“Lord Crux, may I ask you a question?”

Crux paused from his self imposed task of sorting through the youth’s crystal collection.  Ehlial stood beside him now, not even tilting his head back far enough to pretend to be looking up.  

“Speak freely, Jedi,” he said, closing up the drawers one by one.  While not truly blind, there were certain things his charge could not differentiate between. And seeing shards of red crystal mixed in with the orange simply drove him mad.  Just thinking about it before battle was enough to warm up his anger.  

“I am told that the Dark side is powerful, and that one should be cautious when engaging a Sith in a fresh fight.  That anger and passion can easily overwhelm even the strongest of Jedi.”  

Crux reached for one of the lightsabers on Ehlial’s belt.  Warm, recently ignited.  The boy had been practicing again, and likely intended to meditate soon.  It explained the question.  

“Are you certain this is a question you want answered, Ehlial?  It treads rather close to the forbidden things we aren’t allowed to discuss without your Master present.”

 Ehlial serenely plucked the lightsaber out of his hand and returned it to its place on his belt.  ”Yes, Lord Crux.  I will be certain to inform my master of our conversation later anyway.  Just to hear his opinion on the matter as well.”

As much as Crux hated to admit it, Ehlial had grown since they met.  Not just physically, though the sudden change in height and muscle was inevitable for a boy his age, but also his demeanor.  Not quite as naive anymore, less uncertain and more cautiously curious.  He sounded more and more like the Jedi he was training to become.  

Crux found himself caught between pride and disgust at this.  He grunted acknowledgment and clasped his hands behind him, pacing in the small space of the ship’s workroom.  ”Of course it’s true, Jedi.  A powerful Sith Lord can use his anger, his fear, his hatred to command the Force with devastating results to anyone unprepared.”

“But if they are prepare—”

The Sith held up a hand and Ehlial dutifully closed his mouth again.  Crux imagined thousands of Sith Lords sighing in unison, all who would have loved such obedience from their own apprentices.  

“I’m only telling you this, Jedi, because I need you to survive.”  

Ehlial nodded.  He’d heard that excuse dozens of times already, that Crux only gave him Sith secrets because he needed the boy to become a Jedi and fulfill the vision he’d foreseen.  Which meant arming him against the Sith he would inevitably face before then.  

They both knew it was a lie.

“You must be prepared, focused, able to survive the onslaught of a Sith Lord’s hatred and anger.  Because such emotions are difficult to maintain for long periods of time.”

“In other words, I should keep myself inaccessible until my opponent has worn himself out?”

Crux nodded, “Yes.  But you must be careful not to trip his fear. Fear is another of our greatest powers.  A Sith lord may start off angry, hateful, but once those emotions have been exhausted, fear gives them a second wind.  The fear of death, the fear of capture, the fear of failure.”

Ehlial’s lips quirked to the left, thinking a moment before replying.  ”It almost sounds as if I should somehow bore them to death in order to defeat them.”

“Well,” Crux chuckled, “I did once hear of a Sith Lord giving in simply because the Jedi he was fighting was quoting old, dry Jedi philosophy while they battled.  And he was tired and bored of it within ten minutes.”

The youth suddenly laughed.  ”And here I thought I’d never actually use anything I learned in those initiate level Jedi philosophy classes.”

“It was once said that love is giving someone the ability to destroy you, but trusting them not to.” 
-Unknown 

“‘Chai, wait,” Vith’alor said, grabbing Achai’s wrist and tugging him back.  He drew his weapon in the opposite hand and descended the gangplank while gesturing for the Sith to stay there.

It took only a brief moment of concentration for Achai to extend his Force sight and realize why the bounty hunter suddenly took point.  Their ship was surrounded by a number of armed guards.  Cyborgs most of them, wearing the parts on their faces as if painted with tattoos.  Their leader stood toward the base of the plank, arms folded over his chest and lips quirked to the left in a semi-smirk.  

Achai sighed to himself and muttered something about Nar Shaddaa.  Every time he ran into an issue, it was always the moment he touched down here. 

“Hello boys,” Vith said as he paused at the end of the gangplank. “Somethin’ tells me this ain’t the Hutt welcoming committee.  So what do you all want, hmm?”

