Star Wars Episode V, Phantoms Of The Past

Exegol

The next day, Flurry had returned to a neutral state. Her objective of escaping Exegol was still top priority, but she had given much more consideration in staying temporarily here at Midnight's castle. While she did worry about how much her friends and family would be mad, that took less precedence over if she never came back. And it was sometime during the night after she broke down crying on Luster's shoulder and went to bed that she wondered about maybe she could gather more details on the Empire's current project through here.

If Midnight had that much security in the sky, there had to be something important worth guarding here. And if she was allowed as a guest? Well then there was opportunity to do more here than she realized.

Currently she joined Luster at a lab space where other officers and initiates were working on their own jobs and filing reports. Needing something to do, she joined Midnight's student in doing studies. Today's subject was currently examining various peoples from across the galaxy. The research had taken a few hours, without either of them realizing it.

"So why do you research all these different cultures? It's not like you ever leave to meet them," Flurry asked, raising a brow.

"It's important to stay informed. I might need to be an ambassador one day and ensure that peace and security on some of these worlds are safe. Besides, these offer juicy stuff."

"Reading about it is one thing. Being there and meeting the people of their culture is a different thing entirely. Especially since you're reading the Empire's take on them," Flurry folded her arms with furrowed brows.

"Can you prove it?"

"No, because I'm stuck here," Flurry deadpanned. "But okay, want me to prove it? Mind if I look for something?"

"Be my guest," Luster offered, scooting back.

Flurry stood up, typing away on the computer in the search bar. "Let's see, cultures, what to look for...", she clicked a tab showing a list of various worlds and cultures. "Abafar, Agamar, Alderaan, Aldhani.... Aldhani? Haven't heard of that one."

Clicking the page, she found an audio recording left behind. Shrugging she clicked it, and sat back, both young girls listening to a report from a deceased officer.

"The Dhanis, they're a simple people. They breed a sad combination of traits that make them particularly vulnerable to manipulation. On a practical level, they have great difficulty holding multiple ideas simultaneously. We found the best way to steer them as we like, is to offer alternatives. You put a number of options on the table, and they're so wrapped up in choosing, that they fail to notice you've given them nothing they thought they wanted in the first place..."

Flurry slowly turned her head to look at Luster with a very disturbed expression that said 'are you freaking kidding me?'. Luster wasn't sure what to think, but she didn't like what she was listening to right now.

"Their deeper problem is pride. The Dhanis would rather lose, they rather suffer than accept. Which is wildly ironic as they've basically choked down everything we've thrown at them these last twelve years. It's a ten day trek up from the lowlands. We offer them a transport because we know they'll refuse, but then we offer a series of 'comfort units'. Shelters and taverns with cheap local beverages. Quite predictably--"

Luster slammed her hand down on the stop button.

"... O-Okay, to be fair, Beehaz wasn't a good officer, I remember listening to Admiral Sloane, she hated him with all her guts, and wanted him gone, but didn't know how to find a legal flaw in his promotion of power to do so," Luster said, rather quickly. "That's just one case, that's not all of them."

"You have no idea..." Flurry shook her head. "Again, I'd bring up the clones, but that's clearly not doing anything."

"Hey, I actually looked up information on them. The Empire at least gave retirement plans for them to ensure they would be safe if they weren't fighting anymore," Luster protested.

"The Empire doing humanitarian acts? The day I see them think about anyone other than themselves is the day that I decide to shave my head and adopt a nexu," Flurry's eyes glared.

"Hey, they took care of me," Luster stood her ground. "They're all I got... all I ever do have," she said, rather sadly on that last remark. Flurry backed off on the snark when she noticed. "I don't like dumping anything on you, but Midnight is more than just my teacher to me... in a sense, she's like my mom. She's the closest thing I have to one. I don't remember much when I was a kid, but we were under attack by raiders who wanted to steal our food and supplies. My parents, my birth ones... I think they were. They hid me away to keep me safe."

"The Empire, they came down with their troops, and I didn't know what to think of them. But I remember seeing these suits of purple offer me a hand, and Midnight get me to safety while her troopers fought. She gave me a home, she took care of me. It's because of her that I'm able to fight for myself now, so that if another raider attack happens, I can fight," Luster held a fist up.

"... I'm sorry you lost your family," Flurry apologized, trying to maintain peaceful relations with her roommate.

"That's okay. I mean it worked out, didn't it? I have a cool home, I have a lot of friends here, I've honestly got it good, I think," Luster thought.

Flurry's eyes averted from Luster at the last few remarks. Sure she had a home. And Flurry may have been a guest here, but this was far from home in the slightest.

"... Sooo... um..." Luster paused, trying to break the uncomfortable silence. "What's uh, what's your home like? You live with the Rebels, right?"

