From The Ashes of Empire

Chapter 2


Notes (Main Characters’ Relationships)

Carth – Bastila

Nevara – Yuthura

Blake – Janice

Jolee
Belaya – Jennata (Master and Padawan Student)
Bastila – Mission (Master and Padawan Student)
Juhani – Shaleena (Master and Padawan Student)
Zallbar

Canderous – Selven
Sarna – Yun
Zaerdra
Ice

Zelka – Marlena

Alyssa
Drishana

(Carth – Captain Milla Althea, Republic Officer)

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Atris – Kia (Master Jedi and Echani First Handmaiden)

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Coruscant, Admiral Onasi’s Quarters


“I could feel her, Carth, she knows we are together.” Bastila said as sat up on the bed.


“You mean she can see us?” Carth questioned, slightly startled by the fact that Nevara was able to see everything they did.


“Yes, but that’s not all, she can feel us, she experiences everything that I feel.” Bastila replied calmly, far too calmly as far as Carth was concerned.


“You seem a little too accepting of this, Bastila. Doesn’t it bother you?” Carth asked with a slight hint of anger in his voice, he had great respect for Nevara, but wasn’t certain he wanted to share Bastila with her so intimately.


“There is little I can do to prevent it, Carth. Nevara and I share a bond that few will ever understand, a bond that goes far beyond mere sex, or love.”


Bastila regretted the words before they even came out of her mouth, she regretted even more the look in Carth’s eyes. He seemed almost devastated, as though in that one sentence she had simply rejected him as nothing more than someone to replace Nevara until she returned.


Carth immediately stood; she followed his naked body as walked across the room to his wardrobe. “Seeing as how I can never possibly understand the bond you share with Nevara, there seems little point in us carrying on the ridiculous excuse for a relationship.”


He wanted to hurt her like she had hurt him, not physically, but he wanted her to feel the emotional pain that she was putting him through. He knew it was never going to be easy for her to let Nevara go, but for her to basically tell him that he would never replace her, was just too much to bear.


“Please Carth, I just meant …” Bastila felt the need to try and repair the damage of what she had said, but she knew how stubborn Carth could be and his overly self indulgent need to remind himself of how often he had been betrayed in the past.


“I don’t need this, Bastila, the fleet leaves for Korriban within the week and I need to be focused for what we may face there. If it pleases you so much, I’ll leave you to your shared visions of Nevara; it obviously pleases you more than being with me.” There it was again, that almost little boy look of hurt that he seemed to use so often to make his point. If it wasn’t for the fact he was leaving within the week she would have told him not to be so ridiculous.


Bastila pulled the sheets down and climbed off the bed, Carth couldn’t help himself, his eyes following her as she approached him, taking in her naked body. She had only ever been intimate with Nevara and Carth; the time she spent with Darth Malak was not something she ever wished to dwell upon, it was hardly her choice, at least not in the beginning. She had even refused to speak of it with Nevara, although there was little she could hide from her lover considering the bond they shared.


Nevara had punished Malak in the end; there was no mercy for one such as him. For what he had done, to the woman she loved, Malak suffered right until his dying breath and Nevara enjoyed every last moment of it. Such strong shows of vengeful emotion were said to be the path to the dark side, but the thought of offering the Sith Lord anything but a painful death was not something she could bear after experiencing the cruelty and deprivations he had inflicted upon Bastila.

Bastila took him in her arms, pulling him to her, “Please Carth, I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it would offend you so much.”


“That’s the trouble, Bastila, you never do.” Carth replied, pulling away from her. He opened the wardrobe, taking out one of his military uniforms.


“I’m not going to beg for your forgiveness, Carth. Perhaps I should leave until you’ve seen sense and calmed down.”


“Just go, Bastila.” Carth replied angrily, throwing her clothes to her.


Bastila dressed quickly, now angry at Carth for being so unreasonable. There relationship had always been a little rocky; the past five months since Nevara had left had been something of a trial for them both. But she wasn’t about to let Carth turn her into the selfish bitch he seemed to be implying she had become.


“I’ll see you later Carth, once you’ve calmed down.” She was deliberately trying to put it back on him, she was tired of having to apologise for something that was completely out of her control.


