There wasn’t really any preparation for the upcoming meeting.
While Hadiya was tearing around the fortress, dealing with her affairs and intrigues, I walked around like a scarecrow, checking the staff’s loyalty.
And thank the Force I did!
“Are you out of your minds?!” My roar was probably heard on the street.
“M-Master… f-forgive me…” one of the technicians rasped, dangling in a Force hold, while his two buddies already lay on the floor with their necks snapped.
“Of all the stupid ideas, sneaking cables into the bathroom!
You bastards were running wires, ‘repairing’ the lights…” I growled at the failed assassins.
The audacity!
They couldn’t poison Hadiya.
They couldn’t shoot her.
The Security Bureau — who were as sharp as a razor and personally selected by her — found explosives faster than they could be planted.
So no, these bastards got clever and decided to run cables to the bathroom… Well, Hadiya had a small pool, but that wasn’t the point.
Then they planned to add ordinary salt to the water supply system — the city water system!
And that’s it!
Nobody would feel bad from slightly salty water for a day, especially with a desalinator nearby that supplied the water.
So the equipment broke down — so what?
A fool died — who’s to blame that the electricians were incompetent?
No, sometimes human ingenuity is just staggering.
And I didn’t even suspect a thing at first!
Work was still going on in some parts of the fortress, so I didn’t think twice about it.
Good thing my paranoia made me grab almost every other person and ask a few questions.
I must be catching it from Hadiya… No, she did bite me a little, and scratched me too, but this was different.
Yeah.
“Where did the order come from?!” I pulled him closer and released the pressure on his throat.
“I, khak-khak, don’t know, khak-khak-khak.
We were just ordered to…” “WHO?” “The shift supervisor.
We were given a choice — money or kh-h-h… p-please, Master, don’t kill me…” I dropped the man to the floor with a wave of my hand and turned to the frowning security officers.
“Interrogate this one.
Get rid of the trash.
Check the fortress — and the personnel.
Who, where, when, and what they did, especially in the last few days.” “Yes, Master.” “Move!” Watching the security forces scramble, I took a deep breath.
Calm.
Only calm.
The Force is with me.
I am one with the Force… Something about Shikaakwa was getting to me — I was getting nervous and a little bloodthirsty.
After leaving the bathroom, I moved on.
Who knows what else I might find.
Sure, I turned a blind eye to minor violations and small screw-ups, even though people feared me almost as much as Hadiya.
On the other hand, I’d earned a bit of respect.
There was this one time when Hadiya was chewing out one of her advisors for a mistake, and the guy already understood everything from just her expression.
He was a relatively normal guy by local standards, and still she was laying into him.
So I distracted Hadiya, nodding toward the door so the poor bastard could get out.
And afterward, I didn’t go overboard either.
I’d throw a scare into them now and then so they wouldn’t slack off, even the ones I wanted to kill.
But this still wasn’t my swamp.
I was just a tourist here…
or at least, I had been.
Aside from the incident with the electricians, nothing else really happened, though I did root out a couple more moles.
But those were just watching, so I mercifully handed them over to higher authority instead of tearing them apart on the spot.
But then a conflict arose between Hadiya and me.
There I was, sitting in a chair, munching on “Sweet Delight,” melancholically watching Hadiya pace from one corner to another.
I noted to myself that Hadiya looked very strange for a queen.
Even a future one.
Instead of a dress — pants, the kind usually worn by local special forces, and a jacket sewn with metal plates, pauldrons, and vambraces.
Instead of pretty little shoes — boots with a small heel, and her hands were covered by gloves that disappeared under the armor.
“Hadiya, why are you pacing?” “Do I look good?” She turned and struck a pose, putting on her most menacing expression.
“Hell yeah.
The most fearsome little battle hamster I’ve ever seen.” “Shade!
Call your own Cathar ‘hamsters’!
I’m a Queen!
Future one.
And I need to look the part.” She spun around and glanced in the mirror.
“Seems like we have different ideas about queens…” I rested my chin on my fist, watching this wonder with a touch of affection.
Worlds change, races and peoples change, but a woman always remains a woman.
“Oh, really?” “Dresses, high heels, a crown…” I started, but Hadiya just waved it off.
“Ugh, what nonsense?!
Where have you seen that?
In fairy tales?
Pfft!
A true queen must be formidable and irresistible!” “You can be formidable in a dress too.
It all depends on charisma.” “You think I don’t have enough charisma?” She spun around sharply, hands on her hips, making an even fiercer face than before.
“No, I just wanted to see you in a dress.
Black.
Elegant.
