Private Survivor

[Lily Rhodes]

Faldos wasn't exactly a dream destination, but when you were scraping credits together to keep your ship running and trying to save to help build a homestead, you went where the jobs were. There were a couple of things she'd learned on the job, the first was don't ask about the cargo, the second was don't look at the cargo. Lily was not a smuggler by trade, but the money was too good to refuse and on the whole, how hard was it to move a couple of crates from Stennaros at the edge of GA space, down the Corellian Trade Spine to Faldos?

Well, the answer was, not hard at all. It had been a breeze, right up until the point that her delivery contact showed up and a blaster bolt left a bright burning hole through the Nautolan's head and some crazy person with a lightsaber had come at her, with every intent to kill. She's had to draw back from him mentally, his thoughts had been so vicious they'd made her feel sick. She'd escaped, barely. A combination of habits that made her plan out a dozen different routes in a new area so as to shake a tail and the fact that her fangrawl tattoo from Skeevi Merrill meant that Lily didn't make a sound when she moved.

Crouched in the shadows, a wall of the starport at her back she peered round the crate towards where the Pilgrim's Rest stood. It was sealed shut, but crawling with imperial agents as they were hooking up to, no doubt looking to slice past the security and crack it open. They wouldn't find much, a few books, a cockpit with the copilot chair missing and a large cushion in its chest. Salvaged Tof weapons that she really needed to sell and a small collection of books, all from the Firefist galaxy. She opened her mind, as Sonere had taught her, allowing the hum of thoughts to roll over her. The first time she'd done this it had been overwhelming, but with time, she'd gotten used to the voices, learned to let them roll over her like water. She coasted through them, listening for anything that might give her an indication of how much trouble she was really in.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was only by good fortune that he was at Faldos when the transmission for assistance from one of his agents on the ground had come. It had been a tense meeting with Darth Strosius , to say the least, an embarrassing one too considering what had happened, yet by the end, their partnership, their... brotherhood had been confirmed, it would be them against the rest of the Empire. Just like it had been for a long time now, but, considering their difficulties, mostly admittedly, from his end, as the feelings of guilt, anger, and of course the spectre, whirled through him, it was good to know that he would always have someone to cover his back.

And frankly, there was no one apart from his battle brother he would trust to cover his back in the menagerie, the jungle, that was the Sith Order.

Yet, it seemed that an incidental test of this partnership would come soon after, departing Baliff Station, the Lochris and he himself as a result received the transmission. Apparently, in a bid to secure a shipment from Stennaros, his agent had gotten into an engagement with the smugglers in question, killing one of them as the actual one who had transported it had fled. This much would not have likely been anything to note, if not for a very key fact.

She had escaped.

Oh, their queries could escape them in the initial moment for sure, by the time the day was done, they would be found, they would be captured or killed.

Yet what his agent described for him was most interesting.

The woman had simply disappeared.

It was certainly interesting. He pulled up the description that his agent had been able to provide, going off the memory of their scuffle, silvery blonde hair, light brown eyes, and a short frame. It was not much to go off admittedly, but what was more interesting, was that seemingly the Inquisition had been alerted to their little escapee, having found the vessel she had arrived in.

She was for the most part trapped here then, Faldos after all, being the Inquisition's home, was run more like a military camp, than a civilian government. His first thought had been that she was a rogue Tsis'Kaar agent, it would certainly have explained how she had escaped one after all, yet it seemed unlikely, none of that description should have been on Faldos, yet he supposed a rogue would not care where they were meant to be.

A far more concerning prospect was that this was a powerplay by some other Sith, wishing to infiltrate into Ali's domain, to weaken the two heirs of the Snake.

Either way, as he whistled his way into the hanger bay, eyes alive with mischief, spotting the inquisitors attempting to get into the ship that likely belonged to his query.

He was ready to enjoy this hunt.

For rogue or enemy.

They would die.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

The whistling drew Lily's attention away from the center of the commotion, eyes swinging to settle on a pale figure with dark hair. The ripple through the agents minds gave her the one piece of information she really needed.

Commander.

Lily centered her attention on him, blotting out the rest of the hum of noise. His emotions were light and he was more than a little curious as well as eager for the hunt. Beneath it though, the was something dark. Something that told her he would not likely hesitate to kill. She drew back, careful not to alert him of her prodding and tucked herself completely behind the crate with a heavy sigh.

Ok, so on a scale from zero to in over-her-head Lily was up to her neck in trouble. Not the first time, certainly wouldn't be the last. She needed to get onto the Rest, the top hatch would be the best place for her to enter but she needed elevation and a distraction. Elevation was easy, the port had plenty of cranes and hoists she could scale. A distraction though?

She pulled her only defence from her hip, the blaster pistol had seen better days and she could get another one. One more quick glance to make sure she hadn't been spotted and she fiddled with the blaster, setting its powerpack to overload. Leaving it on the floor she darted from her hiding place, skirting into the next, the gentle warning beep would draw their attention soon enough. Keeping low and silent she made her way to the base of a crane and held her position, waiting for the explosion before starting her climb.

