Arrangements - Part 2
The following morning, Zaiya gave no indication of the previous night's events, nor any other moments of his weaknesses. She did well to guard any reputation he might have against such softness. It was hard not to be proud of the way he turned her so pliable with his touch. He didn't know when he had become so weak to crave her the way he had… though the bruises around her hips and shallow cuts on her inner thighs from his horns that he had seen somehow made him even more bold. Knowing he had done such a thing. He found himself licking his lips a few times that morning, recalling the feeling… and the flavour.
He didn't know how it helped or whether she did something, but the hissing voices of the past were almost silent when she was around. Granted they were far quieter now than ever but they still remained. He wondered if they would ever leave him. He would rather perish than become a wild beast again. It was the stuff of nightmares.
The time here on Dathomir had not been wasted. As the weeks had progressed to months, he'd grown stronger in his body and his mind, he became grateful for this. Maul hated that he was not well, and hated that there was no way in which to rid himself of this lingering darkness. Perhaps it was necessary, to use this hate, this emotion in him to call upon his power once more…
But to do what? Return to his master? No, no that would do no good. His master abandoned him… rejected him! He growled to himself, lost in thought. That would serve no purpose. He could be his own master now, as Zaiya had always wanted for him. Walk his own path. Take the power he deserved. Far more than the childish wishes of exploration, he had seen the vile state the Galaxy was in, he would not become one of the weak that tried to crawl their way through their pathetic lives. He would have power. And he would have vengeance.
The one that had made him like this… that had taken his legs… the filthy Jedi… still he hated them. This one especially. Kenobi. He had to find this Jedi. Find him, and kill him. Make him suffer. Alone, in the dark, where no light could reach. He would not have a beacon of light guiding him out… not like Maul had Zaiya. He would make the wretch pay for ruining him.
It did not matter that Zaiya had found a way to restore his body. That he would be whole again. That wasn't the important part. Kenobi had robbed him of more than just his limbs. Robbed him of power and glory and the ability to watch the Galaxy completely change. To have a hand in everlasting history! Robbed him of watching the Galaxy cower at his feet! For that he would pay. And pay dearly.
Already he could feel something in the force, like calm before a storm, but something brewing in the not so distant future, he was sure that it would happen any day now.
When not training, sparring or visiting his brothers, Maul had been lost in his thoughts of vengeance and visions of the future. He had not yet spoken to Zaiya about them, as nothing was yet solid in his mind. He knew he would have to tell her eventually, who else could he trust? He had a second in command before he even had something to command. After all she had done he could not deny that. His thoughts had been so jumbled of late, he didn't like the way he clung to her in the night, when his mind was weak and the nightmares came for him. He should be strong! What if she used this against him? What if she turned on him? She had not so far but there was no reason to believe she would not! Everyone was capable of it! He began to think he should keep her at arms' length for a while. Could he truly trust her? Perhaps… but he had known only hatred and betrayal… Last night however. It was different to anything he had known and he didn't want to admit how he had enjoyed it, how he craved more. How he had held her close all night and just breathed in the scent of her soft skin.
The door opened and he was shaken from his thoughts. He tried to crush the soft relief he felt when seeing her face. Why did it matter so much? Why did he feel this way? He shouldn't let her get to him like this! Already he was denying his own thoughts and vows he had made, though he was wild with madness at the time… hardly something he should be counting on.
"It's time." She spoke in that voice that seemed to soothe, despite his insistence to remain unmoved. He simply nodded and stood, to join her, pulling his cloak around his shoulders. He threw his hood up over his head and followed his Lieutenant from the chamber he had called his home for a few months. Well enough to travel… but was he well enough? Their goodbyes to his brothers and Zaiya's mother the previous rotation, so now they were headed out to the ship Zaiya had acquired to collect him. She mentioned having another but it was being looked after by an associate.
They made their way out to the village proper, and he noticed Zaiya's steps falter slightly. What was-? There, before them, were the Nightsisters, swathed in robes of scarlet, lined on either side of the path. They could hear the whispers from where they stood, and that word he'd heard Mother Talzin sayher title, Alesu'le. Zaiya was not second in command to the Nightsisters. But what did that mean for his plans? Would she abandon him once she had the power she desired? Would she leave him on Kamino? No, no after last night, the way she had looked at him; surely not. There was no way that could have been a lie.
The silence was deafening, the Nightsisters staring, and yet she managed to keep her back straight and head high. Perhaps they had heard her the night before? Or perhaps the new reverence after her stirring speech had them attentive in admiration. It meant nothing to Maul, but he was sure that she would feel the pressure. He too walked forward, by Zaiya's side with a cold glare as they stopped before the leader of the Clan.
"You are sure of your decision, Sister?" Talzin asked and Zaiya nodded.
