Chapter 25: The Ghost
She is here…again.
Taya did her best to suppress her frown. It was another nice day on Bantoon. The council meeting for today had been cancelled, Avy having been called away to Sanctuary Base. The rest of her advisors had scattered carrying out their own roles in the plan, or seeking out private vices.
They were welcome to them, she…was perfectly happy here.
She was the prime Sith Lord in the palace, which meant she had to remain, and unless there was some kind of emergency, her main job was to stay. Which meant she had the day to herself, and she had decided to spend it with the children, watching them play together in the garden.
It was…soothing for her, a break from her duties as a council member and one of the high lords among the Sith here on Bantoon.
The arrival of a certain shadow in a plain blue and black gown was not welcome.
She didn't like that this time was being interrupted.
She tried to ignore the watcher, to focus on the little ones. Anj and Andur were playing with Mya, Beric and Xen's little one. A game of hide and seek among the plants and statues of the palace garden. Andur and Anj were hiding from the older girl, but they were having trouble being silent, and five-year-old easily found them sending them running with happy squeals and giggles.
Taya smiled, just children being children.
Mya, the oldest of the young ones, took more after her mother than her father. The same tanned skin and dark hair. For the first few years of her life, the child had been raised in secret by HK, a hostage during the days of Avaryss' plan to destroy Survivor Squad. That situation was no longer necessary, with both the parents back in the fold. So, the girl had been returned, and Xen and Beric were now free to raise their little one.
Not that they spent much time with the girl, both had their duties, Xen on the council, and Beric…well…
…Beric was Beric.
She watched Mya closely, curious if her time under the care of an assassin droid had affected her. True, he had been upgraded with nanny protocols to tend to his duties, but an assassin was still an assassin.
As a result, the girl was…quirky, to say the least.
It was rare she was seen without some sort of mask or another. Todays was made from a simple piece of black paper, with two round holes cut so she could see, of course, the holes were covered by clear black plastic lenses.
Similar to her father's mask, Taya thought. During her fostering with HK, Avaryss had insisted that the droid show the girl holos of her father and mother, so that the child would be accustom to them if she was returned. He had also told her stories about her parents claiming them to be heroes of the empire.
Mya had taken to those stories, and developed a strong love for her parents, proud to be their child. The masks she wore were to honor Beric, who was rarely seen without his mask given his injuries, and what Avy's experiments had done to him.
The girl loved him, Taya suspected he loved her too, but remained distant. How strong would their connection be if he accepted her love and returned it. If only he would show it more, but the changes done to him, made him cold to say the least. Xen, though a skilled warrior, was not really mother material, she went through the motions, but focused more on her duties, given her Jedi upbringing, and Sith appetites, such behavior was not really surprising.
Someone needed to be a parent to the child. Who better than the first of their group to be a parent?
Taya, in her role as Avy's right hand, did her best to make sure that the next generation of their houses developed in the best ways possible. Let her fellows say she was not a true Sith, that she was too soft for her role. She didn't care.
She was a mother again, and that was the one thing she had desired after Ziost...
…after Aya.
Taya tried to play the role of mother figure for Mya, just as she did for her own daughter. The girl deserved a little love and motherly care. Emperor knew, her mother didn't seem very well equipped for the job.
No.
Let the others see her as a nursemaid, she was helping to mold the next generation of Imperial leaders.
That was a power all its own, and it was all hers…
…well…hers and Avy's. Avy was the guiding force in Andur's life, preparing him for his throne.
Yet, another duty that her friend would not trust to others.
Taya once again looked up, noticing their uninvited guest. Queen Vessaria IX stood on a small shadowed patio, saying nothing, simply watching. Her protector Valenthyne at her side.
The blond Sith pursed her lips.
She trusted Avy, believed in her, but…
…she had doubts about leaving the queen alive.
Avy said that the old queen was properly leashed, and not a threat. Taya was not so sure. Vessaria had been Jas Dar Bynn's widow, and ruled this world herself for decades. Yes, they had the woman's eldest daughter and heir, but was that enough?
They had taken the queen's world, put a blaster to her children's heads, but was that enough? The queen had survived some dark times, if the stories were to be believed.
Vessaria had been driven from her home as a child only to seize it back at twenty, her near bloodless coup was more than enough proof of her strength.
That, and she had seduced a Jedi, gotten him to abandon his code, and father children upon her.
The queen was no mere pawn. Her world had been taken, her guardian and best friend turned into a loyal attack dog by Avy's schemes, and her children threatened with death to ensure the woman's compliance.
If the situation was reversed, Taya would have been looking for any way and reason to hurt her captors. The queen was no doubt looking for any weakness to exploit, to hurt the Sith.
Taya made her way over to the woman.
If the queen thought of hurting the children as her way to avenge herself, she was gravely mistaken. The children were under HER protection.
Taya would die before she let anyone hurt one of her little ones, but she would much rather kill, slowly and painfully.
