Chương 55: THE TRUTH
Leena knew she went too far.
Never be cruel and never be cowardly, and if she ever is, always make amends – she wanted that way of life but she can't. How many seconds does it take to reach eternity?
"Are you sure about this, Master?" Jaesa broke the silence as they stepped onto the elevator going down to the General's main base. Both of them could sense it, people down there guarding a single man. Faraire's elite guards ready to die for him.
"I can't have you having cold feet at a time like this Jaesa, you're a warrior. Act like one."
"I understand but, Moff Zabro – he's your father, right?"
"He is." The Sith Lord answered honestly. "What does that have to do with this task?"
"Are you sure that you don't want to reconnect with him?" Her Master stayed silent. Jaesa turned her eyes towards Leena, hoping that she would answer. "I could feel it, Master. He cares deeply for you. But you're forcing yourself to be distant from him – why?"
"Baras." It was a simple answer. Leena cares for her family but as long as Baras is alive, she cannot do anything too reckless that could cost her more lives. They were both playing a dangerous game – a gamble that only a few people can understand. By agreeing with Hurdenn that Zabro and his forces should be part of this task – Baras was planning something that could potentially destroy her and she had to be prepared for it.
As the doors slid open the Master immediately ignited her two lightsabers – ready to commit the slaughter. The room was filled with Republic commandos, blocking every blaster fire towards her and her apprentice as fast as she could. She was skilled, flexible, and able to adapt throughout the whole fight. Several men would come rushing towards them, although she had a fate that Jaesa could hold her ground – the Sith Lord would sometimes worry as she immediately jumped towards the next group of troopers.
From the high ground, Lord Sern did not hesitate to jump down the lower ground where the General stood as if he was waiting for her specifically. Something was odd and at the same time, her goal was there – right in front of her. All she needed was a single swing of a lightsaber and the job was done. It will please her Master and at the same time, it would give her a disadvantage.
He stood there, in the flesh – General Feraire, the War Trust's most senior member. Leena couldn't point out what exactly was stopping her. She killed the rest of the generals and found that they were working on something big, something that could benefit the Empire – Baras wanted them dead and at the same time, she knew her father wouldn't just recklessly agree to help with this mission if he wouldn't leave the planet without something.
"It's time for you to join the rest of the War Trust, Faraire." The Sith Lord broke the silence.
"Quite the contrary," He answered calmly. "After you took down my fellows, I knew my only chance was to delay you. And my gambit has paid off. I bought enough time for my technicians to solve how to stabilize Siantide cells of any kind. The future is upon us, Sith, and you have the privilege of bearing witness…"
The ground began to shake, Jaesa's eyes widen as she saw the door from the floor opening – lifting such a massive droid. The weapon the Republic had been working on in secret beyond the eyes of the Empire. It might be something that could give them an advantage in this newfound war of theirs.
"Enemy sighted. Weapon systems targeted and locked."
"You're quite a showman, Faraire."
"This is nothing." He refused to let the Sith live and the Empire to succeed – and this weapon behind him was the only thing keeping either of them alive. "Saintide technology increases the strength of whatever it powers tenfold. The Republic fleet and arsenal will make your weapons obsolete. The Empire will have no choice but to surrender – which you should do now."
"It is you who should surrender, General." Igniting her lightsaber, she gestured Jaesa to be out of sight – go to the high ground and not to interfere. The apprentice gave a dejected look – she didn't wish to leave her Master alone but Leena insisted, and she obeyed.
"And let the Empire gain this technology? Never! Droid! Full assault!" Leena stood her ground as she ignited the other lightsaber. Faraire stood aside and allowed the two to rumble it out until one dies down – for a great tactician creates plans and the Republic General was gambling his whole life, their work for the life of a Sith.
"Engaging all weapons." Leena immediately dodged as it began to rapidly fire blaster fires towards her – Faraire watched her blocking and dodging. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes down onto the Sith, her movements seemed familiar – there was some sort of pattern he couldn't make out for his own.
This was a droid, not a living being. Dismantling it would be easier with the ferocity form – commonly known as Form Seven or Juyo. From the defensive, she immediately switched towards the chaotic offensive fighting style that was developed by the elements of forms four and five. It shares a kind of speed and level of unpredictability of a beast and at the same time incorporating massive strength and aggression.
It was a form that was notorious for bringing its users dangerously close to the dark side, as it requires the use of one's emotions and passions to overpower than rather subdue the opponent. It was a form that even goes against the Jedi Code and was heavily encouraged by the Sith.
Leena's speed always caught her enemies off-guard, slicing off one of the blasters from the droid regardless if it kept on fighting. The aim was slowly starting to catch up with her and immediately placed the Sith Lord under a disadvantage. The room was open spaced – there was no room to hide or further go onto the defensive.
