Paige Sharpe, First Lieutenant and Platoon Commander of the New Republic Military, strode down the long steel encased hall of her barracks, a young aide chatting animatedly at her shoulder.
“The new shipment of armor arrived today, finally! I told Ally that she should have chased it up earlier, it seems like the merchant was sleeping instead of shipping because he thought he wouldn’t be needing the armor in a hurry! Hah! Not in a hurry! I seriously doubt whether our citizens still realize that there’s a war going on…”
Paige sighed, trying to focus on the report despite the headache plaguing her temples, “Don’t dislike them for yearning for peace Deakin.”
The young aide’s freckled face flushed bright red, “Oh! Never lieutenant! I was just saying…”
Paige’s mind drifted off once again as the aid continued to rant on about the critical condition of NR military materials,
“…that with Thrawn pushing us from one side NR citizens should be a little bit more worried about their homes. I mean especially thanks to the Vast Empire as of late, I mean, they came out of no-where and bashed the crap out of us where we least expected it and…”
Paige’s fiery green gaze snapped onto the aids, a severe reprimand hovering within its depths, “That’s enough Deakin.”
Deakin opened his mouth, red once more, then clamped it shut and nodded almost sheepishly. Paige strode ahead and away from her aid, her long legs carrying her with a grace that had been hers since birth. She steered towards her office and the piles of paperwork that rested there, silently contemplating turning about and sprinting screaming in the other direction. Whilst she had originally relished the change from the frontline to the office with her appointment as platoon commander, the continual supply of administrative work was slowly taking her toll on her. Even her natural gift with words had failed to save her as she stumbled through the position, learning her steps and making often disastrous mistakes along the way. But such was the price of the military: Platoon Commanders were an expendable asset, still capable of being shot down upon a battlefield, still subject to the sands of time as they aged and lost wit and brilliance. Her troops were used to it.
Slapping the panel to her doorway, she flicked her gaze to Deakin, who had broken into a jog to keep pace with her, “Could you get me some caf? I need to start on my report to high command.”
Still bearing the hint of a sulk within his demeanor, Deakin nodded, then turned to move back down the hallway towards the galley.
Letting out a soft sigh of relief now that she was alone, Paige moved into her office, crossing the steel floor to the large feature desk on which the skeleton of a dreaded report sat. Slumping into the hard backed wooden chair behind the desk, Paige tucked stray strands of her jet black hair behind her ears, then reached unenthusiastically for the first page.
A flicker in the corner of her eye made her hesitate.
Turning her head slightly, arm still extended towards the report, Paige took in filing cabinet lying against the wall to her right, searching for whatever had caught her eye. The dull tarnished cabinet seemed to stare back…a keepsake of earlier days when Paige had first gained the role of an officer within the Republic.
Lured by strange compulsion, Paige withdrew her arm, coming swiftly to her feet to walk towards the filing cabinet. Reaching out with long, elegant fingers, she traced the cold metal of its face then dropped down into a crouch to access the lowest drawer. The cabinet opened with a stiff screech of laziness, revealing a clutter of photo’s and keepsakes in a jumble upon old files…dusty and limp from disuse. Still not knowing what drove her actions, Paige lowered her hand within the draw and plucked a photo from the top of the file, raising it to the light.
Tears sprang immediately to her eyes as her green gaze traced the scene etched forever upon the photo’s face. Two young girls, bearing identical and beautiful features, stood within a lush forest, joyfully posing with their arms flung about the other. Herself…and her sister…captured not long after their graduation from the Kuati Academy.
Tears rolling silently down her cheeks, Paige cast the photo back inside the drawer, before violently slamming it shut. The filing cabinet groaned at the brutal treatment, shaking on its fragile hinges as Paige came to her feet, moving back to her chair. Swiping at her tears with the back of her left hand, she reached for the first page of the report, laying it before her. Questions and figures rose up to meet her…but stubbornly, Paige’s mind refused to comprehend them.
She knew now what had compelled her to the cabinet…and to the photo’s stored within it. It was her birthday, which she had completely and utterly forgotten in the face of work.
Her birthday…and Kami’s…
* * * * * *
Do you see her?
…yes
Are you sure?
…yes…its her…
Good…what does she do?
…she…she is sleeping…
Good…you have done well
…very well…
* * * * * *
Paige stirred from her dream, her eyes snapping open to cast about her office. Shivers trailed up her spine as she took in the darkened shadows of the furniture about her. The sense of being watched…by someone…by something… pervaded her thoughts so strongly she was too afraid to move from where she rested, hunched over in her chair.
Forcing a deep breath into her lungs, she worked on calming her trembling fingers, slowly becoming aware of the noise and light that was filtering in through the crack between her door and the wall of her office. The strong waft of the galley assaulted her senses, suggesting that not only had she slept through lunch...but almost supper as well.
Slowly, inch by inch she unfolded her limbs, coming carefully to her feet. Her green eyes still darted about the shadows, searching…searching… despite the skeptical voice in the back of her head that noted she was alone within these walls. She stalked forward through the shadow towards the light, slapping at the door panel, and stepping out into the bright artificial world of the corridor.
The barracks were alight with activity, corridor jammed with troopers in various states of dress from battle ready to casual jumpsuits. As Paige crept out further into the light, feeling her earlier trepidation melt within the light and company, she was saluted enthusiastically by a few troopers, many flashing friendly winks and smiles at their newest commanding officer. She worked her face, smiling and nodding back, already feeling foolish about skulking out of her office in fear.
Turning on the spot Paige forced her feet to carry her towards the galley and with the flow of traffic, well aware that her stomach was turning furiously with hunger. The sense of being watch had faded completely with her first few steps and diminished with each stride she took away from her darkened office.
“Stupid Paige…really really stupid,” She murmured beneath her breath, flicking her eyes to the chrono on her wrist. As her mind comprehended the time which blared up at her, she abruptly skidded to a stop mid-stride, causing a junior officer to collide with her from behind. Mumbling a brief apology, Paige leapt about him and began to sprint back down the hall towards her office and the exit to the barracks.
