Chapter 22 The evil that watches
Lord Kilmore’s chamber was dimly lit. The walls were so dark that the eye easily fell for the illusion that there was an endless depth of empty space in all directions. The throne, or pedestal, where Kilmore spent his day, dwindling away, was surrounded by a thousand monitors, where he watched the lives of his Waterbourne citizen play out. Some of the monitors displayed key players in distant cities, some on other planets, and some on the many ships in his fleet. The further distant the agent in scrutiny was, the more likely the telementry was not real time. He had several main screens positioned close to his chair. The controls on his chair allowed him to change views to fit his whims. His chair was also equipped to allow him to tap into the myriad of additional sensory information available to him. And, finally, at a moments notice, he could literally hijack most of his agents, with tech or the Force or both.
Venrich turned Preston over to Darth Torlin and Alyth and then the door shut him out. They escorted Preston to Lord Kilmore, stopping just shy of the shield that separated the throne pedestal from the rest of the room. They waited patientily to be addressed, while Kilmore manipulated agents on the screen as easily as if he were playing a video game. Preston seemed so at ease that Torlin wanted to smack him down, but he held his hand because his master had not directed him to do so. Lord Kilmore finished his activity, then spun around and gazed down on them, smiling.
“Preston G Waycaster,” Kilmore said, smiling, resting his chin on a hand, his elbow in the arm of the chair. He coughed.
“Such a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you,” Preston said.
Kilmore seemed taken aback.
“I’m surprised. Most Jedi’s would find it necessary to be rude, or at the minimum, sarcastic.”
“I am not a Jedi, but even if I were, I can’t explain your experience. I see no need to engage in an exchange of hostilities,” Preston said.
“Well said. But I don’t like people lying to me. There is no way you are so well trained in the Force not to be a Jedi,” Kilmore said.
“Perhaps you are so use to people lying to you that you’re projecting,” Preston said. Torlin was about to address Preston, but Kilmore raised a finger. Torlin turned back, lowering his gaze.
“Your lack of fear suggests stupidity at the least,” Kilmore said.
“Still, I like you. And that, my young friend, leaves me with a dilemma. Alyth, take the cons. Torlin, the pros. Break it down for me.”
“As long as the Bloodhunters are after him, he is a liability,” Alyth said.
“Indeed,” Kilmore agreed, but was not impressed.
“And obvious. Torlin?”
“As long as he continues to defeat the Bloodhunters, he will continue to improve as a warrior. Additionally, as the Bloodhunters escalate their campaigns to capture him, we can use them to destroy our own enemies. We insert Preston into a location, alert the Bloodhunters, and allow the collateral damage to ensue.”
Kilmore laughed until he coughed.
“I love it. I have always wondered if it were true that some Bloodhunters are mechanized weapons. A Droid anti-matter bomb with the sole purpose deploying itself would be marvelous to observe. Awe, let the terror reign. Next?”
“His neutrality is disgusting,” Alyth said.
“He is neither Jedi nor Sith and he refuses to pick a side.”
“Agreed. I find his lack of commitment equally disturbing,” Kilmore said.
Torlin felt Kilmore searching him, waiting for a response. He also found Preston’s nonalignment revolting, but then he was tasked with finding something positive.
“It is his non alignment which makes him an asset, as he is more likely to be able to bait others into lowering their guard. He will blend in where others stand out, making him a tool.”
“Which also means you can’t control his loyalty, Master,” Alyth said, and intuitively stumbled forward in her argument.
“You don’t have a foothold! You don’t have a clue what he’s thinking, nor do you have any influence.”
Kilmore went into a coughing fit which took him a moment to recover. He wheezed.
Surprisingly, he confirmed Alyth’s suspicion: “I was not able to get a foothold in him. You were dead for an hour, Preston. How did you block me?”
“Maybe you’ve reached capacity?” Preston asked.
“You should release some of your older, slower assets so you can acquire newer, faster, smarter ones.”
Kilmore laughed at Preston’s attempt to bait him.
“As my body grows weaker, I become stronger in the Force. You would be a fool to mistake otherwise,” he said.
“Of course,” Preston said, bowing slightly.