"I do," Flurry said, rather shortly.

"... what are they like?"

Flurry lifted a brow at Luster.

"Just trying to make conversation. I-I'm not trying to pry for locations, it's just... well, to be honest, you're the first person I've met outside of Exegol and the first real Rebel I've met. I know I can't get any details on bases from you, but I've always been curious what it's like being on their side."

"Hmm." Flurry stopped momentarily. "Aside from trying to make sure every day isn't going to be my last, I suppose it's good. I won't say we're perfect, we've got some bad people on our side who have done terrible things, just as much as you Imps have good people on your side. But it doesn't stand for all of us, we all try to be the best we can even with how many times we get kicked. We're the lowest of the lows, we've got each others backs. We're a family."

"That sounds nice, it really does," Luster softly remarked, her eyes darting to the side with a bit of remorse in her tone. "S-So, um. Anything you wanna research now, or?"

The doors opened up, with a guard stepping in.

"Luster Dawn, Flurry Heart, the Lady requests you both at the table. She has guests."

"Guests? Been a while since we've had guests, who are they?" Luster asked, rolling out of the chair.

"She said you'll see for yourself. A surprise, I think," the guard thought.

"Very well. Come on, Flurry, let's see who she invited to dinner," Luster urged.

Morbid curiosity enticed her to follow as she leapt up after Luster, leaving the lab.

The doors opened, and to their surprise, Midnight wasn’t the only one awaiting them. Four other guests were sitting at the table, all of whom turned their attention towards them. One was a middle-aged man with white hair and a rather pouty demeanor. Another was an older man with a visible mustache and pure white hair. Third was a black woman with her hair tied down behind her head in a bun. Last of all was a Chiss; blue-skinned, with blood red eyes that made his calm expression unreadable and almost disturbing.

Flurry gulped. Having dinner with her terrifying auntie and Luster was one thing. Him!? Her history lectures gave her the detail on who he was, which made it that much worse to see him in person. She was dead set on running away, maybe going back to her room and staying—

“Yularen!”

In a complete 180, Luster Dawn went from calm student to an excited child. She dashed across the room and gave the Admiral a hug. He chuckled as he embraced her back, which only made Flurry even more disturbed.

“It’s good to see you again, Miss Dawn,” the admiral replied.

Pulling back from the hug, Luster moved around the table and was opened to another warm hug, this time from Admiral Sloane.

“Sloane!” Luster squeed.

“Hello Luster,” she smiled warmly as she hugged her. “You’ve grown since the last time I’ve seen you. I hope your teacher hasn’t been too harsh on her?” She said with a small side-smirk to the lady of the Empire.

“Thrawn!” Luster still squeed, giving a hug to the Chiss. Thrawn was a little thrown off by her sudden burst of joy, but he still replied in kind and gave her a friendly hug.

“Your excitement is always a welcoming sight,” the Chiss warmly replied. His head turned to the other teenager still standing at the door, legs wobbling in fear. “Ah, so this must be your niece, am I correct?”

“Yes. Admiral Thrawn, this is Flurry Heart. Flurry Heart—”

“—I know who he is, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to slit my throat if I sit here,” Flurry whimpered.

“If you’re worried about me lashing out and attacking you at this table, I assure you have no reason to fear. But I suppose you would feel better if I moved farther away from the side you’re sitting at,” he offered.

Flurry hesitated to continue, but realized she had nowhere else to really run. Slowly she paced to the right side of the table where Admiral Thrawn had been standing, now leaving the spot open to sit next to Admiral Sloane, and at the corner edge, next to Midnight.

“Must we have children here?” Director Krennic complained.

“We’re off duty, Director,” Thrawn replied, taking his seat. “I do not mind their presence.”

“And I’m rather fond of Lady Midnight’s student. She reminds me of myself when I was her age,” Sloane complimented.

“You understand these children do not possess the wills or the minds of any of you? They’re immature, they don’t listen—”

“—They don’t like being insulted right in front of their faces, Director,” Midnight intervened, rather ominously. “Perhaps you wish to eat alone back on your Star Destroyer?”

Food was soon passed around the table, and everyone soon dug in. Flurry was able to eat, but found herself constantly locking eyes onto Thrawn, waiting for him to attack. Sure he said he wouldn't, but she knew anyone in his shoes would be angry over the fact his entire project was destroyed.

"... Your niece is showing a great deal of anxiety over my presence. Perhaps I would alleviate it if I left the room and partook in dinner another time?" Thrawn offered.

"No need for that," Midnight politely lifted a hand up. "Besides, even if you were a violent man, I wouldn't allow any harm to come to her," her eyes looked to her niece with an oddly warm expression this time, "you do not need to fear him."

