Under New Management

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

The ships' doors hissed as the squad of soldiers began exiting down the ramp. This one one of two ships that had come to the asteroid base. Zazai walked down the ramp following the soldiers, his metallic armor making him an imposing looking figure.

There had been reports of a small holdout of workers who refused to comply with Imperial rule. That ended today. Soon the workers would be able to get back to work and the war machine would be supplied with the bases' resources.

More than a few of the Verpine residents here peeked out from doorways or looked on from the furthest corners of the room as they tried not to be noticed by the Sith. He could feel their fear. That was good. They had drawn the attention of the Empire by supporting these rebels.

Zazai waited for the second ship to finish unloading. He wanted to get this done and get off of this Force-forsaken rock.

@Rimrald @Cazar

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova wasn't sure what to make of this assignment. It sounded like a simple enough task, but as she had recently discovered, nothing was ever 'simple' Not when serving the Sith Empire. She had to admit, the transition was...strange. Gone were the chaotic fighting pits, and in their place was a strict hierarchy united under one singular goal. A goal that the hybrid firmly believed in. If quashing this minor rebellion contributed towards that objective, then Jenova would be merciless.

Happy to finally be off that suffocating transport, the woman stepped off. She wasn't so intimidating in appearance, but rather otherworldly. Her skin and hair was green in colouration, a most unusual hue for a humanoid. But perhaps most unnerving was the absence of pupils in her eyes. They were blazing pools of amber and few dared to meet her gaze. Not that it mattered much, especially since the hybrid was technically 'blind'. Perhaps that's why she didn't look directly at the Sith awaiting her, instead, she looked through him, allowing the force to build her an mental visual. She would not be able to distinguish colour or physical detail, but she could recognise auras. And this male's aura was...intriguing. There certainly weren't any of his kind in the fighting pits. It made Jenova wonder, just how much would she learn serving this Empire? How much would she discover? Only time would tell.

For now, she focused on the task at hand. She had met one fellow knight, now if only the other would show up as well.

​

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He had been told he was meeting with a member of the Sith Military here to carry out the mission. He was more than a little surprised to see the green-skinned female exit the transport. She was not wearing a standard military outfit so he assumed she was apart of his order and not the military.

Frustration built, he had been made to wait long enough. He would wait no longer. If the military failed to show, so be it. They would accomplish the mission without them. He eyed the woman as she approached. Her sightless eyes blazed as she reached out in all directions with the Force. Zazai could sense the woman's...wildness. She seemed more caged beast than woman. It was no matter if it served the mission he didn't much care what she was.

He looked to the Sergeant who had exited the craft with him. "Deploy you men around the landing pad and hold this position." he said gesturing towards the woman "We will go inside the mine and deal with this insurrection." he didn't wait for an acknowledgment but instead turned, his cloak whipping behind him as he spun and strode off.

Clad an armor, the Sith was an opposing figure. The insects out of the mine who had come to greet them shyed away from him as he walked. His armor was polished, reflecting the dull light of the hangar bay as he exited the landing pad. He didn't introduce himself to the woman nor check to see if she would follow orders. He assumed command and would be followed. "A group of these insolent insects have barricaded themselves in the mine, refusing to work for the Empire." he said, his voice rumbling as he strode closer to the mine. "They will be made an example of what happens when we are opposed. You may be as brutal as you like, but we must take the leaders alive so they may be executed publicly." he finished explaining.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova cantered her head towards the source of the voice issuing the orders; there was an intriguing bass to the speech she just heard. It was a rich baritone, yet at the same time, rough in its culture. Such a contradiction. But for now, irrelevant. For now, Jenova listened in as Zazai spoke to the sergeant; she made no moves to interrupt, generally agreeing with the tactics the Sith strategically organised. He seemed competent. An admirable trait. There was nothing more loathsome than ineptitude within the ranks and Jenova would dare not tolerate it. So long as her companion remained adequate, they would be victorious.

Falling in step with Zazai, the green-skinned amazon needed no pleasantries. Only objectives and direction. The Sith knight gave her just that, which she then acknowledged with a tight lipped smile.

"Understood." Fists flexed at her instinctively at her sides.

Her attire was not as bulky as her companions, nor was it dark in colour. Instead, Jenova's attire was a mesh of white, black and red. Truthfully, it was a lightweight battle suit. What it lacked in protection, it more than compensated in terms of mobility. That's all Jenova needed. With that simple allowance, she could ensure devastating results. Which she was eagerly about to display. "Allow me..."

