Star Wars - Galactic Legacy: Rise Of Darth Nox

Chapter 3 - Inquisitions

Okay, here's the newest chapter. It's a tad longer than the last, but not by much. Question: do you like my additional scenes or are they unnecessary? I mean they will start decreasing as we go along, but for now aye or neigh? I mean this was how I roleplayed my SI when I started her. The dialogue is changed a bit and so are the scenes. Oh and Noli is a neutral SI, but her title ended up being Darth Nox so...yeah, guess she was leaning towards the dark a bit more? Hence the name Rise of Darth Nox. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 - Inquisitions

Noli thrashed about in her sleep. As soon as she fell asleep the dreams, memories of her past seized her and tormented her as she tried to rest. Over and over Noli saw her younger twin collapse, she saw the enraged overseer raise the shock-whip, she felt that thrill of power course through her and--
-Ow!
Noli gave a small yelp of pain as she sat up on the floor, rubbing her back. She looked up and blearily rubbed her eyes to realise that she'd fallen out of bed. She'd forgotten that these bunks didn't have any railings. Thankfully, it seemed she hadn't woken anyone which was definitely a good thing - she was not in the mood to deal with sleepy, murderous Sith apprentices and acolytes right about now. Biting back a groan of pain, Noli stood up feeling like her shoulder wanted to kill her. Stupid sith tomb. Sighing, Noli did her bed. Resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be getting anymore sleep anytime soon, Noli quickly dressed in the standard acolytes garb she'd been supplied with: a tunic, leggings and boots. She easily strapped on her now clean practice blade to her back and moved to leave the dormitory, but paused. She cast a glance at the young woman who still slept calmly on the bunk beneath hers and smiled slightly. She envied Kory for that, for being able to sleep calmly. It was nice to see her relaxed instead of subtly panicking all the time. Shaking her head at her own thoughts, Noli left the room.
   Once on the walkway-balcony of the second floor, Noli glanced at the luminescent chrono to see that it read 04:30. So she still had an hour and a half left. Stretching once, Noli turned left and headed towards a library she had seen while following Kory to the dorms last night. She found it easily and a small grin began to play on her face as she saw shelves, upon shelves filled with knowledge. Some of it was in holocrons while the other was in holo-archive form. Noli's eyes sparkled excitedly. If there was one thing she loved doing it was learning. Knowledge was power, after all. The library was mostly empty save for a few security droids floating around silently, watching. Noli had to resist bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement. Even if she was alone, she didn't really want the droids recording her running about the library like a giddy child even if that was what she felt like right now. She had to be careful: showing too much emotion could lead to betrayal. Still, she couldn't suppress the grin on her face: the prospect of being able to learn more was too exciting. Still, she needed to prioritise. Right now the first order of business was to find a map of Korriban as well as the tombs and memorise them - she would not be getting lost again. Noli didn't have a comlink with an attached map screen so she'd have to use her memory as always. She couldn't let Harkun trip her up again, because that prick was as likely to give her instructions how to get where as black holes were to shine. Snorting softly at the thought of a helpful Harkun, Noli picked up a clean datapad from the stack in the corner of the library. Students could use these as much as they liked, provided they didn't take them out of the academy's walls. Having acquired one, Noli started walking along the shelves, scanning for the map section. She had to resist the temptation of learning more about the Sith Lords of old in favour of looking for a map, but at least she had her priorities straight. She needed that basic knowledge to fight Harkun and so she'd get it, Naga Sadow and Tulak Hord could wait. Absentmindedly tucking her loose wavy ginger hair out of her eyes, Noli continued scanning the walls, subconsciously fiddling with the hairtie around her left wrist. She was so absorbed in her search that she didn't even notice her surrounding until she crashed straight into someone. Noli instantly looked away from the shelves, bowing her head slightly in apology out of pure habit:
-Oh, Sorry! I didn't watch where I was going.
-It's alright: no harm done. I know what it's like to get absorbed in something.
