It's Toxic, You Know (Dev p.1)

[Darth Ophidia]

Cortosis; every fighter in the galaxy seemed to scramble for the fine material. Its ability to short out dimetris-circuits and render the standard lightsabre briefly useless was as coveted by the armies of the galaxy as glitterstim was by the dancers and whores of the Coruscant club scene.

Darth Ophidia, The Queen of Shadows, Sphere of Mysteries, and The Pale Assassin. So many persona were crammed into that one, slender body now standing in front of the viewport of her Phasma-class Interceptor. Her scarred, ashen skin bare for all to see. Every scar, from the small shiny spot on her chin to the great lightning-scar on her back and shoulders. Her abdomen expanded and contracted steadily and her athletic fame seemed at ease. Only her eyes burned with the usual intensity of a flaming orange, embers upon ashen skin, staring at the swampy planet on approach. The only creature on board to behold it was her pilot-droid, Darling. Darling had seen some messed up sith in her service.

"Darling, Call up the mining authorities. Tell them we have arrived and are about to land. I do not have time for them to waste."

The long, callused fingers of her black left hand plucked a white mug from the cup holder of her usual seat. Sweet fumes swirled from the hot liquid within as she put it to her lips, painted to a dark purple, and drew a long sip of heavy, dark liquid. As the cup was drained in a single long slurp, she placed it down and turned her back upon the pilot.

I suppose I must get dressed.

Her bare feet made hardly a sound as she made good pace over the metal floor of the Phasma. A tune, stuck somewhere in her mind, passed her lips in a low hum as she plucked the dark robes from their place and begun wrapping them around her body. layer after layer, the exterior of a Sith Lord was donned.

She returned to the bridge, holding her beskar helmet under her arm, a lightsabre at her side and her Rudis of the Dark Lord on her hip. The blade was covered in red letters. Names of the people she had killed while in possession of the blade.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

As Darth Ophidia stepped back onto the bridge and set her helmet down in her usual seat, Darling turned in her direction and uttered a string of binary chatter. In front of him was the blue, translucent figure of a Jin'ha looking awfully important. Ophidia recognised the markings on his suit, this was the mining commissioner. She remembered because she had been the one to dispatch his predecessor.

"My Lord! We welcome you to Obredaan. Please, proceed to dock and you will be met by an escort. Thank you for choosing our mines oh great and dark one."

The Rattataki smiled at the overdone welcome, and returned a simple nod. The difference in courtesy was a clear sign of the vast gap between their stations, yet she made herself appear as benign by not ignoring his courtesy or offer immediate and pre-emptive threat. She knew she did not need to. This was trade, and he wanted to move goods. To abuse someone so willing to serve was a waste of time.

"Commissioner, I hear your metalworkers are sublime, and I am certain you will be able to accommodate my requests."

"Most certainly, My Lord. You will not be disappointed."

The Jin'ha mining commissioner bowed, and the transmission closed. Darling uttered another string of binary chatter, updating its master on the process of travel. In reply, Ophidia nodded and sat down at the edge of her seat.

The Phasma glided down through the atmosphere and touched down upon the docking bay to which they had been given coordinates. Pulling her hood up over her head, the pale woman strode out of the ship alone. Darling remained inside, guarding the ship as he was programmed to do.

Obredaan was warm, moist, and even in this area of mining, the air buzzed with insects.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Ophidia did not get far from her ships before she was met by six, red-clad, helmed up Jin'ha, and a grey-plated protocol droid with numerous stains she could see despite the miners' valiant attempt at wiping them away. It could not be easy to appear presentable in this place; the soil clung to one's legs like pickpocketing orphans in a shadier part of Terminus and the very air seemed saturated with mud. Still, the pale Sith Lord said nothing to offer offence. She simply halted and waited for the escort and droid to come meet her. Her hands folded at her midriff, left over right, and her tall, slender form supported the air of dominance her station commanded. She had lightly suppressed her presence, restricting it to her immediate vicinity rather than letting it roam free.

"My Lord, welcome to Obredaan. I am protocol droid C7-988. Please, allow us to escort you."

C7-988 had one of the more pleasing voices among protocol droids, but like most his intonation was off and the speech slightly choppy. Mimicking basic in cybernetic form was a daunting task. The vocal organs of most life forms were endlessly complex, and the droids would have to mimic countless. Truly, it was an underestimated feat of engineering and programming to even begin to create translator droids such as these. In reply, she simply stepped up next to C7-988. No more was needed as the procession turned sharply, and the droid a little awkwardly, before marching back.

"An escort has never been necessary before. Have you had troubles as of late, protocol droid C7-988?"

The droid took a little moment before replying, which told Ophidia enough. The droid had to weigh its words.

"On orders from the Commissioner, new security procedures have been implemented to prevent raids."

Pre-emptive measures against raids. Had they been raided recently, or was the Commissioner just cautious? Or, perhaps it was simply a cover. Ophidia could not exclude the option entirely.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The procession marched on in silence. Darth Ophidia could see down into the mines. Heavy machinery laboriously moved their precious cargo and archaic means were still employed to beat or dissolve the metal from the exposed bedrock and residual soil. She wondered for a moment how the galaxy would have changed if they employed more such machinery than the energy based technology currently in favour. She did not have the engineering expertise to properly predict anything, but it would certainly be a different place to live.

