Family - Part 2
The Nameless approached the Temptress with confidence. Zaiya looked at Slick sitting beside her as he offered the passphrase with a glance over his shoulder. There was a pause… but it was accepted. She noticed Slick let out a sigh of relief.
"D'you think the others got in alright?" he asked once permission was given. Zaiya began to take the ship in to dock with the larger cruiser.
"They know what they have to do," she assured him with a small tilt of her head. "I received a message that they arrived before us, no one should think we're together.
"Unless they get a good look at your friend's faces," Slick muttered.
"They have their masks," she replied. Both Savage and Feral had facial masks and hoods. Feral had dressed himself like an assassin and he looked rather impressive, swathed in black and grey, only his eyes peering out from under the hood. Savage had donned a mask and covered his skin for now, he was a wanted man and they didn't need to add to the possible target. Maul however didn't hide his face other than wearing his usual hood.
"Are you certain you can handle yourself?" Slick asked, frowning slightly.
"You've heard what I can do," she shrugged, "you have such doubt in my abilities?"
"No," he shook his head, "I guess I just…" he trailed off and shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
It wasn't the easiest plan to convince the others of, though the most resistance came from her suggestion that they split up. Their trust in each other was tenuous at best, especially since it was her idea to pair a bounty hunter with one of the Zabraks.
It just made sense, she thought. Seeing as the four Dathomirians could all tap into the Force, it made the likelihood that if there was any complications or unexpected resistance, that the Force would tell them and they could be prepared.
Knowing how the bounty hunters felt about Jedi in general, she'd chosen to keep the Zabrak's connection to the Force to herself.
Upon touching down, Zaiya righted herself and adjusted her outfit. It was a red dress, high necked and her midriff showing, the skirt fitted around her hips and flared in from the knees down. She had her hair back and had made herself look like she was someone of wealth with a few well-placed jewels. Her illusion magick allowing her to appear human for now. All to make sure she wasn't as easily recognised as a Nightsister, or potentially as the real Siren.
Slick was also in expensive-looking garments, though his look was tailored to paint him as her bodyguard. It would be enough to deter most that tried to get in her way.
"Ready?" he asked, gesturing for her to walk in front of him. Zaiya smirked in response and strode forward.
They made their way to the main hall, where Zaiya could hear music blaring. It was a party in full swing, drinks, spice, under-the-table deals and debauchery all around them. The Nightsister made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat. The noise and smells were entirely overwhelming and put her teeth on edge.
"We're in position," Slick spoke subtly into his comm.
[We have security access,] Bane replied. [TODO is patched in.]
"Let us know when you're ready," Slick said. She and Slick were the last to arrive, giving the others plenty of time to carry out their parts of the plan, but they all still needed to move quickly.
The bodies left behind by the bounty hunters and Dathomirians would eventually be noticed.
Maul, Adaji and Sixy were securing the perimeter of the ship, and taking care of the guards. Feral, Jango and Boba were close to the hangar, making sure that no one else arrived once Zaiya and Slick had boarded. Bane, TODO and Savage were taking care of security, the comms and the live holo feeds in the communication centre of the ship.
The formal outfits got them in, but the armour and weapons were smuggled in -Sixy was able to get them all in without too much of a fuss. It seemed the security on this ship had laxed too much to be effective. Zaiya figured that the Black Sun reputation did a lot to assist in that endeavour.
Zaiya and Slick made their way across the large room. It was oval in shape, with a very ornately decorated floor. Along the length of the room were curved decorative supports, seemingly covered in gold, that sloped to a point on the ceiling, meeting in a circular ring that connected all of the pillars.
Between two of them on either side of the room were the bars, where patrons could order their drinks… or whatever else they had a proclivity for. The area between the bar sections had a few tables and booths, set up for the guests to sit and relax and talk.
Zaiya assumed that the two sloping walkways, both bannisters and supports adorned with gold, led upwards to balconies were for the more wealthy and elite. Especially considering the two men that guarded each entrance to those sections. There was a walkway between these areas that looked directly over the main stage.
