Blackened Valkyrie — The 14th Wife
One hundred and fifty prisoners of war had been funneled into six rooms. GADF and Mandalorians had been separated so they'd only be amongst their own. However, it was between all of these GADF and Mandalorians to decide terrain, time of day, and weather conditions, though limited to what was possible. There was no communication between each cell, but they could see what they voted for. Regardless of the outcome, all of them had been fed a lie and given an objective: survive and obtain freedom. The walls in their rooms offered gear, defaced GADF armor unique to the room, spears, swords, and fifty blasters divided between each. Everything was set up to give the warriors hope.
It was not just the Blackened Valkyrie that could watch the change, as behind energy field doors, they could all see what the collective had chosen. It was a cruel deception, especially since they could not see their true opponent behind a mirrored window. So how many were smart enough to work out the game? The terrain began to be lifted up, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. Between the six cells, they had chosen partly misty and rocky terrain with many elevations. There was plenty of cover too for the things that could be in front.
It was clear to Teresa what their plan was. "Okay let them out, and take positions. Let them decide if they are each other's enemy or if they work out that they are comrades. If they've killed each, secure the victors and restart it again," she said to the woman who sat behind the controls of a terminal. "If not and they rally, notify me." She saw the woman nod, understanding her orders.
Teresa turned back, walking through the door that led to her personal abode.
Just on the inside, Komi was standing waiting with two other retainers she'd trained. The two bowed their heads, not making eye contact, but not Komi as her position was special. No, she always met the Valkyrie's eyes, for that woman was her purpose. The Kainate was always her home, and all the other kids would never attain such a position afforded by fate. With a confident, soft-spoken voice, the girl spoke, "Mistress, Galatea is still down for her nap and the nanny is currently overwatching her."
Her hands would also flip the datapad around, showing Teresa the full-length message, though knowing her Mistress she simplified it. "You have also received a message that Lord Carnifex will be visiting sometime this evening. Though no time has been specifically left so He could arrive at any time."
"That's fine. He is likely having a busy day. So in the meantime, I will continue with my thing till He's here." Teresa had an obvious smile thinking about seeing Kaine today and wondered if he'd get to see her run live training. "Since I've a little time to kill, have the kitchen prepare a snack and tea and have it brought to my chambers," Teresa ordered in a nonchalant way. "I'll go get my daughter, surely it will be soon to feed her too."
"I will have it prepared for you immediately," Komi said while bowing her head a little to set an example for the two retainers with her, one of whom she turned to look at. "You, go inform the kitchen, you prepare the tea. Remember the steps that you were taught, failure will result in punishment… Understand?"
"Y-yes, I-I understand," the girl said, feeling panicked at the mention of punishment.
Three hours had passed before the communicator began to go off. It did not make a peep, but the vibration on her wrist was what notified the Valkyrie. She moved Galatea from being cradled in both arms to lightly holding her against her shoulder securely, being bounced a little. Teresa had to use the force to push the button on the communicator to accept the incoming call. "Is it ready yet?"
"It is, yes. There are a couple of injuries and deaths from the batch, however ninety percent are still in good condition to begin the scenario," the woman informed the Sith as she had been told. "Also, it seems they have had time to try and plan an escape."
Teresa amusingly scoffed with a grin. "Doubtful. Anyway, I will be down shortly." The call ended quickly as her eyes fell into the top of her daughter's head. Her hand reached up, lightly petting the baby. "Come on, let's get you back down for your nap." The bouncing stopped as she shuffled herself to the edge of her bed and stood up to walk into the adjoining room. The nanny for her daughter was still in here patiently waiting. However, the Valkyrie did not say a word to the woman.
As Galatea was placed into her crib, the little one would coo and reach up to grab anything her little hands could grasp. Incidentally, that thing would be Teresa's finger, which got a big smile. "My, you are just too cayoooooot," she said, moving into a baby voice. "But mama has to go run a live training exercise because she wants to blow up those smelly things taking up space. Yes she does, yes she does." Teresa could barely hold back a giggle with an enduring expression. Her finger eventually slipped from the tiny hand.
Leaving the room, Teresa saw no one on the other side this time to meet her. The woman did not have to see the head retainer to know where she was. It was strange though; the girl should be down for her lunch, yet she stood in the hangar, it felt like. The woman decided to pay it no mind and made her way down to the door leading into the training sphere.
As the shuttle came in, Komi was ready to greet Lord Carnifex personally. Her head was bowed down awaiting for his eminence to depart the craft before speaking. "Lord Carnifex, I greet you," she said with a little shake to her voice. "I am informed that Lady Teresa has just headed to the training room. Would you like me to escort you to the observation deck so you can watch, or would you like to see Lady Galatea first?" Till He responded, the girl dared not lift her head, never mind meeting His eyes like she could do with Teresa despite them looking similar. She was a little bit more used to being around the man, but his presence still made her body tremble, taking much effort to keep calm.
Tapping on the digital display, the lights inside the sphere and the hall shut off with a timer of two minutes. Several heavy clunks came next, followed by a metallic clicking, then finally the heavy and thick door swung open. The floor on the other side did not reach this high, so as Teresa stepped forwards, her wings opened wide. Every beat of her wings was silent. Though she could not see them, the Valkyrie could certainly sense them.
Swooping down, the woman landed on flat ground near the middle. As the sound of the door closing echoed in the space, all the lights finally turned back on...
Iroai Amulet
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