Chapter 23: Fury

"We have cleared the minefield, master. We shall be entering hyperspace shortly."

"Very good, apprentice," Darth Avaryss' hologram said with a hint of a smile.

"Contact me again when you have confirmation on Temmin's location. Do not engage unless you are sure you can reach him with a minimal amount of resistance."

Rain nodded. As she knelt before the hyper-comm, the events of the last few hours replayed in her head. Though she was grateful to finally being allowed to begin the hunt for her first love, she could not shake the feeling that things were moving beyond what she could see.

She didn't like that feeling.

No.

She did not like that feeling at all.

Back on Bantoon, her master frowned.

"What is the matter, Rain, you look…pensive?"

The apprentice shrugged.

Her master frowned.

"What? Are you worried about your upcoming reunion?"

"No, master. I'm…it…it is these creatures of yours, these subhuman things."

"My hunters."

"Yes, them. I…I don't trust them. I feel…disturbed around them, and I am not the only one."

"You need not worry about that, they are mine…and do nothing now but obey my will.

Exactly, the apprentice thought, they are yours, my master, yours.

If I did something that they consider is against your wishes…they would not hesitate to turn on me.

This…I know.

Rain fidgeted.

She had been disturbed watching the things being created, watching human bodies being twisted by Sith Alchemy, it brought back her own experience. The mere thought made her bad foot throb. When they had been introduced again, after the experiments and conditioning, she got a feeling that the creatures knew something that she didn't. They looked upon her with sly cruel eyes. They were all smiling, happy to be in the service of their new master…her master, and yet…

Something in those smiles made her uneasy.

Their every move spoke of possible betrayal.

Not the kind of allies would have preferred to have along on this mission.

She wanted her master to understand.

"They have been looking at Lyka, looking at her like she is a meal to be devoured. Calin had a confrontation with the big one. He just gave that bleating giggle that the monsters all do, and made it clear that he wished for Calin to try him. They are animalistic, my lord, and they are dangerous. They…they…they are not to be trusted."

Avaryss waved her hand dismissively.

"If Tigg is causing trouble, speak with Ziza, their bond keeps him under control."

Rain frowned, the female beast, Ziza, did seem to be the leader of these four, but even she seemed untrustworthy. She was always smiling, like she knew some sick joke that everyone else couldn't see, and Rain got the feeling every time they spoke that she was mocking her.

That was enough to enrage any Sith, especially a future empress' apprentice.

Rain's eyes narrowed.

Part of her almost wished that the creatures would try something. She was ready to remove them, and would do so without mercy.

"I have Tront watching them," she informed her master, "he knows what to do if things get strange."

Avaryss' expression turned icy.

"I would not advise hoping your Gamorrean could kill all four of them, apprentice. The changes I brought upon them are more than just physical. Also, I sent them along with you to test them. I need to know how useful my hounds are in battle.

Her master crossed her arms.

"I would be most displeased if I should hear they died before they could be properly bloodied.

Rain nodded; the unspoken rebuke was clear.

"Yes, master. I will make sure they reach out destination, and engage any enemies that we may come across."

Satisfied, Avaryss nodded.

"Very good, apprentice. Then…everything is as it should be."

Rain bowed her head so her master could not see her frown.

Perhaps she is right, she thought, maybe the thought of seeing Temm again after so long is just making me nervous.

Again, her master picked up on her emotions.

The dark lord smiled.

"Do not fear, dear Rain. Everything is going as it should be, the dark side is with us, and the future is ours for the taking."

The apprentice looked up at the hologram.

"I wish I could feel your certainty."

"Everything is as it should be," her master repeated, "You will find Temm, and deliver him our offer. He has a glorious future if he chooses to embrace it. You will not be alone much longer, my dear."

Rain managed a weak smile.

Temm…

Gul had been an interesting distraction, but that was all he was, a distraction.

Thinking of her current lover made her pause.

She had expected Gul to be resistant to her going on this mission. She had thought that he would be annoyed that she would seek out someone he might see as a potential rival for her affections.