The lights were bright, revealing dancers moving enthusiastically to the music. There was a booth off-centre to the main stage. From what she could tell, this was where the music station was set up, and ran through the entire ship. The MC controlling the booth appeared to be a Bith with the Black Sun symbol emblazoned on his shirt.
Crystalline lights glittered above them, gold polished surfaces gleamed in the little reflections, the different coloured beams undulating all around the room. Were it not for the bodies sweating all around them, she might have found it pleasant.
[We're ready,] Bane drawled into her concealed earpiece. She nodded to Slick who spoke into the comm.
"Making our way over now," he said and Zaiya moved forward.
The drunken shouts and grinding dances filled the room. It smelled horrendous but she kept her head high as she made her way toward one of the VIP sections. Sure enough, a guard stepped forward, in his hideous blue uniform.
"Apologies Miss, you cannot enter here without permission," he said politely. Zaiya turned her head to face him, hitting him with an intense glare. So much so that he took a step back.
"I am welcome," she said coolly, tapping into the Force as she spoke. His eyes glazed a little and he nodded.
"Yes, you are welcome," he replied lifelessly. The man stepped aside, letting Zaiya sweep past him, with Slick a step behind.
"Won't we get caught?" he whispered loudly to her to be heard over the din.
"If you look like you know where you are going and act like you belong, then people rarely question you," she replied smoothly. Slick gave her a look, though she only felt rather than saw it, as he still wore his helmet. They didn't need anyone recognising a Clone in here.
The two had just reached the left balcony when the music hushed and dimmed, the spotlight illuminating the stage.
"And now!" Spoke the Bith into the mic at his booth. "The moment you have waited for! The Temptress is proud to present to you: The Siren herself!"
There were shrieks of approval and a circular spot in the floor opened up on the stage, a platform rose revealing a blonde human with a slender figure, tanned skin, wearing a rather decorative but revealing pink and sparkly outfit sitting on some kind of large hand prop. A necklace of equally sparkly pink material around her neck, though it looked far too similar to a collar for her liking.
Zaiya felt her lip curl.
"That's the Siren?" Slick scoffed.
"This is what people think when they hear the name Siren?" Zaiya asked softly. She was quite honestly offended.
"No one I know thinks of this," Slick said quietly in her ear. It was a sweet effort to comfort her, but the idea that her image had become one to satisfy base desires was enough to send her rage spiking.
"She's a pretty thing, isn't she?" said a voice and Zaiya turned. Beside her stood the tall and proud figure of a Falleen male. His purple clothing with golden trim made things a little obvious where his loyalties laid. She pursed her lips.
"I had thought the Siren was a bounty hunter," Zaiya said calmly, though she felt the muscles in her back tighten.
"Her? Maybe once, but with a voice like that, it's a waste not to utilise it," he smirked. Zaiya's lip twitched. Boiled down to a single function. As though there was only one aspect.
"So she works for you?" she asked carefully.
"Heh, well, she's quite the Diva. Don't be fooled by the big eyes and sweet voice." The Falleen laughed, and she heard some of his words slur.
"Then, she is in charge of the ship…" Zaiya replied softly, in realisation. "This… false subjugation is an act?"
"Hn, she said something like she may as well be weak and pretty since that's all she's good for… or something… I mean at least she's nice to look at when she screeches in a temper tantrum." He laughed at his own joke and called out to another associate, stepping away from Zaiya again.
She was infuriated, the Force shifting around her in agitation, reacting to her growing rage. This creature allowed herself to be a plaything for others? Played into it? Zaiya's teeth gritted and her fingers flexed on the railing.
"I had thought I would give them a chance to surrender… but now I am not so sure," she muttered bitterly. She heard Feral spit out something incredibly impolite through the earpiece and she pursed her lips in order not to laugh. She turned to Slick. "Let's ruin their night shall we? They've certainly ruined mine."
"Hit it," Slick said into his comm.
Suddenly the lights went out and all the music stopped.