She marched ahead of Zazai, eyes firmly fixed on the pathetic barricade ahead. She almost snickered. As if that would stop her. Perhaps only then, in that moment of passing, would Zazai notice something. Jenova carried no weapons; no lightsabers, no blades and certainly no blasters. This might seem redundant, especially for a warrior serving the Empire. But then again, wasn't that what got her noticed?

Despite her lack of formal training, Jenova called on the force. No, not called. Demanded its presence. As her fist clenched and throbbed, an unusual pressure began to build; it swirled and spiked, pulsating and multiplying all there within her grasp. Only then would be apparent that the Jenova needed no weapon simple because she was a weapon. One that was about to unleash itself upon the enemies of the Empire. With tremendous power, the hybrid launched her fist into the makeshift barrier in front of her. Piles of debris explored back, shattering and crumbling from the velocity of the impact sustained. A dust cloud formed, and from its cover, emerged Jenova, licking the emerald blood from her knuckles.

​

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He raised an eyebrow as she marched ahead, right up to the barrier. She gathered the Force around her. Something didn't feel right. They shouldn't have been allowed to get so close without confrontation. "No Wait..." he said, his hand going to his lightsaber.

It as too late, the woman was like a tightly wound spring that had been unleashed. Her fist slammed into the barrier, and an explosion erupted from the barrier. They had rigged the barrier to explode and they had walked right into the trap. Zazai raised an arm, debris stinging his for him as it struck him.

Surging forward to cover his partner while she recovered, if she recovered, his lightsaber snapped to life. Ten of the Verpine insurgents where holed him in the first cavern. Blaster fire erupted from them. The song of battle filled him, fueled his anger which fueled his power. He spun, tilting his blade back in forth as shots were deflected. Three guards fell instantly, the own shots return back to them. Reaching out a gauntleted hand, he gripped an insurgents neck through the Force. He could feel the creature's agony as its neck snapped. He flung into another one of his allies, sending that was falling to the ground.

 

[Jenova Savas]

​

How foolish of her. Jenova scolded herself venomously for her novice oversight; yet again, she had charged into the fray without taking the moment to truly analyse the situation. If she had but waited, then perhaps she too would have noticed the abnormal atmosphere, the lack of initial resistance. She would not make that mistake again. Thee enemy had scored a blow; they would not score another. By the end of the day, every bug in this mine would be dead at her feet, she’d make sure of that.


Initially, the explosion had thrown her back, causing her to tumble and skid along the dirt of the ground. There was a violent ringing in her ears, and the metallic taste of blood in her mouth. If there was any pain, she's didn't acknowledge it. As she staggered up, finding her feet as a wave of unyielding rage assailed her. How cowardly, she thought, spitting out a stream of emerald blood. Using traps to engage the enemy, rather than meet face to face. She should have expected nothing else from bugs.


Seeing her companion was already carving his way through the first wave of guards, Jenova dashed to join the fray again. The Sith was proving to be an impressive specimen; already, he had fell four guards and was poised to engage the others. Feeling there was a challenge to be made, the hybrid volted over Zazai with impressive height; her target? The small cluster of guards that remained. Yet again the force gathered within her grasp, readying itself to be brutally unleashed.

​

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

Fear spread through their enemies as they realized their inevitable death coming to them. Zazai blocked another shot before lunging towards the two Verpine he had knocked to the ground. One was twitching, its neck already crushed. The only underneath him scrambled to climb out from underneath him, but it was too late.

With one swing, he bisected the two Verpine. Their carapace hissing from the heat of the blade. Four of the enemies remained. He felt the Force gather to his partner once more. It was a curious thing, this partner of his. The Force burned like a fire within him, constant, growing. With her, it felt like she was gathering it releasing it like a wave crashing against the rocks.

Perhaps it was time to let her show him her skill. Let her have her revenge against the bugs that had almost taken her out by sheer luck.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Ah, the smell of fear. It pleased Jenova to know that even bugs could excrete such a familiar scent, and quite rightly they should, seeing as one verpine was now nothing more than a pile of gooey pulp beneath her feet. How fragile these insectoids were, even if their evolutionary exoskeletons. Under Jenova's brute force, they simply caved and crumbled, splintering and shattering like finite glass. It was in that moment that the amazon decided she much rather preferred the feel of breaking of bone. There was more satisfaction to its audible 'snap'. Truthfully, the hybrid found rebels failing defence was quite amusing now; whilst they had scored a minor victory in the beginning, they soon found the tides of the battle were changing out of their favour. Now, all they could do, was resign themselves to their fate. Especially as Jenova now set her sights on the meagre survivors.