She expected jealousy at the most, hostility and the least.

Strangely enough, that had not happened. He seemed more than willing to go, even volunteered, the first to do so among her inner circle.

She wasn't sure why, but he seemed more…chipper since they had left the moons, their time in the palace had put a spring in his step, though she didn't know why.

What did it matter, she thought, who knows why Gul did what he did, she was on her way to find Temmin, a goal that she had desired for the last three years.

At last, we will be reunited.

The thought brought a nervous flutter to her belly.

Temmin.

Temm was what she really wanted. Who she wanted, and had been since she had first seen him years ago.

Again, her master seemed to pick up on what she was thinking, and feeling.

Avaryss smirked.

"And you are not the only one who will soon be joined by their own chosen other, apprentice," she continued, "For the first time in years, I have sensed Fenn's presence."

Rain blinked.

"Fenn? Do…do you think they are together, master?"

"That vision was denied me, but with one will come the other, I'm certain of that. Fenn will be returning to us. I have sensed his frustration and growing anger. I'm not sure what he is doing, but he is growing in power again. He is opening himself up to the Force, I'm sure of it, and with that acceptance, his transformation will finally be complete, and he WILL return."

Rain smiled.

"Congratulations, my master."

"Thank you, apprentice."

Avaryss was practically beaming, even over the holo, Rain could sense her glee, like a child on a feast day morning.

Her expression turned serious then, serious and cold.

"Rain, remember this. If your reunion with Temmin does not go as you hope. If he rejects our offer. You…you must be prepared to do what must be done. Our work cannot be jeopardized."

"He will not refuse me. He would not DARE."

"If he does, do not hesitate, and show no mercy. We are too close, and cannot take the chance of being threatened at this stage."

"You need not worry, master. He is mine, and he will remember that he is mine. I SWEAR it."

Avaryss held her gaze, the two Sith looked at each other, and looked into each other through the Force.

Finally, the master nodded.

"See that it all comes to pass. Contact me when the time comes. Avaryss out."

The holo faded, leaving the brief glowing shadow of a hooded figure, a shadow that faded when Rain blinked her eyes.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

If Temm refuses. If he refuses her…

She shook her head.

No.

That would not happen!

Rain's eyes narrowed.

He…wouldn't DARE!

She knew she should leave the comm room, inform Rink that they were now clear to jump, but…she paused. She looked at the holo projector, looked, and bit her lower lip, deep in thought.

She reached down to the brace on her bad foot, and slid open a hidden panel there, revealing a small device, she pulled it out and looked at it.

There is one other call that I should make, she thought, but did she dare?

She wasn't sure.

The device had been developed for Sith Intelligence, it had come into her hands almost two years ago, a gift from her patron on Dromund Kaas. It seized a hyper-comm signal, offered additional encryption, and erased all traces of any calls made while it was inserted. It was a useful toy, and one she had used successfully many times.

She frowned.

As far as she knew, her master didn't know she had it, and it had served her well. Her contact on Dromund Kaas had provided her with training that Avaryss knew nothing about. Useful for when Rain staged her own coup against her teacher, and all he asked was for periodical updates on what her master was doing.

It had seemed like a good deal, and she had profited from it.

He should know about the temple, how close it was to completion, and about Avaryss' new dogs as well, but…did she dare contact him from this terminal? As a vessel of the Sith fleet, it did have security codes to allow Sith to commune privately with each other, but…

A shiver ran down her spine.

This wasn't just another Sith ship, though, was it? It was a Fury class interceptor. THE Fury class interceptor, the one her master had used during her own apprenticeship. The ship gifted to her by HER master.

Rain was no fool, who knew what safeguards Avaryss had built into it. Perhaps every message that went out over the comms was recorder for her viewing later, and even if that wasn't the case. She was still possibly being watched.

Avaryss had allowed her to go on this mission, let her take Tront, Gul, and the rest of her allies, but had still included some chaperones.

