Out With The Old

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Vrak stalked away. The ship that they would take to the Old Mans estate was waiting on the landing pad, a prototype of what Vrak would build when he had the factories and other facilities that he needed.

He didn't hear the conversation Taheera had with the slave, but he didn't need to.

"My Lord bought me on Zygerria."

The answer was a simple one, truthful and oddly filled with a bit of pride. Taheera would likely pick up on it. The girl would give no hint of fear or lie. She walked through the halls with a straight back, Her lekku swinging from side to side as she lead Taheera after Vrak.

Vrak meanwhile seemed to ignore the two.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Wind buffeted her chestnut hair as they exited the mansion back outside. "You sound...happy." Lips pursed. "Do you ever wish you were free? That you could do whatever you wanted? Be free from...him?"

She was curious, though, the conversation was a happy distraction, too.

The Mirialan was nervous of what was about to come and about the dangers she sensed around her. And who she would meet. Whoever this old man was seemed important and if he wanted to do something to her before or after she could heal him...she doubted Vrak could do anything. Even with all his so called promises.

"What about your family? Don't you miss them?"

She'd never had a family, so she wouldn't know.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

"They are dead."

Most slaves from Zygerria never even knew their family. Either they were taken from their homeworlds when they were too young or they were simply grasped from their mothers breasts. It was the way of things for a slave world like Zygerria, one that ran efficiently and effectively for generations. There was no regret to her tone, almost no emotion. In a way the Handmaiden seemed almost SIthly herself, save she held no true potential with the force.

Vrak continued on towards the Ship, the straight hallway giving the Twi'lek a good look at both him, and then Taheera.

"I am free."

She answered Taheera simply, as though that were the only answer that she ever needed to give. As she finished speaking Vrak reached the end of the hall, a double set of blast doors slowly sliding upon to reveal a landing pad with a ship sitting upon it.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

"I'm sorry, about your family. For what it's worth." From the girl's tone it might not be worth anything at all. She entered the hangar just behind Vrak. Gaze swept across the space, looking for ways to escape. Potential plans and tools.

But it was just a landing pad with one ship.

Lips pursed.

"Not another flight..." it was clear she hated flying.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Vrak turned back at that. "It's a short shuttle flight."

What's more, no one would be shooting them down. Once something was scheduled to occur on Athiss, it happened. There was no way around it. Anyone foolish enough to interfere would be put to a swift death. Half the Lords on this world likely already knew about his meeting with The Old Man, but it didn't matter. They couldn't stop it without risking upsetting the ancient Sith Lord, and thus...they had to let it happen. It was how Athiss worked.

"As long as you don't try anything." He told her with a smile. "There will be no incidents."

He flashed her another small, smug, grin, and then stepped onto the ramp of the Vessel.

The Twi'lek stood behind Taheera, looking up at her with a rather plain but expecting expression. It was rather clear that she wanted Taheera to get onto the ship.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Thoughts of acting like a petulant child crossed her mind. She really wanted to slap that smug grin off Vrak's face. Staring down the twi'lek for a moment, she finally...begrudgingly...followed Vrak a few seconds later up the ramp.

She couldn't help the drift in her gaze to her lightsaber at his belt. For now, she played the good little jedi and took a seat in the back, slipping into meditation as soon as the crash webbing was buckled around her waist.

Her time would come. Soon.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

The shuttle took off a few seconds later, Vrak not taking a seat but instead remaining standing. His hand looped over a small metal bar that ran the length of the ship, grip growing tighter as the shuttle shook to the side. The trip would not be a long one. Even though the Old Man's estate sat half the planet away trips like these were rather short when you could just pass into high orbit and slowly touch down again. Simple, easy, and thankfully fast.

Not much time for Taheera to do much of anything. "Do not speak when we arrive."

Vrak said as he looked towards Taheera.

"You will find that I am much more progressive than most of my people." That likely would be enough to make her laugh. "Other will not be as kind as me."

She was supposed to be a slave, not a mouth piece. "Once we finish I will give you this shuttle so you may leave."

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

"Beating me unconscious AFTER I saved your life was kind, huh?" Eyes cracked open as she scowled at him. Might as well get her sass out now. The shuttle lurched and she felt her stomach churn.

Head pitched back and she took a steaming breath.

Those myrtle-ellipses snapped open again at his mention of what he was going to do with this shuttle. After. She eyed him cautiously. "That's it? You'll just let me fly out of here?"

It was clear she didn't trust him. And if he did that, he had his own bargain to keep as well. At this point though, she just wanted as far away from him as possible.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

"Indeed." There was a slight lurch as the shuttle began to slowly drift back down towards the planet. "The Navicomputer will be wiped automatically when you leave the system, deleting all records of this world."

That was more important than one might think.

