Star Wars: Light and Shadow

[slut_in_white]

CLOSED

Her name was Xythe. She didn't have a last name. She hadn't needed one as a slave.

When her master had discovered her latent Force sensitivity, she'd been sold to the Sith Academy to be trained under a new program for alien Sith. Some of the Lords wished to bring in new blood, to strengthen the Empire. The rest still spat on anyone who wasn't human or pureblood, which meant Xythe had spent her entire training as an acolyte working twice as hard for half the credit. It hadn't been fair, but it had made her strong - stronger than all the other acolytes. And when the final test came, she'd been the one to survive. Her trainer, a man who had wanted her so badly to fail that he'd given her near-impossible tasks, had accidentally secured her success.

Now that she'd risen to the rank of Lord herself, she still enjoyed going back to Korriban from time to time to watch him grovel and squirm for her.

----------------------

Blaster fire. Forces, Taris was such a mess. After its destruction, the Republic had seemed so keen on getting it back that it was almost suspicious. There was nothing left to reclaim. The planet was dead, a field of rubble and filth, filled with monsters and poison. And yet they spared no expense trying to recover it. Something had to be here, and Xythe intended to find out what.

As a non-human, it hadn't been hard to convince the republic forces to hire her on as a general labourer. They hadn't done much of a background check - why should they, when the Sith were all known to be exclusionary to all alien races? Word of the chance in rules hadn't yet reached Republic space, and it gave Xythe the interesting ability to slip more easily into republic territories than any of her peers.

She'd been assigned to some kind of excavation, working with several soldiers. There was word of a Jedi coming, too, but she hadn't seen him around yet. And that was when the blasters started firing.

An Imperial squad was outside, engaging with the soldiers.

Xythe herself was inside with the other civilian workers - she hadn't given any indication of combat ability, so the republic commandos assumed she couldn't fight. They kept her and the others deep in the tomb they were excavating, away from the fighting.

Now, however, seemed like a perfect time to get the information she needed. With all of the military personnel dealing with the attack, they wouldn't pay attention to some random servant girl, right?

Slipping out of the room, she started to make her way towards the depths of the excavation. That had to be where they would keep any information on what they were looking for.

There was a loud rumble, and she stopped, looking up nervously as several pebbles fell from the ceiling. What the hell was happening outside?

 

[silvertongue217]

“The force works in mysterious ways it binds us all moves through us and around us we as Jedi have the ability and responsibility to help shape the force to guide the people of our republic and-“

“I am not a padawan any more master” I said pushing my hood down and fixing my Master with a small smile “I know the code old friend you’ve repeated it to me so much I see the words whenever I close my eyes”

My Master didn’t smile at my joke instead sighing and looking out at the roving pastures that dotted the surface of Tython. I watched him for a few seconds my hands fingering my newly cut padawan braid as I waited for him to speak.

“We live in dark times Erik” He finally said turning back to me “You are going to Taris to over see its rebuilding you might not think it important but it is one of our greatest failures you need to set an example an example for-“

“The republic and the sith” I replied cutting him off “its not that I don’t think this is important I just think I am the wrong person for this I am a warrior Master I need to be on the front lines I need too-“

“You have to much of a blood lust!” My master said his eyes narrowing “you have pushed your self to the limit but it has been in the pursuit of combat I requested this for you so you could learn peace”

“Peace” I said snorting and shaking my head “There is no peace the Sith are preparing to go to war with us again the bombing of Courscant was just the beginning this peace is tantamount at best it will not last and when it breaks I want to be on the front line turning the tide”

“And why is that?” my master asked putting a hand on my shoulder fixing me with that thousand eye look “is it for duty of for revenge?”

I starred at him for several long moments trying to ignore the memories and flashes of violence clouding my mind. I pushed it back drawing the force around me and immersing my self in it before shrugging him off.

