25
As such, there was no preparation for the upcoming meeting. While Hadiya was running around the fortress and solving her own affairs and intrigues, I was walking around like a scarecrow and checking the staff for loyalty. And thank the Force that I went to do it!
«Are you out of your mind?! - I must have been heard outside.
«Ghospodin... phrosthithe..." wheezed one of the technicians hanging in a power grip as two of his friends lay on the floor with their necks snapped.
«What an idea, dragging cables into the bathroom! Wiring, bitches, laying wires, repairing lights, you bastards," I snarled at the failed killers. No, you've got some nerve! Hadiya can't be poisoned, shot either, explosives are found faster than they can be planted. But no, they were clever and decided to throw cables in the bathroom... Although Hadiya has a small swimming pool, but that's not the point. And then add salt to the city water supply. And that's it! No one from a little brackish water for a day will not be bad, especially next to the desalination plant, which supplies water. So the equipment broke down, what's the big deal? Well, one fool died, so who's to blame that electricians are hand-wringers? No, sometimes people's ingenuity is amazing. And I didn't even realise it at first! The fortress is still working in some places, so I didn't even pay attention at first. It's a good thing that I'm so worried that I'm not always the first one to ask a few questions. It's not like Hadiya bit me... No, she did bite me a little bit, and even scratched me, but that's different. Yes.
«What's the order?! - I pull her closer to me and release the pressure on her throat.
«No, kha-kha, I don't know, kha-kha-kha-kha. We were just ordered to...
«WHO?
«From the shift supervisor. We were offered a choice, between money and kh-kh-kh-kh-kh... mkholyu, Ghosnodin, don't kill...
I throw the man to the floor and turn round to face the frowning security guards.
«Interrogate this one, clean up the rubbish, check the fortress and the staff. Who, where, when and what they did, especially in the last few days.
«Yes, sir.
«Go!
Looking at the forces of order running around, I take a deep breath. Calm, only calm. The Force is with me, I am one with the Force... Something about Chikagu is affecting me negatively, I've become nervous and a little bloodthirsty.
I'm leaving the bathroom and moving on. See what else I can find. No, I turned a blind eye to minor infractions, as I did to minor screw-ups, though people feared me as much as they feared Hadiya. On the other hand, I had earned a modicum of respect. There was a moment when Hadiya was reprimanding one of her councillors for a joint, and the man understood everything from her face, and he was more or less normal... in local realities, and he was still being pressed. So I distracted Hadiya by pointing at the door, telling him to go away.
And then I didn't brutalise him either, but sometimes I'd scare him so that he wouldn't relax, even those who I wanted to kill. But it's not my swamp, I'm just a tourist here... At least, I was one.
Apart from the electricians, there was nothing else, although I did catch a couple of moles. But they were just watching, so they were mercifully handed over to a higher authority rather than mauled on the spot.
But we had a conflict with Hadiya. Here I am sitting in a chair, crunching "Sweet Joy" and melancholically watching how Hadiya is rushing from one corner to another.
I noted to myself that, as a queen, Hadiya looks very strange. Even the future one. Instead of a dress, she wore trousers like the local special forces and a jacket with stitched metal plates, shoulder pads, and armguards. Instead of pretty shoes - boots with a small heel, and the handles cover the glovelets that go under the armour.
«Hadiya, is that what you're fidgeting about?
«Do I look good? - she turned round and struck a pose, making as menacing an expression as possible.
«Oh, yeah. The most formidable fighting hamster I've ever seen.
«Shade! You can call Katara your hamster, but I'm the queen! The future queen. And I have to look the part," she twisted round and looked in the mirror.
«I think we have a different idea of queens..." I put my fist under her cheek and looked at this miracle with a bit of sympathy. Worlds change, races and nations change, but a woman always remains a woman.
«Isn't she?
«Dresses, heeled shoes, a crown... - I began, to which Hadiya only waved away.
«Oh, what nonsense! Where have you seen such things? In fairy tales? Pfft! A true queen must be formidable and irresistible!
«You can be formidable in a dress too, it's all about charisma.
«Do you think I don't have enough charisma? - She turned round sharply, with her arms at her sides, and made an even more formidable grimace than before.
