Ask Korriban Second Steps

[Darth Trelain]

Trelain watched her apprentice squirm slightly or maybe that was all in the Darth's head. She could feel the conflict within the former Jedi, but also the resolve to see this through.

You're right, words are worthless, she said. The ISB traded in lies, and what were lies if not empty words? One could almost say that Trelain was the queen of lies herself now, and that meant that actions would be needed.

But Trelain also knew methods that could not be faked and that could not be fooled. Thoughts and intentions were almost as strong as actions, and the Sith Lord knew a thing or two about discerning thoughts and intentions.

You will bring me the head of a Jedi within the next month, she said, matter of factly. But in the meantime, I have other ways to evaluate your loyalty, she said.

She pushed herself to her feet and walked toward her apprentice. Her eyes were purely predatory now as she looked down at Sarella, and it would be enough to send a chill down her mind.

Here is how this exercise will work. I will look into your mind at anything I want. I'm sure you're familiar with such techniques. If you do not resist, there will be no discomfort. If you resist, I will press on. The more you resist, the more pain. Resist too much and it will rip your mind to shreds, she said.

 

[Sarella]

You will bring me the head of a Jedi within the next month.

The words rang loud and clear within Sarella’s ears, echoing through every corner of her mind. Even if she tried to ignore it, the thought of the task - nay, the command - issued caused her stomach to turn. She’d committed herself to Trelain. She’d forsaken the Jedi that had once been her family. She’d turned her back on the home and philosophy that had been everything to her. But this.. Was something else.

The Jedi had loved and laughed amongst her peers, and considered them as her family. It was a final betrayal that wouldn’t be easy, and Sarella genuinely feared the person she would become by the end of it. But.. It was necessary, or so the Fallanassi tried to convince herself. It was a sacrifice that needed to be made, and contributed to the end goal of a better, stable Galaxy. She had to believe that.

"It will be as you command."

Though she didn’t flinch, Sarella couldn’t help the chill that ran the length of her spine. The Darth’s eyes glinted like those of an apex predator - vicious and ruthless in ways that the Acolyte hadn’t yet seen from her Master. Silence was her initial response to Trelain’s ‘exercise’, mulling over what was about to occur. It was inevitable, and it was meant to break down any sense of privacy or protection within her own mind. Until everything - even the most intimate memories - were laid out to bare.

But it was inevitable. And for all the ways that Sarella wished to resist what came next, the Acolyte knew that would only worsen what was to come already. The fear and discomfort radiated off of her in waves, manifesting in the Force to the point Trelain could feel it palpably. But Sarella didn’t move or protest - cerulean eyes locked onto the Darth with icy countenance. “Do as you will, then.” She said coldly.

If Trelain followed through with her promise, the Darth would find no initial resistance to peer into the Fallanassi’s mind - entering the plain of memories and subconscious that, under normal circumstances, was Sarella’s domain alone. In that manifestation, Trelain would find herself standing in a warped version of Sarella’s own homeworld of Lucazec - mist thickly shrouding the alpine forests and valleys. Dozens upon dozens of tall, wooden doors lined the forest path - each of them representing a memory that Trelain could open and witness as she pleased. Unwittingly, Sarella was witness to it all - standing right beside Trelain, regardless of where the Darth chose to turn her gaze. In the plain of her own mind, the Acolyte manifested as a younger version of herself - dressed in traditional Fallanassi attire, with silver-gold hair that fell down to her waist.

 

[Darth Trelain]

Oh, Trelain was most certainly going to follow through on her promise. There was going to be no secret her apprentice would keep from her. No intention of betrayal or hatred that the Sith Lord would not know about. Trelain craved control, and she would certainly have it over those who served her.

She reached out a hand and let her mind flow into the other woman's. They melted together into one... in a way. Trelain's mind was, of course, closed to the Jedi, but she was one and the same with Sarella's mind at that moment.

She saw the trees and the simple homes. She saw the way that the Jedi adorned herself in her own mind, and she walked through small path. She looked at where they were and who these people represented, pressing on until she found those who were most dear to Sarella, whoever they may be. She looked for the reason the young woman left them and if and when she would ever return.

 

[Sarella]

For the moment, Sarella remained perfectly silent. Even in the confines of her own mind, the Fallanassi was a spectator to whatever the Darth intended to do. There was little resistance from her - at least so far. It remained to be seen whether that would change, as Trelain began to delve deeper and more intimately.

As they began to walk, the environment around them shifted - fluid and malleable to the Darth’s intentions, bringing her to the destination and goal she sought. In the beginning, Trelain would be able to see Sarella, standing amongst the women of her tribe. Brief scenes of Sarella being taught and nurtured by the elders, followed by scenes of hunts, rituals and farming amongst her sisters. They were Sarella’s family, and the Darth would be able to feel the intense connection she still bore them.

Whatever her feelings towards the Jedi Order, her people on Lucrazec were blameless.

As Trelain walked further, however, the mist-covered forests of Lucrazec grew thick, and the village of Sarella’s birth began almost invisible behind them. There would be nothing but dense fog and the dark silhouette of trees for several long moments. Eventually, figures danced from within that fog - progressively becoming more visible to the Darth. Brief flashes of Sarella’s life at the Jedi temple - from her classes as a Padawan and Youngling, to her missions as a Knight.

She would see every moment where Sarella stumbled and fell short in her ideals, and where she struggled to live up to her teaching as a Jedi. And Trelain would see the moment it had all failed her on Korriban, and the feelings of resentment it has begun to fertilize.

As they reached the end of the trail, another face appeared in the mist - one of an aged Bothan Master. It was his visage that seemed to accompany her since her first days as a Jedi - and was present for her training as a Knight. Master Oola had been her mentor and teacher, and perhaps the person she was closest to within the Order - despite her loner tendencies.

If anyone was dear to Sarella, and could possibly turn her to betray the Sith, it would be him

 

[Darth Trelain]

Trelain delved in deeply, but her mind pondered the best way to make use of what she had seen. She thought about what it would take the turn the Jedi and what needed to be done to keep her from returning to the Light. Perhaps the assassination of this Jedi Master. Perhaps his death at Sarella's own hands. But she wasn't ready for that, yet.

Trelain pressed deeper in for a moment, looking for any hints of desire to betray the Sith Empire until she was satisfied there were none before withdrawing from the other woman's mind.

You've done well, my apprentice, she said.

Visit the doctors in the infirmary. I've given them orders already, she said. She didn't tell her student that the "orders" were to sedate the woman and place two things subdermaly. The first was a microphone so that Trelain could record whatever the girl said and the second was a tracker-and-bomb combination like those used for maintaining slaves on Outer Rim worlds like Tattooine. Trelain would take no risks nor offer any explanations.

You'll report to Overseer Nethel for continued training in my absence. I will still expect my Jedi head, she said before turning to leave. When the girl returned from the infirmary, she would find the penthouse access no longer viable, and she'd be returned to her regular quarters. There was still a long way for the former-Jedi to go before Trelain trusted her, but it was a step in the right direction.

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