She’d forgotten! Dammit!
She sprinted past her office, barely sparing it a second glance, then up a flight of stairs towards the wide set entrance of her platoon’s barracks. Troopers and crew stepped hurriedly out of her way as she approached, one particularly unfortunate trooper being subject to a foot stomping as the lieutenant wisped past. Bursting out into the fresh night air of Coruscant, she skidded to a halt once again, looking at the long winding line to the air taxi’s that awaited her.
Stifling a curse, Paige turned to make her way to the back of the line, silently berating her forgetfulness.
“Lieutenant!”
Paige glanced over her shoulder to where a soldier bearing the rank of a Sergeant on his tunic hovered halfway in and out of a newly arrived air taxi, “Need a ride?”
Ignoring the groans of those within the line, Paige flashed the Sergeant a smile capable of making any man’s heart skip a beat. Not noticing the sudden flush of red along the man’s cheekbones as he stepped back to let her past, Paige leapt into the cab, the Sergeant folding himself in after her.
The flight to her apartment seemed to take hours…when literally, it only took minutes. Saying a quick thanks to the Sergeant and throwing a pile of cash within his hands, Paige sprinted to the elevator and down the hallway to the characteristic silver sheen of her front door. Pausing momentarily to catch her breath and arrange her hair back into the clip behind her, Paige keyed in the access code, then walked into the lounge…
Lights flew on, people abruptly springing from all corners of the rooms from behind the glittering furniture.
“SURPRISE!”
Paige did a double take, flying backwards to the doorframe, one hand immediately falling to land upon her blaster. About her the sea of faces slowly came into recognition, senior officers and a scatter of her troops from her platoon, as well as two dozen friends of Jareth’s from beyond the military, all of which beamed happily at her, party hats clamped securely to their heads.
The first line of party goers broke to reveal a tall, well built man with piercing blue eyes and a dashing smile. Crossing to the other side of the room, he caught Paige’s hand with his own where it hovered still at her blaster, then pulled her into his arms. With cheers and wolf-whistles breaking out about the room, Jareth, Paige’s partner of more than a year dipped her back, catching her mouth with his for a breathless kiss.
Pulling back, he offered a suave smile, “Happy Birthday Sweetheart.”
Paige flushed bright red, still gazing stunned at the smiling people about her. Finally, a brilliant smile flashed over her face, and she leapt forwards onto Jareth, wrapping her arms about his neck for another kiss. Friends cheered, whilst someone at the back of the room slipped on some music in the background.
Elsewhere…another watched….
* * * * * *
You must go to her…
…no…
You must face her…and make a choice
I…I cannot…
You must…I have foreseen it…
But…she is happy…she is at peace
Why should she see peace after what she has done? Why should she be happy when you have suffered?
…I’m…afraid…this is something I cannot do alone…
I am here…I will guide you…
* * * * * *
Paige lay in Jareth’s arms amid a pile of party hats, streamers and takeout food boxes piled upon the couch. Outside, the first light of dawn was winding its way down through Coruscant’s hazy atmosphere...piercing the smog to flash though her apartment window and bathe the living room in weak light. Pulling the blanket about her and Jareth closer to shelter them from the bitter cold of the winter morning, Paige glanced once again at the chrono upon the wall before pointedly letting her eyes slide away once more. She didn’t want to go to work…not today…
Careful not to wake Jareth, she slid free from the blanket and onto her feet, sidestepping bare footed about the mess strewn across the floor and into the kitchen. She paused briefly at her bedroom, reaching inside for a dressing gown to cast about her naked form, then padded over to the kitchen bench to make a much needed cup of caf.
Minutes later, she emerged onto the apartment’s small balcony, sliding the door shut behind her. Above her, the sky flashed a shade of orange as Coruscant’s sun finally managed to pierce the clouds, beaming down upon a city which never slept. Traffic still streamed endlessly about the tall towers and spires of the planet, the population of trillions moving purposely about the levels, arches and catwalks below Paige…and above her.
Taking a mouthful of the steaming hot caf, Paige savored the bitter taste briefly, the let the liquid glide down her sore throat. Caught up in the party atmosphere of last night, Paige had drunk far too much and was now struggling to cope with the unfamiliar side effects.
A cold breeze swept the balcony suddenly, catching her bound hair and sending it streaming free…a mane of jet black that cascaded about and framed her lovely face. Feeling a sudden chill brought on by more than the wind, she stilled, fiery green eyes searching the horizon once again as she felt another presence briefly brush hers…searching…searching…
Suddenly, tears spilled down her face, blurring her vision as the presence touched her, trailing icy fingers down the length of her back. Stifling the cry that threatened to break free of her, Paige closed her eyes, awash with an abrupt wave of grief that filtered through her entire body. The mug holding her caf slipped from stunned fingers, tilting and catapulting to the floor to shatter into a million pieces at her feet. Then…then presence retreated…and vanished as quickly as it had arrived.
Behind her, the balcony door groaned, causing Paige to spin about in fear. But instead of the piercing green eyes she half-expected to see…Jareth emerged, tanned skin glowing in the early sunlight. His striking eyes crinkled with worry at the look on his lover’s face, before trailing down to take in the shattered mug at her feet. Dark eyebrows knitted, he finally turned his blue gaze to hers, “What happened?”
Unable to speak, Paige took two strides forwards, pushing herself against his warmth. Shivers racked her body, trailing painfully up her back and stomach. She gasped softly with each icy breath that she pulled into her lungs. Wordlessly, Jareth swept her up into her arms, pulling her close to him to shelter her from the wind. Then together, they disappeared inside the apartment, as the sun vanished…swallowed by billowing dark clouds…
* * * * * *
You know of her location?
Yes…I know where she is…
Good…leave soon…time is your enemy
…who…who are you?
