"What now?"
"Master, I have absolutely wonderful news!"
On the other end someone gave a quiet snort.
"Student…" It felt like Irbis wanted to swear, but restrained himself. He doesn't believe in my bright intentions. Doesn't believe! Yeah—understandably. "What are you planning?"
"Nothing special. And, by the way, you'll genuinely like the news. No hook."
"Well, amaze me," Irbis said, drawn out by syllables, interested.
"I'm coming back to the fortress soon—and I'll have the runaway girl with me."
"Yes, that really is great news." Did he exhale with relief? "Some people here are literally losing their minds—you have no idea how much effort it took to calm everyone down. Honestly, I still don't understand why everyone's so frantic over some girl."
"Maybe because she's a high-value piece?" I winked at the little one; she scrunched her nose and brows. Cute. Even Vess can't do it like that.
"Maybe. But I'd describe the behavior as: 'the house is on fire, bring water.' By the way—do you have any idea why?"
"Me? Why, I'm not aware at all. But I have a suspicion this story isn't as unambiguous as they told you…"
"And how do you know what they told me?" Suspicion poured into his voice so hard I felt the echo of his emotions even here. "I didn't go into details with you. Just the surface."
"I'll tell you when I'm back. Just gather them and wait for us."
"Shade, what are you planning?"
"What do you mean 'what'? To do our job, of course! We're here so a war doesn't break out, right? I assure you, there won't be any war." And to myself I added: Because there'll be slaughter.
"Uh-huh. And tell me, my dear 'student'—you wouldn't happen to know anything about the squad that got methodically smeared across a wall in one of the alleys, would you?"
"I do. There was a Force-user. And Hadiya. Anyway, everything's fine—the girl is with me now, she's no longer in danger."
"And how did you just happen to be there in time," Irbis sighed.
"Somehow."
"You yourself okay?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll be waiting."
"Copy. End transmission." I cut the signal, smirking at the intrigued Hadiya.
"Shade?"
"What?"
"That look… I know that look very well. What do you want to do?"
"At first I thought I'd have a heart-to-heart with certain people and pin them to the wall using your kompromat, since that wouldn't be hard. But now… after what you told me, I decided to make a small adjustment."
"Hm?"
"We came here so a clan war doesn't break out. At least that's the official version. And there really won't be a war—because there won't be anyone left to fight."
"Huh?" She blinked, and I made sure again nobody was looking at us.
"Hadiya, what do you think will happen if one of the most influential clans suddenly loses, if not all, then most of its leadership?"
"There will be… chaos. And a lot of shouting. And yes… no war. In war at least there are rules."
"And if kompromat suddenly surfaces?"
"Then everyone will start eating that clan in pieces," Hadiya caught on. "I get it! Instead of a fight between clans, you want to feed everyone one single strong—and guilty—clan, and keep them busy. There won't be a big fight, the top is gone, nobody to command. They'll have to solve their own problems, and then this… This is the end of Clan Shi, Shade!"
"That's for you to judge. I don't care in the slightest."
"And if I also demand what's mine as the injured party, with Father's support… then… then everything will be completely different!" The girl was practically bouncing out of her seat, forgetting about food. "Then I… we… we can get so much!!!"
"Quiet. Calm down."
"Shade… you… you…" She stared at me with eyes full of awe, like I'd just pulled the moon from the sky. "My clan… and Father… and me… we'll all get so much!"
"I said quiet," I reined her in when people started glancing our way. A slight touch of the Force and the interest vanished. Yeah—what do you expect, a child happy about treats?
"Sorry… but you don't understand what you're going to do. What the consequences will be!"
"I don't need to. I'm satisfied that everyone will be busy, and you won't be threatened anymore. At least not directly. And if you are—we can easily stay a little longer."
"I… I promise I won't forget this," Hadiya promised seriously, eyes burning.
"Calm down or I'll tie you up, gag you, and carry you like that," I snapped.
"I can't… it's so exciting. And you… can you really do this?"
"Yes, Hadiya. I can."
After I filled the little one with hope, we finished our meal and went back outside.
I switched to asking her about her interests, trying to keep her talking. With the conversation, and a little pressure from the Force, Hadiya calmed down and could believe in me—and more than that, she started showing interest herself, hopping between topics.
I heard about torture, executions, proper protection rackets—and how many "primitive" banking schemes she listed, whew. And this miracle—on old measures fourteen by looks. What can I say? Welcome to Shikaakwa! And I was still complaining that home wasn't boring. I admit I was wrong: everywhere has its own atmosphere. At home—Force storms, toothy beasts, training on a "drop dead or die" schedule. Here—intrigue, contract killings, racketeering, and so on. Isn't it beautiful?
