Alderaan, Organa mountain estate; 4 months ago.
It had been an agonizing hour of listening to nobles and Republic officials prattle on and on about seemingly every damned topic in the galaxy that Layne didn't care for. In contrast, no more than a few words had come out of her own mouth during that entire time, lest someone figure out that she wasn't actually the Jedi her fake identity claimed her to be. The Little Wrath had developed quite enough of a headache without the added mental burden of having to make actual conversation. It was a moment of immense relief then, when her target decided to extricate himself from the bustle of the party to find a quiet room just off the estate's main hallway. She followed him in, hand on her lightsaber and little in the way of stealth. The location wasn't ideal; the sounds that'd accompany even as short a fight as she was expecting would surely draw the attention of guards. Yet a better occasion was unlikely to present itself, and the amount of reinforcements would be bound to be limited given the estate's remote location in the mountains. A strike would never have been possible had the Organa's decided on a different holding for their little evnet.
"Please! She'll kill him! You have to help!"
A young servant girl with panic displayed across her face rushed in behind her before Layne could carry through with her mission. Worse, she was followed by a bearded man, easily recognized as an actual Jedi. He had hidden his presence all too well to be anything else, and it was hard to mistake the iconic look.
Goddamnit, he was supposed to be stuck in closed door negotiations for two more hours at least!Her lightsaber ignited and she struck down the man known as Galen Rist before anyone could react. Quick and mercifully lacking in theatrics or pain , but the girl still cried out in horror as Layne's victim died with a more silence far more appreciably than the wailing Layne's ears were forced to suffer. A flash of green out of the corner of her eyes alerted her to the Jedi's inevitable and expected reaction, the low hum of his weapon finding itself drowned out by the higher pitched whirr of the black void that was Layne's own lightsaber as the two clashed. For a moment, the both of them, Jedi and Sith, were locked together like that; staring into each others eyes as if each sought to gain a measure of their opponent. One set full of hate, reflecting back into eyes too serene to reveal a thing.
"A fitting blade for a Sith" he said, calmly, as he took a step back in preparation for a renewed assault that very nearly cost her an arm.
The speed and skill with which he was confronting her made it abundantly clear she was dealing not with a Jedi knight, but rather a true master. Over and over the two lightsabers found themselves colliding as Layne tried to hold him off. Somehow she managed to hold her own, but that was all that seemed possible and it was obvious even to her where things would end up if she didn't change the game in its entirety. Rage and youth could not contend with his experience just yet, it seemed. Fortunately, fate was kind; the girl who'd exposed her was still there, watching the duel with a horrified fascination that kept her feet glued to the floor. Layne's eyes darting over her way had been all the master had needed to sense her intent. When she angled herself for an attack against the servant, the Jedi quickly placed himself in between them; just as the Sith had hoped would happen. It provided a brief opening, but before she could take advantage the Jedi reached out for a nearby control panel. With the force at his command, he could access it from afar with ease, and Layne's lightsaber found contact only with a forcefield that now trapped her in the room.
"Paranoia of the nobility," he remarked as his lightsaber switched off. "But clearly useful in this particular instance."
"A fitting tactic for a coward," she spat back, watching the girl as she finally decided to flee. Somehow she'd sensed Layne's intentions here. Which despite Layne's general lack of subtlety, was no small accomplishment; and one that under different circumstances would've merited more attention than she could presently afford to part with.
The Jedi, meanwhile, remained behind; carefully watching Layne with a considering gaze as he stroked his considerable beard. "It is not I who sought to strike one who can not defend themselves, young Sith. Though I sense that perhaps part of you is glad I got in the way of your blade."
"Think whatever the hell you want," she retorted, anger fueled by the serenity he was projecting, "I was just using your weakness against you. You'd be dead now if not for this barrier between us."
"Perhaps we are both being true in our words, then. Either way, you are clearly not like other Sith."
The forcefield sparked as Layne touched it again with her saber. It would not withstand a dedicated effort to bring it down, but that would take far too long and presented no immediate benefits. Conversation would, in contrast, present her with the opportunity to maybe learn a thing or two about the nature of the Jedi, however little that might turn out to matter. To facilitate such an experience, her own weapon switched off as well, and Layne's muscles relaxed enough to present herself as less of an immediate threat.
"Spare me your recruitment speech. You've already got me trapped, you can just take me prisoner without subjecting me to your moralizing."
"I could indeed. But despite the struggle going on inside of you, there'd be much risk in that. You fight well enough that you might end up killing someone else here despite my efforts. No, I think it'd be best to see to it that this place is evacuated first."
