Interference - Part 2

Reports were coming in from Balamak. Mission failure. All civilians and Troopers presumed killed. Separatists occupying the camp.

Then of course there was the more disturbing part.

A file, transmitted from a droid stationed with the squad just before the loss of contact. The holo showed Troopers shouting, though the audio was damaged. After a beat, two figures, swathed in dark robes, were fleeing the scene seconds before the blast. A bright light obscured the recorder and nothing was visible for a moment. The droid evidently was knocked down, as when the footage was again visible, it appeared sideways.

There were a few minutes of it rocking and scraping to get up, then making its way through the debris, civilians and Troopers on the ground, crying for help or laying dead. It was horrific.

The droid moved to a transmitter and the scomp connector uploaded the footage while it was still being recorded. The last few seconds showed battle droids appearing through the smoke and firing on anything moving. The survivors were gunned down mercilessly. The final shot showed a blaster bolt heading right for the droid's recorder. Then the transmission ended.

"This is most distressing," Obi-Wan Kenobi muttered.

"Bring up the two figures again," Master Plo Koon requested, leaning closer to the holo. A moment later the image flickered and the two figures appeared, frozen mid-run. "Can the image be enhanced?" he asked and again the image flickered, it processed and Obi-Wan felt his chest tighten and the bottom drop out of his stomach.

"It can't be…" he whispered. He had thought he'd recognised the man that day on the Separatist ship. The red and black skin…. But there was no way he was alive. The Siren was with them, was she involved in this? Was that really Darth Maul he had seen? Back from the dead?

It seemed impossible, yet the holo before Obi-Wan looked just like him.

"Then the Sith are behind this attack," Master Windu said contemplatively.

"Seems that way, it does," Master Yoda replied.

"You spoke of seeing Zabrak warriors when you and Skywalker fought that monster," Master Plo Koon began, "is this one of them?"

"I believe so… but I did not want to believe Darth Maul could somehow have returned." Obi-Wan shook his head.

"You mentioned the Siren in that report… could this be her doing?" Master Windu asked, looking closer at the second figure.

"It seems hard to believe," Master Plo said slowly. "The Siren had always been fiercely advocating for any clone Trooper she trained."

"Corrupt values, the Dark Side does," Master Yoda warned.

Obi-Wan had seen the way the Siren was with the Clones, she had attachments to people… select people, it seemed. Were these Nightbrothers servants to this rogue Nightsister? It seemed odd considering her behaviour, but then, as Master Yoda said… perhaps she had encountered Darth Maul and he had turned her to the Dark Side completely.

There was always hope, Obi-Wan reasoned. Perhaps he would be the one to be able to bring the Siren back to the Light.

"We need to find them," he said, his fingers stroking his beard.

"Agreed," Master Windu replied. "However we don't have any leads on where they could be now, or access to the site to look for clues, it's too dangerous to journey there now, but we need to be alert to any movements. The Siren is already wanted by the Republic, and a bounty to have her returned to custody is already in place."

"We can only hope she will be apprehended quickly," Obi-Wan said with a nod. "The type of people the Siren associates with aren't exactly known for their loyalty. It's only a matter of time until they turn on her."

"Wait and see, we shall," Master Yoda nodded. Obi-Wan would have to just have to deal with that… but the moment he got the trail, he would have to stop Darth Maul from harming more people, and apprehend the Siren if she really was working for him.


The Temptress had quickly become something of a formidable ship in the fringes of the Outer Rim in the month or two since Zaiya had procured it. Crimson Dawn was becoming far more than a whisper.

Zaiya sat in what was now designated her office, a fine uniform of sleek black and a capelet of crimson over her left shoulder, clasped with the circular golden symbol she, Maul, Savage and Feral had decided on for the Crimson Dawn insignia. Concentric circles with a line through the middle. It was a representation of the family, the same but different, mirrored. It also looked remarkably similar to Zaiya and Maul's amulet halves which they still both wore, concealed under their clothing.