Yes.
Let the queen, and anyone else…beware.
The woman had to notice her approach, but did not move, didn't even try not to be noticed. Taya was impressed with her bravery If nothing else.
Of course, what could she do? Valenthyne, her protector, belonged to Avaryss now. It would break the woman's heart, but she would kill her mistress if the dark lord ordered it.
Another detonator in our court, Taya thought to herself, most of the sworn protectors they had under their control would have resisted if they could, if their programming had not been tailored to serve the Sith.
How many harbored hatreds for the Sith and their allies?
How many would act if given the opportunity?
Too many, she was sure.
Avy remained unconcerned she trusted in the system that bound the protectors. The Sith had infiltrated Bantoon well before the rule of Vessaria, and made sure the protectors would be theirs when they took power.
Hecaetus had done his job well in that. It had made his heir's. Avaryss's, job so much easier.
Valenthyne glared at Taya as she approached, the Sith could feel the woman's rage, her desire to hurt the Sith, but could do nothing. Her programming, and the Deathknell venom flowing through her veins made the woman the perfect slave.
Taya could kill the queen, and she would be able to do nothing to stop it.
Speaking of the queen, Taya expected to feel her rage as well, and why not, given what the Sith had done to her world?
Strangely enough, she sensed no rage, merely sadness, and loneliness.
"Your Ladyship," the queen said, without turning to look upon her.
"Your Majesty," Taya responded, she walked up next to the older woman, and watched the children.
For the briefest of moments there was a tense silence, neither wishing to give an inch.
The two stood looking out over the garden, and said nothing, the only sounds were that of birds and children laughing.
Taya stayed, she would not leave until the old woman was gone, until she was sure the children were safe. She…
"I've missed this," the queen said, closing her eyes, and sighing.
"I've missed the laughter of children."
Taya was not sure what to say.
The queen continued.
"It has been…a long time since mine were little. They have grown strong, and found their way, but…I still miss having them here. My dear little starfishes."
Taya nodded, she understood, she remembered her times on Dromund Kaas with Aya. When Aya was gone…
A shiver ran down her spine.
She feared that she would never have that again.
"I…I try to treasure these moments," she said to the queen.
Vessaria nodded.
"They go so fast, one minute they are babes in your arms, and the next…"
She shook her head.
"It has been a long time."
A shudder ran down the older woman's spine, she shook her head.
"I…I had always thought that Jas and I would be able to enjoy watching our grandchildren play here. Part of me hoped that Miri and Bayla would have started their own families by now, that we would be able to watch their children grow up together."
Taya felt a surge of anger from the queen, anger not directed at her or Avy.
"Do you blame your husband," she asked.
The queen shook her head.
"I blame duty. Even at our best moments, duty always stood between us. My duty was to the throne. His to the Force and the people he protected."
Vessaria shook her head.
"Duty was always there. It shared a bed with us, and never let us forget its presence."
"Power asks much of a person," Taya said, she could sympathize with the older woman.
It had been her duty to Avaryss that had caused her and her family to go to Ziost, and called her away before the emperor had come.
It was because of Avy that she had not been there when her family died. She didn't blame her, she couldn't…
Avy had not known what was coming.
Taya looked at the queen.
"Your heir is safe, for now," she reminded her, "Continue to obey, and your first born will be returned to you one day."
The queen barked a cold laugh, and shook her head.
"You have my heir, yes, Sith, but not my first born. Ann died a long time ago, long before Miri was even born."
The queen's eyes narrowed.
"She died during the first war, and…that…that is something you can't forget."
She turned and looked at the younger woman.
"Do you know what that is like? To lose a child?"
Taya winced.
Part of her wanted to lash out, to slap the woman.
How dare you!
Yet, she held her anger in check.
The queen didn't know.
How could she know?
She took a deep breath, focused.
"I know what it is like," she said coldly.
The Queen looked at her, but said nothing, in the end she merely nodded.
No more needed to be said.
For a time they watched the children. Mya surprised Andur, who squealed and took off running, the older girl in pursuit.
Taya blinked.
Was it just her, or did it appear that Mya was in two places at once, flickering like a bad holo signal?
Interesting.
She looked again at the queen.
She was still a threat, she couldn't deny that, but it wasn't because she was a queen.
No.
It was because she was a mother…
…and a mother…NEVER forgot.
"What was her name," she asked the older woman.
"Annara, after my mother."
"I am sorry," Taya said.
"And your child?" the queen asked.
"Aya."
"I'm sorry," Vessaria said.
Taya nodded.
Yes.
So was she.
"War takes children," the Sith said, "That cannot be avoided."
Only then did she anger flash in the queen's eyes.
"It wasn't war that killed, Ann. It was Hudlo…
"It was a Sith."
Taya didn't respond.
What could she say?
Hudlo had been the name that Darth Hecaetus had used when he lived on Bantoon. A name that Avy had taken, and used to bring the nobles over to her side.
