Hopes

Chapter 4.

Solus's POV

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"Fine, I'll cooperate!" The furious voice of Asajj roused me. "Be glad you had the kid to watch your back."

Forcing my eyes open, I blinked against the pounding headache and dragged myself to my feet, swaying so hard I had to grab a decorative column for support. Maul and Asajj watched my efforts with apparent amusement, then Maul waved me over, indicating for me to stand just behind him. I obeyed immediately, standing unsteadily as I waited for the world to stop swimming. Asajj seemed intrigued, shifting her weight onto her other hip as she studied me. But she didn't comment, instead turning back to Maul.

"I concede," she said coolly. "Just know that I won't go easy on you."

Maul smirked. "I would have expected nothing less." 

"Good. I won't put anything in writing so I can stab you in the back at the earliest convenience, but we can make it public if you like."

"Agreed. I won't draft up a contract in case I don't keep up my end of the deal. And yes, let's make it public. I would like to have my face plastered on every holoboard and posted on every Holonet site."

Asajj rolled her eyes, then glanced at me. "What about Solus?" she asked, still speaking to Maul. "I've rarely seen him with you. You must keep him well hidden."

Maul also glanced at me, his eyes searching me as though I would provide the answer. "No, leave him off – for now, at least."

"Okay," she spun on her heel, "let's get to business, then." She stalked over to the curved desk in the centre of the room, then dropped into the chair and swung herself around to face the computer that was set up. Humming to herself, she opened up the applications of her choosing, typed in a short message, then called Maul over. "I want a picture. Look epic." Her features steeled to fearsome as Maul glowered murderously at the camera. She counted down from three, snapped the shot, then grinned. "I could scare myself if I stared at this long enough." Then she scowled at the screen. "Solus, fix it."

I approached quietly, my brain whirring as my eyes scanned for the problem. She wanted to upload the picture she had just taken and put it in the poster she was about to release, but the computer was throwing a tantrum and had locked up in protest.

Waiting a moment for it to unfreeze, I saved the image to her desktop, dragged it into the app's file, then uploaded it. Stepping back, I allowed Asajj to place it in her desired position. She fussed around with it, trying to find that perfect spot, then nodded in satisfaction and pushed the "send" button. She sat back in her chair, looking across at me. "Thanks."

I flinched, stunned by her acknowledgement of my existence, and caught Maul tensing beside me. Dipping my head briefly, I remained silent, unwilling to evoke Maul's wrath.

A frown flickered across Asajj's face, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned back to her computer, a smirk spreading over her lips. "Panic, chaos, bedlam: need I say more? The galaxy knows. We are going to make a formidable duo, Maul."

"When do we get to see your project?" His voice was almost casual.

"When I decide."

"Will you decide now?"

"No."

Maul growled, snapping his fingers and touching his index finger with his thumb. I responded immediately, snatching my saber from my belt and swinging it at Asajj. She was quick to block, catching my blade on hers and keeping me there. I could have overpowered her, but I waited for Maul's next command. I had only been instructed to whack her, not fight her.

Asajj laughed, then pushed my saber off hers. "You must remember things are different now, Maul. If you are to share in my success, then I am to share in yours. Solus," she turned to me, "there is going to be a change in your life and mine. Not only do you take orders from Maul, but now, you take orders from me."

I left my lightsaber burning but held it by my side, watching Maul out of the corner of my eye. He drummed his fingers on his arm, sizing Asajj up. Then he nodded slowly, so I switched off my weapon and bowed to Asajj. 

Her ice-blue eyes glinted as she looked at me. "I expect to be taught everything, Maul."

"Just as I do from you."

"Of course. What else are partners for?"

I resisted the urge to shudder. Partners: it was a weighty word, laden with the strength of trust, the efficiency of a twosome, and the safety of companionship. It was such a little word with such a capacity for disaster. Both sides were needed to maintain balance, and if one were to fall or fail, then the other would fall, too. I knew what Asajj was like with partnerships. 

"So, let's try this again," Asajj said smugly, dusting a speck of dust of her saber's hilt. "I haven't decided to show you my project yet."

Maul exhaled through his nose, clenching his fist. Then he smirked. "I won't teach you what I know."

Asajj snorted. "No, you came to me asking to join in my plans."

"And I didn't kill you. Solus could have if I had told him to."

She eyed me warily, and I could almost see memories rolling through her mind. She had not been winning that fight, but then the window shattered and I had allowed myself a moment's distraction. But why was she looking at me as though she was surprised it had worked? Why wasn't she taking credit for my lack of concentration and skiting about it to Maul? Or maybe she was just considering her chances at a rematch.

Maul returned the subject to its origins before anyone said anything else. "Shall we examine your handiwork?"

She wrinkled her nose in mild disgust, then set her jaw. "Fine. But we're going on my terms."

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Oh, they're fun together. Maul is as short-tempered as a short-fused bomb, and Asajj is even more so. But what is this "project" that Maul's so keen about? Never fear, we shall find out! But *in small voice* probably not until we've had a look at Obi-Wan. Hang tight, ladies and gents. :}

And yes, they did just call him Solus. Just in case you're wondering. Things should get clearer as time goes on. Also, Obi next chapter! Ready for some familiar faces? :)

Thanks for reading! Much appreciated ^-^

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