«No, I'd just like to see you in a dress. Black. Elegant. Mm-hmm..." I drift off into daydreams.
«Dress-dress-dress," she mocked me, fixing the kama and the gun above it. - They're uncomfortable. Hmm... I guess that's it. Now. How am I doing? Only seriously, - I got another look.
«You look really good," I sigh. - You need a spear to complete the image - and in general will be gorgeous. You'd be like a Valkyrie.
«I'll think about it," she bit her thumbnail thoughtfully. - No, well, in principle... Only it has to fit.
«Hadiya, I persistently don't get it. We're still four days away from the meeting, why are you worrying about it? Besides, you're not queen yet.
«Not right now. But then I will be! And in four days, the first step will be taken. And I have to look my best. And so do you! - I was poked with a finger with a neat short manicure.
«What about me? I woke up to the arrows turning in my direction.
«I'll have to get you a decent suit.
«Hey!" I felt a genuine resentment in my chest.
«Shade, it's good to be dangerous. And if you look dangerous, it's great.
«Please don't touch my style.
«Shorts and a sleeveless shirt on your bare body, no shoes, that's style? - she tilted her head.
«Exactly!
«Shall I tell you what you look like?
«I shouldn't. What does it matter what people think of me anyway?
«Exactly. Who cares what other people think? But I'm not "other people"! My opinion doesn't matter to you? - Hadiya swung her knife, reflexively grabbing it out of its sheath.
«It matters. Sometimes.
«You should polish it," I sighed.
«Shade, please, how will it look like when someone like that is standing next to me? - Both hands pointed at me.
«Just say I'm embarrassing you.
«No! Well, I mean, yes. But not that much. But... I'd like it to be spectacular. Oh, man. She's really confused. - Why can't you dress up? - Oh, that indignant, begging, embarrassed look on her face. Here I look and swim... - No, but look at him, he's still smiling!
"Oh, that's lovely, you've stomped your foot."
«Mm-hmm.
«What can I do to get you to say yes?
«Nothing. I'm just being mean.
«Oh you... - this miracle turned purple and poked at me with the mode again. And then again. And again. - How can you mock a poor, weak, fragile, sweet girl?!
«You're the one who's "poor" and "weak"? - I pull the mode aside with my power and look sceptically at Hadiya's face.
«Yes!
«Mm-hmm," I squint at the knife in her hand. - Okay.
«What's what?
«I agree, I say. Actually, since we're dancing like this, I was thinking about something.
«?
«How would you feel about Shade Aero getting in a fight with you and going home, leaving you with an obscure, masked bodyguard who doesn't talk to anyone and is always on the lookout. Like, you got rid of Shade and replaced him. М?
«Why would I do that?
«Makes my job easier. The enemy won't expect you to be guarded by the son of a professional killer. Besides, I can hide in the Force and pretend I'm a soldier. A seasoned, seasoned soldier, but a mere mortal soldier.
«Hmm... That's an interesting idea," Hadiya tapped the flat side of the blade against her lips thoughtfully. - Very interesting. But I'm making the style!
«No, no, together!
«No. I'm doing the styling. Remember when you said you wanted to make your own armour in Vur Tepe?
«Well?
«I've read your blueprints and I've already made the base. I have to fit it, paint it, stitch it... In general, I can easily do it in a day or two.
«Erm...
«I wanted to give you a gift to mark the end of your pilgrimage...
«Thank you. Really, thank you. I didn't expect it.
«But I didn't touch the swords. You make weapons in a special way.
«And not just swords, either. By the way, the J'Daii don't just make their own weapons and the armour they wear. In the process, they put a lot of Force into the product to improve its performance. And if you add the dust of a treated kaiber crystal to the alloy, the armour becomes an amplifier as well.
«I didn't know..." Hadiya frowned, apparently realising that her craft wouldn't be as cool as the Tythonian's armour anyway.
«It's okay. Do it anyway, just keep the moulds. When I get to Vur Tepe, I'll make it again.
«What about now?
«I don't know the technology now! I haven't been to the temple-temple yet.
«Ah. All right. Then I'll run.
«Wait. Where are the workshops?
«Right here. And yes. From now on, don't leave this room without a costume. I'll take care of everything.