"He had plans for her," Vessaria continued, "He tried to manipulate my family to further his own ends. When that failed, when he was discovered. He killed Ann, and young Jaster, the young man she had come to love."
The queen turned to Taya.
"And now another Hudlo has come to my world. She has turned my daughter into a wall decoration, and threatened my son."
"Things do not have to go the way they did before," Taya said, trying to reassure her. "Our time here is almost done, soon our work will be completed, and the galaxy will be forever changed…for the better."
The queen snorted at that.
"Is that what you tell yourself?"
"It will be what will happen."
The queen nodded.
"And what of my world, and my family?"
You and your family will be eliminated, Taya thought, I will not be able to rule here if you were still skulking about.
Of course, she didn't say that, there was no reason to.
It was not yet time to kill the Istillo family. They still had value, at least until the temple was finished.
"Your world will continue on," she said, "Your people will be citizens of the new empire. They will live in a new age of security and order."
"And what of my daughter, Bayla? Your people hunt her?"
"She will be found. She will be brought back here. Her defeat will show all that we are the true power here."
The queen nodded, her eyes cold, her hands curling into fists.
"Perhaps, or maybe…she will find you first."
Taya turned the queen was smiling, a cold cruel smile, a smile that would have done any Sith proud.
Queen Vessaria IX, wife of Jas Dar Bynn smiled at her, and that smile promised so much…
…a terrible vengeance…
…punishment.
"Tell me, your ladyship, have you seen the garden of bones? It is a most interesting landmark here on Bantoon."
"I haven't had the pleasure."
"The pleasure," the queen laughed.
"Did I say something amusing?"
The queen wiped at her eyes.
"The garden is perfect for you and your kind. It is where we send murderers. Baron Hudlo himself was meant for it, but he ran away before he could be found."
The queen shook her head.
"The garden is on the sea floor off the western coast. Row after row of murderers, the feet sealed in duracrete blocks, sealed and submerged in the ocean. Everyone there took lives, and now they help give life, they feed the fish and other animals that live in the garden."
The queen looked down at Taya's feet.
"I'm sure that both you and Lady Avaryss will fit right in there, provided my Bayla doesn't kill you both when she returns."
Taya's eyes narrowed.
"Be careful, old woman."
The queen shrugged.
"Don't worry," she said, "Your children have nothing to fear. We do not punish families on this world, only those people who deserve it."
"I think you might deserve what is coming…Lady Taya."
Again, Taya was tempted to strike the old woman. Avy be damned, but again, she held her emotions in check.
The queen would die, once the threat of her daughter had been neutralized, and when she was gone…
…Bantoon would be hers.
Avy could have the rest of the empire. Taya just wanted this one world. Her world.
Anj was happy here.
She would ensure that it would be a safe place for her.
"Good day, Your Majesty," she said, leaving the queen's side.
"Good day, your ladyship."
Taya left, imagining how good it would feel to put her blade through the old woman's smirking face.
When Avy returned, she would ask her to be the one to carry out that duty. Once they were sure that Bayla Istillo was dead. Then they would no longer need to keep any of the royal family alive.
Only then, would Taya be free to do what she wished here.
There were plenty of Istillo cousins, some even supported Sith rule.
One would be a good match for Anj, and it would serve to seal any breach between the Sith and the Bann.
In time, Taya's family would be the ruling family.
It would be…a good way to ensure their future here, to ensure Anj's future.
She looked back, the queen was gone, off to harass someone else. Her protector, a slave of the Sith, at her side.
Taya pursed her lips.
She would have to mention the woman's threat to Avy. Her friend would not be happy, but would not be surprised.
Of course, nothing would come of that talk.
They still needed the queen alive, for now. They still had many enemies here. The Paladina, the nobles, not to mention possible enemies among their own Sith.
The mere thought made Taya's head hurt.
So many enemies, so little time.
For now, she tried not to think about that. The temple was almost done, and Avy now had her hunters to ferret out their enemies.
Soon everything would be as it should be.
Avy would be empress, Zakuul destroyed, and the Republic and Jedi brought to heel. The empire would be warned, get in line, or be destroyed. One by one, Avaryss would gather all to her, and in the end.
All would be hers.
Taya's eyes fell on the children again. Her little Anj, the mirror image of her mother, much as her sister Aya had been.
It was for her that Taya was doing this, her happiness.
Soon Bantoon would theirs. Her daughter would grow up to lead this world after her mother, and her child after that, and theirs after that.
Once Bayla Istillo was dead.
The thought made her smile.
That death would hurt the queen, but Taya would not let her suffer long.
She was a fellow mother after all.
Her death would be quick, and painless.
The queen deserved that at least.
Soon, Taya thought.
Soon all would be as it should be, regardless of what that queen said. She didn't matter. She was a ghost of the past, a ghost soon to be forgotten.
Yes.
A shiver of anticipation ran down Taya's spine.
Soon.