{"id":2214,"date":"2017-10-11T07:15:49","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T12:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2214"},"modified":"2017-10-14T07:22:30","modified_gmt":"2017-10-14T12:22:30","slug":"the-sith-empress-part-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2214","title":{"rendered":"The Sith Empress – Part 30"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sith Empress<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 30<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jessica strode through the ranks of her former army, or anyone who dared come near her.\u00a0 She was following her gut which was telling her she was needed close by.\u00a0 She wondered what she was doing helping the Jedi in this battle, but the answer came quickly to her mind.\u00a0 One part of her rationalized it was revenge for those trying to rebel against her, the second, she was doing this for one small Jedi.\u00a0 She had to know what happened to her.<\/p>\n

Making her way into the compound she continued on where she had a feeling she was needed, and hoped her gut was right in the direction she went.\u00a0 Another lightsaber blocked her path, which she quickly dispatched, not caring who stood in her way.<\/p>\n

Her current attacker was a former Sith, his red lightsaber crossed with hers.\u00a0 She moved quickly dispatching him before continuing on.\u00a0 She was in full Darth Rizon mode even as she moved further on.\u00a0 She noticed that several were now aware that not only was she on the battlefield, but they had lost their command ship.\u00a0 The ship she had programmed the command ship to plow into held the backup commander.\u00a0 It was satisfying to know she had taken out both easily.<\/p>\n

She had easily sabotaged the ship, rigging it to plow into another ship.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t care about the crews anymore, they were not loyal to her at all.\u00a0 She learned how Tyi had manipulated the others against her.<\/p>\n

Those who dared to stand in her way appeared fearful, yet still challenged her.\u00a0 It was a testament to her failure, one she wanted to wipe away forever.<\/p>\n

The next man who blocked her path quickly found himself on the ground from a quick slash as she continued on her way.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She felt she was near where she wanted to be but could not explain it, only that she was pulled in a certain direction.<\/p>\n

Turning the corner she looked around in the next room seeing that there had been a battle here, several people lying on the ground but one form caught her attention.\u00a0 Running across the room she crouched down feeling an unexpected pain from the sight in front of her as she saw the person she wanted to see.<\/p>\n

With shaking hand she turned the body over to find the truth.\u00a0 Gaia had been struck in the chest as she fingers brushed the blonde\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 She mentally noted that the skin was still warm to the touch even as he became aware of others entering the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lord,\u201d a voice said causing her to look up to see a group of Sith warriors standing there looking confused.\u00a0 \u201cThere is no commander, and the remaining ships have either left or are engaged.\u00a0 What should we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raged filled her as she struck out not caring who was in her way.\u00a0 The soldiers in front of her were caught off guard as her raged crashed over her, completely unaware of what she was going, only the pain and emotion overwhelming her.\u00a0 She proved unstoppable to the group in front of her.<\/p>\n

Too soon she had finished off the last of the group and was left standing in the middle of the room.\u00a0 The battle had done nothing to ease her emotions before moving back to the blonde\u2019s side.\u00a0 Brushing her fingers across the lips she saw them part slightly.\u00a0 Hope flared through her body.\u00a0 Gaia was alive, but needed help now!<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Luke relaxed a bit, with the new information that the Republic fleet had arrived, and the way the enemy fleet fled after the destruction of two of their ships, the ground forces had become disorganized.\u00a0 They used that to counter attack and now fighting was only in a few areas.<\/p>\n

He had felt the wash of almost pure Dark Side energy which surprised him.\u00a0 he hadn\u2019t felt something like that in a long time as Kyle made his way over to where he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should be careful,\u201d Luke suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, I haven\u2019t felt such raw power in a long time,\u201d Kyle stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t since the Emperor was killed,\u201d Luke said and even then he wasn\u2019t sure as he never really knew how powerful the Emperor was, or how his own power might compare.<\/p>\n

They approached the corridor which he had seen the dark-haired woman go only to see Master Fie-Tel walk up to them as well, wielding his own lightsaber.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are winding down,\u201d he said to Luke.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Luke replied as they look on to see a figure making its way down the corridor and into the open.<\/p>\n

All three were waiting for anything until Luke noticed that not only was it the woman he had seen earlier, but she was carrying someone.\u00a0 It took a few seconds until he realized she was carrying Gaia who appeared to have been injured.<\/p>\n

The dark-haired woman continued forward without any worry approaching them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are your healers?\u201d she asked, direct and in charge looking at all three of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis way,\u201d Fie-Tel said.<\/p>\n

Luke watched warily as Fie-Tel led the woman off before turning back to Kyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea what just happened?\u201d Kyle asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo idea,\u201d Luke said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I think I should follow and see what is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and check on the others, make sure the battle is really over, look for any pockets of resistance,\u201d Kyle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Luke said, knowing that they were cleaning out pockets of resistance for weeks after the last attack.<\/p>\n

He watched Kyle head off before moving around and looking at the wounded, checking on a few others while slowly making his way to the med-lab.\u00a0 He felt nothing from the Force, which meant things had probably settled down a bit, even as he walked into the med lab, seeing the doctor, Fie-Tel and the mysterious woman.\u00a0 The doctor saw him and made his way over giving him a report of the injuries.<\/p>\n

At last he came to Gaia, and he looked over at the patient and the dark-haired woman before looking aback at Luke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid its not good news, she\u2019s suffered severe trauma to her system.\u00a0 We\u2019ve done all we can, but we\u2019re still losing her.\u00a0 She just doesn\u2019t have the energy to heal,\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

