Almost wrote Broysc as going completely insane, imagining he was back on the barge, grabbing Akuliina’s chest, and then Quinn punching him to death, but it didn’t really fit after what the game set up. : P
Chapter 12: Personal
She regarded the wall that was surely a door with slight irritation. If Vette had been there, she would have been able to figure out how to get past it right away. But she had Jaesa and Quinn with her. Quinn’s mission to contact Imperial High Command had been stalled when no one higher in rank than Commodore would speak with him, so there was nothing he could do about Moff Broysc at the moment. So she brought him to support her with his ranged capabilities.
They were almost to the true Voice of the Emperor, after a week of searching and pointless negotiation with the Voss. Normally she wouldn’t bother, but she’d been warned about causing a diplomatic incident on this planet… so she hadn’t hardly killed anyone. Anyone who mattered, anyway.
She could feel it, feel the darkness behind this door. Both a darkness she could recognize as Sith, and a strange, alien one she did not. But she couldn’t find the way in. Should she just cut through?
She looked at the Pendant of Bone speculatively. She’d been though an annoying murder mission just to acquire it. Surely it did something. She held it out towards the door and waited.
“Master,” Jaesa said, “there’s a little alcove there which might-”
“Ah, I see what you mean.” She set the little animal skull down in the alcove and waited again. She really was tempted to take a lightsaber to the door.
This time there was a change in the air, like a half-heard half-felt half-imagined rumble, and a deep voice spoke in an alien tongue as if out of the ground. She understood the import even if she didn’t understand the words. “Defiler. Trespasser. Sel-Makor warns. Retreat. Relent. Death awaits.”
She snorted. “If that’s true, bring it on.”
“It comes. Now!” The door opened, and a hundred beasts attacked, taking the form of creatures of Voss but created of the energy of the Dark Side. She dropped into a crouch. Best to catch them at the choke point of the door. Quinn was already firing, and his shots were efficient and effective. Jaesa howled a wild war cry and sprang forward, into the thick of them, yellow double-bladed lightsaber whirling. Smirking, Akuliina waded after her, slashing with both sabers.
The Force cried out to her, and a giant hound-like creature bounded onto her, knocking her down. Quinn yelled, but she’d already decapitated it. But she was still down… for the moment. She gripped the Force hard, rolling sideways and onto her feet, and the slavering jaws that sought to rend and tear her did not touch her.
And suddenly, they were gone. The strange darkness had run out of energy? She walked closer to the door at the far end of the room.
“No closer. Desist. Death embodied. Death itself.”
“You sound afraid, otherworldly voice,” she mocked it. “You already promised me death and I was disappointed.”
The next chamber was much larger, a great green vaulted place lit with eerie yellow lights. It was rather beautiful, though she preferred architecture whose grace belied its strength – like her. But the pressure of the Dark Side in this chamber… she could drink it in for days. On the far side of the room, a man in Voss robes awaited with his back towards her. She approached him cautiously; he turned and she knew him, though she’d never seen him before in her life.
“Wrath. Come to me.” She advanced towards the Voss man, stopping a respectful few paces away and kneeling as a knight to her lord. “I am your Emperor.” If she hadn’t believed based on the intense darkness concealed within that mild-looking body, the slight glow in his eyes would have left her with no doubt.
“Your Imperial Majesty.” She bowed her head, letting herself be vulnerable before him. Jaesa and Quinn followed suit.
“Rise, Wrath. Walk with me.” She did as she was bid, trotting alongside the tall Voss with the deep, commanding voice. “Darth Baras plays the old games. He manoeuvred me here, knowing this body could be bound to this place.”
“I will make Baras pay for every treachery,” she declared. She felt a flash of discomfort from Quinn and wondered at it briefly. But there were more important things here. It was incredible, awe-inspiring, to believe she was speaking with the Emperor himself, even by proxy. And this presence… this solemn dread, Baras would never be able to duplicate it. Baras was a fat old fool, his malice too evident, his cackling too theatrical. If she could free the Voice, Baras would be gone in a heartbeat.