Ah…you finally ask…I was beginning to think you didn’t have the courage…
I am…a friend…a guide…
…where do you guide me?
To darkness…to darkness….and power
* * * * * *
Kami woke.
Her stunning green eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness about her, slowly identifying the shapes and forms of her and Angel’s chambers. Her heart raced within her chest, its beat echoed within her ears. It was the third time the voice had come to her, the third time over three nights of restless sleep.
Raising a trembling hand, Kami wiped sweat from her face, forcing her dry, parched throat to swallow. She had touched her sister,
felt her, seen her from millions of light years away…and she did not know how. How she, a lowly Krath Adept wielded such power to travel such vast distances.
“You are her twin Kami.”
Angel’s voice did not surprise her, though she still jumped within the circle of his arms at the interruption of her thoughts by his calm presence. Slowly, she turned about to face him, meeting his vibrant amber gaze. “And unless those stories about the link between twins are highly exaggerated…I believe that with the call of your blood combined with the power of the Force you can touch her.”
Kami rested her head on the pillow close to her lover’s face, feeling his hands glide up her body to cup her face, “Another dream?”
Her voice emerged as a harsh whisper, “Yes…of Paige.”
Green eyes locked onto amber, Kami let him see the extent of her confusion, drawing strength from the wave of love and support Angel sent to her in response. Resting her head against his hand…calloused and worn from years of farming and training… she closed her eyes, speaking instead to Angel through her mind.
I have to go
She felt, rather then saw the extent of Angel’s dismay.
Are you sure?
Kami searched within herself, contemplating, searching, then opened her eyes once again to see the worry creasing Angel’s face.
Yes…I am sure
Leaning forward, Angel pulled her closer, resting his forehead against hers.
You go to face her…Paige
A statement, not a question, to which Kami nodded.
I must…I have run from her for too long
Angel’s fingers danced across her face, swiping away the cascading strands of jet black hair that rested there.
I must go as well. Master Talon is getting impatient He swallowed, a sheen of moisture in his magnificent eyes an omen of impending tears.
Promise me … he started.
Promise me that you will come home…as you are…
Fear of Phoenix ran uncontrolled through his mind and into Kami’s.
I don’t want to lose you as I nearly lost myself…
Stunned momentarily by a flash of fear within her breast, Kami swallowed once again, then leaned forward, catching Angel’s mouth with a fervent kiss. Curling her arms about his form, she deepened the kiss until all his fears vanished beneath his desire and love for her.
Breaking the kiss, Kami gazed into his eyes, trailing her index finger down his cheek,
“I promise.”
Angel’s expression shifted into one of relief. He mischievously trailed both hands down to Kami’s lower back, and pulled her close once more.
* * * * * *
The next morning Kami glided through the hallways of the Citadel, her shimmering, loose black hair streaming out behind her. Navigating the maze with little more than a thought…for she had dwelled here now for over six months…she focused instead on the ever deepening call within her chest, the will of the Force as it weaved her way through her.
And it was the will of the Force…that gave her the strength to walk straight past the large doors to her master’s chamber…and enter uninvited.
The four silent guards shifted immediately, drawing vibroblades and pole arms as one. Shadows broke about Kami…sweeping forward in a rush to bring her fiery death for once again ignoring the rules. Yet as the first gleaming blade screamed through the air…the Force screamed out warning and she halted in one fluid movement, quivering to a stop. A gleaming blade screeched through the air where Kami would have stood if not for her reflexes, then stilled mid-swing. Blood red armor swept before her, a darkened visor filling her view. Pure malice radiated towards her from the figure, building upon the fierce anger of the other three guards who stayed their hand at Kami’s back.
But none moved to kill her…and none spoke of her intrusion
They too could sense the will of the Force at work.
Letting her steady green gaze rest briefly upon the guardsmen before her, his presence the same that had once offered assistance when Phoenix ran rampant, Kami called upon every scrap of confidence within her. Ever so carefully, she stepped about the deathly still figure of red, and walked swiftly towards her master’s desk.
With each step, Kami’s breath tore at her throat, excitement coursing through her veins as her abandoned Kuati dagger came into view, still resting upon the edge of Talon’s wooden desk. Its gleaming blade caught the light momentarily, the inscription flashing beautifully along its sleek curves to provoke a sudden flash of rage deep within her. Finally she reached the edge of the desk…and finally…she outstretched her hand.
Trailing her fingers along the soft grip of the dagger, Kami closed her eyes, then swiftly closed her right hand about the worn yet beautiful blade, leaving its razor sharp edge hovering bare millimeters from her skin. She knew her blades…trusted her blades…as they were incapable of betraying her. And she had not known till now the extent to which she had felt empty without one strapped to her left thigh.
Sensing the rising danger behind her as the guardsmen moved once again, Kami flicked the dagger within her grasp, curved blade pointed down, and spun in a fluid movement to face them. She crouched slightly, her matching dagger appearing almost magically within her right hand, both held slightly before and away from her body. Fierce green eyes watched the guardsmen as they flittered once again into the shadows to become one with the impenetrable darkness of the room.
“Enough.”
Talon glided forward between the door, his presence a swirling beacon within the Force.
“You seek death Kami?”
Noting the sign of a smile beneath her master’s dark hood, Kami quirked an eyebrow,
“I simply came to reclaim that which is mine master…nothing more.”
She stepped fluidly from the raised platform which bore her master’s desk, and moved to Talon in six long strides. Blades still held easily within her grasp, she lowered her head, watching him from beneath her eyelashes,
“I am ready.”
She let the hint of a challenge flow into her voice and was not surprised to feel the Force rage suddenly into being within Talon as he gazed upon his apprentice. When he spoke, his voice suddenly contained a quiver of power; his dark eyes alight with strange light.
“Leave us.”
The four guardsmen vanished…the large door of Talon’s chamber closing silently in their wake.
Talon smiled, a predatory grin which twisted at his features. Casting his cloak aside, he reached slowly for his lightsaber,
“Prove it to me.”
