The Pyramids of Tygara (Siobhan)

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal leaned into the caress, nuzzling against the hand like she were a cat being stroked.
“Sorry, Lady,” she whispered. When Siobhan touched her ear she let out a little moan. “Yes, Lady, let me show you how I missed you.”

Time passed. The black curtain of PG-13 had descended to protect any kiddies who might happen to be corrupted. Who knew, perhaps they were playing tiddly-winks, we will never know.

Regardless, when the black curtain lifted, the pair were dressed…if a little more raggedly…and were sharing some coffee. The Qadiri coffee was very strong and had started to be exported to Firemane as a pick-me-up, though humans could easily become overwhelmed if they drunk too much of it!

“Lady, you said you had matters to discuss? Am I to fight beside you and consume your enemies with fire?” she asked eagerly.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan smiled slightly. "I wish some of the new recruits had your commitment. We've got so many naive Jedi applying these days. Silly children who think it's all a game, believe they can get an instant command and are shocked when people are actually kiled in battle. I give them to Nyssa and Freya to break them in and see if there's something worth salvaging," Siobhan chuckled.

However, then her expression turned serious. She took a sip from the coffee. It was strong, so she had to watch how much she drank. She liked it more than stimcaf though. "It's about the Great Pyramid in the desert. I have received some intelligence on what may be located inside it and it is troubling, to say the least. I understand you have some insight about a recent incident. Something about a local potentate trying to gain entrance."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal nodded. “Freya and Nyssa would be most skilled in breaking the foolish.” Word got around, even to the Qadiri. You didn’t mess with certain people in Firemane. Siobhan and Elpsis of course, but also Freya, Nyssa, Tempest and Leonina had acquired reputations of people who took no crap.

However, when Siobhan asked her next question the reaction was extraordinary. Sahal’s content expression vanished and she rapidly shook her head.
“Please do not ask me this, Lady. I cannot refuse or lie to you, but I beg you not to make me relive this!” she said, falling to her knees in front of Siobhan. “Please…” she whispered, looking up at her Lady pleadingly.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan was taken aback by how vehemently Sahal reacted to her question. Suddenly the girl was on her knees, pleading with her not to make her relive whatever horrible thing had happened inside the pyramid. The Lady clamped down on the urge to reprimand her. What had transpired must have been shocking, but Sahal was one of her knights. However, she did not waver either. It would have been weakness - both for herself and Sahal.

"Lives are at stake, Sahal. What is inside the pyramid is extremely dangerous, and you're the only witness. That means you're the only one who can prevent further harm. It is your duty to tell me." She did not raise her voice. It remained soft and measured, but unyielding.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
To her credit, once Sahal saw how unyielding her Lady was, she bowed her head.
“As my Lady commands, I will describe what I saw.” She sat back on her chair but kept her head bowed.

“The Mistress found many uses for me, and one was to be a soldier she would hire to others she sought favour with, or whom needed warriors. I was sent with Faiz of Zhoruk. He was a wicked man, and very proud. He also liked to…” she shook her head rapidly. “Liked to do bad things,” she finished quickly.

“He had received a treasure said to come from the pyramid by a trader. He was entranced by it and immediately ordered us to approach it. A great fear filled us all, but he laughed with scorn and executed his minister who counselled caution. It was hot, there was dust and little water as we marched league upon league across the sands. One of my sister-soldiers thought it was all a trick by Faiz to find those who opposed him. Perhaps it started that way.”

“The pyramid was so big and so cold even in the desert it blotted the sun from the sky. A great fear took us, but he ordered me to enter with him, along with others. The door carried symbols of a language I knew not. Yet, the artefact he had taken from the trader opened it somehow. He did all of this, it was though he heard a voice only he could hear.”

Sahal fell silent, as if trying to compose herself for the next section.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

When Sahal fell silent, Siobhan gently took her hand. "If he were here, I'd make him suffer. A lot." She had a certain expertise in doing bad things to people she considered deserving. She got up and poured a glass of water, then passed it over to the Qadiri Knight. "Continue when you're ready."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal accepted the water gratefully.
“The pyramid…it was strange. It was not stone inside like I expected, but metal. Black metal, like iron obsidian. When I touched it the metal was so cold it burned my hand even through gloves. Strange letters and symbols covered every wall, I did not know to read then, but even now they are not like any I have seen.”

“Faiz ordered us to follow. One of the warriors was so terrified they fled, but the door had closed and he…” Sahal shuddered. “He was eaten by some sort of black goo or liquid. Nothing remained but bones.”