“I have made my peace with what happened” I said wincing at the tremble in my voice “I used my anger turned it into peace instead you know this do you really still doubt me?”
“No” He finally said even though I did not fully believe him “I wouldn’t have let you walked the path you did” He said pointing at the many hidden pockets that were stitched into my uniform “what you have done with the force…. It scares some of us you are powerful more powerful than most we simply want to make sure you have it under control”

“Why did you let me go through the trails then?” I asked trying to control my anger “If you all doubt me so much-“

“This is not about doubt!” My master hissed angrily “It is not about trust it is about saving you from your self teaching you peace for when this blasted war finally ends! Erik we are your friends I am your friend but I am also a master of the Jedi Order the council agrees with me you will go to Taris and over see its rebuilding then you will enter the guard”

“The guard?” I said my eyes widening with the news “you mean…”

“Yes” My master said his gaze softening “you were not to know but if you do well…. Then when you come back you will begin an entirely new training”


“Okay”

……………………..

“We are almost there sir”

“I have told you not to be so formal with me Lander” I replied uncrossing my feet from my medative position and pushing the hood of my robes down “I am far to young and so are you to be this serious”

I watched Commander Lander struggle for a few seconds torn between his military training and an order from some one above him. I used this time to stand and go look out the large window down at the planet below. Taris was a mess the scars of the orbital bombardment years ago still showing on the surface. I felt the anger strike through me and stretched my hands reaching out with the force and swirling it around me. I wasn’t as precise as the Consular I trained by but I still found comfort in the simple movement.

“How long until we land?” I asked glancing over at Landor who had decided to stand at attention.

“We will be making our descent in the drop ship there has been some scattered Sith fighting trying to stop our rebuilding efforts I have already requested reinforcements but they wont be here until tomorrow”

“Then it seems like my master will be dissapointed” I said trying to keep the smile off my face.

“Seems peace isn’t going to be an option”

ONE HOUR LATER

I kept a hand on the leather strap breathing in the force as we zoomed toward the planets surface. I glanced over at the 501st trying to hide the grin off of my face as they checked their blasters. We were heading right into the thick of the fighting.

And I was ready

“We are nearing the landing zone Commander” The pilot said over the intercom “landing in five minutes”

“Right” I said cheerfully before turning to the troops “Fan out and protect the workers I want to establish a defensive position I will clear the LZ for you guys”

They looked at me curiously but I was already moving punching open the doors. I started breathing in the force large gulps as I centered my self fully. I felt the door opening and closed my eyes seeing with only the force and my senses as I dropped straight down. I felt the force catching me and used it cushioning my fall as well as creating a bubble of energy to protect e from the blaster fire.

I felt the anger cursing through me and grabbed a hold of it but this time instead of pushing it away I embraced it while at the same time keeping a tight control on it. I felt the power coursing through me and reached out drawing my two Lightsaber into my hands and batting back the laser fire from the imperials.

But I wasn’t done yet

The hidden pockets in my robes slid open revealing four more Lightsaber. They rose forming a circle around me and snapping into power. I kept my eyes closed relying on my connection my intent connection to the force to guide the spinning dance of blades into action. The imperial forces lasted all of a few minutes most running and a few deciding to try and gun me down. My blades batted the laser fire back sending them sinking into the imperials chest easily.

“Not a very big fight” I murmured the blades still spinning in front of me before sliding back into my robes “I kept the two Lightsaber in my hands warily keeping an eye out for any more imperial forces as I bounded up the steps and reached the team.

“My name is Jedi Knight Erik” I said as the troopers behind m fanned out establishing a defensive position “I am here to assist and help you I am going to get you guys some where safe while we secure this city” I said fixing them all with a hard stare as I warily watched the skies for any thing bigger than Imperial ground forces.

 

[slut_in_white]

Xythe turned when she heard the rumble again. Something was going on up there. She'd know, of course, that the Empire was planning to attack the excavation site, but it wasn't supposed to have happened until after she left. What had changed?

Something was wrong. She needed to find out what.

