#commanderthexan

[swtorramblings]

Commander Thexan: Downtime

After fleeing Zakuul, the Tirall family gather back on Odessen to grieve for their losses and celebrate the return of their mother.

Links will be modified as I get things organized. Among other things, I never did a chapter page for this story, and that has to be fixed, too.

Unsought Allies entry: Tears

I did not like what had happened. One of our greatest assets in the war against Valkorion was gone. Scourge had shared as much information about his long life as he could, or perhaps as much as he thought we needed to know, but replacing the experience of a three hundred year old Sith was impossible. Still, we had our mother back, and his action had allowed Master Surro and Kira to escape. I could not measure his loss against all of that. I would arrange for services later. They had done the impossible, confronting the Eternal Emperor and escaping. And I am sorry, Lana, but I wish the fall had finished him, even if it also meant the death of your lover. Senya was brought down from the ship in a hoverchair, pushed by one of the Knights. Caz’zandra, according to reports Arcann had sent me. He had described her as utterly devoted to our mother, which didn’t make much sense. They had barely met, they had no bond, and Senya was near comatose. How could she have developed this bond, especially since I felt nothing yet from my own mother? Still, now that I saw her himself, I could feel what my brother meant. I knew how strong an effect Senya could have on people. This was just further evidence of it. As worried as I was for her, seeing this gave me hope that perhaps she would some day be well and able to greet her children. “Come on, Caz, let’s get her to the Enclave!” Caz. Of course my sister would call this Knight that just sacrificed everything to help her Caz. She punched me “lightly” (I know she was trying to be gentle, but it still hurt) in the shoulder as she passed and said, “Caz’zandra is too long.” No, as powerful as she is, Vaylin does not read minds. She just knows me too well. “No it isn’t,” Caz’zandra replied with some mix of exasperation and tolerance, maybe even amusement. “But, suit yourself.” She then followed Vaylin with my mother into the base. I knew I would have to visit soon, but I had to make sure that we were safe. Arcann and Koth came down the ramp together, arms over each other’s shoulders. It was always rare to see either of them happy at all when they were apart. As it was, they were still a bit grim. “Koth. Brother.” Arcann sighed. “I suppose it is time to be debriefed.” Lana finally emerged. “I will go first, if you’d like to take some time.” Koth replied to that before Arcann could, “Lana, take some time. We’ll all still be here.” Master Surro emerged, but made no eye contact, and rapidly fled. I thought I should approach, but then Kira came down the ramp, caught my eye, and shook her head slightly before following her into the base. Lana had been speaking while I was distracted. “I told you, I’m fine. I will do what needs to be done, now and until this threat to all of us is over.” I took a deep breath. “Yes, and what needs to be done right now is rest. And grieving.” “I do not need to grieve.” “Lana, we have all been hurt by my father. My family has just taken something back from him, someone we never thought we’d see again. Let us carry the weight of the galaxy for a time, and let those who have just lost still more rest. Especially yourself.” She pondered for several moments, and finally said, “Very well, Commander. If those are your orders.” “Not an order. A request. Please, Lana.” She turned stiffly and walked into the base. Arcann and Koth had separated. They were ready to deliver their reports. Relaxation would happen later. Well, that was what I was thinking, at least. It did not work out that way. None of us really had the strength, as it turned out, to deny ourselves some happiness. “I’m sorry, Thexan. I took it on myself to turn the ship around and put us all at risk, and still couldn’t save everyone.” I sighed. “You did what you had to do, and you almost all came back. I think Scourge was ready to die, and if you had followed his instructions, he would have taken Surro and Kira with him. Because we’re important.” “Hey, I’m not.” Arcann smiled at the joke, slightly, but then became serious and said, “You were not important to Scourge. You are important to me.” “Well, yeah, but you think I’m charming. I don’t think your father approves.” “Thank you for bringing them back, Koth.” Koth stood up straighter and gave a kind of salute. It was as close as I’d ever seen him get to any kind of military order. “Of course, Commander. I’d like to go check on some things, if that’s all right.” Probably Lana. They’d been friends for a long time. Some people found it strange, with what she was willing to do for her ends and what he was not willing to do for his, but it was genuine. I waved him on ahead. Then it was just the two of us. And I realized that neither of us, in spite of the joyful news, were going to be able to work. I opened up my comlink and said into it, “Theron, could you manage the base for an hour or so?” I could hear him smirking on the other side. “Of course, Commander. Let’s celebrate what we can.” “Thank you.” I turned it off and said, “Let’s not keep our family waiting.”