Kami closed her eyes, then abruptly cast both daggers to the ground, both of which landed without a sound. Glancing up at her master, she stilled….then flew at him, hair cascading behind her in a wave of inky blackness.
She reached him at a speed that no normal human being could match, her silver training blade flashing to life halfway through her first swing. A low hiss escaped her lips as Talon sidestepped, leaving the glowing blade to thrash harmlessly through empty air. The Force screamed within the back of her mind in warning and Kami twisted side wards, barely avoiding the strike aimed directly at her back.
She retreated; blade held point down along her right leg, eyes warily watching Talon as he backed up, the easy smile upon his face a facade compared to the severity within his gaze.
“Too slow.”
The two words bore into Kami’s mind; carrying within them provocation intended to lessen her grip upon the power flowing through her veins.
Kami’s jaw clenched involuntarily, before she forced her anger to fade, to come back within her control. She needed to be focused, to have a plan of attack if she hoped to best her master. Her heart thudded madly in her chest as she met Talon’s gaze, seeing for once the rare threat of danger resting there. He meant to lay a blow if she let him…and he bore a blade capable of dealing death.
What use is a weakling to the Order…
Kami started as the whisper of a voice floated within her mind, directed easily by Talon,
You are faster than this…
Her jaw clenched again at the sudden rush of emotion deep within her. He was mocking her…daring her…
She charged again.
Her white cloak flew out about her in a stream of movement as she whirled impossibly fast towards her target. The Force swirled up within her again…aiding her as she dodged the first testing blow by her master, before bringing her lightsaber straight up, driving it towards his chest. Talon laughed, sliding away and lashing out again, forcing Kami to parry madly to prevent his blade from casting her head from her shoulders.
“Where others may have skill with technique Kami,” He grunted as his apprentice launched another string of attacks, “You bear skill with a speed not yet mastered....”
Knocking aside another abrupt blow, he grunted, then lashed out with his spare hand, catching Kami across her face. His apprentice stumbled backwards, blindly raising her blade just in time to catch Talon’s follow up strike.
“Where others bear skill of manipulation…” He lashed out with a sudden mental attack, sending his apprentice flying back once again with a shriek of pain, “You bear skills of thought…misty substances of illusion…”
He pressed his attack on the young woman, whose hold on the Force was slipping quickly from her grasp.
“You are not ready…”
Catching a clever attempt at an uppercut, Talon turned the opposing lightsaber blade away then struck out again, catching Kami’s cheekbone with his elbow.
She cried out again, one hand moving instinctively to cover her face.
“You cannot face what you must face now. You were overconfident and cocky to have come here…you…”
Talon halted, suddenly aware that Kami was no longer before him.
He laughed, the sound carrying up within the domed ceiling of his room.
“Hiding apprentice? Within the shadows?”
He turned, his now glowing gaze searching about the rounded corners of the room. He laughed again, the sound brief and unimpressed, “Something you have become skilled at since your time here Kami…always hiding, always running.”
“You don’t know me.” Her voice whispered back, swirling about the room to shadow her position, “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”
Tiring of the game, Talon called upon the Force, then threw it violently towards all corners of the room. The walls shrieked in a parody of agony as it touched them…shaking, rocking their foundations to the core of their being. The desk trembled…then flipped upon its side, papers casting themselves within the air in a whirlwind of snapping white.
Yet still…his apprentice remained hidden…
Finally, he realized.
With a laugh that bore satisfaction, Talon closed his eyes and noted the magnificently fine weavings that had crept within his consciousness.
He opened his eyes in time to see the room shimmer before him, before his desk miraculously flashed back into its original position, its papers resting unsettled upon its desk. With another laugh, he smiled, finally turning his gaze to observe the fire burning within his apprentice’s eyes as she held her saber point unwaveringly at his throat.
“Clever girl…” He laughed again, “Here I thought you had been relaxing this entire time…”
Another brief flash of anger lit Kami’s lovely face at the jibe.
“I might not be the finest swordsman…but I know where my skill lies. You made the mistake of underestimating me.”
Talon leaned forward, pressing the training blade against his neck. Abruptly the silver white lightsaber extinguished, leaving only the liquid jet glow of Talon’s blade. He met her gaze squarely, for once letting his apprentice see the true extent of his power.
“So did you. You have skills young one, but so do all that walk within these walls. When you are great, when the Force is truly your ally, the dark side your constant companion…you won’t need to face me.” He let a slight smile clutch at his lips, “You will simply dream of my death, awaken my fears and let my mind battle itself.”
Kami’s lips parted, her green eyes widening in shock, “You…” Her voice broke, “You believe me capable of one day wielding that power?”
Talon straightened, thumbed his lightsaber switch and let his expression slide back into an unreadable mask. “Perhaps. Though no-one’s future is certain.” He paused, his voice uncertain, “There is something about you Kami. Something innocent…something sweet that I fear will die before you obtain that which you so desperately crave. But such is the way of the dark side, and such is the way of the path that you have chosen.”
Kami straightened, then bowed, her head dipping in a gesture that radiated a submission that, as of late, had become less necessary within her master’s presence. She stayed that way, eyes upon the marble floor, her mind battling to make sense of the warning he had just graced her with.
Finally, she raised her head, shadowing the fear swirling within and feeding the Force about her.
Talon called her two daggers to him, both landing perfectly in his grasp. Extending both hands, he offered them to Kami,
“Find your path.”
Unable now to utter the words of thanks of which she had originally intended, Kami simply grasped each dagger, sliding them soundlessly within the confines of their sheaths.