“A worthy goal,” said the Emperor’s Voice, “but here and now, my exit is paramount. Baras planned my pilgrimage, offered me this body. He knew any Voss who entered this chamber could never leave. Sel-Makor’s dark secrets here are of import, but they will wait. I must be released. Another time I will return for what I require.”
She nodded. “Tell me what must be done.”
“I am released only when this body dies. An oversight I will not repeat. But for now, the entity Sel-Makor makes suicide impossible. I will lower my defenses and use my Wrath to kill this body.”
She bowed low again. “I am yours to command, your Majesty.”
He spread his arms, facing her, looking deceptively powerless. “Then strike me down.”
Before she could do so, alien darkness swirled around the Voice, taking advantage of the opening. “No! Forever bound!” The body, torn between two wills, screamed, and blinked away even as she realized what was happening. Such power… this being, infused with the might of two masters of the Dark, even had the power to teleport.
“Jaesa! With me! Quinn, keep those shadow beasts off our backs! Don’t let him teleport on top of you!”
Would she be able to defeat this? No, she had her apprentice beside her and her captain watching her back. She had her rage. And it wasn’t every day one got to challenge the Emperor and probably live for it. It wasn’t whether she was going to defeat this, but how.
The most difficult part of the fight turned out not to be the physical aspect, which annoyed her that it was not, but the fact that it was just difficult to cut through the waves of dark energy emanating from the body of the Voice. They were more powerful than her, older, more experienced – it was hard to beat an ageless spirit. But it didn’t have her vitality, her determination to get back up and keep going even when it flung her across the room into a statue.
Jaesa managed to flank it and distract it long enough for her to lunge through the interference and slash it through the chest. “No!” cried the spirit, long and despairing, trailing down to silence.
Though the slash had surely pierced his heart, the Voice remained upright, his dignified voice weakening. “The entity is vanquished. The life in this body is ebbing. You have done well, my Wrath. Once I am released, the Hand will know all that has transpired. They will continue to guide you in the effort to bring down the false Voice and dash his hopes for domination.”
“I am looking forward to destroying him. But you are my master in all things.”
“Voss holds no further interest for you. Return to your ship. This body is expiring.”
The glow in his eyes faded, and suddenly there was only a Voss man standing there, looking lost and shocked and frightened. He looked down at the slash across his chest and pitched forward at her feet to lie still.
They had returned to Vaiken Spacedock as Akuliina had promised, the request he’d submitted for an audience with High Command a week ago having finally come due – and that was expedient. But that was about the only thing that went well that day. Even having Akuliina’s elegantly-worded condemnation to present to them didn’t help. The Moffs and Grand Moffs had their own Sith patrons, and Akuliina was not yet well-known enough as the Emperor’s Wrath to shake their consolidated position.
Akuliina met him in the space station’s bar. “How have your efforts with Imperial High Command gone, Captain?”
He shook his head ruefully over his whiskey. “Not well, my lady. I’ve gone as high up the chain as I can. No one will confront Moff Broysc. He’s too powerful and entrenched.”
She rolled her eyes. “This is ridiculous.”
“He will serve until he’s killed or willingly steps down. And he will never willingly step down.” His eyes narrowed. “It seems clear. I must deal with Broysc myself. Once and for all.”
She smiled sinisterly. “Nice to know you’re ready to do what needs to be done. Let’s get to it, shall we?”
“I am ready, my lady.”
They arrived in the middle of a warzone. The Basilisk’s Fang was in pitched battle with rebels off of Trandosha. Quinn would have loved to settle the battle before docking with the Fang, but the Fury could only do so much on its own, even with him at the controls. Best to leave the battle to the much more heavily armed and armoured destroyer. “This is Imperial Starship Fury, under the command of Lord Akuliina Volkova, requesting permission to land.”
“Imperial Starship Fury, stand by while we ensure a safe entry lane in all this lightshow.” After a pause, the docking bay controller spoke again. “Fury, you are cleared to land. May I ask what brings you here?”
“That is my affair and mine alone,” Akuliina said sharply. “Ensure your master is ready for us.”