It was less of an explosion and more of a loud BANG, that spayed pieces of durasteel in all directions. It did what she needed it to, all eyes swung in its direction and Lily bolted up the crane, and along it arm. It wasn't a terribly long drop, a couple of stories and she'd been practising slowing her descent. Lily took a breath and jumped...

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He hailed the Inquisitors as he arrived, they having noticed his approach seconds ago, and offering him salutes or otherwise nodding their heads in respect. Such was not technically afforded to him, oh he was Sith certainly, but such subservience only came out from having worked with the Inquisition in the past, and perhaps the fact that though the Inquisition had been made to be separate from the Tsis'Kaar, all knew that it had deep ties to the organisation, even being subordinate to it, until officially both were rendered asunder and partitioned by the heirs of the Snake.

Still, if they thought the Tsis'Kaar and Inquisition were not still in deep cooperation... well.

It would be their funerals where they faced knives from the back and front.

He made some small talk with the gathered congregation as they continued to attempt to pry the ship open. All the while red eyes looked about them, if his prey was smart she would be far, far from this place, attempting to find someplace to find a ship and get out of here.

On the other hand, if she was desperate, this was exactly where she would come back to.

The description of her ability to flee would have favoured the former, yet the description was that she was a rather young woman, late teens perhaps, which would imply the latter. Youth had a way of forgetting protocol and sense when thrown into high-risk situations.

He would know, he had.

And likely he was not too much older than her.

It was the explosion which confirmed his theory, his body shifted back in shock, yet his mind was as sharp as ever, as durasteel fell beside him, and the inquisitors took cover. Still, within seconds their well-touted discipline took over, and a squad moved to investigate, all the while Malum considered. She was near, and that was likely a distraction.

Fire-born eyes scanned the area, as the invisible inky tendrils of his Consume Essence exploded out from him, tracking for the unseen.

He felt the emotions of all those near, from there was able to extrapolate their nature, their force-sensitivity, yet each of them were men within his sight, where the Inquisitorial helm, none were his prey.

"They rarely look up."

It was true, though stranger still that his fragment had decided to be helpful for once.

Gazing up, as the invisible inky tendrils moved along with his gaze.

Well, he did not expect finding her would be so easy.

It was bold, he felt the emotions whirl about her, as his eyes seemed to glaze over by just looking at her, as if something was... trying to make him stop noticing her presence. Yet, where his eyes failed him, the Force did not. She was nervous, she was afraid, she was determined.

And she was force sensitive.

Raising a hand, he pulled upon her neck, her form still mid-air from her jump from atop the crane. Not to kill her, not anymore, such boldness required more investigation.

And he was so curious.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Some things happened in very quick succession the moment Lily's feet left the crane, the first was a thought, one out of place, that belonged to no one, but that was ridiculous because a though had to belong to someone, skipped across her senses like a hiss.

"They rarely look up."

The second, was she felt the soft edges her tattoo granted her, harden as someone settled their gaze. locating her in the force. It wasn't the worst thing, she was half a second from landing, another what? Five seconds and she'd have the top hatch open. She could have gotten in, discharged energy along the hull to deal with anything touching and gotten the feth out. Sure there would have been a chase, but it was all doable.

But then, she stopped moving downwards and was yanked, violently.

Sideways.

"What the-"

A yelp escaped her, shattering the effects of the tattoo entirely and she found herself held by the throat. By the tall dark man...with red eyes.

Lily blinked in surprise, before collecting herself and kicking her legs up to plant on his chest and try and break herself free.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He examined her closely as her descent was halted, as she was pulled towards him, his agent's description was entirely accurate surprisingly enough, platinum blonde hair that reached her neck, doe eyes that seemed more surprised than fearful, and a form that was too short by half, and clothing that could not only be called civilian but also... bourgeoise, something that screamed entirely too urban.

Inquisitors, now able to see their little stowaway, had blasters pointed in her direction, simply waiting for the order to fire. Yet Malum said nothing, still considering her, it was odd, she had not hidden herself with the Force, for he had seen her, alone up mid-descent. Yet... they had noticed her, even as he looked directly at her, his eyes seemed uncertain at what exactly he was looking at. As if... something, was pressing him to not notice her. Until his eyes straightened and cleared, and he saw her with the full perfidy that sight offered. It was not him either, none of the men surrounding had seen her, would that have continued if she had made it to the ship, what was her plan then?

No doubt they would have heard the sound of her landing atop her vehicle, no?

Or... was she even confident of that not alerting them?

He did not have much time to consider that, as she was quickly drawn towards him, it seemed she had fight in her yet. Time seeming to slow, as her leg aimed to push off of him, break the vice grip he held upon her neck.

He offered a grim smile at that.

