Eweev's tales (II)

Eweev walked into the house she had grown up in. Sadness filtered through her, as she looked around the now littered house seeing the destruction all around her.

She could feel Mark behind her. He felt cautious, as he picked his way among the remnants of furniture and a lifetime of memories.

She bent down to pick up a holovid. Borsk Naefai stood smiling at her, frozen for an eternity. The only thing left of the man who had loved and raised her as his own daughter. A stray tear slid down her face.

Eweev jumped as she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Master?” he asked, as he crouched down beside her.

Eweev smiled, as memories flooded back to her. “This man made my childhood happy.” She opened her pack and placed the holovid inside.

“Your Father?”

She nodded. “Borsk adopted me and treated me as his own.” She stood, brushing dust from her skirt. Her eyes took in his. “I need to do this.” She couldn’t explain the compelling urge that pushed her forward.

“What happened here?” he finally asked, as they made their way upstairs. Pictures hung at various angles, as they went up the stairs.

“The Stormtroopers,” Eweev said, sighing, as she placed a hand on a knob and began to turn it. She gave a little shove in the force to shift the debris behind the door on the other side. “They must have searched this place for me, after they killed my Father.”

She paused just inside to survey the damage. The bed was overturned, its purple coverings strewn across the floor. Lamps lay shattered on their sides. The dresser was toppled over; its drawers and contents flung haphazardly.

The closet door hung askew on its hinges. Everything inside had been dumped to the floor in their search.

Eweev shifted in the rubble, picking up a small porcelain doll. She hugged it close to her heart; grateful one thing had survived the destruction.

Mark followed her, as she picked her way back through the rubble, holding onto the relic from her childhood.

She made her way down the hall and into another room at the back.

When she tried the door, it gave easily. The destruction in this room wasn’t as bad as hers.

She stepped over an overturned drawer, her eyes on the air shimmering before her.

She felt her heart beat faster, as she watched the air resolve itself into the force ghost of her Mother.

Deanna reached out to touch her daughter’s cheek. “The answers you seek are here, My Daughter.”

Eweev’s eyes widened. “I seek no answers.”

Her mother smiled at her. “Your heart does.” That smile turned sad. “You are walking a dangerous path.” She reached out with a luminescent hand, caressing her daughter’s cheek. “He doesn’t want to see you go down this path.”

A silent tear slid down Eweev’s cheek.

Eweev's tales

Eweev hooked the stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear, as she stepped out of the small star port and into the dusty street.

A small cantina was on her left. It would probably be empty at this time of the day. On the right, was a medical center.

A soft breeze blew her hair across her face. She smiled, moving it behind her other ear, as she took in the metal fence encircling the buildings, to keep small animals out of this place.

Beyond the fence, stood the rolling purple land she was so familiar with. It was just as she had remembered all of it.

Eweev closed her eyes, taking in all of the sounds of home.

“Are you ok, Miss?”

Eweev opened her eyes to see a tall man with dark hair standing in front of her. He wore dark brown pants and a tan shirt. A dark cloak draped his shoulders, shifting behind him in the light breeze.

Her eyes drifted to his dark, leather belt and the lightsaber resting against his hip. She resisted the urge to place her hands into the pocket of the light blue skirt she wore, to pull out her own.

Her eyes flicked up to his. She knew she couldn’t be felt by him and her lightsaber was within reach, but hidden.

Eweev gave him a bright smile. “I’m fine,” she told him. “I’m just enjoying the breeze.”

His hand went to his hilt. It was an unconscious movement, as it encircled the metal. “Are you sure?” he asked. “You seem a bit nervous.”

Eweev took a small breath. She had every right to be nervous. If he knew who she was, there would be a fight.

“Yes, thank you,” she said. “I’m just coming home for a brief visit.”

“Can I take you somewhere?” he asked. “Dantooine may not be friendly for a lady.”

Her hand went to her hip, to the DH 44 pistol holstered there. “I’m not without protection.”

Eweev could feel the darkness within him. But, there was something just underneath the surface.

He nodded.

