Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.
Betad by Priapus, Beans, Marethyu, Mike God of Lore
The Celestial Inquisitor
Chapter 09: Lachris
– Sarik –
"We've arrived at Balmorra, and our credentials have been accepted. We'll be landing in Sobrik's spaceport soon," Juno announces over the speaker, and I don't miss the way that Vette perks up even as she turns to me.
100cp granted, 100cp total.
"Erm, Master? Where's my collar? I went back to the bathroom to collect it but it was missing," Vette explains, rubbing her neck hesitantly. She doesn't want to wear it, but she planned to put it back on to show her obedience to me.
"Floats took it upon himself to… improve the collar after he found it on the floor," I explain, gesturing for her to come to me. Floats trills as he fiddles with the pieces of the collar. Turning to her, I show her the new and improved slave collar. Floats thought it was too heavy and burdensome, and realised he could take it apart and put it back together in a much slimmer form.
As Vette is going to be fighting, I agree that it won't do for Vette to be wearing such a heavy collar and that particular brand of collar is outlawed in Republic space anyway. The new collar is slim and silver, more of a choker than a collar, as I hand it over to her. It isn't instantly recognisable as a slave collar, which could be helpful. As such, I don't mind Floats deciding to do this.
I do find it both slightly odd and somewhat amusing that Floats seems to have taken control of the Rachni horde and is commanding them to speed up his work. They're all loyal to me, so I don't mind as long as he doesn't try to take the ship apart mid-flight.
Let's be honest, he's so much better with technology than me that it's laughable so if he thinks he can improve something, I should let him. Floats trills again, the melodic sound making Vette smile slightly as she examines the new collar.
With a pause, she sighs and moves it back around her throat before rubbing the thin metal choker.
"Floats is damn good; this feels much less heavy," Vette admits, reaching out and stroking Floats, who trills and vibrates happily before he wanders off. I think I saw one of the monitors being dismantled by a horde of Rachni on my way here. "Are we going straight to meet this Lachris?"
"I am. You are staying on the ship," I say, watching her eyes widen before I hold up my hand, cutting off her response. "Your emotions will betray you, as will Taunt's. I can shield you from much, but if Lachris realises I'm coming to get Taunt as a favour to a slave, this becomes far more complicated."
Vette goes to respond before she nods obediently.
"You're going alone, then? I doubt Kory would impress this Lachris either," Vette says, but I just laugh.
"A slave and a failed acolyte wouldn't impress. A giant, hulking Dashade assassin with a sword bigger than some people might," I point out, making her chuckle. "Khem will come with me this time. He's a deterrent, if nothing else. Stay on the ship and await further instructions. If all goes well, I'll be back with Taunt soon enough."
"And if it doesn't?" Vette asks hesitantly.
"Darth Lachris is reasonable, for a Sith. She has no reason to turn down my offer. Have faith that I can handle this," I say simply, getting a nod from her. "I don't plan to stay on Balmorra for long; we have business to attend to elsewhere, so I want to be gone by tonight."
I'm not exactly as confident as I sound, but Vette doesn't notice that. I'm working on second-hand information with Lachris, but she was trusted with the ruling of Balmorra and its critically important arms factories, so the Dark Council has faith in her. Plus, Marr is known for being a practical Sith who puts the task above his own ego.
Saying goodbye, I make a trip to tell Khem that he'll be joining me and to prepare for landing. I doubt there will be any fighting since we won't be leaving Sobrik, but Khem will serve as a status symbol, something I need as a mere apprentice approaching a Darth.
Taking the moment to meditate on my decision again, I have to admit that I'm not entirely sold on this plan, but there's far more potential here than just getting my hands on Taunt. Balmorra is a fertile testing ground for the Lore of Plagues; Lachris could be a powerful ally, and dealing with the resistance will make me look good to the Dark Council.
Honestly, if it weren't for those three facts, I'd be leaving Taunt here and just telling Vette that her friend had been killed.
We stay in orbit for a moment before we're cleared to land, after which I rise and head to the exit. Honestly, getting into Sobrik is too easy despite us being expected, and it just puts me more on guard.