“Run along, Bastila. Back to your precious Order, at least there you’re among your own kind.” Carth said with more than a hint of venom in his tone. Bastila often wondered if he resented the fact she was still part of the Jedi Order, perhaps he wished to control her like Malak had, the thought seemed quite ridiculous, but for some reason remained at the back of her mind, perhaps a nagging doubt about whether she had done the right thing in becoming involved so soon after Nevara.


“You can be a fool sometimes, Carth. I tried to apologise, if that’s not good enough then you can go to hell.” Bastila replied angrily, she didn’t even look back as she slammed the door behind her.


Carth’s fist slammed into the wardrobe, splintering the wooden door. He shook his head in frustration, angered that his insecurities were one day likely to cost him his relationship with Bastila, if it hadn’t already.


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Onboard the Shadow Wraith


The vision seemed to repeat in her head, it was almost as if she was there with them, with Bastila and Carth. She had even witnessed what happened after their love making, and Carth’s reaction. Would Bastila ever really be able to move on, would Nevara ever be free herself?


The thought of needing to be free made her feel slightly guilty, it wasn’t something she particularly wanted but something she needed if she was ever to be herself again. She knew Bastila still felt the pain of her leaving, just as Bastila was aware that it had been the hardest decision Nevara had ever made. Perhaps they were not meant to be apart, but Nevara knew that unless Bastila were to willingly leave the Jedi Order, they would never be together again.


Yuthura studied her lover; the emotions in her eyes were many, love, lust, perhaps fear, anger and regret of what she had given up. “You will leave me one day, Nevara. Just like you left her.” Yuthura said sadly.


Nevara pulled her close and kissed her, pushing her back onto the bed as she did so. Nevara held her face gently as she kissed her, opening her mouth with her tongue. Yuthura struggled with Nevara’s robes trying to lift them over her head. Nevara sat back for a moment allowing the Twi’Lek to life her robes over head. Nevara lay back this time, Yuthura kissing her neck, her shoulders and taking her breasts in her mouth in turn. Yuthura leaned back quickly removing her own robes and dropping them to the floor. Yuthura moved down further, inch by inch kissing her stomach and then her waist until she reached her shaven sex.


Nevara took hold of her head on either side, lightly pressing her down and encouraging her to part her legs.


The Shadow Wraith jumped to hyperspace moments later, Dantooine was the destination. Blake had no idea why Nevara wanted to return, he couldn’t imagine there was much left beyond the farms and grazing lands.


Nevara let out a little cry as Yuthura found her most intimate spot, her tongue between her legs; Nevara pushed her head down further wanting her inside her.


Blake wandered back into the Maintenance bay, the ship on auto pilot while they travelled through hyperspace.


Janice was on her knees showing Drishana how to strip down and clean droid parts, Alyssa returned moments later with a toolbox, Janice had left in her quarters.


“Need any help girls?” Blake asked looking down at them, instantly wondering how long it would take him to bed the two Twi’Lek girls without Janice finding out, or perhaps with her there, although he wasn’t quite sure how he’d manage to talk her into that one.


Alyssa smiled at him as she walked into the room, handing the toolbox to Janice. Blake’s eyes followed her across the room, the maintenance uniforms doing little to hide the curve of her figure. Janice looked up with a glint in her eye that said she had something up her sleeve to get her own back on Blake, and what he was thinking certainly wasn’t going to happen.


Janice reached over taking Drishana’s hand, “Like this.” Was all she said as she moved her hand over the droid part, disassembling it, although that wasn’t the purpose of the little display, carefully guiding Drishana’s hand over the metal.


Nevara screamed out Yuthura’s name, Yuthura’s hands held her waist tightly to the bed while her tongue worked inside her lover. The scream of pleasure was almost impossible for the others not to hear, what came after was much of the same.


“Janice?” Blake said, looking down hopefully.


“Go to hell, Blake, I’m busy showing the girls how to strip down this droid.”


“But …”


“I’m certain you can amuse yourself, have a look under your bed, I’m sure those data disks you’ve been hiding will keep you amused.” She laughed, thinking of the pile of Twi’Lek smut she had found beneath his bed.