Maul had suggested they each wear one half of the insignia openly, in a symbolism known mostly to themselves.

Zaiya's gloved fingers trailed over her half as she stared at the holo before her. There was a very blurry image of Savage, with a designation of credits beneath it. The next image showed a blurred image of a hooded figure, with what appeared to be red and black skin. Below it was a different designation of credits. There was one for Feral too, though with a lesser number of credits and no name beneath the posting.

Then of course there was her name. The Siren. There was no picture either, despite her stay on Kamino. The little virus Tech had secretly handed to her at the end of the second invasion had corrupted almost all mentions of her name and research to do with Maul. It also corrupted images of her, though the description of her appearance was accurate enough.

Gloved fingers tapped on the arm of her chair as her eyes narrowed for the third time in as many minutes. Tightness formed in her chest. Nothing debilitating, but the sense of danger loomed over her shoulder like an unwanted companion.

They were wanted by the Republic, and the prices listed below their names was not unsubstantial.

The door chimed and she closed the holo down, grasping up the datapad left on her desk. This was all so similar to Kamino…

"Enter," she called and a second later the door slid open. In walked Cad Bane.

"Heard you was lookin' fer possible clues fer dem trinkets," he said in his usual drawl. Zaiya couldn't help when her back tensed. He was one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy. She was now a very highly priced bounty.

"We are," she replied, with no indication in her voice that she held any concern at all. Bane looked her over slowly, something calculating in his eyes. Though, how different was it from his usual demeanour?

"I heard there was somethin' shiny on Paklan, it's mostly a forest planet, in the Nuiri Sector," he explained. Zaiya let it settle in her mind for a moment.

"What sort of something shiny?" she asked, and her mentor smirked.

"Not too sure, to be honest, it might be nuthin' but ye said ye wanted any information, right? An' it's been a while since yer boy picked up the last one, am I right?" He shrugged and she knew he had a point. It might be worth at least a cursory look. With a nod, she stood. She would tell the others and discuss it.

"The information is appreciated," she said, deciding to tell the boys now. Bane tipped his hat and they both left the office. She paused as she reached the corridor and watched Bane retreat down the other.

Did he already know about the bounties? She was sure he would… he, Jango and Adaji too. Could she trust him? Void, could she trust any of them anymore?


The journey to Paklan didn't take too long. However, the trip was not as fruitful, and within a few local rotations of being planet-side they had exhausted their efforts. It seemed that there had once been something here, but whatever it had been, was either so well-concealed that even the Force was blind to it, or was long gone.

Before the last leg of their return to the ship, the four Zabraks decided to stop at a little diner. It was nothing as fancy as the Temptress' facilities but it was hot food and a break after a long and unsuccessful endeavour.

"The rat-thing is back," Feral muttered as they entered. "That's two rotations, now."

"I know," Zaiya replied, though kept her face neutral. She'd noticed the creature as well, but thus far it had not approached or interfered so they had paid it little mind.

"It is of no consequence," Maul snapped. Clearly as irritated as the rest of them. The group took a seat in the back, giving little mind to the rusty droid that served them. They all wore hoods, though it was hardly a disguise, as Maul had said, wanted or not who would dare attack the group of them together? It would be suicide.

Zaiya didn't like it, but still, he wasn't wrong.

It was not long after they had ordered when the far door opened and a tall orange-skinned Faleen entered, and he looked right at them, making his way over pointedly.

The four stilled and Savage let out a small warning growl - but it was Maul that simply raised a hand and the Faleen stopped in his tracks. Zaiya watched Maul's gloved fingers curl and the intruder was lifted off his feet and shoved out the door. Another gesture and Zaiya could feel the snap of the sentient's neck. She allowed herself a cruel chuckle.

Though the moment only lasted a moment before the cramped diner was suddenly filled by a group of bounty hunters, armed to the teeth, and a few Wookiees with them as well.

How interesting.

