"Thank you for coming," Master Yuon said to Yvie. An attendant exited and closed the door to the meditation chamber. "I have made all the preparations for the ritual to find Lord Vivicar. I plan to create a connection between us, using your shielding ability. If it is, was, Parkanas, this should work. Drawing on your strength, I will invert the link between myself and Vivicar, and use it to sense his location."
Yvie said, "Don't expose yourself to Lord Vivicar's influence longer than necessary."
"I won't," Yuon said. "For your sake, as well as-"
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
"-as well as mine," Yuon finished.
"Will you be able to meditate through that?" Yvie asked.
"I will do my best," Yuon said. "There are risks, however. For one, the shielding you gave me on Coruscant will be severed. I don't know what will happen then. It's possible I could die once your shield is gone."
"I understand, Master Yuon," Yvie said.
Master Yuon said, "No matter what happens, you must give me as much time-"
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"-as much time as possible. Reversing the link may be a long process. Let us begin." The two knelt in the center of the chamber, and Yuon closed her eyes and began to meditate. "Yes, yes- it's working. I can feel his mind and... uhhh... I can feel- I-" She gasped, and her expression changed to something cold and cruel. "She can feel the power that she's challenging. There is no hope."
"Vivicar," Yvie said.
He chuckled from Yuon's body. "Jedi. You don't look-"
BOOM!
"What was that?" he asked.
"The Shock Drum," Yvie said. "It's a seismic resonance weapon. It's using earthquakes to tear down the shield protecting the temple."
"So," Vivicar said. "Your enemies have multiplied."
"Yeah," Yvie said.
"You don't look as strong as you did last time-"
FLASH!
"The Shock Drum again?" he said.
Yvie shook her head. "That was the Death Mark laser. Darth Angral is using it to cut holes in the ground so he can fire the Shock Drum missiles deeper."
"Yes," Vivicar said. "That makes sense."
"When the shields are down, he's going to use the laser to destroy the temple and everything within, like, fifty kilometers or something."
"Right," he said. "You don't look as strong as you did last time we spoke. Yuon has-"
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"Is that a woman in labor?" he asked.
Yvie nodded. "That's Ranna Tao'ven, the Matriarch of the Twi'lek village nearby. My cousin Agenord saved the village from Flesh Raiders a bunch of times when he was still a Padawan, and he and the Matriarch became... close. The villagers are in the temple, hiding from the attack. I think it's stress induced-"
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"She doesn't always tell her to push," Yvie added.
"Right," Vivicar said. "Yuon has drained your strength and made herself vulnerable to me. Still arrogant and reckless."
"You know," Yvie said. "We know you're Parkanas Tark."
"The past means nothing," he said. "All that matters-"
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"You know, I don't hear a man's voice," Vivicar said.
"Yeah," Yvie said. "Agenord is up on Angral's ship, hunting him down."
"Too weak to help him?" Vivicar taunted.
"I can't get past the Planet Prison," Yvie said. "It's an ion shield surrounding the planet. The only way to get through it is to fly close in a fighter, shut off all electronics, and fire chemical rockets, coast through, then start everything back up on the other side. The problem is-"
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"Some of the satellites generating the Planet Prison are actually weapon platforms," Yvie continued. "They fire on anything trying to coast through. So, the Council sent up ten, two-man fighters and fired all of the remaining rockets to confuse the weapon satellites. They got eight fighters through."
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
"How many years did it take this Angral to design such a system?" Vivicar asked.
"About seven months," Yvie said.
"Seven months?" he asked.
Yvie shrugged. "He stole most of the technology. Once he's destroyed the temple, he'll lower the Planet Prison to the ground. It'll ignite the foliage, and burn up all of the oxygen. It'll take Tython decades to recover, but, you know, we'll be a crater by that point."
"Why weren't you part of this team of Jedi?" he said.
"Well-"
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"I had to talk to the Jedi Council about how much of a threat you were," Yvie told him. "And Master Sidonie wanted to ask me about the jumping jacks."
"The jumping jacks?" he said.
"At the peace summit," Yvie said. "After I shielded her. She danced a couple of times and did some jumping jacks. To warm up."
"She's upset about jumping jacks?" he asked.
Yvie shrugged again. "I don't get it either. The delegates didn't have a problem."
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"Where was I?" he asked.
"'The past means nothing.'"
"Yes!" he said. "All that matters is the future, which doesn't involve you."
"Oh," she said. "You're threatening me."