For a moment I wanted to snicker maliciously and shout something like, "More Cheese for the Cheese God!" Heh. Halfway there, another search group did try to pick a fight with us—but…
"Great. Now we'll take her back," the group leader stepped forward—a seasoned guy around forty, leather jacket, pistols on his hips. An axe handle stuck up behind his back.
"Excuse me, but this young talent is under my PERSONAL protection, and it will remain so until I PERSONALLY hand her over into the hands of Clan Shi's leader," I said, placing a hand on Hadiya's shoulder, pulling her back, and immediately stepping in front.
"Don't take too much on yourself, Tythonian. This isn't where you're from."
"Exactly. This isn't where I'm from—and I'm not one of you. So it's in your best interests to step aside before I treat this as a threat to my ward's life." I casually placed my second hand on the pommel of the forcesaber at my belt.
"Hrr, ptoo!" The big man spat at my feet, drilling me with his eyes. "Fine, have it your way—but we're going with you."
"As you like."
I put an arm around the girl—she'd nearly reached the edge of hysterics—and kept her close. Hadiya didn't let go of me for even a second, pressing in as tightly as she could, glancing at the guards. Why they wanted to deliver her personally was guessable. Most likely they'd been briefed on the "details" the girl was carrying, with a direct order to destroy all evidence. Of course, I could be wrong and it could be simpler—they just want to show off. Doesn't matter. While the little one is near, nobody touches her. Period.
A couple more hiccups followed. Other squads that spotted us tried their luck too, but it worked out—the members of the first squad managed to tell their companions and fellow soldiers that everything was fine and to leave it for now. I learned the reason for that laxness at the entrance to Clan Shi's fortress.
When we approached the gates, a krevaak came out to meet us—a rather rare representative of its kind. A red, chitinous anthropomorphic creature, vaguely insect-faced, but with tentacles instead of arms and legs. These types, as far as I know, have a certain penchant for stealth; they speak little, if they speak at all, try not to be seen, and generally, as they'd say in Odessa: "These are extremely suspicious dudes."
"Welcome to the House of Shi," the individual addressed me in growling sounds, in broken Togruti, with not a hint of emotion in voice or any expression on that chitin face. "I am Ashurzanarak—your point of contact for clan security. I was told you found Hadiya. I see that is so. Your effort will be rewarded, Master Jedaii." A short gesture with his right tentacle, and soldiers trailing him like shadows, holding pikes, stepped forward to take Hadiya into custody—but I blocked them.
The krevaak looked at me; in his emotions surprise flared, mixed with confusion.
"Ashurzanarak, I regret to disappoint you, but due to certain circumstances involving this girl's life, I must personally deliver her to your clan's leaders. While I was in the city, attempts were made to eliminate her more than once, so I cannot be at ease until I personally hand her over from my hands to theirs."
"This is unacceptable," the krevaak shook his head, anger slipping through his emotions. "You are obligated to hand her to me."
"I'm obligated to nobody," I said, placing a hand on the little one's head. "And until I am assured the girl is not in danger, nobody will even dare touch her." To underline my words, I pressed the atmosphere slightly with the Force.
After hesitating and staring me down, the very, very angry krevaak came to a decision.
"Fine. I will escort you. Your colleague is currently in audience anyway."
So, encouraging the little one, I took her hand and followed Ashurzanarak. Interesting: my words and determination to protect her made her, if not relax, then at least stop radiating the fear of someone awaiting death. My actions and words worked better than the Force.
As we walked through the fortress corridors, I looked around. I can't imagine how Hadiya managed to escape from here alone, but…
A quick glance at Hadiya.
Apparently the little one isn't as simple as I might have assumed. Hadiya gives me strange impressions—not because of her behavior, but because of my memory. I remember that name. I remember it mattered, that there were global events tied to it. But what those events are, or when they'll happen, I have no idea. Better to insure myself ahead of time by befriending one of the people from those events—and what that leads to, we'll see.
Besides, from what I've learned, Hadiya may be a vicious little thing ready to kill, but at the same time she preserved a sliver of kindness and faith in others. Maybe something worthwhile will grow in this snake pit. At least I can help it along.
Meanwhile, after passing the gloomy, monotonous corridors of yellow stone, we entered the clan's council chamber itself. There I was met by the clan head himself, a couple of his sons, guards, and…
"Shade!"
"Hello again, Master. Allow me to present—Hadiya." I stepped aside, presenting the little one. "A most charming creature. Sweet, kind, and very fond of 'Sweet Joy'! A delight, in a word."