Mmmm…” I drifted off into a daydream.
“Dress, dress,” she mimicked me, securing a kam and the blaster over it.
“They’re uncomfortable.
Hm…
I think that’s everything.
Now.
Well?
How do I look?
Be serious.” She showed herself off again.
“You look very good,” I sighed.
“All you need to complete the look is a spear — and you’ll be absolutely stunning.
Like a valkyrie.” “Hm…
I’ll think about it,” she said, thoughtfully biting her thumbnail.
“No, well, in principle…
It would have to be right, though.” “Hadiya, I seriously don’t get it.
The meeting is still four days away.
Why are you stressing about it now?
Besides, you’re not queen yet.” “Not now.
But I will be!
And in four days, it’ll be the first step.
I have to look the part.
And so do you!” She pointed a finger at me, her nails neatly and shortly manicured.
“What about me?” I actually woke up at the arrows suddenly turning my way.
“We need to find you a more respectable outfit.” “Hey!” Genuine indignation flared in my chest.
“Shade, being dangerous is good.
But if you look dangerous too — then it’s absolutely perfect!” “I’ll ask you not to criticize my style.” “Shorts and a sleeveless vest on a bare chest, no shoes — that’s a style?” She tilted her head.
“Exactly!” “Do you want me to tell you what you look like?” “Not really.
And besides, who cares what people think about me?” “Exactly.
Who cares what other people think.
But I’m not ‘other people’!
Doesn’t my opinion matter to you?” Hadiya even waved a knife, reflexively pulling it from its sheath.
“It does.
Sometimes.” “Shade,” she loomed over me like a Fury and gently, just a little, pressed the tip of the knife against my nose.
“You should polish that thing, you know,” I sighed.
“Oh, Shade, come on, please, how will it look when there’s someone…
like this standing next to me?!” She pointed at me with both hands.
“Just say I’m embarrassing you.” “No!
Well…
I mean, yes.
But not that much.
But…
I’d like it to be impressive.
Damn…” She trailed off completely.
“What’s so hard about getting dressed up?” Oh, that indignant-asking-shy expression.
I look at it and just melt…
“No, just look at him, he’s actually getting all sentimental!” “She’s adorable.
She even stamped her foot.” “Uh-huh.” “What do I have to do to make you agree?” “Nothing.
Just being difficult.” “Oh, you…” This wonder turned crimson and jabbed me with the knife again.
Then again.
And again.
“How dare you mock a poor, weak, fragile, sweet girl?!” “Are you calling yourself ‘poor’ and ‘weak’?” I pushed the knife aside with the Force and looked at Hadiya’s face skeptically.
“Yes!” “Mmmm,” I glanced at the knife in her hand.
“Okay.” “What-what?” “I said I agree.
Actually, since we’re on the subject, I’ve been thinking about something.” “?” “How do you feel about Shade Aero having a falling out with you and going home, while you’re left with a vague, shady bodyguard in a sealed mask who doesn’t talk to anyone and is always on watch.
Like, you got rid of Shade and put a replacement in his place.
Hm?” “Why?” “It’ll make my job easier.
The enemy won’t expect that you’re guarded by the son of a professional killer.
Besides, I can conceal myself in the Force and pass for a soldier.
An experienced, hardened, but simple mortal soldier.” “Hm…
Interesting idea.” Hadiya thoughtfully tapped her lips with the flat of the blade.
“Very interesting.
But I’m designing the costume!” “Uh, no-o-o, together!” “No.
I’m designing it.
Remember you mentioned wanting to get armor made at Vur Tepe?” “Yeah?” “I looked over your blueprints and already made the base.
It needs to be fitted, painted, hemmed…
Anyway, it can easily be done in a day or two.” “Uh…” “I wanted to make you a gift, to mark the end of your pilgrimage…” “Thank you…
Really, thank you.
I didn’t expect it.” “But I didn’t touch the swords.
You people make weapons somehow…
specially.” “And not just swords, actually.
Je’daii don’t make their weapons and armor for nothing, you know.
In the process, they pour a lot of the Force into the item, enhancing its properties.
And if you add processed kyber crystal dust to the alloy, the armor becomes an amplifier too.” “I didn’t know…” Hadiya’s shoulders drooped as she realized her creation would still never be as cool as a Tythonian’s armor.
“It’s okay.
Make it anyway, just keep the shapes.
When I get to Vur Tepe, I’ll reforge it.” “What about now?” “Now I don’t know the technology!
I haven’t been to the forge-temple yet.” “Ah-h.
Well, okay.
I’ll run then.” “Wait.
Where are the workshops, at least?” “Right here.