"Yes," he said. "Your interference ends here and now. See how Yuon's will crumbles before mine. Fitting, that-"
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
Vivicar sighed. "My plague has spread farther than you can imagine. Jedi Masters across the galaxy are succumbing to it as I speak. The plague binds these Masters to me. Hundreds of them- the heart and soul of your order."
"It's like two hundred, isn't it?" Yvie said. "Just barely 'hundreds'."
"Closer to three hundred," he said.
"Right. And you needed to infect them one at a time, didn't you? It's not like killing three thousand of us with a superlaser."
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"Push!"
"Technically, no," he said. "But, pain makes us stronger. And the pain I have endured is beyond your comprehension. That is why I have won."
Yvie rolled her eyes. "Agenord killed Angral's son, Tarnis, on Coruscant while Agral was watching over holo. That's why he wants to wipe out the Order."
"Fine," Vivicar said. "You are blinded by the light side. You can't understand what-"
BOOM!
FLASH!
"Ahhh!"
"Oh, fuck it," Vivicar said.
Yuon's body collapsed. In a moment, she groaned and pushed herself up. "It... it worked! Listen, Lord Vivicar... he's out in deep space, on some sort of vessel... here, take the coordinates. He's surrounded himself with defenses. Send this. It's his code. It will give you... time to get aboard. No- the darkness... Vivicar's will is too strong. I can't hold on! Please- Wait. He just left me. He had his chance and let me go."
"Oh," Yvie said. "I wonder why."
BOOM!
"Ahhh!"
"Push! I can see the head crowning!"
"All right," Yvie said. "As soon as the Planet Prison is deactivated, I'll go kill Vivicar."
"Most disturbing," Master Satele said.
BOOM!
FLASH!
At least Ranna was done. "Yes," Yvie said. "Vivicar threatens hundreds... of Jedi." Technically.
"You must try to save him," Satele said. "We are on the brink of war. We cannot afford to lose so many Jedi. When you return, you must take the time to teach the shielding technique to others. The efforts over holo were mixed at best. When enough Jedi know the shielding technique, the plague will no longer be a threat."
BOOM!
FLASH!
"I don't get to kill him," Yvie said.
"You must do your best to save him," Satele told Yvie.
"Right," Yvie said. Nine months of hunting, and that's it.
"And you must face him alone," Satele said. "Your companions could succumb to his power too easily."
"Of course, Master Satele," Yvie said.
BOOM!
FLASH!
Yvie sighed. "Any idea how long that will last?"
Satele said, "I have sensed a great darkness from the Oppressor. I believe Master Agenord is fighting Darth Angral as we speak."
"I'll go prep my ship," Yvie said. "I doubt this will take very long."
By the time she reached the Vigilant, the laser and the Shock Drum had stopped firing.
"You can't go with me aboard the ship," she told Tharan and Qyzen. "Vivicar might turn you against me."
"Hunt is life," Qyzen said. "Honorable kill earns points. To fight so many alone shall please Scorekeeper."
Tharan said, "Take Holiday with you. She may be of assistance."
"Don't you worry, Master Yvisnussiish," Holiday said. "No one will hurt you while I'm around."
"Yeah," Yvie said.
"Oh!" Holiday said. "The Planet Prison has been deactivated. We can leave."
"Ah," Vivicar said over the ship's speakers. "I wasn't sure if you'd be foolish enough to come aboard, Jedi. But I can sense your presence."
"Did the docking starship clue you in as well?" Yvie said.
"Still young and ignorant," Vivicar said. "You don't understand power, and now you never will. Come to me, Jedi. See what a real master can do."
Yvie sighed. "I really want to kill him."
"Master Yvisnussiish?" Holiday said. "Why are you naked so often?"
"I'm comfortable that way," Yvie said. "And I like the feeling of lust I get from the men around me." They moved through the ship without seeing anyone. Barely a skeleton crew. "You should try it."
"Oh!" Holiday said. "I could never! Tharan would be displeased if anyone else saw me."
"I'm pretty sure he'd be okay with it," Yvie said. They walked on a bit. "Holiday, security override. Get naked."
"Master Yvie!" Holiday said as her clothing dissolved to display her naked shape. She immediately covered herself.
"Stop that," Yvie said. "You're a hologram. Why are you-" Two droids fired at them. Yvie deflected their blaster fire, rushed toward them, and cut them down.
"How wonderful!" Holiday said. "But, please, Master Yvie, let me dress again."
"No," Yvie said. "Stay like that." The annoying little thing needed some suffering.
They turned a corner, and two soldiers called out, "Freeze!"
