Chapter 31: Siren's Song
She is here.
The realization came over him as he awoke at the door.
Temmin blinked and shook his head.
Things still felt…unreal, like he was walking in a haze, everything seemed barely visible, he wasn't thinking…only obeying a compulsion.
He took a step back and a deep breath. He reached out to the Force, cocooning himself in the light.
His head cleared, and he realized where he was, and what was going on.
His eyes widened.
He could still feel it, the compulsion, but now he could look at it, analyze it, and recognize it for what it was, and who was sending it. Who had always been sending it, or rather…who had learned to send it shortly after they had first met.
He took another shuddering breath. His heart beat faster.
He couldn't believe it. She had found him.
Zay.
He shook his head.
She was somewhere in Eulogy…right now.
He looked around the small apartment he lived in when staying in town. It wasn't much, far less than a man in his position should have had. Yet, for him, it was comfortable, or had been…
Since beginning his relationship with Switch, he had spent less and less time here. Returning only when she was in the middle of a big job, and didn't wish to be distracted.
The thought made him smile.
It was flattering that he was that much of a distraction to the woman he loved.
So tonight, he had been staying out of the way, he had been in his room, and been meditating. The return of his Grandsire into his life had prompted him to go back to old Jedi habits, and now with Master Shyra here, it seemed even more important.
He had been sitting on the floor, focused inward, reaching out with his mind. Yet now, he found himself at the door, with no memory of rising from the mat, or of what he had been seeing as he looked deeper into the Force.
The sense of lost time was familiar, it had happened when he let himself slip into his connection with the Force, this was the first time he had felt so disoriented upon emerging.
His head felt…strange, like he was on the edge of panic. He felt it, a presence like some great predator behind him, even though there was none.
Reaching out with the light had helped, he had found his center again, the connection he felt held the dark fearful emotions at bay.
You will need that connection now, something inside of him said.
Zay is here…
…and she didn't simply come to say: hello.
He reached for his belt, his commlink was keyed to his Grandsire's channel. Gnar had gone with Rufo, and Master Shyra to find their missing Bann soldier, the one who might lead to the equally missing princess. Captain Buz had allowed this, even offered the alliance crew his protection and hospitality during their visit.
Death, with its pirate crews, were no match for the alliance, even as small as it was. If the fledgling group were able to organize well enough to oppose the Eternal Throne, it would be a good idea to remain on their good side. Death might even be able to profit from such a relationship. They had done well staying out of Eternal Throne's way, but it was only a matter of time until Arcann, or one of his underlings turned their attention to places like Death, for the sake of tribute if nothing else.
But the Eternal Throne was not the problem right now, Zay was here, and if she was still allied with the Sith…
His grandsire's warnings came back to him, that it was only a matter of time until a Sith showed up looking for revenge on their family, for the sins of the past…
…but Zay?
Temm could not believe that it would be she who would seek that vengeance, not after their history.
He looked down at the commlink.
He could call for help. Let Master Shyra know that Zay was here. Considering what had happened to Survivor Base, that was a good idea, but…
He still could not believe that his first love had had anything to do with that. She was her master's student true, she followed her lead, but…
He shook his head.
There were too many variables for him to consider, and what was happening in the Force was not making those decisions any easier.
He didn't think that the effect was being caused by Zay. If it was some Sith discipline, something to hide herself?
I need to talk to her alone.
The realization made him nod grimly.
I can save her.
Master Shyra had never trusted Avaryss, and that lack of trust had spilled over onto Zay. She didn't know her like he did.
If Avaryss was up to something, maybe, he could convince Zay to come over to their side? Who better to tell them what was going on with Avaryss then her own apprentice?
I could do it. He thought.
I CAN save her.
Like Master Fenn saved Avaryss?
The thought came unbidden, and made him hesitate.
His master HAD believed that Avaryss was worth saving, had gone farther down the dark path than he should have, and in the end, he had been betrayed.
Avaryss HAD betrayed them.
Zay could have warned them, warned him, but she had not.
What did that make her then? Ignorant dupe, or willing crony?
Was she just as much to blame for what happened to the Survivors as her master?
Again, he had no answer.
