Chapter 33: The Price of Failure
The Sith Master's quarters were dark and empty. Shadows filled the empty spaces, the black mirror shined floor, and slate gray walls. The only illumination came from a single light shining down over the throne in which Avaryss sat. Behind her holographic displays showed data coming in from the star system they would soon enter, the system that would be the first to fall to their new empire.
Rain watched her master closely. She, and her allies had just finished their report, and Avaryss had dismissed the others. Once they were gone, she even sent away her guards, wishing to speak with her apprentice alone.
Rain stood before her teacher, trying to ignore the pain in her hand, and the cold simmering rage in her heart.
What would happen if I tried to attack her?
The thought came from nowhere, but from the look on her master's face, the sly glint in her eye…
She knows, the girl thought.
She knows…and she would welcome it.
They had heard of the near assassination attempt at Sanctuary Base, her master might be looking for someone to blame, and given what had happened…
She might not care who she took her anger out on. Even someone she considered useful…
Rain dismissed the thought, and her master leaned back in her chair, perhaps disappointed in her choice.
I won't move until I'm ready, my lord, she thought.
I won't move against you until I'm sure I can beat you.
Being forced to wait, knowing what was at stake, that she couldn't reach out and take it, enraged her.
That rage was good, and the pain kept it simmering in her heart.
She tried to hold onto that rage, because if she didn't her fear would get the best of her.
Showing fear before the dark lord was a recipe for death.
She would not risk it, couldn't risk it.
She still had so much more to learn.
She would not risk her future now.
Avaryss waited until the last of the guards had gone, and only then did she speak.
Her lips twisted into a cruel sneer.
"So, Shyra Viel is alive and a member of the alliance?"
"It seems so, my lord."
Avaryss nodded, shifted her back against the back in her throne, likely irritating the scars on her back. She kept her hood pulled up leaving only her pale jaw visible, her yellow eyes glinting beneath her cowl. Her long finger's steepled before her face.
Rain bowed her head.
Hopefully, her master would understand how things had gone so wrong so quickly, and accept that Rain's defeat was not a true failure.
At least, Rain hoped as much.
It was just as possible that her master, even now, was planning an execution.
HER execution.
Failure is death.
She shook her head slightly.
No.
That could not be the end.
This could not be HER end!
She was trying to keep her calm, and not focus on what could happen in the next few moments.
Her master was not the kind to take bad news well.
Avaryss continued on.
"And… in your attempt to engage the mongrel, you not only lost two of my hunters, but got Taya's little brother killed as well?"
Again, Rain didn't respond.
She didn't want her master to think she was making excuses.
Darth Avaryss shook her head.
"Less than well done, my dear."
The younger Sith winced, the words had been spoken so calmly, but the disappointment in her master's voice was clear.
She needed to speak carefully, make sure that disappointment was all that her master felt in this.
On the journey back to Bantoon, Rain had wrestled with how best to explain what had happened on Death, and she still had not come up with a satisfactory answer. When their ship had been redirected here, to the Sith vessel Reckoning, she had been unsure what to expect.
I need to speak lightly. Choose my words carefully.
That was an understatement. During the journey, she had spoken at length with Lujayne Holli. The engineer was probably the closest thing to a friend her master had, next to Lord Taya of course.
"Explain, calmy, what happened, and don't make excuses," the changeling had advised, "and don't lose your temper. You come in all defiance and bluster; you will just anger Her Lordship more."
Wise council that, even now, Rain took it to heart.
Now, as she stood before her master…she realized that she likely had one chance to avoid punishment for what had happened.
She was determined not to waste it.
"So," Avaryss purred, "What do you have to say for yourself, my young apprentice?"
Rain dropped to one knee, wincing as she did so, her bad foot didn't hold her weight well when she knelt, her master knew that.
She hoped that she would accept the move for what it was, a sign of submission.
Her apprentice enduring pain for her lord's satisfaction.
Rain began.