[swtorramblings]

Unsought Allies: Tears

Unsought Allies are parts of the Commander Thexan story, taking place within or around other chapters, going into more details about the members of Thexan’s Alliance. This one takes place during Downtime.

She stood at the railing, looking out at the stars. She could have stopped it. She knew it. Why didn’t she? She had thought she was strong. He had crushed that notion. “Were you really going to do it?” Kira had walked onto the observation deck without her noticing. She’d allowed herself to become too distracted. Surro sighed and answered. “Yes. For the good of the galaxy, it would have been worth it.” The other Jedi came up and leaned on the railing next to her. “Yes, and I’m sure you would have had parades in your name, even if it didn’t work. The great hero Surro, Celebrations through the Republic, your name in the history books.” “I don’t care about any of that.” “No. You don’t. So why do you want to die?” “I told you…” “I heard. You were lying.” Surro stood there for a few moments, shocked at Kira’s bluntness. She wasn’t used to it. Was it her Sith upbringing? The thing she shared her mind with? No. This thinking was unworthy. She was trying to distract herself, to not answer the question. “I see them. Whenever I close my eyes, I see them all.” Kira asked, though she thought she knew the answer. “Who?” “The people of Ziost. Did you know we were still linked when he did it?” Kira hesitated, biting her lip, but finally answered, “No. Did you ever tell anyone?” Surro turned to look at Kira. “No. How could I? I felt their deaths, intimately. I felt his hunger and exultation, and sometimes I feel like they were my own. How could I tell anyone?” “Why are you telling me?” She looked back to the stars. “Because you asked. And because it’s time. You need to all know that you can’t trust me.” Kira let out a short laugh. She couldn’t help it. “You think that’s funny?” “I’m sorry. No, I don’t think it’s funny, I think it’s absurd. Of course we can trust you.” “I’m weak. I’ll let you down, like I let down Ziost, like I let down…” “If the next word out of your mouth is Scourge, I’ll laugh at you again.” “What?” “Scourge always knew exactly what he was doing. He rarely regretted it. Don’t you dare mourn him or blame yourself for him taking your place.” “I thought he was your friend?” “Friend? No. Oh, I learned some things from him. I regret his death, as far as it goes. I’m glad to have known him. Friends is not what we were.” “I see.” They stood in silence for some time. Kira finally broke it. “Ziost also wasn’t your fault.” “I should have been able to stop it.” “How? You’ve fallen for how others view Jedi. We’re not perfect. Vitiate was in your mind. He’s to blame. How would you stop him?” “You did.” “A scrap of him. Oh, don’t look at me that way, I’m not being modest. Plenty of others succumbed to him, I’m proud of being able to put him in his place, but it was never his full power. And I had something you didn’t, not at the end.” “And what’s that?” “I wasn’t alone.” Another pause, even longer this time. Surro could feel the dam inside her starting to break. She didn’t think she could let it. A Jedi was allowed to feel, but not that much. “How can you trust that I won’t fail you?” she said, still a bit stiffly. Kira smiled. “Because now, you aren’t either.” Finally overwhelmed, Surro cried on Kira’s shoulder until there were no more tears. Well, it was a start, Kira thought. Maybe now she could finally begin to heal.

[swtorramblings]

Commander Thexan: Sacrifice

The battle with the Emperor continues, while the royal family, Koth, Caz’zandra, and Lana prepare to escape. But keep in mind, heroes have an infinite capacity for stupidity.

Major character death. Gore.

Story begins here: One More Night Previous:  The Third Next: Downtime

As they circled him, Valkorion spoke. Perhaps not his most dangerous weapon, but the most insidious. “Why do you oppose me? I gave you all such gifts. You should be grateful. Loyal.” Scourge answered first. “Grateful? For an eternity of numbness?” “But you have an eternity, if you choose to grasp it. Isn’t it worth such a small loss?” “No.” Kira answered next. “Yeah, I’m grateful. Grateful that you put a piece of yourself in my head. Grateful that you wanted to control me.” “Dear child, I didn’t want to control you. I wanted to elevate you.” Kira almost spit at this “gift”. Surro, for her part, wished to remain silent, wished the fight to be over, whatever the outcome, but realized that keeping him speaking would delay him. Scourge’s plan. Kira? Most likely making this up as she went along, but her instincts were right, even so. She said, “My dreams are filled with a world you turned to dust. That you used me to help destroy. I am to thank you?” He barely afforded her a glance. “You ushered in greatness, however small your role was. Yes, you should be grateful. The alternative was insignificance.”