"Whoa," one of them said, looking at Holiday. The hologram covered herself again.
"I thought you were brainwashed," Yvie said.
"It's difficult for the master to control so many," the other one said.
Many. Right. She was saving the whole Jedi Order. That was the task she was given. "Holiday, stop covering yourself." Holiday dropped her arms, and the two soldiers stared at her. "Do you know a quicker way to the bridge?"
"What?" the first one asked, looking up. "Yes. But, you know, we're supposed to be fighting you."
Yvie said, "How would you like to save your crew and get a bonus from me?"
"What are you offering?" he asked.
"Well, here's the thing, I'm bored. You people are way too easy to kill. I'm not even allowed to kill Vivicar. If I shield him, I can free all of you from his influence."
"That's all we get?" the second one asked.
"No," Yvie said. "This isn't much better than a training session."
"Master Yvie!" Holiday said. "You can't! You mustn't! Think what the Council will say!"
"The Council isn't here," Yvie said.
"I still don't get it," the second soldier said.
Yvie shrugged. "You haven't seen me train." She pulled off her boots, then undid the clasps on her corset and let it drop, her breasts bouncing free. She shifted her belt higher on her hips to keep her lightsaber, and pulled off her pants. Fully naked, except for the belt, she walked over to one of them, pushed his rifle out of the way, and stepped close to him. "Do we have a deal?"
The men looked at each other.
"We'll be saving lives," one said.
"Right," the other replied.
"Master Yvie!" Holiday said. "I must protest! Why do you solve every problem with nudity?! Sergeant Dorne, Master Sidonie, and now me! And these two! Look at yourselves! You're supposed to be trained soldiers! Why are you enabling her? She's obviously emotionally disturbed! Comfortable with nudity and forcing it on others are two entirely different things! Why can't anyone see that?"
"She's a Jedi," the first soldier said. "We don't really stand a chance against her. This will save everyone on the ship."
"She's said she's going to cure Vivicar, not kill him," the second said. "The others will be free. We can all go home. If she wants to save everyone naked, I don't have a problem with it."
"Right," the first said. "That's the Council's problem, not ours. We live, everyone else lives, we get to see a hot Twi'lek naked. I don't see the down side for the two of us."
"And we're not professional soldiers," the second said. "Vivicar grabbed us on Alderaan, but he didn't check our credentials."
The first said, "The really good soldiers are closer to the bridge."
"But, we can get you past them," the second one told Yvie.
"We've got to go up in a special lift," the first one said. "It's a tight fit."
"Give me a moment to put my boots back on," Yvie said. "I don't want you stepping on my toes." She pulled on her boots and adjusted her belt. "Touch my lightsaber, and I'll kill you."
"That's fair," the first said.
"Touch anything else," Yvie said and slid her hands down her body. "And I'll let it pass."
By the time they reached the bridge level, the second soldier had Yvie moaning.
"Shit," Yvie said. "We'll finish this later. Where do we go?"
"Maintenance hatch," the second soldier said. "Right there."
They walked down the empty bridge toward Vivicar. He faced away from them, contemplating the infinity before him. "Your power and tactics have got you this far, Jedi, but no further. This battle was decided before you stepped aboard."
Yvie said, "Lay down your lightsaber and I'll show you mercy."
"Mercy is a weakness I have transcended," Vivicar said, turning around. "My plague isn't just- What the hell?"
"What?" Yvie said. "You look surprised."
"Why are you naked? Why is the hologram naked? Why are those two just standing there not attacking you? How did you know about the maintenance lift?"
Yvie shrugged. "When I'm bored, I like to do stuff naked. It's more fun. The hologram is a little uptight. I'm trying to loosen her up. Those two realized they couldn't fight me, and decided to help me instead. And they were happy about the nudity. They showed me the lift to bypass your troops, so no one died, and so they could cop a feel. Which actually felt pretty good. After I shield you, I'm going to fuck them right there." She pointed to the floor in front of him.
"Is this some grotesque mockery for you?" he asked. "No. This is about your cousin. He's getting the really good missions."
"And I'm stuck with you," Yvie said.
"That is why you'll fail," he said. "You can't defeat me. I am no lost Jedi, no ordinary Sith Lord. I am Terrak Morrhage! I am beyond flesh, beyond death! Soon the combined strength of your Masters will make me the most powerful Force adept who has ever lived!"
"So," she said. "How did Terrak Morrhage die?"
"I can't take you seriously like that!" he said. "Put a robe on!"
"That's what I thought," Yvie said.
