldora meant.
It was safe to say that Arcann now KNEW about the keys. He now knew they were artifacts of great dark side power.
He had to have ordered this attack. No one else had the authority. Perhaps someone in his sister's service talked, or news of the deaths of the knights sent to recover the first key reached his ears.
Whatever had happened, Zakuul had responded.
It had had the effect he had wanted, on the Jedi at least. For Avaryss and her fellow Sith what they felt was different.
A shudder ran down the dark lord's spine, not one of horror or shame, but of pleasure.
She had to suppress a smile.
Oh, Arcann, she thought.
What a fool you truly are.
The dark side fed off such destruction. What a Jedi would feel is a tragedy…well…for a Sith…
…it was something more.
IOI
Xen and Agony had come to her when it had happened, their golden eyes glowing in the low light.
"Avy…did…did you feel."
Avaryss nodded slowly, a hungry light in her eyes.
"Yes, old friend," she had said.
"I felt it."
"Mmmm," Xen swayed where she stood, Avaryss' former apprentice seemed lost in a sense of euphoria.
"Whatever just happened," she purred, "I…I can't…"
Her smile turned cruel and shark-like.
"That was almost better than sex."
The dark lord chuckled.
"Keep that to yourself, my dear. We…"
Zay's cry caused all three to turn, the young girl gasped and sat up in bed, her eyes wide with terror and shock.
Her master motioned to her fellows to leave her; the girl didn't need to see their euphoria. Distantly, Avaryss thought she could hear Shyra Viel's howl of pain.
The Jedi had also sensed that something had happened.
Good, the Sith Lord thought.
That pain would be an excellent distraction. First though, she had to deal with her servant. The girl needed to see whatever had happened for what it was.
She went to her side, doing her best to project feelings of comfort and understanding.
Zay was sitting up in bed gasping for air. She turned to her lord.
"Master…I…I can't…"
"It is okay, my child," Avaryss purred, "I'm here."
She sat down next to the girl.
"Your master is here."
Zay shook her head, trying to center herself perhaps, still lost in the pain of what she had felt.
"Master," she gasped, "Did…did you feel that? So much pain, death, I never…"
The dark lord's eyes narrowed.
"You are resisting what you are feeling. Don't."
"Master, I…it was terrible!"
Was it, she thought, I don't think so.
Still it would not do to say such a thing yet, the girl still needs to learn how to process such things.
This…is an excellent teaching moment.
"Yes," the Sith agreed, "But it is also a path to great power."
The slave girl looked at her.
"I…I don't understand."
A slight smile came to Avaryss' lips.
"Such horror fuels the dark side, my child. It is a flood, but that doesn't mean that it can't be used for something better. Close your eyes, Zay."
The girl nodded, and obeyed.
Avaryss did the same, she took the girl's hand.
"Imagine a high and snowy peak, see it in your mind, my dear. Go to that peak with me, we are safe here, above the torrent of what has happened, we can see it, look down upon it, it doesn't harm us, but it DOES affect us."
Zay nodded, at least, Avaryss thought she did, she could almost see the girl in her mind's eye, feel her heartbeat slowing. Her breathing becoming more even, slower…
Good.
"Now, reach out with your new abilities, my child. Look past the pain of the mundanes that are beneath it, they are weak and it is their place to drown in the torrent that you felt, the weak die or survive to serve the strong, that is the way of things."
"Master," Zay gasped, Avaryss could see her now, the two of them standing together on that high peak. Looking down on the weak and mundane.
She felt it then…what she had sensed in the cafeteria when Zay had first woken after experiencing the power of the key.
FURY!
The girl had experienced so much horror in her young life, ripped from her mother. Forced to serve cruel masters, sent to retrieve Sith artifacts with her fellows, to feel those fellows die while she suffered the pain of Sith poisons coursing through her veins, twisting her flesh, leaving her to hobble on one good foot.
That pain, that loss, remained…the girl…never truly let it go!
Good.
Zay's heart was starting to pound again, not with fear, but with rage, she was looking for someone to blame.
Avaryss knew exactly where to direct that rage.
"You are a goddess among insects," The Sith Lord purred, "Never let anyone tell you differently, and realize, that…the Jedi never cared enough to help people like us. They let their rules and the laws of the Senate limit them, and that is the height of foolishness...of arrogance. Did you not deserve to be saved? Didn't my family deserve to be saved? Didn't I? Yet, in their arrogance, they left us something priceless, something that we can use. Words to live by…"
Avaryss squeezed the girl's hand, and recited…
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory…my chains are broken.