As her leg was about to make contact, the vice grip became iron, pushing down onto her windpipe, while his entire body twisted, allowing her feet to find breach with his back.

As without mercy, he slammed down. Aiming to whip her body across the cold concrete floor.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily let out a strangled cry that ended in a cough as her windpipe closed. Her feet faltered as panic seized her, the world flipped on its axis and pain lanced down her whole body as it met the duracrete with such force she thought she might have sunken into it. Lily only ever had two options, run.. or surrender. and she could hardly surrender when she couldn't talk.

I yield.

She reached for his mind.

I YIELD.

She clutched at the hand crushing her throat, desperately trying to tug it free.

Please don't kill me.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. How the feth was she going to get out of this one?

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Any satisfaction he might have gained from the act was quickly ruined by the crunch as body and bone slammed into the duracrete. She was a mix of still and horror, desperately clutching her neck, as the rest of her body was filled with shock, not entirely sure what had happened, but desperately trying to make sure she felt none of it, lest the shock entirely destroy her mind.

She was a foe... either one of his, or one of theirs, she was a criminal, she deserved this, well perhaps not deserved, but none would judge for incapacitating her, apart from him of course, bleeding heart that he was.

She looked awful, and it was enough for him to reconsider this.

It would have been simpler to have simply forced her into unconsciousness, than this.

He was about to let go of the grip on her when-

She reached for his mind.

I YIELD.

He blinked as his grip released. He had many voices in his mind, but that was a new one. Of course, it quickly became apparent that the voice did not emerge from his mind, but from the one clawing at her neck.

He stepped over to her, eyes scanning the room providing a silent order for all to unready their weapons, their stowaway was no threat now. Kneeling down he took her in... she was in bad shape certainly.

"Inquisitor, please call for medical services, we will be taking her alive for questioning, continue to try to enter the ship." One of them nodded marching off, Malum knew the keys might be on her, but in her state, he was remiss to touch her.

Please don't kill me.

Kneeling beside her, he bit his lip, why did this always have to happen? He was in the right, this was his foe, so why did his heart make him pause?

"Your bleeding heart will kill us both." The fragment hissed into his ear, tugging on his mind uncomfortably in warning.

As was his won't he offered a nod, it was true, yet as it stood, she was no threat, and in this state, she would not for quite some time. He justified it by speaking of interrogation, an interrogation that no doubt the young woman before him would fear even more than this current pain, if she could imagine that. But he knew what it truly was, he simply did not want to cause her more pain, whatever she was.

He justified it by thinking she could be an asset.

Yet he knew in his heart of hearts that was not his objective.

"You will live, miss, my apologies for how rough that was, we will watch you up, and if you cooperate and answer some questions, you will be free to go." He whispered, as he winced at the stab in his mind, the fragment was growing unhappy. It was not entirely a lie, though depending on who she was, she would certainly die.

But if she was not, there would be no more reason to cause her any more strife.

"You coward."

He physically recoiled at that, not having an answer.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily gasped as the pressure on her windpipe released, sweet air rushing into her lungs brought another pang of pain along her ribcage. She choked back a sob and closed her eyes as he asked for medical services.

The malice that had been in his initial attack had gone teplaced by guilt and regret. Lily was already confused when she heard it again.

"Your bleeding heart will kill us both."

She simply stared up at him. The voice was feminine, yet it had most definitely come from him. How was that possible? She focused on it, searching, no doubt he'd feel her probing but she was already in trouble, what more could this get her into?

As he knelt beside her his words offering freedom is she cooperated almost fell on deaf ears. She was slow to react but eventually a nod came.

"You coward."

You don't belong here.

It was a statement to the estranged voice. To let her know that Lily could hesr her every word. She tried to speak but nothing but a hoarse croak caen out and she winced in pain again.

My ship is my home. There is nothing of worth inside it, please don't damage it.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

His eyes widened as the foreign voice hit him, talking past his brain towards the entity within, pure focus taking over as a hand snapped to his lightsabre, drawing it forth and pointing it down upon the woman below, there was no hesitation, she would die today. It was the only option, others knew of the madness within him, yet few knew of the true nature of it, within seconds the woman crushed in front of him with some ability to communicate, and far more concernedly see in his mind knew far too much.

Yet as his vision blurred, as every inch of him pushed to ignite the blade and be done with this.

He was coldly still.

And then a skull-breaking headache erupted over him.

He hissed out in pain, almost losing his balance and falling over, as the lightsabre pointed away from the figure below, the two souls were once again in conflict.

"Let me kill her, she knows far too much." The hissing erupted as the hand he held in his lightsabre shook in an effort to resist her efforts.

"You coward"

"You craven"

"You absolute fool."

He resisted as every insult sent lightning through his brain, as each was a punch through his gut, closing his eyes, almost growing feverish as sweat trailed down his brow.