Noli looked at the speaker to see that it was a woman. The woman looked like she was in her early 30s, she had tanned skin which complimented her warm brown eyes and short blonde hair perfectly. She was dressed in dark blue and red robes, holding a personal datapad in her hands. It didn't take Noli long to guess that the woman was a Sith Lord. She bit her lip and looked at the blonde lord awkwardly, not quite knowing what to say. Maybe it was better if she kept her mouth shut at the moment, she had a tendency to speak her mind and pissing off an unknown lord was not in her best interests right about now. Noli took an instinctual step back. The woman gave an amused hum:
-I don't bite, you know. No harm, no foul, young one. You do not need to worry. However, I must admit I am surprised to see an apprentice up so early and in the library no less. I was under the impression that you rowdy bunch spent your free time giving us a headache or practicing your skills in the training room. Your Master is fortunate to have an apprentice with such an inquisitive mind.
Noli shook her head, her left hand flying up and quickly tying her wavy red hair up into a ponytail. She felt very self-conscious around the beautiful Sith Lord for some reason. Quietly, Noli informed her:
-I'm not an apprentice, my lord.
-Hm, you look awfully young to be a lord.
Noli shook her head again, wondering how in the galaxy had the female Sith come to such a guess:
-That's because I'm not. I'm only an acolyte. This is my second day on Korriban and since I was up early I decided to take a look at the library. I, um, thought I was alone, my lord.
The woman smiled slightly:
-Well, well, finally, an acolyte after my own mind. I thought you young ones did not care much for history. This is a very pleasant surprise. If I had to guess I'd say you look a bit lost.
Noli's cheeks flushed a bit at being called out on her distraction, but she didn't see much of a reason to lie:
-Um, yes. I'm trying to locate a map of Korriban and the tombs, but the library's collection of historical and cultural materials is so fascinating that I keep getting sidetracked. Apologies, I'm rambling...
-Oh, I know what that's like. This is actually a small collection compared to the one the library the Sith Sanctum has on Dromund Kaas.
Noli's eyes sparkled with genuine fascination and enthusiasm, it seemed she'd forgotten she was in the presence of a Sith completely. The young acolyte pressed the datapad closer to her chest:
-I'd love to see it, though it's kind of doubtful I ever will. I will do my best though. I can only imagine the knowledge it would hold. If you'll excuse me, my lord, I'll get back to looking for those maps. I won't let Harkun trip me up again.
The last sentence was muttered under her breath and was dripping with frustration and coated with venom. Noli was starting to seriously dislike the man. Meanwhile, the blonde Sith tapped her chin thoughtfully, her datapad tucked under her arm. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers:
-Ah! Of course. The maps are on the second shelf level.
The Sith Lord quickly started going up the staircase while Noli stared at her, dumbfounded. Snapping out of her speechless state, Noli instantly protested, trying to avoid any further potential trouble (since something told her she'd have her hands full dealing with Harkun and Ffon already):
-No, my lord! I can't distract you from your research! I can locate the maps myself.
The woman sighed and glanced over her shoulder:
-Acolyte, what's your name?
Noli blinked in surprise, but complied:
-It's Nolianna.
-And your last name?
The blonde Sith prompted, a single eyebrow arched. Noli looked visibly uncomfortable and hesitant before somehow managing to admit the truth:
-I'm a former slave, my lord. We aren't given last names if we don't remember them. All I have is my birth name: Nolianna.
-I see, - the female Sith lord looked thoughtful,- Is the overseer in charge of your group called Harkun by any chance?
-Yes, m'am.
- Mhm. Well, that's all the more reason to find you that map. And before you protest, until I get that holocron from Marka Ragnos's tomb my research has hit a dead end. There's a gap in my information and I hate gaps.
The woman explained as she walked along the shelves, scanning for the one with the maps of the tombs and all of Korriban's academy grounds. Noli followed after her, a little bewildered. Just who was this Sith Lord and what did that appraising look she'd given her mean? Meanwhile, the Sith had stopped at a shelf and held out a hand for Noli's datapad. The acolyte wordlessly handed it to her and she promptly proceeded to download the maps from the holo-archives. Nodding in approval, she handed the datapad to the young woman, adding:
-If I were you I'd memorise the map of the academy and of Marka Ragnos's tomb first, if I were you. Harkun's most likely to send you there first.