He reached out with the Force, but, was again nearly overwhelmed by that strange sense of disorientation and panic. He withdrew back into himself, and focused on finding his center.
He took another deep breath, and scooped up both his lightsaber and the lanvarok.
He had no idea why Zay was here, but he wanted to see her, needed to see her.
They had not spoken since right before everything had fallen apart back at Survivor Base.
He wanted to hear her side of what had happened, she owed him that much.
He also wanted her to see what he had accomplished here. Death was a safe haven for escaped slaves, second chance for so many creatures.
He had always hoped she would be proud of him for playing a part in helping them. She knew what a slave's life was like.
Surely, she would be pleased to see that he had tried to make a difference in the lives of many who had been trapped as she and her mother had been trapped.
He left the apartment, but not before flicking a switch on his commlink. It was not an emergency alert, but it would make sure that Shyra and his Grandsire were aware that something might be amiss in Eulogy.
Hopefully I will be able to switch it off before they come back into range, he thought, by then, perhaps, Zay and I will be sitting down in the Last Breath talking about old times…
…and new ones.
Zay would know more about her master's plans than anyone. Shyra and the alliance could use that information. It would be the first step on Zay's redemption.
I can help her find that redemption, if she lets me.
He smiled. Eager to see his old crush again.
IOI
The Force remained clouded as he made his way down to the street. Shadows cast by the dark side blocked any real incite.
He didn't see the disembodied shadow not far from the entrance of the small apartment complex where he lived. He didn't hear the snorting breath, and low giggle.
He didn't see the device the shadow planted on the buildings base, didn't see the readouts click from green to red.
Armed…and ready.
He didn't see the shadow slip away, heading to the next building on the street.
He saw none of it, but…
…he would know soon enough.
IOI
She stood in the middle of the street, waiting for him. The people of Eulogy ignored her presence, the few that were on the street, they walked in a daze, barely acknowledging each other.
Temmin shook his head, the closer he got to her, the more he could feel it, hear it.
She was singing, her voice was low, but strong and clear in the quiet evening.
Far too quiet, he thought, but the thought was quickly dismissed.
Eulogy could be a rowdy place, especially when the crews were here. Of course, most of the crews were probably at their ships tonight, Buz wanted to go out again, either tomorrow or the next day.
Temmin could not say if he would be with them.
Hearing that his mother was alive, he…he wanted to see her, let her know that he was okay.
He wanted to see her, but in that moment, that thought faded away as well, lost in Zay's song.
Everything faded when Zay's voice was risen in song.
She stood before him, dressed in a familiar outfit, black body suit, red leather vest, with a black hooded cloak with red lining. Her hood was pulled down, and her long blond curls fell over her shoulders in the most attractive of ways.
A lioness on the prowl.
Gone was the girl he knew, a young woman stood before him, eighteen…maybe nineteen now. Her figure had filled out nicely, he sensed none of the shyness he remembered, in its place was a cold confidence, confidence…and a deep, dark passion.
Passions that burned like a fire in the Force.
Black make-up colored both her lips and eyes, eyes that had turned the same amber color of her master's. Her skin was paler too, showing that she had not abandoned her commitment do the darkness. Her light pike was clipped to her belt, the weapon retracted into its saber mode.
She smiled hungrily as she saw him.
"I had thought to meet with you in the cantina," she sang out, flipping her hair playfully.
"I do enjoy a good cantina, and a stage to perform on."
He chuckled.
"You perform?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I sing, but you could have guessed that, I suppose."
He felt her eyes on him, through the Force he could sense her desire…he felt…lust.
"When it comes to other types of…performances. I prefer to do things in private, one on one if you will."
She smiled hungrily at him.
That smile, and her words, was all it took, the Force filled with the idea of what she meant, what she offered. Those ideas aroused him, he couldn't help it.
Before Switch, there had been Zay. Had they been a little older…
…things might have been a bit more intense than what they had been.
"You have a long way," he said.
She nodded.
"You had to know that I would find you? What we had, what we shared, how could I do anything else?"
She looked around at the town, she sniffed as her expression turned haughty.
"I wouldn't have guessed you would end up in a place like this."
He shrugged.