And yes.
From now on — not a step out of the room without the costume.
I’ll take care of everything.” Yeah…
Hadiya took care of it.
The very next day, the whole fortress was buzzing like an anthill with the news — the Lady had quarreled with her husband, who threw a fit and took off right during such important days.
What a nasty piece of work, oh dear…
Of course, when someone blurted out, “good riddance,” Hadiya quickly shut the mouths of the too-talkative.
Yep.
But the next day, they brought into the room…
Well…
Let’s just say, a costume.
“Hadiya…
Why black?!
Do I look like a goth to you?
They’ll kick me out of the temple just for looking like this!” I protested, looking at myself in the mirror.
The set wasn’t complete; something was hanging loose, some fasteners were missing, some clasps, but the overall style of a samurai-like warrior was preserved, which I had to admit I liked.
But the colors!!!
And the mask…
Or is it a half-mask?
Damn…
I don’t even know what it’s called.
This thing goes completely over the head, but!
The actual mask attaches to the front with a T-shaped visor and predatory patterns on the cheeks and forehead, but behind the ears it becomes a perfectly ordinary back-of-the-head piece from some space marine’s helmet.
Instead of pure metal — metal-plastic, the same stuff used in the armor to reduce weight.
A very, very expensive thing.
“And what’s wrong with it?
You look impressive!” the brat disagreed, inspecting me from all sides.
“Add some color, at least.
Green, damn it!” “Hm…” She looked in the mirror.
“Mmm, okay, take it off.” “Your look is making me nervous…” Hadiya just smiled and shrugged at my comment.
Expecting another trick, I waited for the next day.
And not in vain.
“Hadiya…” I sighed, seeing the finished set.
“And what’s wrong this time?
I did add color!” “Yeah.
Red.” I looked sideways at her, noticing that some of the red symbols matched her lekku pigments.
“Right, I see why you were looking in the mirror.” “Try it on!” “I’m trying, I’m trying.” On my feet were modified boots, very similar to the ones my mother gave me.
Pants tucked into them.
On my chest, a thin long-sleeved shirt made of synthetic, cut-resistant fiber.
Over it, a sleeveless cloak going from the neck to the calves, with plates sewn inside at chest level.
The fabric itself wasn’t simple either; I don’t know what was woven into it, but it felt like it weighed as much as all the built-in plates.
But with a wide slit from the waist, it didn’t restrict movement, while still covering the legs.
The final touch was another cloak, but this one was original, with a hood, attached to the collar of the first one, acting as a sort of addition.
My hands were protected by long gloves with wraps for extra reinforcement.
And finally, the mask itself.
Red mirrored glass.
Putting everything on except the mask, I walked around the room.
Loosened something, tied something tighter.
When it felt comfortable to move, I put on the mask.
Hm…
The field of view was slightly narrowed, but still wide enough.
Besides, I needed to track targets more with the Force than with my eyes, so it was fine.
Securing the blaster on my thigh, I hung the swords on my belt and looked at myself in the mirror.
Ye-e-ah…
Sith version 1.0.
“Hadiya, don’t you think this is overkill?” I turned to the Twi’lek.
“Hadiya?” She stood there, staring, no reaction.
“Hadiya!” “Ah!
Yes, yes?” “No one will even listen to me in this.
They’ll send me straight to Bogan.” “Oh, come on!
On the contrary, you look really cool!
And your voice gets distorted under the mask.
Just transfer your face pigments onto the mask, and it’ll be absolutely perfect.
And besides, why would they send you?
You can wear whatever you want.
What difference does the color of your costume make?” “Our descendants would disagree with you,” I smirked to myself.
“Shade, do you really not like it?” “What?
No, I like it.
I really do look impressive.
But!” I turned around, and even sort of lost my train of thought.
A new idea overshadowed everything old and made the mechanism in my head turn with renewed force.
I turned back to the mirror, looking at the reflection.
Then at my hands.
Then back at the reflection.
“But what?” Hadiya urged me.
“Well, why not try it?
It’ll be a great joke,” I chuckled, while a mischievous little devil snickered inside me.
“I don’t understand you…” “Don’t mind me, just talking to myself.” “Um…” Pulling the mask off my head, I walked over to Hadiya.
“Thank you, Solnyshko.
Really.
I’d never have thought of something so audacious!” “Um…
You’re welcome?” I pecked Hadiya on the cheek, put the mask back on, and started a set of physical exercises.
“What are you doing?” “Seeing how the costume behaves under stress.” “It’s fine, I made sure to tell the master about that first.
The inner layer is made of a special synthetic fiber.
