Are you ready to kill a world...

[Darth Zilti]

She read and re-read the journal entry:

‘A few dozen strides brought him to the small annex at the rear of the estate. The door was locked, sealed by a coded security system. Punching in the digits, he gently pushed the door open and stepped into the building that served as his private library.

The interior consisted of a single square room, five meters on each side, lit only by a single soft light hanging from the ceiling. The walls were lined by shelves overflowing with the scrolls, tomes, and manuscripts he had assembled over the years: the teachings of the ancient Sith. In the center of the room stood a large podium and a small pedestal. On the pedestal rested the Dark Lord's greatest treasure: his Holocron.

A four-sided crystal pyramid small enough to be held in the palm, the Holocron contained the sum of all Bane's knowledge and understanding. Everything he had learned about the ways of the dark side-all his teachings, all his philosophies-had been transferred into the Holocron, recorded for all eternity. It was his legacy, a way to share an entire lifetime of wisdom with those who would follow him in the line of Sith Masters.

The Holocron would pass to Zannah on his death, providing she could one day prove herself strong enough to wrest the mantle of Dark Lord away from him. Bane was no longer certain that day would come.’

She’d seen the Holocron. More than that, she’d touched it, spoken to the Gatekeeper and had even received instruction from it.

But recently she’d been denied access. In part no doubt because she’d defiantly stated she was no longer loyal to the Dark Lord above all. She was a Vahla and her Goddess was, in her eyes, to be held above all living beings. Yes, she was a Sith. Yes she would be loyal to the Dark Lord. But to swear fealty above her Goddess? Never.

But she suspected there was more to it. So she started to investigate the Invisible Market and if her suspicions were correct, it had been stolen. What better way to continue to learn from it than to have it for her own. But she was a Sith. She was a Banite. She believed the Sith line should flow from the strongest, the ones most worthy. For power to grow from generation to generation until the Sith were finally able to exterminate the Jedi and usher in a new galactic age. There was no room for selfishness. Plus, it would be a dishonour to her sister’s memory.

Perhaps this was a way to show her loyalty to the One Sith and retain her devotion to the Goddess?

So she had called the one and only person she trusted to help her in this search. They were due to meet on Coruscant. It was where the Invisible Market trail went cold after all.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


As her shuttle landed at the Darth Krayt Spaceport on Coruscant, Sumiko experienced a peculiar sense of deja vu upon touching down in the landing pad that had been assigned for her craft. It had been a long time ago since she'd first met Maja Vern, or rather Pluvia, in the Imperial Centre to go an artefact hunt.


At the same time Sumiko had felt a certain, healthy degree of distrust towards the Vahla. This was nothing personal since she distrusted most people. However, since then, though the contact between them was irregular, something like actual friendship had been established between the woman. This was a label the Atrisian did not assign lightly.


Having unfastened her seatbelt, since presumably this sort of thing existed in the pilot's seat, Sumiko got up and headed out of the cockpit towards the boarding ramp. A good deal had changed for both of them since their last meeting. Far as Sumiko knew, Maja was still pursuing her Vahla quest to honour to her sister.


It was ironic that only recently Sumiko had met her own sister on Tatooine, after having believed for so long that she'd perished during Atrisia's Anti-Forcer-User Purge. However, meeting Amaya again had not been a shiny and happy reunion, even if you discounted being ambushed by the girl's Sand People friends and then killing corporate goons. Inquisition had burnt the warm fuzzies out of both of them. To a point where it was difficult to treat Amaya as a real sibling.


Fancy leather boots clicking against the durasteel, the Atrisian strolled out into the spaceport, dressed in tight black pants and a dark red turtleneck, she made her way to their prearranged meeting spot, a cafe. As always, her lightsabre was concealed in the seam of her pants, a hold-out bolter masquerading as a pendant graced her neck, while a hold-out blaster and a dagger lay in a boot each, and she had a shatterpistol holstered.


Coruscant had predictably not changed much. Towering skyscrapers rose the heavens like latter-day Towers of Bable, making the manifold individuals scurrying around beneath them look like ants in comparison, banners and propaganda posters hung from buildings proclaiming the glory of the Sith Empire and a heavy security presence in form of stormtroopers was on patrol. Here and there they stopped civilians and asked from for ID, as could be expected from the armour-clad, durasteel-fisted embodiment of the Imperial Authority. However, all her documentation was in order, so she was let through without incident.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja was a vagabond. It was in her blood. As much as she tried to deny it, she was destined to roam the galaxy. Not so much looking for a home – because the galaxy was her home. She was Vahla – it guided her decisions and quite simply made her the person she was today.