"Girl..." Oh who was he kidding she was barely younger than him, "...You know little of what you speak... I would recommend you not try that again." He whispered quietly, just within her hearing range, as he launched himself backwards clumsily, all in an attempt to make sure his form was nowhere near her, far from his reach so he could not harm her.

"Betrayer."

"Traitor."

"Turncloak."

The old lullaby erupted in his mind, as he laid a cool hand on his rapidly boiling mind, attempting to do... something, against the fire and pain that was erupting through him.

"Inquisitors!" Those watching in both confusion and the least amount of fear suddenly stood at attention, "Take her to the hospital now!" He gripped his brain with both hands now, as it felt like lava was erupting out from his brain, coating it with a hiss as flames took hold of his long-suffering brain.

My ship is my home. There is nothing of worth inside it, please don't damage it.

"Tend... to her... carefully... she has the key... do not damage... it." His breaths were growing heavy, eyes barely being able to see, as one had turned into a bright orange, a fireball that swirled around what was once a ruby, glimmered in hate and outrage, simply begging to take control, his knees weakening as he brought himself up straight, almost limping away, trying to make the stabbings stop.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily closed her eyes the moment the lightsaber appeared, but she could hear all of it. Two souls, one a mere fragment of what it should be, battling to take hold.

She'd seen a curse clinging to another soul, a curse that was made up of anither soul but this was something entirely different. It was terrifying. She recoiled as his pain started.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.

The inquistors moved her onto a stretcher, she caught a glimpse of orange as fire coiled about his hand, before she was whisked away.

---

The hospital wasnt far, they tended to her carefully. A bruised spine, a couple of broken ribs and a brusied trachea...She'd survived worse.

They kept her in a private room and for two days she saw no one, save the inquistors as they changed guards. She wondered if she'd see the man with two souls again as she paced the room.

On the morning of the thirs day, she was starting to lose her mind. This was worse than being on a long hyperspace journey, at least on her ship she had books, something to entertain her mind.

Sitting cross legged on the bed her back resting against the hospitals cool walls she closed her eyes and tried to meditate. Her sleeevless top left her tatto on full show on the inside of her forearm the bruises on her neck were a angry purple. She'd at least managed to say good morning to the nurse who brought her breakfast. Lily didn't eat, she didn't do well stuck in a box...

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

The click would alert her to the fact someone had entered the room. He did not try to hide himself as on his person was a small crate, filled with the books that had been uncovered from the ship, alongside the cushion. It was frighteningly bare, and certainly while not having many possessions was the indication of a good agent, one which carried little, and only what they needed for a quick mission, in and out. From what she had said, he had the frightening realisation this might be all that she had. Indeed she had called the ship home, said there was nothing of worth inside, and begged him not to damage it.

It spoke to someone who was far more desperate than he had initially assumed.

Far more desperate than any agent would be.

Opening the door, he flinched away from the pain that suddenly erupted as she caught sight of her sitting atop her bed, eyes closed and seemingly deep in thought and in meditation. Pushing down the fragment as best as he could, as he knew he would certainly be fighting a silent battle to keep it at bay, only coming here out of some feeling of guilt and obligation, for he knew this conversation was going to be far more difficult for him than her.

It was a very Jedi-like scene, and if he had not known better, it would have been the conclusion he would have reached, however as their reports to him had noted, from both the careful searches of her and the ship there was no lightsabre, indeed, all there had been was some Tof weaponry, far from what a Jedi would wield.

So neither of one of his nor one of theirs.

Perhaps simply a smuggler who was Force-sensitive? That did make a surprising amount of sense, and with nothing else to go on, it was the tentative conclusion he had reached. Which for him was certainly good news, smugglers were not exactly far from criminal charges, but she would not face the silent and hidden executions that faced all agents on both sides of this war, even within the Sith Order itself, if all was well, she might be able to leave without any further... damaging, consequences.

"Greetings Miss..." They still did not know her name, and one of the numerous questions he would ask today, but before that was to make sure she did not have a panic attack at his presence.

Trust, he dreaded this as much or even more than her. He laid the crate next to her, as he took a seat next to the bed, noting with some concern the uneaten food on the table, had he damaged her throat that much?

"You should have snapped it in half."

He ground his teeth, as he took a seat neighbouring her bed, "How are you feeling, has the medical treatment been up to par?" It was the least he could do considering how harshly he had incapacitated her, "I brought your books and cushion, your ship is undamaged I assure you, though we did seize the weaponry onboard, contraband you see," He gestured to the crate as he explained, he considered if he would give her some credits in recompense.

Certainly, the smuggler did not deserve any, she was still a criminal despite how harsh he had been.