Moisture passes through one way, but it still ventilates.
Yeah, the quality isn’t like on Tython, but it incorporates a lot of technical solutions, including comfort features.
Also, because of the multiple layers, the fabric holds a steady temperature pretty well, whether it’s hot or cold outside.
The glass in the mask isn’t just reflective; it’s double-layered, so it won’t fog up.
I was also thinking about somehow installing an air filter — as practice has shown, it’s pretty easy to poison you people.
It’s complicated, but the master promised to think about it.” “Well, first of all, poisoning a real Je’daii, if he’s not an idiot, isn’t that easy.
Creating an air barrier is very simple, even for a student; not everyone just remembers it in a panic.” “And second?” “And second — get over here, I’m going to smother you with hugs!” I pulled the girl toward me with the Force and wrapped my arms around her.
“I told you so,” she squinted, wriggling free.
“Who was right?” “You were.” “Say that again?” “You were right.” “And where’s my reward?” She looked coquettishly into the visor.
“Mmmm…” I pulled a chocolate bar toward us.
“Here?” Thump!
— her little fist met the mask.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha, hey, don’t pout, Solnyshko, I was just joking…” “The only thing that makes me happy is that now I can punch you in the face,” she hissed indignantly, hitting the mask again, trying to twist out of my grip.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha…” That day, Shade Aero really did fly away, and in his place appeared an old friend of the clan who had simply answered a call for protection.
For show, they secretly snuck me out of the fortress at night, and in the morning, in front of everyone, they brought me back with the same group.
The only thing I regretted was that now I had to follow Hadiya everywhere like a shadow and play the part.
Luckily, I only had to suffer through that nonsense for one day; the next was the scheduled X-hour.
Boarding the shuttle, we flew off to the meeting.
Two more shuttles with fighters followed, plus a small flight group on the wing.
Another two flights flew along the route with the task of finding any surprises, if there were any.
I wasn’t slacking off either.
As soon as I sat down next to Hadiya and buckled up, I leaned back, closed my eyes, and entered meditation, opening my Force sight.
The guards sitting nearby kept glancing at me, some with smirks, some just with interest.
Those flying with us were in on the farce.
During the flight, I couldn’t even tell who reacted first, me or the system, but we detected two missiles launched simultaneously.
The pilots hit the alarm, Hadiya reflexively grabbed my hand, and I…
I just simply and easily caught both projectiles with the Force and guided them away.
The ship shuddered from the explosions, the fighters immediately turned toward the target, and the transports sharply veered off.
“Shade?” “It’s okay, Sun.
Just two missiles; I deflected them.
We’re fine.” At my words, not only Hadiya but everyone in the shuttle let out a breath.
I closed my eyes again, waiting for another trick, but none came.
The fighters strafed the launch sites, leveling everything there to the ground, and returned to their positions.
Oh, by the way, funny fact — when the missiles came in, one of the ships managed to react and moved to intercept, but since the projectile was already gone, the ship survived.
“Hadi.” “Yes, Shade?” “Fifth fighter, pilot Enil Fol’Dark.
Make a note of him; when we get back, be sure to reward him.” Hadiya nodded, and her assistant immediately scribbled a new note on his datapad.
The rest of the journey passed peacefully, and we landed without any problems on the territory of Clan Ro.
Unlike Hadiya’s palace, which she had built atop the clan fortress, they had taken a different approach.
Clan Ro had created a whole small town on their territory, and instead of one huge structure, they had many smaller ones.
A barracks here, a clan medical center there, the clan leader’s home somewhere else, servants’ quarters over there.
“My Lady, they’re meeting us,” an advisor said with a note of worry in his voice, handing Hadiya a datapad with views from the shuttle’s cameras.
Curious, I opened my eyes and looked at the screen too.
“I see the clan leader, his advisor, bodyguards, and the welcoming soldiers,” Hadiya commented for me, pointing a nail at the people in the image one by one.
“Everything seems fine; the bodyguards are the ones I know, no new faces.” The ship shuddered slightly, signaling landing.
“Got it.
Well, go to work, Sun.
Don’t be afraid; I’ll be right here.” I unbuckled, flicked her nose, and was the first to approach the opening ramp.
So, what do we have here?
Twenty soldiers, one “prince,” his advisor, four bodyguards, and not a single Force-sensitive.
That’s already more reassuring.
Walking down the ramp, I stepped to the side, and Hadiya took her place next to me.
“Welcome, Lady Hadiya Kran.
I, Volnos Ro, welcome you to the territory of Clan Ro,” the current clan leader bowed.