“The closer we are to death, the greater our access to the Force.”
“Interesting,” Kilmore said. He reflected over the statement, his finger steepling, touching his lip.
“My Master said something similar to me once. Indeed, that is how Waterbourne was founded. This is where I was raised.” Kilmore allowed his mind to go back and it was diificult to discern if it was pain or pleasure flashing across his face.
“Is that why the Bloodhunters want you? Are you a lost student of Vistrill?”
“I’ve spoken with him,” Preston said.
“Liar! He’s been dead for thirty years now!” Kilmore spat.
“He said you killed him. Specifically, he had a foothold in you and you flip it at a crucial juncture in a fight and stayed his hand,” Preston said.
Kilmore leaned so far forward in his seat he looked as if he might fall out.
“You can Travel! Do you speak to the dead, or simply read the Akshic records. Wait, of course. You do more than Travel, you can project yourself there, physically! A doppleganger! You can create doubles! And you kept this from me, Alyth.”
As Kilmore squeased his fist, Alyth staggered to the floor.
“I suspected, Master, but I was not sure,” Alyth pleaded.
“I decide what is certain, not you!” Kilmore said. He eased up on his fist and slid back into his seat, coughing.
“I’ve heard of those who can create dopplegangers. Always wanted one for a pet. If you taught me this skill, or gave me a foot hold, perhaps I could project into a younger, more fit body.” He laughed, pointing at Alyth.
“Oh, Torlin, did you see that? I swear, if I weren’t controlling her, she might have killed Preston just to keep me from learning a new skill.”
“Obviously, he would be a great asset. The mere fact that he is wanted by the Bloodhunters is sufficient to know he is valuable,” Torlin said.
“The Emperor would not have placed a hit on him otherwise.”
“Indeed,” Kilmore said, sighing.
“But he is not old enough to have met the Emperor himself, so, what then, someone in his family? One of your ancestors betrayed him? You’re not a Skywalker, are you?”
“What, Skywalkers come out with several generation of powerful Jedi, that means all powerful Jedis are related?” Preston asked.
“You’re holding back,” Alyth said.
“He is well trained,” Torlin countered.
“Oh, that is for sure,” Kilmore said, pulling Preston’s lightsabers out. Kilmore had both Preston’s current one, and the one he had loaned Daphne.
“I have not seen their equal in a long time. Nice touch with the security lock. Who taught you?”
“I am sorry, but no one person, and no one living, is responsible for my training,” Preston said.
“Enough of his insolence! Let me destroy him?!” Alyth demanded.
“Or, he destroys you and becomes my new apprentice,” Torlin offered, speaking Kilmore’s thoughts.
“Yes, Alyth, I think you’re right. It’s the only way to get to the bottom of this. Fight, and allow the Force to sort it out,” Kilmore said, tossing a lightsaber to Preston.
The only thing that saved Preston from being struck down by Alyth’s blade was the fact that his lightsaber blade deployed instantaneously on catching it. The report that accompanied the blade’s deployment echoed in the small chamber. Kilmore covered his ears, laughing hysterically. Torlin was going to participate, but Kilmore used his Force manipulation to move him back out of the way.
“Let’s play fair,” Kilmore said.
It was hardly a fair fight, since Alyth was compensating for her wounds. When their blades met again, he managed to grab hold her lightsaber hilt and turned it off, while simultaneously, pushing her back against the wall with the Force. She hit the wall and slid down. Her right arm was broken and she could hardly breathe. Kilmore laughed and clapped.
“Finish her!” Kilmore cheered.
Preston deactivated his lightsaber and faced Kilmore.
“I will not kill her,” Preston said.
“THEN I WILL,” Kilmore and Torlin said, both together.
Preston activated both his and Alyth’s lightsaber together, blocking Torlin’s awkward attack, no doubt affected by Kilmore’s feeble control and a coughing fit. Preston’s lightsaber was only on for a second, before he shut it off and reignited it. Alyth’s blade held firm against, Torlin’s blade. His own blade went through Torlin’s chest, illumiating the chest cavity, neck, and shining through some of his clothes. The sonic blast that accompanied the activation rippled the edges of Torlin’s cape. Torlin didn’t scream. Kilmore wailed, grabbing his chest. Torlin’s blade extinguished as his lightsaber fell to the floor. As Torlin collapsed towards the floor, his own weight pulled him through Preston’s lightsaber like butter slipping over a hot knife. He hit the floor, his upper torso torn in two.