The Force…shall free me!
"Master?"
Avaryss opened her eyes, and looked on Zay.
What she saw…pleased her.
The girl's face was a mask of pure rage, hate flowed without limit.
"Now, child," she murmured, "Reach out, and touch the disturbance you felt again, reach out, and truly touch it, do not let it wash over you, let it flow through you."
The girl nodded and swallowed hard, she closed her eyes and…
"Ahh! Mmmm!""
Zay gasped in pleasure, throwing back her head, and whimpering. She let the rage flow through her, and it lifted her up, just as it did her master.
As it did…
…any Sith.
Avaryss almost laughed.
Bless you, darkness, she thought.
What a gift for Zay, her future apprentice.
This was great…
…Yes.
The first step.
IOI
In the aftermath of the attack, images of the ruined cities of Veldora filled the holonet.
Those images now flashed before the survivors and their allies. The Eternal Fleet had targeted the major cities first, likely with no warning to the Zakuul citizenry on the surface. Afterward, wings of bombers descended on smaller settlements and resorts. Few ships had made it out before the attack had begun, most of those in orbit being brought down by the ships of the Eternal Fleet.
As the images scrolled, a voice could be heard in the recording, cold and unsympathetic, it was almost enough to chill the blood of a Force Sensitive.
"The emperor has shown great restraint up to this point. He has allowed all outland worlds to continue to function, provided the proper tribute has been paid. The Eternal Throne has brought peace to your chaotic worlds, and still you seek to defy The Emperor, you spit on his generosity."
The images of destruction changed to that of a single Zakuul knight standing among the devastation, his golden armor catching the light of the fires around him. His dark eyes looking like two black pits in the smokey air. He carried his helmet in his left hand. He might have been seen as handsome if not for the coldness of his expression, and the acceptance of the death and destruction around him.
Resistance will NOT be tolerated," he promised, "The theft of Imperial property, and the murder of the knights of Zakuul will NOT go unanswered. To the rebels that caused this devastation, know that I'm coming for you. I will bring your heads back to the spire, and set them at the base of the Eternal Throne."
The man smiled then, a wicked thing, his expression hinting at not only a willingness to do his duty, but a sense of enjoyment in it, as well.
"Know that Lenix Gul is coming for you, criminals…KNOW it…and beware!"
The holo ended, and Captain Cooper's image returned, the old man looked troubled by what they had seen, not that most people could blame him.
Avaryss understood those feelings, she simply didn't share them. Retribution by Zakuul was expected, it was only a matter of time until Arcann decided to hit back at the Survivors.
And now we have an enemy, Avaryss thought with a hint of a smile. It was good to put a face on their opponent at last, it would serve to motivate their efforts knowing they were being directly opposed.
Lenix Gul.
Avaryss was most eager to have the chance to kill him.
She watched her allies closely; it really had been only a matter of time until Zakuul or the Sith struck back, everything they had done had been poking the Rancor.
It was no surprise that they had finally decided to bite back.
The emotions she was feeling, shame, anger, and resolve filled the Force. She found several eyes falling on her, seeking her reaction.
The Dark Lord frowned.
How best to respond?
Sympathy? No, her allies would not buy it. She cared little for the people of Veldora, they had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. She needed to mind her words, if she said something they viewed as wrong…then…she risked alienating her allies. She could not afford that at this stage.
"Master Jas?"
She looked over at Temmin, the half-blood seemed pained by what had happened. His every move in the Force radiated guilt.
"Are we responsible for this?"
Before the Jedi could respond, Zay slipped away from her master. She said nothing, simply went up to the boy, and embraced him. Temm resisted at first, surprised, but then put his arms around her, accepting her comfort. She murmured in his ear, too low for Avaryss to hear, but the Sith could guess what was being said.
Jas Dar Bynn did not respond to the boy's question, but Colonel Capistan did.
The old soldier sighed.
"For those of you who have been with us the longest, you know that reprisal for our actions is part of the war we wage."
He looked at Temmin.
"Your grandfather, when the empire had him hunting us, did some pretty bad things in his day. The reprisals he used against us…"
Temmin shook his head as Zay stepped back and to his side.
"He told me," The boy said, "Doing those things…some of them…he was ordered to do. It was the reason he left the Empire's service."
"What has been done is unfortunate," Avaryss said, "And…it means we will have to do better to shield those who are on site when we take action, but if we stop now. We hand a victory to the Eternal Throne. Arcann wants to stop us, making us think about collateral damage will do that."