Yet, the desperation worried him greatly, a girl not much younger than him out in the world alone, calling her ship home? It reminded him far too much of his younger years... but at least in those days he always had a home to return to, but it Jutrand or Saijo, "What is your name? I am Darth Malum, and I will be your interrogator today," He offered what he wanted to be a friendly smile, but it did not reach his eyes, as the migraine began in earnest, "As I told you a few days ago, if you cooperate and answer my questions, in all likelihood you will be free to go," Such was not exactly the strict procedure of law in the Sith Empire, but the Tsis'Kaar did always operate around the law, and Faldos under official military occupation was the perfect hive to allow procedures out of civilian oversight... even if that concept was laughable in the Sith Empire.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

The fearcthat crept into her chest when she felt him approach was involuntary. Pure primal instinct. This man had hurt her, it was natural to be afraid. She didn't open her eyes when he greeted her, wrestling instead with her rising heart rate, forcing herself to keep her breathing even.

He had regretted it, she knew that. Which meant that whatever he was, there was something good in him. Her breathing evened, a familiar scent reached her. Velok's cushion. Her shoulders relaxed.

"You should have snapped it in half."

Lily's eyes snapped open and she stared at him, a frown creasing her brow. She didn't answer him about the hospital treatment, nor did she give her name. She simply studied him, trying to find her footing. You had to understand a person to find your footing.

Taking her eyes off him, she reached for the cushion plucking it from the crate and hugging it to her chest.

"Lily." She said finally her voice scratched in her throat and she swallowed. "My name is Lily."

Taking a deep breath, she looked back at him. "Why do you care what the treatment has been like? She certainly doesn't." It was a genuine question, there was no rudeness behind it, just a girl trying to understand the world around her.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

She was afraid of him, and he did not need the Force to know that, there was a tensing of her body as she heard his voice. Perfectly understandable considering the circumstances.

It was as the Fragment spoke, as he took a seat, that she revealed her doe eyes back to the world. That was no coincidence, his teeth continued to grind, closing his eyes, as he formed a fist at his knee, squeezing down heavily on himself, as the dull ache became far more than just dull, and just an ache. Opening his eyes, he looked for anything to distract him, incidentally revealing again, that for but a second, one of his eyes had warped in colour, an orange-red, rather than the ruby-like crimson which was his inheritance, but just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, and one might doubt if it had been there at all.

Thankfully she would provide him the distraction.

"Lily." She said finally her voice scratched in her throat and she swallowed. "My name is Lily."

He breathed out of his nostrils, hot air billowing out as if he were a dragon about to belch fire. Unfortunately, he was but a man and the fire usually came out of his hands but currently scorched away in his mind.

"No last name?" He offered a playful smile, though considering how tense he himself was, it failed its purpose, "Well... it is nice to meet you, Lily." Was it a fake? Perhaps, but considering she had not given him her last name as well, he was partial to believing it was real. Moreover, the lack of a last name had far more troubling implications, a teenager out alone in the world, with a ship to her name and not much else, with no last name, a force sensitive at her age that did not know how to fight back.

Was she an orphan?

Oh, his bleeding heart.

Taking a deep breath, she looked back at him. "Why do you care what the treatment has been like? She certainly doesn't." It was a genuine question, there was no rudeness behind it, just a girl trying to understand the world around her.

His fisted hand suddenly, with a speed unseen was grasping the bedpost, as he himself was clearly struggling, eyes closed, and his entire body was as stiff as a board.

"She knows too much, kill her now."

"Lily... did I not tell you to..." He hissed out, the same voice with the ghostly undertone echoing through the sterile room, he was breathing heavily, as at the very least it confirmed that she could enter her mind, and more troubling, could see the fragment, "Did I not tell you... to stay out of my mind?" He tried to form a smile, but it came off as more a grimace, as his body seemed to be struggling from what his brain was ordering.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily recoiled at the reaction, she couldnt het any further up the bed if she tried. She been around violent people, peiple with dark thoughts but this was something else.⁹

When she was certain he wasn't going to get out of the chair and rip her in two she spoke again. "Technically, I'm not in your mind. I'm listening to it...which I guess means I'm in there...I'm...sorry. I'm still learning to control it. And well..." she licked her lips nervously "She's really loud and you kinda remind me of someone that had a similar problem, well not really, he didn't have voices in his head just...." she trailed off realising the panic had made her ramble.

"I'm not going to tell anyone."

She'd unconsciously brought the cushion up like a shield. Sheepishly she lowered it and took a deep steadying breath. "Rhodes. The surname I was given is Rhodes." She fidgeted, burning with more questions, but too afraid to ask them for the reaction she'd already recieved.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He breathed out softly, cooler air, as for now, he had beaten back the spectre.

For now.

It was always for now.

And he was never sure these days if he was truly beating it back, or if she was letting up the assault, toying with him, in this continual game of cat and mouse wherein sometimes it seemed cooperative, providing him with the strength and power he needed, if only they stood in alignment. Only for it to strike when he least expected, clawing at him to make action he did not desire, or breaking out of alignment when matters proceeded far more quickly and harshly than he desired.

Such had been a delicate balance that had been playing out for months.

And it was only growing worse.