Irbis only shook his head, but the others reacted strangely to my tirade. They stood smiling, like they were "happy," but hiding emotions from a specialized empath is a joke of a task. Ugh… it feels like standing next to an open sewer, honestly.
"And now, since everyone is gathered, then…" Without dragging it out, I threw forcesabers at both of the clan head's sons—they didn't even have time to open their mouths.
Not giving the guards time to react, I slammed Ashurzanarak into the wall, snapping the krevaak into a mush that burst out from under shattered chitin. In the other direction flew a simple chain lightning, striking four targets in sequence and missing the fifth—who could only have been Irbis.
Another pass of my hand—and two guards behind the clan head took small fireballs to the chest, leaving wounds like blaster impacts. After finishing the guards, I raised a hand and seized the clan head in a choking grip, lifting him off the ground.
"Shade!!!" Irbis finally snapped out of it—everything happened too fast. "What are you doing?!"
"What do you mean what? Our job!"
"Have you completely lost it?!" Irbis flew toward me, ready to fight. I even felt a light Force suggestion probing me.
"Calm down. Everything's going to plan," my steady voice and gaze managed to sober the master a little.
"What plan, Bogan?!"
"Ours, Irbis. Ours." Then, considering how that sounded, I added: "Hadiya's and mine."
A shot thundered. I saw the wheezing body in my grip stop struggling. We both looked at Hadiya.
"What? Wipe them all out. We don't need tongues."
"I told you—delight," I said, elbowing Irbis. "Hadiya, you can trust him like you trust me, so tell him everything. And I'll go occupy the soldiers rushing here." I pulled the forcesabers to me and headed for the exit. With that noise, reinforcements would be coming no matter what.
And sure enough. In the corridor, the complex's security committee was already rushing toward me. Grinning, I produced two ghostly doubles and, reinforcing my own body with the Force, surged forward. The world seemed to slow; the soldiers started firing unbearably slowly, not even understanding where I was—the real one.
Crashing into their formation and weaving among them, I delivered blow after blow, ending lives. Once I took Hadiya's side, there was no going back. And as Mother said: don't spare the enemy—save the friend. So I cleared the corridor completely. And what can ordinary people do against a Force-gifted killer?
Strike with lightning here, crush a bunch into the wall with a Force push there, take this one's head off. And it wasn't just that everything happened at speeds inaccessible to a common citizen—in case of caution I periodically split off a doppelganger to throw off any aim that might appear.
Once I had to use Tutaminis—literally catching a blaster bolt in my hand—then pinning the shooter to the wall with a forcesaber like a butterfly. The whole fight went too fast, like this was the infamous difference between a Jedaii and a mortal.
I shook blood from the blade, dispersed the doubles, and after confirming it was quiet for the moment, returned to the room. While I was gone, Hadiya brought Irbis up to speed, and he looked at us differently now. At Hadiya—with understanding. At me… well, a hard conversation is definitely ahead, but at least he doesn't want to kill me.
What happened next can be described with a single word: trash fire. Having removed ourselves from the intrigues and placed everything on Hadiya—by her own initiative, as the one who knew what to do next—Master and I watched her stir up an anthill.
No, of course we first withdrew farther away from the clan house; too many people were already gathering there. But then… Hadiya met her father, an emergency clan council took place, where Clan Shi were declared the worst goats imaginable and that it was давно time to put them in their place—and now there was such a perfect excuse. Moreover, by a happy coincidence, the clan was beheaded. There was literally nobody to defend its interests, at least right now. After some whispering, everyone unanimously decided to eat the competitor.
Hadiya's clan, as the injured party—and not a particularly strong clan compared to the others—received one of the most solid chunks, so the girl and her father walked around like cats who'd found a запас of sour cream.
As for me, a private conversation was held in which I was told about my intellect, my lack of subordination, my unbearable character, and that I'm a psycho who just walked the edge.
"Master, but wasn't the result worth it?"
"You could have warned me at least! I nearly died when you cut down the clan leadership!"
"I'm sorry, but I considered that not the kind of information that can be sent over an ordinary comlink. For obvious reasons."
After staring me down, Irbis had to admit I was right—and that the final outcome was right too. He managed to smooth over the resentment, but it still affected our relationship.
The most painful thing for him—but warming my soul—was that Irbis got dragged everywhere to councils, negotiations, and other clan gatherings as a neutral third party, confirming one deal or another. Watching it, I sat like a goblin rubbing my hands and snorting: "Heh-heh-heh, revenge is so sweet!" Serves him right for staging survival exams. My memory has never failed me—I always remember everything.