Noli cast the Sith a slightly wary look:
-With all due respect, how do you know that, my lord?
The blonde woman gave a tiny smile as she started descending down the stairs:
-I know Lord Zash fairly well,acolyte, and Harkun will arrange the trials she wants. Good luck, Nolianna, I have a feeling you may just come out triumphant.
With those words said she swept out of the library, leaving Noli more than a little confused. It was only a moment later that it struck Noli as strange that the Sith had never even introduced herself. Shaking that oddity off, Noli looked down at the maps. The chrono on the datapad read 05:02. So, she had a little under an hour left. Well, she may as well spend the rest of her Harkun-free time outside- she wanted to see what the sunrise on Korriban looked like. She wanted to see the dawn of a new day on an ancient world. With that though in mind and the datapad in hand, Noli left the library after nodding a greeting at the keeper of the library Lord Samus and stopped at the railing of the walkway. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to jump the last few hundred meters. Noli only realised that she may very well die or break quite a few bones when she was halfway down. Oh, well, even she had her moments. However, just before she hit the floor, Noli felt the Force tell her to move. Following the command, Noli landed in a forward roll, safely and without any broken bones. Shakily, Noli stood up and looked at the distance she jumped. Noli gave a soft whistle of awe:
-Woah...Well, that's one off the bucket list.
A security droid gave an angry buzz as it passed her by and Noli had the distinct impression that it was chastising for being way too reckless. Noli shrugged: it's not like it could stop her. An overseer cast her an exasperated look and walked away like it was the most normal thing in the world. And maybe it was - that Sith had said apprentices were always giving them headaches. Adrenaline fading in her veins, Noli walked out of the academy's entrance and sat down cross-legged at the top of the slope that lead down, towards the exit of Ajunta Pall's tomb. Noli placed the datapad on her lap and looked up at the sky. The sky of Korriban was slowly gradating from it's oppressive black colour to the usual orange-brown colour that it held during the day. Noli quietly took in the scenery: towering maroon cliffs, crumbling tombs and the winding paths of Korriban sprinkled with imperial machinery and the tiny moving red-armoured figures of the academy guard. Noli smiled slightly: this world was nothing like Balmorra with it's constant war and bombardments, it was peaceful somehow. However, just like the Sith code, it's peace was a lie - beneath the surface, in the tombs Korriban brimmed with danger. As her thoughts drifted to the tombs, Noli remembered the maps. She switched on the datapad and pulled up the academy map, throwing herself headfirst into memorising every detail of it. With it memorised Noli moved onto the next one. Time ticked on, but Noli's single minded focus on memorising the maps prevented her from noticing. As she memorised the layout, she also mentally catalogued what places could be useful for an ambush, as a hiding spot and so on. Noli's ability to memorise things like that had made her useful back on Balmorra. Noli only snapped out of her trance when the last map was memorised. She stretched and was surprised to see that the sun had risen quite a bit in the time she'd been studying. Suddenly, Noli had a bad feeling... She glanced down to see that the chrono read 06:07.
   Noli sprung to her feet, cursing and, leaving the datapad at the entrance to the academy, she dashed off. Harkun would be more than happy to use this an excuse to eat her alive. He'd made it pretty clear that he really disliked her. Was it because she posed a legitimate threat to his precious Ffon? Noli snorted. Ffon was an overseers lapdog, how wonderful. She had more information to annoy him with later. Yes, it wasn't nice and it was kind of underhanded, but since when had Sith been nice and also Ffon was a prick who deserved every ounce of misery she induced. She just hoped it was enough to set his head on straight or he'd end up tripping over himself eventually. Not that she cared, she'd be more than happy if he failed - he'd been treating her like dirt since the first second and no one, no one treated her like a slave and got away with it. She would have her revenge even if it did take awhile. After all, revenge was a dish best served cold. Slightly out of breath, Noli skidded to a halt right in front of Harkun's office. She could hear Ffon's annoying voice from there, telling the overseer that she was probably dead in a ditch somewhere and they should start. Hah, he wished. Noli took a deep breath, quickly arranged her red haired into a loose bun again and stepped into the room, calmly. Harkun's beady eyes instantly snapped to her and he drawled:
-Ah, the last one. Always the latecomer.