She had the self-discipline necessary for this kind of task but it wouldn't be enough, as she jumped to avoid the hit from the droid – she immediately threw one of her lightsabers towards the leg, slicing it off but not able to make it fall. Before she could land and use the Force to summon her lightsaber back – she instead, reached out her hand towards where Jaesa stood on the higher ground.
Calling upon her double-bladed lightsaber, igniting it in midair as she threw it towards the droid right on the chest. She summoned back her lightsaber with the Force the moment her feet touched the ground. The Sith Lord lifted her hand, allowing the droid to be carried by the Force and slowly began to destroy it by her sheer power. Crushing the very prized weapon the Republic had hoped to defeat the Empire.
She then turned to the General with both of her lightsabers still ignited. "You are beaten, General."
"I… I can't believe it. All this work. All this death for nothing. I wish I could sit around and discuss where I went wrong, but a good leader always has an exit strategy." He began to run off towards the lower ground exit as Jaesa jumped down from the high ground. Before Leena could even lift her hand and brought him back with the Force – he suddenly stopped and slowly backed away, having both Master and apprentice see the presence of a couple of Imperial soldiers blocking the only exit Faraire could escape on.
"Not so fast, General. I thought you might try to run."
"I can always count on you, Quinn." She is to commend her Captain. As the other soldiers immediately began to survey the rest of the area, behind him were Moffs Zabro and Hurdenn. Faraire made eye contact with Zabro before he could turn to the Sith.
"I surrender. I expect to be afforded the treatment promised to the prisoners in the Treaty of Coruscant."
"The Treaty of Coruscant is broken, General you're not my prisoner, you're my victim." She raised her hand, as much as Jaesa had the strong distaste for this kind of execution method – but she had no saying on the matter.
Men watched the General choke in desperation for air, slowly going down on the floor until the Sith Lord finally decided to snap his neck. Killing him in an instant after his short time suffering.
"Nice to see generals scream when they die just like anyone else." Lieutenant Pierce commented with a smile on his lips.
"Congratulations on the success of your mission." The moment Hurdenn began to speak, Zabro couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Taking down the War Trust is an incredible victory. It is clear you are the future of the Empire, and I hope you will count me among your closest allies.
"Now he's kissing the boots of your daughter." General Quinn whispered to his Moff. Zabro couldn't help but slowly shook his head sideways on this kind of development.
"The feeling is mutual, Hurdenn." Leena acknowledged.
"As a show of support, I place Lieutenant Pierce under your command. He will be invaluable in your domination of the galaxy."
"Works for me." The Lieutenant approves. "Done what I can here on Taris. Glad you're willing to let me go, Hurdenn."
"You are meant for greater things, Lieutenant. With me, you will fulfill your destiny." Quinn had his full attention on his Lord – wondering what he would offer this newcomer.
Pierce nodded with respect. "You won't be disappointed."
"Lieutenant, fall in. I will brief you on how things work here when we are back on the ship." And the Captain wasn't going to let someone ruin things on the ship.
Pierce didn't seem too pleased. "Can't. Wait."
The Captain gestured the young apprentice to follow him as well as Pierce. Jaesa bowed towards her Master, excusing herself from the scene. She could sense that Moff Zabro wanted to speak with Lord Sern, his daughter. The apprentice did wonder, Leena didn't usually speak of her family – all she knew was that her father's a loyal Imperial soldier for the Empire. She would occasionally talk about her younger sister – but nothing more.
Lord Sern has always been careful talking about her family. She spoke very few things about her mother, and none about her departed brothers.
Moff Zabro found his daughter alone standing outside of the base, looking up at the dark sky of Taris. She wore no helmet, her eyes closed as if she was trying to find peace within her even though she couldn't grasp it anymore. Sith allow their passions to flow through them without shame – he could tell that his daughter seemed different from other Sith, even though she seemed brutal like the rest, she was walking down through a dangerous path.
Even more dangerous from where her mother stood, and what ultimately got her killed.
As a father, he was scared for her but at the same time – he was very much aware that Leena was already more capable than what her enemies think of her.
"The art of war is a matter of life and death." Leena's eyes opened as he heard her father's voice. "A road either to safety or to ruin."
She continued. "Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can no one account be neglected."
"No matter how vile your mother became in her later years, all I can tell you that she was once a good woman, a loving mother, and she was a good friend."
"Lies come easily to you." Zabro turned his full attention to Leena who didn't even dare to look at him. Her corrupted eyes were in deep thought. "You're hiding something from me…" she paused, turning to her father. For a moment, Zabro's eyes widen as if he saw Zylas came back from the death – and she was right there, standing before him. "…how many more lies do I have to hear just to get the truth?"