"I destroyed his life's work, didn't I? I think anyone would want me dead for that," Flurry only pushed herself and her chair back from the table. And by a simple lift of her hand, the chair was forced back to sit at the table causing a great deal of shock.

"Under normal circumstances I would be greatly frustrated that my project has been compromised. But when I learned that it was the lady's niece who completed the job, I was quite impressed. The base had been fortified with enough security to ensure that wouldn't happen, but your skills and the team you worked with outperformed even the finest Imperial trooper."

"... Okay see now I know you're lying," Flurry deflated.

"Thrawn never lies," Admiral Sloane reassured, looking to her. "He and I agree, you're quite the opponent."

"... I see," Flurry still didn't know how to respond. "Soooo, um... w-what do you all do in the Empire anyway?"

"I'm in charge of a fleet near Malastare," Sloane replied, taking another bite of her meal. "But in essence, our job is to oversee operations of other fleets across the galaxy, something the old Republic did back in their day."

"And how are you all so friendly with Luster? N-Not to offend, but none of you seem like... well, the visiting type," Flurry asked, raising a brow.

"We had business to conduct with Lady Midnight. But that is as far as that discussion goes, we are off-duty, this is a time for relaxation, and decompression from the daily woes of everyday work," Admiral Sloane finished.

"No, this is not. We are not done discussing the project," Krennic sulked. "You all have repeatedly shoved my contributions to the side. Ignored the fact, that our project was MY ACHIEVEMENT!" His fists started to pound the table, along with excessive saliva frothing at the mouth. "You stood there on MY ACHIEVEMENT!! NOT YOURS! MINE!!!"

Flurry glared at the Director before wiping some excess off of her face. “Could you spit any closer to my face, I can’t feel the rain yet,” Flurry deadpanned with a glare.

"This attitude is rather unbecoming of a director; especially one who is slamming the table, throwing a temper tantrum like a toddler who wants a juice box," Midnight warned with a glare. "I do not wish to warn you again."

"I have been the overseer of the Empire's greatest project, while you hide away in your castle, or play with your sword against warriors of a dying breed. You still have not even come close to-ack-agh!"

Midnight didn't need to raise her hands, or at least, no one could tell they were. The director was now choking for dear life, being lifted nearly out of his seat, struggling to breathe as hard as he could, but Midnight just kept the coldest gaze towards him.

"You would do better than to question my judgement. I gave you the Director's chair because I believed you had aspirations that would do good for protection of the galaxy. And I can take it away just as easy. Understood?"

No words were said, but Krennic desperately nodded, in hopes of being released. With a gentle motion of her hand, the director fell back in his chair, gasping for air.

"Try not to choke on your aspirations, Director," Thrawn warned. "It wouldn't look good to the rest of your staff if they learned their overseer was drunk on accolades."

And just like that, Flurry ate dinner in silence for the rest of the night, while the admirals and Luster continued to thrill in chit-chat. Watching her roommate's joy only made her desire to go home that much greater.

It had only been a few days, but Adagio could feel the isolation of her cell driving her crazy. While she was granted stops to the refresher, and given food necessities, Adagio waited for the insanity of complete solitude to take her, at least in the first day. She had waited endless hours for the guards to constantly come in and rough her up, ensure that her spirit was broken. But none did. Guards remained posted outside her cell, and there were constant video cameras watching her every move, even if she had her wrists cuffed together to electrify her if she dared tried to break them apart.

But she did not try and slam herself against the door, or immediately find a way out. Instead, she sat on the floor, with her legs crossed and began to meditate. This world was Exegol, the birthplace of many Sith warriors. If she Midnight could tap into this dark power, so could she. And so, she cleared her mind of all exterior thoughts, and focused. Her eyes twitched as she tried to focus in on the Dark Side...

Focus...

Focus...

Adagio's eyes opened, and she found herself outside of her prison cell, in a large rocky structure. A pathway led to a massive throne in the middle of an empty colosseum. There was only one figure sitting at the throne, in dark robes, breathing calmly. She took a few steps forward and took a knee down, to pay respects.

"Arise, Apprentice Dazzle."

The voice was dark, sinister, ancient. One that hadn't been heard in millennia. Adagio stood up and looked forward, seeing only a shriveled, wrinkled, old face with beady yellow eyes staring into her soul.

"Are you the ancient one?" Adagio asked.

"I am the one and only. You are a master of the Dark Side, and you seek my strength. To what end?"

"To bring balance to the Dark Side, and to wipe out the Rebel Alliance, and all Jedi who will oppose me," Adagio answered, calmly.

The ancient one sat there, thinking as his skeletal hands tapped against the chair.

"Midnight is the current ruler. But I have foreseen the future... she will bring the Sith to an end. She will bring an end to our legacy," the ancient one spoke, his slithering voice dripping with anger.