Noli smiled back sweetly and retorted:
-And good morning to you too, overseer.
-Don't speak unless you're spoken to, slave.
-Well, you sure do love objectifying people, don't you, overseer? But do go on, I won't stop you.
-Shut your mouth, slave!
Noli grinned and mimed a zipping motion over her mouth, being perfectly silent and making the scowl on Harkun's face darken. From beside her Ffon hissed:
-I was worried you'd gone and died on me, slave.
Noli cast a sideways glance at the red-skinned Sith and whispered back in a sing-song tone:
-In your dreams, Ffon, in your dreams.
Harkun cast a glare at both of them, making both Noli and Ffon shut up temporarily. He was holding a datapad in hands. Somehow Noli knew that it contained Spindrall's evaluations and the thought of that made a pit appear in her stomach. It took her a moment to realise she was actually slightly nervous. She knew Spindrall had spoken to her favourably, but that did not mean his evaluation of her had ended well. Still, her gut told her everything would be alright, for her at least. Harkun sighed and in an almost maliciously excited tone spoke:
-Now we can see what the hermit thinks of you all slime.
He scrolled down on the datapad and this time Noli knew that it was for dramatic effect. It was to make them squirm, their hearts pound and their breathing to quicken. He was trying to make them panic and from the looks of things it was working. Balek and Wydr (the twins) were shifting from foot to foot, Niloc (the slimy bastard) was rocking back and forth on his feet, Gerr's eyes were darting all over the room and Kory seemed to be close to suffocating. Only Noli and Ffon remained completely and utterly calm, not scared in the least. Harkun seemed pleased with the overall results, but the glare he shot the acolyte with the slave brand under her eye spoke volumes. He glanced down at the datapad before speaking:
-Hmm. Acolyte Kory,-his beady eyes darted to the gentlest sound of the group,-Step forward, please.
And suddenly Noli's bad feeling came back in full Force. All the alarms in her head were blaring, but it seemed Kory had no idea what was going on. She meekly nodded and whispered:
-Yes, overseer.
She took two unsteady steps forward, fear evident on her face. No, no, no! She was giving him all the reasons to do what he wanted! And she was powerless to stop it. That felt like a punch under her lungs. Noli knew what would happen, she knew it and yet she couldn't stop it. Noli's hands clenched into fists at her side and she averted her eyes. The most she could do was look away. She heard Harkun speak, an disgusting type of malicious excitement in his voice:
-You are weak, pathetic rodent and even a lunatic like Spindrall can see this. And that means--
There was a ripple in the Force, the unmistakable crackle of Force lightning and then the air was punctuated by Kory's scream. Noli couldn't stop herself from looking. She saw the lightning dance across the young woman's body, she saw her arch her back and just after that scream was ripped from her lungs her body crumpled to the floor, lifeless. Her Force presence, too pure to be a Sith's was extinguished in  the span of a few seconds. She was dead. It took Noli's mind a few moments to process that. Someone who had been close to being a friend to her was dead and it was because she had helped her, because she had killed those k'lor' slugs and Kory had taken the teeth from them - it was her fault. And then is struck Noli: no, it wasn't entirely her fault. Spindrall had never explicitly said to kill the weak. Heck, he took in failed acolytes and retrained them so why did she have to die. There was only one person responsible for that. Anger, white hot rage bubbled up in Noli's chest as she raised her eyes to look at Harkun, but before it could explode she clamped the durasteel coils of control over it. If she was going to be Sith, if she was going to prove Harkun wrong and Kory right, she was going to have to deal with things like these all the damn time. She was NOT going to loose control! She hated Harkun and she would use that hate, just like Spindrall had told her. Noli took a deep breath and pushed her anger down, storing it away for later. She let cool, cold calm, dark emotions take the reins. Harkun meanwhile was gloating, well, more like showing off his lapdog:
-Meet our newcomer - Ffon Althe. This, this, is real Sith Sith strength and he will tear you apart and crush your bones, slaves.