Ducking and dodging in and amongst the blaster fire, the green woman set upon the insects like a predator to prey. She showed no fear, nor any hesitation. Only excitement. This was her purpose, this was the reason for existing. Conflict. Never did she feel more alive than when she danced so close with death. Ecstasy painted her ethereal expression. Her sights fixed on a target, Jenova dived within range. Coiling tightly like a snake, arms locked tightly around the Verpin's narrow throat. She smiled at its gasping breaths, intent on memorising the different pitches it reach as quickly, very quickly, the creature's oxygen ran dry. There was a twitching of limbs, a last instinctual struggle. Then nothing. The bug went limp and Jenova tossed his corpse aside. During the gruesome act, the blaster fire had fallen silent; the insectoids probably were unwilling to shoot their unfortunate friend. But now, they remained stunned, like frightened children looking upon a nightmare.

True, Jenova could have dispatched the insect in the similar fashion as before, but this, this had been done with a purpose. With the intent of demoralising their few remaining opponents. War wasn't just about the physical battles, it was about the psychological as well. Once the mind surrendered, all hope was loss. And with that suffocating display, Jenova had achieved just that. Now with slow, menacing step, the yellow eyed woman advance again, intent on picking off the survivors. One. By. One.

​

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

The ends of his mouth tipped upward into a small grin as the woman landed in the middle of the remaining insurgents. One lay crushed under her feet as she lifted another one off of the ground by the throat. She was surely fierce, but she had left herself open, intent on killing the creature slowly. She played with it instead of finishing the job.

He understood the urge, to drink of the fear of this place but control was needed. As the remaining opponents recovered from their shock, they flew backward to Zazai by the Force never getting the chance at revenge against their fallen comrade. With two quick swings of his blade, the two remaining Verpine lay in pieces on the floor.

The room that had just been filled with their opposition now lay in ruin, pieces of chitin littering the ground. The grin still fixed on his face, he stalked forward. He stepped over the mushy remains of the Verpine Jenova had crushed underfoot.

He moved deeper in the mind, towards their goal, towards inevitability.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova frowned at the Sith, hearing the familiar hum of his saber as it slashed through the remaining rebel guards. She had hoped to inflict a little more terror before finally doing away with them. Zazai had robbed of her that. "I wasn't finished with them yet."

With a disapproving huff, she marched on, following the hulking male as they delved deeper into the depths of the mine.

Explosive traps, armed resistance. What else did these insects have planned? They could only resort to more desperate measures, seeing as there was no hope of mercy. Enemies of the Empire were to be dealt with swiftly. Above all else, harshly. The surviving leadership would be made an example of, their imminent deaths will serve as a warning to all who dared to oppose the will of the Sith. Learning from her previous mistake, Jenova reached out with the force, allowing her 'sight' to expand and venture forth. It resounded, almost line a sonar; waves spilled out, washing over the various cracks and crevices of the mind. Then, just as quickly, retreated back, centring within the hybrid. A crude map formed within Jenova's mind; the rest of the insects had trapped themselves within the furthest chamber. Their auras were understandably predictable. Some radiated with fear and terror, no doubt hearing the horrific echoes of the slaughter that had just transpired. Yet, surprisingly, they still stubbornly refused to yield. Under all that trepidation, they still had the gall to fight. The intent to defy their end.

Admirable. Foolish, but admirable.

"A majority have fortified themselves in the chamber ahead." She then cantered her head towards Zazai, her acidic eyes practically beaming, "They intend to fight."

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

"They say it isn't polite to play with your food." he said, voice low. It was a joke, but his tone didn't convey it quite right he was still not entirely used to the mannerisms of Galactic Basic. A rumbling chuckle escaped from his chest as they fell into step with one another.

They made their way deeper and deeper into the mine. They passed many offshoots, ore still left in the rock where the miners had abandoned their work. Soon work would begin again, peace restored to this asteroid. She was partially right, not just a majority of the resistance had held up in the bottom chamber, all of them had. There was nowhere for them to go, their fate already sealed.

As they arrived at the corner just before the entrance to the bottom chamber he turned as Jenova addressed him directly. "Of course they do. Remember we need their leader and several other left alive. If they all die down here, they become martyrs." he said as he pointed back up towards the base "Up there they serve as an example. You are more mobile than I, find their leader and incapacitate them and five others." he said pausing before finishing. "Kill the rest."