Yeah, Hadiya took care of it. The next day the whole fortress was buzzing like an anthill with new news - the Mistress had quarrelled with her husband, causing him to freak out and leave on such a crucial day. What a naughty, naughty, naughty... True, when someone said: "It's a good thing he's gone," Hadiya quickly shut the mouths of those who were too talkative. Yeah.
The next day, however, a... Well... Let's just say a suit was brought into the room.
«Hadiya... What's with the black colours?! What am I, a goth? I'd be kicked out of the temple for looking like this! - I look in the mirror and I resent it.
The set was not complete, something was hanging, somewhere there were no clasps, somewhere fasteners, but the general style of a certain samurai warrior was preserved, which, admittedly, impressed me. But the colours!!! And then there's the mask... Or is it a half-mask? Shit... I don't even know what it's called, but this thing is fully put on the head, but! From the front there is a mask with a T-shaped window and predatory patterns on the cheeks and forehead, but after the ears there is a usual back of the head of some space marine helmet. Instead of pure metal - metal-plastic, it is also used in the armour itself to lighten the weight of the latter. Very, very expensive stuff.
«What's wrong with it? You look respectable! - the little bastard disagreed, looking me over from every angle.
«At least add some colour. Green, my arse!
«Hmm..." she looked in the mirror. - Mm-hm, all right, take it off.
«I'm not sure what you're looking at.
Hadiya just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. I waited for the next day, expecting another trick. And for good reason.
«Hadiya... - I sighed, seeing the already finished set.
«What's wrong this time? I've added colour.
«Yes. Red," I glanced at her and noticed that some of the red symbols were the same as her pigments on the lekku. - I see why you were looking in the mirror.
«Measure!
«I'm measuring, I'm measuring.
I'm wearing modified but very similar boots to the ones my mother gave me. Tucked into them are trousers. On the chest is a thin long-sleeved shirt made of synthetic, cut-resistant fibre. On top is a sleeveless cloak that goes from neck to calves, with plates sewn inside at chest level. The fabric of the cloak itself is also not plain, I don't know what was shoved into it, but from what I felt the fabric weighed as much as all the embedded plates. But having a wide cut, coming from the waist, it did not restrain my movements, but covered my legs. The last touch was another cloak, but already original, with a hood, attached to the collar of the first cloak and acting as an addition.
The hands were protected by long gloves with bands for additional fastening on the hands. And the mask itself. Red mirrored glass. Putting on everything but the mask, he walked around the room. I loosened some things, tied some things tighter. When it was comfortable to move, I put the mask back on. Hmmm... The viewing angle is a bit cut up, but it's still wide enough. Besides, I have to use the Force to find a target, not just my eyes, so it's fine.
I fasten the gun on my hip, hang the swords on my belt and look at myself in the mirror. Yeah, Sith version one-nil.
«Hadiya, don't you think that's a bit much? - I turn to the twi'lek. - Hadiya?
Standing there, watching, no reaction.
«Hadiya!
«Ah! Yeah, yeah?
«They won't even listen to me in this. They'll send me straight to Bogana.
«Oh, come on! On the contrary, you look really good! And your voice is distorted under the mask. All you have to do is transfer the pigments from your face to the mask and you'll look great. And why would they send you away? You're free to wear whatever you want. What difference does it make what colour suit you wear?
"Our descendants will disagree with you," I chuckle to myself.
«Shade, you really don't like it?
«What? No, I like it. I look really solid. But!" I turn around, and I'm kind of lost. A new thought overshadowed the old one and made the mechanism in my head spin with renewed vigour.
I turn back to the mirror and look at my reflection. Then at my hands. Then at the reflection again.
«But what? - Hadiya rushed me.
«Well, why not try it? It'll be a great joke," I hummed, but the demon chuckled maliciously.
«I don't understand you...
«Don't mind me, I'm talking to myself.
«Erm...
Pulling the mask off my head, I approach Hadiya.
«Thank you, Sunshine. I really do. I never would have thought of such a cheeky thing to say.
«Erm... Please?
After kissing Hadiya, I put on my mask and start my exercise routine.
«What are you doing?
«Seeing how the suit behaves under strain.