She turned to leave…stalking from the chamber with a grace that shadowed the will of a predator...the white cloak of an Adept lying in a crumpled, forgotten heap on the floor behind her…
* * * * * *
Outside the citadel…a storm was raging. A purple sky roared its fury, black clouds billowing in a rage across its face. Wind whipped at everything in its path, howling, shrieking its anger… its rage across the barren plains of Lopen. Hidden beneath the meager protection of rocks, boulders or within the very soil of the planet itself, the wildlife of Lopen quivered in fear and in cold. It was not often that storms such as these struck…yet when they did, they awoke to find a planet very much changed from what it had once been. Ravaged, mauled and altered by a power that always struck suddenly and without warning.
To the dark jedi of Lopen, these storms served as nothing more than a distraction, a hindrance to their training and their travels. As now it served to frustrate Kami as she sat within the confines of her battered Raven fighter, long past it’s used by date, long past its trend label and long past its ability to fly through violent storms. The Raven, or ‘the bomb’ as it had so often been referred to by the Sharpe family, had come into Kami’s possession by default. It had been shortly before her sister’s betrayal when Kami had stumbled upon the worse for wear fighter whilst visiting a merchant family to which she and hers were inexplicably bound. Not only had the fighter been unworthy for any sort of air travel, it had also seen the battering plight of mistreatment, with rust plaguing much of its frame. Kami and her sister had immediately fallen in love with the fighter, and with a great deal of time and frustration on their part, had managed to restore it to a semblance of its former glory.
When fleeing Kuat…Kami had refused to abandon the Raven, still clinging desperately onto the belief that her sister was battling temporary insanity, and that she would return to her as soon as she regained her right state of mind. Yet her older sister had not returned and Kami had been forced to wait…utterly heartbroken upon Sulon for a reprieve which never came.
After Angel found and rescued her from the downward spiral her life had taken, the fighter was forgotten for a time, sitting within the old farm shed on Sulon, waiting dutifully to be loved again. Finally, Kami had remembered it, and compelled by a reason she could not escape, the same reason which saw her carry her sister’s dagger constantly at her side, she had it transported to Lopen to be with her.
Kami had still…even after all the years in which she had been separated from Paige…not given up on her sister. Within her lay buried a trust and a bond so strong and so complete, that even countless disappointments, countless betrayals and a great deal of common sense could not shatter its impenetrable fortress.
So she sat within the cockpit of the Raven, feeling every gust pound at the ship’s fragile frame…thinking…questioning.
“Is this a rescue mission or an assassination?”
The sound of her voice startled her, and the question went answered, except for the defiant roar of wind about her. The voice, or voices which reached out to her in her dreams could not aid her in her waking state.
“What do you want from her?”
Once again the question went unanswered.
Kami briefly closed her eyes, feeling Angel touch her from a distance, respectful of the issues she was facing even now, before her journey had even started. Their parting had been surprisingly brief, yet emotional. Neither said goodbye, as the thought of living without each other was too unbearable to consider, though much of what each had wanted to say carried through the Force rather than words. Each was afraid of what finding Paige would do to their relationship, yet each was well aware that fate had a role in the timing of the dreams and the growth in Kami’s power. So they had stood bare minutes, wrapped within each others arms, saying nothing until Kami had pulled away. At first Angel’s arms remained locked around her, the Force whispering omens of impending danger…but he reluctantly let her slip away.
Glancing down at the winged ring adorning her finger, Kami turned her mind once again to her question…and finally found an answer.
“Answers.”
Her voice broke as it exited her, the sound amplified within the enclosed space of the cockpit.
“I want answers.”
Feeling an immense wave of relief at this small victory, Kami pushed her jumbled emotions once again to the back of her mind. She would deal with them step by step, slowly confronting them until she was strong enough and sure enough to finally meet Paige face to face.
Outside…the storm was dying, swirling down into an eerie silence that scattered dust across empty plains.
And Kami, fighting back tears as she finally broke contact with Angel, powered up the Raven’s engines… and broke free of Lopen’s atmosphere into open space.
* * * * * *
“We plan a trip I forgot about?”
Jareth had just walked in the door to see an overflowing duffel bag at his feet, its contents strewn about the entry hall. Paige glanced up from the center of their lounge room, a pistol she had been reloading within her grasp. She was dressed completely in non-descript black, tight leggings and a tank top which showed off the curves of her body to a good extent. Her jet black hair was tied back in a messy knot, leaving strands of hair to fall forward and shadow the contours of her face.
Jareth hesitated, briefly taken with the image, before forcing his mind back into gear. His blue gaze traveled from the gun in his lover’s hand to the bag at his feet. Ever since her birthday…two days ago, she had become withdrawn and quiet. She hadn’t told Jareth what had scared her so badly out on the balcony…but then again, she didn’t have too. He knew her well enough to realize that the only thing Paige was afraid of was her family, and the only family member that mattered to Paige was the one who would have the most cause to track her down and kill her.
Her twin sister.
Kami.
He narrowed his blue eyes, stepping forwards and slamming the door shut behind him.
“No.”
Taking a few steps towards Paige, Jareth cast his cloak aside, “You’re not going anywhere.”
Paige met his gaze defiantly, then turned her attention back to the pistol, which she finished loading before sliding it within a holster on her thigh. Then, as though Jareth had not spoken at all, she strode over to the duffel bag, grabbing her jacket from the kitchen bench as she went.
“No.”
Jareth’s anger was building now, twisting into a tight ball within his chest. She had allowed him to get a week off work for her, allowed him to seemingly convince her that whatever had gotten to her was simply a result of being over worked and overly stressed. He had let her shut him out, confident in the belief that she would open up to him once more. Yet now, she was going to walk out on him?
“No call?” He said softly, moving to block Paige’s exit, “No note? You were just going to leave?”
Paige halted, then tilted her chin, warily meeting his gaze once again, “I have to go.”
Hurt flared up within Jareth, building upon his anger, “Where? Why?”
Paige hesitated, then visibly flinched, “Kami.” She whispered. “She’s coming.”
“Coming? Here?” Jareth shook his head incredulously, “How would she find you? How do you know she’s coming? How do you even know if she’s still alive?”
Paige pulled away from him, “I just…know. She’s alive…she…” She hesitated again, biting back her words.