An Imperial Captain is waiting for us, which again is odd because this is the kind of task you give to a private, not an officer. Still, before long, we're on the transport heading to meet with Lachris herself.
Entering the room, I pause as I watch a rather pathetic-looking man being held in the air, clutching his throat. Standing a few feet away, a rather beautiful human Sith is holding out her hand with a disappointed expression.
The dark side is clearly strong with her, her eyes a blazing gold which is only accented by her purple eyeliner. Her hair is worn up, similar to many of the nobles I've seen over my years, and she's putting zero effort into choking this man.
"Do you know what the worst part is, Governor?" Lachris asks, her tone bored as the man flails and grips his throat.
"I- I didn't-"
"Exactly. You didn't even own up to your own failures, which is why the Dark Council gave this planet to me," Darth Lachris says, holding him in the air for a few more moments before she clenches her fist.
With an audible snap, the man's neck twists unnaturally, and he falls to the floor dead. She looks at the body for a moment before turning to face me. With a gesture, she sends the rest of the Imperials away, examining me with a critical eye before she smiles.
Her eyes do flicker to Khem, running her gaze over the Dashade before she turns back to me.
"As I hope you have realised, I am Darth Lachris, and I've been tasked with cleansing Balmorra, a task made considerably harder by the incompetence of our departed Governor," Lachris introduces. "And you need no introduction, Sarik. Your reputation has spread amongst the Darths rapidly."
"It's a pleasure to meet you; your own reputation reached Korriban before my training even began. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me," I say respectfully with a small bow.
"Ah, a skilled tongue and a respectful disposition? I shan't turn my back to you. The silver-tongued Sith are always the most dangerous," Lachris replies with a light smirk. "I was surprised to get your request for a meeting, especially over a Twi'lek slave of all things. I would have thought you were busy with your task from my former master, not looking for a new toy."
"I simply have use for Taunt, enough to take a detour to negotiate for her," I explain, and her lips twitch as she gestures for me to follow her.
"Your pet can wait outside," Lachris orders, and I nod to Khem even as he warns me not to trust her. Yeah, I already know that. Still, she leads me into a small lounge room and gestures for me to sit.
Taking a seat opposite me, she pauses for a moment before she smirks dangerously.
"I would hope you have a use for her; it isn't a good look for a Sith to be running around the Galaxy looking for their slave's friend, would it?" Lachris asks, and I just smile.
"I have plans for Vette, that could benefit the entire Empire in the long run. A happy slave is a loyal slave, and Taunt is going to do more to keep Vette loyal and obedient than any slave collar could," I explain simply and, more importantly, honestly. "I was surprised to hear that you personally reassigned her. I wouldn't have thought that Taunt was worthy of your personal attention."
Lachris watches me for a moment, her searching eyes boring into mine before she leans back.
"She wasn't, right up until she escaped from her Moff master," Lachris explains, seeing my confusion. "Moff Drelge had her brought here to get revenge for her tricking him. You see, when her gang robbed him, Taunt posed herself as a Twi'lek escort and drugged Drelge after he snuck her into his family's estate. He was too embarrassed to admit that he'd allowed a small gang of nobodies to outsmart him and hid the truth for a long time."
"So when he heard that she'd been captured, he wanted some personal revenge," I say, making her nod. "Let me guess, he got outsmarted again?"
"Indeed. He was a fool of a man, given his position for his family title. This time, Taunt managed to slip away by stealing the controls for her collar and even stole classified military secrets. She attempted to escape to the Balmorran resistance, to trade our secrets for a way off planet and into Republic space," Lachris explains, noticeably using the past tense for the Moff. "It was luck that led to her being recaptured, running across a Colicoid nest and having to retreat right into the hands of an Imperial patrol who realised she was a runaway slave carrying Imperial secrets. Had she succeeded, the resistance would have dealt heavy damage to the Imperial forces on Balmorra. I had the Moff and his guards executed and decided to reassign Taunt to serve as entertainment for the officers. Now, you want our little runaway slave to add to your growing collection."
"I do," I admit, watching Lachris carefully. I felt her spike of rage at the mention of the resistance.
"If any other apprentice came to me, I'd have already sent you away. You know this already," Lachris continues.