"Yes, Mother," she replied coolly. There was a small bubble of pride in his chest as he watched, she seemed so unfazed. Though he could sense a little of her nerves. There was something so off and strange about the whole situation, should she not trust Talzin whole-heartedly? Was that not the way of the Nightsister? The interactions between them the last few days had been tense, and Zaiya had said little about her reasons for it. Only that they would talk later. Whenever later would be.
"I shall report periodically, though as I will be undercover it will be infrequent." Zaiya stated, hands behind her back, she looked almost like a soldier. Perhaps she was. There was a lot of time and training unaccounted for.
"Very well, miye Alesu'le," Talzin purred, "Good luck." With that the two nodded and headed to the ship.
Talzin watched them go, her pale eyes narrowing. One of the Sisters approached her with a nervous glance.
"Ma'tra… I still do not understand… after everything she did, after Sheena… forgive me, but I still do not understand why she was not punished…!" The ramp to the ship closed and it began to rise. Once the ship had launched, did Mother Talzin turn to the impudent Nightsister.
"The rites of the Dolji'im were upheld, Sister Valessa upheld the honour of the Clan in this fight."
"To protect Nightbrothers?!"
"To obey my orders. I warned Sister Sheena to stay, she disobeyed me and had become dishonourable." The look across the Clan Mother's face was firm. Talzin of course gave no such order, and knew the blood bubbling between them had to spill at some time. She maintained control for now, the Nightsisters believed she was obeying Talzin's word… and soon the Nightbrothers would believe so too. At least there was one less annoyance to deal with in that pitiful rivalry. She had other ways to keep watch. Everything was proceeding just as she had foreseen.
"Finally…!" Zaiya sighed, leaning back in the pilot's chair. They'd just made the hyperspace jump and she could take a breath. She felt instantly relaxed after leaving the planet's surface. With Talzin no longer watching her every move, she could unwind a little. From her periphery she noticed Maul watching her. She glanced over and flashed him a big smile.
"You seem more energetic than usual," he muttered with a curious glance.
"After being watched for months, it's rather pleasant to be able to breathe freely."
"So you were aware of it?" he questioned, "so that's why things were so tense between you and Mother Talzin."
"Mm. She doesn't trust me anymore, I suspect. Nor do I trust her to do anything right by either of us." Zaiya shrugged and laced her fingers together behind her head, stretching out in her seat. She was glad he'd noticed, he'd always been so clever.
"You think she let you get away with what happened with the BattleMaster?"
"She likely knew before the fight had even finished. That if she didn't orchestrate it," the Nightsister rolled her neck, working out one of the kinks. "Though it's all conjecture, I have no proof, only my paranoia." The woman shrugged and sat up. She was speaking far more naturally now, she felt better. Though… her mind did constantly wander back to the night before. What was that? Had they drunk too much? She'd not had much and could hold her alcohol well, Maul it seemed had barely had any at all from what she could tell. So if that wasn't a factor, then… what was it? Apart from being the most amazing feeling she'd ever experienced. She'd never been touched like that before and she swore she could feel his hands on her still. There were a few moments there… when he'd spoken to her… told her not to hide. She had heard those words before. But for some reason in the moment she had still felt safe, she had been so focused on him that she didn't recognise the words until much later. She was glad her time on Zygerria had not ruined this moment for her at least. Though the question remained to her of how Maul had known to… do all that. It was like he knew her body so well… she felt heat bloom in her belly at the thought. Reality set in a moment later and she moved to stand, feeling a little warm all of a sudden. She couldn't be thinking of this, especially if it meant nothing.
"Anyway, for now we have to focus on the next step. Healing your body."
"Yes, you said Kamino was our destination?"
"Indeed, Sire. There are clones there, thousands, hundreds of thousands, all in the name of the Republic." She leaned on the back of her chair and caressed her face in thought. "Seems odd, they seem to be readying for a war that hasn't started yet."
"For the Republic? How did you manage to get into such a facility?" Zaiya grinned and took her seat again, swivelling it to face him. She began to tell him, from the beginning. Some of the details he already knew but this time all in order, from the start. From discovering Jango to the Kamino facility and infiltrating it. He stopped her at one point with a hand held up.
"You just… walked into the facility and brazenly lied about who you were and then walked out of there with the promise of medical research and a cover to just… live there. For however long it takes…?" Zaiya paused, looking up for a moment as if to see if there were any missing pieces to his question, then shook her head and shrugged.
"More or less." Suddenly Maul was laughing and her eyes lit up, she liked this laugh. It was refreshing and though not innocent in the slightest, she would take it.
"My my, not just a Lieutenant but an agent in disguise as well."
"It would help if my eye was not compromised whilst I changed my forms, but I believe I can make do," she shrugged.
"You cannot hide your eye?" his laughter and smile died almost immediately.