"Hey!" A republic soldier came around the corner and spotted her standing in the middle of the hall, in a restricted area of the excavation. "You're not supposed to-"

She waved a hand at him, shooting him a sardonic look, and he paused, looking confused. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and left again. Xythe smiled. "Who says Mind Trick is the realm of the Jedi only?" She tapped her pocket, where her lightsaber was safely hidden away, and started off at a jog towards the entrance of the cave system.

She reached the entrance with little to no issues. It was as she'd imagined - no one was paying attention to her with the Imperial attack happening. Looking up the ramp towards the entrance, she saw why the Empire must have pushed the attack forward: a man, human (and rather handsome), wearing the robes of a Jedi. The Jedi who was supposed to come was supposed to be just a padawan, here representing his master. But this Jedi didn't have the braid - he was a full Knight. He had to be what the Empire was so nervous about, to start their attack early.

She had to deal with him.

Striding up the ramp, she walked straight up to him, a cute, nervous little smile playing over her lovely features. "S-sir?" She bowed slightly when she reached him. "I, um, there's been an incident. Some of the other workers have barricaded themselves inside one of the supply rooms. We can't get them to come out." It was a lie, of course, but she didn't need it to be true. All she needed was for the Jedi to follow her. She could deal with him once they were alone.

 

[silvertongue217]

I watched the woman come up giving her a quick glance before turning back and ordering the troops around. This was my proving ground and I was determined to not only secure the planet but beat back the imperials. Taris deserved its freedom much more so than nay other planet.

And I was determined to give it that

“Trooper” I said hearing the woman’s request “go help this girl and these trapped workers”

The trooper nodded scurrying forward and gesturing for her to lead the way.

“Make sure you drag them out if needed” I remarked keeping my sabers ready “This is a war site now I have no time to deal with babies”

I strode forward glancing at the skies warily. Taris was a priority target for the empire, which left little doubt in my mind that Sith were here. They wanted a show of force as badly as the republic did and they seemed determined to make sure Taris never recovered from Maleks attack all those years ago. They would have to get through me first and I was determined to make it as hard for them as possible.

“We need to get the workers to safety” I said to the commando in charge of the troopers.

“Yes sir” The trooper said “we have a small command center being set up as we speak”

“Good good” I said turning and herding the workers forward. I noticed that the trooper I sent with the woman hadn’t returned.

“Where did they go” I murmured my eyes wary as I walked forward and into the building.

“Come on you lot!” I said using my Lighsabers to illuminate the partially bombed out building “we need to move people!”

 

[slut_in_white]

Xythe nearly cursed under her breath when the Jedi sent the trooper instead of coming himself. Ah well, it wasn't a terribly difficult issue to deal with. She led the trooper away from anyone else, and the moment they were alone, she turned and lifted him into the air with a force-choke. At the best of times, he wouldn't have been able to fight her, and she'd caught him unawares. He was unconscious in seconds, and she let him slump to the floor. It wouldn't do to kill him - not when that would raise so much suspicion. Instead, she left him to sleep, simply stealing away his memories of the last several minutes. He'd have no idea what happened to him. Just another case of the stress of battle taking it's toll on a man, as far as anyone else was concerned.

Slipping back out into the main area, she spotted the Jedi moving with several other troopers further into the complex. It was a massive, underground labyrinth. She had no idea what it had been used for before the fall of Taris, nor why the Republic was so obsessively interested in it now. But with the Jedi here, it was going to be much harder for her to find out. She had to do something about it.

Trailing the Jedi deeper underground, she twitched, a slight ringing in her ears making her scowl. She didn't realize until it was too late that it wasn't just the result of ear damage from battle - it was the distant ring of an explosive. The Empire was bombing the facility!

There was nothing she could do, not in the time it would take for the bomb to land. She felt the earth shake as the explosion landed, followed by another, and then another. Rock started collapsing down from the ceiling. She heard screams. She saw the Jedi spin around and spot her while the rest of the troopers scattered for cover. The metal frames holding up the tunnel screamed under the pressure of the bomb's shockwave, then gave. Rubble collapsed down onto them, and everything went black.