“We came to a great door far underground and Faiz spoke words with something we could not see. He ordered his guards to stand in front of a door, and they were destroyed by green lightning. He spared me because he said he needed a sacrifice later. I knew he was using evil magic so I pretended to obey, but then as the door closed I jumped back through it. I grabbed from him the trader’s stone as I did. He commanded me to return it, but I ran. Skeletons of metal…dr-oids you call them…attacked me, but I burned them with fire. I ran to the exit, but the door was locked. I used the stone to open the door and ran into the night desert.”

“I learned only later that he had returned, but was murdered for his madness. The Mistress was angry with me when I returned and she beat me with rods and made me serve all her guards. However, she made me fight for her again, and that was when you found me, Lady.”

A little smirk crossed Sahal’s face. “I did not give her the trader’s stone though. I hid this in the desert so no one would enter the pyramid again. Surely you do not mean to, Lady? It is a wicked place filled with evil technology. The memory frightens me still.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

"My poor, brave girl," Siobhan leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on Sahal's forehead. A chaste one as opposed to a sexual one. "You did good, girl. You did good. I don't have anymore questions." She patted Sahal on the shoulder and got to her feet.

"A queen who is incapable of protecting her people and sits on a throne all day is no queen at all. The machine inside the pyramide is active. I shall confer with Varosh, then examine the place myself. I shall take a contingent of droids with me. You shall remain here. You've done enough."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal got to her feet, bowed. “Thank you, Lady.”

He seemed to hesitate, torn and tortured by something very hard to her.
“Lady…I…if you are going into this danger I should come with you.” She sounded very hesitant. “I have been inside the pyramid, I might be able to assist.”
Was she offering genuinely or out of obligation? Her expression of pained sincerity made it hard to know.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan frowned. Someone else might have tried to talk Sahal out of it, but she gave her a curt nod. "Very well, then we shall face the dangers together, my knight. I shall confer with Varosh. Wrap up any matters you must attend to here and ready yourself."

She seemed to walk away, then turned. "You're not the same woman you were back then, Sahal. You are free now. Stronger. What lurks in the pyramid is dangerous, but you can and will overcome it. Any foe, no matter whether of flesh and blood, metal or noncorporeal can be beaten with the right tools."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Once the decision was made, Sahal did not argue, she just nodded. Even though she clearly feared returning she had given her commitment. In any case it was with her Lady, and she sincerely believed that Siobhan would be able to defeat any danger even without her.

“Yes, Lady, we will rise and defeat the horrors. They will not possess my mind with fear this time, I swear it.”
She knelt before Siobhan and bowed her head.
“I swear I shall fight and triumph beside you, and I will never abandon my Lady…even until the ending of the world.”

Case closed…for now!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan liked it when people knelt before her. It put them in a good position to...do other things. "And I vow that you shall always have a place at my hearth, and meat and wine at my table. And I swear that I shall ask no services of you that bring you dishonour. Your name will be written into the annals of House Kerrigan-Alcori." In her spare time, Siobhan had read up a bit on Qadiri customs and traditions of knighthood.

Arise, Ser Sahal of Azal. Who knew, maybe one day she could head the Queen's Guard, like Ser Brienne of Tarth. Just without being dumped by her love interest, who proceeded to die from falling debris. Said fate could have been avoided if Jaime and Cersei had stepped just a little bit to the right, but this one digresses.

Anyhow, Siobhan helped Sahal back to her feet and gave her a chaste kiss. "I brought some gear with me. You have access to the armoury on the yacht. I will be back shortly." Who knew, maybe Sahal would meet the racist or the sycophant.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal smiled as Siobhan repeated the treasured words. The next part came easily to her, though she had never thought she’d be a knight she knew the ritual well.
“For House Kerrigan-Alcori I swear my blade, my life, my honour. May the Goddess see my oath, reward fealty, and punish oathbreaking.”
It was an emotional moment for her, and she impulsively kissed Siobhan back with a flushed smile.

Once her Lady was gone, Sahal composed herself. Just in time.
Captain Haverley entered with a bag, followed by Second Lieutenant Marinus, the sycophant from before.
Haverley dumped the bag on the floor.
“Director Kerrigan asked you to have these. You’ll need some more advanced equipment than your current…rustic loadout.”
Sahal could feel the dislike. The woman made no effort to hide it. “Your dedication to your Lady is commendable, thank you,” she replied politely.
“Sure. Ask Lieutenant Marinus if there’s anything you need explained,” she added with a dismissive wave, and left.
“Awkward,” Marinus said when she was gone. “Don’t mind her, Subedar, it’s nothing personal. So, let’s get you setup!”

