Padawan - Part 1

Entering the party, the group stuck closely together, moving through the crowd with ease and little resistance. There were so many gangsters, criminals, big names in the underworld, plenty of uncollected bounties too. Bane seemed a little antsy, suggesting they abandon the plan and work together for a big payoff. Zaiya already knew that her master would decline. That he would pursue this Padawan with no distractions, the anger she felt in him was so hot she could feel it like an inferno several feet away. There was no interest in money for this Sith… what he wanted was his strange version of revenge against one he had never encountered before. Zaiya was no fan of the Jedi, but the blinkered vision of revenge made no sense to her. Why start a fight with those who at the end of all things, didn't matter? They were fools and hypocrites, but it was not they who had stolen a child from his people. It was not the Jedi that had twisted his mind… though she was sure they did the same to other children. Sick as it was. The Sith were not so different in her view, and in another time or place, she may have followed the practice more blindly. If not for Sidious. If not for him… much would be different.

The hostess spoke, revealing a hologram of the Padawan, a Twi'lek, named Eldra Kaitis, barely grown by the look of it. The two Sith took the moment to slip away, the scanner droids returning as the two made their way into a lower part of the facility, where the Jedi was being kept. The Twi'Lek had a soft blue colouring in her skin, she had a calm demeanour, though there was a nervousness to her. The Sith didn't speak, they just waited, assessed and watched, Zaiya kept to the shadows more so than her master. After a few moments, the Jedi spoke.

"Who are you two supposed to be?" she frowned, looking between the two with irritation in her eyes.

"She doesn't look that impressive." Zaiya mused, tilting her head to one side as she watched the Twi'lek with a bemused expression.

"Neither do you." Eldra retorted, making Zaiya chuckle. A few more barbs, trying to provoke them, and she stepped aside for her master to appraise the Jedi. She was unsure at first… until he ignited his blade. Oh. Of course, he was instilling fear in her, bringing the nightmare to life. The way her master spoke, it was the ultimate fear of a Jedi to fall to the darkside, to see a Sith where there must not be one. Zaiya looked on, observing the Padawan's face as her master slashed at the ray-shield with his scarlet blade again and again, sending sparks flying. The Twi'lek looked shocked, and maybe a little frightened… though not the sense of dread she had anticipated. Were the Jedi afraid of the Sith? Was it truly the nightmare parents told their children across the galaxy in order for them to behave? Or were the Sith a forgotten legend that no one really held belief in? She had to learn more. Outside of what Sidious was teaching him.

There was a smug air about him, and one of fear from the padawan, Zaiya was unsure about the situation, though she felt… strange, watching the little smirk crossing his features as he looked at the Twi'lek. Suddenly the probe droids returned, beeping and whirring frantically.

Someone was coming.

The Sith hid his saber swiftly behind his back, the thought to run crossed her mind, though it was too late to avoid being seen completely. It was then that their hostess appeared, surrounded by several security droids. She looked them over and began tutting like she had discovered two naughty school children. Something of it reminded Zaiya of Sheena… and her lip curled.

"I'm afraid this is an egregious violation of protocol." She chided. "You're not allowed here. This area is strictly off limits, but I'm sure you knew that." The nightsister suddenly wanted to bury her knife in the woman's face, and from the twitch of her master's brow, he felt the same. He turned, looking back at the Padawan, who looked greatly disturbed. But she didn't say anything. Zaiya was meant to be a ghost in this mission, but this was something she had learned in her travels with Hondo. Her appearance shifted under her hands as she stepped forward and threw off her hood, she appeared human, her favoured appearance of the black bob hairstyle, she flashed a sweet bright smile at the woman. The youth in her face caught the Hostess by surprise.

"You have my most sincere apologies, Madam Xrexus." She gave a bow of respect, her hand flourishing dramatically toward the Sith, "My companion here warned me against such rash actions, but I simply had to see the Padawan for myself." She returned her gaze to the woman who eyed them suspiciously.