Arcann’s group ran as best they could, eventually reaching Koth’s ship just as it landed. “Come on!” Koth was shouting from the ramp. Arcann and Caz’zandra, helping Senya up the ramp, reached him first. Arcann said, “So, Thexan sent you?” “Well, yeah. He knew I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” There was an explosion behind them, scattering Knights, shredding Skytroopers. Vaylin was laughing as she ran up the ramp and then saw Arcann. “Ha! Tired isn’t helpless!” Then she looked at Arcann as she passed. “Brother, are you blushing?” Koth smiled at her and said, “Into the ship, princess.” “Ha! You are! Good to see you, too, Koth.” “I am not blushing,” Arcann grumbled as he continued up the ramp. Koth just grinned, shooting a Skytrooper coming up behind Lana, who was boarding last. “Yes, you are.” Lana ran up the ramp, stopping next to Koth. “I could have handled one Skytrooper.” “Why waste the time of the great Sith Lord Lana Beniko?” She smiled weakly and turned to enter the ship, but he put his hand on her shoulder as she passed. “I’m so sorry you didn’t find her.” She gritted her teeth and said, “I am more sorry we did.”

As the ship lifted off, Scourge took a single step forward. “Good. They are away. Now, we can finish this.” The Emperor smiled. There was something odd about the expression, something artificial. It didn’t matter, though. He said, “I think you’ll find that they are not as safe as you think. And that your sacrifice will be for nothing.” With that, he turned and blasted the ship, lightning playing over its shields, raised at the last moment but already flickering. Surro acted first, striking at his hand, but he smiled and turned the lightning on her, instead. She shifted and deflected the blast, while Scourge struck from the other side, but a shield spring up, deflecting his blow. Kira struck from a different angle, hoping they could overwhelm Valkorion’s defenses, but instead of more shielding, he simply spun from her path, leaving only empty air. The battle continued that way as the minutes ticked by, the three hoping they were keeping him occupied long enough for the ship to escape. It was looking promising, but no matter how powerful they were, or how skilled, against this monster their chances were always slim. Eventually, they began to tire. He flung lightning at Surro once again, and she was a fraction of a second too slow in deflecting it. She was flung back, smoke trailing her, and tumbled to a stop twenty meters away. Kira brought took position between the Emperor and the Jedi, bringing up her saberstaff to protect her fallen ally from any more harm. She knew she couldn’t hold him long, but she wouldn’t have to. Scourge finally reached his great enemy, and swung his lightsaber around in a powerful arc, but the Emperor dodged again, the smile never leaving his face. Scourge was pushed away by a powerful telekinetic thrust, almost going off the edge of the platform. The Emperor turned back to Kira, alone now, but if his power caused any fear at all, she didn’t show it. And he found something in her mind, something familiar. As he deflected her blows, he began to gloat. “Oh, Kira, do you think you are free of me? You think you destroyed my gift, but I sense it, still there, waiting for my hand to awaken it.” It was her turn to grin. “Is that what you think? You think everyone around you is inferior. Weak.” “Only because it is the truth.” “I’m going to tell you a little secret.” Something had changed. “He’s not asleep.” Even her voice changed, subtly, still clearly Kira Carson, but also something far older. A voice the Emperor recognized. “But I don’t work for him.” It was his own. “He works for me.” With that, she blasted the Eternal Emperor with his own lightning.

“What do you mean we’re supposed to leave them?” Arcann was saying. “Well, he said we’d have no time, that we had to retreat and leave them to delay the Emperor,” Koth answered. “But do you really think I’m going to listen to Scourge? The others seemed relieved, but Lana, ever the pragmatist, objected. “Do any of you understand what it will do if it catches us? Especially those three?” she said, pointing at the Tiralls. “Oh, we’re quite aware,” said Vaylin, a bit bitterly. Lana pinched the bridge of her nose and breathed deeply. “Yes, of course you are. I’m sorry. But we can’t risk that again.” Arcann chuckled. “If we were the kind of people who would leave them, we wouldn’t be here.” She was silent for a moment. Koth almost made a joke, probably something about making her speechless, but she gave him such a withering glare that he stopped and went back to piloting. “Fine. I knew you would do this when I asked for your help. Let’s try to get your people.” Vaylin looked like she was going to give her another hug.