«There's nothing wrong with it, I warned the craftsman first. The bottom layer is made of a special synthetic fibre. Moisture is allowed to pass through in one direction, but it is ventilated. Yes, the quality is not the same as Titon, but there are many technical solutions, including for comfort. Also, because of several layers, the fabric keeps a constant temperature when it's cold or hot outside. The glass in the mask is not only reflective, it's double coated, so it won't fog up. I also thought about somehow sticking an air filter in there, as practice has shown - you can be poisoned quite easily. It's difficult, but the master promised to think about it.
«Well, first of all, poisoning a real Je'Daiya, if he's not a fool, is not that easy. It's easy to create an air barrier, even for a student, but not everyone remembers it because of panic.
«And secondly?
«And secondly, come here, I'll squeeze you! - pulling the girl to me with the Force, I hug her.
«I told you so," she squinted, twisting away. - Who was right?
«You were.
«Again?
«You were right.
«Where's my reward? - she looked flirtatiously into the viewscreen.
«'Mmmm...' I pull the chocolate bar towards us. - Here?
Boom! A woman's fist collided with the mask.- Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, don't pout, Sunshine, I was just joking.....
«One thing I'm glad about, I can punch you in the face now," it hissed indignantly, pounding on the mask once more, trying to twist out of the grip.
«Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...
On this day, Shade Aero did indeed fly away, and in his place was an old friend of the clan who had simply responded to a request for help in defence. I was quietly dragged out of the fortress at night, and then dragged back in the morning in front of everyone. The only thing I regretted was that now I had to shadow Hadiya everywhere, playing the part. Thankfully, I only had to suffer shit for one day, the next day was the X moment.
Loaded into the shuttle, we flew to the meeting. Two more shuttles with fighters followed, plus a small flying group on the wing. Two more units flew along the rendezvous route with the task of finding surprises, if any.
I didn't give a shit either. As soon as I sat down next to Hadiya and buckled in, I leaned back, covered my eyes, and went into meditation, unfolding my Force vision. The guards sitting next to me continued to squint at me, some with a smirk, some just with interest. Those who flew with us were aware of the farce.
In flight, I didn't even realise who reacted first, me or the system, but we detected two simultaneously launched missiles. The pilots switched on the siren, Hadiya reflexively grabbed my arm, and I... simply and uncomplicatedly caught both shells with the Force and deflected them away. The ship shook from the explosions, and the fighters swung to the target, while the transports moved away.
«Shade?
«It's all right, Sun. There were only two missiles, I took them out. It's all right.
From my words exhaled not only Hadiya, but everyone in the shuttle. Closing my eyes again, I waited for another catch, but there was none. The fighters worked their way around the launch sites, levelling everything there, and returned to their positions. By the way, fun fact, when the rockets went off, one of the cars had time to react and went into overdrive, but because the shell went sideways, the car survived.
«Hadi.
«Yes, Shade?
«Fighter Five, pilot Anil Foul'dark. Take a note of him, and when we get back, be sure to reward him.
Hadiya nodded, and her assistant immediately wrote a new note on the clipboard. We travelled on smoothly and landed in the Ryo clan's territory without any problems. Unlike Hadiya's palace, which she had built on top of the clan fortress, this one had taken a different path. The Ryo clan had created a whole small city on their territory, and instead of one huge structure, they had many smaller ones. Somewhere a barracks, somewhere a medical clan centre, somewhere the clan head's house itself, somewhere servants.
«Madam, we're being met," the counsellor said with concern in his voice, holding out the shuttle's camera tablet to Hadiya. Showing interest, I opened my eyes and peered at the screen as well.
«I see the head of the clan, his advisor, his bodyguards, and the soldiers greeting him," Hadiya commented to me, poking the people in the picture with her fingernail one by one. - Everything seems to be in order, the bodyguards are the ones I know, no new faces," the ship shook slightly, marking the landing.
«Got it. Get to work, sunshine. Don't worry, I'll be right behind you," I unbuckled myself, flicking her on the nose and being the first to approach the opening ramp.
So, what have we got? Twenty soldiers, one "prince", his advisor, four bodyguards, and no one gifted with the Force. It's calmer now. I take a step to the side, and Hadiya comes up beside me.
«Greetings, Mistress Hadiya Kran. I, Volnos Ryo, welcome you to the territory of the Ryo clan," the current head of the clan bowed. He was a year younger than Hadiya, if not more.