"Drop your weapons and raise your hands," the blond human said smugly. Zaiya raised a brow beneath her hood. Did he know who he was talking to? After a moment of silence from both parties, the human huffed. "I said-"

"Brothers-" Maul said calmly, taking a graceful sip from his cup. Savage and Feral's heads turned to face him.

"Surrender, now," the human demanded.

"-Deal with these."

Zaiya could almost hear the wicked grins as Feral and Savage stood slowly, turning to face the group of assailants. The human swore.

"Shoot them!"

A second later, chaos erupted as blasterfire filled the diner, reflected by the blades of the two Dathomirians. Men began dropping like flies.

"I'm sure Savage or Feral could have handled it alone," Zaiya said as she took a sip of her own drink.

"Of course," Maul responded, the two of them talking like it was some afternoon tea party. "But, how could I have denied them some fun?" She saw a flash of his fanged grin and heat flared in her belly. She had to force herself not to stare at his mouth.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted how vicious Feral was fighting. The extra power in his strikes, and unlike his usual efficiency, he seemed to be taking a little more time with his attack. As though he were making it last. Her eyes narrowed as she watched. Feral was indeed a powerful warrior, strong and fast and deadly. But he had never enjoyed the violence before. Never relished in the pain of others. Feral was not cruel. This however…

A second later, her cup shattered in her hand, a stray blaster bolt had narrowly missed her face as two Wookiees approached. Zaiya let out a scoff of disgust and annoyance, wiping her face with her sleeve. Maul however snarled viciously and was on his feet a second later, his heavy boot connected with the head of the nearest Wookiee. The roars of pain and protest drowned out the sounds of the three crimson sabers.

Zaiya leapt as a second Wookiee lunged for her, using the Force to propel her across the table. She saw a flash of crimson, and then there was silence.

Apart from, of course, the human, who was now curled up in the corner, snivelling.

"Hold!" Maul called, staying Feral and Savage's hands from running the coward through immediately. Instead they had him pinned, their lightsabers on either side of his neck. Zaiya and Maul joined them a moment later.

"You dare attack us?" he sneered.

"Someone put a price on your head!" the human protested, turning his head away from the red glowing blades, but he could not escape. "It's huge!"

"Who?"

"I can't- ahh!" The human tried to avoid answering, but a little spark from the Lightsaber Feral held and the human was babbling about someone called Ja'boag. The three males almost simultaneously looked at Zaiya. Her brows rose.

"He is the current head of Rim Commercial Mining," she explained, "one of the largest suppliers of uranium in the Galaxy. A planet called Moorjhone."

"How curious," Maul mused.

"Is he the origin of the bounty postings?" Feral asked with a frown.

"Perhaps." Zaiya regarded the human coldly. "Why don't we go and ask him ourselves?"

"Please! I told you! Now let me go!" he begged.

"You come after us and you want us to forgive so easily?" she scoffed. "You should not have begun the fight if you were not prepared to die." Maul gave a slight nod and Feral slashed with his saber. The human slumped and was no more.

"It could be well worth the trip," Zaiya said distractedly, as they began to make their way back out, "more fruitful than this one at least."

"How curious that they happened to find us here… when it was an unplanned mission," Maul muttered. Zaiya pursed her lips. She had been thinking the same. How had these Bounty Hunters found them? Zaiya began to wonder if Bane had something to do with it.


Bane was gone by the time they returned to the ship. It added to the suspicions… Yet Zaiya was not sure it made sense, why would he not try to collect on them himself if he was truly involved? Perhaps he really had been called away on a job for the Hutts.

Still, she'd had little time to think on it before they'd decided to make way to Ja'boag's mine on the planet Moorjhone. She decided she would contact Bane later. Doing anything now would likely just stir up more trouble.

They would deal with Ja'boag first.

Through the viewport, Zaiya could see the dust whipped up by the Nameless' engines obscuring their vision as the ship landed.

"Do you think this confrontation is wise, brother?" Savage asked as Sixy landed the ship. "Wasn't the plan to remain in the shadows?"