Surro had recovered, though she was battered and her left arm hung limp at her side. She shifted forms to compensate and prepared to press Vitiate once more, whatever the cost. Kira was still pressing her own attack, battering their foe severely, shredding the Force shields and tearing at skin and clothing. Finally, she relented, too exhausted to continue. For a moment she understood why Vaylin laughed at times like this. That feeling worried her. Tired as she was, though, she drew her saberstaff and prepared to continue the fight. Scourge, of course, was Scourge. Valkorion looked down at Kira. “Tired so soon, my dear? Whatever tricks you have, you are still only mortal, while I have the power of worlds flowing through me.” Kira was about to retort, but at that moment, the Eternal Emperor’s facade flickered, and faded, the holoprojector damaged by her onslaught. Their true face was finally shown to the trio, that of the the smuggler Z’lia. Scourge chuckled. “So, the rumors were true, Vitiate. You did die there. And it was at Z’lia’s hand, wasn’t it? How did it feel to be undone by a force blind sneak thief?” The thing in Z’lia smiled at Scourge. “Yes, she did. She really was quite exceptional. And now she is also mine, a worthy payment for what she did.” Surro broke in, sneering, “Yes, of course, because no one ordinary could slay the great Sith Emperor, could they?” “Quite so.” Kira smiled, said, “And yet, we keep doing it, don’t we?” Before Vitiate could answer that, Scourge looked skyward, saying, “No, you fools.” Vitiate grinned and said, “I told you they wouldn’t escape. Their own weakness will always draw them back to me.” Surro whispered, “You spit on compassion. And you think you’ve foreseen everything, don’t you?” “Of course. Including your attempt at self-sacrifice. You really shouldn’t bother.” Scourge’s voice rumbled, “I think we can still surprise you!” Vitiate had been so focused on Surro in that moment that Scourge’s charge came as a complete shock. After all, self-sacrifice was not in the Sith’s nature, was it? That momentary confusion was enough to allow the former Wrath to lift the Emperor as he charged to the edge of the platform and over the edge. Kira looked over the edge as the two dwindled and finally fell out of sight, struggling until they were out of sight. Surro looked down as well, with an almost mournful expression. Kira was worried about her for a moment, but then she straightened, turned, and walked back towards where Koth was landing. It would have to do for now. They had lost Scourge, but they were both alive, and maybe he’d taken Vitiate with him. They boarded, and once again the ship was in the air, just ahead of Zakuul’s defense forces.

Scourge woke, for the first time in centuries actually feeling pain, though it was still dulled by his curse. He chuckled weakly that what he had desired for so long was given to him as he was dying. At least the others had escaped, and he had struck a blow against his enemy. Perhaps even a fatal one, he hoped for only a moment. That’s when he felt one hand, then the other, creeping over his broken ribs, crawling slowly up to his face. Z’lia’s face came into view, covered in blood, one eye socket crushed. What of the Emperor’s new body that he could see looked shattered, only the Force allowing it to still move, to keep its heart beating. Its lips curled up into a horrible smile, and the thing lurking behind those eyes said, “It will take more than that. And you have given me everything I need to heal.” As he felt his life draining from him, Scourge simply thought, “Of course.” He had intended to sacrifice all three of them. He’d hoped that together they could have caused Vitiate much more harm, delayed its plans. Still, it was somehow fitting that he would die so the others could escape, balancing his previous attempt, his betrayal of Meetra. He had come full circle, and was content with that. Vitiate stood, finally, and stepped away from the husk that had once been its Wrath. Really, it was a shame to lose him, three hundred years of experiences and his unique properties might have been of use. But he was much too dangerous, it seemed. And, really, what use would he have been as the Emperor devoured the galaxy? None at all.

[swtorramblings]

Commander Thexan: The Third

Thexan brooding by @fleeting-sanity, inspired by the Starboy cover (link). I just asked for random art to try to get some inspiration from and this was the result.

Commander Thexan meets with his top agents before sending them to Zakuul, and, very likely, their deaths.