Both Commander Rink, and Commander Holli had volunteered to accompany her. They served as they had when they had been junior officers. Rink was piloting, and Holli as ship's engineer. Both claimed to have missed what they called, the good old days. The days of ferrying Avaryss around on her missions, and had been in the mood to indulge in a little nostalgia.

Rain had not refused them, but now, realized that might have been a mistake. They were too close to her master. On top of that, the mercenary Teryn had come as well, officially he was running her master's creatures, but again, she could not help but believe he was watching her too.

Her thoughts returned to what her master had said, if Temmin refused to go along with them, to join her.

What if he says no, she wondered, and worse…

Rain winced.

What if he has moved on? What if he has taken a lover in the years since they parted?

The mere thought made jealousy spike through her breast.

No.

NO!

She wouldn't allow that.

Yes, she had been with Gul, but that wasn't the point, Gul was a distraction, nothing more.

If Temmin had chosen to love another…she…she…

She clenched her fists.

She…she was not sure what she would do?!

If another woman has touched him. I will tear out her heart!

No one will take what is mine!

NO ONE!

Rain's anger flourished in that moment, the dark side responded, offering the promise of vengeance and retribution if needed.

Rain took a shuddering breath.

No.

She would not let herself get worked up, not until she was sure there was a reason.

She returned the device to its hidden slot in her foot brace.

She rose, released the privacy settings, opened the door, and left the comm room.

She made for the bridge. Rink would be waiting for her.

The creatures had been communing with the Force, they had offered them a course heading, it was time to see if these hunters were worthy of their name.

They said they could find Temmin.

It was time to see how good they were.

IOI

Two hours later, they found themselves floating in the middle of nowhere.

Rain fidgeted in her chair on the bridge, looking at the ship's intercom, waiting for the Ziza and the rest of her beasts to send them the next set of coordinates.

She fought the urge to curse under her breath.

What was taking so damn long!

She looked at Rink and Holli, no two officers were more different. Rink was dressed slovenly, his officer's coat too large, his pants rumpled, yet, few imperials held more power on Bantoon than he.

He was Avaryss' contact with the various pirates, smugglers and slavers that made up her disposable fleet. He could have taken the title of admiral if he wanted, but that didn't seem to interest him. He had found his niche, and seemed content to stay there.

He was also Darth Necris' lover, though how that worked, Rain couldn't guess. They had met shortly after her fall to the dark side, or so Rain had heard. Over the years, that connection had bloomed from a friendship into something more.

Which meant she had to be careful what she said around Rink, one wrong word would get back to Necris, whether she would use it herself or turn it over to Avaryss, only Devaronian would know that. Of course, Necris was not without her own skeletons.

It had been through her that Rain had first gotten her contact within the Empire. If she said anything against Rain, well, Rain had plenty to say about her.

Lujayne Holli was the complete opposite, she looked and carried herself as a proper imperial officer. Her curly red hair always in place, her officer's uniform spotless.

Normally, spotless.

Holli was wearing an engineer's overalls for this mission, and those were rarely not covered with grease, or some other stain from the ship. Still, the woman was content.

She had risen high thanks to Avaryss, and was likely one of the few non-Force sensitives that her master was comfortable speaking freely around. The two were friends, an oddity for a Sith, but very useful for an imperial.

Of course, her shape shifting ability had allowed her to serve her master many times over the years. Hell, the whole Survivor plot would not have worked if not for the services of Lujayne Holli.

The door behind them opened, as Teryn stuck his head in. Clad in the armor of a Sith trooper, the former mercenary, turned fighter for Avaryss frowned.

"Any idea why we are still here," he inquired.

"Waiting on the creatures in the hold to give us our next heading," Rink replied, "We'll be on our way as soon as we have it."

Rink turned to Rain.

"Any thoughts on why it is taking so long, my lord?"

"These creatures are a new creation," she said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.

"My master says we can depend on them."