"I know," I agree, making her smile.
"So, what do you think you can offer me that would be worth giving up the slave who almost dealt a deadly blow to my operations?" Lachris asks, and I close my eyes for a moment. Beside me, the [Statue of the Divine] appears, a stony replica of myself. "Impressive trick, but I hope you're not planning to offer a statue of yourself as the prize. You are not that good-looking."
Her tone is a mixture of teasing and warning, but I just smile as the statue opens its eyes and crosses its arms.
"As I'm sure you already know, the Holocron I gained has granted me much ancient and foreign knowledge. One of which is this, a statue that I can control and use my abilities through, no matter the distance between myself and it," I explain, seeing her lean back. "What I am offering… is myself and my services in your mission against the Balmorran resistance. Until such a time that the Balmorran resistance has been truly crushed, I will leave the statue with you, under your command."
"And you believe I need the help of an apprentice to squash these fools?" Lachris asks, her voice taking on a dangerous tone.
"No, but one of the pieces of knowledge I gained is designed for crushing such things, and we both know that a fast, decisive win here would elevate you even higher. You haven't been on Balmorra long, and I am sure that with your leadership and my unique techniques, we can crush the resistance in record time," I explain, watching her mull it over.
"What techniques do you have that you believe will be so very useful to me?" Lachris asks, watching as I hold out my hand and a swirling green mist forms around it.
"The Holocron granted me the knowledge of two lost forms of Force Sorcery, named the Lore of Ruin and the Lore of Plagues. At your command, I can craft deadly plagues that will devastate those still fighting, with only you holding the cure. I can even modify them so that they only affect those who are neither human nor Sith, as many of your enemies are aliens," I explain, seeing her interest.
"And yet, while my star would rise… how much of my success would be attributed to you?" Lachris asks. "Your own reputation would rise, making this mutually beneficial… with you getting both the slave and the fame. An unfair deal, don't you think?"
"We both know Taunt means little to you, and the majority of the bounty would be yours. This is your planet, and this operation is under your command. Having the skills means nothing if you don't have the vision to wield them, and I'm merely a fresh-faced apprentice," I retort. "I hope to use Balmorra to test my plagues because we both know this peace won't last forever. I won't deny that we would both look good to the Dark Council should this succeed and if it fails, then the blame is mine, as would be the punishment."
"Hm, an intriguing idea. So many species would find supporting the Republic more troublesome if they knew we could unleash plagues that only targeted them," Lachris agrees, seeing my scheme. Her posture has relaxed somewhat, and I can tell I have her on the hook. "You claim this Vette is going to be useful to the Empire. How?"
"I gained the memories of an ancient order of non-Force sensitive assassins, an order I wish to recreate under my command. Vette is the prototype, as I use my techniques to implant the knowledge directly into her head, but I'm just an apprentice. I don't have the pull or respect to start such a program without first proving that my plan has potential. Taunt is an easy way to ensure Vette remains loyal and works toward her training at the start. Later, she'll help me lessen Vette's remaining morality and loyalty to anything but her new cause."
"You want my sponsorship," Lachris realises, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You are cunning. If your scheme on Balmorra succeeds, I could support your plans to the Dark Council themselves. I could also get you whatever you need to continue the training programs."
"And as those programs bear fruit, we'd both rise ever higher," I finish, seeing her eyes gleam, imagining it. She may even end up on the Dark Council itself if we succeed enough.
"Until you stab me in the back," Lachris continues, but I shake my head.
"I realise that what I'm about to say is nearly anathema to the Sith, but I dislike the constant betrayal and backstabbing. We'd have won the war already if only we could stop fighting amongst ourselves for a few years," I counter. "As you said, this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Even once I rise to the title of Darth, both you and my master would still remain powerful allies. To discard the benefits you bring to any agreement out of pure… ego would be nothing short of foolish."
Lachris remains silent for a long moment, making me wonder if I've played my hand too soon. I was never going to be able to deceive her, and while she doesn't have the sheer presence of Marr, she is clearly powerful and would take an apprentice trying to mislead her poorly.
Then, she pulls a small tablet to her and presses a few buttons before putting it down.