Story begins here: One More Night Previous:  Rendezvous Next: Sacrifice Unsought Allies entry: Three Minutes

From the journals of Commander Thexan, Alliance, former Prince of Zakuul.

My brother and I spent our childhoods raised to be used in Father’s endless wars. Our sister would have followed us, briefly. I believe now that the training was not the point. He was testing us to destruction, trying to find one powerful enough to leave his aging body for, and if none of us had been, to break us and our mother for his amusement.

Still, I know war. I have seen it, I have fought in it. I know there will be losses, especially when fighting the Eternal Empire. I refuse to think of my people as resources to be expended, but sometimes the rewards simply outweigh the risks. So, I didn’t want to send any more to Zakuul, especially these three, but there was too much to gain to avoid it.

Including my remaining family. They did not speak of it, but they knew it was part of my motivation. I could not go myself. I had my own tasks. So others carried my risk.

“So, Commander, it is time. I told you it would come to this,” Scourge said when I entered the room.

“Yes, Lord Scourge, you were right as usual.”

Kira rolled her eyes and said, “Don’t say that. It may cause swelling in his skull.”

The third member of the team, brooding in the shadows, simply said, “Can we just get on with it?”

“Apologies. I thought you might need some more time.”

“No.”

“Why would we?” Scourge agreed.

“We won’t let you down,” Kira put in.

“You won’t be letting me down if you come back alive. Very well. Your ship is prepared. May the Force be with you.”

=======================================

They had fled from their hiding place, knowing that the Eternal Emperor was close behind. Their plans to escape had rapidly collapsed. Vitiate was too close, and had brought down what seemed like the full fury of Zakuul to prevent it. Vaylin was exhausted, Senya still barely conscious, with Caz’zandra almost carrying her. Only Arcann and Lana were able to fight, and even they could not have defeated the horde of Skytroopers blocking their way.

They were about to turn to flee again, when they were surrounded by his laughter. He had reactivated the disguise, cloaking himself again in the form and voice of Valkorion. Whatever the truth, though, he was still too powerful to fight at this point.

It was over.

“Did you really think you could escape once I was aware of you? Foolish children.”

“We can still fight you, Father,” Arcann said

“Perhaps. Perhaps you would even have been a threat at one time. But you have used up what power you have, even Vaylin. And I see you have taken my wife out of carbonite. You would not wish her to come to harm, would you?”

Caz’zandra turned, gently lowered Senya to the ground, and drew her lightsaber. “You do not care what happens to her. Or anything other than yourself.”

“Of course I care. You are trying to take what is mine. And who are you to steal her away? A nothing that I have elevated to my Knights. Return to my service, perhaps you can work in the sewers beneath the city.”

Arcann could feel her anger, and gestured for her to wait. They would not win, but they would strike together. Soon.

Lana suddenly sensed something, something familiar. They needed more time. “Very well, then. What are your plans?”

Vitiate smiled, seeming almost benevolent. “Senya will be returned to carbonite. It may be too late for Vaylin, but I will try to save her from herself. If only you had been mine to mold while still a child.”

“I’ve seen that, you monster!” Vaylin shouted at him.

“Indeed. Perhaps we shall speak of it, then. Later. Arcann will die. He has always been too much trouble.”

“And I have been proud to be.”

“Silence. The Knight will also die, since she does not seem willing to return to my service.”

“No. I am not.”

“And what of me?” Lana asked.

“She wishes you to live. I shall indulge her until she no longer cares.”

Arcann and Lana glanced at each other. That was interesting. Hopefully they’d have time to take advantage of it later.

“So, do you wish to fight? It is a waste of time, but it would make this slightly more interesting.”

They were close. Arcann sensed them now, as well, and spoke. “No, Father. We will not fight you. Not now.”

“It will be your last chance.”

“It will not.”

The ship screamed across the sky, the impacts from its cannons shaking the ground, scattering the droids. A voice came over their communications. “Oh, hells yes, I’ve been waiting for this all year!”

At least Koth was having fun.

As their band formed a circle around Senya, prepared to defend her and each other, three figures landed, having leapt from the ship now shrinking into the distance. They turned and surrounded Vitiate.

Scourge looked at them first, saying, “We shall hold him here. Koth will take you off-world.”

Arcann was about to object, but then the Sith glanced pointedly at his mother, and he simply nodded and turned to help Caz’zandra with her.