Before long, the unsightly mines were replaced by far more groomed areas with simple, squared buildings and far less insects. Surely, the bookkeepers of this fine institution did not want to be disturbed by the buzzing, stinging, and biting of countless flying pests. Such nuisances were for the common folk after all. Yes, the distinction was evident. Even so, Ophidia could imagine they all just longed to get out of their offices and into their reasonably furnished, pest-free homes.

One building, a floor taller than the others, came up as the end-station. Two guards standing on the outside approached and took over the escort-mission from there on. The six that had accompanied her in complete silence swiftly returned to various posts as she was guided inside. The discipline in execution was near military, another feature she noted herself.

Two Jin'ha guards, a protocol droid, and a Sith Lord entered the building's ground floor and were escorted down one rather wide hall before entering through double doors into a study. Clearly, the Commissioner spared no expense in presentation as well as security. And there he was, sitting behind a lavish desk was Obredaan's Mining Commissioner; Quall Zrov.

C7-988 immediately expressed something unintelligible, presumably in the native tongue. The Commissioner rose to his feet and moved away from the desk to meet his guest, hand reached out in greeting. Ophidia instantly noticed the position of his hand; knuckles up was a sign of dominance. She would not have it. Rather, she chose to speak first and cut his pleasantries short.

"Commissioner Zrov."

She took a step past his left shoulder and traced a gloved hand over his, now vacant, chair. Quickly, she glanced down. As she thought, a blaster was fitted under the desk along with a panic-button.

"Even with the recent raids, your operation appears to be going splendidly."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Quall Zrov stood near paralysed for a moment as his guest simply passed him; his courtesies simply blown off. This was what frustrated him most about force-users, they always thought they were better than the common folk. He retracted his hand and did all he could to not clench it into an angered fist as the pale woman made her snide remark about the security. Easy breaths, keep calm, soon it would all be under control again.

"Demand is high, we cannot afford to lose any cargo. Yet, the raiders are growing ever bolder."

He turned to face her as she passed behind his chair, caressing the leather with a slender hand. The Sith always creeped him out, especially their eyes, they seemed to glow with a burning malice that always put him off. Still, they made good business. The constant war meant a constant demand for ore.

"What a nuisance. Not to worry, a squadron will be dispatched to deal with the brigands post haste. We cannot let such dissent remain within our territory. Speaking of which, these raids have not been reported. Why?"

Commissioner Zrov bit his lip and thought to the blaster. This would have been a good time to keep a hand close to that comforting weapon.

"I thought it would interfere with the war effort. The raiders were nothing we could not handle on our own. Tha-."

"But you expect them to have government backing. Thus, the raiders represent a threat to planetary security making it an imperial concern. I could have you executed for this, Commissioner Zrov. However, I am in a generous mood."

Quall was quite certain this would not end in generosity.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The Sith Lord pulled out the chair and sat down in it, symbolically claiming the dominant position of the room. As a member of the Dark Council, she had the sway to claim such a seat, even if it was bad business not to give it back. For now, it was simply a gesture of 'I own you'. Her gloved hands intertwined like the leaves of plants, in a deliberate movement. Her eyes set on the Commissioner, unblinking like the eyes of a serpent, still like death, and burning with the endless hatred that drove all Sith.

"You are clearly a capable man, as such it would be a waste to have you executed on such a minor technicality. We are not a wasteful Empire. We know promise when we see it, even in those without the gift of the Force."

A tension faded from Zrov's as the imminent threat of death was lifted from his shoulder, yet he knew the pale woman was not finished. Ophidia wetted her lips and tapped her left knuckle twice with her right index finger, as though counting the moments to let the news sink in.

"You are a man of ambition. Ambition is what drives the One Sith, from the smallest to the greatest, we are all climbers. You will be allowed to maintain your position as Mining Commissioner under the guidance of an imperial supervisor. A delegation of troops will be dispatched to deal with the bandits and remain for a period in case they see fit to return."

"As you wish, my Lord."

"That is, however, the end of my generosity. I expect to see an increase in your production, oh and a representative of the tax office will have to investigate your books."

"When can the representative be expected, my Lord?"

"She is crunching the numbers as we speak."

Zrov did all he could not to swallow audibly and circled around to the front of the desk, now standing in the very uncomfortable spotlight where he kept his underlings.

"I am sure the Lord Arbiter can be swayed to be equally generous should you tell me exactly what my bookkeeper is going to find and why. And Commissioner, please speak truthfully. As you may have guessed, I will know if you attempt to deceive me."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

There was a silence, tension rose high between them as the moment stretched out in seeming endlessness. Then, the Jin'ha resigned with a sigh. His left hand ventured up to his forehead, rubbing it to release the stress. Eyes narrowing, she could sense the irritation, the frustration, the fear of the consequences. Slowly, the Sith Lord reached into the desk and pulled out the blaster within. As the metal object hit the top of the table, Zrov looked up with a new confusion. Darth Ophidia did not answer the question he had not voiced but clearly wished an answer for; why?