"I miscalculated the strength of the resistance that I would face on Death. Temmin's resistance…his rejection, Shyra Viel turning up. It was…unexpected to be sure."
Her master's eyes narrowed.
"It is your job to expect the unexpected, and respond accordingly, to plan for it, but…"
The dark lord hissed.
"There was no real plan, none that I can see. You lashed out in a jealous rage and Temmin, and the people around him. Do you deny that…Rain?"
She bowed her head deeper.
"No, my lord, but…there were circumstances on our side as well, hinderances to our work."
"Is that so," Avaryss responded, "Explain?"
Rain took a deep breath, and began.
"Our abilities were not functioning as they should, our timing was off, our powers not performing as they have in training. I have reflected on that, and have come to only one conclusion."
"And that is?"
"Your hunters," Rain said raising her eyes to meet her master's.
"They were affecting us, just as they were affecting Temmin and his allies. I had several chances to use the Force to kill Temm's plaything, and she escaped when interference with the Force blocked me. Lyka reported the same, her gauntlet, a proven, and trusted weapon, didn't work as it was supposed to, as it always has in the past."
Avaryss snorted, but didn't reply.
Rain took that as a good sign.
Her master was considering this explanation.
Her master frowned, her brow furrowing in thought.
"I'm not so certain that I can trust Lyka's take on the situation. You heard her, my apprentice. She all but accused me of Calin's death."
"She is in pain, my master. She is mourning. Those who grieve speak without thought, surely you know how that feels, yes? You know what it is like to lose someone you love, someone that you were prepared to spend the rest of your life with."
Avaryss' frown deepened.
"I do. Though you are unwise to bring up such things with me. Somethings I prefer to leave in the past, and move on."
"Yet, they are still there, my lord. They still helped define you, and made you the Sith you are today."
The Dark Lord snarled, but didn't respond.
Rain took that as a point in her favor.
She had spoken with Lord Taya about her master's past, about the pure-blood male, Fehl, and how her master had almost given up her own chance to rule to be his mate.
Surely, she could understand what Lyka was now feeling.
Her master sneered.
"Since we are bringing up my past. I think it only fitting to bring up a warning I gave you years ago. Boys of the old blood get women like us into trouble."
The Dark Lord sneered.
"I'm sure you can agree that I was right."
Rain's back stiffened. Her final words with Temmin still fresh in her mind, the pain in her hand yet another reminder of what had been lost, and what might have been.
Her master was still trying to provoke her.
She refused to take the bait.
"He hurt you, did he not?" her master continued.
"Yes."
In more ways than one, I think. Let me see your hand girl."
Rain pulled her left hand out from behind her back, the fact that she was missing both her pinky and the finger next to it was clear, the bandages did not hide those missing digits.
"Ouch," the dark lord responded, "Still, it could be worse, you could have lost the entire hand."
Rain pulled her wound away, and hid it behind her back and beneath her cloak.
She glared at her teacher.
"Temmin's final choice was his mistake," she said, "Of course, we should not make one in turn. What happened does not change that fact that your hunters had a negative effect on this mission."
Avaryss' expression turned thoughtful.
"If what you say is true, then you are not wrong, my child. I will speak with Ziza and Tigg, see if they were aware that they were hindering you. If so, then we will need to be more careful in deploying the hunters in the future. We will see how well the ones in HK's service perform."
"A wise choice, my master."
"Of course it is."
The dark lord leaned forward, her yellow eyes glinting beneath her hooded robe.
"This first test run of the hunters have given us something to think about, given me something to think about, but we must not lose sight of what happened. We must now discuss your performance, or rather the lack of it."
"I did my best, master."
"Did you? I gave you much to complete your mission, you had resources at your command that you didn't deploy correctly. Let is evaluate your mistakes so they can be corrected."
Rain's eyes narrowed.
"I know I messed up; must this turn into a scolding?"
Avaryss snarled.
"Scolding? SCOLDING?! You are NOT a child anymore, Rain! You are my apprentice, and heir!"
The Dark Lord hissed in disgust.