Sahal tensed when he put hands on her, but she quickly determined that he was either very focused on his job or completely uninterested in her in any sense other than professional.
Soon Sahal was wearing a more modern combat suit. It had looked heavy, but felt balanced when she wore it. However, as the full helmet went over her head she shook her head and pulled it off.
“I cannot see in this, it’s like I am trapped!”
Marinus tutted slightly. “It’s the best thing for protection, Sahal.” He paused. “Hang on a moment.”
Sahal spent the couple of minutes he was gone staring at the helmet. She knew the star warriors wore them, but it felt like being a head cage of iron. Fortunately Marinus returned with a replacement.
“This is much less constricting, but you’ll need to have a rebreather handy in case. I’ll pack the other one for you, but we use these for our enforcers.”
Sahal took it, tried it on, nodded. “Thank you, Lieutenant. All of this is so new to me, I need to work to it slowly.”
He smiled. “I understand. If that’s all, I’ll let her Ladyship know you’re ready. You’ll let her know I helped, yes?”
“I shall tell her truthfully,” Sahal replied seriously.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Some time later Siobhan returned. She was carrying a heavy duffel bag. "All suited up? Good." Then she stripped. Military life and her own exhibitionist personality left little room for modesty. Besides, Sahal knew her body very well by now. Siobhan lived in the lap of luxury and was no longer a frontline soldier, but refused to let herself go. Thus she exercised regularly and controlled what she ate. She had been very upset when she discovered that she had gained weight while recovering from her stroke. Her wife had tried to soothe her by saying that the new pounds had all gone to her curves, but she had still hit the gym.

Her body was far from unblemished. After a life spent fighting, being broken and rebuilt multiple times, it was covered by a mass of scars. Only in cheesy holomovies could a warrior woman look like a supermodel with an hourglass figure that never got marred by dirt, scars or burns. Or fight while wearing stilettos. There was no place for delicate flowers on a battlefield. Siobhan loved her high heels, but stuck to combat boots when in action.

Regardless, she slipped on a sealed bodyglove. Then she put on her armour. First the Cuirass, then the greaves, then the gauntlets. If Sahal found her modern combat suit heavy, then she was probably wondering how Siobhan was able to move in beskar plate armour, for its weight was absurd. She picked up her helmet, looked at Sahal, frowned. "I told Haverley to provide you a full suit of armour. Did she neglect to give you a helmet?" she asked, sounding a bit suspicious.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal watched somewhat, not in a lustful way, but in a sort of awed silence. Siobhan could be said to be a completely different person on the battlefield as off. Off she preferred the finer fashions and flavours of life. On it, she looked the part of any grizzled veteran.

Jerked back to reality by the question, she looked down at the helmet in her hands.
“She did…but I found it…constricting, Lady. Lieutenant Marinus found me this.”
It all seemed a little silly now that Siobhan was standing there in some sort of space armour which looked like a cataphract had met a battle tank.

She strapped on her weapons now, and then helpfully offered Siobhan her lightsabre. She very carefully, and almost comically, held it at arm’s length and pointed away from them both. She herself had gone for a vibroblade, bolt pistol and blaster.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan could be a pretty femme or a warrior woman, depending on what suited her. Off the battlefield she was a pampered femme with perfect hair and delicately manicured nails who loved beautiful dresses, makeup, gems and high heels and expected to be worshipped like a queen. On the battlefield she returned to her roots as a soldier. One thing Siobhan did not bother much with, regardless of which role she was playing, was hide her scars.

"How very helpful of him," Siobhan commented, then accepted the offered lightsabre, attaching it to her belt. Her new sabre had crossguards. She holstered a Magnetic Revolver and strapped a shattergun to her thigh. "Keep the helmet close by. Remember, there are gasses that can work on you even if you don't inhale. All it takes is skin contact," she said seriously. The First Order had used nerve gas to murder civilians on Skor. But now they had been relegated to the dust bin of history.