Their leader rubbed his nose absently, and when he spoke his voice vibrated.  ”Got no qualms with you, hunter. We’re just here for the Sith.  My employer wants to have a few words with him, yanno?  You’re surrounded, we know how to take out Sith, too.  Just make this easy yeah?  My employer even said he’d throw some creds at you to back off and let us do our job.”

Achai chuckled quietly to himself, echoing Vith’alor’s laughter.  ”Are you kidding me? There’s a reason why I’m Darth Invecti’s personal bodyguard, boys.  As in, you can’t pay me enough to betray him.”

He descended the gangplank then, not even drawing his lightsabers yet.  ”Hunter, it appears we have unwanted guests.  You know what we do with the uninvited.”

Vith’alor grinned, “There’s seven of ‘em, boss.  Plus the guy they have over there pointing a sniper blaster at ya.”

The sweet, electric hum of lightsabers hissed to life as he pulled them from his belt and ignited them.  The Force flowed through him in an instant, fueled by the sudden flare of hatred.  He hated all of them, he realized.  And whoever had the audacity to hire them.  To think that a group of Force blind bounty hunters, regardless of their supposed training, could capture or kill him.

He could taste their nervousness.  Several of them glanced toward the leader, who still had his hand raised to still them.  It would only take one trigger finger getting a little too tight, one nervous twitch, one small step forward to start everything.  And the cyborg who controlled them knew it from the look of him.  One eye had been covered by a cybernetic scanner, the other narrowed slightly and a bead of sweat forming against his temple. 

“Keep their leader alive,” Achai ordered, “I want to know who hired him.”

Vith’alor nodded, the grin vanishing, “As you wish, my lord.”

“Take ‘em out boys!” 

The sniper gave out a choked sound immediately, Vith’alor wasting no time in removing him from the equation with a well placed shot to the man’s throat.  Achai deflected several blaster bolts aimed at him.  Then rocketed forward to slash one man’s arm off completely before turning a lightsaber on his partner, slicing his chest open.   Even as that one folded over to the ground, he was on the next assailant.   

The entire event folded out in front of him, able to see Vith’alor behind him, a blaster bolt twanging off the armored plating of his forearm as he blasted the guy practically right in the face.

By the time the dust settled, Achai had to take a deep breath and stand back.  He’d taken a hit to a shoulder that now began to ache.  Vith’alor’s armor had taken a beating, but held true.  

“I’m afraid he kinda took a hit to the head, boss,” Vith’alor said, toeing the cyborg’s corpse with his boot.  ”So much for knowing how to subdue a Sith lord.”

“The ones who brag about that usually regret it shortly thereafter.”

Vith’alor grabbed Achai’s arm, turning him around as he noticed the blistered synthweave on his shoulder.  ”Kriff, one of them actually had decent aim. Lemme get a kolto pack.”

He grabbed Vith’s hand and shook his head.  ”Not yet, we’re about to have company again.”

Houk guards appeared in the hangar, drawn there by the rumor of violence in a Nar Shaddaa spaceport.   Somewhere, a Hutt would soon demand answers for this, answers Achai himself wanted.  Who dared make an attempt to capture or kill him?

“We’ll take care of it later.  Right now, I need to go yell at a Hutt about their lax security.”

Vith’alor smirked at him, “Leavin’ that up to you, boss. Hutts can kiss my blue ass.”

“No one kisses you there but me,” Achai replied before swiftly stepping off the gangplank to confront the Houks.  

He watches them on the monitor, Sith and bounty hunter together and fast asleep.  Achai’s head against Vith’s shoulder, Vith’s temple resting atop Achai’s head.  If one knew nothing about them, they might come to innocuous conclusions.   

But Axhale knew better.  Understood the rage and hatred that consumed his twin brother.  But this he had a hard time comprehending.  Who was this bounty hunter to him?  Why did his chest tighten the moment they brought the recordings up, it wasn’t the Sith way to remain unattached necessarily.   That his brother had a lover shouldn’t have surprised him.

“That’s how they’ve been for hours now,” the trooper said, “Not even tried to escape.”