“She what?” Jareth’s voice rose slightly, despite his effort in keeping it quiet.
“She…touched me, on the balcony. I felt her.”
Overwhelmed at the seemingly insane scene before him, Jareth bit back a sarcastic laugh,
“Paige, honey, listen to yourself.”
Her green eyes flashed with rare fire, “Don’t mock me. I know this all sounds crazy to you, but to me, it makes sense.”
She made to move past him again, but Jareth threw out an arm, catching hers with his left hand, “Where are you going? You need rest; sleep, gods Paige, anything.”
“I’m going to meet her.”
Jareth’s eyebrows knitted, his anger instantly becoming consumed by fear for Paige, “Dammit. You’ve got to think for a second. You’re going to meet her? Your sister…
the sister.”
He grabbed her with his other hand, resisting the urge to shake her, “The Imperial Paige!”
“I know,” she hissed, squirming free of his grip once more.
Jareth stood stunned momentarily, still not allowing Paige access to the door. Finally, he spoke, his words soft, “What are you going to do Paige? Go meet her, sort things out? Become a big happy family again?”
At the flash of hope within his lover’s eyes, Jareth let out a soft growl of frustration, “She’s an imp Paige. And by the sounds of it, she’s perfectly happy being an imp too.”
“She’s my sister.”
“She wants you dead Paige!” Jareth’s shout caused all the color to drain from Paige’s face, “She wants you dead and you’re going to walk willingly into whatever trap she sets up for you!”
The room fell into silence, the last echoes of the shout amplified by the high roofed apartment. Paige visibly forced herself to swallow, returning a flush of pink to her cheeks,
“I need to see her.”
Her voice was almost a whisper now, a plea, “I need to know Jareth. All this waiting, all this not knowing is driving me insane.”
Sensing that he was gaining ground in the battle, Jareth took her cold hands within his, “Then stay here. Wait for her to come to us. Here you have friends to protect you. You have me to protect you. No matter what she does, you’ll have us nearby.”
Paige dipped her head silently, before suddenly, tears were streaming down her cheeks. Jareth immediately stood forward, enveloping her in the protective shield of his arms, lowering his head to rest alongside her silky hair.
“I’m sorry,” He whispered, holding her sobbing form close, “I’m sorry. I just don’t want to lose you. I just…” His voice cracked before he was able to continue, “I just don’t think I could handle losing you.”
He held her until the tears stopped, then took her hand in his. With his spare hand, he removed the pistol from her thigh, placing it upon the dresser table nearby.
“Come to bed,” He told her, “Leave all this and come to bed.”
She relented, and let him lead her to the bedroom where she immediately fell into a deep sleep within his arms. Jareth lay away for hours, blue eyes searching the ceiling above him for any means to help his lover deal with the demons she was battling. But no answer came to him and eventually….sleep took him.
When he awoke the next morning, the place within his arms was long since cold, the silence of the apartment enough to alert Jareth to the fact that he alone. Cursing, he flung himself from the sheets, throwing himself about the doorframe into the main room to see the duffel bag removed…and the pistol taken from its place upon the table.
Paige…was gone.
* * * * * *
…are you there?
Yes…I am always here…
…why…why me?
Because there is great power in you…
...there are others…
Not like you…you…are like me…
I have a master…he guides my way
He knows nothing of the power that one day you will control…his is a different path…I know you…I know what you face…what you wield
…with all power comes sacrifice…
Yes…yes…you have yet to learn just how true that is…
…voices have come to me before…why should I trust you now?
I am not your father…
…then show yourself…
In time…
* * * * * *
Baron’s Hed was a dead end on a dead end planet. Consisting of a series of run down bars, run down mechanic shops and a particularly run down market place, it had become symbolic of the population of Sulon that roamed through its streets. Some of the farmers were better off than others, though to be better off was to find yourself subject to schemes that left you penniless, homeless and very often…widowed. So all were dressed in the non-descript brown clothing of the laborer, and all made sure to feign bankruptcy after a few rounds of drinks.
They were a tough people. Distant, unfriendly and highly self-sufficient, yet stubbornly proud and fiercely independent. Whilst the Sullust system played an important role in the universe, the small planet of Sulon did not, exporting a steady yet unimpressive range of goods, and receiving enough in reply to scrape out a meager existence. It was not an ugly world, though it was very harsh to those who chose to work the soil. Harsh enough indeed without the presence of the Grave Tuskans, violent creatures that hunted down the unlucky or stupid that strayed too far from their settlements and into the wild.
Kami hated Sulon.
To her, it represented only destruction, despite its often breathtaking deserts, its lush forests and its wide open plains. It represented a life that she could no longer access or no longer touch without becoming plagued by fierce anger and a deep bitter hurt.
She hated Sulon. And she hated Baron’s Hed.
“That thing flies?”
The overweight owner of the shipping bay let out an incredulous laugh, giving the Raven a quick once over with his beady eyes,
“You’re joking right?”
“No.”
Kami cast a brown cloak about her black jumpsuit, her upper lip curling as the owner scratched himself openly, still regarding the star fighter before him.
“I can’t keep that thing here. It’ll scare away potential customers.”
It was Kami’s turn to laugh, albeit softly.
“Since the planet is crawling with potential customers…”
The owner gave her a sneer, roughing swiping at his nose with a grease smudged hand, “Cocky outsiders. You think you know everything about planet’s that you’ve never been too.”
Kami’s green eyes hardened, “Sulon is hardly a puzzle box.” Throwing the agreed price in the pudgy merchant’s hand, Kami turned her back to him and her ship, casting the hood of her heavy cloak about her face.
And I’m not an outsider…
* * * * * *
She strode swiftly up the main stretch of Baron’s Hed, deftly ignoring the appreciative stares of the few drunken local’s outside the bars, yet carefully watching the bandits and thieves who flittered about in the shadow of the alleyways on either side of her. Always on the lookout for those who traveled alone, Kami was an attractive target, female, seemingly unarmed and an off worlder.