"If she dies, then a pocket of power will be opened. One that a potential future ruler can seize," Adagio suggested, her magenta eyes slowly turning yellow as she smiled at the thought.

"Be mindful of your path. Your quest for power may come... but it may also bring your end. The Sith rules with two. You are just one," the ancient one continued. "The Dark Side has tried ruling with more than two, and at a cost far too great."

"The Storm King," Adagio remembered.

"Tempest Shadow. Darth Tyrannus. Asajj Ventress. And the wretched Maul. Always two, there must be. Never more, never less."

"For only two can truly rule as one," Adagio concluded.

"Rise... Let the power of the Dark Side give you strength, and deliver us to our true destiny!!!"

Adagio felt multiple bolts of lightning surge through her body, arching up as if she could snap her bones at any second. But she ddin't, instead, she absorbed the power that flowed to her, making her eyes glow green, and making her cackle maniacally....

--

Unbeknownst to the guards, the cameras inside her cell started to lose their signal, with static images failing to properly view the prisoner. Adagio's wrists broke out of the containment, and so did her legs. Landing on her feet, she looked up at the vents above, slowly raising a fist to open the top, intentionally making sure the sounds carried.

The door opened and the two troopers jumped inside, raising their blasters towards her. But it was too late. Adagio's other hand waved up, closing the door, and locking the guards in with her. With them distracted, she started to choke the first one through the Force, barely having to move a muscle. The other one fired a blast... but the laser bolt remained in place, fighting the energy surrounding it to move. Locked in place by Adagio's hand as the other trooper struggled to get free, until Adagio closed her fist, snapping his neck.

The other trooper was locked in place, as Adagio slowly gazed into the fear behind the helmet. Her hand took off the helmet to look at the fearful woman who was desperate to try and escape. Adagio simply smiled, and began to sing in graceful harmony.

Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh...

The spell kept her locked in place, and Adagio didn't even need to react as she let go of the blaster bolt, letting it fire directly into her forehead, and watching as blood splattered against the wall. Dark chuckles escaped from her breath as she jumped into the vent, making her escape. There was much work to be done here...

Later that evening, shortly after dinner, and the guests had departed, Luster was ready to join Flurry back at their room, when she stopped. She looked back at the dinner hall, wondering if Midnight was still there, then back to Flurry. The rebel hadn't noticed her roommate was stopping, but just wanted to get back to try and relax her brain after that stressful dinner.

Luster considered what Flurry had talked about regarding her faction's values. She still believed good was done, the galaxy was running in a way better shape than the Republic ever did... but then she started to wonder about the message recorded by Beehaz. The talk of manipulating the locals on Aldhani made her feel disgusted, and the more she thought about it, the more she started to ponder... was there any there locations where the Empire had scummy people in command? It wouldn't be uncommon... would it?

Turning around, she entered back into the dining room, finding Midnight clearing the dishes by herself this time. Her teacher heard the doors and looked up at her, warmly smiling as always.

"Luster, please, come in. Is something wrong?"

"I... I don't know. I've been thinking about something from earlier, and I guess I wanted to ask you something kind of... weird, maybe," Luster hesitated.

"There is no need to fear me, you can ask me anything," Midnight reassured as she set the plates on a cart for a droid to escort out.

"While Flurry and I did some studying, I found a report by a commandant from Aldhani. The things he said were just... horrible. He talked about manipulating the people who lived there, wanting to make a slave army out of them, and I just got so... so... agh!" Luster's foot weakly stomped. "We are the Galactic Empire, we are better than this! I just... I don't know."

"Your anger is not misguided, young one," Midnight validated. "Commandant Beehaz does not represent the Empire's core ideals. We're supposed to help the galaxy," Midnight loaded the last bit of dishes onto the cart, "and he chose to abuse his power and made the lives of not just his staff, but the locals miserable. And when Admiral Sloane told me she had caught him hitting his own son... I personally wanted to bring him here to deal with him myself."

"Did you?"

"I was. But then, a few days after, I received reports of a completed Rebel heist having been conducted on Aldhani, and Beehaz was one of the casualties. I'm not a cruel individual... but for once, I was happy the Rebels did a favor for me. No one who is cruel, should be in power. No one who wishes to make life miserable for the populace, deserves to have a seat. No one... no one..." she trailed off, losing her train of thought. "I'm sorry, we were discussing?"

"Nothing, really. Beehaz is gone?"

"Indeed. Aldhani has a commander who isn't morally corrupt like him in charge of Imperial operations there, and the citizens are free to go about their lives just like before," Midnight concluded. "Was there anything else you needed?"

"... no, nothing else. Thank you," Luster neutrally answered.

Taking her leave, she left the dining hall, ready to go back and rejoin Flurry at their room. But all the while as she walked, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe there was something Midnight wasn't telling her... something felt wrong.