«Hello, Volnos. I am sorry that our meeting is taking place under these circumstances, but it is the only way we can resolve our differences peacefully.
«Yes... You are right, Hadiya," Volnos nodded, but his hands were clenched. - And your companion, he... - the young heir looked at me, ostensibly showing friendly interest. If only he didn't have emotion in his voice, it would be good.
«Dalahan Zen. An old friend of my father's. Since my husband is away on equally urgent business, Dalahan has taken his place.
«Well... Too bad, I was hoping to have a chat with him," Volnos made a pained expression. Mm-mm... No, you're not up to it, kid, you're not an actor.
«Volnos, maybe you'll invite us? - Hadiya changed the subject. I was just trying to keep my cool. Politics... I hate politics, they talk bile, smile, and sharpen knives behind their backs. No planet in the system has ever made me as bloodthirsty as this. I'm willing to walk around Nox without a spacesuit - it'll be more pleasant than diplomatic meetings on Chikaga.
«Sure, follow me," Volnos nodded, giving me an interested look.
What made Hadiya different from all those other creatures was her kindness. Seriously. Even on the first day we met, she didn't try to use me. She was scared of me and pretended to be weak, but then she asked for help. No second thoughts. And then she always does the same thing. First she comes up and politely, humanely and most importantly, openly asks or offers something, and only then, when she is refused, pulls out a knife and repeats a slightly modified offer. Such is Chikagu, mercy and kindness are considered a weakness here, and even if you're offered a clean contract with no pitfalls, you still won't believe it. And Hadiya will. Once. The first time. She gives everyone a chance, and don't you dare spit in her outstretched hand. That's how she bought the loyalty of some of her enforcers who chose to trust their Mistress, as well as the pilots. The same Anil who threw himself in front of the missile was one of those.
Following on the heels of Volnos and Hadiya surrounded by combined guards, I looked at them and compared them. I wonder... What would have happened if I had followed orders? If I didn't go into details and took Hadiya back and just handed her over? What would have happened then? I can't even imagine. With her charisma and talent, she could have pulled it off even in that case. Poison the hubby, cause an accident to the head, take first place, and then there are options. Or not and everything would go as the Shi clan had planned. And then all this will continue to boil in its own juice until the new coming.
I spent the rest of the day thinking about it all the way to the clan house. It looked like a two-storey, relatively small villa with an annex at the entrance. Inside, there was a passageway with guards, and behind it a hall with two crescent-shaped staircases leading to the first floor. At the top is a large chandelier, to the left is one large room - the hall, to the right appears to be the kitchen.
Turning left, we walked into a spacious room with sofas in a semicircle and a tea table made of real wood in the centre. Hmm... Unusual. I'd forgotten there was wooden furniture, usually cheap polymers are used. There were paintings on the walls, flower bushes in the corners, a few cupboards, again surprisingly made of wood.
«Something to drink?
«No, thank you.
«Suit yourself. It's just that Je'Daii's going to be a little late, so I suggest we keep our hands busy to brighten the wait.
J'Dayi? Although. Such a meeting. They may well have sent representatives from their own to confirm legitimacy. If that was the case, my mask would be a good fit.
I walked across the room and took a seat against the wall. In the opposite corner stood one of the security officers. Similarly, Volnos's own guards stood in different corners. The others waiting outside.
Melancholically following the conversation, I looked around through the Force Sight, already just out of nothing to do. Volnos had seen Hadiya's occasional glances at me, so he could guess that I wasn't a simple soldier, but at least had her trust. For that reason he tried to talk to me a couple of times, but each time Hadiya took over, explaining that I didn't speak. And rightly so, because if I open my mouth, I'll say so many things, wow!
However, when a wave of incredible disgust came from Volnos to one of Hadiya's answers, I returned to the real world from my musings and even looked at the man in surprise. Turns out he was complimenting my sunshine, but here's the thing about emotions... Ugh to be like that. Yuck.
Hadiya caught the outrage on my part with nothing but her gut, and raised an eyebrow to look at my visor.
"Are you sure you want him?" - My body was saying.
"Yes."
"And does it have to be whole?" - I duplicated the question hopefully.