There were shouts of shock and outrage from the crowd. Two blaster shots ripped through the din, silencing everyone for a moment. Chaos erupted a second later, but the party-goers found that many of the doors leading out of the ballroom were sealed, screaming began to fill the room. All comm signals were blocked and the security team did not answer the demands of those in charge.
Zaiya gripped the railing and vaulted, using the Force to land behind the false Siren on the stage. No one heard her over the cries of the crowd, so when the spotlight lit up the stage there was an outcry when Zaiya was spotted, long white curls suddenly wild down her back and green eye exposed, tattoos in full view.
"I had heard the Siren was the one that ran this vessel," she said coldly, her gaze locking onto the human woman. The creature cowed back and stared at the Nightsister in shock.
"What is this?!" she cried, "Security!" At her shrill scream, sentients from the shadows began to converge on the stage, everything still unbearably loud.
"Enough!" Zaiya said in a voice that made the air around them ripple. The room went silent and everyone went still. "The guests of the Temptress will depart immediately." A ripple moved through the room and those that had been invited dropped everything they held and turned away, back towards the far doors that TODO had reopened, the others ensuring all the guests were off the ship. She didn't need everyone here to witness it and tell stories to the rest of the galaxy. The people moved eerily, calmly… and filtered out to be shuffled onto ships and evacuated.
"What have you done?!" the false Siren cried.
"I have been generous thus far, but I have come to take what is mine," Zaiya said, stepping forward.
"What are you talking about?!" one of the Falleen guards moved to stand beside the false Siren.
"Who are you?!" he demanded.
"I am Siren."
There was a pause.
"You think you can come in here and claim to be-"
"Silence." He stopped talking.
"There's no way…" The false Siren whispered and took a step back.
"If Siren is the Mistress of this ship, then this ship is mine." Zaiya turned to the rest of the room, filled with Black Sun members or working staff. "You have a choice before you. Remain on this ship and work for me." She paused and looked at the one that had taken her name. "Or die."
"We are Black Sun! You cannot fight all of us on your own!" The closest two drew blasters while another two ran over to assist, pulling out their own weapons. Zaiya had rather hoped they would choose to fight.
"Kill her!" the false Siren cried.
Zaiya took in a deep breath, her hands igniting with Nightsister magick. The power of darkness, that overwhelming dread and doom she had felt long ago on Zygerria. She tapped into that rage once more. She let the power fill her up, and now, as then, she screamed.
The Black Sun and false Siren were stunned, dropping their weapons to cover their ears, screaming out in pain as they writhed and began bleeding from the eyes, the nose and mouth… the human woman fell first, convulsing on the floor for a moment before she was still. The others dropped a moment later.
Zaiya was silent. She heard a click and the Force showed her a vision of a blaster bolt coming her way. Her mila hanska were in her hand immediately, bolstered by the green flames, deflecting the bolt as the room erupted into chaos once more.
She was fired on from all directions, but a second later, she heard cries of pain as the Black Sun began to fall.
Adaji and Sixy stood near the doors, firing on her attackers. Bane and Jango launched themselves up high to give a better advantage. She could see the spark of a red lightsaber to the right, where Savage was tearing through a group of Black Sun, covered by Slick from the balcony. Feral was using his own blades to kill anyone that came near the clone to ensure he didn't get blindsided.
Then of course, from above, Maul dropped beside her, red blade ignited as he blocked the blaster bolts aimed at her, the two fending off the attacks in perfect sync as they had done before. As though they were two halves of a whole.
The two Dathomirians moved with fluidity, grace and swiftness that others could not hope to achieve, and even with the amount of Black Sun operatives charging them down, they stood no chance against Zaiya and her collected crew of comrades.
She heard shrieks at the end of the hall and witnessed Sixy becoming unhinged and brutally attacking the opposing men in a way she hadn't seen before.
[Where the kark did you get this droid, Siren?!] she heard Adaji say into the comm. [Its restraining bolt came off and it turned into a wild animal!]
Zaiya's eyes widened.
"He took the bolt off?!" she hissed.
