Star Wars: Brave Misdeeds

Chapter 27

"When hope is dead, courage cannot long survive."          —Crim'son Regret <HoB-P>

Soaked with sweat, Lomm struggled to control her breathing and stood straight up, spinning the vibroaxe in a single, defined arc until it returned to the ready position at her side. The two narglatch posted at the doorway of her guildhall purred loudly, cleaning the evening meals from hr paws. They gave no other indication of the intruder that moved into the hallway beyond the main chamber; however, she recognized the dark presence and turned to face the Sith El-Diablos as he sauntered into her home.

He walked right up to her and caressed her cheek, even as she pulled away, apparently repelled by his touch. "Such a primitive weapon," he said, eyeing the pike in her hands. "You deserve more, a lightsaber. Just think what a two-bladed lightsaber might do in your hands, if you would but give yourself fully to the Dark Side. Why do you resist?"

"I have no wish to be like you or those you claim as kin. I will choose my own destiny, Lord El-Diablos, not some mysterious energy moving through the universe." She moved to the council table and pouring herself a goblet of wine. "But you already know how I feel about this subject...which can only mean you have come for a different reason."

"It never hurts to keep trying to lure powerful entities like yourself to our master, Emperor Palpatine; but you are correct." He joined her at the table, pouring himself a goblet of the Bespin Port.

"Why have you come, Lord El-Diablos. This unexpected visit cannot bode well for myself or my guild."

"Ever the suspicious one."

"Among Sith, there is no other way to be."

"It's time we discuss Soelle."

"Soelle?" Lomm turned defensively toward the Dark Jedi. "What of her?"

The Sith chuckled softly under his breath. "She's come to the attention of several prominent guilds."

"You mean several elite guilds, guilds more recognized than <VIPER>."

"You've done well, Lomm, bringing <VIPER> back from the brink of extinction. Fletchon's fall from reason nearly cost all of your lives; but you managed to survive. Sending Soelle to the Imperial Academy was genius. Since her return, your guild has grown in numbers, prominence, and position. Rebels that once scoffed at your tag are now sitting up and taking notice. Yet, <VIPER> is not a known military power at this time."

"You want Soelle for <IIA>?"

"Of course," he laughed. "But I'm no fool...I could damage the reputation of my guild should I claim her for myself. Perhaps in time, I will get that privilege. Formal etiquette requires me to share her talents. Several guilds have expressed interest: <RW>, <DSL>, <KEG>, <HoB-P>, even <Reign>."

"<Reign>!" Lomm scoffed. "You will never convince Soelle to leave <VIPER>. This is her family."

"That's why you are going to convince her." He bowed to Lomm and kissed the back of her hand, risking the vibroaxe in her grasp. "I have arranged another exhibition of Soelle's talents. The operation will be tonight on Corellia." El-Diablos placed a recording rod on the table beside her goblet. "Send Soelle to the guildmasters of HoB-P for farther instruction." With a flourishing bow, he left her as he had found her, vanishing into the night.

From the back corridor of the guildhall, Memcha stepped into the doorway and found Lomm staring into her goblet. "You can't possibly agree with him."