"Absolutely," Hadiya didn't hesitate, smashing my hopes of justice against my knee. Eh... The fleeting interaction didn't escape Volnos, nor did my dislike. Apparently deciding that I was just jealous of his girlfriend, the topic was quickly wrapped up.
After about ten minutes, the Je'Dayi finally arrived. I'd spotted them as they approached, and it took a lot of effort not to sense the only Force wielders in the neighbourhood. Or they'd have to hide, like me.
The door opened and his counsellor came in.
«Mr Volnos. The J'Daii have arrived to witness the treaty.
«At last! Where the hell have they been? Show them in at once, they're already late!
«Right away.
Except the closer the strangers got, the less I liked them. The power that flowed through them carried dark tones, which meant that the two Je'Daya had been out of balance for quite some time. Frowning, I prepared myself for battle just in case, placing my hand on one of the sword hilt, and in the other I began to prepare a Force Blast. Just in case.
Hadiya sensed my wariness in her gut again, so she turned around, took stock of her posture, and prepared for trouble.
And then the aforementioned Je'Dayi appeared in the room. A teacher and a student. Swords on their belts, pistols on their hips, both wearing cloaks over Tython armour.
«I'm sorry we're late," the Sith, who was also their senior, began cordially.
«Well, now that we're all here, I'll get the drinks," Volnos stood up and made his way to the exit.
«You're Hadiya, right? - A couple walked over to us.
«Yes, and you are...
Before Hadiya could finish, the teacher began to draw his sword and his student to call upon the lightning of the Force. Before either of them knew it, they were both blown out the window, and I was already standing there with my arm outstretched, with a blast of Force.
«Tiberius, take care of your mistress. I'll take care of the exiles," I drew my swords and walked past Hadiya. Volnos's guards were already on the floor with their necks snapped, as were those outside the door.
As I climbed out the window, I saw the scene. Both the humans and the outsiders staring at the dumbfounded Je'Daiyans, who hadn't expected such a trick.
«Who the hell are you?! - shouted the Sith.
Instead of answering, I unleash two Dopelgangers and intercept my swords to attack the Sith as the most dangerous opponent. He tries to push me away, but the Force Enhancement and Force Barrier cancelled out the push. His apprentice, on the other hand, was smarter, using Force Lightning at once. The dopeli flew away immediately, and I threw my left sword at the target, then opened my palm and covered myself with the Tutaminis technique. The lightning hits the defence and dissipates, but the student falls on his back with a sword in his heart.
Using Force vision, noticed the stirring behind me and the dangerous shooting near Hadiya. Catching a laser shot with the flat side of the sword in my right hand and deflecting a succession of bullets with the Force, I wrung the necks of the shooters and sent a dopelganger towards Hadiya to divert the attention of the other fighters.
At the same time, on instinct and reflex, I took another lightning bolt from the Sith on Tutaminis and sent back a Force Blast, distracting Hadiya again. The Doppelganger did well, more scared of him than the soldiers, and the boys didn't falter, making their way out of the house and taking Hadiya with them.
Putting up a hard block with my sword, I block Sith's sword and, taking the weapon to the side, kick the creep in the chest with my foot. Although it was relatively easy to follow the situation, thanks to years of practice, it took time to make a decision and implement it. And that time was enough for the Sith to assess me and break an ampoule of alchemical enhancer somewhere inside me.
The Force itself shook, his yellow eyes poured blood, and a colossal pressure of Force descended directly on my shoulders. The ground trembled and crackled, and it felt like I was standing under the pressure, and I couldn't even move....
Strangely enough, I was helped here by the deception of my mind. As soon as my opponent was distracted for a second by a vision visible only to him, I snapped out of it. The sword returned to my left hand and both blades slammed into the block. Continuing with the technique, the Lightning of Power travelled to the exile's sword and, as a consequence, reached him. Learn physics, children! Isolate the swords.
With a cry of pain, I try to cut off his head, but even so, the exile dodges it with his shoulder. As he dodges, the Sith manages to gather a burst of Force and slam it into me at almost point-blank range.
With my swords in a reverse grip and my arms crossed in front of me, I focus the Force Barrier. Alas, I am no match for his brute strength. The barrier took some of the blow, but even so, I was knocked backwards. Shit! Hadiya. Several of the Ryo Clan fighters came at her back. Catching a few grenades on their belts with the Force, I pulled the pin and before the fighters could fire, I dropped both Hadie and her guards to the ground.