 

[silvertongue217]

“Shite” I murmured pushing the rubble away from me and the troopers with a powerful burst of force energy “we got bombers” I said to the trooper before focusing on the damage and any casualties. Thankfully there were none except for a few people unfortunate enough to be hit by the falling debris. I got to work quickly digging those unlucky enough out as the troopers loaded them onto stretchers.

“Get them deeper underground” I ordered the troopers s the sound of more bombing went on overhead “these tunnels always have some kind of hidden entrance all we need to do is find it!”

They nodded and began moving away just as I pulled the last girl out of the rubble. I realized it was the pretty alien I had sent with the trooper earlier and frowned looking around for him.

He wasn’t here

“What the” I said before glancing a the woman giving her a much more critical look. I patted her down finding the imperial comlink and the Lightsaber in a matter of minutes.

“Sith” I hissed the anger bubbling inside of me the haze of red and the distant dim of a long ago battle forcing itself into my brain like poison. I had always known that my first Sith would be hard that my careful control would be tested to its limit but I almost didn’t stop the Lightsaber from cutting her head off.

Almost

I grabbed a piece of metal and bent it shaping it around her hands with the force. I pocketed her things and lifted her throwing her over my shoulders a little roughly as I turned and began jogging towards the troopers.

“We got us a Sith” I told the troopers handing the lead commando her gear “on a secret mission judging by the fact her Imperial underlying don’t mind bombing her make sure just in case” I cautioned the trooper as I pushed her down onto a metal bench.

 

[slut_in_white]

It had only taken moments for Xythe to come to again, but she'd recognized immediately that she was in a bad position - she'd been hit with the falling debris, and apparently the Jedi hadn't. She could feel him carrying her, and almost grinned at the roiling anger she felt coming off him in waves. She contained her expression, though, and let herself ragdoll. Let him think she was still unconscious.

She felt herself falling a moment later, and realized the Jedi was putting her down, none-too-gently. She felt that moment of fear welling up inside her, familiar to anyone who falls unexpectedly and doesn't know where they're going to land. She felt anger burning at the Jedi for treating her 'unconscious' body so roughly. Then she felt a lance of pain through her back when she hit the metal bench. Hard.

The pain was the trigger - she let out a screech of rage, shocking everyone around her, and Force power exploded outward from her. A blast of electrified power radiated outward, sending the troopers flying backwards into the walls of the room and frying their gear. The Jedi, of course, resisted, but the point hadn't been to harm him. It had been to make sure he was the only one left. As she had expected, none of the troopers stood up after the attack, either unconscious or dead.

Licking her lips, she sat up, smirking at the Jedi. "There. That's better, isn't it? Now we can have a civil discussion in private."

 

[silvertongue217]

I rose an eyebrow looking around at all the charred corpses “Life to you really means so little to you creatures doesn’t it?” I said my voice disgusted as I looked at her anger rolling off of me in waves.

“You are still disarmed and with your hands behind your back” I pointed out the two Lightsaber glowing in my hand. The others slid out all four circling above my head and snapping into action as I advanced upon her.

“Your feet was impressive and driven by anger well I know anger I know that was the quick sudden rush of anger the kind that doesn’t like to stick around…. And not unlike the anger I am feeling right now which is pulsating and steady” I said the Lightsaber spinning like an angry storm above my head.

“You made the wrong move Sith bitch” He said bringing one of his Lightsabers close to her throat.

 

[slut_in_white]

Xythe laughed, watching him with a steady gaze. "What I did was in self-defense. You should know, the trooper you sent with me earlier is still alive." Then she considered the point. "Er, or was, though I can't guarantee anything after those bombs."

She motioned to the rockslide that was closing off the corridor. "You're not going to kill me. You need me. That was our way out. You'll die down here, except, lucky for you, I know another way out."

 

[silvertongue217]

“You do huh?” I said raising an eyebrow “convenient” I finally murmured deactivating my floating sabers and letting them slid back into their hidden pockets. I kept one pointed at her chin though fixing her with a hard gaze.