Teryn snorted at that, he may have saw Avaryss as a path to what he wanted…

…but he still did not truly understand the Force.

"Her lordship has never steered us wrong," Holli said, not looking up from her console, "We can trust that what is happening is by her design."

Holli looked up and smiled sweetly at Rain.

"Besides, I don't think it is a good idea to question her lordship in front of her apprentice."

Rain looked at the two men, saw the look of uncertainty cross their features, maybe even a dose of fear.

She almost rolled her eyes.

They didn't have time for that.

Imp-paranoia was all well and good, but she had little time to indulge in it now.

"You are not wrong to question this part of our mission," she informed the three, "My master's…creations are an unproven commodity."

Rain frowned.

"We will need to trust that they understand what it is we need them to do."

Before they had left Bantoon, Ziza had said they needed something of Temm's if it existed. It would help them focus if they had something that felt like their prey."

Rain was not sure how the creatures knew how to do that, they had never been trained in the Force, but…maybe it was something instinctual, all of the twelve beasts had shown a more animalistic nature since their conversion, and she had been able to provide what they needed. A scarf gifted to her by Temm during the early days of her training, when her master would take her out to run the course she had made on Survivor Bases hidden world.

So many cold mornings, and Temm had understood that.

Even now, the sweetness of such a gift warmed her.

She had been wearing it when Survivor Base fell, and had held onto it ever since. Now it was in the hands of her master's creations.

The creatures had taken the scarf gleefully giggling to themselves as they passed the scarf around, they had set up in the Fury's hold, near the engineer's station.

Which was why Holli was up here on the bridge. She didn't like the creatures watching her, didn't like to hear their snorting breathing, or their sly giggles.

She found the hunters…disturbing.

Rain didn't blame her.

She found the sub-human things disturbing too.

"My master says they are up to the challenge," she reminded her crew.

"We must trust her will."

"Wise."

A single word, whispered from nowhere, Rain immediately sensed they were no longer alone, that and the hot breath on the back of her neck.

She leapt to her feet, and spun around, reaching for her weapon. Holli gasped, reaching for her sidearm. While Teryn moved closer to Rink, to shield the controls.

It was only then that she saw it, there was no one there, just a dark shadow, but then…the shadows parted, revealing the grinning almost human face.

Rain's eyes narrowed in disgust.

"DAMN IT, ZIZA!"

The creature cackled.

"My apologies, my lady." the thing said bowing its head.

"It was not my intent to frighten you."

The Sith glared at the alchemical thing.

I'll bet, she thought.

No longer hiding itself, the creature appeared fully, giving Rain her first real look at what her master's alchemy had wrought. When they had boarded the Fury, the four had all been wearing full hooded robes. Robes the things had shed.

Now she was able to see the full extent of her master's labor.

Ziza wore a black one-piece body suit, that left her arms and legs bare. Her elbows, wrists and ankles were now covered in a shaggy black-blue fur. Her skin had changed as well, becoming a deep violet, her hair a dark purple mane flowed down to her waist. Two long pointed ears stuck up through that mane, her nose was thicker, and her jaw longer, her sharp teeth prominent as she grinned, but the worse was her eyes.

They had turned into two bright yellow pools of light. Light that seemed to flicker with barely contained malice.

Those eyes now fell on Rain, amusement echoed out of the creature through the Force.

Rain, however, was not amused.

"We have your new course, Captain," the creature purred holding up a piece of flimsy in its long-clawed hand.

"You could have used comms," Rain reminded her, taking the flimsy.

"I wished to see the bridge," the creature replied, matter-of-factly.

"I've never been on a ship like this before, I was curious, we are ALL curious."

The thing tilted its head.

"The galaxy has change for us, Master Rain. Once we saw only our petty desires on Bantoon. What our families sought to deny us. Now…we are one. We see everything. We are part of the Force and each other. We are part of the one that is the greatest of us all. We are part of the life and worlds of the master."

The creature stood taller.

"We are most eager to share our gift with others."