"Risking my escape."
"I will have to live with that possibility, yes. Though either way, I believe we will meet again soon enough."
She just glared at him, uncertainty clouding her ability to retort. This was not at all what Layne had been expecting from an encounter with a Jedi master. He placed his weapon back on his belt before giving her one last look. "Take care, young one. Your path is not yet set. It will be interesting to see where the Force will take you, should you survive long enough."
He turned and departed, leaving Layne alone to her thoughts... and a problem to solve. At least she hadn't failed her mission; a small mercy indeed.
Aboard the Imperial Frigate 'Hidden Blade'; 4 days ago'
The capital ship dropped out of hyperspace within the orbit of a gas giant that carried nothing more than an alphanumerical designation, much like the system it was found in. Yet despite this obscurity, several small mining colonies could be found scattered across the giant's eighteen moons. With no clear allegiance, broadcasting their location to any of these settlements presented an unacceptable risk. Fortunately, industrial outposts of such modest size generally did not host the kind of technology capable of detecting even large vessels at this range, and the Blade's crew were not without skill in matters of discretion. And not without a healthy dose of paranoia stacked on top.
"Sir," one of the ensigns spoke, "we've reached the destination system."
Captain Virkall was still quite young for one tasked with the privilege of commanding a capital ship, even one that technically didn't exist and which was perpetually understaffed to avoid the increase in possible leaks that came with a full complement. He leaned back as far as his seat would allow, reserved smile on his face as he took stock of the situation, before pulling up system schematics.
"Excellent. Place us in a sensor-shadow orbit between those three uninhabitated moons. Wouldn't want any accidental scans to pick us up. Much less any Republic ones. Can never be too sure what's out there."
The ensign nodded, and the Hidden Blade's engines fired into action, pushing the capital ship into an orbit that placed the planet and its many moons between itself and the most likely locations a ship or listening post might be placed. As the engines died down again, a door slid open and in walked a young figure clad in the ancient robes and armor of a Sith lord. The now familiar clacking of her boots brought the crew, and especially the captain, to attention. He rose from his chair as she approached, face quickly locking itself into 'neutral'.
"Captain," Layne asked, "I trust you've done as I instructed."
Had one of her fellow students at the academy seen her now, they'd almost certainly take note of how calm she appeared to be. This wasn't the same hothead slave that got thrown to the wolves back on Korriban only to snap viciously at any that came near. There was still malice in her eyes, but she now possessed a level of control that would seem entirely out of place to some. Her hatred today was more like the cold and calculating kind that her master had attempted to instill in her this past year.
"Yes my lord, no hidden surveillance devices of any kind have been found aboard the vessel procured for you. We did three passes as per your orders. The ship is ready for use. Departure can commence at your leisure."
The young Sith felt a twitch run through her dominant hand. She knew the ease with which her master and his other apprentices could make betrayal be perceived as loyalty. Whatever fear these men might feel in her presence, it was no guarantee. But then, there would never be any guarantees. Not anymore. Was such paranoia something Baras instilled in all his apprentices? Or had he simply cultivated what was already there? Suspicion was the cornerstone of survival, after all. And this Sith in particular, had survived so very much. Even before her master had set her loose on his numerous enemies.
"Good," she produced a datachip from her pocket and held it out. "As soon as I depart, you are to take this frigate to the following coordinates and wait for further instruction."
Virkall took possession of the chip, a raised brow and questioning look on his face testing her newfound patience. "My lord? Your master--"
"Is the one giving the fucking orders. See to it you don't fail him in my absence."
"Y-yes my lord, of course. We will alter our rendezvous coordinates immediately."
He hastily handed over the chip to one of his subordinates, who immediately went to work updating the navcomputer. Without speaking another word, Layne turned and left the bridge. There was nothing more for her here.
Shorthly thereafter, a small and inconspicious freighter separated itself from the frigate. Such vessels were common wherever one travelled in the galaxy. And that, of course, had been the entire reason for its selection. Anonymity. Depreciated somewhat by the presence of two crewmen who were very obviously naval personnel instead of the civilians that ought to operate a ship such as this. Re'shir and Wilhelm. Names Layne inadvertently found herself memorizing as the 'Shifting Wound' proceeded on its maiden voyage. There wasn't much else to do after all, except make small talk. It was that, or risk being alone with her thoughts. And there was only turmoil to be found there. Peace. Passion. Betrayal. Loyalty. Hate. Mercy. In the end, all she'd managed to conclude was that she just didn't know what the hell to believe. What to do.
Peace? War. Sith? Jedi. Past? Future.
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