Kilmore found the strength to stand. He walked down the pedestal and stood, hunched, in front of the shield, shouting profanities.
“You bastard! You killed my hand! You will not leave this planet alive! My hand, damn you!” Kilmore shouted.
Preston threw down both lightsabers and approached Kilmore, even dropped to both knees, in a gesture forgiveness begging.
“I don’t understand, Master? I thought I had to kill Torlin to become your apprentice?” Preston said.
“Vistril sent me to you so I wouldn’t be alone.”
“He was my hand!” Kilmore said.
“He was old and weak,” Preston snapped in anger. Calmer, he mawkishly begged: “Take me as your new hand, and together, with your knowledge and power, and my strength and abilities, you will be the next Emperor. I need your guidance, Master.”
“I,” Kilmore stopped.
“You must give me a foothold!”
“I will gladly submit, Master, if you will grant me two gifts,” Preston said.
“That’s not how this works!” Kilmore spit.
“All I ask is that you give me Alyth as my apprentice and that you’re out of her head,” Preston said.
“So there can be more of you in mine. I am so tired being alone, Master. I’ve been alone all my life. That’s why I came to you.”
Preston prostrated himself on the floor, hands reaching out towards Kilmore. Kilmore turned off the shields using his bracelet tech. He approached Preston eagerly. He had been with Torlin so long that loosing him was exactly like loosing a limb, and he needed a puppet of Torlin’s ability or better to stay in crontol of his small Empire. He had a hint of Preston’s ability, and he was eager to take him on. He was so focused on this, he actually let many of his assets go, including Alyth, so he could be sure to capture his prey. Recapturing was much easier than first footholds.
“There, there, son,” Kilmore said, touching Preston’s head.
“Let me ease your loneliness…”
Kilmore touched Preston’s head, forcing his presence into his mind. Preston was able to see the depths of Kilmore’s depravity, saw all the footholds he had forged. In that same instant, Kilmore had a glimmer of the power he was about to have access to, the power to create a doppleganger, one even healthier than his own body. He could live physically as he did mentally, even be young again! But he wouldn’t have a hold until Preston surrendered or accepted an exchange.
“Join me, Preston. Look at all these tools you can use. You can take over their bodies, sleep with their wives and girlfriends without anyone being the wiser. You know you want to,” Kilmore’s voice echoed in Preston’s mind.
“Or take over the females if you prefer, make them your slaves…”
Preston gripped Kilmore’s ankles and channeled an intense burst of energy directly into him. Kilmore was so shocked he was unable to scream. He became illuminated from the inside out, colapsing into a ball of white light, suspended in air about where his heart would have been. When the light faded, a black diamond fell to the floor. Preston got up and walked towards Alyth, pausing only to rid the floor of Torlin’s remains. A red diamond lit the floor in its place, with the tiniest echo, volumes difference than Preston’s lightsaber popping. He knealt down beside Alyth.
“I don’t understand. I thought you were going to join him,” Alyth said.
Preston pushed a hair out of her eyes. She was still struggling to breathe, probably due to the additional broken ribs.
“I needed him to believe that, so he would let down his shield, his guard,” Preston said.
“You lied to him?” Alyth said.
“The best lies always contain truth,” Preston said.
“I don’t understand,” Alyth said.
“I have abandonment issues and now that I am finally around people, I am afraid of being alone, of not being accepted, of not being liked,” Preston admitted.
Alyth touched his face.
“You really are lonely,” Alyth said.
“Is that why you came to me all those years? You felt rejected because I pushed you away?”
“I never felt rejected by you,” Preston said.
“I hated you,” Alyth said.
“You loved me,” Peston corrected.
Alyth found herself choking on her own blood, but it hurt so much to cough that it took her a moment to clear her lungs. With her one good hand, she grasped his poncho and pulled him closer.