He gripped the burning amulet around his neck, as it always did, it calmed him.

"Can she hear another voice?"

It was a good question, and in his moment of clarity, he could allow his curiosity to wonder, directing his gaze towards her in question. The ashes were alive in some way he understood, but more as... well a fragment, a memory, one which knew the past it had come from, yet could not learn or experience new things, for it was in that sense... dead.

And now he wondered why exactly he cared what the criminal could or could not do.

When she was certain he wasn't going to get out of the chair and rip her in two she spoke again. "Technically, I'm not in your mind. I'm listening to it...which I guess means I'm in there...I'm...sorry. I'm still learning to control it. And well..." she licked her lips nervously "She's really loud and you kinda remind me of someone that had a similar problem, well not really, he didn't have voices in his head just...." she trailed off realising the panic had made her ramble.

He offered a genuine smile, one which did reach his eyes as she continued. Well, she seemed to be more comfortable around him at least, "So you are a novice, impressive work then, flying here from Stennaros, avoiding capture from one of my agents, and almost escaping entirely, you simply had the misfortune of running into a proper Sith Lord," As proper of a Sith Lord that he could be called anyway, "But still, I doubt you learned all this yourself, who do you serve? It is a rare few who can avoid detection from the Tsis'Kaar, yet I know what I saw... or well, what I did not, there is something about you that allows you to not be noticed if you do not wish to be." Such was what he was truly curious about, even if she moved on to apologise further.

"You are... forgiven, for that, if you cannot control it as you say, the she," He winced, gripping the amulet firmer, "Does not... I will not explain everything to you, but suffice to say I do deserve this, and she... is simply angry at what I have done." Much more angry, much more rageful, much more hateful, yet Malum would not go into that, for though he was certain the woman was not much older than him, he could not help but think of her as a child... likely due to the fact he had brutalised her so.

"Tell me of your friend," He was curious, though he doubted it would help his case, she already pointed out it was dissimilar, still, he would take any aid, for though he had theories, it was hard to work on them when his own mind was compromised, "Strangely enough, you remind me of someone else as well, though... for no problem you have... no doubt she would be horrified at what I did and fuss over you," She reminded him quite a bit of Elise Ahana-Gwyneira , no doubt she would have enjoyed meeting with the fellow chatterbox, a ball of nerves with just the right amount of spunk in her.

Though speaking of fussing, he looked over to the food still on the table, uneaten, "Are you having trouble eating?" He asked, the slightest bit of concern creeping into his voice, as he gazed at the bruise on her neck, the one that he had caused.

"I'm not going to tell anyone."

"I appreciate that, I do," She was too scared to break her word, and she had little reason to regardless, what did a non-Sith care for Sith inter powerplays? Unfortunately, he doubted it would be enough for the Fragment, loose lips sink ships, but no lips... well something that rhymed involving the ship being able to sail properly, he had not written poetry in a long time, and had been far too busy regardless.

She'd unconsciously brought the cushion up like a shield. Sheepishly she lowered it and took a deep steadying breath. "Rhodes. The surname I was given is Rhodes." She fidgeted, burning with more questions, but too afraid to ask them for the reaction she'd already recieved.

He gently and cautiously took a hand, a show that he was not going to harm her, and brought it to his lips, resisting the foreign urge to bite down hard, "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Rhodes," He offered with a grin, doing his best to make the girl comfortable, and frankly... not knowing how to, yet as she saw her fidget, the grin became wider, "Please ask your questions, I have nothing else to do today, and I doubt your nurses will appreciate you scratching yourself into oblivion. She did look quite adorable with the cushion though, he changed his mind, Elise Ahana-Gwyneira would love this girl.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

"Can she hear another voice?"

Lily blinked, not wanting to answer, but the look Malum was giving her told her he was also seeking the answer to that question. So she gave a small nod.

"Oh, thanks, I guess." She smiled "I've been running from authorities most of my life, not really a novice in that respect." The fact the Malum declared herself as a Sith Lord was utterly meaningless to Lily. Velok had been a sith lord once and look at him now. Her brow furrowed at the question of who did she serve, unsure how to answer it so she didn't not yet. She was still trying to piece the puzzle that Malum was together, tryibg to determine what he actually wanted form her.

She'd expected the conversation to focus on the shipment, who hired her, what was in it, who her contacts were, and she would have willingly given it all. But the questions about her, about Velok. They made her uncomfortable, but not as much as the kiss on the hand and the incredibly formal name. Lily's cheeks flushed crimson. "Just, Lily, please.."

So many questions to answer. Her eyes drifted to the food that had long gone cold. "I'm, um, not used to three square meals a day." She cleared her throat the colour deepening in her cheeks. Lily had never been comfortable in the spotlight and right now she felt like she was not just under a spotlight but the intense light in laboratory, waiting to be picked apart.