Taheera was after all, a part of the Galactic Alliance, a faction that by all accounts was entirely devoted to the elimination of his species. "Other then that, there will be enough food and water for a ten day journey aboard. Wherever you go will be your choice."

It was a fair bargain, one that oddly enough he intended to keep.

There was no need to keep her captive, not after he had what he wanted. She would be more trouble than she was worth.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Surprise flecked across her face. Was he telling the truth? That's it? He'd just...release her?

She'd believe it when it actually happened.

There were no other incidences for the remainder of the ride. She purposefully ignored the red-sith. Kriff, she didn't even know his name and he didn't know hers. It was probably better that way. He too much of other things, already.

Once they landed she was ushered outside of the ship. Now she was in the open. She could sense her safety change. Not that she was really safe to begin with. But when it was just at Vrak's estate, it was different. Weaving through some corridors and trying to ignore the stares and sneers of other purebloods as she passed, they came to a very large and ornate set of doors.

If she thought Vrak's estate had a ton of guards, it was nothing compared to what was before her.

Heart sank just a little.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Vrak smiled. This was it. Oh how he had waited for this. His fingers tightened slightly, balling into a fist as he tried to control the spike of joy that he felt. Something like this would ordinarily take years to plan, yet here he was...having it practically fall into his lap.

He spared a glance towards Taheera. "Remember. Not a word."

There was no threat to his voice, in fact...almost directly the opposite. It was almost as though he cared. A second passed, and then suddenly the doors opened. A servant stood behind them, a singular Pureblood woman. Her back was straight, her eyes fixed on Vrak, and then slowly towards Taheera. Beyond her within the room lay an ornate gaudy bed decorated with purple and gold, within it lay a single Pureblood Sith, ancient beyond all measure, black hair long turned to white, skin a lightish pink instead of deep crimson red.

"He is awake. You may approach."

The woman said as she stepped aside, waving Taheera and Vrak in.

Slowly they stepped inside, Vrak giving a deep bow. "My Lord."

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

It was strange, she felt a wavering of emotions from Vrak in that instance. Fearful? No. Almost something like...chestnut-haired head shook. No way. She must've read it wrong. And even if she'd read it right, it was surely self-centered on his own desires and goals.

Her own fists were clenched at her sides, to keep her hands from trembling. Reaching deep, she focused on her connection with the force. Even within this dark place, saturated with the darkside, the could reach the light. It was just much, much harder. But it was there, radiating with its familiarity like a comfort.

She could do this.

She stepped forward but didn't bow. Myrtle-ellipses widened. The guy was ancient and didn't seem like he had the right to be alive at all. To her credit, she didn't say a word. Even if she wanted to, she didn't know that she could.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

The Sith Lord didn't say a word, though he waved. His hand swept to the side, and the Pureblood servant behind Taheera and Vrak seemed to take that as a notion to act. She bowed and then stepped back, taking the outside handles of the doors and slowly drawing them shut. That left just the three of them, Vrak, Taheera, and the Old mand.

His knuckles nearly turned to white.

"Approach."

The word was nearly a whisp of nothing. Vrak gently touched the small of Taheera's back, urging her forward. As they got closer she would be able to sense the Sith Lord's power, the darkside practically emanating from his like a Nexus in it of itself. Vrak glanced at Taheera, then to the Sith Lord. He frowned for just half a second as the man slowly swiveled his gaze between the two. He gave Vrak a questioning look, then shifted towards her.

"She is a healer, My Lord." Vrak told the ancient man. "Healed me of poison as well as other wounds. I believe she can do the same for you."

For a moment the Sith Lord simply stared at Taheera...then he waved again.

It was a signal, acceptance. Vrak smiled. "Try."

The command was whispered into Taheera's ear.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

She stiffened as she drew nearer. She didn't like the way the sith lord was staring at her. Or that his power felt familiar instead of sickening. It was a mixture of appalling and seductive. Lips pursed.

There was also the illusion that she might have a chance to run. But she knew it was just an illusion. Just outside that door were tons of guards and other force users that would much rather see the jedi in cuffs, a brass bikini, or buried beneath the ground.

Tongue wet dry lips.

"I'll try," she addressed the sith lord, transitioning into a doctor-like voice, "Where does it hurt the most?" It would be easier if he could tell her. Green-hands stretched forward, slowly, as if she was about to be bitten.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

"The Heart."

That same Rasp, almost a broken whisper. Vrak smiled slightly as he watched Taheera move towards the man. The force flowed through her, that same stinging light that had nearly burned him. It was interesting to see from a third party perspective. He watched in silence as slowly the Jedi Moved closer to him, half leaning over the bed so that she could remove the blanket and then inspect the Sith Lord's scars. Vrak watched in silence, waiting.