"These are good people Zay. A bit rough around the edges, but good people, they have left slavery behind, and made lives for themselves here."
He smiled.
"I thought you would approve."
"Small and pointless lives," she replied, "Lives that would be better spent serving their betters. Serving the likes of you and me, Temm."
He blinked.
What?
Zay?
"Surely you can't believe that?"
She shrugged.
"Is it so hard to understand? Considering where we are. I watched this place for several days before landing, getting an idea of what your…home was like. If anything, this place is proof my master is right? The weak exist to serve the strong. Freedom for mundanes is an illusion, Temm. Only those with the Force are truly free. These…people exist as the indentured servants of pirates, funding their operations with their semi legitimate work. They serve you and yours, and think themselves free."
Zay smiled.
"I applaud you Temmin. You have an excellent thing going here, but I have come to offer you more, so much more than you could realize."
Temm's head spun.
This…this didn't sound like the Zay he had known.
Had she truly changed so much these last few years, or…
…maybe…
…maybe he had never really known her.
They had trained together, once. Avaryss and Master Fenn watching over them, but Avaryss had taken Zay out onto the plains for days at a time, sometimes for a week or more.
Who knew what she had learned during those private lessons.
Had she concealed that from him?
Had she lied to him during their time together.
He didn't want to believe it, but he was too much of a realist to deny it.
Maybe she thought like this all along, and now, her powers, and her master's teachings were simply allowing her to express.
Still, she was wrong.
She had to be!
"We have not enslaved these people," he said.
"Keeping telling yourself that," she said, "Maybe you will actually come to believe it."
His eyes narrowed.
"I joined this crew, helped these people because I thought you would agree."
"I might have, once," she admitted with a shrug.
She approached him he almost backed up, her stride was so purposeful, even with her slight limp.
She moved in, to close for him to raise his weapon.
He tried to back up, but she followed.
"That is close enough," he said.
"Not for what I have in mind," she said playfully.
She reached out and put her hand on the small of his back, before he could respond, she popped up on her toes and kissed him…
…kissed him hard.
Her hands were around his neck, as she forced her tongue into his mouth. He didn't take her into his arms, but his head spun, a wave of hot lust filled him.
He…he nearly lost himself…
…nearly.
He pushed her back.
Holding her by the shoulders.
"STOP," he spat.
"Why," she purred back, "Don't tell me you haven't thought about this? Don't tell me you don't wonder what it would be like if we saw each other again, and…did so much more."
He was breathing hard, his heart pounded, and his blood raced. Despite his surprise, and disbelief with what she had become, part of him, the old blood part, wanted this, and was drawn to her fire and the dark side that burned so brightly in her breast.
That part of him wanted to pick her up, and carry her back to his apartment, to strip her of her clothes and armor, and enjoy every inch of her, to make her the woman of the man he would have been…
…the man that might have been had he been born in the empire.
"Don't fight me," she demanded.
"I don't want to mppph?!"
She kissed him again her hand moved down his chest, a single finger tracing down his body, sending ripples of heat flowing through him.
He tried to call on the Force, and push her back, but…the strange sense of panic that filled it drained his resolve.
He knew if he let go, took her, that the confusion would be gone.
It would be replaced with heat…heat and desire!
His heart pounded faster; his resistance began to fade.
He pulled her into his arms, he kissed her back, getting lost in the sensation…the heat.
He pushed back her hair, finding her ear, nibbling and licking.
She shuddered.
He was getting lost, lost in the smell of her, the taste of her. It was a sensation he remembered, only this was far more…more intense.
He growled hungrily.
His hand slid inside her vest, inside her body suit as he felt smooth skin, as he slid his hand down her back and gripped her butt.
She gasped.
"I want this," she panted, "Yesss!"
She tugged at his belt wit her fingers, he…he was so hot…aroused.
He…
He snarled.
"I want this," she repeated, "Tell me you want me!"
He knew what she wanted, but he had no words.
Words were small things.
He wanted action.
He wanted to pick her up, find a dark corner and have her. It happened sometimes, men and women, no one would question it.
Zay certainly would not.
"Tell me,"She moaned, "Tell…tell me you want me. Tell me I'm better than your mechanic girl!"