“And what makes you think I don’t know how to find the way out?” I asked laughing “or am so against doing any thing with you that I would rather just wander around” He added going over to the bodies and checking them for any sign of life.

“And this wasn’t self defense it was slaughter” He said rolling his eyes “you weren’t being attacked or any thing just pushed onto a bench so don’t pull that shit with me”

 

[slut_in_white]

Xythe crossed her arms. "Oh please. I was an unconscious enemy. As if they weren't going to just execute me," she scoffed, rolling her eyes at him.

"And do you know your own way out? If so, be my guest." She motions towards the way deeper into the labyrinthine caverns. "You only arrived 15 minutes ago, so I'll be impressed if you're that familiar with this place already."

 

[silvertongue217]

“Because us Jedi are just so well known for dispatching helpless bound captured enemies right?” I asked raising an eyebrow a her and walking with her grabbing her bound wrist.

“Fair point” He said pushing her forward and into the caverns “so lets make this simple you help me and I don’t run you down on my sword right here and right there when we get out we part ways easy as pie”

 

[slut_in_white]

Xythe smiled. "I don't know, you seemed pretty keen on executing a bound helpless enemy for a moment there," she observed, shrugging.

She took the shove with grace, then turned around, holding her hands out to him. "You can't seriously expect me to wander through a battle zone with my hands tied up, can you?" She licked her lips again, smirking. "I know how to use my hands, if you'll let me," she purred, winking at him.

 

[silvertongue217]

I starred at her for several long minutes before shaking my head “not on your life” He said pushing her forward again “and as for you being bound in a battle zone you shouldn’t have any problem with that since you killed several of my people whilst being bound that and my blades should be more than enough to keep you safe”

I pushed her forward again and began walking her down into the caverns. I tried to ignore on her figure and her backside and instead focused on keeping my emotions in check. The blood lust was still strong as was its call and it was only my strong center in the force that was letting me push it back.

 

[slut_in_white]

I could feel him behind me, a swirling vortex of anger and.... was that lust? I couldn't help the impish little grin that passed over my face. That certainly wasn't a very Jedi-like feeling, now was it? I contemplated teasing him about it, but the anger was still powerful and I didn't necessarily want to risk having him snap and kill me. He was right, I wasn't helpless, but I certainly wasn't in a position to be fighting against a Jedi Knight like him. Not with my hands bound, anyway.

We walked in silence through the empty caverns - this was well past where the excavation had reached. I was pretty sure I knew a way out through here, but I'd never actually been here before - my knowledge came from glimpses of maps I wasn't supposed to see.

We could still hear the occasional rumble of bombs being dropped on the facility. Whatever the Republic wanted from this place, the Empire clearly wanted to make sure it was never found.

We came to a door, and I bit back a curse. "Shit. This wasn't on the map." I turned to the Jedi, glowering at him. "Our exit passes through this shield door. Any bright ideas for getting us through?"

 

[silvertongue217]

“Move aside” I said shaking my head and lightly force moving her out of the way. I studied the shield door for a second before pulling out my two Lightsaber. I slammed them both into the door forcing them through the metal as I slowly began to cut a small hole.

“After that how much further do we have?” I asked cutting a big enough hole and force kicking it out of the door. I stepped back gesturing for her to go in first before following her.

In truth I didn’t know if she was leading me right into a trap. I believed her when she said she knew the way out but whether or not she had a bunch of imperial forces waiting was more pressing. I had assumed when they started bombing and she was revealed that they didn’t know about her…. But was I wrong? If so then this might have all been a ruse to lure me into an ambush.

I resolved if it was the case that I wouldn’t let them take me with out a fight. So far I wasn’t impressed with the sith I wasn’t sure but I as confident that I could at least defeat her in battle.

 

[slut_in_white]

I watched him break open the door with his lightsabers, smirking. He was useful to have around, if nothing else.

