Chapter Text
Lord Wrath stood at the head of the conference table. The Wrath surveyed his subordinates one by one, before speaking. There were six of them in the room, including the Wrath: The Wrath, a human female, two human males, a female Twi’lek and a monster.
“We are gathered here, in this particular way because the task before us is an unusual one. We have worked together as a unit for many, fruitful years. Each of you have been crucial and irreplaceable part of our operation. I am not ungrateful. But times are changing and I am in need of a new system and a different method.
“Jaesa,” the Wrath addressed the human female. “It is an omission on my part, and I hope you won’t hold it against me, now that I am to remedy it. I promote you to the rank of Sith Lord.”
The woman called Jaesa, apparently the Wrath’s apprentice, preened at her master. “About time, master.”
The Wrath ignored her. “I am sending you to Korriban. There you will select and train an apprentice of your own. Then you are to join the Sith high society on either Korriban or Drumond Kaas, whichever to your liking. Tell them you have killed your master. Find allies and enemies. You will be my ears.”
The newly appointed Lord Jaesa smiled a dark smile. “Of course, master.”
“Pierce,” the Wrath continued. The larger of the two males stood taller, listening intently to the Wrath’s commands. “I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain.”
The man identified as Pierce saluted the Wrath, then bowed deeply. “M’lord.”
The Wrath nodded. “You are going to Dromund Kaas. There, you are to establish a new military unit. I leave the selection and training of this unit in your hands and give you free range. You have one year to accomplish this task.”
This time Pierce didn’t bow, but grinned widely. “Understood, m’lord.”
“Broonmark,” the Wrath addressed the alien monster next. “You are to go to your species home-world, Alzoc III. There you are to portray the strength of the Empire. Hunt, kill and gain notoriety.”
“Blood will flow for Sith clan,” the creature answered.
The Wrath nodded. “Stay in touch with Pierce. Once a group of likely candidates would be established, return to Drumand Kaas to assist Pierce with training.”
Broonmark howled his assent, and Pierce said, “Aye, m’lord.”
“What about me, Boss?” the twi’lek asked.
“You will accompany myself and Quinn,” the Wrath answered. “But I advise you to find a new alias. You have been using your old one for too long.”
The twi’lek nodded. “Sure thing, boss.”
“Where are you going, master?” Lord Jaesa asked.
“There is an artifact of invaluable knowledge that needs to be apprehended,” The Wrath replied. “But it will take time and effort. It is useless for all of you to wait in stasis until I obtain it.”
The reply seemed to quite any further questions.
The Wrath surveyed his subordinates one more time and spoke again. “I am promoting Quinn to the rank of Commodore.”
The smaller of the two males didn’t move a muscle at the announcement. He stood at parade-rest to the right of the Lord Wrath, his gaze hard, as he surveyed the reactions of his companions. Captain Pierce and Lord Jaesa rolled their eyes, the twi’lek grinned and the monster did not react in any visible way.
The Wrath stood in silence for another moment, then said. “You all know your tasks. Dismissed.”
Within an hour the Wrath was speeding away into hyperspace accompanied only by the twi’lek and the newly appointed Commodore Quinn.
The twi’lek and the Wrath were lounging on the couches of the common area, while the Commodore piloted the ship to their destination.
“So, where are we going?” the twi’lek asked.
The Wrath hesitated a moment before answering. “I have been a little untruthful in what I said earlier. You will not be coming with Quinn and I.”
A look of confusion crossed the blue girl’s face. “What are you going to do with me?”
The Wrath laughed. “I’m not going to do anything. I just didn’t want anyone to know where you will be and what you will be doing.”
The twi’lek visibly relaxed. “You do have a job for me. Share!”
“Yes,” the Wrath said. “You are an accomplished slicer, a notorious pirate, a thief and a shrewd business woman.”
The twi’lek blushed purple. “Oh stop! Do go on…”
“I need you to build me a spy network. Build one yourself, take over someone else’s, it doesn’t matter. I want you, and as a result me, to know everything that is happening in the Empire and in the Republic. You can recruit anyone you want, but you can’t tell them you are working for me. In fact, my existence and relation to you should never be discovered.”
The girl’s eyes were shining, her mouth was open in an O of surprise and delight.
“I will leave you a single comm link to contact me. But you will not use it even under the most dire of circumstances. If Pierce or Jaesa are dead – I don’t want to know. Use it only, and I mean only, if my real whereabouts are discovered.”
The twi’lek looked somber at the Wrath’s words. “I promise.”
“Good,” the Wrath nodded at his companion.
At that moment Commodore Quinn entered the common area. He sat unprompted next to the Wrath. “We will reach Thila in 4 standard hours.”
The Wrath nodded. “Once we reach Thila, Quinn and I will depart to our own vessel. This ship I am leaving to you.”
“Finally!” the twi’lek exclaimed. “You remembered my birthday!”
The Wrath chuckled, and even the Commodore smiled.
“Have you thought of a new name?” the commodore asked.
“Oooh, yes!” the girl said excitedly. “What do you think about ‘Ali’? Always wanted to be ‘Ali’…”
The commodore frowned, and the Wrath looked at him expectedly.
“Not a very twi’lek name…” he said.
“What? Do you expect to call me ‘Ler'cecrec’ or some such nonsense?!”
The commodore sighed and shook his head. “‘Ali’ it is, then…”
The twi’lek girl grinned and the Wrath laughed softly.
“Go get some rest,” the Wrath said to them both.
“Wait,” called Ali. “You never told me where you are really going.”
“Because I hope you will never find out,” the Wrath answered with a smile, rose and went to the helm of the ship.
~
“How do you know this?” the man in the dark robe growled at her. “You weren’t there.”
“No,” her voice was weak, from screaming, from crying, but if she told them the truth then they would stop. They said they would. “Some I found out, some I concluded on my own. But all of it is the truth.”
“Tell me more!” the man said and raised another tool from the table.
She sobbed, and tried to speak…