There were two options on the table now: Tell the Sith about everything or take it to his grave. Or, perhaps, he could try to kill the Sith Lord. Could he truly get away with something like that? Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared at the weapon, weighing his options. Darth Ophidia's eyes remained on him, a hint of a smile on her lips. She enjoyed watching him wrestle with the conundrum.

"Commissioner, the chrono is tocking. Make your choice or I will make it for you"

He was quite sure he did not want her to make that choice.

"I-" Tick, tock. Knock, knock, knock.

The Sith Lord turned the chair around and stood up, looking out of the window behind the desk, down into the mines of Obredaan. She could see her own corrupted features in the transparisteel and Zrov going for the blaster. Her eyes closed as she exhaled. The blaster went off with a flash of red. The Sith Lord's eyes opened once more while the scent of plasma residue and burnt flesh filled her nostrils.

"What a waste."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The door opened and a female stepped through. In her hands, she held a datapad. The air around her held the stench of fear as she stumbled over the threshold and stopped stiffly upon spotting the corpse of Commissioner Zrov, who now sported a smouldering exit-wound at the top of his head. Her eyes averted and then seized upon the dark figure, silhouetted against the window; tall, slender, still like the grave.

"Bookmaker... Kirnas, I presume?"

The voice cut through her ears like a saw; coarse, dry, sharp in tone. Kirnas felt cold and the world seemed to grow darker around her the longer she stared. Yet, she could not bare to take her eyes off this figure, the Sith. She nodded.

"Congratulations on your promotion."

Darth Ophidia turned and set her eyes upon the female Jin'ha. A smile spread over her lips as she turned the swivelled the chair and gestured for the woman to come closer and then for her to take a seat in the chair. The woman stepped in a wide arc around the corpse of Zrov, seemingly entranced by the Sith Lord's words. She stopped by the side of the desk, lingering for a moment, staring at the chair.

"Sit, please."

Ophidia stepped away from the chair, keeping her left hand on its shoulder. The woman gingerly sat down, turned it towards the desk and placed her hands on the surface.

"Good. Now, I will take care of this rebel group and you will get production up to speed. You will serve loyally to the empire and should you fail."

Ophidia's eyes turned to Zrov and then to Kirnas, the smile widening on her lips as her eyes narrowed.

"Are we at an understanding?"

Kirnas nodded, bit her lip, then tore her eyes from Zrov to look into the burning gaze of the Sith Lord.

"Yes.. My Lord. I will serve you faithfully."
"Excellent, as recompense, I will take a portion of your wares for my personal use upon completion of the group's eradication. I am sure you will find this agreeable."

She wanted to protest. The Sith already took their share, now this woman was about to strongarm her into giving away more? Yet, what could she do? Kirnas nodded.

"Excellent. Best of luck... Mining Commissioner."

Long strides, near soundless, carried the Sith Lord out. She cast a glance over her shoulder, looking at the newly elected Mining Commissioner as she exited.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Darling, call up the troops for an incursion. I will send you the coordinates"

Her fingers danced over the keyboard, plotting inn the grid coordinates within which they had triangulated the greatest congregation of rebel forces. Her confident strides carried her not back to the ship, but higher up into the building. Up, up and up until she exited onto the roof of the structure. She could see for miles past the cortosis mines. Overhead, five ships wooshed past: Her own Phasma, two imperial bombers and two carriers.

The Sith Lord closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Beneath her, change was setting in. Her plan was soon to be complete, but before the fires spread over the galaxy, she would need her weapons.

"Darling, commence protocol AC 568."

Darling led the One Sith bombers into the triangulated area. The carriers split, unleashing fresh and ready troops. They would set up a perimeter, then, hell unleashed as they carpet bombed the entire sector. All sentients who attempted to escape would be shot on sight. As expected life erupted and fled the bombings. Fire lit the sky as columns of smoke rose so high Darth Ophidia could see them from the roof of the mining commissioner's office. The thunderous sounds of the bombing, and the spreading fire of the woods would not easily be forgotten. This the Pale Assassin knew.

"No survivors. No bodies. Only ashes remain."

The memory of a dark lord whispered to her from beyond the grave.
Burn it all

 

[Darth Ophidia]

To ashes, my lord.

A smile spread over her purple lips, wicked and deceitful. Her eyes burned with the explicit hatred only a Sith could show, and now its hue was mirrored on the inferno of the horizon. Oh what promise the future held.

"Darling, keep me updated on their progress. Oh, and send an escort to 507 Jan'uharran, 68th floor. Tell Lady K'sar to come to the Commissioner's office immediately."

The droid replied with dialect of binary, clearly posing a question.

"I will come dispatch of them myself. Just get Lady K'sar here, now."

The comlink clicked shut aggressively and Ophidia closed her eyes again, exhaling the temper. Jedi- Them and their ilk never knew when to not stick their noses into her affairs. Soon; soon she would be able to slip back into obscurity where she could pull her strings and play her games. This open warfare did not suit her well. The droid helped, but his coding only took him so far.

Her eyes opened again and turned from the horizon to the exit of the roof. Soon Obredaan would be back in line.