"Rash, indeed." Xrexus responded, laying a gloved hand on her nearby droid in an obvious and unspoken threat. "My other guests would be oh-so-disappointed if they knew that one of the other bidders were afforded some privilege they were not. And I don't think anyone would want to disappoint a clientele of this caliber." She smiled, though it was not a friendly one. "It's simply bad for business." She paused, looking the two of them over. "Who are you?"

"My name is Helena Perseph, this is my associate, Korvin Dallas." She responded without missing a beat. She had a list of names in her head for just such an occasion, sometimes she had needed them in the past, and silently thanked Hondo for insisting she learn that tidbit of knowledge. She pretended the tension was not getting to her, glad at least that the Twi'lek made no mention of the saber. "We are a representation of the Haddrex group."

Xev Xrexus just laughed. "Is that so? Well, I'm assuming they would be none too pleased with two of their representatives running off on what looks like an unauthorised excursion."

"You are absolutely right, my Lady, I meant no disrespect." She bowed her head again. "I won't tell if you don't?" She asked, flashing a mischievous grin. Behind her, her master shifted uncomfortably, Zaiya could feel his ire rising.

"I see no reason we shouldn't avoid any unpleasantness. After all, I appreciate a little rashness every now and then." Xrexus chuckled lightly, gestured for them to walk ahead of her, as she spoke. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again, yes? I would so hate to vaporise you. But my forgiving nature has its limits." Zaiya's eyes longed to roll but she kept her expression friendly, grinning wide as she bowed a third time.

"You have my word, my most gracious hostess." She stepped past the woman, dodging the droids as she walked forward, flicking a glance over her shoulder at the Jedi who now did look frightened. The Nightsister almost felt sorry for her.


The two returned to the party, Bane looking irritated, he seemed to disapprove of the little excursion, shortly afterward, they moved to the ship to go over their plans of capture for the Padawan. Zaiya transformed herself back into her original form once they were out of sight of anyone else. She felt uneasy, more so than usual. She hadn't missed the contemplative look on Xev's face as they had left, it was likely she was suspicious of them, one did not gain such wealth, especially around criminals without being clever. Visiting the Padawan was foolish.

"Your… companion is too reckless. I thought you might have learned better." Bane mumbled to the witch. Zaiya glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"He knows what he is doing. Have faith, my friend." She replied, her words sounding more confident than she felt. The Duros left out a snort of derision.

"I believe in money and when it's in my hand." he replied sharply.

"Speaking of money… the droid says that there is next to no chance of winning the auction." Aurra piped up. Zaiya looked to her master, spotting the frustration that crossed his face.

[My former masters had no intention of purchasing the Jedi Padawan.] The droid added, [They hoped to raid the auction… take the Padawan… and rob the other guests while they were at it.]

"That's messy business." Bane interrupted. "Not that this isn't messy enough as it stands."

"The Haddrex gang never shied away from a scrap." Aurra chuckled. "They were stupid but fun."

"That's not our sort of gambit, though, is it, boss?" Bane looked over to the Sith. "We could try to kidnap the girl in a blaze of blaster fire… or raze this space station and everyone on it… but that leaves too many variables… and you want to get away clean."

"As clean as our backup plan will allow." The tattooed Zabrak responded.

"I can imagine it won't be difficult for the droid to calculate who would be most likely to win…?" Zaiya raised a pale brow, turning her head to the blind droid again.

The droid was eager to remove itself from said plan, and was keen to offer the information. The group planned accordingly, to ambush the gang of the winning bid, and escape as swiftly as possible.


The auction drew near, and the group returned to the party, milling about, waiting. Zaiya heard a familiar voice before she saw him, her blue eyes spotting the familiar helmet and red coat.

"Oh for-" She scoffed, and her master turned to her, his dark brooding dispelled when she spoke.

"What is it?" He asked, with a strange concern in his voice.

"No, it's nothing important." She shook her head, "Hondo is here, I hadn't thought he would be so foolish…" She muttered. "I should tell him to get out of here." The nightsister sighed.

"Another friend of yours?" The Zabrak asked with a low tone.