"For now…anyway."
Rain took that for the threat that it was.
They had arrived to find Blyss attending her mother again, and the girl had seemed more than pleased to hear about what had happened on Death.
It seemed that her ambitions had grown since Rain had left the palace.
She had even called her mother, master, once, and made sure that Rain had heard her.
That is not going to happen, the apprentice thought.
I will NOT be replaced!
If Blyss tried, she would be in for a rude awakening.
Rain knew things about the dark side her master's vat produced spawn couldn't know. She had bought those secrets in the darkest corners of the empire, thanks to her secret patrons.
She would be more than prepared when the time came to face her master, and her battle meditation would make their, soon to be infinite, army all the more dangerous.
Let the fool girl deal with that!
Still, if Blyss was confident enough to speak up before her mother…?
Maybe she knew things that Rain didn't. Maybe her own designs had progressed far quicker than Rain realized.
If so, she would need to make sure that those designs didn't turn into a reality, but first she had to reassure her master of her commitment to the plan.
"I mean no disrespect, my lord," she said bowing her head submissively, "By all means, let us converse."
Avaryss snorted, but took her acceptance as a victory.
She continued on.
"You had more than adequate tools to defeat Shyra Viel and her allies, and more than enough to bring Temmin back, whether he accepted your offer or not."
"I deployed my forces when we moved on the town."
"Did you? What about Holli, Teryn, and Rink. You left them behind on the ship. Have you forgotten their talents? They could have aided you?
Rain didn't respond.
In truth, she had not liked that her master had assigned her old crew to chaperone her on this mission. She had not trusted their presence.
"Teryn is a skilled soldier, but we had other skilled fighters. Gul is no weakling, and Tront proved useful, even your hunters were skilled."
"It is not just about fighting prowess," Avaryss said shaking her head. "Think, Rain! Why use brute force when it isn't necessary, or if there is an easier way."
The dark lord shook her head.
"Deception, betrayal, cunning, these are the weapons of the dark side. It was by using those weapons that I destroyed Survivor Squad, and avenged decades of embarrassment heaped upon our people by Capistan and his allies. Holli played a valuable role in that deception. Could you have not used her to bring Temm into our orbit? Didn't you even consider that?"
Rain worried her lower lip with her teeth. She found herself thinking about what her master was saying, and what had happened outside of the town of Eulogy.
She frowned.
Her master…was not wrong.
"Teryn was a skilled insurgent; you could have used him to prevent Shyra Viel and her allies from turning up when they did. Rink has contacts with the galaxy's fringe, he could have provided you with useful aid in dealing with these scoundrels…"
Rain nodded, her eyes widening.
"I could have used Holli, should have used her."
"How so," her master asked.
Rain sighed.
"I could have drawn Temmin out of town, Holli could have taken his shape and murdered his plaything, done in a way that all the pirates saw it. He would have had no choice to come with me then."
"An interesting idea," Avaryss agreed, "Any other ideas come to mind?"
The apprentice scowled.
"Holli could have also murdered the pirate leader, disguised as Temmin's girl. They would have killed her for that crime, and Temmin would have tried to help her. He might even have accepted my help, help that would not have succeeded in the end."
Avaryss nodded.
"All interesting ideas, child, and that was only one ally you possessed. What about your own strength. You said you made the whole town blind to your presence. Could you have done more?"
Rain frowned, her anger growing.
"I could have also used my meditation skills. I could have used my song to turn the pirates into a foaming mob, used them to kill the girl, and let Temm see that."
The dark lord nodded sagely.
"So, I ask you again, my student. Did you really do your best with this mission? Did you deploy your skills in the best way possible?"
Rain cursed under her breath.
"No, my lord, I…I didn't."
She pounded the ground with her undamaged hand.
"Damn it!"
Avaryss smirked.
"What has been done, is done. We can't change it now, but in the end. It doesn't really matter. None of it does."
Rain looked up at her teacher.
"Master?"
The dark lord smiled.