So attachments were rare. There were a few men that had been in her life. None had endured. She was still on friendly terms and sometimes missed the physical aspects – but she was not the settling down kind.

Friendships were similarly scarce. She knew a lot of people. She was friendly with a lot of people. But actual friends? None. Well…maybe one. The one she was about to meet. If she trusted anyone, especially now her sister was dead, it was Sumiko. And when she said trust, she meant it. They’d been through a lot and if ther was one person in the galaxy she’d want to have her back? To entrust her life to? Yep…Sumiko.

They’d agreed to meet near the Darth Krayt Spaceport. She found the allocated bay and walked off the ship. Her taste in clothes hadn’t changed. Hide bodysuit and boots – both died black – and a simple black shimmering cloak – albeit one made of glistaweb. The only difference would be which rare and lethal creature’s hide was used to craft the clothing.

She made her way to the appointed café, candy bar in hand. Her saber was hidden from view and her hood masked her red hair. She glanced around once she stepped through the doors, looking for Sumiko and smiled when she spotted her.

“Hi,” she offered, smiling as she walked up to the table. “Long time and all that? Guess what I think I’ve found.” The excitement in her voice was evident.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


Sumiko had been seated in the back booth in a shaded corner of the café when Maja arrived. Out of habit, she had drawn upon her mechu-deru senses to sweep the place for bugs. However, she seemed relaxed when the Vahla appeared. "Why, Revan's diary, of course. I hear there's people who'd pay a couple billions credits for it," the Atrisian said sardonically. If Revan's lightsabre was worthy fifty billion credits or so, then surely the diary was worth a lot too! The meta is strong with this one today.


Then something rather uncharacteristic happened, for Sumiko got up from her chair, approached Maja and - biggest surprise ever! - gave the Vahla a loose hug. Wait, since when did Sumiko have feelings and show affection to people? This writer is surprised as well.


The embrace was quite awkward on Sumiko's part, but nonetheless. "Bane's holocron, am I correct?" she asked rhetorically when she released the Vahla. Educated guess, given how passionate Maja had been about finding it the first time they'd met.

 

[Darth Zilti]

For someone that was essentially unpredictable, Maja could be regularly…well..predictable.

Her sister, Zannah, the Vahla and Bane. Everything she did revolved around one of these four things. Oh, and money. She liked money — or moreover the things it bought. It was where her true loyalty to the Banite philosophy diverged from the creator. She enjoyed wealth and the trappings of wealth.

She smiled at the hint of searching for Revan’s diary. The credits might be bountiful, but there’d be no fun in that. None at all. But she know that Sumiko knew her better than that and was instead teasing her.

And then she was hugged. Maja smiled. For a loner, she missed her big sister. She’d filled a void Maja didn’t even know existed. And now? Sumiko was starting to assume that sisterly role. And yet it wasn’t until the hug that she realised it.

Embrace over, she lowered her hood and smiled. “Yes you’re right. Despite our first efforts, I actually got to access it. The One Sith had it. And had is the operative word. Recently they stopped me seeing it. I figured it was politics. Something to do with me stating I didn’t serve the Dark Lord above the Goddess.” She winked. “Some people have no sense of perspective.”

“But I started to have visions. The Holocron in strange hands. I figure they lost it. And…believe it or not, I’m going to find it just to return it. Broker a return to the One Sith on my terms. Which include access to it whenever I want.”

“So? Up for the gig?”

She glanced around and beckoned a waitress over. “Whilst you’re deciding, what’ll you have?”

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


Sumiko raised an eyebrow at that. "The 'omnipotent' Dark Lord's Voices lost the holocron? Very negligent, though I find the image of Bane giving their boss a dressing-down like he did with Krayt amusing."


Sarcasm mode intensified. Ideologically Sumiko was largely indifferent to the One Sith. She was still of the belief that the Dark Lord was a fraud. Them killing Jedi and giving 'Team Light Side' a clobbering was cool with her though. "Frankly, if I were you, I'd keep it. Live a life independent of them and on your own terms. There are other places that could use your talents. Especially in the corporate world, but that's me. If you return, make sure they give you a good deal, and that you have a backup plan in case they disappoint you again. Never shackle yourself to someone else's cause."