Flicking her long, dark hair behind her shoulders, she took an abrupt turn, ducking down the small lane to her left. The almost overpowering smell of decomposing rubbish assaulted her as she moved further away from the main drag, its source the piles upon piles of refuse located at the grimy back doors of assorted eateries and businesses backing onto the alley. A lone rodian glanced up from where he was scrounging as Kami approached, his large bulbous eyes glowing slightly in the darkened light.
He straightened as she approached him, one hand sliding to the worn looking blaster on his hip.
“Kuna to chuta?”
Kami came to a halt, giving the alien an appraising once over.
“Well Kelgi…you’ve certainly come down in the world…”
The rodian’s dark green snout twitched as he moved away from his pile of rubbish. Recognition shone briefly in the mercenary’s eyes as he stared at her face, before he lowered his hand from his weapon.
“Chuba kuna konchi?”
“To see your boss,” Kami responded, “I’m after some items of considerable value, and I believe he’s the only person on Sulon who may have them.”
The rodian hesitated, then gave a soft grunt, pottering back towards the pile of rubbish he had been searching through momentarily before. Uncurling her hand about the dagger hidden beneath her robes, Kami moved past the sentry and towards the solitary door adorning the wall at the end of the laneway. Grasping the rotted handle, Kami gave the laneway one last glance, before ducking through the small entryway into the shop inside.
“Can I help you?”
Angus Wulfen, speciality goods merchant, glanced up from where he was seated behind a large wooden desk, surrounded on all sides by an assorted array of antiques. He was aging in years, with long dark hair streaked with grey, and a face dominated by large glasses. Kami had never met the man, though her father had dealt frequently with him when he had been alive. He specialized in the rare and unusual, and had an eye for the priceless that was unmatched anywhere else within Sulon.
Kami descended down the series of rickety wooden steps towards the desk, already aware of the large hulking guard hidden from view to her right. Reaching Angus, she met the man’s curious gaze,
“I’m looking for something quite out of the ordinary.”
The merchant’s face pulled back into a twisted grin, “Then you’ve come to the right spot young lady. What is it exactly that you are looking for?”
“Well, first of all, can you supply these items?” Kami pulled a small crumpled piece of parchment from her cloak, laying it upon the desk. Angus grabbed at it, reading aloud,
“Power cell…energy lens…superconductor…energy flux aperture… magnetic energizer coils…etc.” He glanced up, “Of course, of course.”
He arched a silver eyebrow at the young woman before him, “I daresay I know what it is you are after.”
“I’d be impressed if you did,” Kami said softly, suddenly aware that the mood within the small shop had become tense. Angus glanced towards his hidden guard, and then leant forward onto his elbows, his eyes huge behind his glasses.
“What you are asking for…if discovered to be from this shop…will draw a lot of attention.”
Kami’s expression hardened, “I’ll pay you what the components are worth, nothing more.”
Angus withdrew, his brown eyes calculating. Then, spinning about in his small chair, he opened the top draw of the desk at his back. Spinning back, he placed a handful of small gems before him. Feeling her heartbeat quicken, Kami took another step forward, gazing down upon the shining crystals. A dozen colors gleamed back at her, each as beautiful as the other.
“Adegan. All of the best quality,” Angus said quietly, “Each perfect for the task you wish to perform.”
Kami stilled, aware that the guard had moved from his position to block the exit. Angus noticed her change in stance, and offered a small smile, “No need to worry about Gregory there.”
She flicked her green gaze to his, “Not the first time you’ve had someone come asking for these materials?”
Angus shook his head, “I’ve had many interested buyers.”
Examining each of the stone in turn, she quickly inspected them through the Force. One in particular almost called to her. Reaching out, Kami closed her hand about two multi faceted jewels sitting within the pile of gems. One green. One white.
“A beautiful green…,” Angus commented, his smile growing, “The color of your eyes.”
“These buyers…” Kami said softly, straightening before the merchant, “Were they successful in their task?”
Through the Force, she felt Gregory shift to draw his weapon.
“No.” Angus responded, “Each happened to be overly rich, overly ambitious and decisively over imaginative.” His smile turned sinister, “Much like yourself.”
Gregory fired, the single stun blast deafening within the confined space of the shop. Kami was already out of its path, her daggers within her hands. The guard had a bare moment to utter a brief exclamation of surprise, before the black haired woman was upon him, each dagger driving within his chest at an impossible speed.
“Kel-!”
Angus’s shout was cut off as Kami used the Force to propel herself atop of the wooden desk. Lashing out, she caught the merchant in the face with a booted foot, sending him crashing backwards into the pile of antiques behind him.
Leaping lithely from the desk, she walked forwards, coming to a halt above Angus. The merchant gazed up at her, blood trickling from his lips, his glasses shattered upon his face.
“I’m the real deal here Angus.” She snapped, “Don’t go pulling anymore of that shit on me, ok?”
The merchant’s eyes widened in fear, before he nodded, the movement causing the twisted frame of his glasses to slide from his face.
“Now…” Kami bent down, grabbing him by the front of his tunic and pulling him to his feet, “I’ll be having the rest of those items.”
* * * * * *
…the choice…the choice is my sister
Yes…
I…cannot choose…
You must…you must make a choice…you have been torn for too long now…
…she is my…my sister…
Fool…she is a traitor…a liar…the betrayer
…what is my choice?
To be strong…or to be weak…
I cannot…I will not… harm her…
She is but a link in the chain…one being within your life…
Exact your vengeance…
I…I cannot…
…then you are lost…
…as am I…
* * * * * *
Porky, otherwise known as Jay Griffin, raised the sweet pastry to his mouth and chewed thoughtfully as he examined the ticking wreck of an X-Wing before him. Turning to his taller and far better looking companion, the long time mechanic raised a bushy eyebrow,
“You want to fly this right now?”