Eweev stepped around him, as she stepped towards the cantina. The space between her shoulders blades tingled in warning.

Without thinking, her hand slipped into her pocket, withdrawing her saber hilt. She spun, as the purple blade snap-hissed to life; knocking away a blaster bold aimed her way.

She stood face to face with a tall, armor-clad man, aiming a blaster at her.

Her eyes met the first man she had been talking to. His saber was in his hands, red blade extended in warning.

The man in armor fired again. She deflected the bolt harmlessly away.

The dark Jedi jumped over the fallen man, grabbing her arm, pulling her past the cantina to an AV-21 speeder parked on the other side.

Without thinking, she jumped into the passenger side. He pushed forward on the throttle, taking them away from the mining outpost and into the grasslands of Dantooine.

He took his eyes from where he was driving to look over at her. “You’re a Jedi.”

“I am.”

“That bounty hunter was trying to capture you, not kill you.” He focused his attention back in front of him. “Why?”

It was apparent he hadn’t figured out who she was.

“Darth Vader wants me alive.”

He nodded. “Where are we going?”

“Just head north west,” she told him.

“Unusual,” he said, his eyes fixing on hers again. “Of course, you’re an unusual woman.” He fixed his gaze on where he was driving. “I’m Mark, by the way.”

She slid her lightsaber back into her pocket, pushing her hair out of her face. “I’m Eweev.”

Eweev's tale

Tanisi sat down at the tap caf, looking outside the throng of sentient passing by. He wrapped his hands around his steaming mug of caf.

He smiled to himself as he looked down into the black liquid. Things couldn’t be going smoother, if he had planned it.

Eweev was already beginning to see what she was becoming. It scared her, but he knew she wasn’t going to resist.

He felt the storm brewing. Darkness was beginning to permeate through the bond soon; she would be on their side.

The sound of flesh against wood caused him to jump in his seat, bringing him out of his thoughts. He glared at the white Zabrak sitting across from him.

“This booth is taken,” he stated coldly.

A huge smile spread across the man’s ghostly, pale face. “Where is your companion?” he asked, eyes darting around the tap caf. He laughed, seeing the confusion on Tanisi’s face. “The beautiful blonde you were with the other day at the bunker.”

Tanisi couldn’t keep the shock from crossing his face. “What do you want with Eweev?” he demanded.

The smile from the other man sent a chill down his spine.

“The same thing you want, darksider.” He leaned closer, almost whispering. “Be careful with her. She’s no mere darksider.”

“She’s powerful.”

“It’s more than that,” the Zabrak confided. “She will easily rival the two Sith in control. She needs guidance.” He paused pointing a finger at Tanisi. “She needs to be shown what she is.”

Tanisi looked down at the cooling caf in his mug. “Eweev already feels she’s turning Sith.”

He glanced up to see the Zabrak nod, settling his back against the booth.

“She needs to be shown slowly,” he reiterated. “Her destiny can fork in two ways.” His stare became intense. “I want to make sure she brings glory to the Sith and not destroy them.”

Dusk of a city

The Eastern rays of the early morning were basking Twin Mountain Base; datapad in hand, Tarn wanted to wait until the last moment before severing for ever his connection to the city's communet. The server was going to shut down along with the city, urging one last time to anyone still listening to log out safely - an unnecessary code phrase to leave the city urgently. Carried on the wings of the closing TIE bombers, the time of clandestinity had come. Twin Mountain Base had finally been confirmed as a Rebellious outpost.

Over the last years, the ranks of the Antarian Rangers had dwindled. From a 100 beings strong force and another 100 sympathizers, it was down to 44 beings and 44 sympathizers. The war had taken its toll on the organization - and today's raid was going to worsen the situation.

Although the city was now deserted except for Tarn, Ibaoki, Kelv, and Siot, the city's evacuation has come too late. ISB agents combing the future rubbles for clues would identify most members of the organization. The only good news - to an extent - was that the Empire didn't know of the evacuation expecting the Rangers to put up a fight, and thus had planned for a wave of atmospheric bombardments before entering the city.

