CHAPTER EIGHT
The modified V-35 courier, which Vejo had used as a transportation for him, Wallen, and Xemer from Colliders Casino to Salvan Tai's estate, came to a stop before the marble-colored manor that served as the Sakiyan's home. As they climbed out of the landspeeder, Wallen noticed something odd about the manor's entrance.
"I would think that someone as rich as Tai would have some guards around here," he said.
Vejo grinned. "Oh, there are guards. You just can't see them."
Wallen glanced at Xemer, who seemed to be just as skeptical as he was. Nevertheless, they followed the Devaronian through the gate leading up to the manor's front door, where Vejo knocked on it.
In response, a cold, smooth voice spoke through the speaker on the door's left. "Who is it?"
"It's Vejo, my lord," the Devaronian said. "I've got a couple of visitors for you."
After a moment's pause, the door slowly opened and Vejo led the two detectives into the mansion. Inside, the manor was quite impressively decorated: azure drapes hung over black and white walls, with statues of armored warrior placed between them; still-holograms of epic battles dominated tall shelf cases, while some even hung overhead; and miniature models of spaceships Wallen did not recognized decorated a fireplace mantle, underneath which a small fire burned.
"I never would have thought a bounty hunter, even a retired one, would be so fascinated with war history," Xemer murmured.
"I was a general once before I took up bounty hunting," said the same voice they had heard earlier.
The three of them turned to see an ebony-skinned Sakiyan man, dressed in an inexpensive outfit befitting someone as wealthy as he was, descend a staircase on the left side of the room, opposite the fireplace.
"Good day to you," he said with a charming tone. "I am Baron Salvan Tai, at your service."
He extended a hand and Wallen shook it, raising an eyebrow at the same time. "Baron? How does an ex-general, ex-bounty hunter become a noble?"
Salvan smiled. "I have numerous...connections."
"Doesn't everyone," Wallen muttered. "I am Captain Wallen Nix, member of Galactic Alliance Intelligence and Coruscant Security's detective division. This is my lieutenant, Xemer."
Salvan's silver eyes seemed to lighten up. "May I ask why the Alliance has sent you all the way to Lianna to speak with me?"
Wallen smirked. "Shall I simply cut to the chase?"
The baron smiled back. "Please do."
He gestured to a lofty sofa and chair near the fireplace. "Please, take a seat."
* * *
"You must be Jacen Solo."
Jacen looked up at the sound of the feminine sounding voice. He was
still in Count Valmar's living room, his hands connected to his chair
with long chains. The six beings that had broken into the room had
surrounded them. Though their lightsabers were deactivated, he knew that
they were prepared to attack him if necessary.
The appearance of the person now standing before him startled him a
bit. Their lithe, obviously female figure was clothed in a black robe
and cloak, with crimson armor worn over it. Their mask, however, was
what Jacen noticed first and was frightened by the most.
Colored in shades of red and gray, with a thin, black slit for a visor,
it was the same mask worn by the Sith Lord Darth Revan he had seen in
holovids recounting the Jedi Civil War.
After finally finding his voice, Jacen said, "Who are you?"
"I have gone by many names," said the woman. "For a time, quite
recently, I was one of five to take on the codename 'Revanchist'. Before
then, however, I was born with the name Lysira Naris."
Jacen's eyes widened slightly. "Lysira Naris? Anakin mentioned you when
he returned from Rhen Var. He said that he and the others met you on
Kashyyyk."
"Yes, your brother is...an interesting individual."
"He also said that you were a Dark Jedi."
Lysira went silent for a moment. Even though her eyes were concealed,
Jacen could tell that they were focused on something other than him.
Finally, she said, "He told you everything, didn't he?"
"Pretty much."
"No matter," she replied, moving up to an unbroken window that showed
Serenno's setting sun. "I have since abandoned the person whom I once
was. After much meditation, and after being show the truth by an
unlikely ally, I have decided to adopt a new identity altogether."
She turned to face him and Jacen instantly felt a strong pang of the dark side surround her.
"I shall become the next Dark Lord of the Sith," she said, her voice resonating
through the entire room. She spread her arms out, gesturing to the other
beings that surrounded Jacen.
"And this shall be my Sith Order."
* * *
Once Wallen had finished telling Salvan Tai why he and Xemer were on Lianna, the Sakiyan baron leaned forward in his fancy, black velvet chair, steepling his fingers.
"I am sorry to say," he said, "that I know nothing of Black Sun's current activities. When Czethros and his organization fell, I had decided to sever any ties I had to it."
Wallen sighed. "I see. So we came all the way here for nothing."
Salvan smiled sadly. "I'm afraid so. My apologies, captain."
"It's not your fault," Wallen replied as he got up from his seat. "Well, thank you for your time, your, er, Highness. Let's go, Xemer."
His partner did not respond. Wallen turned to see that the Kel Dor's protective goggles were fixed on one of the baron's many holographic battle displays.
"What is this a battle of?" Xemer asked.
"Not one you would've heard of," said Salvan Tai. "It was in this battle that I led my people to victory."
"It looks familiar...."
A smile briefly flickered onto the Sakiyan's face, barely long enough for Wallen to notice it.
"Do you?" the baron asked. "How curious. You're far too young to have taken part in it."
A foreboding sense tugged at Wallen's heart. "Come on, Xemer," he said hastily. "We're needed elsewhere."
Again, Xemer ignored him. "What planet did this battle take place on?"
This time, Salvan definitely did smile. When he spoke, the single word he said seemed to carry the weight of a thousand.
"Rhand."
That was when everything went to chaos.
-
EDITED 12/30/13 Decided not to have Lysira take on the name Darth Revan.
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