"The Sith is right," the Colonel added, "I hate to admit it, but she is right. What happened on Veldora, and the item that Avaryss and Shyra recovered. The reports they gave about what that item did…I think we will all agree that we can't let these keys fall into Zakuul hands. Who knows what they might use them for."
"Coop," Jas Dar Bynn said turning back to the hologram, "We will need to know more about this Zakuul knight that attacked Veldora, we also need to step up our efforts to find the remaining keys. I trust that you can help us with that?"
"I will do what I can, buddy, you know that," the old smuggler replied, "I have a few sources within Zakuul controlled space, I will find out what I can about this Lenix Gul. As for these keys, the Sith artifacts you are hoping to find. I…I have some news on that front. Don't know if I would call it good news, but…"
Avaryss felt her heartbeat quicken.
She still felt her almost unreasonable dislike for Captain Cooper, but…if he had managed to find more of the keys…
"These things you described, these keys, my agents have been hunting them, and…I think I might have a line on two of them, at least, the description matches the artifact in question."
The dark lord almost giggled.
Two!
Cooper had found two!
Yes!
The smuggler turned to, Jas.
"If these things are as dangerous as you claim, Jas. Wouldn't it be better just to destroy them?"
"If they are to be destroyed, Coop, they will need to all be together when that happens. According to Avaryss, destroying one would just make the others stronger, if the Zakuul manage to get any, we would be handing them an even more dangerous weapon than they would possess normally."
"Believe it, Captain," Shyra Viel growled, "I have seen what one of these keys can do, I would not wish to make any of them more powerful, or unstable.:
Captain Cooper nodded, he still didn't seem happy about it, but he seemed willing to help.
Again, Avaryss thought, Excellent!
"One of these things is in Hutt space," Cooper informed them, "An item matching the description you gave me showed up on an auction listing. The date for the sale hasn't been set, yet, but it will be soon."
Avaryss considered that.
The price would be high, the Hutts likely didn't know what they were selling, but…
Shyra Viel cursed under her breath.
"If your people found this, it is likely that Arcann's agents will know about the sale, too. They will send their own bidders."
"Or simply wait for the sale to conclude, and take the key by force," Agony said, "I doubt the Eternal Throne would attack the Hutts directly, but that doesn't mean they would waste time trying to buy it."
"Do we know who the seller is," Avaryss asked, "Maybe we could buy the key before the sale, save us time and risk."
Coop chuckled.
"I doubt you have the kind of credits that the Hutts would ask for, Sith."
Avaryss gave him a cold smile.
Cooper would be surprised how many credits she had. Yes, Acina had frozen most of her accounts within the Empire, but Agony's father had set up dozens of numbered accounts in both Republic and Hutt space. She was not as wealthy as she had been when she first sat the Dark Council, but…
…she was sure she had enough to satisfy the greed of a Hutt.
"No sellers were listed, so contacting them directly is impossible. When a date for the sale is set, we will know more," Cooper said, "But I will put my guys on it, see if they can find a name."
He again turned to Jas, the two of them seeming to share a deep rapport.
"The second item is going to be a bit harder to come by. My people noticed it in a listing of a private collection, one belonging to Kivan Obando. You remember that name, don't you, Jas?"
The Jedi Master nodded grimly, Avaryss guessed that whatever happened with this man, it wasn't a pleasant memory for the Jedi.
"Obando, is not the type to part with anything," Jas said, "His collection of Force related artifacts is something he guards more viciously than a cyborean battle dog."
"It is worse than that, buddy," Coop continued, "Obando's collection is currently off limits to everyone, the guy is…"
The door hissed open behind them, Avaryss turned suddenly drawn by a familiar sensation in the Force.
She could not help but smile.
Finally, she thought.
He is back.
She turned reaching out through the Force.
Fenn was here.
IOI
Fenn coughed into his hand for what felt like the hundredth time. The dizziness had passed, mostly. His throat was still raw and he could still taste the bitter taste of kolto, but at least he could breathe normally again.
He looked up, his eyes finding Avaryss first, feeling their connection through the Force. The joy she felt at seeing him was heartening.
The sensation, that warmth, it lifted him up, his throat seeming much better for being in her presence.
He welcomed the connection, and her presence and emotions.
It was nice to know she could feel joy.
He looked at his gathered allies, and at the flickering hologram of Cooper. He guessed something big must have happened, he had felt the disturbance in the Force, the death of many beings.