There was a pause. “Yes, my lord,” the controller said, slightly more subdued. “I’ll transmit the message to the bridge.”
They touched down, and Quinn stood. “It’s time, my lady.”
She smiled, reached up, and kissed him. “Time to put the fear of the Sith in this man.”
Together they walked the long corridors up to the bridge. She was wearing a new armour set she’d commissioned, a formal one of reds and purples and golds that made her look very regal. Coupled with her natural arrogance, he found it no surprise that every crew member who caught sight of them bowed low with awe in his eyes.
They arrived on the bridge unchallenged, though they’d picked up a significant trooper escort. To honour them, or to try to contain Akuliina? They were useless either way. Quinn marched up to the very front. “Captain Griswald.” He nodded to Rodjnik over at the comm console; Rodjnik nodded back.
“Captain Quinn. Good to see you again, lad. My lord.” He bowed to Akuliina.
“Where is the Moff?” Quinn asked. His target was conspicuously absent.
Griswald winced. “He’s… off on R and R. And frankly, we’re better off for it.”
Quinn scowled. “I’m sure. Tell me where he is and we’ll deal with him.”
Griswald glanced at Akuliina, who was looking about without trying to hide an ounce of disdain. “…As you say. He’s taken his private shuttle to Dame Leora’s, a pleasure barge currently operating in the next system. I’ll send you the coordinates.”
Did he go before or after this battle began? Quinn wanted to ask, but it didn’t matter. It was wrong either way. “Thank you.” After receiving the data, Quinn turned smartly on his heel and marched for the door.
“Congratulations on your promotion,” Akuliina called sardonically to Griswald, and followed with a swirl of her cloak.
Quinn was grinding his teeth in frustration by the time they arrived back at the Fury, almost marching too fast for Akuliina’s shorter stride. He really was losing control. But this was the last straw. “Despicable.” It was true that Griswald was better off without Broysc breathing down his neck, but Broysc would probably take credit for the battle – as he had done for Druckenwell – and continue abusing his power. Not anymore.
“Oh, yes, indeed,” Akuliina said. “I’m going to change. This is a bit heavier than I had thought. Wouldn’t want to fight for real in it.”
“Mm.” He didn’t even acknowledge her properly, and kicked himself for it as she glanced at him sharply.
“You seem extra-bothered today,” was all she said. “Did he send you another message this morning or the like?”
“I just can’t-” He huffed, almost baring his teeth in anger. “Moff Broysc is going on R and R while a major battle for Trandosha is raging under his ersatz command.”
She smiled coolly and ran a hand down his chest. “Careful, Captain. While I love when you get all hot and bothered, you’ll end up like him if you obsess so.”
She was right and he took a deep breath, bottling up the anger again. “Yes, my lady.”
She stayed on the Fury this time, and he stormed off. Was this how Akuliina felt on a daily basis? It was not pleasant. On the other hand, she hardly had any grudges she’d held for ten years. At least, that he knew of.
The staff fell back before his dark glower, but he had to name-drop Akuliina and put a hand on his blaster before they showed him the correct room.
The door slid open, and he saw Moff Broysc – still in full uniform, thank goodness – with a Twi’lek on each arm. The guards saw Quinn, too, and raised their rifles – and he shot them. Collateral damage. No time or patience to deal with it peaceably. Then he pointed his pistol at Broysc. The Twi’leks dove behind the furniture. “Get up. Lord Akuliina wishes to see you.”
“It’s Admiral Malcontent! You appeared like a ghost! No, I’m not going. No, no, no. If your Sith wants to see me, she can come here- yeow!”
Quinn yanked him to his feet, none too gently, and pressed the pistol against his back. “Come with me or I will shoot you here and now.”
“Help! Traitors! Thieves! Madmen!”
“Speak for yourself,” he hissed through his teeth, and carefully shepherded the Moff back to the Fury.
He brought him to the main hold and shoved him before Akuliina. It was late – nearly four in the morning, Galactic Standard – and the others were asleep. Akuliina had been sitting on the lounge, Vette’s head in her lap in a sisterly fashion, but now she stood and regarded the Moff with a detached expression. Vette watched with wide eyes.