With that, I grab my weapon and lunge forward again. The pressure builds on my shoulders again, sinking my feet into the ground and preventing me from moving. A series of explosions booms somewhere to my right, but not before.
Having dispersed the Force within me, I apply the Force Storm locally. The storm cloud absorbs the spilled Force like a sponge absorbs water, allowing me to move, but at the same time it begins to expand and strike with lightning more and more often.
As I close in on the dazed exile, I pull him towards me, knocking him off balance and throwing my sword at him. The bastard kept his balance and threw the sword back, but when the fireball came off his right hand at point-blank range, it was a surprise.
And to be sure, I raised my right hand to the sky and sharply jerked down, through the Storm of Power I struck lightning, scorching my skin to black. That's it. Now I'm ready!
Slowly, Sith fell backwards and collapsed to the ground. I glanced at Hadiya to make sure she was all right, and walked over to the headboard. To my surprise, the enemy was breathing despite everything. The force was keeping him alive, his body saturated with dark energy, unwilling to die.
The moment of delay proved critical. Instead of a massive blow, the creep struck point-blank, attempting to crush his chest.
«The pressure was such that I couldn't breathe, and my mouth tasted of blood. Crouching down, I thrust one sword into the sith's chest and the other one into his head. It was only after that that I was released and managed to take a welcome breath.....
"Finally!"
Relieved, I try to catch my breath, but no such luck. Lifting the mask, I cough up the blood. Concentrating, I look at what's wrong with me... Yep, two broken ribs and lung damage. After cutting off sensation, I put the bones back in place and fix them with the Force. Then I apply a healing technique to speed up the healing. It won't heal quickly, but at least it won't bother me. It's a good thing Je'Daii are so resilient.
I put my swords away and calmly dispelled what I had done. It looked like I was waving my hand, and a large, unnaturally low-flying, sparking cloud of lightning began to dissipate, rising higher into the sky.
Along with the end of our battle, the guns fell silent. Both our own and others looked in my direction breathlessly, and if the former from admiration, the latter from horror. In this silence the clatter of a woman's heels on the stone path sounded very loudly.
«I'll say it once! - Hadiya's formidable voice rang out over the square, and an imperious, graceful female figure stood beside me. - Lay down your weapons!
There were no volunteers to test my fate. Without even trying to hide their fear of me, they began to lay down their weapons.
«Volnos Ryo! Find him and bring him to me! - she shouted at Tiberius and his boys.
«Yes, Mistress. Go! - The boys rushed into the house with a few more fighters.
«You! Gather weapons.
«Yes, Mistress.
«These men are to be piled up. Handle with care until first altercation.
«Yes, Mistress.
I didn't interfere, just stood by and watched, not feeling the best. Hadiya handed out bossy kicks, stimulated her subordinates, and simply managed the process.
«How are you doing? - The twi'lek asked quietly when the commands had been handed out.
«I'm fine. But I'll need to rest for a couple of days.
«Are you sure? - I turn to an excited Hadiya. - Your breastplates are bent.
«That's right, Hadiya. Don't worry, do what you have to do and let's get out of here.
The girl nodded and went back to her role. When the twee'lek, aka Volnos Ryo and head of the Ryo clan, was dragged in by the scruff of his neck, the atmosphere changed again.
Standing over the kneeling Volnos, Hadiya glowered. She was pissed off at the very fact that she had offered their clan truly worthwhile treaty terms three times, even in my eyes, one for each head, and was spat at each time. And then there's this attack... Yeah and my wrinkled appearance didn't make her happy.
«This is an open attack on the clan, Hadiya," the captive said in a shaky voice, trying to remain calm. - You will not be forgiven.
«This is a negotiation, Volnos. And you're the one who attacked here!
«But it was your fighters who killed two Dae'Dae, and it was your fighters who tore down my house. I'll point out that there's a lot more of them here than are supposed to be 'negotiating'," Volnos said wryly, and smiled.