He hoped that they were coming up with an answer for that.
He stepped into the room but was still a bit unsteady. He stumbled once, but Avaryss' friend Agony was quickly at his side, steadying him.
"Thanks," he murmured as regained his balance.
The blonde Sith smiled shyly. He remembered both she and Avaryss visiting several times while he had been floating in the tank.
It felt strange to feel concern from a Sith. Avaryss' caring was something he knew from their many meetings in their dreams. To feel it from another of her people was…surprising.
"Sorry to interrupt," he croaked, again covering his mouth, and coughing.
Dr. Tagge had warned him that it would take time, but he felt he had needed to be here for this meeting.
He could rest more after.
Master Jas smiled, pleased to see his student back on his feet.
"It is good to see you, lad. Feeling better, I hope?"
Fenn nodded, though he was still a bit unsteady, he was sure it would pass.
The parasite had put him down hard, but the soldiers that had shared his fate had gotten it worse.
Still he was not worried, they would recover, and so would he.
Between Dr. Tagge's treatment, and the Force, he would be back to full strength in no time.
"What's this about Obando," Jas said turning back to the hologram, "Why is his collection off limits?"
"For one very important reason," the old smuggler chief said, "The man is dead."
Master Jas frowned, Fenn felt both annoyance and anger ripple out from the Force.
He also felt his master's eyes upon him, though…Fenn was not sure why.
He didn't know who this Kivan Obando was, he didn't remember his master telling him any stories about him.
"The man is dead," Avy said with a shrug, "So what? If anything, that should make finding the key even easier. Perhaps we can even purchase it from the man's heirs, or from those that hold his estate."
Gave Cooper chuckled.
"You've never heard of Kivan's Holding, I take it. The Obando family are some of the richest beings in the Republic, so rich, that Kivan Obando purchased his own moon. That moon, Kivan's Holding, was almost completely isolated before that. The people were primitive, more interested in survival than discovering space travel."
"When the first Obando ship arrived, the people believed that gods were descending from the heavens. A belief that Mister Obando never denied. He built his vaults and reliquaries across the moon's surface, protected by both guards and some top-of-the-line security systems."
"Some in the Republic accused the Obando family of exploiting the people of the Holding," Jas added, "There was talk of sending delegations there, to inform the people of their place in the galaxy, and allow them to grow beyond what their new gods offered them."
Avaryss smiled.
"I'm guessing that didn't happen."
"No," Jas said, "The people chose Kivan as their first magister, he served as a god king in all but name. He encouraged that worship, and squashed any dissent."
"And since the world was privately purchased, and colonized, the Senate had little ground to raise a finger," Coop added.
Jas shook his head, lost in some old memory.
"He also made his vaults, temples, temples which only HE could enter. The guardians of those vaults will fight to the death to prevent any entrance."
Avaryss nodded; as did Fenn.
He could see now, why the man being dead was a problem.
"So…if the man is dead…"
"The locals won't believe it, even if they see holos. They will hold those vaults and await their lords return. We have no way of accessing the vaults," Coop said, "We could try a direct assault, but without having access to the Obando family's computers. We would not know which vault contains the artifact."
Avaryss growled, Fenn could see the glow in her eyes flare.
"We will need to do something. As soon as the Zakuul learn of this, they will not hesitate to attack that moon. They will lay waste to all to find the key."
Jas shook his head.
"We can try contacting the Obando family, perhaps one of Kivan's children, or cousins could grant us access, or…"
"You remember how paranoid the guy was, buddy." Coop said, "He would never let his treasures be taken by anyone. No, with Kivan dead…we're going to have to try something a bit more sneaky."
It was at that moment, that Fenn thought of something, remembered an encounter he had had dealing with Avaryss years ago, before the cold war went hot again.
He smiled.
"Maybe there is a way to have Kivan Obando help us, master."
Jas looked at his student.
"What is on your mind, lad?"
Fenn turned to Avaryss, who gave him an arched look.
"What," she asked.
He smirked.
"Tell me, Avy, do you know anyone who might be able to convince a dead man to help us."
Avaryss blinked, Fenn sensed a moment of hesitation, but that passed quickly.
Through their connection, she sensed what he was getting at, the idea he had had.
His dream friend smiled.
"Perhaps. I can't raise the dead, but…I might be able to recruit this man, or rather…someone who looks like him…can look exactly like him, in fact."
Fenn nodded.
It was worth a shot, and better than bloodshed.
It would be tricky, but…
…it could be done.