“No, like this.” Janice continued, moving around Drishana from behind and taking her hands in her own. She slowly moved her hands over the droid, issuing instructions. It wasn’t long before Drishana was playing along with her fellow Twi’Lek, leaning back into her as close as she could comfortably get. Alyssa seemed to get the idea and knelt down beside them listening to Janice explain to her sister.


Blake looked on in disgust, not that he didn’t find it highly arousing, he just wasn’t happy not being involved.


“We’re busy, Blake. Now haven’t you got a ship to fly, you remind us so often about how you are the pilot.”


“Damn, bitch.” Blake replied, wandering back to the cockpit.


Yuthura allowed herself to be pushed back on the bed, Nevara, opening her legs, her hand between her thighs.


Janice and the girls laughed as soon as Blake turned to leave, which did little to alter his already worsening mood. Janice kissed Drishana lightly on the cheek, “Thanks, he deserved that.” Janice said, noticing the Twi’Lek girl was in no hurry to move. Janice tried to move away but found Drishana holding onto her.


“Don’t go, I want you to show me how to do this.” Drishana said teasingly, wandering at the reaction she would receive from the older Twi’Lek.


“Alright, Drishana, but don’t say I didn’t warn you, don’t bite off more than you can chew, young lady.”


“I’m sure we’ll have a great time figuring out just what I can bite and chew.”


Janice couldn’t help but laugh at the forwardness of the girl and the thought of what she had just said, it certainly made a change for her to be the one getting all the attention. To hell with Blake she thought, she was going to enjoy it.


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Coruscant, Jedi Training Academy


If they were to share every experience of the other, life was going to become intolerable. Bastila lent against the wall of the training hall, steadying herself as she felt Yuthura and Nevara, their bodies locked together as lovers, as she and Nevara had once been.


“Hey, Bastila, are you all right?” Mission queried, looking at the pale complexion and troubled expression on Bastila’s face.


“I’m sorry, Mission; I’ll be with you in a moment.”


“What’s wrong, Bastila, maybe I can help.”


“I seriously doubt it, Mission, you wouldn’t understand.”


“Oh I get it, I’m too young, I couldn’t possibly understand that you’re thinking about Nevara and wishing she were back here with you. I couldn’t possibly understand that you and Carth are always arguing these days, which probably means you’re looking to him to help you get over Nevara. I couldn’t possibly understand that you’d be upset that Carth is leaving for Korriban within the week with the Republic fleet. Am I close yet, miss high and mighty.”


“Yes Mission, far too close for comfort. How is it that you know of our business before we know of it ourselves?”


“Just lucky I guess.”


“What else do you know that you shouldn’t, Mission?”


“Are you certain you want to know, you won’t like it.” Mission replied with a hint of gleeful satisfaction, not that she wanted to see her Jedi master hurt, it was exactly the opposite, and she was certain Carth was going to do exactly that.


“What are you talking about, Mission? I hope this isn’t another one of your pranks, they do get rather tiresome.”


“Nope, I won’t tell you, if you don’t want to know.”


“Mission.” Bastila seemed to be demanding an answer.


“It’s Carth.” Mission replied with a wicked grin.


“Mission, what about Carth, is he alright?”


“I think he’s a little too alright.”


“Have I got to force it out of you, Mission?”


“Nope, do you know one of the Republic fleet captains, a certain Miss Milla Althea?”


“Yes of course, she’s one of the officers under Carth.” Bastilla eyed her suspiciously for any sign of a trick.


“Well if you’re not careful, she might be under him literally.”


“What do you mean?”


“Jeez Bastila, I know you’re a real powerful master Jedi and all, but you really are a little slow on the uptake. I mean he’s getting very familiar with Milla, and if you keep pushing him away like I’m guessing your doing because of Nevara, you’ll end up driving him into her arms, and you’ll lose him.”


“Well, Mission, I don’t appreciate you’re …”


“There’s no need to thank me, Bastila, now are we finished, I’ve got training to start you know.”


“Sometimes, Mission, you are the most infuriating little Twi’Lek I’ve ever encountered, but I suppose I should say thanks for the information.”


“Really, I didn’t expect that, I was getting ready to run.”


“If I wanted to catch you, you wouldn’t get away, you know that right.”