He was actually about a year younger than Hadiya, if not more.
“Hello, Volnos.
Please accept my condolences that our meeting is taking place under these circumstances, but only this way can we peacefully resolve our differences.” “Yes…
You are right, Hadiya,” Volnos nodded, but his hands clenched into fists.
“And your companion, he…” The young heir glanced at me, feigning friendly interest.
If only he weren’t so emotionally loud, it would have been perfect.
“Dalahan Xen.
An old friend of my father’s.
Since my husband left on equally urgent business, Dalahan has taken his place.” “I see…
A great pity; I was hoping to speak with him,” Volnos put on a pained expression.
Mmm…
No, kid, you’re not there yet; you’re no actor.
“Volnos, perhaps you’ll invite us in?” Hadiya changed the subject.
I just tried to keep my composure.
Politics…
I hate politics.
All this bile, these smiles, while they’re sharpening knives behind your back.
On no planet in the system had I become as bloodthirsty as I was here.
I’d rather take a walk on Nox without a suit — it’d be more pleasant than diplomatic meetings on Shikaakwa.
“Of course, please follow me,” Volnos nodded, throwing an interested glance my way.
What set Hadiya apart from all these snakes was her kindness.
Seriously.
Even on the first day we met, she didn’t try to use me.
She got scared of me and pretended to be weak, but then she asked for help.
With no ulterior motive.
And she’s always been the same since.
First, she’ll approach and politely, humanely, and most importantly — openly — ask for something or make an offer, and only after she’s been refused does she pull out the knife and repeat a slightly modified proposal.
That’s Shikaakwa.
Mercy and kindness are seen as weakness here, and even when someone offers you a clean contract with no hidden clauses, you still won’t trust it.
But Hadiya offers it.
Once.
The first time.
She gives everyone a chance, and just try spitting in that outstretched hand.
That’s how she bought the loyalty of some of her security commanders, who chose to trust their Lady, and of pilots like Enil, who threw himself toward the missile.
Following Volnos and Hadiya closely, surrounded by a combined guard, I watched them and compared.
I wonder…
What would have happened if I had followed the order?
What if I hadn’t looked into it, just taken Hadiya back and handed her over?
What then?
I can’t even imagine.
With her charisma and talent, she could have gotten out of that, too.
Poison the “husband,” arrange an accident for the clan leader, take first place, and then there are options.
Or maybe not, and everything would have gone as the Shi Clan planned.
And then all this would have continued stewing in its own juices until the next arrival.
Lost in thought, I stayed that way all the way to the clan house.
It looked like a relatively small two-story villa with an annex at the entrance.
Inside, a passageway with guards, and beyond it, a hall with two crescent-shaped staircases leading to the second floor.
A large chandelier above, a large room to the left — a hall — and what seemed to be a kitchen to the right.
Turning left, we entered a spacious hall with sofas arranged in a semicircle and a tea table made of real wood in the center.
Hm…
Unusual.
I’d almost forgotten wooden furniture existed; usually cheap polymers are used.
Paintings hung on the walls, whole flower bushes were placed in the corners, and there were several cabinets — surprisingly, also made of wood.
“Would you like something to drink?” “No, thank you.” “As you wish.
The Je’daii will be a little delayed, so I suggest we occupy ourselves with something to pass the time.” Je’daii?
Though…
This kind of meeting.
They might have sent representatives to verify the legitimacy of the proceedings.
If so, my mask would come in perfectly handy now.
I walked around the room and stationed myself by a wall.
One of the security officers took a position in the opposite corner.
Standing in different corners were also Volnos’s own guards.
The rest were waiting outside.
Melancholically following the conversation, I scanned the room with my Force sight, just out of boredom.
In the meantime, Volnos noticed Hadiya glancing at me periodically, so he figured out that I wasn’t just a common soldier but had, at the very least, her trust.
Because of this, he tried to talk to me a couple of times, but Hadiya intercepted each time, explaining that I didn’t speak.
And rightly so — if I opened my mouth, I’d say so much, oh boy!
But when a wave of incredible disgust came from Volnos in response to one of Hadiya’s replies, I returned from my thoughts to the real world and even looked at the man in surprise.
Apparently, he was complimenting my sun, but his emotions…
Ugh, shame on him.
Ugh-ugh-ugh.
Hadiya, as if by instinct, sensed my indignation and raised an eyebrow, looking into my visor.
“Do you really need him?” my body language said.
“Yes.” “And does he have to be in one piece?” I repeated the question hopefully.
“Absolutely,” Hadiya didn’t waver, crushing my hopes for justice over her knee.