Rain gave her a pained look.
"Will you destroy this pirate nest, my lord?"
There is no reason to, especially if this weapon's test we are performing is successful."
The dark lord cackled.
"Zraii'chaa will fall, my student. The Raii'chaa will be mine! They will be our shock troops in our first real campaign."
She gestured for Rain to rise, and approach, the dimmed holo screens around the throne lit up, and showed the two Sith what they detected from the distant world.
The dark lord rotated her throne around to look at them, as her apprentice came up beside her.
Avaryss' eyes flickered with greed.
"I need you for this test, my dear. Your battle meditation will be necessary to focus the keys' power, at least until the temple is finished. Then…we will be able to strike at any planet in the galaxy. All worlds will either be enslaved or destroyed. All life will bow to us. A new empire is about to be born!
Rain smiled.
"We will be gods, my lord!"
Avaryss chuckled.
"No, we will be rulers, and in time, when the galaxy realizes that the loss of free will was a boon, and not a crime, all will worship us. They will be free of confusion, and choice, all will serve our needs, and the galaxy will know true order!"
As her master spoke those words, Rain realized something.
She can't harm me.
Her smile widened.
She needs my power.
She was never in any danger. The dark lord would forgive her, she had too.
A shiver of excitement ran down the apprentice's spine.
This was the first step; her master had shown weakness!
How long would it be until Rain was strong enough to deal with her. She would destroy Avaryss, and take her master's son as an apprentice. The throne would be hers, and she would be free to do whatever she wanted. She…
She sensed her master's fury!
She looked down and looked into Darth Avaryss' eyes, burning with hate.
The dark lord gestured. She shouted out in the ancient tongue!
Something in her robes, in her lap, leapt at Rain.
Leapt and seized her face!
The apprentice stumbled back, stumbled and fell.
She felt sharp claws digging into her scalp, hooking in her hair.
She couldn't see!
She tried to call on the dark side. She summoned Force lightning, trying to burn the…whatever it was that pressed itself painfully against her face.
Her power passed harmlessly through whatever it was, her fingers seemed to flow through it, like jelly or water, even though it felt solid against her eyes, her mouth, and…
…nose.
The thing clamped down hard pinching her nose shut. She rolled around, trying to regain her feet. She…
She…
She couldn't breathe!
The pain in her wounded hand was nothing compared to this…to…to…
She opened her mouth to try and breathe!
Something wet pushed its way past her tongue, and down her throat.
She bucked and tried to cry out, but whatever it was…was…it…
Ugh!
she gurgled as she lost consciousness.
Everything went away, it felt like she was falling…falling…
She…
She…
Water splashed on her face!
She coughed and sat up, looking around, confused.
Her master stood over her, two of her royal guard at her side.
Rain coughed; her throat felt raw…she tasted blood.
"Ma…master?"
Avaryss sneered.
"What, you thought that I would not punish you for your failure?"
Rain rubbed her throat.
"What…what did you do?"
Avaryss snorted.
"You should consider yourself fortunate, girl. Had Darth Feer been your master, he would have punished you harshly for your failure; probably would have used Force lightning to light you up like a life day ornament, or trapped you in your own mind, forced you to relive your worst nightmares."
Rain glared hatefully up at her teacher.
"You said you would never hurt me for your own amusement!"
"This wasn't for my own amusement; this is part of your training. I need you to complete my plan, but do not ever think that you are irreplaceable. You are not."
Rain felt for her light pike.
"Don't," Avaryss warned.
The royal guard raised their weapons, but Avaryss stopped them from attacking.
Rain hissed; her weapon hand was unharmed. She would…
"ARRRRGH!"
The pain curled around her heart, so bad that she fell back to the ground.
She convulsed on the floor. She thought that she was dying. She…
The pain stopped.
She was left whimpering on her side.
She dared to look up at her master, tears in her eyes.
"What have you done?" she whimpered.
The dark lord frowned.