"I had thought you avoided doing that with reason," Maul said over his shoulder as he sent another blaster bolt back to its origin.
"I did!" she retorted, "There's no way to know how unstable he is!"
"You can stop him," Maul growled, and he was right, Sixy seemed to mostly listen to her. She moved to head toward them- "wait!" She paused, and could see Maul giving her a knowing look, his eyes sparking with… what looked like mischief. "Until the right moment…" he told her and she smirked wickedly.
"As you wish, my Lord."
By the time the Black Sun had been cut down or surrendered, the room was like a scene from a horror holo. Likely the battlefields of the warfront were not so bloody. The only sounds were from the fire crackling and metallic fists pounding where Sixy unleashed hell upon his targets. He was turning what was once the head of a Black Sun enforcer into soup when Zaiya made her way over.
"Are the staff still here?" she asked, and glanced over to the bar area where a handful of people were hiding. A few heads raised and she saw a pair of eyes look at her beyond the bartop.
"Please, don't kill us," the woman, one of the waitresses, whimpered.
[Are there more?] Sixy turned sharply, his movements jerky and sudden. The woman gasped and ducked back down. Even his vocal encoder was a mix of low and high tones. He sounded unhinged. No wonder the occupants of the station had tried so hard to get the bolt on him. [Miistreeeess… let me have them Mistress… Masterrrr…? Let me pop their eyes out one by one…!]
"Enough, Sixy," she said firmly. The droid whined, no longer standing at full height as he did before… like a droid might regularly do. Now he was kind of hunched over and his arms curled inward. She saw what Adaji meant by 'animal'. "If the staff wish to serve us, then that would be a very wise decision on their part," she said coldly.
"We will… it's just a job to us anyway," said a soft voice in return. From the doorway behind the main bar, stood a purple-skinned Twi'lek in a bright orange corset covered in reflective beads,, fishnets and equally sparkling accessories and tiara, her lekku looped behind her head. No… not her, his. Zaiya realised the makeup was that of a drag performer as he tapped over on his equally bright orange platform heels.
He made a face as he glanced around the room, an exaggerated wince. Then his bright eyes laid on her and he froze.
"I know you," he whispered in shock.
Zaiya frowned. How did he…? Her eyes flicked to the bejewelled golden collar around his neck. She didn't recognise him. He swore in his native tongue and hurried over. "By Kika'lekki- it is you!" His hands shook as he flapped them in front of her for a moment. "You're the Angel!"
The entire room tensed and Zaiya's blade was millimetres from his throat a second later. Maul and Savage's blades were ignited and the Bounty hunter's raised their weapons.
"You do not call me that."
The tension was palpable and the Twi'lek froze in place again, staring at them in horror.
"Forgive me, I didn't know you by any other name, L-Lady Siren." He stuttered, but he didn't grovel. He seemed sincere, so she relaxed slightly, waving a hand to let the others know it was alright.
"How do you know me?" she asked slowly, tilting her head.
"You don't remember… of course not, why would you?" he looked around nervously. After a moment he seemed to gather his thoughts and continue. "When you were… there, I saw you. You… saved my life. My master was going to kill me for a misstep, and you, you stopped him."
Zaiya's brow quirked. If she had indeed done so, it would have been at the order of her former master.
"I see," she said icily.
"I know it didn't mean much to you, but… I willingly offer my services." He bowed his head and she tilted hers with a raised brow.
"I have little need of a dancer," she replied, and heard the bounty hunters snickering, though she had not meant the comment as an insult. Merely a fact.
"I can do far more than that…!" he assured her, "I know this ship, and though Siren- well… the one that called herself that, was the Mistress of the ship, I know how to run it. I manage things here, and I would be glad to do that for you here, in repayment for saving my life."
Zaiya tilted her head back the other way, regarding him with interest. He had offered himself willingly to service, and while that irked at her, he was not as spineless as the ones that cowered fearfully behind the bar.
"We shall see," she muttered quietly. "Will the others follow?"
"Most of them, my Lady," he paused, "I can convince them."