Eh…
This brief exchange didn’t escape Volnos, nor did my animosity.
Apparently deciding I was just jealous of him for the girl, he quickly dropped the subject.
About ten minutes later, the Je’daii finally showed up.
I’d sensed them when they were still approaching; it would have been impossible not to feel the only Force-sensitives in the whole area.
Or they’d have to hide like me.
The door swung open, and Volnos’s advisor entered.
“Lord Volnos.
The Je’daii have arrived to witness the treaty.” “Finally!
Where have they been…
Show them in immediately; they’re already late!” “Right away.” But the closer the strangers got, the less I liked them.
The Force flowing through them carried dark tones, meaning both Je’daii had been out of balance for a considerable time.
Frowning, I prepared for a fight just in case, placing my hand on one of the sword hilts and starting to gather a Force Burst in the other.
Just in case.
Again, Hadiya sensed my wariness instinctively, turned, assessed my stance, and began preparing for trouble as well.
Then the aforementioned Je’daii appeared in the room.
They looked like a master and an apprentice.
Swords on their belts, blasters on their hips, both wearing cloaks over fairly standard Tythonian armor.
“Sorry for the delay,” the Sith, who was also the senior of the pair, began genially.
“Well, since everyone’s here, I’ll arrange for refreshments,” Volnos stood up and walked toward the exit.
“You are Hadiya, correct?” the pair approached us.
“Yes, and you are…” Before Hadiya could finish, the master started drawing his sword, and his apprentice began summoning Force lightning.
Neither one had time to react before both were blasted out the window, and I was already standing with my hand outstretched, from which the Force Burst had just erupted.
“Tiberius, take care of the Lady.
I’ll deal with the exiles.” I drew my swords and walked past Hadiya.
Volnos’s guards who had been here were already lying on the floor with broken necks, along with those who had been outside the door.
Climbing out through the window, I saw the scene.
Both my people and the enemies were staring at the stunned Je’daii, who had completely not expected such a trick.
“And who are you?!” the Sith shouted.
Instead of answering, I sent out two doppelgangers and, switching my grip on the swords, charged at the Sith as the more dangerous opponent.
He tried to push me back, but Force Amplification and a Force Barrier nullified the push.
His apprentice, however, was smarter, using Force lightning immediately.
The doppelgangers dissipated instantly, while I threw my left sword at the target, then opened my palm and shielded myself with the tutaminis technique.
The lightning struck the defense and dissipated, while the apprentice fell onto his back with a sword through his heart.
Using my Force sight, I noticed movement behind me and dangerous shooting near Hadiya.
Catching a laser bolt with the flat of the right-hand sword and deflecting a stream of bullets with the Force, I snapped the necks of the shooters and sent a doppelganger toward Hadiya to draw the attention of the enemy fighters.
Simultaneously, on pure instinct and reflexes, I absorbed another lightning bolt from the Sith with tutaminis and sent a Force Burst back, once again distracted by Hadiya.
The doppelganger did an excellent job; it was more frightening than the soldiers, and the guys didn’t let me down, breaking out of the house and pulling Hadiya away.
Parrying the Sith’s sword with a hard block, I diverted his weapon and kicked the bastard in the chest.
Even though keeping track of the situation was relatively easy — thank you, years of practice — decision-making and execution took time.
And that time was enough for the Sith to assess me and break an ampule with an alchemical enhancer somewhere inside himself.
The Force itself rippled; his yellow eyes filled with blood, and a colossal Force pressure descended directly onto my shoulders.
The earth trembled, cracked, it felt like I was standing under a press; I couldn’t even move…
Strangely enough, a Mind Trick helped me here.
The moment the enemy was distracted by a vision only he could see, I broke free.
The sword returned to my left hand, and both blades crashed against his raised guard.
Continuing the technique, I sent Force Lightning through my weapons; it jumped to the exile’s sword and, consequently, reached him.
Learn physics, kids!
Insulate your swords.
As he cried out in pain, I tried to cut off his head, but even so, the exile somehow dodged, taking it on his shoulder.
Evading, the Sith spun and managed to gather a Force Burst, hitting me with it almost point-blank.
Catching the swords in a reverse grip and crossing my arms in front of me, I focus a Force Barrier.
Unfortunately, in raw strength, I’m no match for him.
The barrier absorbed part of the blow, but even so, it sent me flying back.
Damn!
Hadiya.
Several fighters from the Ryo Clan had moved behind her.
Catching several grenades on their belts with the Force, I pull the pins and, just before the fighters could fire, drop both Hadi and her guards to the ground.