"I don't serve anyone, not really a concept I understand. I have teachers and friends and this," she extended her arm so he could see the Fangrawl tattoo. "On top of that you add a lifetime of just trying to survive and well..." she shrugged.

Velok crept into her mind "He was a martyr, like you, believed the punishment he was receiving was justified, even though it was endangering the people around him...though i don't think that really mattered until he met me." She gave a small smile. "He's going to be furious when I tell him everything when I get back home."

She hesitated, wanting to accept the invite for questions he offered. "What did you to to her?"

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He noted the nod. Nodding back himself, so she could hear the voice of Darth Marr too, well she should could herself lucky, there were perhaps only three living figures in this galaxy that had heard his voice, and one of them was the Sith Emperor himself, if the Worm was truly what it claimed to be.

"Oh, thanks, I guess." She smiled "I've been running from authorities most of my life, not really a novice in that respect."

He snorted, chuckling, the alien sound coming out of a Sith, wafting over the room, before he caught himself, his eyes glimmering with mischief, "Most are not so upfront about their criminal history you know? It would likely be best if you were not so public with such information, most Sith are not as kind as I." He noted it down though, while there had been no evidence of her activities in Sith space, if there were he wanted to know. While personally, he had no issue sending back a smuggler who would be a terror to Alliance trade.

Or so was the excuse he quickly came up with for not punishing her too severely. Still, it may have been premature, after all, he still had little idea of her purpose here, who she served, though he was fast adopting the theory that she might indeed be a smuggler rather than a threat, he was also more than aware that his biases played a role in that fact.

After all, and it was certainly the point most intriguing to him, she did not show any surprise at the fact he was a Sith Lord. She had encountered their kind before, and she still stood before him. There was no way she lucked out and found two pragmatic Sith, right? No, somehow he had escaped another... but how? Was it her ability?

"Just, Lily, please.."

He chuckled again at her reaction, she was just as easy to set off as Elise Ahana-Gwyneira , then, at least this time he had the benefit of not being a blushing mess himself, "My apologies Lily, I always do forget that most are not raised as nobles." He did not in fact forget that such would have been a mistake he had made in his earlier years... he had been quickly and vividly taught of his mistake, and now most of the people he spoke to were not born of the blue. Still, an opportunity to embarrass the teenager was one which he could not exactly refuse himself from taking, especially if it would make her relax a little bit.

"I'm, um, not used to three square meals a day."

Ah... he had not considered that likely orphaned, resorting to smuggling, some committed crime for the thrill, for the opportunity to make more credits than most other traditional forms of employment, yet... most. Most simply were desperate, and considering her circumstances, and what he knew so far... desperation seemed very much the answer to this question, "I... am sorry to hear that," There was not much he could do, even if he let her go, provided her some credits, how could he solve something that needed time, needed a long measured effort.

He could not help her unless she stayed here.

If she stayed here.

Hmm.

"I don't serve anyone, not really a concept I understand. I have teachers and friends and this," she extended her arm so he could see the Fangrawl tattoo. "On top of that you add a lifetime of just trying to survive and well..." she shrugged.

He examined the tattoo closely, by the fact he had directed him to it, it likely served some purpose, but what it was, he could not quite say, "It is a pretty tattoo," He had considered getting one himself, long ago in his youth, but the demands of his position had put an end to those considerations, noble scions simply did not mar themselves, especially not the heir of Darth Marr. The pun was not lost to him, likely had been a salt to that specific flesh wound.

Still the rest of what she said was interesting enough, it was as much confirmation as he needed though that she had no greater purpose here... that she indeed was simply a smuggler. There was no lie that he could detect in her eyes, no part of her body betrayed her words, the feeling of relief was strange, but welcome, "Well, you have certainly become a capable young woman through it all, though I am sorry you went through it all," the most promising and capable acolytes usually came from such difficult situations, the instincts necessary to survive and thrive having been drilled into them since birth, rather than having to be trained into them.

Velok crept into her mind "He was a martyr, like you, believed the punishment he was receiving was justified, even though it was endangering the people around him...though i don't think that really mattered until he met me." She gave a small smile. "He's going to be furious when I tell him everything when I get back home."

It was strangely... accurate. Though considering the young woman had been rummaging through his mind, it was perhaps not as outlandish that she knew things that most would not, and being a force sensitive aligned with neither the light nor darkness, he felt surprisingly comfortable speaking to her of topics that... well there was only one Sith he would actively discuss treason with.

The one whom he committed it with not too long ago.

"Do you think me a martyr, Lily?" Perhaps he was one, he had been engaging himself in more danger recently, he had pushed and prodded what it meant to be a Sith more and more, the current Order was still too driven by factionalism, but the only two men they could truly unite behind were so problematic that he hated the idea, "If you think so, what do you believe my cause is?" And who she thought would be inspired by his death enough to keep his beliefs going, his family? The Tsis'Kaar? Alvaria? His family would be thrown back into inconsequence, the Tsis'Kaar might split at the seams, while Alvaria would be brought under full Sith administration.