"It doesn't matter, no one really knows my face anyway," she muttered with a shrug. His eyes searched the floor and she took his hand in one of her gloved ones. "Don't think like that. It was not your fault. I have never blamed you and nor shall I ever." She squeezed his rough warm hands and his gaze returned to hers. He seemed to push the thought aside.
"Should I be concerned if the Jedi do arrive in the meantime. You said they were the ones that commissioned this army."
"I know… somehow I suspect there is more to it. Peacekeepers commissioning an army? Where would they get the funding without notice? Not to mention creating soldiers goes against everything they preach," Zaiya scoffed, leaning back in her chair. Maul's lip curled in distaste.
"The Jedi are nothing more than hypocrisy and thinly veiled vanity… I would not put it past them." He rolled his yellow eyes and the Nightsister chuckled.
"Agreed, though with the mention of the name Tyranus… I somehow doubt that's all it is. Do you know the name?"
"No…" his fingers laced together at his chin and he looked ahead into the middle distance, "but I do understand your insinuation, it does indeed ring true enough to be my former Master's new apprentice." Zaiya rested her chin on her hand, her eyes looking his form over and made a low sound in her throat. Maul looked up with a slight questioning frown.
"I do so love it when you're clever," she said quietly. He blinked at her, seemingly confused and it turned her tiny smile into a full grin. After a moment she looked out at the stars racing past them. "We shall have to be if we are to remain undetected."
"You have a solution?"
"Well… and I don't think you'll like this, but for the majority of the time, I think you will be in either a bacta tank or a contraption of some kind to keep you stable… while healing these…" she gestures towards his metallic legs, "replacements will not be able to remain. I am not sure of the exact process but I believe it will… well, grow-" she made a downwards kind of gesture and Maul made a face, his lip curled and he looked kind of disgusted but she held in a laugh. She didn't know he could make such a face. It was… adorable. "But the good news is that if you are under, then your force signature won't be as strong." His gaze shifted around, like he was looking for answers in the air around him.
"I will be asleep, vulnerable to the Jedi and you expect me to accept it?!" he hissed, turning a molten gaze to her.
"You think I would let that happen?" she retorted hotly, glaring back at him. He blinked, seemingly surprised by her sudden fire. There was something in his eyes as she looked at him though, she couldn't be sure what it was but she was sure she had seen it last night.
"You will be surrounded, you are so confident that you can fool them all? How long did you say? A year?" Zaiya leaned in then, just inches away with a little smirk, his gaze flickered to her lips then back again.
"After everything, would I allow that? Do you think I will let anyone take you ever again?" she arched a brow at him. He searched her eyes, her face for the truth. Finally, his expression softened.
"No. No, Lieutenant, I do not," he replied quietly. The Nightsister pulled away again with a bright smile, "good, I am glad you can trust me sire, I won't let you down." The console beeped and she groaned, turning her attention to the controls. "Ugh, remind me to purchase a kriffing droid…" she muttered, pausing when she heard him snort. Her head turned slightly to see him smirking at her. "What?"
"And I thought the Lady Valessa, Alesu'le of the Lu'lunta Clan would not have such a crude tongue," he scoffed. She let out a low chuckle.
"You're one to talk…" she replied. Remembering exactly what his tongue was capable of. She heard him clear his throat, and saw him look away out of the corner of her eye. Was he… embarrassed? "Though being in the company of bounty Hunters for the better part of six or so years, one does pick up on things." She shrugged, focusing back on the console. "Is there anything you need, sire? The trip will be a long one," the woman shrugged, her face far more expressive than it was around her clan.
"No, thank you Lieutenant, I am content." Maul looked her over, his face hard to read, though she'd had practise at that now.
"Very well."
The trip was relatively uneventful, rather relaxing considering the previous few months. It was the briefest respite before she had to endure more hiding, pretending… Well, she had eight years in practice, what was one more?
"One day maybe we won't have to hide," Zaiya mused, partly to herself, the hyperdrive was deactivated as Kamino loomed closer, it seemed this side of the planet was in it's night cycle, and there were more storms. At least that would cover their arrival.
"Perhaps not. Though it is in our nature, is it not? Born in the dark, living in shadows, hidden from the light," he muttered, an almost wistful expression on his face.
"Very poetic, sire," Zaiya replied with a little half smile, he shot her a glare and she chuckled. "You're right of course, and I suppose, it makes sense," she tapped her chin in thought, "you know I have always liked the idea of surprising people. If they don't think much of you, then you can have the upper hand."
"Wise words…" she looked up and he was giving her that look again. "Though… seeing you in the spotlight was rather… interesting." Zaiya let out a low laugh.
"On second thought, staying out of the spotlight might suit me better," she cracked a grin, though the heat in his gaze was enough to make her shiver. Why did he look at her like he wanted to take a bite out of her? Though… considering the night before… oh… The Nightsister inwardly shook her head, no, couldn't be it. Maul let out a low hum of amusement. "You however…" she tilted her head, looking him over, "Well you do stand out."