"Maybe so, but we cannot allow this price to remain on our heads," Maul replied. The group made their way down the ramp. He paused and looked back with a smirk. "We are more than prepared for the Jedi to strike at us from the Light, but we do not want the annoyance of the greedy and opportunistic striking at us from the shadows."

"It also sends a message," Zaiya added as she followed her Prince down the ramp. "They will think twice before coming after us again."

"And with the four of us," Feral chuckled, "What chance does he stand?"

"Brother," Savage muttered as he looked over the cliff edge ahead of them. "- he has an army."

Below, was a large regimented formation of soldiers. Whether mercenaries or a trained militia, it was still a ridiculous amount of security. There were easily over a hundred soldiers down there. Positioned in drill formations out the front of the main entrance to the mine and much of the heavy equipment.

"Ja'boag obviously feels like he needs protection from something," Maul mocked.

"Perhaps he knows who you are, Sire?" Zaiya asked in jest. Maul let out a dry chuckle.

"That would certainly explain it," he replied. The slight change in his tone told her he found the suggestion amusing.

As they drew closer, Maul gestured to the other to linger back, and met the representative himself. From what Zaiya could see, he spoke softly as he handed something to the man in the full body protective suit. The man - presumably human - turned away and walked back in a stiff and dazed gait back to his superiors. Maul withdrew to a safe distance and waited, his gaze toward the entrance.

A huge explosion ripped through the entire staging ground. Zaiya instinctively moved to protect her Lord, but he was a split second faster, and caged her with his arms, the smirk back on his face.

He looked stunning against the backdrop of flames clawing at the sky.

"Shall we?" he asked and gestured to the entrance, taking his lightsaber in his left hand.

"Most impressive, sire," she replied with a small smile.

"We may not be Sith," Maul said as he led them through the flames and carnage that now surrounded them. "But we shall move as they do." The screams of the dying filled their ears as men who were not killed in the blast were burned alive. "We move in confusion. We move in fear." Ahead were two stunned soldiers, wide-eyed and frozen at the four figures walking out of the fire to face them. "We move in chaos."

Savage and Feral cut the two humans down.

"For once, I agree with the Sith," Zaiya replied with a grin.

They made their way deeper into the facility, making easy work of anyone that dared cross their path. Ja'boag's pathetic attempt at security was no match to the four elite warriors.

Ahead was another large cluster of soldiers, and Zaiya heard Ja'boag's name being called.

A line of soldiers in the same bulky suits faced the Dathomirians and Zaiya realised the ugly orange covering was meant to be armour, not a protective covering. How they could function or fight in them, she couldn't tell.

"Hah!" her attention was drawn to a squat little sentient, wrinkled, beige grey skin and beady little black eyes. A Gossam, not what she was expecting. He spoke in a high and whiny voice. "I realise I put a large price on your heads, but I hope you don't think you can collect on it yourselves." Ja'boag sneered, "That's not really how bounties work."

"Charming," Zaiya scoffed.

"Kill it," Maul snarled.

Zaiya threw out a hand and the little creature let out a strangled cry as he was flung off the ledge and down to the hot lava below. The scream faded, but suddenly stopped. Zaiya felt it, the flux in the Force and she looked over the ledge. Ja'boag was floating in the air, his body held in place by the Force, a small groups of three Jedi below, one reaching up to save the pathetic worm from an early death.

"Jedi," Zaiya scoffed. Maul stepped in from behind her, and his grin became wicked, almost manic.

"Jedi."


Notes:

Oh hai. Yeah I have another chapter for you!

Those of you that read the comics will recognise some of the scenes and dialog, I use the source material in order to integrate it into my own events.

Thank you all so much for your patience, I appreciate every one of you. I love the comments, kudos and support and I will never tire of it, it really makes my day! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and now that my cosplay and the con is passed, let's hope I have more time to focus on my writing.
We shall see, I cannot put pressure on myself at the moment, but I greatly enjoy this story still and despite the need for other creative outlets such as digital or tangible art, cosplay or sewing, I have not given up on this story.
Thank you for all of your support thus far. Please look after yourselves.