"It depends on which exits are open. The bombing could have collapsed them," I answered. No use in lying. We needed to actually work together if we were going to get out of here.

We continued down the hall when I stopped abruptly, hearing sound. Sticking my hands out, I grabbed the Jedi, catching his cloak in my hands, giving him a sharp look and mouthing, "Stop."

Hissing. Scratching. Growls. My heart dropped into my stomach. "Rakghouls."

 

[silvertongue217]

“Well that’s not good” I murmured hearing them and cocking my head “I guess you get to see my Jedi skills at work” I told her pushing her back before activating my two Lightsabers I winked at her before stepping in spinning my blade in a slow circles as the creatures finally spotted me.

I dispatched them quickly moving through the battlefield and cutting them down. I did it quickly snuffing out their force energies before finally dispatching the last one.

“Well that was fun” I remarked dryly motioning for her to come forward. He watched her warily making sure she wasn’t going to attack him.

“Thank you for the warning” He said his tone softening a bit as he regarded her.

 

[slut_in_white]

I warned him.

I'm such an idiot! It didn't even occur to me that I could have let him waltz right into the rakghouls and let them tear him apart! Why hadn't I? With him dead, I could have escaped my bonds and gotten out of here on my own! I didn't need his help, he was the one who needed me!

It was because it wasn't in my nature, as much as I hated to admit it. I abide by the Sith Code, yes, but the current tendency among the Sith to obsess over negative emotions was foolish and a sign of weakness. Power from anger was easy. Power from love? Unimaginably stronger, but also harder to obtain. The Sith of the current Empire attached themselves to the emotions they could ignite most easily and called it strength. Ha. They were as weak and as short-sighted as the Jedi they fought.

Because of that, it wasn't in my nature to allow someone to die needlessly. I'd killed the troopers, sure, but I'd been able to feel their seething hatred, and no matter what the Jedi said, I knew they had planned to kill me. I still put my own life ahead of those of my enemies. But the Jedi hadn't shown me any violence. He hadn't been kind, but he hadn't been cruel either, and he was useful. Killing him hadn't been my instinct because death was not the first answer to every problem, no matter how many whiny, tantrum-prone Sith liked to claim otherwise.

I nodded, lifting a brow at him and holding out my bound wrists. "Favour for a favour?"

 

[silvertongue217]

I rose an eyebrow regarding her for several moments as I weighed my options. She had given me insight and was helping me and she also wasn’t equipped with a weapon. Sith however were crafty and a part of me felt better about keeping her in cuffs then letting her have free use of her hands.

“Fine” I finally said snapping my blade out and severing the cuffs in two “I will kill you if you try any ting though” I said raising a blade to her throat in warning before dropping it. I turned nodding at her to go first before following her out of the small nest.

“I am surprised you told me about the nest” I said glancing over at her and picking my way through the rubble “Why? Or are you kicking your self now that you did it?”

 

[slut_in_white]

I grinned at him, amusement playing over my lips as I followed him through the rubble. "Oh, what, are you upset that I don't fall into your narrow view of what a Sith really is?" I asked, my tone a little taunting. "Please. Ever considered the idea that we're not actually all cartoon villains?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him. "We value strength, that's all. And somehow, that means you idiot Jedi buy into the idea that we eat babies. Strength isn't evil. Allowing weakness to fester by protecting those who aren't deserving... That's evil. Might be nicer to the individual in question, but it does nothing for society but weaken everyone else. And it's not like your crusade to protect the weak actually changes anything. I mean, you can save someone from a gang beating one day, but that doesn't really change the fact that he's gonna get beaten again next week. The only way to save him is to let him figure it out himself. You can't help him. Stop trying." I paused, looking him up and down. "You though? You're strong. Saving you strengthens the galaxy as a whole. You've proven yourself to be worth helping. That's why I told you about the nest."

I hadn't meant to get into Sith philosophy with him, but there it was. This was the first time I'd had a chance to talk to a Jedi about this stuff, and I found I couldn't waste the opportunity, even if we weren't out of danger yet.