“They know there’s nothing they can do right now,” Axhale said.  Moving them would be tricky, even with the bindings that made it difficult, if not impossible, for Achai to use the Force.  

“I need to talk to the bounty hunter. Alone.”

He scrubbed his hand over his eyes, brushing away the fine bits of sleep.  Zamir approached, holding out a steaming cup of hot coffee.  Jaesen took it gratefully, murmuring something that sounded like thank you.  

The Sith sank into the seat beside him, cradling his own drink.  ”You didn’t sleep very well again, did you.”

Jaesen shook his head.  In truth, sleep only came when he drank himself into it, and he’d been trying to cut back on that.  It meant more nights lying awake, staring at the ceiling of his cabin.  ”Sleep bends reality for me, my lord.  It’s of no consequence to you, though.  Eventually I’ll rest.”

“Fixer,” Zamir asked, “Why do you say such things?”

“Because,” Jaesen replied, “There is always this nagging feeling that if I sleep, when I wake up none of this will have ever happened.”

I search the past 
Back to a time when I was younger
A target for the new society
Picked to displace the leaders
Countering objectives
Of this new underground reality
-The Mission, by Queensryche

I am not following the story of the Imperial Agent to the letter. I am borrowing bits and pieces of it. Rhease is played by Vressclan. Cut because, well, there may be hints at spoilers.

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(Borrowed Al’dien and Aegnas for this. Many thanks to their players.)

“One need not be a chamber to be haunted, one need not to be a house. The brain has corridors surpassing material place.”
-Emily Dickinson

Al’dien found Lohen’drin on the bridge, staring out at the inky darkness of space. A tap on the other Jedi’s shoulder, and once he had his attention, he held out a mug of warm jeru tea with a smile. “Jhet said I would find you here.”

Lohen’drin took the mug, warming his hands on it and breathing in the sweet scented steam. “Indeed, thank you. How did you know I was just thinking of making some?”

Both Jedi stood in silence for a time, turning back to stare into the distance. Ultimately it was Lohen’drin who finally spoke. “I can sense it, Al’dien. I don’t know what exactly is happening, but I know it’s happening to Elkoreth. Every day he grows weaker and sometimes I can’t sense him at all anymore.”

Al’dien nodded solemnly. He knew his friend wasn’t referring to their ultimate mission, the conflict on Denova. He reached out, clasping the other Jedi’s shoulder to squeeze lightly. “There’s nothing we can do, Lohen. We’re both needed here. Your healing skills… I saw what you did for Iolite last night. He lives because of you.”

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Six days ago my life had taken a tumble
The orders came from high above they say
A need to use me once again they’ve got my number
Further the cause boy yes you know the game
‘The Mission’ - Queensryche

Jaesen— no, Cipher 52— also wrong. Daede Uur, smuggler and smartass, that was his persona. Born a spacer, acquired his own ship when a rodian lost a pretty major bet with him on Nar Shaddaa. Young, but sassy and definitely on the upswing when it came to getting past blockades to deliver the goods, as it were. He even made sure there were rumors about him wanting to avoid Imperial contracts. Something about even Hutts were less likely to double cross you.

Daede woke to a solicitous hand on his shoulder and when he blinked his eyes open, found Natala Yaan looking down at him. The way she stared at him, a mixture of guilt and uncertainty, told him something had gone terribly wrong. Had they discovered his true identity? Had he completely failed in his mission already? 

“Hey, I hoped you might wake up before my master arrived to speak to you.”

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“It is only in love and murder that we still remain sincere.”
-Friedrich Dürrenmatt

Achai boarded his ship and snapped his fingers.  The crew sprung to life, having already prepared to lift off as soon as their lord was on board and ready to go.  The ship’s coordinates were already set for one particular planet, though that was simply a ruse.  The moment they came out of hyperspace, the plan was to go right back into it to another star system.  A few jumps like that and Achai felt reasonably certain Vith would be kept busy tracking him.

The ship came online, all systems functional.  They had extra fuel and supplies stocked.  The crew had done well to obey his commands, which meant a reward later on, once all was said and done.  He had no idea how long Vith would wait before beginning pursuit.  But he planned to be as far away as possible, already thinking two or three steps ahead of his next move.  