A bit of sisterly concern? Maybe. She was trying to be more considerate than she'd been in a long time. A waitress came over to take their orders. "Tea for me. Atrisian. And a piece of raspberry cake." The waitress made a note of that and then would presumably do the same with whatever Maja wanted.


Sumiko would wait until Maja had placed her order and the waitress had left before speaking again. "I can help you find it. What will be in it for me though? Aside from the adventure and your company."

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja smiled. Word on the street is that a large number of Holcrons had recently been lost. The Jedi Order suddenly had their stash stolen out from under them.

Was it the work of a single gang or coincidence? Maja didn’t believe either. Or rather something in the middle. Like divine intervention.

“So there are some bits of good news there. The Holocron has dealt with me before. So we have a connection. Zannah is on my side,” she never explained to anyone what that meant — but she suspected Sumiko had more than an inkling by now. “And I have my visions.”

When the waitress arrived, Maja took a split second to decide. “A large coffee, with cream, and a piece of chocolate fudge cake. A large piece. And it must be warmed. And with whipped cream…thanks.” She was a Sith, but she had manners.

Then she listened to Sumiko, nodding frequently. “My cause is complicated. I’m a loyal Sith and a Vahla. Like my sister was. But I can’t place the Dark Lord ahead of the Goddess. Those are my terms. And at least now I have a bargaining chip. Or I will, when we find it.”

Maja placed a finger on her lips and tapped them. “What’s in it for you? Hmmm… What do you want? What do you need?”

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


"The classic paradox of having two masters who demand total submission, I see. The Dark Lord, if he exists and lives up to the hype, is still just a man. Vitiate was a world-devouring force who probably came closer than anyone to achieving true immortality, but in the end he perished," Sumiko commented.


"Bane's holocron contains great power and secrets I'd like. A duplicate of the information." Thanks to the wonders of technological advancement, it was a good deal easier these days to disassemble and copy the information of holocrons, even the ancient ones. "I'd give you access to it, if the One Sith don't live up to their bargain with you."

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja beamed - but if that was because of the deal struck or the warm cake that was placed in front of her was difficult to tell. Regardless, she was silent for a few minutes whilst she devoured the chocolate and partially melted fudge.

Her face was immaculate, but her napkin was anything but. She took a large sip of her coffee and a contented look spread across her face.

"We have a deal for sure. But I wonder if you're being short-changed?" She shrugged. "But you know your own mind and I appreciate the thought."

She took another sip. "I suggested meeting here for a reason. There's a dealer in fine antiquities nearby. All legitimate and very, very expensive. But out of the back of the showroom? There's a private room. I saw it in a dream. I'm sure the Holocron was there."

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


Tea and cake arrived, and this put Sumiko in a good mood. Much to her delight, the tea was actually decent. It was so hard to get good tea these days. No one was ever going to get to her try this vile Starcaf!


So she busied herself with eating the equally tasty cake. "Once business has been dealt with, we should go somewhere nice. Spa weekend in a fancy resort sounds fun to me. Since we're getting the holocron back for them, the One Sith might as well pay."


She took another sip from her tea, then wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled slightly. "Good prep work. It'll soon be dark outside. We should recon the place. We could distract any occupants with illusions, then sneak in. I can make us both invisible for a short while."

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja smiled. Luxury was always worth the effort. Somewhere warm and tropical, an exclusive island perhaps? With plenty of servants and a lot of pampering.

“I think I can cover the costs, but if they’re prepared to stump up the funds, why not?”

Maja looked forlornly at her plate, clearly wishing there was a piece of cake left she’d missed first time around. She picked up her coffee and took a sip before looking at Sumiko.

“Always with the plan, eh?” She nodded her approval however. “I have learned a bit about illusions, but my leaning is more…how can I put this…towards torture. I have a knack for it. Some call it a curse, I see it as a blessing.”

She ignored the look she received from an adjacent table and glancing out of the window, she nodded again. “By the time we’ve finished our drinks it will be twilight. The establishment will be closed but I hope the owner stays a little later. I’m sure he’d love to chat to us.”

#​

Some delightful and slightly risqué small talk and another coffee later, Maja led Sumiko to the address she’d found on the holonet. It was certainly high-end, all natural woods and hides and marble, with a show-room visible through the floor to ceiling glass that was immaculate and minimal.

“Over to you,” she said, checking her pockets for a candy bar.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


Sumiko would definitely enjoy a long weekend on a tropical island with fawning servants. And so a short time skip later, our slightly villainous heroines were embarking on their noble quest to retrieve lost Sith property by committing burglary. Fancy high-end place, natural woods, hides and marble. The show-room displayed fancy toys, though the truly good stuff would obviously be hidden.