Mission turned defiantly to test the theory, before she had run more than a few steps; the force hit her knocking her to the ground.


“Told you.” Bastila replied, with her own wicked grin, she was in fact trying to put a brave face on what Mission had just told her, if it was true, then she had plenty to worry about.


“Hey, that is not funny, Bastila. You always get me with that one.”


“Shouldn’t be such a little pain, should you.”


“I’m glad to see that all those years of training weren’t wasted on you, Bastila.” Neither had seen Jolee enter the training hall.


“I’m just teaching my young student a lesson, Master Jolee.”


“When you’re finished, I’d like for you to come and speak to the council, it seems the Sith aren’t prepared to stand by and accept their defeat at the Star Forge, we have much to discuss, Bastila, if you can drag yourself away that is.”


“Can I come?” Mission inquired of the old Jedi.


“No, Mission, the council wish to speak to Master Bastila alone. I’m certain she’ll tell you all you need to know once the council have spoken. Although you seem to have a knack of knowing before you’re supposed to. And besides, I think you’re training could do with some more work, especially if you’re tripping over all the time, only the force knows what damage you could cause with a lightsabre.”


“That’s not fair, Master Jolee, she tripped me.”


“Mission, don’t waste Master Jolee’s time with tall tales. I’ll be there as soon as I’ve finished Mission’s training for the day.”


“I’ll speak to you later, Bastila.” Jolee replied, before leaving the training hall.


Bastila smiled an unusually arrogant grin.


“What?” Mission questioned with a sheepish hint of annoyance.


“Nothing, Mission, I take it you’ve remembered your lightsabre.”


“Of course, Bastila, I mean Master Bastila, its annoying having to call you master all the time.”


“It’s all part of the training, Mission.”


“And you don’t enjoy it a little too much, master.”


“I never said that. Now come, we’ve wasted enough time talking; let’s see what you’ve learned.


The familiar double red blades of Bastila’s lightsabre sprung into being, she had never changed the crystal after leaving the Sith, perhaps her last breath of defiance towards the Jedi Council. Mission’s single yellow blade followed, it was the common colour of the Jedi Sentinel, much in line with the teachings of her master and Nevara. The blades clashed moments later, all thought of anything but Mission’s training was put to the back of both of their minds.


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Onboard the Shadow Wraith


Nevara lay back against the wall, resting on pillows she had stacked up, Yuthura sat in front of her, Nevara’s hands resting on her thighs. Both remained naked, comfortable in the other’s presence and caring little of what the others might see or hear.


Blake sat alone in the cockpit, contemplating the first cantina he was going to visit once they returned to Nar Shadaa. If he wasn’t going to get any attention on the ship, then he’d look elsewhere, ‘Let Janice play her stupid games of revenge’ he thought to himself, annoyed that he wasn’t the one getting to know the sisters.


“That’s right, Drishana, now you’re getting it.” Janice said, impressed the girl was actually showing some interest in what she was trying to teach her.


Alyssa looked on, taking in everything her sister was doing and listening to Janice explain the intricate workings of droids, weapons and star ships. It was a little much to take in all at once, but they’d learn in time.


Hours later the ship finally left hyperspace, jumping into the Dantooine system, the Sith cruisers now replaced by those of the Republic fleet. They had to go through the usual security checks until they reached Dantooine, it helped that Nevara still had a low security clearance with the Republic and was still considered a friend by the Jedi Order, even though some among them feared her and what she could do.


Yuthura sat silently while Nevara massaged her body, from her head tails down to her toes. Her eyes clothes taking in every touch of her hand, of her tongue and the slightest touch of her body against her own. She had never been as happy as she was now, for all her training as a Sith, she had never realised what it would actually be like to love another person, if that was indeed what this was. But if not, she’d be happy with pleasure and lust, it was better than the life she had no wish to return to, now she had seen another way of living.


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Coruscant, Padawan Shaleena’s quarters


Juhani stopped outside her student’s door, the lust building inside her, the lust of course was for Nevara, she had loved her from the moment she was defeated on Dantooine. Juhani knocked, praying Shaleena wasn’t elsewhere; she had to sate her thirst somehow.


The young Padawan opened the door smiling, “Master Juhani.” She said, a little surprised, although she could not mistake the physical nature had taken as of late from training unrobed to the close contact her master had insisted on.