Her words penetrated the lust and heat.
Wha…what?!
Mechanic girl?
Switch?
She…she knew about…?
Huh?
Mechanic girl…
…that was all it took.
He pulled back from the heat, pushed her back, holding her shoulders, pinning her at arm's length.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
She sneered.
"As I said, I've been watching, and your gate guards confirmed it."
She shook her head.
"They told me that if I sought a big half-blood named Temm, I could check, the cantina, or the mechanic's shop outside of town. They told me you and she were…together."
Temmin's head cleared, not just because Zay had mentioned Switch's name, but the venom in her voice when she did.
She…she didn't know Switch, but…
…she acted like she hated her.
He could feel it.
Envy and hatred.
It flickered in Zay's eyes.
And it killed any sense of desire he had felt.
He…
…oh…by the Force!
What was I about to do?
She was still in his head, he could sense her, using their old connection.
He put up a wall in his mind, forcing her out, blocking off her emotions.
Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger.
"Don't," she growled.
"Don't what?" he spat.
"Don't you reject me! Don't you dare!"
She pulled away from him, glaring at him.
"You don't belong with these people, Temm. You belong with me. We belong together! You have to know that. You are mine. Do you hear me, you are mine!"
He was glaring at her now.
Had Avaryss ever talked to his master this way?
If she had, he didn't think he would have responded any better than Temm was now.
He pinned her with a cold look.
"It couldn't be easy to find me here," he said, "How did you do it?"
"I would always find you," she said, her expression softening. "I still care about you Temm. You know that. We belong…"
"Thing change, Zay," he said flatly.
"Things change."
She looked at him with a look of barely restrained fury. He could feel her anger in the Force.
Hurt…and anger.
"Did you come here on your own, or did your master send you?"
"She allowed me to come. She…she wants you with us. The galaxy is about to change, Temm. This world, and so many others are about to become obsolete. My master's plan is coming to fruition, my time, OUR time is almost here."
"Time to do what?"
She smirked.
"Avaryss left you to die with the rest of the Survivors. I don't blame you for hating her for that, you should hate her for that."
His eyes narrowed.
That was just it, he didn't hate, or at least he tried not to.
She leaned in closer.
"The galaxy is about to change, and you and I can be a part of it. My master is about to make war obsolete. The Alliance, the Zakuul, they will cease to matter, the Republic and Sith Empire's will cease to matter."
She grinned.
"My power is greater than my master. I can do things that she can't. Once she has won the galaxy, there will be nothing to oppose her, or us. We can overthrow her, destroy her, and make the galaxy everything we want it to be."
She held his hands.
"Please come with me. I want to share this journey with you. We deserve to have everything. You don't need these people, Temm. You need only me. We need only each other."
He looked at her then. Considered what she had said.
Master Shyra did need to hear this.
Zay needed to tell her everything.
He frowned.
"I can't," he said.
"Of course you can. We can do it together. Temm…"
"No."
"But…"
"I said no."
She looked at him, her lips trembled, her eyes wide.
"I…I thought you would understand."
"I do."
He let her go, they stood facing each other.
He shook his head.
"I'm so sorry," he said.
"For what," she hissed.
"Not being the person you wanted me to be."
She took a step back. He did the same.
He noticed how she was moving; he knew what was coming next, he had seen this enough time during their training, but that had always been about play, preparation.
This…what was about to happen was going to be real.
He didn't want to fight her, but he would.
The galaxy needed him to.
"The alliance has people here," he told her, "I'm turning you over to them."
"You can't do that," she hissed.
"You don't have a choice."
She grinned, her eyes turning cold and dangerous.
"Too bad I gave you one. Oh well, such is life."
His hand went to his belt, to his saber.
He never managed to touch it.
A heavy fist struck him in the side of the head, he lurched to the side coming down hard.
The strange sensation in the Force reached a crescendo.
He found himself surrounded, by four strange creatures.
The beating began.
Fists and clawed feet struck him, through the rush of blood he heard the cackling bleating laughter. He struggled to rise, to call for help, but no one seemed to hear, or even be aware.
Eulogy remained quiet; lost in the same sense of unreality that he had been.