"My apologies, Sarik. All this talk, and I've been such an ungracious host that I never even offered you a drink," Lachris says, smirking as the door opens and a red-skinned Twi'lek woman walks in carrying a tray with some drink I don't recognise on it.
Taunt isn't wearing the regular clothes she had in the pictures; her outfit has been replaced with something more fitting for a slave. A gold collar around her neck has two pieces of thin, see-through white cloth coming down from it and covering her breasts with a golden belt and two more thin pieces of cloth going down to cover her pussy and ass while leaving almost her entire body on display. The see-through nature of the fabric means her lack of underwear is clear, and her nipples are visible against the outfit.
Taunt moves to my side, placing the tray down. She avoids eye contact before moving to stand beside Lachris. With the revealing outfit, the whip marks on her back are very obvious, even with her red skin.
"This is apparently the best drink in Balmorra, which admittedly speaks more for Balmorra than the drink itself," Lachris says with a slightly upturned lip as Taunt pours us both a glass. "I thought we could enjoy it together to celebrate our new partnership."
My tiny sigh of relief at her words makes her laugh, pride obvious at how I wasn't nearly as comfortable as I have been acting.
"To our success," I toast, making her lift her own glass with a smile. Taking a drink at the same time, I have to admit that the best Balmorra has is decent enough. Lachris's face scrunches up, and she puts the glass back down.
"Taunt, my friend here has come a long way to find you. This is Sarik, a fellow Sith and your new owner. He's paying well for you," Lachris explains, making Taunt's eyes widen. In that moment, as she stares at me, I can see her going over every person she's wronged to work out what she's done to get my attention. "Show him what he's purchased. Dance for him; you Twi'lek girls are good at that, right?"
"I-" Taunt starts before she bows her head. "O-of course, right away, mistress."
I can taste the fear in her tone as Lachris plays with her tablet again, and some music starts. It sounds like something you'd hear on Nar Shaddaa, and certainly not to Lachris' more refined tastes as Taunt moves onto the table between us and starts to move.
I can feel her shame. She hates that her people are known for their slavery-born practices and that so many Twi'lek women are sold as dancers or sex slaves, but she won't defy Lachris as she begins to dance for me.
She's got her back turned to Lachris, but as she sways her hips and moves her hands, she occasionally spins, and I see her freeze for just a moment every time she sees Lachris. Lachris doesn't give her a second look, staring right at me as I admittedly enjoy the show.
"This is a private dance, girl. Move into his lap," Lachris orders, sounding amused, but I can tell there's more to this than just showing me the goods. Taunt doesn't hesitate, despite her shame and anger, slipping off the table towards me.
Turning away from me, Taunt moves her ass back to meet my lap as she grinds against me before she turns and mounts my lap entirely, gyrating her body to the music. Without prompting, she removes her top and tosses it aside.
"Well, go on, Sarik, enjoy your purchase," Lachris says with an amused tone, my hands moving to Taunt's hips before they slide up to her breasts. Lachris moves herself, heading closer to me. Taunt's 'skirt' goes next, leaving her utterly naked, as she grinds her mound against my crotch. "Strip your master, Taunt."
Her tone allows no argument as Taunt moves, surprisingly sensually, and parts my robes. Lachris's eyes lock onto my body as it is revealed, or to be more specific… the runes on my arms. That was her intent with this little show, which means she'd heard of the runes already. My sleeveless top goes next, and Taunt freezes at the sign of the jewel embedded into my chest, but Lachris gives her a single look, and Taunt begins to move again.
"You could have just asked," I say, making Lachris laugh as she runs her fingers along the runes.
"I don't ask, Sarik," Lachris says simply, watching as Taunt slips onto her knees and deftly removes my pants and underwear in one swift movement. "Though, as I said, you have a skilled tongue. Perhaps I should put it to use while you are under me? Speaking of skilled tongues, get sucking slave."
Moving behind Taunt, Lachris grabs Taunt's head and pushes it down. Taunt opens wide, taking my throbbing cock into her mouth without hesitation. As she forces Taunt to take it all, Lachris maintains eye contact with me, one hand on Taunt's head and the other tracing the black runes on my body.