Ffon shifted, crossing his arms in front of his chest, smugness radiating off him. Noli rolled her eyes inwardly while Harkun harped on:
-Look at him! No connections left in the world, but pure Sith blood! This - this is Lord Zash's future apprentice! Not filth like you!
He raised his arms as he spoke, gesticulating violently. It looked almost comedic from Noli's point of view, but she didn't really feel like laughing. If she didn't know better, she'd suggest Harkun and Ffon get married. Hmm, maybe she should - they did make a very cute and infuriating couple. Noli rolled her eyes and slowly clapped her hands, commenting:
- Congratulations on your new pet. Now give us the rest of the trial.
Harkun's eyes zeroed in on her and the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees as Noli locked eyes with the overseer. Cold deep blue eyes locked eyes with contemptuous light blue ones, refusing to look away. Harkun snorted in disgust and ordered:
-Step this way, slave. I want to speak to you privately. The rest of you - get out of here. You know your trial. You, too, Ffon. Spindrall awaits.
As the acolytes shuffled out of the room, Noli almost felt sorry for the old hermit. Having to deal with those idiots two days in a row must be torture. Now she knew why he hid away in that tomb - avoiding them or limiting them amount of those who bothered him. Harkun's voice drew Noli's attention back to him:
-Now, listen to me. Spindrall is a lunatic. His approval means nothing. You are filth and you will die. Is that clear?
Noli raised an eyebrow at him:
-You think you scare me?
-You're nothing. And don't forget it. Now, your second trial: Lord Zash had request a special trial for you, which you will not doubt fail. Go to Inquisitor Zyn in the jails. He will fill you in on the details - and most likely, hosted your demise.
Noli crossed her arms and gave Harkun a withering look:
-Don't count on my demise, Harkun. I don't die easy.
-Don't boast, slave. I don't want to see you again until you're back from the jails. That's all.
Harkun turned around, signalling that the conversation was over. Noli took that as her cue to leave. Remembering where the jails were from her time spent memorising the layout of the academy, Noli headed off towards them. Her attitude was cold and calm. She would be Sith and she would prove Kory right, she would prove to Harkun and to everyone who had ever doubted her and told her she was nothing that she was Sith and that she was stronger than they'd ever thought her to be. Her thoughts wandering in that direction, Noli didn't even notice how quickly she reached the jails. She looked around before deciding to try the room straight before her, if not then the one on the left would be the correct one. Noli entered the room to see a relatively empty room, a roundish man and an young man strapped to the interrogation table. Damn it. She did not like where this was going. The man stopped pacing and turner around, positively beaming:
-Ah, are you the acolyte Harkun sent?
Noli shrugged:
-Yes, unfortunately. Are you Inquisitor Zyn?
-Yes. I'm glad that you've arrived, acolyte, and not a moment too soon. Harkun has given me very specific instructions. You were raised as a slave, but must discard those traits  and learn to control others.
Noli nodded in confirmation: that did seem like something a Sith Lord who was testing her would have Harkun cook up. Zyn smiled at her, the tattoos surrounding his eyes crinkling:
-And I have just the task for that end. Meet this drivelling excuse for an acolyte: Alif,-Zyn motioned at the beaten up young man on the interrogation table,- he will be your victim.
Noli raised an eyebrow. Victim? Noli clarified:
-What exactly does this entail?
Zyn sighed as he explained:
- A short while ago, there was what we call an "unauthorised murder" here in the Academy. A rivalry among apprentices resulted in death. He was a witness. Interrogate him. Make him tell you who committed the crime, at any cost.
And there it was again: that malicious delight. Noli exhaled and nodded:
-Fine, but don't expect me to like this.
Zyn frowned, but motioned her to start. Noli slowly took a deep breath and steeled herself. She soundlessly approached the young man and looked at him. He had dark skin which was darkened by bruises, grey eyes and reddish-brown hair that was close cropped. He looked tired, the result of multiple "interrogations" no doubt. He looked frightened too. Exhausted, he croaked:
-Nnnghh...please don't hurt me. I don't know anything.
Noli sighed as she looked at him: this could go one of two ways and she really hope this acolyte was not stupid. She'd rather not resort to force:
-It's okay, Alif, I just want to talk.
Alif shot her a disbelieving look:
-Yeah, right. I know what you want and I'll tell you right now I don't know anything.
Okay, so this was going to be harder than she had expected, but Noli could be patient. She gave Alif a mildly annoyed look:
-I can't help you if you won't trust me.
Alif scoffed:
-Why should I trust you? You can't help me. You can't protect me. Even if I did know something, I'd be dead or worse...
Now they were getting somewhere. So Alif did know something and someone wanted to shut him up. Good, she could work with this, but it wasn't enough. He was being stupidly obstinate. How hard was it to believe she was trying to help him? Noli took another look at the acolyte before heaving a mental sigh: it would probably be very hard. Noli looked at Alif seriously, attempting to reason with him:
-Look, if you don't talk to me, the inquisitor, - she jerked a thumb over her shoulder at Zyn,-will bring in someone else and  they will make you talk. I actually want to help you.
Alif looked at her incredulously, he couldn't quiet believe his ears. Who was this girl? She had a slave brand under her eye, wavy read hair that was pulled up into a loose bun, from which a few tendrils had spilt, she didn't look all that powerful or unusual, but there was something in her eyes, in the way she stood that separated her form the others. Bewildered, Alif muttered:
-What? Why? I....I don't understand. Why don't you just torture me and get it over with?
Noli looked down at her feet before quietly admitting:
-There are better methods than torture. You just have to be open-minded enough to see them.
Alif shook his head, incredulous:
-They really did pull you out of the slave pens like the inquisitor said, didn't they? You aren't like any Sith I've ever met,-Alif paused to draw a deep breath, his eyes locked onto Noli's pleadingly,- I'll tell you what I saw...but promise me that the murder will get justice - that he won't come after me.
There was a tremor, a crack in his voice at the end and Noli was painfully reminded of her twin. She had been like this before: always looking to her for protection. A part of Noli whispered that she was Sith, that she shouldn't help him, but Noli shook it off. She nodded:
-Alright. I'll do everything in my power.
Alif nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly:
-As strange as it sounds coming from another acolyte, I appreciate that. An apprentice named Essor Kayin - I saw him murder his victim outside the library on the second floor. Listen, his master's incredibly powerful - he won't let Kayin be punished. Kayin will kill me.
And now they'd reached the heart of the problem. Noli could just walk away and pretend she knew nothing, let Kayin kill Alif, but Noli's conscience for some reason was completely against that. She had promised to protect him and Noli never ever broke her word. She'd rather die than break a promise she made, she'd never done it before and she wasn't about to start doing it now. Noli held up a hand to reassure her fellow acolyte, a small faint smile on her face:
-You let me worry about that.
Alif finally managed a smile, though it was clear that the action caused him great paint:
-Thank you. I hope you know what you're doing.
Noli, who had started walking away, looked over her shoulder and sighed:
-Me too, Alif, me too.
She smiled uncertainly once again and walked towards the inquisitor. Zyn sighed loudly and spoke before Noli even opened her mouth:
-You don't have to tell me - I heard the name loud and clear, though I sorely wish I hadn't: Essor Kayin. Kayin's master is a Dark Council member...I'd be a fool to oppose him.
Zyn shrugged which, Noli absently noted, must be very hard with all the heavy armour he had on:
-But anyway your trial here is done. I will send my commendations to Overseer Harkun. You may return to him now.
Noli crossed her arms and pinned the inquisitor with a serious look:
-What are you going to do about the murder?
-Nothing. Although the apprentice's master will have to be informed.