He said igniting his lightsaber, filling the cavern with a red glow. "I'll cover you as you enter the cavern." he said before stepping out. There were 25 of the Verpine holdouts in here. Their leaders would likely be towards the far wall where the concentration was heaviest. Many took cover behind crates, piles of rock, anything else the could find. The fire was heaviest when he first entered. He drew the fire away from the entrance, providing an opportunity for Jenova to enter

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova stared owlishly at the Sith, debating whether or not he had intended for his words to be a taken as joke. Regardles,s the yellow eyed woman sniggered. So, the alien had a sense of humour. Interesting. She waved simply off his comment, stating "People say a lot of things."

Again, the hybrid reached out through the force, confirming that just beyond them was the 'nest', the place that would act as the bugs' last stand. The confines of the mine would restrict her more aggressive tactics. The last things they needed was a cave it, especially after that first incident with the explosive blockage. Nevertheless, she was confident they would succeed. She just had to be smart as a oppose to brutish.

The plan seemed tangible enough with the objective clear: kill and capture.

She had her orders, and she would fulfil them to the letter. ​

"Understood."

The amazon did not for a moment show concern for Zazai, even as he proceeded to challenge the enemy head on; he seemed like a capable warrior. She would not insult him but aidding his assault. She instead focused on the task at hand: apprehending the rebel leadership. Using Zazai's assault as a distraction, Jenova dashed at speed, resounding off the confine's walls. When a couple of the Verpine noticed her breach, she flung our her hands and proceeded to choke them in the force. They gasped and chirped, futile in their attempt to fight the invisible constriction. The hybrid did not draw out their suffering however, unlike before, she moved with haste; when their necks finally caved in -with a sickening crunch- she flung their bodies aside and proceeded on ahead.

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

They seemed to understand one another, or at least be on the same page. She agreed quietly and they set about their work.

He dodged in and out of cover as he moved forward, the bugs keeping their distance. As he danced between blasted shots and foe alike, the song of battle grew louder, stronger.

A group of the Verpine did not get out of his way fast enough. He slammed his hand down and the ground erupted as a wave of Force energy shot along the ground. Three of the insectoids were caught up in the wave, it battered them against the ground and finally against a wall, leaving only the twitching husk of the dead in its wake.

He couldn't see Jenova, but he felt her presence in the song, could feel the enemy react to her. He stalked forward, raising his lightsaber to strike more of the opposition down, but the fire was still too heavy, he had to spend the majority of his energy on defense. He only hopped his partner was taking full advantage of the opening

 

[Jenova Savas]

Time was running out; her companion knight would only be able to divert the bugs' attention for so long. This misguided rebellion needed to end.

Feeling confident, Jenova decided she would try to use a new technique, something the red Sith had already used quite well. It would be the best way of disabling the vast number of remaining vermin. Taking a collective breath, Jenova pictured the force gathering around her whole body, but this time she was not localising it to one extremity. Instead it would form one giant wave of kinetic enemy, enough to send those bug men flying. This skill did not come naturally to the hybrid yet, she required time to construct it. Time she did not have.

As the tentative cataclysm was beginning to form, it ended just as abruptly when a Verpine pop shot fired a lucky blaster bolt. It struck Jenova's shoulder, sending her staggering back. Though her battle suited absorbed the fatality of the shot, the smouldering pain persisted, as did the physical damage. Raged clouded Jenova's vision; when she looked upon the Verpine rebels, she now only felt anger. Unyielding, unprecedented anger. Something swelled up inside of her, it was without a name and without mercy; it would not be denied, not when it clawed at the very fibre of her being.

Jenova let out a hellish scream, a noise which no humanoid should be able to make. It was near deafening to all who heard it. Violent vibrations shook the very cavern they inhabited. Nearby rocks shattered and cracked. The insectoids, so overwhelmed, buckled to their knees, their blasters clanking to the ground before them as they attempted to cover their delicate receptors. That was when Jenova struck.

The force fuelling her, she launched at the nearest Verpine, piling her fist into the vulnerable chest cavity. Even with its warm innards plastered on her fist and body, Jenova readily moved onto her next victim. Then another. And another. She began decimating their numbers, losing herself to the carnage she had unwitting unleashed. She could hear nothing, except the roaring of the force.

​

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He felt the surge in power an instant before the ear-shattering scream echoed through the cavern. Giving him an instant to raise defenses before his mind was rattled in the same way many of the Verpine now where.

He felt a warm trickle of blood drip out of one ear but he was not slowed significantly.

Taking advantage of the disarray now taking ahold of the Verpine forces, Zazai pressed the attack, no longer on the defense. His lightsaber cut through their chitin skin with only the slightest of resistance. So focused on Jenova, many didn't even know they were dying until they were already on the ground dead.

Five smoldering corpses were left in his wake. