Star Wars: Darth Nyx (Book 1)

Ch33: Orders Received

Fennec Shand's POV:

Shortly after leaving Leia and her mother in the room that's been prepared for them, I make my way to separate quarters to review the Empress' message. The minute I've confirmed I'm alone, I play the recording. Her voice quickly begins, with the usual greeting before asking how I've been and making it clear that she's expecting to see me soon. She further continues, stating that while she would've liked to meet me in person right away, she's currently back in the capital for some duties and thus won't be able to meet me or my "guests" right away though she hopes I'll take care of them in her stead.

Smiling, I wait until the message finishes before moving to put down the device but before I manage to do so it crackles to life once more, this time seemingly displaying a live feed of the Empress herself.

Me: Y-your Majesty?

Empress: From the preliminary reports I've received from the commander of the ship sent to retrieve you, it seems the Galactic Empire has decided to move against Alderaan. Do you think our intervention will be necessary?

Straight to business, huh? I suppose that means she's really busy after all. It does explain why she didn't jump at the opportunity to come rescue me in person. Laughing, I finally realise that she's likely been using me as an excuse to skip her duties.

Me: Leia's father decided to stay behind so I'm expecting a rescue of at least him to be necessary. As for the rest of the planet, it remains to be seen what the Empire will do.

Empress: And how is she?

Me: Leia? She's eager to meet her "Aunty Nyx" as always.

Empress: I still can't believe you didn't try to correct her assumption that I'm like an aunty figure to her.

Me: Aren't you?

She leans her head to the side at that, clearly asking if I'm being serious.

Me: She certainly feels that way.

Empress: She hasn't seen the wave of destruction that usually follows in my wake.

Me: I wouldn't say so. Didn't your initial meeting see her watch as your forces massacred an entire military base of persons she likely knew before laying waste to the entire area from orbit?

She doesn't respond at that, causing another burst of laughter from me.

Empress: You're certainly in a good mood.

Me: I am. It's been a nice change of pace from my usual work but I am eager to get back in the field.

She smiles at that.

Empress: I'm aware, as such Cad Bane will be joining you momentarily.

Me: He will?

Empress: It's been a while since you last saw each other, no?

It's true. I haven't seen him much since being stationed on Mandalore before its destruction as after that entire ordeal I did a few odd jobs before being retasked to watch over Leia. As I've spent most of the last couple of years keeping an eye on her as she grew up I never really had much opportunity to see him.

Lassa comes into view, passing something to the Empress. I've always been curious about what kind of relationship the two have exactly. I know Lassa's essentially her slave but they've never operated as such. In fact, I'd say she treats her with the same level of care and concern that she does me or any of her other subordinates. I guess that's just the Empress' character but I've also heard from some of the others that she used to be a cold-hearted killer, decimating everything in her path. Which one is the real her?

Empress: Fennec, Lassa wants to join you as well, in your upcoming mission. What do you think?

Me: I'm fine with it though you haven't yet told me what that mission is.

Empress: Djin is currently searching for a Sith artefact on Tatooine. We've not heard from him for some time now so I want you to head there and see if you can track him down.

Me: Do we at least have an idea of where he would be?

Empress: Yes. He's on the planet.

She laughs at my facial response but does add that we'll be outfitted with anything we need. Still, I can't help but wonder how we'd track him down if he'd ventured beyond the main civilised portions of Tatooine. The entire planet is just one big desert. It's quite literally where people go to vanish from the galactic records. 

Me: Do we also need to find the artefact?

Empress: That would be nice as well though your priority is Djin. 

Me: In other words, we are to also find the artefact.

She smiles, turning to Lassa and telling her to get going if she wishes to catch us before turning to face me once more.

Empress: Visas also wanted to join you but I have a feeling both you and Bane would prefer not attracting much attention while there and...well, Visas isn't exactly discreet.

Me: She could still come. We could make it work. Besides, it might prove useful to have a force-sensitive with us...especially when it comes to retrieving the artefact.

Empress: Hmmm...

Me: Have someone in mind?

Empress: Two, actually, but I can't decide between the two.

Me: Oh?

Empress: Darth Zannah and Darth Cognus.

Me: Wasn't the latter known as The Huntress?

Empress: She is.

Me: Sounds like she'd make an easy choice then.

Empress: Well, she isn't exactly discreet.

At that, I laugh but she continues, explaining that Darth Cognus would sooner massacre every living thing on the planet in pursuit of her prey than try to blend in, especially if people there decide to be uncooperative or show signs of deceit.

Me: Would Darth Zannah be any better? I thought all Sith were like that.

Empress: Not all. For one, Hadra and I have differing approaches and Kailey would outwardly seem like a saint when not worried about my safety.

Me: Yes, but you three don't really follow the "I am Sith" principles-

Empress: What's that supposed to mean?

I raise my hand, quickly pointing out that I don't see it as a bad thing but rather a good thing as a ruler needs to balance their actions and not just go ham as the Emperor and his lackeys have done. 

She eyes me warily as I continue explaining how going all out on being the "big bad" can turn the people against you and eventually, she sighs, fanning my concerns away before declaring that she's made a decision.

Empress: Darth Zannah will accompany you. She's skilled enough to handle any problems that should arise but I'll instruct her not to get in your way.

Me: Will she be able to do that?

Empress: No, but I'll have her work separately, focusing her efforts on finding the artefact thus keeping you out of each other's way for the most part since you'll be searching for Djin.

Me: What if he'd already gotten to the artefact, leading us both to find them at the same time?

Empress: Then you'll need to find a way to work with each other now won't you?

Before I can protest, she ends the transmission. Sighing, I plop down on the nearest bed but I've hardly hit the surface when I'm called over the intercom to the bridge.

Sigh