"Leena…"
"That Sith Lord, Ares Terra – he claims to be my mother's apprentice. What did you do to him?"
"He left Taris as asked." Zabro sighed, not avoiding his daughter's gaze. "Never trust that man, Leena. He's more dangerous than your Master."
"I'm well aware that you won't tell me anything even if I asked, even if I torture you here and now – but, I want to know why…" For a moment, he heard it. The crack of her voice, the loneliness in her eyes. The torture that she had endured for all those years. "…why did you give me away?"
"Because it was what your mother wanted. It was expected of me." Zabro didn't even hesitate with the answer. He had no reason to lie.
"What she wanted?" She wanted to deny it. Deep down inside, she was desperate to deny it – but the darkness came and embraced her. Reminding her that the dark is generous towards her. "Why? You spoke about mother like she… she was some sort of monster – why would you let me continue her legacy?"
"It was the right thing to do."
"No." She could feel it. The pull to the dark side inside of her. "You gave me away for a purpose. What was it?"
For a split second, as Zabro looked into those grey eyes – he saw him – his grieving son.
His oldest son, Tyrral. He saw them all – Zylas, his sons just by the look in Leena's eyes. The galaxy took his simple happiness away from him – and all the achievements, the medals, the recognition weren't enough to fill in the holes that were made.
"TELL ME!" She screamed in agony. The base trembled for a moment as if an earthquake happened on the planet.
"I thought I could keep my promise to your mother about strengthening her legacy through you." His stern expression remained. He wasn't talking to a Sith Lord and she wasn't talking to the Moff, they were standing there as daughter and father. "But those plans no longer matter."
"So I'm no more than a wasted experiment, to be disposed of if I cannot meet her criteria."
"Why do you twist my words?"
"You could have told me that I didn't have to live up to her expectations, why didn't you?!" She demanded.
He answered calmly. "You're my daughter. I only wanted to protect you from the truth."
She wanted to say something more but couldn't. She could… finally see it, the concealment that Erhart Zabro had used for all these years. With his true face lie in the dark beneath his skin, with his true heart remain shadow deeper still even in her presence. His daughter.
The dark has protected her from what she dared not to know. "It all… makes sense now." She muttered to herself as she placed all of the pieces together. Zabro couldn't help but close his eyes in guilt, unable to play this charade anymore. The dark has granted them both in comforting illusions, the mere feeling of gentle dreams, and night's embrace.
Both of their hearts shattered through the silent night of Taris. "It all makes sense now…" she repeated in pain. "…of why you haven't contacted me… for all these years! No matter how much you claim to care about me – or MY sister! You will always put your SON FIRST!"
Zabro opened his eyes, facing his daughter who stood there still – he remembered that look. It was the same look Tyrral gave him on Balmorra. "One of them is alive… and you never told me."
"It was the only way to be certain of their safety."
She laughed. The heavy burden in her heart became heavier as tears began to go through her cheeks. "Safety. Did you care about his safety more than your daughters? Does Azal know?"
"No." He shook his head. "She never did."
"This proves it then. You care about him more than your own two living daughters – daughters who have suffered for all these years with endless torture. Your daughters who have been wondering if we will live until nightfall, wondering if we would ever have free will from our masters, wondering if we could ever have a moment of peace in our minds. You CHOSE this life for me! You never gave me another choice! You decided this for me from the moment you kept one of your precious sons out of harm's way!" The dragon inside her began to whisper to her soul.
"You must have heard my Master speak of it!" Her voice continued to boom as she allowed all of her frustrations and anger to be heard. "He turned me into his most powerful weapon, his most loyal apprentice – from the moment he had me around his finger! I became the perfect weapon for him because he dreamed of power! And you – YOU MADE ME INTO A MONSTER!" There it was, this tingling sensation of power inside of her. The power that continued to sleep inside.
She could hear it – the temptation of power, the pull to the dark side. She could hear her inner thoughts, those evil notions, it becomes hard and harsh but even her connection to the light cannot stop it. The balance was already gone. It was only when she began to speak and another voice spoke for her, that she remembered.
The nightmare of her being murdered by herself. The dragon that brought forth Lord Sern from the grave to slay her heart. The cold venom of Lord Sern's blood, the furnace of her fury, and the black hatred of the lust of vengeance – it was all in her hand, all she needed to do was swing. "Which one survived?"
He remained silent.
Without a moment of hesitation, she held her mother's lightsaber – pointing it against her father's neck. He didn't flinch, he didn't dare to look away – he remained calm, with his hands neatly folded behind him, anticipating the strike – his execution. "Which. One. Survived?"
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