“Please, kill me,” Alyth said, closing her eyes.
Preston sat down on the floor next to her. He took her broken hand in his and she closed her eyes expecting pain. Preston extended her hand and arm, without causing as much as a pin prick of sensation. She opened her eyes to see if he was dong anything, and only then knew that her hand was healed. He pulled her closer, resting her head on his shoulder, embracing her, his hands flat on her back, and then he closed his eyes and healed all her wounds. She gasped and pulled back.
“I don’t understand,” Alyth said, crying.
“Wanting to die is surrender, but it wasn’t death you wanted, just kindness, just love,” Preston said.
“I don’t deserve it,” Alyth said.
“No one does. That’s why it’s called love,” Preston said.
Alyth embraced him, her cheek touching his. She closed her eyes tight, pushing more tears out and down her face. She welcomed his whispers of comfort, reminding her she was safe, he had her. When she kissed him, he kissed back. The years of shared sparring, coupled with the present emotions, quickly escalated their passion into intimacy. When the energy was spent, they lay together on the floor, staring up into the darkness, holding each other. Their bodies were illuminated by the erie blue from the monitors where a myriad of people continue blistfully about their days unawares of the battle that was fought, and how dramatically their lives were about to change.
“We should go,” Alyth said.
“I know,” Preston agreed, not really wanting to get up. Getting up meant moving closer to his primary goal. Getting up meant not being next to her. Somewhere, a part of him knew once they left this room they would never be intimate again. He assumed it meant he would soon be dead, so he didn’t follow the suspicion, because he didn’t want to know the source of the thought. Instead, he focused on the ‘now.’ He was so present he could measure the passage of time in her heart beats. He inhaled as she exhaled, two oceans dancing. The warmth radiating from her bosom more than made up for his time spent freezing. There were so many present details to revel in, he could stay next to her for days and not be moved by even hunger. There was a palpable difference to her energy, but he was unable to find the words that might differentiate her from his previous partners. Alyth’s love was just as genuine as Jordeen’s love, but with a sadness that belied her feelings of unworthiness. Like Jordeen, she gave with no expectation of receiving, she had simply surrendered to the moment, though her own wanting echoed his. Even in the after glow, as she moved her hand against his chest, it was done with a gentle measure, as if wanting to remember everything, knowing this moment would never be again. All future moments would be new, different. In this quiet, mutal rejoicing in each others presence, they gave in to a much more subdued paced exploration of their love. Afterwards, she slept in his arms, while he stared into the darkness. When she woke, they both got up and began to dress, silently.
Preston found it fascinating to watch her dress. His fascintation with females was obvious, but perhaps in the years of solitude he had established an unconscious mythos of magic surrounding them. The mystery of how someone put a bra on by themselves was finally solved. Watching the ritual of putting on clothes was increasing his thoughts of taking them back again. His intensity of watching didn’t go unnoticed. She blushed.
“I’m sorry,” he said, diverting his eyes.
“Hey,” she said, waiting till he met her eyes to continue.
“Never apologize for seeing me.”
She sat on the floor to put on her boots and strap them up, while he retrieved her lightsaber. He gave her a hand up and offered her the weapon. She hesitated.
“You are what you are, but you are not what you were,” Preston assured her. She took hold of the lightsaber and he pulled her in close.
“You can change the color of your blade any time you want.”
Alyth coud not divert her eyes. Her chest hurt.
“What is this feeling?”
Preston shrugged.
“I can’t tell you what you’re feeling. Only what I’m feeling.”
“This can’t be love,” Alyth insisted, her mouth closer to his.
“Why not?” Preston asked, his lips almost touching hers.
“Because, it’s not supposed to work like this,” Alyth insisted.
“How is it supposed to work?”
“I don’t know…”
“Okay, so I won’t say it now, because it might sound too trite,” Preston said.
“But I wonder, if instead of labeling this feeling, this moment, we just accept it and each other and simply be?”
“I’m finding it difficult to move at all,” Alyth said.
“So am I,” Preston said.
“But if we tarry much longer, our clothes may come off again.”