“My lord, coordinates are set, we’ve been given permission by Fleet to depart at your command,” the ship’s captain came out from the bridge to announce.  

“By all means, let us be on our way.”

“May I speak freely sir?”

Achai lifted a brow over the edge of his shades.  ”Very well.”

The captain adjusted his collar slightly, as if he feared a good choking would be in order soon.  ”The crew and I are a bit confused as to what is going on.  Darth Arannek has made no mention of you being in danger.”

Throwing back his head, Achai laughed.  ”Danger? Oh captain, you need not be concerned for my welfare.  This is a game, and it’s just now begun.”

The captain blinked at him a few times, clearly not quite understanding the meaning of anything Achai was doing.  Finally he decided that it wasn’t his concern and he was probably better off following orders.  He bowed deeply.  ”Of course, my lord.  We’ll be taking off in twenty minutes.”

Once he vanished back to the bridge, Achai sprawled out over the couch.  The taste of Vith’s mouth still lingered, along with the memory of that sudden, demanding kiss.  Tempting as it was to submit right then and there, ultimately the hunt would be far more fun.  There was a chance for disappointment, that the bounty hunter wouldn’t actually be able to track him down.  But Vith proved himself capable.

An afterthought occurred to him once they were in orbit and the ship rocked briefly as they entered hyperspace.  Pulling out his holocom, he opened the frequency for one of the Division agents and left a brief, undetailed message.  Better to leave it with Intelligence, who were far more guarded with their communications, than with his own master. 

It was only a matter of time before he and Vith met again, and he allowed the Chiss to claim the real prize.  The very thought of it had him grinning up at the ship’s ceiling and dreaming about it when finally he slept.

To live in desire is to play with fire 
That burns within our every cell 
Dying eternal, love infernal
Just one kiss to feel the spell 
‘Love Infernal’ - Poisonblack

 Achai turned his holocomm off and set it on the table beside him.  For a long silent moment, his mind puzzled out just how deep this had gone, and how fast.  Not even twenty-four standard hours after he had met the bounty hunter in the Fleet cantina and the man had tracked his quarry to a completely different planet.  Which meant he’d return soon, a job well done and his payment earned and then some.

Which brought to mind the method of payment.  No credits, not for this particular mission.  The bargain, sparked over the scent of alcohol and the din of conversation and nasalized laughter, included something less mundane than a simple monetary sum.  Vith wanted one thing of his specification, which of course he kept coyly secret, and a hunt, specifically to hunt Achai.    

There was no question that the bounty hunter had earned his reward, and Achai had too much of his own personal honor to renege on the deal.  

Rising from his seat, he picked the holocom back up, dialing a frequency back to the estate on Dromund Kaas.  The slender form of Vaath’azar appeared, bowing low to her lord.  ”Vaath, I have safe houses on several different planets.  See to it they’re prepared in short order.”

The twi’lek lifted an eyeridge but she nodded, “As you wish, my lord.”

“And Vaath, this should be done quietly.  Involve only who needs to be involved, make sure they know the locations and any preparations are to be kept secret.  If anyone fails me on this, they risk my anger.”

She bowed again and then her figure vanished as he turned off the holocom.  Yes, Vith would get his hunt.  But, Achai wasn’t about to make it easy or quick.

I want my innocence back
And if you can’t pacify me
I will break your bones
You think I’m bluffing
Just try me
‘I Want My Innocence Back’ - Emilie Autumn

Achai woke to the sound of someone screaming. Throwing his blanket back, he sat up at the same time as a dozen other students in the dormitory, all of them looking around sleepily in the darkness. 

The sound cut off soon after and in the stillness of the night everyone could hear the footfalls of guards and overseers rushing toward them. A light flipped on. Achai only knew this because everyone else in the room reacted to it by lifting their hands to their eyes and groaning. 

“What is going on here?” the Pureblooded Overseer from the day before demanded. She must have been on duty for the evening, dressed in her uniform rather than nightclothes. 

“Over here, Overseer,” a guard replied. They gathered in the corner of the room nearest to the door. Achai focused his Sight to be able to see what they were gathering around.

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