He tried to rise only to be knocked down again.
He looked up and saw Zay, she was glaring down at him.
"Fool," she hissed, firing a kick at his jaw. She caught him with the heavily reinforced boot she wore to protect her bad foot.
He went down seeing stars.
He tried to call on the Force, but he couldn't the creatures around him, they seemed to give off some miasma of dark side energy.
The panic and confusion he had felt…
He shook his head.
It…it was them.
He didn't recognize their species, some new creature that had allied with Avaryss, or some vile Sith creation.
"We have him, Lady Rain," the female bleated excitedly.
"I can see that Ziza," Zay said.
Temmin shook his head.
Rain?
She smiled down on him.
"My Sith name," she informed him, "My TRUE name."
He spat.
"I liked Zay better."
She sneered.
"The more foolish you were."
She looked around.
"Where are Calin and Tront?"
"I'm here Rainy, and we brought you a gift."
Temmin blinked as he heard a familiar voice, a voice filled with panic.
Fear ran down his spin.
No.
"Let me go! Who…who are you people?! Temm?! What did you do to him?"
He looked up, his eye had been blackened, but he could see Switch clearly, pinned between a large Gamorrean guard, and young dark skinned Sith.
Zay, or Rain, he supposed, stood at his side, she was now joined by the two more a female Sith with darker skin, and a green skinned Twi'lek warrior. He put his arms around Rain and kissed her deeply. She let him, as the kiss broke, she looked down at Temmin, betrayal and anger in her eyes.
"You did try to warn me, Gul."
"Sometimes you have to let people make their own mistakes, my lady fair."
The Twi'lek, Gul, leaned over and gave Temmin a toothy grin.
"You gave up Rain for some scrawny mechanic bird," he shook his head.
"Man you are dumb."
Temmin tried to call on the Force, only to be struck by another of the large creatures, this one almost as big as he.
It laughed and kicked him again.
"Keep him conscious, and hold him" Rain ordered, "I want him to see this."
Temmin was pulled to his feet, forced to look upon Rain, standing next to Switch, the Gamorrean held here by himself now.
The blond Sith walked up to her, stroked her face.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER ZAY!"
She sneered.
"Like I would waste my time, Temm."
She looked out over the town. The people remained oblivious to the Sith and her companions.
The female creature, Ziza handed her a remote control.
Rain looked at the control with a hint of sadness.
She looked at Temmin again.
"Master Avaryss was quite clear what I was to do if you didn't join us, but I'm going to give you one last chance, and…to be extra nice…"
She smirked.
"I'm going to give you some motivation. Let's see if you remember what hate and rage tastes like."
""Don't," he called out, struggling, still trying to call on the Force, and still being denied.
"If you must kill me, fine, but don't…"
"Spare me," Rain said rolling her eyes, "Kriffing, heroes."
She looked at the Gamorrean.
"Tront, when I give the word, twist her head off."
Switch struggled, but her cries became a gasp as the large creature tightened his grip.
Rain's monsters grinned excitedly, eager to see what happened next.
Rain turned to the Last Breath.
"I always enjoy a good cantina, good thing this wasn't one."
She pushed a button on the control.
The Last Breath exploded,
Temmin wailed, the sense of dense, of dozens of lives being snuffed out in an instant.
Zay!
Rain!
He struggled, snarling in impotent fury. The creature's grip tightened.
People started to emerge from their homes and businesses, woken from the siren song of Rain.
She pressed another button on the control.
A boarding house down the street vanished in a blinding flash.
Temmin struggled, trying to rise, cursing angrily.
Zay…
How could she?!
DAMN YOU!
She did a pirouette, grinning happily.
"Are we angry yet?" she asked.
He struggled trying to reach her, to tear out her throat.
"We are getting there," she smirked, pointing at the market down the street.
She pointed the controller at it.
"Next."
Temmin howled.
"NOT AGAIN!"
"NO MORE!"
There was a red flash, and he felt heat on his face.
He started to fall…and then…
…the world went mad, or maybe it was mad already.
He fought through the pain.
Switch.
Eulogy.
His home.
NOT AGAIN! NO MORE!
"NO MORE!"