"If not… then you will be responsible for them," she replied, meeting his gaze. The Twi'lek winced slightly, but he remained strong in his resolve. "I will, however, not be the Mistress of this ship." She felt the emotions of the sentients around her shift to confusion. "You will serve a Master." She turned and gestured to the crimson Zabrak behind her. "Lord Maul is the one to whom you owe loyalty."
Maul stepped forward, removing his black hood and she felt amusement rise in him at the gasps of fear around them.
"You have done well, Lieutenant," he said smoothly. He then addressed the room as a whole. "If you pledge your loyalty and service to me, then you will enjoy comfort and security here. If you are traitorous or otherwise incompetent, well-"
Suddenly there was movement to their right and one of the remaining guards tried to fire a weapon. Sixy however was faster, and he jerked, a broken metal pole in his hand, that was swiftly driven through the head of the guard attempting to harm his Master and Mistress.
Zaiya could feel Maul smirk.
"I believe you understand the consequences."
"Can ye be sure about 'im?" asked Bane as Siren stood at the helm. Adaji watched them both, the back of his neck prickling. He was unsure about her new friends… even less sure about her old ones.
The Zabraks had such fierce eyes and an intense manner… especially the red one. They seemed to have little care for anyone outside the four of them, and almost disdain for any of Siren's associates. The ones called Savage and Feral had shared a look when he'd managed to speak to them and spoken to each other in some language he didn't know.
Apparently Siren's impression of him was accurate. He'd laughed at that, but there was still an underlying discomfort between the group. So many strong personalities in the same space had to make for some tension.
Bane had made his distaste for the Dathomirians clear, though he didn't seem to like many people anyway. Adaji held his tongue, telling the Duros he was just being protective over the young woman- Bane would likely not appreciate such a thing. The idea of the three strongest Bounty Hunters in the Galaxy taken in by some witch…
Yet Adaji was grinning beneath his helmet, he fully admitted she had him wrapped around her little finger. She was the closest he'd ever had, or would have to a kid of his own. That was his little girl.
Jango was less resistant to the idea but Bane was in utter denial. Yet he watched the two of them talking on the bridge and the way Bane was turned toward her, giving his full attention. He dared not tell the Duros it was adorable… Bane might actually shoot him. Adaji didn't feel like being shot today.
"The Twi'lek?" Siren replied to Bane's question. "No, but I could not sense any deception or resentment in him." She shrugged and glanced around, spotting Adaji. "Get that stupid look off your face, Old Man!" she huffed at him. Adaji held up his hands and tapped his helmet.
"What makes you think I'm even smiling?" he replied, still grinning. She gave him a flat look and tapped her left cheek twice mirroring his gesture, below the eyepatch that was back in place.
"I can see you, dik'ut." He froze for a second.
"You can see through armour?!" He covered himself with his hands and she scoffed at him and rolled her eye.
"Don't be disgusting, Treshan."
A moment later the door opened and Maul entered, his oppressive presence filling the room. Adaji caught the way Bane adjusted the toothpick in his mouth to cover a silent snarl.
"Sire," Siren said, turning to him immediately. Something about it bothered Adaji, she seemed to jump before he even gave a command to do so.
"The crew are dealt with, currently confined," he began. "The droid…" he pursed his red and black lips and Siren nodded as he approached.
"The damage to the restraining bolt has had unforeseen consequences on his personality program," she replied.
"Hey! I already told you I didn't do that!" Adaji protested. "One of those idiots got a lucky shot in and suddenly he was off!"
"I know," Siren replied with a wave of her hand. "Though I can understand why he might be driven mad. Left alone and abandoned for years in a junk pile-" she cut off and glanced at Maul with a sharp expression. The Zabrak glared at her.
"He obeys, still?" Maul asked, ignoring the comment.
"He does," she replied. He waved a dismissive hand.
"Then it does not matter for now," he looked up at the display of the systems regarding the ship Bane and Siren stood in front of. "It seems the ship is indeed ours, Lieutenant."