Taunt knows what she's doing, her tongue working skillfully to bring me towards completion but Lachris doesn't allow that to happen, pulling Taunt back by her lekku.
With a single gesture, Taunt is lifted from the ground and back into my lap, Lachris gripping my cock with the Force, which makes me gasp before she lines me up and gestures with her other hand. Taunt is forced down, letting out a moan as she is suddenly filled to the brim with Sith cock.
"Ride him," Lachris orders, leaning against the table with a smile. Her eyes are still taking in the runes on my body, but then she pauses. "Tell me, is your statue truly identical?"
"It is," I agree, making her smirk grow as it comes to life again. Before long, it's as nude as I am, and Lachris guides it behind a shocked and fearful Taunt. Still, even as a stony cock is pressed against her backdoor, I get the feeling she isn't new to being double-stuffed.
Lachris watches with a satisfied smirk, one hand touching her chest through her top and the other slipping into her bottoms as she enjoys the show.
Taunt can only gasp as both I and my statue thrust into her supple body in perfect unison, but I don't miss the way Lachris is carefully examining my statue's exposed back. It has my runes as well, after all. Taunt feels even tighter with an ass full of cock, and she's already clenching down on me with powerful internal muscles. Vette escaped any sexual duties while a slave, but I get the feeling that Taunt wasn't so lucky as she also grew up in slavery before eventually being enslaved once again by the Sith.
Despite everything, her hips move with practised precision, and her body reacts to the double-stuffing, cumming multiple times before I finally let loose with a groan and fill her Twi'lek pussy with my seed.
The statue pulls back, and Taunt is torn away from me and tossed to the floor by Lachris who smirks at me.
"I take it you are satisfied with your purchase?" Lachris asks, and as she does, I can feel her stroking me with the Force, my cock twitching from the telekinetic movement. Her control is amazing.
"I am, and I think our new relationship is going to be very satisfying for both of us," I counter, taking a risk as I squeeze her breast with the Force. She just gives me a dangerous look.
"Perhaps, if you impress me," Lachris agrees. "Taunt, your life belongs to Sarik now. Sarik, I look forward to seeing if you can live up to your lofty ambitions."
Returning her smile, I grab my clothes and dress as she hands me the control to Taunt's collar.
– Vette –
As Sarik returned, she rushed forward and hugged the surprised Taunt, who let out a shout of surprise.
"Vette? What are you-" Taunt asked, looking around in confusion. She tried to ignore Taunt's outfit as she gave her friend a smile.
"Vette is the reason I came for you," Sarik explained, letting out a sigh of relief now that he was back in the safety of his ship. "Much like you, she is my slave and asked me to retrieve you from Balmorra."
"Thank you, Master. I know this was a risk," Vette said, bowing to Sarik, who just gave her a nod in response.
"She's sharing your room on the ship when she isn't in my room. Unlike you, Taunt is a pleasure slave. Don't mistake escaping Balmorra for freedom. You cost me a lot, and I intend to collect. Tonight, you'll both be joining me," Sarik ordered. "I'm going to talk to Juno, we've delayed long enough. We have a job to do."
Vette hesitated, but she'd known this was going to happen. Unless she convinced him to let Taunt join her in her training, Taunt was going to be his sex slave. He'd made that clear from the start, and he'd been more generous than she'd ever expected already.
Taunt gave her a hesitant smile as they agreed, watching Sarik march toward the cockpit.
"Vette, what the hell happened after we got split up?" Taunt whispered, and Vette took her friend's hand and led her away. They had a lot of catching up to do. As they left, she took one last look at Sarik, who was talking to Juno, and gratitude filled her. He'd done what she wouldn't have been able to, just walked into an Imperial stronghold and walked out with her friend.
He really was the best of a bad lot.
— Quest Section — VOTING CONCLUDED
Should Sarik leave Khem with the statue?
No, he'll be useful against Aayla.
Yes, he attracts too much attention and will be useful in Balmorra.
How should Sarik approach Taris?
Attempt to infiltrate the Republic spaceport as an escaped slave.
Land in the wilds; don't risk approaching the Republic section.
Author's Note: I can't think of a note.
Written: 09/11/2024