Lana was torn, but eventually prepared to cut a swath through the remaining Skytroopers. She knew she would see Z’lia again. She did not know if she should look forward to it.

As the smoke cleared, the Eternal Emperor laughed again. “You three? You have even less chance than they do.” He gestured at Arcann and his group.

Scourge answered first. “Perhaps not, but I have lived long enough and planted what seeds that I can. I can die here with no regret.”

Kira snorted. “Speak for yourself, old man. I plan to die in bed.”

The third remained silent.

“Flee, then, Son, but understand that the galaxy will not hide you. Not any longer. Not after this.”

Kira lifted her hand and waved it in Valkorion’s holographic face. “So, are we going to fight, or what?”

Scourge drew his lightsaber and activated it before he replied. “We shall. For the Empire.”

“For the Republic!” Kira shouted.

“For Ziost,” Master Surro whispered.

[swtorramblings]

Unsought Allies: Three Minutes

Koth Vortena art by @fleeting-sanity. 

Unsought Allies are drabbles within the Commander Thexan series that focus on a single character and how they came to be where they are in this altered universe. This one takes place during The Third.

For the moment far from the battle, with no one yet in the skies over Zakuul to threaten him, Koth took some time to think back. To the command that had finally brought him to the Alliance. To the breaking of faith.

He had always looked up to Valkorion. Everyone had. It was practically worship, and why not? He was the Eternal Emperor, had lived for centuries, given the people of Zakuul everything. He protected them, gave them comfort and a perfect society. He asked for so little in return, though when he did ask, he expected complete obedience. Koth had thought he was a great man.

Then came the invasion. Koth hadn’t known who had attacked them, or why. He hadn’t known of the Emperor’s involvement. He simply helped to fight it off, for the glory of Valkorion and the protection of his people. That was the way of things.

Soon, it all changed. Pockets of rebellion started to spring up. Ultimately, Valkorion had ordered a thousand civilians, picked out at random, to the center of the capitol city. Koth followed his orders. He stood guard with his troops.

And then the next order came.

He had hesitated. It must be a mistake. Valkorion would not do this. Perhaps, it was a test.

While he stood, not believing, his second in command gave the order.

It hadn’t taken long. About three minutes. All dead. Around two hundred children, but child or adult, no evidence that a single one of them had been involved with the rebel forces. Innocents all. Cared for and protected by the Emperor so he could cut them down himself.

Koth went about his routine, gave his reports, went to his sleeping quarters. No one was the wiser, even when his rank and his wit allowed him to leave Zakuul. He disappeared into the galaxy, searching. Blending in. Making contacts.

Eventually, he found what he was looking for. They recognized him as an officer in Zakuul’s military, and put him in a cell.

He told them he would be useful, that he knew a great deal about Zakuul’s defenses, even those of the palace. They did not trust him. They did not release him.

He told them he could fight. He had a unique skill set, that he could lead armies into battle. They still did not release him.

Finally, a woman came to his cell. She asked for his story, why he was here, and scrutinized him as he spoke. She left without a word, but soon, he was released.

He had fought for the Alliance ever since.

All because he would do anything to have those three minutes back.

[swtorramblings]

Random Lines: I Didn’t Ask

(from Commander Thexan. Thuler, the Emperor’s Wrath, has been struck down by Senya, and lays dying, when Valkorion/Z’lia arrives)

Thuler: Please, heal me so I can pursue her!

V/Z: Why would I do that? I am the one who arranged this.

T: What? But why? You don’t care about her! She betrayed you!

V/Z: Yes, and you struck her down without my order. She was MINE to punish. As are you.

[swtorramblings]

Unsought Allies: Raina Temple

Unsought Allies are very short pieces taking place during Commander Thexan. This one takes place during the invasion of Zakuul, which itself starts in Outlander. 

She thought of her father. For long minutes, she could think of nothing else. How he had protected her, saved her from the Academy when her own small power manifested itself. How he had sacrificed everything he knew, all of his loyalties, all of his work, and, yes, any comforts he might have known. All for her.

And she had killed him. 

For the Empire.

She had thought it was a mercy. She had thought it would make her better than he’d been. A person with a higher call than family, than love. It was all a lie. 

Raina hadn’t noticed when she’d fallen to her knees. It was gone. Not just the people. The plants, the animals, down to the microscopic level. There was no life. She’d seen the reports, sent by persons unknown. She hadn’t believed them until she’d arrived. Then, she hadn’t believed who was responsible. She could feel it, but she denied it at first..