At the same time, switching my grip on the weapons, I lunge forward again.
The pressure slams back down on my shoulders, driving my feet into the earth and not even letting me move.
A series of explosions thud somewhere to my right, but there’s no time for that.
Accelerating the Force within myself, I locally unleash a Force Storm.
The thundercloud, like a sponge absorbing water, drinks in the ambient Force, giving me the ability to move, but it begins to grow and strike with lightning more and more often.
Closing in on the stunned exile, I pull him toward me, throwing him off balance, and hurl a sword to meet him.
Balance, the bastard, kept his balance, knocked the sword aside, but when a fireball tore loose from my right hand at point-blank range — that was a surprise.
And to make sure, I raise my right hand to the sky and, sharply yanking it down, send a lightning bolt through the Force Storm, scorching the Sith’s skin black.
Done.
Now — he’s definitely finished!
Slowly toppling backward, the Sith crashed to the ground.
Glancing briefly at Hadiya, I make sure everything’s fine there, and walk over to the Sith’s head.
To my surprise, despite everything, the enemy was still breathing.
The Force sustained life in him; his body, oversaturated with dark energy, refused to die.
A moment’s hesitation proved critical.
Instead of a massive blow, the bastard struck precisely, trying to crush my chest.
“Kh-heh-ha…” the pressure was so intense that I physically couldn’t inhale, and the taste of blood appeared in my mouth.
Dropping to one knee, I drive one sword into the Sith’s chest and bring the second down on his head.
Only then does it release me, and I manage the long-awaited breath… “Finally!” With relief, I try to catch my breath, but no such luck.
Lifting my mask, I cough up blood.
Focusing, I check my condition… Yeah.
Two broken ribs and lung damage.
Suppressing the sensitivity, I put the bones back in place and fix them with the Force.
Then I apply a healing technique, speeding up recovery.
It won’t heal fast, but at least it won’t bother me.
Good thing Je’daii are so resilient…
Standing up, I stow my swords and calmly dispel the mess I’d created.
From the outside, it looked like I just waved my hand — and the huge, unnaturally low-flying, crackling cloud that had been indiscriminately striking everything with lightning began to sloooowly dissipate, rising higher and higher into the sky.
Along with the end of our battle, the rifles fell silent.
Both my people and the others stared in my direction, holding their breath — the former in awe, the latter in terror.
In the silence, the loud clack of a woman’s heels on the stone path rang out.
“I’ll say this once!” Hadiya’s fearsome voice boomed across the square, and an imperious, elegant female figure stopped beside me.
“Drop your weapons!” No volunteers to test their fate came forward.
Without even trying to hide the fear they felt for me, they began laying down their arms.
“Volnos Ryo!
Find him and bring him to me!” she barked at Tiberius and his men.
“Yes, Mistress.
On the double!” The guys dashed into the house, grabbing a few more fighters.
“You!
Gather up the weapons.” “Yes, Mistress.” “Round these up.
Handle them carefully until the first argument.” “Yes, Mistress.” I didn’t interfere.
I just stood and watched, experiencing less-than-pleasant sensations.
Hadiya was barking out commands, prodding her subordinates, and generally running the show.
“How are you?” the Twi’lek asked quietly, once the orders were given.
“Fine.
But I’ll need a couple of days to rest up.” “Are you sure?” I turn to the worried Hadiya.
“Your chest plates are dented.” “I’m sure, Hadi.
Don’t worry.
Do what you need to do, and let’s get out of here.” The girl nodded and slipped back into her role.
When the Twi’lek — Volnos Ryo, head of the Ryo Clan — was dragged out by the scruff of his neck, the atmosphere shifted again.
Standing over the kneeling Volnos, Hadiya seethed.
What infuriated her was the very fact that she had offered their clan genuinely favorable contract terms three times — even in my eyes, one for each clan head — and each time they had spat in her face.
And then there was the attack… Plus, my battered appearance wasn’t bringing her any joy.
“This is an open attack on a clan, Hadiya,” the prisoner said in a faltering voice, struggling to stay calm.
“They won’t forgive you.” “This is a negotiation, Volnos.
You’re the one who attacked!” “But your fighters killed two Je’daii, and your fighters destroyed my home.
I’ll note that there are far more of them here than is acceptable ‘for a negotiation,'” Volnos remarked sarcastically, smiling.
“Well, first of all, they weren’t Je’daii,” I grin, lowering my hood and taking off my mask.
Hadiya flinched slightly as I wipe blood from my lips with my sleeve.
“The Je’daii — meaning me — fully support Hadiya,” — Volnos grew paler and paler as I spoke.