Juhani looked at the dark haired woman, her pale skin still showing signs of a lifetime spent in the Undercity of Taris. Juhani stepped into the room without invitation, not that Shaleena would have refused the master Jedi.


“Juhani, what is it?” Shaleena questioned, although it didn’t take much for her to see what was on Juhani’s mind.


Juhani stepped up to her, her hand inside the young woman’s robes, her other reaching behind her taking her shoulder length black hair between her fingers.


“Please, Juhani.”


“Don’t say anything, Shaleena.”


“But …”

Juhani pulled her to her, her hand working its way inside her robes until she held her breast in her hand, the nipple between her fingers. Shaleena went to protest only to find herself falling backwards onto the bed.


“I’m sorry, Shaleena, I will leave you to your meditations.” Juhani said, it seemed as though she was using all the willpower she had not to carry on with what she had intended.


“Have I displeased you, Master Juhani?” Shaleena questioned, she was unsure of what else she could say given the circumstances.


“No, Shaleena, far from it, I will leave now. I’m sorry to have disturbed you, I shouldn’t be here.” Juhani replied, a defeated look in her eyes, Shaleena had noticed she was getting worse as of late and was actually worried about her.


“Is it because of Master Nevara, Juhani?”


“Partly, but I don’t know how much longer I can train you, without … I have said too much.” She turned to leave; Shaleena took her hand as she turned away.


“Please, master, do not leave like this, stay awhile, I will listen.”


“You don’t understand, Shaleena, we have all the time in the world to talk, but I want something more, more than you …”


“But what of the Order, they would banish us.”


“They would perhaps banish me, for taking advantage of my student; they would not punish you for my weakness.”


Shaleena looked up at her Jedi Master, wondering if she was prepared to risk all she had ever dreamed of simply to please her.


“It is alright, Shaleena, there is nothing for you to decide, I will return to my quarters, and see you tomorrow, we still have much to accomplish, you’re training …”


Without thinking through the implications, Shaleena stood having to reach up to the Cathar. Juhani could hold back no longer and embraced her, hungrily kissing her, her hands untying her robes and allowing them to fall to the floor.


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Onboard the Sword of Coruscant, the flagship Battle Cruiser of Admiral Onasi


Carth remained angry, only the sight of Milla was enough to calm him down. He sometimes wondered what he was really doing with Bastila, the emotional pain, the ever growing list of complications, and then there was the young captain, one of the officers under his command. They had shared more than the occasional conversation, Milla going out of her way to make certain the admiral noticed her.


“Captain Althea, I would like to see you in my office, once you have a spare moment.”


“Certainly, admiral. I’ll make my way there immediately.” She replied as they walked to Carth’s office.


Milla sat down, Carth offering her a drink before he continued.


“What is it, admiral?”


“Please, it’s Carth when we’re alone.”


“Are you certain, I don’t want to break regulations, for over familiarity when addressing my commanding officer?”


“I’m certain, I insist. I would simply like to take the time to get to know you better, Milla, You’ve been under my command for the past six months now and we have done little more than exchange polite conversation.”


“In what manner, Carth?”


“Perhaps dinner, tonight. But only if you’re not busy, I wouldn’t want to …”


“I’d be glad to, Carth. But I thought, you and Bastila …”


“Bastila and I are having our differences, and we leave within the week. Perhaps I’ve realised we’re just a little too different to continue.”


“And where do I fit in?”


“For now, we have dinner, and see where it goes from there, just don’t feel that I’m putting pressure on you to accept, you’re free to say no to the invitation.”


“I wouldn’t dream of it, Carth. Tonight then, around eight, where are we going?”


“A dinner for fleet command, so there’ll be plenty of others around.”


“There’s no need to be so defensive, Carth, I trust you.”


Carth smiled, ‘damn, this woman was attractive’ he simply couldn’t help himself, and actually felt fortunate she shared his interest. For now Bastila was out of his mind and a problem he would deal with later. He was still mad at her over Nevara, and felt like cursing Nevara for all the trouble she had left behind her. For now he would just be pleased he was going to spend the evening with a beautiful woman, hopefully one without all the complications of his present relationship.


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