"You will die like the foolish-"
She pulled a chair from its base and threw it at him. Then one of the giant monitors. Then another chair. Then a small console. He knocked each away, laughing. She didn't like the laughing. She'd practiced. A lot. She threw another chair and followed it with Force lightning. It flowed over every naked centimeter of her, climbing her legs and creating an arc between her nipples. He was surprised by the lightning, unprepared. He fell away from it, grasping the metal bannister, which amplified the effect. He screamed and collapsed. She rushed forward while he struggled to recover. She grabbed his head and reached inside his mind.
"I can save you," she said.
Morrhage screamed. "No! This body is mine! Damn you, Jedi! When my strength returns, no matter the years, I will destroy you!"
She found, in his mind, all the connections he'd created. She couldn't take their strength as Vivicar had, but she could leave a suggestion. It wouldn't last forever, but she might get an hour. Agenord got the fun missions, huh? Let's make this fun. First, she found the troops aboard the ship.
Lay down your weapons. Deactivate the droids.
She felt them obey. She turned, and the two soldiers with her had dropped their weapons. So, Vivicar had some control. Back to the troops. And beyond. She reached farther out, to all of the Jedi affected by the plague. And she smiled.
Get naked.
The two in front of her undressed. She looked for them in Vivicar's mind and found them.
You two, kneel at my feet.
They knelt at her feet.
You two will be completely subservient to me.
"Yes, mistress," they said together.
The rest of you, find a partner.
The others paired off with another victim near them. Any lone Jedi had to make due.
Now, fuck. Continue until you collapse or injure yourselves.
She buried the command deep. About an hour. Or however long they could last. So many minds under her control. It felt good.
She shielded Parkanas and let him sleep.
"You two," she said.
"Mistress," they replied together.
"Let's pick up where we left off."
They did everything she wanted every way she wanted it. The pleasure was nice, but that Sith Lord on Alderaan had been right. Pleasure didn't feed the lightning. Thoughts of Agenord did. The two soldiers continued past the hour, because they didn't need much encouragement. At an hour and a half, she felt her strength draining. A dozen brainwashed troops staggered onto the bridge, still naked. By the time they reached her, she could hardly move. Were they a threat? She didn't know, but it didn't matter. She couldn't do anything. They called to her, but she lost consciousness.
She opened her eyes and looked around. Tython, Jedi Temple, the architecture told her that. Where? Infirmary. She wore a hospital robe. IV in her arm. She was out that long? She found the call button. A nurse soon arrived.
"Master Yvie," he said. "I'll Master Syo."
"Wait," she said. "Tell me what happened."
"You've been unconscious for three weeks," he said. "Overcome by the backlash from the shielding ritual."
No, she thought. She couldn't control so many minds.
"And, well, by Terrak Morrhage's revenge," he said. "I... I only hope you don't remember it."
"You mean the sex?" she asked.
"Yes," he said. "Everyone affected by the plague. Everyone controlled by Lord Vivicar. Everyone who learned the shielding ritual from you. They all succumbed. Masters Yuon and Fain."
Okay, they'd been a couple once.
"Master Sidonie and Master Vossan."
Sure, she could see that.
"Then all four of them."
She didn't want to see that.
"Master Tykan and Laranna Fain. And Master Tykan's Padawan, Aris, even though she was never affected. Not that we knew."
She was a little too devoted to Tykan.
"And you, Master Yvie," he said. "Two soldiers stripped you and... and used you. We don't know for how long."
About an hour and a half, and they needed stims to keep going.
"When the rest of the crew woke from it, those two were still on you. Vivicar must have wanted a special revenge for you."
That one guy's tongue was special.
"Masters Yuon and Fain said they had succumbed to a similar effect on Malachor three."
No, they just fucked.
"What happened to the soldiers?" she asked.
"They've returned to Alderaan," he told her. "They said they tried as hard as they could."
That part's true.
"But the power compelling them was too great."
"I hold them no ill will," Yvie said. "I also succumbed, to a degree. My recollections are not... horrifying. At the time, I felt willing. That's still how it feels."
"Others have reported similar reactions," he said.
"How's Angral and whatever?"
"Master Agenord defeated him," the nurse said. He sighed. "Such power in one so young. You must be proud."
"Pride is not the Jedi way," she said.
"Yes, of course. Well, his son was born, healthy and very hungry." The nurse smiled. "Master Kira was made a full Knight. And, the Council wishes to speak with you. Oh, and there's your cousin Ter'viro. That's quite a story."
"It can wait," she said. "Where are my clothes?" He brought them to her and helped her out of bed.