There was a hiss from the Sith.

Vrak wasn't sure if it was the pain from his injury or from Taheera laying hands on him, but it didn't matter. He could see the healing had started, he could see...The scar on his chest shifted slightly, moved about. Vrak smiled, his fingers slowly unfurling. The Sith Lord's eyes popped open, expanding.

The Darkside of the force recoiled within the man, but the scar on his chest became smaller and smaller as Taheera did her work, whatever technique she used slowly working it's way through the Sith Lord. Another hiss, a grunt of pain, a small yelp as the scar grew ever smaller. Then Vrak spoke. "I apologize for this."

Who was he speaking to?

The loud sound of a snap-hiss would sound out behind Taheera, one half of Vrag's saber-staff igniting with it's loud thrum. Before either the Old Man or Taheera had a chance to act Vrak lashed out his lightsaber slicing from high above as it went sailing directly through the Sith Lord's neck, decapitating him and slicing the bed beneath him in twine.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Protective bubble went up instinctively - around herself, as Vrak took action. She was by no means going to heal the sith lord all the way because sith lord. But her empathic and healing connection had been too deep not to feel as if the staff had gone through her own neck, in a way.

Feet propelled herself away from the living pureblood, putting a little space between them. In fact, putting the dead sith lord's body and the ornate bed between them. Horror and realization slowly etched itself across her tattooed face.

"You planned that all along," she burst as the power of the force swept around her like a floodgate.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

"Indeed." Vrak said simply. Outside the door he could already hear a mass of commotion as guards, servants, and likely everybody else rushed towards the set of ornate doors. They felt the power rushing around Taheera, felt the death of their Lord. They made assumptions, but he would correct them as soon as they stepped through.

"This does not change the deal." He told her as he turned away from her. "You will leave this world upon that shuttle."

That simple. "Just stay silent."

His words were punctuated by a sudden, loud, crash. The double doors were knocked down by a giant Red Monster, a Massassi wielding a huge blade. He let out a roar, stepping into the room and immediately turning to face Taheera, believing her to be the source of his Master's death. Several more warriors followed after him, all of them holding blades or ignited lightsabers.

"Stop!" Vrak stepped in front of them.

The same Sith Pureblood that had been in the room, the on that had allowed them to enter stepped in front of the Massassi. She observed him for a moment, stared at Vrak, his lightsaber, and then at her now dead Master. For a moment one could see hesitation cross her face, horror...and then she knelt.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Protective bubble still swirled invisibly around her jedi-form. Adrenaline shot through her body. Lips parted to utter a response to Vrak but nothing came because the doors burst down.

How could she trust him?!

Just as quickly, they were surrounded. Once again, she didn't have a choice. She was outnumbered. Lobster-face was forcing her to trust him.

Hands slowly lowered. Like a cornered animal, eyes darted around, almost wildly. Then, very, VERY slowly her shoulders relaxed. She tried to swallow through her dry throat. Limbs trembled slightly in anticipation, eyeing those warriors and lightsaber blades.

But once that woman knelt, they all did. It was clear where their loyalties now lay. And Vrak would be in even more danger than he had been when she first ran into him on the planet with two moons.

Maybe not today, but many would kill for the same power he had just taken.

Back remained pressed to the far wall. Unfortunately for her, there were no windows to escape from.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

The next few minutes went by quickly. Word rushed through the estate of what had happened, every warrior, every servant, everyone on the premises was immediately informed of what had occurred within the building. The Sith Lord was mourned, but the change happened so quick that Taheera would likely feel a great amount of disgust for the entire process. It was almost like their old master meant absolutely nothing to any of them, like Vrak was, and always had been their Lord.

The way of the Sith.

Eventually Taheera would find herself being escorted back the exact way they had come, Vrak slowly following along behind her as two Massassi traveled with them. As they moved she would notice the inside of the Estate slowly being torn apart. Paintings, busts, and statues of the now dead Sith Lord were removed and thrown away, gold garnishes were pulled away to be redecorated with Silver. It was an odd sight, and a quick one at that.

An hour had passed since the Sith Lords death, and Taheera would finally stand in front of the shuttle that they had come here in.

"As I said." Vrak told her. "You are free to go."

The Masassi still stood behind him, though neither within earshot. "The Shuttle is fully stocked and fueled for ten days travel."

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

She had to stop herself from running up the shuttle's ramp. She spun to face him. Cautious-gaze swept to the Masassi, then snapped back to Vrak's yellow eyes.

"Why?" She asked quietly. "Why are you doing all this? Why are you sticking to your word, with me? What is the catch?"

She was a jedi that didn't mean she was stupid. Still, this made her wonder if he'd keep his other promise. A life for a life. Much later. Muscles remained tense. She'd bolt in a second if she had to.