"Sort of… a pirate. He taught me a lot in the beginning of my journey." she responded, turning to look at the Pirate Captain.

"If you warn him, what is to stop him from warning others? You are not meant to be here, remember?" her master hissed, low into her ear. She let out another agitated sigh.

"Yes… of course master." She nodded. "I will avoid being seen." His yellow eyes looked out at the crowd, and beneath her robes, she reached out, grasping his arm. "Are you committed to this?" she asked softly.

"You think I would not do this if I were not committed?!" The zabrak hissed in an angry whisper.

"I understand, though I know you are in danger just by being here. This Jedi did nothing to you, you only just met her… are you certain this is the path you choose?" Her voice a whisper.

"I have this anger and hatred flowing through me, so strong that even these fools that do not know of the force can feel it…!" He spat back, rounding in her, his eyes the only thing in her vision. "That Eldra Kaitis will be drowning in her own dread for the rage and unease she can feel! I want to unleash my fury on everyone on this station! To slaughter my way toward my prey and destroy this entire facility. I was trained to act, not wait. He betrays me by denying my nature and so I betray him by this act, by taking my own apprentice and fulfilling my desire for revenge!" The anger within him was truly overwhelming, she could sense the shift in the others around them, the avoidance. The Jedi might be overwhelmed where she was in her cell, but the feeling was right in the Nightsister's face, swarming around her… suffocating.

"You are more than a wild beast." she replied softly, keeping herself calm. "I know you are more than this." She met his yellow, bloodshot eyes, there was a hint of fear in them, though not from him, she was afraid for him.

"What would you know? You haven't seen what I have, apprentice! You are an outsider! Did you not see what they did to the Sith? The visions were in your mind!" He looked frustrated and she was concerned for him, but his words cut deep. Outsider. Corcitura, he may as well have said. Not a part of a clan. Not a Nightsister, not a Sith… Her head lowered and she was sure he could see the pain that word caused. She held up her hands in submission.

"I did see it, sire, I do not say this to question your integrity. I…" She sighed her expression one of deep concern as she looked back at him, "I worry for you, my master." Her eyes shimmered and she felt the rage pull back, a look of mild confusion on his face for a moment. It was as though he could hear the words she had not spoken. She could not bear the thought of his punishment and to be unable to protect him was agonising. She had a duty… a promise she had sworn to herself. Surely he could feel her sincerity?

It seemed he had, and stayed his hand. She was pushing it. She needed to stop questioning, but it was so hard to just… let him go like this. How did she bring him away from these destructive thoughts? He was brainwashed! She let out a soft sigh once more. "I can't help but think… the Jedi are unworthy of your attention."

This time, he blinked, the confusion setting in, like he could not believe what he was hearing. She didn't know what he was thinking, but he gave an angry scoff, though the conversation ended when Xrexus took to the platform above the party, and she was surrounded by the destroyer droids. The unease settled between them as they watched the auction commence. Her master did not bid, there was no need, bids came left and right, starting at 500, 000 unmarked credits.

750 000

900 000

Then 1 million

1.5 million

2 million

"2.5 million!" came a cry from their left, and Zaiya's brows rose. These criminals were indeed keen to obtain this Padawan. What they wanted with her, Zaiya didn't know, but there were indeed so many that were keen to obtain her. Xrexus tried to up the bidding, but to no avail. Zaiya had to wonder, after deliberately breaking protocol to see the Padawan, and not bidding… would their hostess be suspicious? Though she had already questioned him too much already, she felt conflicted about remaining silent.


-+ Notes +-

+ 10 points if you get the no-so-hidden reference in this chapter!

Also yes! A double post this week! And I may very well make more posts in the coming weeks, I am almost 50 chapters ahead of where I am currently writing so for a while I will post two chapters a week! Just until I catch up a bit. I like to remain ahead by a little, just so that in case I have an off week writing wise, you guys still have content!

That being said, thank you so much for reading, as always I love comments, likes, shares or whatever. It's a way that tells me that you like it and want me to keep posting. It gives me the motivation to keep going. So those that have already commented or interacted, thank you, I love you it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.