Regardless, she tied her mane into a ponytail to keep it from getting in the way. Putting it in a helmet would make her hair all sweaty, but that could not be helped. A maid could wash it later. "Come on. We need to get you a better sword soon. You're a Knight, so you shall be armed accordingly," she added, sparing Sahal's vibroblade a glance. Siobhan's gait was not fast. The armour slowed her down and a multitude of old injuries meant she was not very mobile anyway.
Outside, an immensely big and tough looking Kar'zun awaited them. Kar'zakush was clad in Power Armour and carried an absurdly massive plasma cannon that Siobhan or Sahal would probably have trouble lifting, let alone using. It probably had Extreme stopping power and absurd recoil. Because that was not enough, it also had an underslung grenade launcher that fired explode on impact microgrenades. Oh, and it had not been subbed to the Factory.
"Which one is that? Bianca?" Siobhan pointed a finger at the cannon.
"Vera," Kar'zakush corrected. She had a very, very deep voice. It sounded like the pounding of hammers. "Her little sister. The old girl is still in retirement. Maybe one day I can coax her back. We're getting a move on? I am tired of the sand and standing in the heat."
"Maybe the pyramid will have quick sand and zombie birds. Rakatan love their traps."
Kar'zakush looked...stonily. "The little monstrosities better not pour their feces on us. If you fall into the quick sand, I am not going to be jumping after you to pull you out, Lady." She was old and cranky enough to get away with that.
"I'd pay tickets for the day I see you jump. Sahal, the cranky lady is Sergeant Kar'zakush of the Granite Guard."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal looked at her blade. It was indeed good quality, but it was not magnificent. Far from it, it was fairly standard.
“As you say, Lady. I do not know if I could use the sword of light you carry,” she said modestly, and realistically too. At Siobhan’s command she took the helmet in one hand. She frowned at it, but nodded. “I will keep it close,” she affirmed, secretly hoping she wouldn’t need it.

However, she soon came upon the moving cliff face known as Kar'zakush. Gulping, she looked up.
“Well met, Sergeant,” she said a little squeakily. She’d never met a Kar’zun before, and it was quite an experience. She had heard about them from Firemane and the Eldorai, but nothing had prepared her for the…cragginess…of this specimen.

As they walked across the courtyard all those Qadiri present turned and stared at the Kar’zun. Sahal felt she had to take control.
“Back to work, the lot of you! Jemedar, get these soldiers moving and not gawping!”

Soon there was a bustle as the sepoys were put back to work.
“Lady, do you wish any of my warriors to accompany us?” she asked.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

"I have some ideas for something suitable for you," Siobhan said enigmatically as they went outside. A certain Jedi Master would probably be happy that someone appreciated her work. Who knew, maybe she would also be more amenable to Sio's advances. After all, every single Jedi order was a huge letdown.

For her part, the Kar'zun scrutinised the elf. Sahal was not small, but Kar'zakush towered over her. To be fair, she also towered over Siobhan. Sio ought to be used to it by now. Even Elpsis was taller than her. "Well met, Subedar," she responded in her deep, deep voice. "Hmmph. Disciple it is," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

They went outside and immediately became the centre of everyone's attention. Well, Kar'zakush became. For her part, the golem seemed more focused on getting out of the sun. Sahal cook control and the Sepoys went back to work. Siobhan was inclined to decline, then thought better of it. "Select a few as an escort. They can accompany us to the entrance."
"Take the golden-maned, ignorant one as well," Kar'zakush interjected. "Make her go for a run."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal had glanced at her quizzically a moment, but then let it go as they walked on. Her Lady had many mysteries, and it was not for her to ask for revelation!
She did not reply to the giant Kar’zun. She was still not sure what to make of them.
Looking at her troops, she singled out one particular squad.
“Jai Saobana, you know of the paths in the Cracked Plains?”
“Yes, Subedar. I traversed them often.”
“Good, your squad will accompany the Lady Kerrigan and obey her every command.”
The change which went over the young Qadiri’s face was amazing. She moved forward and bowed her head.
“Great Liberator, I greet you as my mother and Lady, for I had no family until I took your name and was freed by Your mercy.”
“Many former slaves take the names of their liberator. Many have your name, Lady,” Sahal said in Basic, a bit embarrassed.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Kar'zakush muttered something in her native tongue about the Great Scarlet Flame's ego not being in need of more stroking before saying, "her brood was just getting manageable." For her part, Siobhan looked a bit puzzled at first, then smiled slightly. "I have many brave Qadiri children then?" she asked rhetorically. "Curious that nobody informed me. I need to meet them."

She looked upon the young Qadiri who had bowed her head. "Look me in the eyes, child. I would know your full name and place of origin."
The girl looked nervous, but managed to keep eye contact. "Sahmara Jai Saobana. I am from Lakish, Great Liberator."
"Well, dear. It seems you know quite a bit about me and I have little knowledge of you. I believe we should rectify this after the mission is complete, don't you agree?"
Sahmara looked more than a little awestruck. "I would be honoured. Very much."
"Good. Now focus on the mission. Follow my orders, bring honour to yourself and your comrades. You will escort us to the Great Pyramid. It is a place filled with manifold dangers, but no menace cannot be overcome with the will and the right methods."