“I have returned, my lady,” he said, though he hardly needed to say it. “I present to you Moff Broysc.”
“Scab! Traitor!” Broysc howled, before pointing dramatically at Akuliina. “You, Sith, I commandeer your ship, your crew. I commandeer you! Mine now.”
“I’m the only possessive bitch allowed on this ship,” Akuliina said coldly, and made an elegant gesture in Quinn’s direction. “Look. Do you see who has bettered you? The man you wronged has you dead to rights now.”
Broysc waved both arms in a negative gesture. “No. Never. Not possible. I shunned him. I exiled him. He was to waste away! You are my men now! I command you all! Kill! Kill yourselves! I have spoken!”
Something inside Quinn snapped. “My lady, I’ve resisted all along, but this is personal. Permission to execute the Moff.” His voice shook, his hands shook.
“Wait, wait,” Vette cried. “He’s just a senile old man, surely you can’t kill him for that!”
“She’s right,” Akuliina said, watching him curiously.
Couldn’t she see he was about to boil over? “My lady, you can’t be serious.”
“Every court needs its jester, and he would do nicely.” She laughed coldly at her own joke, then turned on Vette, who had been looking hopeful, and now cringed. “Vette. I’ve killed for far less than that. When you met me, what was I doing?”
“Um, oh… that was so long ago…”
“You were in a cage on Korriban.”
“That’s right! You were killing some prisoners for your trainers.”
“Yes, and do you remember who the second prisoner was?”
“Some military guy who messed up?”
“Correct.” She looked at Broysc with a lifted chin of disdain. “That man served faithfully and with adequate performance for years, lost a fleet, and was put to death for it. He deserved it for his blunder, but this man has been propped up by countless poor fools who simply don’t want to see the Empire embarrassed, and why is he still alive? What has he done to deserve continuance?” She turned to Quinn. “Permission granted. Have your revenge.”
His voice was still shaking with emotion. “As you command.”
“You cannot kill me! You are nothing! I am a Moff!”
“Not anymore,” he growled, and lifted his pistol, pointing it squarely between Broysc’s eyes.
“No! Scabs, all scabs!”
Quinn pulled the trigger. Broysc’s body jerked once, then fell backwards limply, staring at the ceiling with a look of surprise.
He wanted to shoot again. He wanted to shoot until the power pack in his blaster ran dry. But that would be inefficient and wasteful.
What did he have to lose? He fired again. And again. Ten years he’d spent in exile, filling with ever more caged bitterness and frustration, ten years completely wasted, thanks to this insane useless idiot. The trigger clicked; he was out of power. The Moff’s body was a smoking ruin.
Vette was huddled into a little ball on the lounge, staring at him with gigantic eyes, hands clapped over her mouth. When she spoke, her voice was very small. “I’m… going to go to bed now.”
Akuliina’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest, watching him calmly. Watching him as he kicked the corpse over to the airlock. Once they were in space, he’d dump it into the nearest black hole.
He turned to her where she waited, elegant and slim in grey. “It is done, my lady.” His voice came out deep and slow with finality, and he saw a slight shiver run through her and her eyes brighten. “No more of the Empire’s men will have to endure his whims and incompetence. Thank you for seeing this through.”
She smiled. “The Empire is better for it. Now get in here.” She grabbed him by the front of his uniform and hauled him towards her room.
He couldn’t tell if he was elated or ill at what had just transpired. What had come over him. What he’d done. He’d just killed a man in cold blood, in passion, and now he was getting laid for it? That didn’t seem right. That wasn’t how the Empire worked. Unless the Sith were involved. But the Sith had barely been involved at all. This had all been on him. His goal. His… vendetta.
She glanced up at him, perhaps feeling his confusion. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Tomorrow you will be yourself again.” She locked the door and put her arms about his neck, kissing him passionately.
He gave in, put his arms around her slender waist, kissing her back. Emperor’s teeth, what a day.