“I’m strangely okay with that,” Alyth said.
Preston kissed her. He liked that she didn’t close her eyes.
“Tell me, how would you like to play our departure?”
“I don’t understand,” Alyth said.
“Well, with Kilmore and Torlin gone, there will most likely be a power struggle. We might be able to minimize it by maintaining the illusion that they’re still alive, slowly weed out those in charge and replace them with people more favorable to our preferences,” Preston began.
Alyth shook her head no.
“I’ve more clarity now than I have had in a long time. I’ve spent much of my life spinning lies, to myself, to others. I would rather just tell the truth and let what happens happen.”
“Oh, good for you,” Preston said, kissing her.
“What, was that a test?” Alyth asked.
“Uh? Oh, no,” Preston said.
“Not at all. I favour your perspective is all.”
“Waterbourne will be okay. The kakistocracy will fall without Kilmore’s hand up their asses and this city will begin to thrive. It’s the Admirals on the Star Destroyers that may be more problematic. As for my command, well, once I tell them that Kilmore isn’t threatening their
families if they retire, most will gladly leave the service.”
“Will you have enough remaining to run your ship?” Preston asked.
“Yes, why?” Alyth said.
“We need to rendezvous with my friends and protect them from the Bloodhunters,” Preston said.
“There will be one more attack before I put a stop to the threat once and for all.”
“Of course. Most of the crew would enjoy saving people for a change,” Alyth said. She lowered her eyes.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Beyond that one? Sure, you may ask me anything,” Preston said. Alyth kissed him for his playfulness.
“What are we?” she asked.
“I don’t understand the question,” Preston admitted.
“Are we friends? Are we lovers? Am I your apprentice?” Alyth asked.
“I thought we agreed not to label the moment,” Preston reminded her.
“Sorry,” Alyth said.
“I can’t let it go.”
“Okay, well, what would you like to be?” Preston asked.
“All of the above,” Alyth said.
“I accept,” Preston said.
“Tell me what your name was before you became Darth Alyth?”
“I don’t want to be that again,” Alyth said.
“Okay,” Preston said.
“May I still know it?”
“Kankana Chaterjee,” she said.
“I like that,” Preston said, excited.
“Kankana Chaterjeed. Nice on the tounge.” He saw her grimace.
“But you don’t want it. Do you have a preference for a new name?”
“Is this important?” she asked. When he nodded, she thought about it.
“I always liked the name Priya.”
“Priya G Waycaster it is, then,” Preston said.
Alyth gave him a sly smile.
“Was that an off handed marriage proposal?”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that,” Preston said, musing.
“I just thought it would be nice not being the only Waycaster. I want you as family.”
“From now on, we are. Let me think about the name change, though,” Alyth said.
Preston took a moment to retrieve his lightsaber. He also collected Torlin’s blade, partly because he didn’t want to leave it lying arround, and partly because he was thinking of starting a collection. He also collected the diamond remains of Torlin and Kilmore, placing them in the felt pouch, which he returned to his pocket. He did it with the reverence one might observe with human remains.
“How many?” Alyth asked.
“Three,” Preston said, reverently.
“You treat everyone with respect? Even your enemies?” Alyth asked.
Preston shrugged, not speaking the maxim that a person learns more about himself from his enemies and losses than they do from their friends and wins. He proceeded to Kilmore’s chair where he found his first lightsaber that was on loan to Daphne, as well as Kilmore’s lightsaber. He was aware that Alyth was scrutinizing him with the same intensity he had watched her dress. He smiled at her. He couldn’t resist sitting in Kilmore’s chair. He spun it around, finding hidden panels that he rifled through looking for treasures.
“You know, we should lighten this place up,” Alyth said.
Preston turned the chair back to face her.
“You want to have sex in his chair?” he asked, playfuly.
“Do we have time?” Alyth asked, equally quick.
Preston was surprised that she played along. He blinked, believing she would not hesitate if he said the word. He sighed a fake lament.
“We do need to get back to my friends,” he said.
“I may have to take you up on the name change,” Alyth said, drawing in closer to him, hands on the chair. She was amazed at the intensity of her feelings and her new found ability to express them.