Nonsense,\u201d a new voice said causing everyone to look over to see a newcomer.\u00a0 Luke recognized the man as he had spoken to him earlier in the mysterious visit not long ago but had never gotten his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a doctor, I know my job sir,\u201d the doctor said in a miffed voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a normal human, and perhaps even for Jedi, but she is more than that,\u201d the man said looking around at the others in the room before his gaze came to rest on the dark-haired woman.\u00a0 \u201cAh, and there she is, her savior,\u201d he said taking almost everyone by surprise.<\/p>\n

Luke exchanged a glance with Fie-Tel who was as confused, but worried about Gaia as well.\u00a0 The man approached the woman and gently laid a hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want her to live?\u201d he asked her, looking her in the eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the woman said, looking at him and then back at Gaia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen lie down with her, hold her, believe in her,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

The idea seemed obscure to everyone, but the woman hesitated as she looked down at the bed and then back at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe needs your help, do it and it will give her the best opportunity to heal,\u201d he said to her.<\/p>\n

Luke watched as the woman did as the man said but still seemed skeptical of why she was doing this.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two have a special bond, you know what I speak of.\u00a0 Doing this will trigger what is known as a healing sleep among us,\u201d he said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this will help her?\u201d the woman asked\/<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she is using all of her energy to remain alive, but its not enough to heal.\u00a0 The healing sleep combines your energy with hers,\u2019 he said.\u00a0 \u201cTrust me on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but if she dies so do you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Luke noticed that the man seemed merely amused by the threat as she took off her cap and then carefully took hold of Gaia trying not to hurt her.\u00a0 It was an odd mix for Luke, seeing the gentle way she moved around before the man waved them to leave the room.\u00a0 Luke walked out watching as the doctor rounded on the stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what is going on?\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, a healing sleep, its complicated,\u201d he said back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Trona, and those two woman have something special that I know about,\u201d the said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecial?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is something few have, fewer speak of it, and we hide what we are,\u201d Trona said.\u00a0 \u201cTheir special bond will allow one to help the other heal if they are hurt, we call it a healing sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this helps?\u201d the doctor asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, in this case, the Jedi, Gaia, requires more energy than her body can deliver to remain alive and heal.\u00a0 In this case the other woman can help provide the energy she needs to remain alive and heal,\u201d he said to them.\u00a0 \u201cThey will be hungry and thirsty when they wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou spoke with me earlier,\u201d Luke said confronting him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I had to give you some information, but I cannot say more without endangering my people.\u00a0 We are oddities and at one time hunted for what we have,\u201d the man replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Luke said as Kyle walked up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe compound is clear,\u201d he said to Luke.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, its been a long day and hopefully things will return to normal for a while,\u201d Luke said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo kidding,\u2019 Kyle said before looking towards the med lab.\u00a0 \u201cSo, any idea as to who our mysterious visitor is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, but I think we\u2019ll find that part out later,\u201d Luke replied.\u00a0 Things had been hectic for a while, and he hoped things might settle down.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Gaia felt herself pulled into reality from a warm and comfortable place that she had been in.\u00a0 Even as she became aware of what was going on around her she felt the warm not leaving but continued to surround her.\u00a0 It felt wonderful to her and with some reluctance she opened her eyes recalling everything which had gone on.\u00a0 To her surprise she was on a bed in the med lab.<\/p>\n

It took her a few seconds to realize there was a pair of arms holding onto her.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t sure what was going on but slightly turned to see a sight she was sure she\u2019d never see again.\u00a0 There in front of her eyes was the Sith Lord, Rizon.<\/p>\n

The same Sith Lord who had her captured, then tried to seduce her, and then helped free her.\u00a0 Somewhere along the way she realized she had fallen in love with her and wanted to know her better.\u00a0 Gaia realized this line of thinking was way too complex for having been shot and was now recovering.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts good to see you\u2019re awake,\u201d Rizon said as Gaia looked up into blue eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I dead?\u00a0 After all, you\u2019re here,\u201d Gaia finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Rizon replied, as Gaia felt teas come to her eyes.\u00a0 She felt the arms tighten around her in gentle comfort.\u00a0 \u201cSo, how are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaia took a moment to go over her condition and despite everything felt all right.\u00a0 She hurt where she had been shot, but that was to be expected and told Rizon so.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet you\u2019re hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd thirsty,\u201d Gaia replied realizing that she was hungry and thirsty as another thought came to her.\u00a0 \u201cDid the academy fall?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this all requires a long explanation,\u201d Gaia finally said.\u00a0 \u201cBut first, what is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

That caused a slight chuckle before the reply.\u00a0 \u201cIts Jessica.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJessica, sounds so much better,\u201d Gaia replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I better go inform the others you\u2019re awake, and I\u2019m sure your masters have a few questions for me,\u201d Jessica said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo easy on them, they are nice people,\u201d Gaia said.<\/p>\n

She watched Jessica smile a bit, before slipping out and rearranging the pillows so she\u2019d be comfortable before heading out of the room.\u00a0 Gaia couldn\u2019t wait for the explanation of what had happened, but wasn\u2019t disappointed that Jessica had come back.<\/p>\n

End part 30<\/p>\n

Continued in part 31<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sith Empress by AJ Marks Part 30 Jessica strode through the ranks of her former army, or anyone who dared come near her.\u00a0 She was following her gut which was telling her she was needed close by.\u00a0 She wondered what she was doing helping the Jedi in this battle, but the answer came quickly […]
Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,19,18],"tags":[3,10,56,5,57,22,12,21,20],"class_list":["post-2214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fanfiction","category-star-wars","category-xenauber-xena","tag-aj-marks","tag-fanfiction","tag-jedi","tag-sci-fi","tag-sith","tag-star-wars","tag-story","tag-uber-xena","tag-xena"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2214"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2214\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2222,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2214\/revisions\/2222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}