Tarn knew that. Information from the Imperial Base came to him regularly and accurately. After all, the Rangers were adept spies and had a good network of informants...80% of the city was slated for destruction, but on Lok and several other planets, other destructions would take place too.

When the Empire initiated "Demolition Day", it relied on spatial imagery and records from Planetary Authorities to identify "abandonned" buildings to be removed, via all necessary means. A heavy-handed method to be sure, but effective nonetheless.

As far as the Rangers were concerned, it was the second most threatening policy the Empire had enacted. The first one, enacted few years ago, was the regulation of independant scouts and rangers. Faced with multiplying actions of sabotage and attacks on Imperial facilities or convoys from Republican loyalists and surviving Separatists, the Empire thought it best to "regulate" these professions. Almost overnight, all the independant ranger and scout trainers were gone. Hired into Imperially-approved guilds or executed. For the Rangers, new recruits and a valuable network of informants and sympathizers disappeared in a pinch.

Eweev's tales from Scylla (5)

Aryillia looked into her reflection in the mirror. Taking a tube of lipstick, she touched it to her lips, applying the color to her lips.

A short rap sounded through the room.

Standing up, she adjusted the green gown she wore before gliding over to the door. Pressing the button, she waited until it lid open revealing a young blond man, clutching a cap in his hand, wringing it nervously.

“Sorry to disturb you, Mistress Naefai,” he said, taking a moment to look into her eyes before diverting his gaze again. “There’s a man insisting on seeing you.”

Aryillia pursed her lips together. “Tell him I’m getting ready for a show.”

He nodded, his hands working the material of his hat. “He was told that,” he said. “He asked me to give you this, saying it was important he speak with you before the show.” He stopped worrying his hat, reaching into his pocket handing her a small envelope.

She took the envelope out of his hand, sliding her fingers along the seal. She unfolded the paper and read it.

Her eyes met the man’s. “Where is he?”

“Do you want me to bring him here, Mistress Naefai?”

She shook her head, placing the paper back inside of its envelope. “I need to see him and it would be faster if I went to him.”

He bowed his head, as he turned around, motioning for him to follow him.

Aryillia grabbed a cloak from the peg by the door, wrapping it around herself, pulling the hood up. She followed him down the busting hall. The back of the theater was a hectic place, especially during performance times. Everyone was rushing around changing costumes, rehearsing lines, putting on the last touches of make up.

He led her to the back door, opening it. She could see a lone figure waiting close by in the shadows. His head swiveled from side to side as he watched the area around him.

Aryillia could almost hear the rapid beating of his heart.

“Wait here.”

He glanced at the man, concern showing on his face. “Are you sure, Mistress?”

She gave him a slight nod, before stepping into the darkness, gliding over to the man.

He had stopped his constant inspection, seeing the cloaked woman gliding over to him. “Aryillia Naefai?” he whispered, his eyes darting behind her to the open door.

She pulled the hood of her cloak enough for him to see her face in the dim light before pulling it back into place, watching as he relaxed just a little.

“Please forgive me, Miss Naefai,” his voice was low. “I would not have disturbed you if it wasn’t important.”

“Get on with it” she said impatiently.

He nodded. “I heard you had contacts in the Rebellion.”

“I have little to do with Eweev Naefai” she stated coldly. She had been followed before by Imperial agents looking for her cousin.

“No, not her” he said, eyes wide with shock. “I had heard you sometimes deliver things to them.”

“And you have something of importance for them?”

He nodded, his hand reaching into his jacket pocket.

“I may be able to do that for you,” her eyes narrowed, “for a price.”

“Of course,” he stammered. “You would be taking a great risk to deliver this.” He withdrew his hand from his pocket handing her two chips.

Taking them she reached into her own pocket in the cloak, pulling out a datapad, inserting one of the chips inside. Her eyes widened, as she looked up at him.

“You must feel this is very valuable.”

He nodded. “Can you do it?”

“I’ll make sure it gets to the right person.” She lifted the right side of her skirt to reveal a small holster. She placed both disks into a small pouch, letting the skirt fall back to the ground. “I’ll leave after the performance tonight.”

She stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around him, signaling him about the other man with her eyes. She felt his arms slip around her. Her lips touched his in a brief kiss.

“Stay like this for a few minutes,” she whispered her lips close to his.

He gave her an almost imperceptible nod as he tilted his head slightly, his arms around her, pulling her tight against his body.

She gave him a warning look.

A mischievous smile flickered across his lips. “All for show, Miss Naefai,” he whispered against her lips. He dropped his arms freeing her from his embrace.

He pinched her rear end, as she started to walk away.

Aryillia turned around, giggling, her face set in a scowl. She turned and headed back towards the doorway.

“Everything ok, Mistress Naefai?” the young man asked.

“Just an old friend,” she told him, giving him a soft smile.

He shrugged letting the door close shut behind him.

Eweev's tales from Scylla (4)

Tanisi walked into the Captain’s cabin to find Eweev curled up on the bed, shoulders shaking. Soft sobs were muffled by the pillow she held over her face.

He strode quietly over, settling his weight down on the bed beside her. He removed the pillow from her face, brushing the damp, blonde hair back. He stroked his knuckles across her cheek, wiping away the tears.

Eweev opened up red-rimmed eyes and looked up at him. Fresh tears flowed down her face.

Tanisi felt his heart break seeing her this way.

He gathered her up, folding her into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder, as he brushed a soft kiss against her forehead.

“What’s wrong, My Lady?” he whispered against her brow.

“What is happening to me?” she choked.

HE stroked her hair. “You’re letting your anger control you,” he told her.

She lifted her head, turning those terror stricken eyes on him. “I’m becoming sith,” she chocked out, her voice hushed.

Tanisi pulled her up, gathering her in closer. He rested her head against his shoulder, stroking her soft, blonde hair.

“You’re not sith, my Dear,” he whispered against her hair, smelling the floral soap she used.

She tilted her head up to look at him. “Then what else is it?”

He cupped her cheek, wiping the tears away with his thumb. “You’re a woman who is grieving,” he told her, softly. She was becoming sith, but she had to learn to control her emotion more. She already had an amazing amount of restraint, but she still had a little bit more to learn. “Let him go.”

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Tanisi lowered his lips onto hers, touching them lightly. His arms tightened around her, pulling her soft body against his. He felt her lips move under his.

He pulled back, looking down into those expressive eyes of hers. “You can,” he told her, his voice barely above a whisper. “His hand caressed her face. “I love you, Eweev.”

Eweev blinked away the shock.

He pressed his lips against her forehead.

She pushed him away, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “I can’t do this.”

Eweev's tales from Scylla (3)

Atest opened her eyes sleepily, feeling a soft touch brushing her mind. A slow smile crossed her face. The touch was so familiar. It was as if it was from something she had forgotten.

He eyes opened the rest of the way, as she remembered. She jerked against the arms encircling her. Her heart began to beat faster as fear swam through her.

Those arms pulled her naked body closer. Lips brushed lazily against her shoulder. “Everything ok, Pumpkin?” he whispered groggily against her skin.

“Just a nightmare, Rel,” she responded, calming her heart.

She hadn’t felt Colney in a few weeks. It had been more than a shock to feel just the slightest touch from him in the force.

It disturbed her that she was laying in another man’s arms when it had happened.

And… now… he was gone.

“I know how to chase those away,” he whispered against her back.. His hand moved up cup her naked breast.

She pressed her body up against his as his hands roamed over her. Thoughts of her husband drifted away as he touched her pushing away all thought till there was only just them.

Eweev's tales from Scylla (2)

Darkness and power filled him, causing t he screen in front of him to swim in front of his eyes.

Something was wrong, but it felt right to him.

Colney slid back from the screen he had been watching, reaching out towards the darkness but not finding it had no origin. But, he still felt it.

He closed his eyes, calming his mind. He touched the bond he shared with his wife. Sadness filled him when he realized he hadn’t touched her bond in weeks.

Atest felt darker than she had. But, Colney was convinced that it wasn’t his wife he was feeling. He brushed her lightly in the force, feeling first surprise then love flooding back to him.