He pushed to the edge of the seat, feet hitting the floor, his legs between hers, his hands falling to her hips, drawing her into him. She kissed him. This was no doubt more light than this room had ever seen. He was weighing going for another mutual turnover, but the urgency to reconnect with his friends was increasing.
“We’ll have time once we’re on your ship?” Preston asked.
“As much as you want,” Alyth assured him.
“Very well, then, I’m going to go get Daphne,” Preston said.
“Why don’t you go secure a transport up and I’ll meet you at the spaceport.”
“I won’t leave without you,” Alyth said.
“I would hope not,” Preston said, but he frowned, tilted his head back and forth as he considered coming clean.
“What?” Alyth asked.
“Would that change if you knew I had slept with Daphne?” Preston asked.
“No,” Alyth assured him, patting his cheek. She saw he wanted to divulge more.
“What if you knew I had been intimate with one of my Droids?” he asked.
Alyth seemed amused.
“Only one?” she joked.
“Sorry. Seriously. Would you reject me if I had been intimate with mine?”
“No,” Preston said.
“There you go, then. We’re good,” Alyth said, but paused.
“Right?”
“What if I told you I loved someone, but they didn’t love me, at least, not the way I would like them to love me, and she is old enough to be my mom, which isn’t the problem because age really isn’t a factor in my selection process, and actually, I admit I’m leaning towards being polyamourous, not just because I feel love for just about everyone, but perhaps because of my years of isolation, but also because I’m multi species curious, and though I’ve already been intimate with several different species, there is fair potential for some future bio- experiments likely to happen, and I’m talking myself into being stranded, aren’t I,” Preston said.
“Wow,” Alyth said.
“Are you always this honest?”
“Yeah, usually,” Preston said.
Alyth kissed him.
“Trite as it may be, I love you. And you’re right, if my youthful hatred for you was any indicator, I’ve loved you since you first started stalking me. You’ve been the one constant and, though this relationship is obviously complicated, I have no doubt that all of this love is a better direction then all the hate that I’ve commiserated with over the years. Where- ever this takes us, whoever joins us on our journey, I will be faithfully yours.”
“Daphne may not share this sentiment,” Preston warned.
“Her loss. Can you find your way to the spaceport?” Alyth asked.
“Yes. See you in a few,” Preston said.
♫♪►
Dragon’s Wake and Dradon arrived together to find the Corvette Myamar and no trace of the Star Destroyer Immanence. Byrne was so angry that she appeared to be panicking, physically getting up and searching the sensors for any evidence it was still in range to be detected. Jesser laughed.
“Oh, did someone steal your ship?”
“Shut up!” Byrne snapped.
Orlov brought it to Byrne’s attention that the Dradon was targeting them. She brought them up on the intercom.
“What the hell, Waris? Stand down,” Byrne asked.
“I was thinking what the hell, too. You promised me an assortment of Imperial Tiefighters in pristine condition, Imperial weapons, and a dozen more crates of those crystals,” Waris said.
“Since I don’t see anything here that looks Imperial, I can only think this is some kind of trick.”
“It may be a trap, but it’s not a trick,” Byrne said.
“Whoever was on this ship obviously stole mine.”
“Well, it isn’t obvious to me,” Waris said.
“Look at the Corvette,” Byrne said.
“It’s clearly been in battle recently.”
“Yeah, well, your ship is about to have a few battle scars of its own if you don’t park it in my hangar bay. It’s time for a face to face,” Waris said.
“I need you to trust me. I can find my ship and supply what I promised,” Byrne said.
“I don’t trust anyone I haven’t looked square in the eye, and even then, I am skeptical,” Waris said.
“Don’t make me start a clock.”
“Fine. We’ll land,” Byrne said.
“You’ll land and have your entire crew out on the hangar deck for me to inspect,” Waris said.
“Just make sure there are no Droids,” Byrne said.
“I’ve started a clock,” Waris said, and ended the transmission.
“You heard him, Orlov,” Byrne said.
“Park us.”
“You’re not going to try out run him?” Jesser asked.
“I need him and his crew,” Byrne sai