"Of course, sire. I thank you for your leave to pursue this," she gestured to the area around them, indicating the ship and Maul smirked.
"Well, I cannot have the reputation of my Lieutenant tarnished." His intense yellow eyes scanned the area, lingering between Bane and Adaji for a moment. What did Siren see in this guy? "There is so much more we can do with this ship now under our control."
"Once we refit it, it will become an ideal base of operations," she said. Adaji could see her mind working.
"So this is more than just taking back your name?" Adaji asked.
"It's unwise to waste an opportunity like this," Siren replied. "A fully crewed and staffed ship, and of course we will need military-level upgrades, so it's best to keep the crew from talking and anyone who knows who we are away from the rest of the galaxy."
"So that's why you sent the guests away and threatened the crew," Bane chuckled, "smart, but all of this is gonna cost you plen'y of credits."
"True, but I haven't exactly been sitting on my hands when it comes to work, and we have plans in place…" she trailed off, "perhaps this is a conversation for the entire group."
Within a few minutes the ship was secure and Zaiya had gathered her associates. Maul lamented explaining the entire plan to amass power with these strangers. He certainly didn't trust them, and in the last encounter, Zaiya had told him bluntly that she trusted the one named Bane only so much as credits could afford.
"This ship is just the beginning," Zaiya began, standing to his right, her hands behind her back as though she were at attention, it seemed her time on Kamino had influenced her enough to make her very competent in giving briefings and running group operations. It was a skill he valued, and one that would be very useful going forward.
"We now have a base of operations," Zaiya continued, "we have plans in place to ensure we have that sorted. That is where you come in." Maul watched that wicked grin cross her face and had to suppress a shiver.
She had performed her role as a terrible wraith so well in the main atrium, she had been so powerful… Even Maul had to admit, the more powerful she was, the more he wanted her. He'd never say such things aloud of course, but he was certainly itching to get her alone again.
They began to discuss the plan for the bounties and the acquisition of funds via aggressive takeovers of smaller enterprises while they amassed more power and people. Maul smirked to himself, as promised, Zaiya was building him an army, and with this ship and the power he would soon have, permanently having the bounty hunters on retainer, giving them the best bounties and of course a permanent residence on the ship if they wished it. There would be contracts to be negotiated but the Bounty Hunters seemed intrigued by the idea.
While they discussed amongst themselves, Maul gestured to Zaiya and his brothers. He had come to a decision.
"When we are done with this, we shall need to leave Savage in control for a short time," he began. The other three looked at him in confusion. Maul lifted his hand. "I think it is time the two of you had weapons of your own," he said and held up his lightsaber.
"You believe we are ready?" Feral asked, awed at the idea of having his own laser sword.
"More than ready, but the opportunity had not arisen as of yet." He replaced his saber onto his belt. "It is a Sith tradition to take the crystals from a Jedi's lightsaber and bleed them until they reach the distinct red colouring."
It was not however how he had earned his lightsaber… as his first Jedi kill, the Twi'lek Eldra Kaitis had been slain with his saber. For that he felt he had indeed earned the weapon that had been taken from her, however, that crystal was lost. His lips pursed at the bitter memory, the victory of the kill muted and tainted by what had come after. He shoved the memory aside.
"So then, we must hunt Jedi?" Zaiya asked cautiously. Maul's mouth mimicked the wicked smirk he had seen on her moments ago.
"We are indeed hunting Jedi."
Notes: Whoo! This was a long one! Nearly 5k words for this chapter! I hope you liked it and of course if you want to leave a comment I would love love love to hear your thoughts.
That being said, as I have mentioned: I AM TAKING A BREAK!
I am gonna hold of on posting chapters for a few weeks and catch up with writing, some of my art and other projects I have going on. (I will be active elsewhere, checkout linktr dot ee forward slash kimageddon to keep up with it.) But unfortunately, this is the last APOD chapter for a little while. I WILL BE BACK! So don't panic. I just need to chill for a bit and ease the pressure I have put on myself.
So, until then, I hope you are all well and look after yourselves!
A Prince of Dathomir will return soon!