A security guard was on patrol outside. Stance and the way he carried himself suggested he was former military. He also carried a scattergun. Sumiko pulled Maja into the shadows as he made his rounds. Stretching out with her power, she slowly dove into his mind. Bit by bit, she began to imprint her will upon him after diving through his thoughts. The guard would begin to feel more tired and fatigued.


Likewise there would be a throbbing headache. Sumiko did not have the gentle touch, so as he felt his limbs grow heavier the guard seemed to get a clue that something might be up as her focus slipped a bit. However, before he could found his voice his tongue failed him as if paralysed, and he slumped. Quickly Sumiko grabbed the paralysed guard and dumped him in a garbage can.


Quietly she approached the door of the shop. Cowering and leaning against the wall, she stretched out with her senses. Her will focused upon a camera that was hovering in the show-room. A quick mechu-deru trick switched it off, then she picked the lock of the door. It was electronically sealed, but that didn't help much.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja watched as Sumiko dealt with the guard with consulate ease. The garbage can was a nice touch too. Then she dealt with the security and the door popped open with a gentle but reassuring click.

Maja slipped inside. The smells of the place echoed the sights. It smelled of wax and that aroma you get when you step inside a brand new ship or luxury speeder. In short, it smelled of money.

She scanned the large showroom and headed for the door marked private. Opening it, she stepped inside to see a thin, balding man, possibly a Coruscant native. His clothes looked hand-stitched — Maja appreciated such things — and his hands were perfectly manicured. And he gave off a faint whiff of after-shave.

He seemed startled to see them and his hand went reflexively under the desk. With a smile, Maja encouraged him to return it to the top of the desk. His face reflected his confusion.

“Let’s say I know your mind better than you do,” she said, by way of an explanation. “Now, to business. Bane’s Holocron.”

His face belied the words that tumbled from his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Now, I can extract the information. Painlessly. Or I can extract it and keep it, all of it. Leave you without any memories. Or my friend here can remove it less tactfully. Pain can last an eternity of you do it right.”

His finger went to the collar of his shirt.

“Yes, you appreciate the situation. Now…the Holocron.”

“I don’t have it. I sold it.”

“To whom?”

“I can’t tell you. You must know that.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“No, I mean I can’t. I don’t know. We never know names, just accounts and go-betweens. Here…” He carefully pressed a button on his desk. A virtual monitor appeared in front of him. “Bane’s Holocron. Details of the transaction.”

An image and a variety of data was not displayed.

Maja frowned. “That’s not his Holocron.”

“And you’d know that,” he said, “I supposed you’ve seen it?” There was a sneer in his voice.

“Seen it, touched it and used it. Bane and I go way back.”

‘Kill him.’

’In time.’

She turned to Sumiko. "Probably a Holocron but sadly not Bane’s. But still might be worth pursuing.” She committed the information to memory and returned her attention to the owner.

“Thing is, I forgot to mention I actually learned a few things from it. The first? A real doozy. Force Choke. It goes something like this…”

A few moments later, he slumped forward in his chair, his windpipe crushed.

“Now,” she said, looking back to Sumiko. “Still up for a treasure hunt?”

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Zilti"]


Sumiko was a bystander while Maja interrogated the Well-Manicured Man. This writer has decided to name him like that because they've concluded he looks like the aforementioned fellow from X-Files, just with less hair.


She did not mind being in the background. Silence was an important virtue for an Inquisitor. Same applied with not craving attention for the sake of it. Besides, Maja was good at what she did. We could've used your skills well, she thought to herself. The 'we' in question was the Inquisition.


So she focused on the essentials while she kept on watch in case someone surprised them. The Well-Manicured Man had sold a Sith holocron, but not Bane's. Alas, he was not so obliging to be able to provide a name and address. Pity for him. Sumiko wondered whether the Force was playing a cosmic joke on them by dangling Bane's holocron in front of them twice.


Ouch. The unfortunate fellow's windpipe was crushed. A most painful way to die, but an appropriate one. He fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. "I like your style," she commented. Her eyes fell upon the holographic image of the artefact along with the transaction details.


"I'm up for it. At least we'll get something out of this then. I don't recognise that holocron, but those symbols on it are ancient Sith. Possibly pre-Hundred Year Darkness. Let's go have a chat with his middleman." The transaction details had mentioned a Togruta called Sejanus Alcibiades.