«Well, first of all, not Je'Dayev," I smirked, pulling down my hood and removing my mask. Hadiya flinched slightly, and I wiped the blood from my lips with my sleeve. - The Je'Daii in my face are in full support of Hadiya," Volnos paled more and more as I did so. - Secondly, there have been attempts on Hadiya's life before, and such defences are more than justified. And thirdly, you've been in contact with assassins wanted by the Order, and that's a big stain on you, and the fact that you've sicced them on Hadiya in the open, that's a big stain on you.
«You can't prove it!
«I don't need to prove anything," Hadiya growled. - Soon everything will change and the clans will either swear allegiance to me or fall. Bow down, Volnos!
«Never...
A shot rang out, and a body with its head shot through fell to the ground.
«Then we'll do it another way," she put the gun away and pulled out a communicator and contacted someone. - Begin the operation.
«Yes, Mistress.
Making a notation, I silently continue to watch the events unfold.
«Madam, what about the prisoners?
With a glance at the Ryo clan's soldiers and staff gathered in a heap, Hadiya stepped in front of them.
«The Ryo clan has fallen! But worthy fighters are always needed. You have a choice - leave, or bow before me!
The people hesitated and spoke quietly, glancing at the clan leader. Someone separated from the crowd and gingerly walked towards the exit, but no one touched him. A few more Xenos separated. Others began to bow. In the end - most of the people bowed, accepting Hadiya as their Mistress.
After giving out more instructions for the looting and assigning control to the counsellor, the two of us returned to the shuttle, where Hadiya sat down in the chair with relief.
«Plan B? - I asked, sitting down next to her. - Is that what I was thinking? - and I snap my fingers defiantly, remembering our conversation.
«Yes. Tomorrow the news will be about Volnos Ryo breaking the unwritten rules and paying for it with his life. I'll tear his clan apart.
«How?
«Persuasion, blackmail, bribery, corporate raiding... Terror somewhere. Any means necessary, the Ryo clan will cease to exist tomorrow.
«Aren't you afraid the others will turn on you for that?
«Who said I'll take it all for myself? I'll redistribute half of it among the clans as a token of friendship," she grinned. - I've shown them I'm a better friend before, and after this, they'll think twice about crossing me. Moreover, they have a clear example of those who have moved under me and have improved their lives.
«Who's that?
«Several businesses on the verge of bankruptcy left their previous roof and asked to come under mine. I took them in, sponsored them, shielded them from competition. Now I'm making a pretty good profit on them. Everyone is happy.
«Everyone except the competition," I grin.- And there's nothing to stand in my way.
I didn't answer. I unfolded it and looked at the front of the mask, staring at my reflection in the visor.
«It looks good on you," Hadiya said, smiling. - If I could just get some paint like your pigments on the helmet, it would be perfect.
«Later. Maybe. When I redo it.
After waiting for the fighters to finish their inspection of the clan house and load up, we went home. And the next day, just as Hadiya had promised, the news was bursting with the latest developments. At an unscheduled, urgent meeting of the Clan Council, she politely and with evidence, she told the others the real version of events and made several offers of friendship that they could not refuse.
Glancing at the council members, he grinned to himself. Only six of the nine remained in the game, including Hadiya. The Shi Clan had dropped out. The Ryo clan had dropped out. Another clan had essentially been sawed off by the others and didn't have the weight behind it. There are six left, one of which is working closely with Hadiya. It could be said that they have divided the market amongst themselves so that there are no overlapping interests. Two of the council members are distraught, two more would have loved to hear about Hadiya's murder instead of Volnos' death on the news.
Alas, the negotiations dragged on for several days, during which I recovered. When the turmoil had subsided and the wealth at the top had been siphoned off, I could see the happy-go-lucky Twi'leka.
«Here we go! One fed, two confused, two more hands tied. Everything's going according to plan.
«Hadiya.
«Yes, honey?
«You're a brilliant monster.
«Who's the monster?! - The twi'lek frowned, arms at her sides.
«All right. Genius monster. Is that better?
Boom! Fist bumped into the mask.
«I'm gonna take offence. And you know how offended I am!
«I know. Cute and funny," my hands closed around her waist. And then the look of horror came over the girl's face.
«No!
«Yes, I am.
«No!
«Yes, yes.
«No-no-no, v-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i!!!
Heh. Tickling the despot and tyrant of the entire planet... What could be more pleasurable?
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