Meanwhile, I had work too. Clan Shi—or what was left of it—was very offended at us. First at Hadiya and her father, and when you have nothing left to lose, you can go insane. So I was assigned as the girl's temporary bodyguard, while Irbis ran around with her father.
Luckily for me, they didn't pull Hadiya into the big game itself, leaving her as the clan's acting head—but even that was enough. The little one bustled, ran, constantly did something, and kicked up such a ruckus in the fortress it was a pleasure to watch. Here—take over a company. There—expand staff. Here—paperwork for a fuel plant. Security staff needs checking and обновление. In short, at nine years old… though she looked fourteen, Hadiya amazed me with her knowledge and talents.
I especially liked her negotiation style. Once I witnessed her remove the former director of a small дочерняя company, then put a pistol to the successor with an offer to switch protection to terms beneficial to all. Truly beneficial—she's not a зверь, after all. Only refusal wasn't considered. By this simple method, her clan managed to bite off and digest even more than had been agreed among the clans at the council.
No, I always knew that with a kind word and a pistol you can get far more than with a kind word alone… but this lady was also happy to grab you by the balls so hard you'd want to shoot yourself. Who did I save?!
"Hadiya, don't you think that's already too much?" I asked, sitting on the steps near the "clan head's throne," watching a Zabrak vanish behind the doors.
"What's wrong?" she exclaimed in surprise, instantly shifting from wrath to mercy. Another of her traits: with me she never even raised her voice, while with subordinates she spoke like an "ice queen." Or "a complete bitch"—that happened too.
"I think he understood everything the moment you mentioned kompromat. Why you also mentioned that his family is basically under your thumb, I can't wrap my head around."
"The more reliable the insurance, the safer the rear," Hadiya replied instructively, rising from the throne-chair. "Listen, I understand everything, but don't you think a bodyguard sitting on the steps beside the throne with a bored expression isn't what guests expect to see?"
"And what do I care about them?" I turned to Hadiya; she sat down next to me. In the small hall there was no one but us. Hadiya treats personal security… oddly, and as long as I'm nearby, she sends everyone away.
"Well… the retinue adorns the king, you know?"
"You mean I'm your shame?"
"Of course not." She smiled, looking away. "It just looks a little strange." She measured me with her gaze. "And that's without even counting your clothes."
"So what? The important thing is it's comfortable. Besides, do you know how bored I am at your events?"
"Mmm?" She tilted her head.
"Unlike you, I can feel emotions very well. I'm an empath by nature. Even for a Jedaii it's rare. And I can't not feel those around me. So much lying, treachery, anger… honestly, I'm nauseated by this swamp. If it were up to me, I'd put all your business 'partners' to the knife. They piss me off."
"Even me?"
"You're… strangely, different. Yes, you're cruel, calculating, sometimes you outright tyrannize people for no reason, you don't hesitate to spill blood or pressure someone through their family… but at the same time… you have a kind of honor code. And I like that. You're a smart girl, Hadiya—and despite everything I listed, you're kind. If you have the option to do something, you just keep it as a backup. On half your servants"—I nodded toward the doors—"you'd have enough kompromat that they'd be cut up in the nearest alley. But at the same time, you spare them."
"No власть is built on tyranny alone," she shrugged, sliding closer. "If everyone hates you, your own people will cut your throat."
"Only because of that?"
"No. I just don't see the point in spilling blood for nothing. By the way, Shade—thank you."
"For what?"
"After meeting you, I reconsidered my… code. I've met Jedaii before. More than once. And I thought you were all arrogant snobs. That you drowned in your ignorance, that you looked down on everyone. I had no doubt that when you arrived, you'd do everything to find me and hand me back to the clan without even learning all the circumstances. It's easier than getting involved in interclan conflicts."
"Well… разум varies, you know. Everywhere has good people and not so good ones. And compared to Shikaakwa, you're a decent person."
"And you are too." She scooted closer. "And I'm very glad I met you." With those words, she changed position and hugged me. "Thank you. And I'm sorry. Sorry I thought so badly of you."
"Uh?…"
"I doubted you to the end. I looked for a catch. But there wasn't one. You… you're sincere, you understand? You're always real. You never pretend. You don't make faces unless it's a joke, you don't try to be sly, you speak directly, as it is. Yes, of course, you can deceive too—but it's more like disinformation than a lie. Like then, when you spoke to your master and were afraid the connection could be monitored. And even if you look strange, even if you have mood swings, even if you're the most insane creature in the world—I'm still very glad I met you."