When he saw the disapproving look Noli was giving him, he instinctively tried to justify his actions:
-It's not my business to dispense justice, certainly not where the Dark Council is concerned.
How did this guy even become Sith? Noli gave Zyn a pitying look and rather calmly accused:
-You're a coward, inquisitor.
Zyn huffed, his own arms crossing over his chest:
-I'm a living Sith. I intend to remain that way. Concern for matters are not your business  is a weakness that will get you killed. I suggest you eliminate this this undesirable trait as quickly as possible and forget about this acolyte.
So they should all be selfish assholes? No wonder the death rate of Sith was so weird these days: some refused to take on allies that could save their life. Well, that was stupid. Inquisitor Zyn was a truly pathetic man. Noli cocked her head to the side and summed it up:
-So you're just going to let yourself be bullied.
Zyn looked mildly offended by her words, but his protest was weak at best:
-And what do you suggest? I don't have the power to oppose a Dark Council member and neither do you.
Noli had to grant him that. She was still catching up to Ffon so a Dark Council me,her way way above her level. She sighed and looked at the inquisitor stubbornly:
-Still, there has to be something you can do.
Zyn shook his head:
-You're persistent aren't you? Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to keep him here while the master of the murdered apprentice pursues justice. Perhaps they can be made to believe that the acolyte has not been broken yet.
Some would have called this sufficient, Noli however called it a plan with a huge gap. And just like the blonde Sith she'd met Noli hated gaps. It would be way too easy for Essor to come in here and murderer Alif. Noli persisted in badgering Zyn:
-Can't you get him off-planet or get some guards or something? He's as good as dead here.
Noli informed him flatly. Zyn looked thoughtful for a moment before reluctantly admitting:
-Getting him off-planet is no simple matter, but there is a Darth on Dromund Kaas who owes me a favour,-Zyn sighed and looked at Noli flatly,- I'll make sure she takes the foll as her apprentice. He'll be out of Kayin's reach,  but from there he's on his own.
Noli nodded: that should be enough. Zyn appraised the young acolyte and in a farewell manner remarked:
-You have a most unusual approach, acolyte. Watch that it doesn't get you in trouble.
With that Zyn turned around and proceeded with compiling a report. Noli checked that he was absorbed before walking over to Alif. She nodded at him:
-I told you not to worry about it. Will that work?
Alif nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He was so close to crying from the relief. Today had been his lucky day. Quietly, Alif breathed:
-I really can't thank you enough. Not only did you save my life, but I can continue studying to be Sith. Thank you. I doubt there'd be many acolyte who'd care enough or have enough courage to go up against Zyn like that.
Noli shrugged:
-Well, then they're cowards, between you and me, - Noli leaned in slightly and lowered her voice to a whisper,-he's a pushover. But don't tell him I said that. It's a secret.
-Another one?
Alif groaned with a bit of humour in his tone. Noli chuckled lightly, the cold demeanour vanishing for a bit:
-Don't worry, I won't kill you for talking. See you around, Alif.
-Yeah, maybe when you make it to Dromund Kaas we can meet up for drinks and I can say thanks like that.
Noli nodded, but she looked uncertain:
-I wouldn't say no to that, but let's not put the engine before the speeder. I've got quiet a ways to go. Not sure if I'll make it.
Alif shook his head, ignoring the discomfort it caused:
-You'll make a great person and an honourable Sith, I know it.
-Thanks, Alif. I'll give it my best shot. Now, excuse me, but I've got to run otherwise Harkun will start harping on about how beautiful Ffon's skin is or something and I'd rather not sit through that.
Noli gave the acolyte a small wave and dashed out of the room, through the corridors and towards Harkun's office. She had to doge a bunch of acolytes who all looked very eerily similar, but ultimately made it to Harkun's office in record time. After taking a minute to compose herself and to rein in the anger that had started bubbling again, Noli entered the room. Harkun was sitting at his desk with Balek, Wydr, Gerr and Ffon standing before him. So she was late again by Harkun standards. Oh, how lovely.