"Are you sure you don't want a female nurse?"
"I'm fine," she said and dropped the robe. He shrugged and helped her dress.
"The plague is over, thanks to you," Master Syo said. Masters Satele, Syo, Kaeden, and Yuon were gathered in the Council Chamber. Qyzen and Tharan were with them. Holiday was not to be seen.
"And Parkanas Tark," Master Yuon said. "He is recovering. He is not his old self. Too much has been done. But... but, it is good to see him again."
"He was the only one that did not succumb to Terrak Morrhage's revenge," Syo said.
"Yes," Yuon said, a pain in her eyes. "Master Fain and I thought our... dalliance was long since over. But, we believed it was ours. To think, we might have been his perverse puppets."
No, you two just fucked.
"We still don't know why his revenge took that form," Master Satele said. "Master Yvisnussiish, how are you? We know what those men did to you. They were not in their right minds, but to endure such violations. How are you coping?"
"I liked it," Yvie said. They stared at her. "I'd been influenced too. It must be a side effect or something. I wasn't isolated from it. We were the closest to Vivicar, so it probably affected us more than the others. Most of what they did was my idea. If I hadn't passed out, I would have kept going."
"What a horrific plague," Master Kaeden said.
"Right," Yuon said. "Horrific. I'm... still coming to terms with it. Anyway, Master Yvisnussiish, you have saved untold lives, through your defeat of Lord Vivicar and the destruction of the plague."
Syo said, "Thanks to you, the shadow of the plague has been lifted from the Order."
"There's a title reserved for the most prestigious among us," Kaeden told her. "Whose wisdom and skill safeguard the galaxy. It hasn't been bestowed in thousands of years."
"There were... objections, given your methods," Syo said.
"Master Sidonie?" Yvie said.
"Yes," Yuon replied. "But, she's over it now."
"We must acknowledge the debt we owe," Syo continued. "Therefore, we name you Barsen'thor, Warden of the Order."
Great. That's a huge step sideways.
Syo said, "In all our millennia of history, you will be the third to carry the title."
"I will do all I can to live up to this honor," Yvie said.
Qyzen said, "Scorekeeper smiles, Herald. Is great honor your people give you. Points beyond measure!"
Yuon said, "I never imagined your potential would take you so far." She seemed distracted.
"Thank you, Master Yuon," Yvie said. "I would not have succeeded without your teachings." Yuon nodded and glanced toward the door. Oh. She was still banging Fain.
"Nothing like a well-deserved reward, eh, Jedi?" Tharan said. "It's no luxury cruise to Corellia, but still, that's quite the title you have." What was that look in his eyes? "If only Holiday were here to see it." She told him. "I've taken her offline. Routine maintenance only." He wiped her memory. "She'll be back to her cheerful self in no time."
"She was quite valuable," Yvie said. She felt flushed. More than flushed. "I want to thank you for loaning her to me."
"Of course, Master Yvie," he said. "Holiday was stimulated by it." He sounded fuzzy.
Master Syo said, "You should record your journey-"
Yvie fell.
She opened her eyes slowly.
"Only a day," Tharan said. He sat next to her bed.
Dark outside. He wanted to be alone with her.
"Holiday came back... confused," Tharan said. "She learns from her environment. Proper interaction. Morality and the like. On Nar Shaddaa, she struggled. Too many views of morality. With you, I loosened her safeguards. Was I mistaken?"
"Ako Domi nearly killed me," Yvie said. "I needed the Dark Side to defeat him. I've been using both, light and dark. I've become much more powerful."
"I worked for all manner of criminals on Nar Shaddaa," he said. "Some far worse than a morally questionable exhibitionist. I will adjust Holiday's settings. She will be more resistant to you. She won't be as helpful, but she also won't be as judgmental. What you do with your body and your Force power is your business. You saved a lot of lives and had some fun in the process. Just, don't torment Holiday again."
"I can agree to that," Yvie said.
He stood up, and paused. "What would have happened if Qyzen were there?"
"Vivicar would have controlled him, or we would have fought through," Yvie replied. "No naked fun."
"And if I had been there?"
She shrugged. "I'd have had all three of you on me."
"Oh," he said. "I hate being part of the crowd." He smiled at her. "I knew a woman on Tatooine, the Lady of Pain. I think you'd enjoy her parties. But, now that I know who I'm working with, things will run much more smoothly."
He was about to leave, when she said, "What happened to Ter'viro?" She didn't really care. She just wanted the conversation.
"I only know the news reports," he said. "But..."