"Well…"
I was genuinely a bit lost. Hadiya pressed against my shoulder, radiating confusion, remorse, happiness, and a sliver of uncertainty.
"Hadiya, what's wrong with you? I don't recognize you. Where's that little bitch who orders people around left and right?" I stood and pulled her up with me, lifting her face by the chin.
"She's asleep," Hadiya grumbled, burying her face in my chest. "And she doesn't want to wake up."
"Heh."
So we sat like that. I stroked her head, comforting Shikaakwa's little nightmare, while she quietly sniffed against my chest, letting go of what had накопилось and settling into a kind of peace.
***
Somewhere. Communications Center
In a darkened room lit only by a hologram, a Noghri stood. A bit tired, shoulders slightly lowered, but with a resolute gaze. Before him, in the Temple Master's chair, sat the hologram of a woman—a Sith.
"Master…" the Noghri bowed.
"May the Force be with you, Irbis," the woman nodded. "So, how are you?"
"Hard," the Noghri exhaled. "As humans say—if I had hair, it would've turned gray long ago."
"Is it that bad?"
"Worse. Much worse."
"I'm listening."
"Shade is completely uncontrollable. Destructive. Mood swings." The master looked aside, thoughtfully tapping fingers on the chair arm. "And at the start of our arrival here, he… did something… I thought he'd finally gone completely insane—though where could he go, more than he already is?"
"Hm…"
"But it turns out there is somewhere."
"What did he do?"
"Nearly started an interclan кровавая бойня. Pitied the girl. And even my comment about millions didn't move him. Sometimes I'm afraid of him."
"Mmm…"
"Master, may I ask?" The Sith nodded. "I don't understand. I simply don't understand how he finished training. How he wasn't expelled. How the instructors endured him. How he wasn't exiled to one of the moons in the end???"
"Precisely for all the reasons you just named," the Sith smiled faintly. "Tell me, Irbis. You can feel his balance is disrupted. One side or the other constantly tries to take over—like a seesaw. Correct?"
"Yes, Master," the Noghri answered quietly, not understanding where she was going.
"And have you ever thought why that happens?"
"Uh… because of… disrupted… balance?" the Noghri suggested uncertainly, watching the master's expression.
"No. It's the opposite. He has perfect balance between the dark and light side." The Sith's smile widened; she leaned forward, resting her head on her fists.
"W… what?" The Noghri started to grasp the problem. "B-but h-how does he even function?"
"That's exactly what I want to find out. Aala knows about his problem, so she shielded him from Padawan Kesh. There he would either break, or be exiled to a moon—which is the same thing. In Qigong Kesh he was under my oversight, and for good reason. When he approached the line, I buried him in training so thoroughly that he simply had no time for anything else—and he himself only welcomed it. Now the only advice I can give is: be patient, gather your will, and always be beside him. Always, Irbis. And if you keep him busy with something, it will be even better."
"Master, you should have warned me about that in advance," the Noghri protested, hands on hips.
"Irbis, it's a secret known only to four. You, me, Aala, and Uval. The others think as you did. The Council must not learn it ahead of time, do you hear me?"
"I… understood you, Master. But Master of Qigong—surely this is… too much," the Sith raised a brow. "For him? Why not enlighten Shade himself, at least?"
"To avoid an accident. Besides, it's too late to change anything." The woman jerked her head. "The Force chose a path for him, Irbis. He agreed with it, though he doesn't understand it. All that remains for us is to wait. Wait and observe."
"I understand…" the Noghri lowered his head.
"But there is something else you must know."
"I'm listening."
"Back then, Aala was in the room with us. She doesn't know it, but it was through my efforts that the Council assigned you as Shade's teacher."
"Ah…"
"Aala wanted to continue his training personally, but she cannot raise a hand against her son if he breaks." The Sith jerked her head, ignoring the Noghri's impulse. "The Council considered a candidate from Stav Kesh—Shade is a боевик. You were appointed as someone I can rely on, and someone who has Force suggestion at the proper level."
"Master… I understand you."
"I have to go, Irbis. If something goes wrong, you know what to do. I'm counting on you."
"Of course, Master."
"May the Force be with you," the Sith said, and the screen went dark.
For a while, the Noghri stood by the projector, digesting what he'd heard. Taking a deep breath in and out, the young master turned and walked toward the exit of the communications center. He didn't dare open the door—his nerves were fraying, his heart pounding. Now it was clear what was wrong with his student… but drawing air into his lungs, the Noghri opened the passage and stepped forward, as if it led not into a corridor, but at least off a cliff.