Rain wasn't sure how to take that. Her master had called these things hunters, trackers that could use the Force, and by their very presence disturb their foes.

She was feeling that effect now, ever so slightly. The Force felt strange in the presence of her master's…thing.

Abomination.

That thought came unbidden, but it was not without merit.

Rain frowned slightly.

She found herself thinking about Master Jas. The Jedi had pulled her aside when she had insisted that she wished to train with Master Avaryss. Though they had been allies, he and Avaryss, and she had promised him that Rain would become something new…an enlightened Sith.

He had done his best to warn her of the dangers of the dark side.

Alchemy was one such danger.

The Jedi had always viewed dark side alchemy as a profanity. It was one of the main reasons for the schism that had first split the order millennia ago. The Sith race had been introduced to alchemy by those ancient Dark Jedi, or so history said.

It was also said that those ancient Dark Jedi had used their alchemical skill to alter themselves enough so that they could mate with the Sith, or they had altered their Sith lovers, it was unclear. Whatever had happened the two groups had become one…all Sith.

Temmin was proof of that success, his father, a pureblood had mated with his human mother. Shyra Viel was also a creation of Sith Alchemy, though she had rejected the dark side, it was still a part of her.

These things, the creatures her master had created.

Rain was starting to see why the Jedi called Alchemy wrong.

Ziza, and her fellows, perhaps they should not exist.

The Sith handed the flimsy to Rink, who took it carefully.

"This isn't in a planetary system," he said.

"It is another step on the journey," Ziza answered, "We will have the next soon enough. We can feel the one we seek through what you provided."

The beast's smile widened.

"We will see him soon. Yes, we will."

Rain nodded.

"Good," she said, "If this is not the end of the journey, then you have work to do, you and your friends."

Rain did her best to appear regal, standing above the thing that had been a noble woman.

"Return to your pack, and find me where Temm is."

"It will be done, student of the master," Ziza said with a bow.

"It will be our pleasure."

The creature didn't rise and walk out of the bridge, it seemed to melt back into the shadows, shadows that shifted and vanished down the corridor.

Rain took a nervous breath.

Abomination.

What had her master been thinking?!

She was not alone in her opinion. Teryn looked suspiciously down the corridor, he glanced at the other shadows around the bridge, wondering if they were just shadows.

Holli shivered. As Rain watched the engineer's face morphed into Ziza's that wide wicked grin spread across her face.

"It will be our pleasure," Holli said in the monster's mewling voice.

The changeling shook her head, her face returning to normal.

Rink chuckled.

"And the award for the creepiest Sith creation goes to…" he said.

"We don't have to like them," Rain reminded her fellows, and she didn't.

Still, if they could find Temm through the Force.

She looked at where she had been sitting, and shadows behind it.

Lyka's father was a master alchemist, at least when it came to artifacts. His daughter was not without her own skill in that area. Rain had shown her one of the Tuka cats that had survived her master's experiments, one of the ones that had been used to bond the nobles with their abilities.

Lyka had not liked it. Her father had always preferred to bind the Force with non-living objects because it was safer. Living things had their own lives and ambitions, introducing the dark side into them…

…the results could be unstable, according to her friend.

Rain hated to admit it, but she tended to agree with her fellow Sith.

Should these things have been created, and…what had it meant by sharing its gift with the galaxy?

Rain tried not to think about it.

Rink brought the hyperdrive back online, as the Fury jumped to its next destination.

The young Sith closed her eyes, trying to sense Temmin.

Again, she felt nothing.

Where ever he was, they would see each other soon.

She tried not to think about her master and the creatures she had set loose on the galaxy.

Temmin was what mattered in that moment.

They would see each other again, and then…he would join them.

If he was smart…he would see the wisdom in that choice.

If not…

Rain's eyes narrowed.

If not…he would regret, and any who stood with him would regret it too.

She had no time to offer mercy, what was hers, should be hers.

She was tired of waiting.

We will be together again, my love…

…soon.