“Secondly, there have already been attempts on Hadiya’s life, and such security measures are more than justified.
And thirdly, you got involved with hired killers that the Order is hunting.
That alone puts a big stain on you, and as for the fact that you sicced them on Hadiya, openly at that — ooh-ooh-ooh.” “You can’t prove it!” “I don’t need to prove anything,” Hadiya snarled.
“Things are going to change soon.
The clans will either swear fealty to me, or they will fall.
Kneel, Volnos!” “Never…” A shot rang out, and the body with a bullet through its head crumpled to the ground.
“Then we’ll do it differently,” she said, holstering her pistol and pulling out a communicator.
She contacted someone.
“Begin the operation.” “Yes, Mistress.” Filing that away, I silently continued watching events unfold.
“Mistress, what should we do with the prisoners?” Glancing at the gathered fighters and personnel of the Ryo Clan, huddled together, Hadiya stepped forward.
“The Ryo Clan has fallen!
But worthy fighters are always needed.
You have a choice — leave, or bow before me!” The crowd hesitated, murmuring quietly, glancing at their fallen clan head.
A few separated from the group and cautiously made their way to the exit, but no one touched them.
A few more xenos followed.
Others began to bow.
In the end, the majority of the people bowed, accepting Hadiya as their Mistress.
After giving additional orders for looting and entrusting control to an advisor, the two of us returned to the shuttle, where Hadiya sank into her seat with relief.
“Plan B?” I ask immediately, sitting down next to her.
“Is it what I’m thinking?” I snap my fingers demonstratively, recalling our conversation.
“Yes.
Tomorrow, the news will be screaming about Volnos Ryo’s flagrant violation of the unwritten rules, for which he paid with his life.
I’m going to tear his clan apart.” “How?” “Persuasion, blackmail, bribery, corporate raiding… Where necessary, terror.
All means will be employed.
By tomorrow, the Ryo Clan will cease to exist.” “Not worried the others will turn against you for that?” “And who said I’m taking everything for myself?
About half, I’ll redistribute among the clans as a token of ‘friendship,'” she smirked.
“I’ve already shown that it’s better to be friends with me, and after this, they’ll think three times before crossing me.
Especially since they have a clear example of those who voluntarily came under me and started living even better.” “Who’s that?” “Several companies on the verge of bankruptcy left their old protectors and asked to come under mine.
I accepted, sponsored them, shielded them from competitors.
Now I’m getting a pretty decent income from them.
Everyone’s happy.” “Everyone except the competitors,” I chuckle.
“Then they shouldn’t stand in my way.” I didn’t reply.
I turned and looked at the front of the mask, staring at my reflection in the visor.
“Still, it really suits you,” Hadiya smiled.
“Just add some paint to the helmet, like your pigments, and it’ll be perfect.” “Later.
Maybe.
When I rework it.” Waiting until the fighters finished sweeping the clan house and boarded, we headed home.
The next day, just as Hadiya had promised, the news was exploding, each outlet shouting over the others about the latest events.
At the emergency, urgent convening of the Clan Council, she politely, with evidence, presented the real version of events to the rest and made several offers “as a token of friendship” that they absolutely could not refuse.
Surveying the council members with a glance, I smirked to myself.
Out of nine, only six were left in the game, including Hadiya.
The Shi Clan was out.
The Ryo Clan was out.
Another clan had essentially been carved up by the others and no longer carried any weight.
Six remained, one of whom was closely cooperating with Hadiya.
You could say they’d divided the market among themselves to keep their interests from overlapping.
Two council members were in disarray, and two would have gladly heard the news of Hadiya’s death rather than Volnos’s.
Unfortunately, the negotiations dragged on for several days, during which I recovered.
When the commotion died down and the wealth at the top was divided up, I could finally see one very, very happy Twi’lek.
“Well, there!
One’s been fed, two are confused, and two more have their hands tied.
Everything is going according to plan.” “Hadiya…” “Yes, dear?” “You’re a brilliant monster.” “Who’s a monster here?!” the Twi’lek frowned, planting her hands on her hips.
“Alright.
A brilliant little monster.
Is that better?” Wham!
— her little fist collided with my mask.
“I’ll just go and get offended.
And you know how I am when I’m offended!” “I do.
Sweet and funny,” my hands closed around her waist.
And then terror dawned on the girl’s face.
“No!” “Yes.” “No!!!” “Yes, yes.” “No, no, no!
Eeeee-ee-ee-ee!!!” Heh.
Tickling the planet’s despot and tyrant… What could be more pleasant?
It all helps promote the story.