Work Text:
In the depths of an Imperial Star Destroyer, any individual with attuned senses would feel uneasy. The deep, rumbling engine could be felt anywhere aboard the vessel by those with the ability to listen, and only through constant contact or training would one acclimate to it.
Yet the sound that truly mattered in this moment was not that mechanical vibration, thumping in the background. Neither was it the sound of the ships computers processing vast amounts of data, nor the muffled chatter among the trooper personnel aboard.
No, in this moment, the only noise of importance emanated from the holoprojector in a secluded room, as three terrifying figures awaited the call of the most terrifying of all.
Marrok could not tell how long they had waited. The last hours, if not days, blurred together in his mind. Nevertheless, he suffered his condition in silence. Besides him, the Eleventh Brother silently caressed his inquisitorial lightsaber, trying not to focus on his most recent injury.
And in their lead knelt Lord Vader, awaiting his master’s bidding patiently.
Finally, the holocall sprang to life, and the bluish projection of Emperor Palpatine spoke up.
“Lord Vader. Has the situation on Janix been dealt with, and the peace of the Empire restored?”
A single exhale could be heard through the Dark Lord’s mask before he replied.
“My Master, the plague spread amongst this planet’s populace has been cleansed. Our imperial troops have restored order and the criminal underworld has been crushed.”
“As expected, Lord Vader. Have the Inquisitors shown their worth in this conflict?”
Marrok and his brother held their breaths. It was rare for the Emperor to address them, neither knew what they expected.
“They served their purpose, my Master. Our prey was lured out through them until the last of our enemies was defeated.”
“Very well. I am glad that the chapter of Maul can finally be put to rest.”
At the mention of the Shadow Lord, the room felt even colder than before. Through his immense power, Palpatine must’ve felt it even on far away Coruscant. His eyes stared through his armor into Lord Vader’s soul (if he had one) as the kneeling Sith Lord spoke once more.
“Maul fled the planet on a star ship. He was beaten, his allies are gone and-”
“And yet he lives. His stubborn refusal to die was known to you, and I am saddened to see your task unfinished.”
Through the helmet it was impossible to see Vader’s frustration, and neither Inquisitor dared to sense it through the Force now, as Vader continued his report.
“I personally struck down the Jedi Master he had allied with, Maul fled the battle with his Padawan soon after. We will find them.”
At the mention of the Jedi, Sidious demeanor shifted. He uttered two words, cold as ice.
“Leave us.”
The Inquisitors took their cue to leave and left the two Dark Lords of the Sith to their discussion.
“He is weak and on the run, rest assured we will find him soon enough.”
“I have my doubts. You spoke of a Padawan. He left with Maul?”
Somehow, the Emperor sounded less upset for a second. To Vader, it sounded like curiosity.
“A young female Twi’lek, she was seen departing aboard his escape ship with his saber in her hand.”
For a few moments, no one said a word.
When Palpatine continued to speak, it felt unnerving.
“I see you fail to comprehend the depths of your failure. Perhaps I should not be surprised, seeing how unfamiliar you are to the ways of the Sith. Even if Maul is far less of one now.”
Vader grew irritated.
“My Master, with all due respect, he is a shadow of his former self. He has lost his closest allies. He is surely indebted to those who came to his rescue. His body is broken with dire need for repair and he stands no chance to strike at the almighty Empire for a good long while. What could he possibly have to cause us worry?”
Palpatine chuckled, like one who knew a joke the other did not. The sound agitated Vader far more than being chided ever could.
“Oh, my dear friend, you do not yet see the bigger picture. Yes, he has lost near everything in your encounter. You have inflicted great suffering upon our enemy. These losses you’ve mentioned are replaceable however, acceptable even. Yet through this struggle, he has secured the one thing the Sith require above all else. The one way through which we have grown stronger over a thousand years, since the days of Darth Bane.”
What he spoke next, he spoke with disdain.
“An Apprentice.”
Far away, hidden in darkness, cargo boxes of the Crimson Dawn levitated above the ground. Held above the ground with the Force, Devon Izara concentrated on retaining the objects momentum as another voice guided her.
“You must feel the world around you. The cold steel of this hangar. The warmth of the ceiling lights. The smell of machine oil. And what you feel inside. The speed of your heartbeat. The satisfaction of a full stomach. The hunger for more power. The pain of what was lost to bring us here. Of what was unjustly taken from us.”
Several of the cargo boxes shattered at that, clattering to the ground, and the rest dropped down soon after. Devon gasped for air, the uncontrolled burst of emotion a new sensation she did not know how to handle. Her eyes at the edge of tears from the sudden sensation, she turned to her new Master for further instruction.
Maul looked at her with understanding.
“Through this passion we gain strength.”
He drew his lightsaber, and she was quick to do the same.
“But you must learn to focus it.”
His scarlet blade ignited, he took a stance she mirrored, illuminated in crimson.
“Let me show you, Apprentice.”