The woman nodded, her beautiful green eyes darting briefly about her.
“If you can get it in the air as soon as possible…”
Noting the Kuati infliction upon her words, Porky pulled a face about his breakfast. It was way too early to be working, and definitely way to early for some high ranking Kuati to be asking him to perform miracles. “Look,” He began, slowing his words as he might have done for a small child, “That thing ain’t going to be flying anywhere for a very long time. Whatever laser storm you flew it into has done a hell of a lot of damage.”
The Kuati woman glanced about the hanger again, then took a step forwards, closing the distance between herself and the portly mechanic. “I think you misunderstood,” She hissed quietly, her gaze locking onto his, “I need a ride. Right now. Not in a week, not in a month. Now. So either you get my X-Wing in the air, or you give me something else.”
“Humph.” Licking the vast vestiges of sugar from his fingers, Porky shot the woman a decisively evil glare, then turned and waddled over to the group of young mechanics standing a few meters away. Glancing over his shoulder to see the Kuati scanning the hanger again, Porky sighed at his aides,
“Its too early for nasty customers. Grab the old Z-95 from out back will you Jeff? Hopefully that’ll satisfy her enough to let me finish my breakfast.”
The aide nodded enthusiastically, then scampered towards the adjoining hanger. Waving a pudgy hand at the Kuati to get her attention, Porky tilted his huge chin in the man’s wake, “If you follow Jeff, he’ll set you up with something.”
The Kuati gave a brief nod, grabbed at the small duffel bag at her feet, then moved smoothly in the indicated direction and disappeared from view.
“Humph.” Porky slid his considerable bulk onto a small metal chair, ignoring its shrieking protests. Reaching over for another pastry, he sighed again at his group of companions, spraying them with crumbs, “Honestly, the thanks I get…” The rest of his complaint was drowned out by the sound of the Z-95 engines as they roared to life, before it shot free of the hanger and into the early morning sky of Coruscant.
* * * * * *
The photo of the two teenage girls sat propped up against the inner cockpit of the Headhunter as it maneuvered through the busy traffic beyond Coruscant and into a cleared laneway for departure. Paige had only a single scrap of information to go by in order to track down her sister. When she had finally begun the daunting task of locating what remained of her family she had been given a photo by one of her field agents of a headstone, crudely cut and dug crookedly within the soil of a Sulon farmhouse. A headstone bearing the name Axis Sharpe. When she had questioned the agent, he had informed her that the man’s family had long since fled the planet without leaving a clue to their eventual whereabouts except for the shuttle in which they were jetted away.
Paige closed her eyes briefly as he Z-95 lurched, preparing to jump into hyperspace.
A military class shuttle that had been legally recorded as a squad transport from the Vast Empire faction…
She opened her eyes just in time to see the stars streak beyond the cockpit, gliding out and freezing within place on either side of her. Whilst the evidence she had discovered was shaky at best, Paige knew deep within her stomach that she was headed in the right direction. It felt as though Kami was hovering within her head, constantly slipping from view, urging her on with a silent voice that prevented sleep and brought back memories which she would have rather forgotten.
She was on the planet of Sulon, waiting for her.
Though what she would do with her when she arrived was something that Paige, after years of separation, was now no longer able to predict.
Jareth’s word’s were still echoing in her ears, each ringing with a truth that Paige was trying desperately to ignore. Yes, it looked like Kami was an Imperial, and yes, she had all the reason to want to hurt Paige for what she had done to the Sharpe family. But she knew her twin better than anyone else in the universe, and deeply believed that if she could meet with her face to face…that she could somehow close the gap between them and somehow regain the trust of one of the most important people in her life…her little sister.
Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Paige caught her lower lip beneath her teeth, a nervous habit from her childhood that had persevered despite all the etiquette training the Republic and Kuati Academies had put her through. Truthfully…she was terrified. Yet she had another ten hours to endure before she would be able to face her past.
Reaching out, Paige snatched the photograph from its resting place and slipped it back into the breast pocket of her jacket. Then, closing her eyes, she subjected herself once again to the futile attempt of gaining some sleep.
* * * * * *
Kami walked easily upon the man drag of Baron's Hed, her fiery gaze focused upon the slight rise visible in the far east. It was within the jagged ravines and dry plains that the farmhouse where her family had lived for a brief time lay, a good three hours or so by speeder, a good half a day by foot.
She had briefly considered buying a speeder to carry her to her old home, but had immediately discarded the idea. It seemed that Angus made sure every local merchant was aware of what she was capable of. Already, she had been recognized. Despite its vast fields and mountains Sulon was a relatively small planet which housed an even smaller population. Word traveled fast, and faces were hardly ever forgotten. Especially a man as important as Axis Sharpe had been. He was after all, according to the conspiracy theories of the time, a man on run from the law for the murder of his past seven wives. The man’s continual drunkenness, and the beatings he bestowed upon his wife and daughter at the time had simply acted to reinforce this rumor. After his violent death during a fight with a group of grave tuskans five times his size, he had become a household name. And Kami looked far too much like her father for the old timers not to notice.
So she was walking to the farm, carrying a small, unmarked duffel bag in which lay the components of her lightsaber. Ever the fan of art, Kami had overseen the painstaking process of a local jeweler as he spent hours upon end crafting an elaborate design within the silver sheen of what would become her lightsaber’s hilt. It was almost identical to the design which resided upon the blade of the two Kuati daggers strapped to her thighs, consisting of a remarkable series of interconnected swirls. A distinctive reflection of her Kuati heritage, and a reminder of the challenges that she had so far overcome.
Stirring from her thoughts, Kami raised a hand to cast her dark hood about the contours of her face. The wind was slowly picking up, carrying with it the hint of an impending storm. Where most Sulon residents would have immediately turned about to seek shelter at the omen, Kami continued resolutely forwards towards the swirling clouds in the distance. She had nothing to fear from the storm, as after all, she had the Force.
* * * * * *