The Sith Emperor had done this. Had destroyed Ziost.

She hadn’t noticed the handful of dust she had lifted, letting it run through her fingers. Her senses did not extend so far, but she’d seen the reports. Even the elements that would allow life to grow had been depleted, leached from the soil. It would take years of work to restore it, and it was not worth it. It would stay dead.

She wept. She wondered if she would feel the same had it been a Republic world. At least, then, it would have been an enemy dying for his rebirth. But it was his own people. This was the monster they had followed. This was their reward.

Again, her thoughts turned to Cipher 3. He had said he understood, but Raina hadn’t, not really. He knew that he would be caught, and he would give her up. He’d had no illusions. No one was strong enough to resist Imperial torture forever. He had lived for her, he had died for her, and, now that her loyalties had been shattered, she wondered if it had been fear that drove her. At least she knew he had forgiven her. She wondered if her mother would.

There was no more time for mourning or hindsight. She had work to do.

For the Alliance.

[swtorramblings]

Commander Thexan: Love

Art commissioned from @fleeting-sanity. I actually had this one done three different ways for three different stories, and she was very patient. This one only has a small difference from the previous one I used in the I Shall Save Myself chapter Helplessness Interlude: Awakening, because being good doesn’t mean not being angry.

Story begins here: One More Night Previous:  Outlander Next: Rendezvous Unsought Allies entry: Wrath

No Thexan this time around. Apologies. He’ll be back in the Unsought Allies.

Lana and Arcann do battle with Vitiate, now in the body of Lana’s lover, the smuggler Z’lia, while Vaylin and a controlled Knight attempt to free Senya from carbonite. They find a new ally. 1406 words.

Z’lia’s face smiled. She looked at Lana. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I do still love you, and now that feeling will truly be eternal. Who else can claim that?”

Lana stood still, unable to act, as Arcann leaped forward. He was shouting at her, perhaps telling her to fight, perhaps telling her to flee. She did not hear him. Sith are about passion, and Lana’s were now in conflict. Love for Z’lia, hate for Vitiate.

She searched her feelings. She reached out, searching for the being now fighting Arcann, laughing at his efforts. She felt no emotion there but one, and it was not love, or hate, or even amusement.

This thing did not love Lana. It did not love anything but itself. It simply wanted to acquire, to control, to possess. What it had always done. All it had was jealousy and greed. Lana raised her lightsaber.

She felt the tears rising. She pushed them back. There would be time later. Right now all they would do is cloud her vision.

“Your skills are improved, my son, but did you really think they would allow you to harm me?”

Arcann felt the change in his ally. She was willing to fight. He had hesitated until now to unleash himself for her sake. Glancing back at her, his hatred for his father grew. “No, Father, but Lana has been teaching me to properly channel my anger.”

Lightning exploded from him, engulfing Z’lia, shattering her shields, driving her back. When the tempest ended, she was still standing, but her robes were smoking. Arcann had taken Vitiate by surprise.

Vaylin still looked down at her mother’s frozen face, stretched in the pain of the freezing process. She could not see clearly through the tears, could not think through her own feelings. Her defenses were down. She felt Arcann’s rage, Lana’s despair, both tightly controlled but still painful. She felt this apathetic world and their devotion to her father. She could not act. Finally, she turned to the young Knight that had lead her here, and pleaded, knowing that she had no right to ask even as she did, “Help me! We have to free her!”

The Knight removed her helmet, and looked at the Princess. Vaylin was surprised to see the eye covering, she was a Miraluka. That was new. She seemed to be examining Vaylin, her mind slowly clearing. Really, she should be angry to have been controlled, but she asked with surprising concern, “Who is she?”

“She’s my mother! Senya Tirall! I thought she was dead, but it was a lie! Please help me!”

Thoughts sped through the young Knight’s mind. The mother of the outcast Princess. The bride of the Emperor. And he had put her here, frozen in carbonite. How could he? To his love? What kind of monster would do that?

Her devotion to Valkorion withered. She had never been the strongest of the Knights, but now even that weak power deserted her along with her faith. She was as helpless as a child. What could she do?

She could help this mother and daughter be reunited.

“Caz’zandra,” she said.

“What?”

“My name is Caz’zandra. Let us free your mother.”