His thoughts turned back to his sister, seeking out her bond.

Colney’s head swam. He wasn’t even aware of his head hitting the desk.

Death surrounded him everywhere he turned his head. Dead and dismembered bodies were strewn all around. Darkness pervaded this place.

As he searched this place, in his mind’s eye, he knew something bad had happened here. Something that shouldn’t have happened.

It felt familiar.

Colney couldn’t place his finger on why it should feel this way. He felt he should know why this presence felt so familiar.

He walked among the carnage, careful not to stop on any of the bodies or body parts littering the floor as he reached out his senses.

He felt stronger. The dark side was pulling him as it never had b before. Beckoning with a promise of immense power.

Colney’s eyes opened wide in horror. He was back at his desk. His head hurt where it had fallen and hit the hard wood.

“What have you done, Little One?” he asked the empty room.

Eweev's tales from Scylla

Eweev crouched behind the bush peering through the dense leaves. Her hands on the soft fabric of her pants, se stretched out in the force to the two troopers standing on the other side of the bush. She infected them with calm and tranquility.

Tanisi gave her a confused look. He could see the trooper’s stances change, relax. He could feel her anger flare up in her and being pushed back down, almost as if it were ready to use at her beck and call. He was sure that was what she was doing.

Eweev unclipped her lightsaber, as she creped along the bush, coming up behind the troopers. She placed the head of the hilt against the right one’s back and ignited the beam, the purple blade extending itself through armor and flesh. The smell of burned flesh wafted around him.

The trooper looked down at his middle, seeing the purple blade extending from his belly before he started to collapse onto the ground.

The second trooper registered shock in the force, seeing his comrade down. He was drawing his blaster, when the purple blade sprang to life again, finding its mark, his hand flying to the side, bouncing twice before coming to a rest on the other side of the first trooper.

He grabbed his stump, as his helmet faced his attacker. “You,” he whispered.

A cold smile crossed her lips. “For you, I am the bringer of death.”

Those words sent a cold chill down Tanisi’s spine. He felt the cold calculations as she raised her lightsaber, brining it around to cleave the man in two.

“He was done fighting,” Tanisi scolded.

Eweev’s eyes were a cold fury. “He’s part of the Empire,” her voice was as cold as her eyes. “They choose to either kill or enslave me.” She paused. “I will be neither.”

“He could have been brought to our side.”

“I will show mercy, when they show me mercy.”

She walked the short distance to the bunker.

He could feel the darkness in her aching to be let out. He could feel her intent, as she walked inside.

“Remember Vader’s mistakes,” he prodded, following her.

Eweev ignored him, lightsaber clenched in her fist, as they came on the first group of Imperials. They paused long enough to see the lightsaber.

Effortlessly, the purple blade flew between them, severing limbs before they had a chance to react.

The next group came around the corner, blasters ready. She batted the bolts away sending them back to her attackers.

Tanisi had his lightsaber out now. He could feel her intentions through the bond now. She meant to destroy this entire base.

He could feel the force flowing through her. He could feel her pulling him along with her like a ship at high tide. All he could do is ride the tide with her.

They swept through the base, leaving a trail of broken bodies behind.

Tanisi felt the anger in her. Felt the dark side pouring from her. Something was different, he thought, as he fought beside her.

She was in absolute control.

Eweev picked her way back up out of the bunker, stepping over the bodies littered over the path. Her lightsaber still in her hand, as she emerged into the sunlight and came face to face with a white Zabrak.

He was smiling at her.

Eweev’s blade snap-hissed to life once more.

“You are falling, Jedi,” he said, hands relaxed at his sides. “It’s time to take your place among the Sith.”

“I’m no Sith.”

“You are Sith, Eweev Naefai,” he smiled, “or will be soon. Only a dark one can do what you just did.”

He raised his hand to indicate the bunker behind her.

“It’s you,” she gasped, her eyes growing wide.

He remained silent.

“Who are you?” she demanded, anger filling her voice.

“Farewell, for now, Dark Lady.” He turned and disappeared from sight.