"You would be my agent in the shadows, then?" Zaiya smirked and laid a hand across her chest.
"I am whatever you need me to be, sire," she replied. A light flashed and a proximity alert sounded, breaking the little moment between them. Zaiya switched to the controls, Maul leaning in beside her to assist with the landing sequence, the two of them working rather seamlessly in tandem. "Well, once this part of the plan is over with, My Lord… your revenge will be yours for the taking, and we can start building something of our own. Untainted."
"You make it sound so easy," Maul glanced at her.
"There's nothing you can't do, sire." She missed the way his eyes widened slightly as he looked at her, the lingering gaze and expression of surprise. Her focus was on the planet ahead.
The coordinates were already set into the Navi-Computer and all Zaiya had to do was follow them to the location of the private landing pad. Nala Se had given her an information packet with everything she needed to do to find it and operate the controls. Sure enough, once she hovered low enough over a seemingly empty area of ocean, the platform sensors were activated and rose to meet them. It was not as fast a process as she had hoped. Storm clouds made the sky almost black and there were huge waves making landing very difficult and dangerous, if they timed it poorly, they would be swept away into the swirling depths. She had to rise again to avoid a particularly powerful swell.
Something she didn't account for was the spike in fear she felt in the Force from the Zabrak beside her. She turned to look at him in alarm, noticing his eyes on the sky through the viewport. What was he…? Lightning flashed and lit up the sky and he visibly flinched.
Oh… Oh dank farrik she was an idiot! Why had she not thought of it?! Of course he was sensitive to lightning! After what his Master had done to him!? She cursed under her breath and reached out to grasp his hand, hesitantly. He flinched again but tried to cover it once he realised she was paying attention.
"It's nothing," he snapped.
"I know," she nodded, she wasn't about to draw attention to his weakness and make a fuss, but… she didn't pull her hand away. "Damn waves…" she muttered, trying to keep the ship steady as she noticed waves tall enough to kiss the bottom of their ship even from this height. "We'll have to be quick." His hand squeezed hers slightly, and she felt him shift.
"Wait…" he spoke softly and with a glance, she noticed he was now watching the water instead of the sky.
"Tell me when, I will have to activate the barriers as soon as we touch down." The card with all the information included a remote pass security clearance, meaning she would be able to activate it from the ship. She was tense, clamps or not, staying exposed to the weather here was not a good option.
"Now!" Maul hissed and she brought the ship low, the platform rising from the water again. The moment she felt touchdown her hand slammed the button to raise the water shields, to her dismay, it was not instant. In the distance a huge powerful wave came rushing toward them, it was bigger than their whole ship. Zaiya grit her teeth. The shield rose, a physical bubble not some ray shield. It was right on top of them…! She cringed as she braced for impact, her eyes closed…
Everything shuddered and shook a second later… but they stayed in place.
[Shield secured] buzzed the automated voice. Zaiya's shoulders relaxed and she let out a breath she wasn't aware she had been holding. Her hand hurt and she realised she had been gripping Maul's in a death grip. After a moment, the two looked at each other and let out a soft laugh.
"The ruthless Siren, afraid of a little water…?" Maul teased, Zaiya scoffed in response.
"More the crushing power of the water… though… I suppose people call Zabrak's tookas for a reason." She pried her fingers free of his and let out a soft laugh, relief washing over her as the platform shuddered and began to sink into the water, it would be less turbulent below the waterline.
"They equate us to…?"
"Tookas. Or any form of cat-like creature really. Must be the purring, or claws… or general grumpiness," she shrugged. Maul curled his lip at her.
"I am not grumpy," he retorted with a frown, not seeing the irony.
"I am." Zaiya shrugged again, pushing herself to her feet, ready to be off the ship immediately. She'd had enough water for now… and they may not notice the lightning so much inside.
The two brought in very little, Zaiya didn't imagine they would need much. The console beside the now submerged platform led them down further, along an underwater tunnel and toward one of the pod-like structures that made up Tipoca City. Zaiya tapped the comm, a signal to Nala Se that she had landed.
"This should be interesting," Zaiya muttered, and turned to look at her Lord. "You'll be whole in no time, sire."
Notes:
They are on their way! Still hopeless about each other, aren't they? A well needed moment of just talking at least.
Next week! We kick off with the clones! Do you think they will like Zaiya? Or is she in for a lot of trouble? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, I would love to hear your predictions!
The 1 year anniversary is coming up so I hope you are prepared for that. (One year holy moly I am still shocked about that.)
As always, I do love the comments and feedback, I would love to know your thoughts and feelings about the chapters, what you think, what you expect to see, what you hope to happen etc etc. Thank you all for reading, I appreciate you immensely. Have an amazing week and I shall see you next time!