Lana had leaped forward while Vitiate’s shields were disrupted, but to no avail. Z’lia’s hand could still deflect the lightsaber strike. “So, you would strike me down, Lana? I thought you loved me.”

“You are not her, Vitiate. There is no trace of her in you.”

“True, her spirit has been obliterated, but all that is left lives on in me. Would you end that?”

Lana’s only answer was a nearby pillar, pulled down towards the thing in front of her. Z’lia grinned, and the mass of metal exploded, flinging shards of sharp metal at Lana and Arcann both, but they jumped to safety and renewed their attack, striking from either side. Z’lia deflected each blow in turn, that arrogant look that Arcann had only seen on Valkorion’s face before now.

Still, he was troubled. Something was not right, but while they fought he was too distracted to reason out what. His distraction cost him and the Emperor caught him with a blast of lightning, leaving him momentarily dazed, only able to watch as Lana attempted to kill the woman she loved.

That was it. His father was lying. As he always did.

They had successfully freed Senya, but were unable to free any of the other prisoners before Vaylin felt the approach of more Knights of Zakuul. They had to flee, almost having to carry her weakened, poisoned body between them. Vaylin had the antitoxin that Lana had supplied, and had used it, but it would take time to work, and her mother would still need to heal.

Then the Knights had arrived. The Princess held them at bay, but Caz’zandra had no power to help. Vaylin was clearly a match for the dozen that were here, but would she be able to fight off a score? A hundred? And all the fallen Knight could do was watch, helplessly.

She considered Senya. This woman who should have been revered by the people as their Empress, mother of the Princes and Princess, and clearly powerful in her own right. And no one knew of her. If they did, she would be considered a traitor, like her children.

Caz’zandra sensed that Senya was looking at her. She was pleading, silently, “Help my daughter.” Weak as she was, and her first thought was not for herself, but her loved ones. But, no, she was not pleading, Caz’zandra realized, she was commanding. Commanding Caz’zandra do what she already knew was right.

Her power, her faith, returned to her now, greater than it had been. She knew now that it had not been her strength that was wanting, but her devotion. She could never be devoted to Valkorion. She had always sensed what he was, without realizing it. Now, she had something real to believe in. Something just, and right.

She leaped forward, shouting, “For the Empress!” The Knights, barely holding their ground from Princess Vaylin’s onslaught, were swept from their feet by Caz’zandra’s surge of newfound power, slamming heavily to the ground.

“So, I guess you’ve chosen a side,” Vaylin said, almost out of breath but still sounding amused. They collected Senya and continued their flight.

The fight between Lana and Z’lia had continued while Arcann collected himself. Finally, Arcann stood and shouted to the Sith, “Lana, you have to stop!”

She gritted her teeth and shouted back, ignoring the Emperor’s evil smile on Z’lia’s face, “Why? We can beat her, here and now. And I won’t have him using her body as a puppet any longer.” She took three more swings as she said this, all of which were deflected.

“Oh, I think my son believes he knows something,” Vitiate said with a smirk.

Arcann lifted his mechanical arm, closed the hand into a fist, and the ground erupted between the two combatants, separating them. “Because he is lying. Like he always does. Z’lia still exists.”

“What? I can’t sense any… How do you know?” She retreated to him for the moment, looking into his eyes, actually daring to hope.

“If she was gone, he would tell you she lived to give you false hope. If she exists, he would tell you she didn’t to drive you to despair. It is what he does, what he is.”

The Emperor gestured and flattened out the damaged floor, walking towards them and smiling again. “It’s true. She still speaks to me at times, much as Valkorion did before her, until he was fully destroyed. It is taking longer than I thought it would, I admit. She’s screaming right now for you to kill her rather than let me hurt you.”

Lana raised her lightsaber. This time she just let the tears flow. “Then that is what we shall do.” Z’lia just continued to smile.

“No, Lana, we must flee. I see his plan. He would just take one of us, or possibly my sister, and your love would be dead. You said what that would do to you. Right now, there is hope for you both, for all of us. We must flee.”

Lana hesitated, but finally lowered her weapon and turned, and sped off without another word. “You know you cannot escape, Son.”

He looked back. “I already told you, you have no sons, nor do you have a daughter. And I will be back. There will be a reckoning for all you’ve done, I promise you.” And then, he raced off after Lana, hearing the disturbing mix of Valkorion’s and Z’lia’s laughter following him.