Banishing those thoughts, he smirked at the end of her words, "So confident you will be returning home are you?" There was no malice in his words, not even truly a question, though he was curious where such confidence came from.

She hesitated, wanting to accept the invite for questions he offered. "What did you to to her?"

He paused, his blood stilling. He had not thought she would ask that question, yet, there was no horrible screech in his mind, no attempt to bring him to his knees through pure pain, the amulet was able to stop the worst of it... but why was she silent?

"I... betrayed her, at the moment of her most need, at the precipice of our defeat, I secured an agreement from the Emperor to save myself, I betrayed her, and killed her," There was a sad smile to him, memories of Fiviune were not something he desired to remember, yet he remembered them all the same.

Every night.

Lily Rhodes

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily shrugged. "Street kids get chased by authorities for sleeping in the wrong doorway. You're the one assuming I've a criminal history." The fact that she technically did was beside the point. "Smuggling is not my norm, but the core worlds are expensive and salvage opportunities are rare. So you take what you can get. And don't pity me, please," something defiant flashed behind her eyes. Street kids hated nobles and in this moment is was difficult not to fall into that habit. "I don't need it."

Whether genuine or not, his words sounded condescending, 'pretty tattoo' ,'capable young woman'. Lily's demeanour became almost icy. "Yes, I think you've made yourself a martyr, baring a punishment in order to protect others if i was to hazard a guess. And judging by the way you are looking at and talking to me, I'd say you've got a saviour complex. You might have hurt me and think little of the life I live, but trust me when I tell you that I don't need your help. And yes, I will be going home. You might have betrayed her, but I don't think you'll go back on your word to me. And if you did...."

She paused, what if he did? Lily closed her eyes reaching along the bond she shared with Velok Brokentusk , he might be a galaxy away, but he'd feel her reaching out, he'd know if she needed him the comfort of it banished away the fear Malum's words had jolted in her.. "If you did, he would come for me." she said opening her eyes. "And even with her in your head..and him...wherever he is. I'd still place my bets on a century old Whipid."

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He revised his assessment of her, too little nerves, and far too much spunk. Such might have been endearing in other circumstances, but to have his kindness be thrown back into his face.

Well, it was enough for his baser instincts to triumph, egged on by the demon swimming about his brain, his hand falling away from the amulet about his neck, as it burned hotly, realising what he was about to do.

"Your kindness has been seen for what it is, weakness, strike her down now, learn from this failure." She intoned, a voice both lecturing and strangely... comforting.

That despite his betrayal, she would still be there at the back of his mind, guiding him, teaching him, and showing him the path forward.

After all, it was not her programme that failed, nor her purpose, nor even her method, it had all been the betrayal of Darth Strosius that had turned them from the future which the Tsis'Kaar would have eventually formed in their greatly enhanced state following the end of the Kainite Civil War. If only time was with them, then they would have struck and killed Maliphant, the Worm, and Kaine in one fell swoop, the Empire would be brought into a new era, under the leadership of those who knew truly, and clearly, what the Order should be.

Instead, what did they have but the barest of survival, weakened, and exiled into dishonour, unlike the Kainites who were exiled with honour upon Korriban and Dromund Kaas.

There was no opportunity for further weakness, no opportunity for further failure.

He suddenly stood from the seat, seeming to struggle for a moment, before walking away to the nearby window. Staring out to nothing at all.

"By all rights, we should kill you right now, whether you are or are not the threat we assumed you as... you are a risk, you are a criminal, none would miss you apart from what was it... a long-lived Whipid?" He laughed, a long-lasting laugh, a grim and dark laugh that was twisted and deranged from the sound that was elicited from his lungs, "Though I suppose for a Whipid, he is not very long-lived, is he? Do you believe he will be able to break through Faldos' defences alone, to break through the Inquisition, to defeat me, all to save some street rat from Coruscant, or wherever else you were spawned from." The voice was unkind, cold, without a fraction of the benevolence unveiled before.

Their face turned to gaze upon the sat woman, as a hand delved into darkened robes, drawing forth a lightsabre, not yet ignited, "Do you believe your... saviour... will be quick enough to... martyr... themselves, before I could simply draw this blade and kill you now?" Their eyes blazed now, orange flames dancing upon their red backdrop.

Before the hilt was unsheathed, and a breath was taken, eyes becoming far duller, as Malum winced, "Unfortunately, I see little regard to waste potential, tell me how you are able to go unnoticed, and I will..." He marched forward, closer to the bed, before he suddenly disappeared from sight, and then as quickly, returned, right up to the face of the teenager, "And I will teach you how to become unseen."

For though their alignment had been made, just as quickly they disaligned, where one called for death, the other saw an opportunity, one already able to escape the notice of eyes could just as easily escape the perception of eyes.

A perfect apprentice.

If she could be taught, if she could be disciplined.

Lily Rhodes