"Since you will likely be missing Temmin. I thought it best to give you a new little friend to keep you company. One who has grown very close to your heart."
Rain touched her chest.
"A spell?"
"An alchemical creation," her master replied, "And you need not worry, Rain. He will never leave your side, not without my permission. As I said…"
The dark lord cackled.
"He is very close to your heart now."
Rain coughed.
She wanted to put her fingers down her throat and try to force…whatever it was to leave her body.
"That won't work," her master said, likely guessing what she wanted to do.
"You are needed, my apprentice. Do not doubt that."
"Then take it out!"
"No."
"MASTER!"
"No, Rain. You have earned this fate. Though I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself, take solace in that. Prove that you have learned your lesson, that I can trust you with my legacy, and I will…convince your new little friend to vacate the premises."
The Sith apprentice's hands curled into fists. Even though it was painful to do so with her ruined left hand.
Damn you, she thought.
DAMN YOU!
"Now," Avaryss said, "Let us discuss who you have been talking to in the empire? Who you have been conspiring with in your spare time."
Rain blinked.
"Master. I…I don't know what…ARGHHHHH!"
The pain put her down on the deck again. It was so intense, a few seconds seemed like hours.
Finally, she felt it end.
She looked up at her master again, at the cold gaze glaring out from beneath that dark cowl.
"Do not doubt that I knew about your little games, girl. I let them play out, so that I might see who was open to my advances in the empire. So, you will be honest with me now. Do not compound your failure with Temmin by lying."
Rain coughed and wiped at her eyes.
She…
Master.
She shivered.
Damn it.
"Vawrawn," she croaked, sniffling, "I…I have been working with Vawrawn."
"I see," her master said.
Rain continued.
"He…he is building a consensus on Dromund Kaas. He…he wants to…"
"To oust Acina, yes, I know."
Rain wiped at her nose; her fingers came away bloody.
The dark lord nodded thoughtfully.
"You choose your allies well, my child. Vawrawn was one of the few council members that I was able to work with during my brief membership."
Rain looked down at her reflection in the shining deck.
She wiped her lips. Still not believing what had happened.
"I will need to contact Vawrawn after the Zraii'chaa mission. He and I have some things to discuss."
"And what of me?" Rain asked.
"What about you? I told you, this is punishment, but it will end provided you prove yourself worthy of it ending."
Rain looked down at her reflection again, angry at the tears she saw on her cheeks. She wiped defiantly at them.
She hated her weakness.
She hated her master!
She figured that Avaryss knew it.
The dark lord returned to her throne. She sat down and steepled her fingers before her face again.
Despite her anger, Rain was smart enough not to argue or try to lash out.
There would be another time.
A better time.
She found her knees, and despite the pain in both her foot and her hand. She bowed in submission.
"What is thy bidding, my master."
Avaryss smirked.
"Get out of my sight, Rain. Prepare yourself for the test. Zraii'chaa is but the first step in our conquest.
The Sith apprentice stumbled to her feet, her bad foot aching from where she had fell, her bandaged hand was bleeding as well.
She limped out of her master's presence.
"Oh, and do not speak with the other about your little friend. If you try to seek help in removing it, he will hurt you until you remember your place. Such an attack might prove fatal."
Rain nodded.
Part of her wished to test it, let her master try to complete her grand plan without her, but in the end, self-preservation won out.
She…she had no choice.
Only one path led to salvation, and the removal of this…thing…
…its removal, and the death of her master.
She needed to continue to serve.
She had had a bit of freedom before now, but now…her master has snapped the collar around her neck.
She was a slave…once more.
The price of failure.
Through victory my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
In defeat, she had been chained…again.
She shook her head, and she tried not to think about it.
Yet, all she could focus on at that moment, was her hate.
Hate of Temmin for refusing her offer…her love.
Hate of Calin for getting himself killed, and above all…
…hatred for her master.
Avaryss would pay for this, she promised herself that.
One day, my master, she thought morosely, saying nothing to the guards as the escorted her from her master's chamber.
One day.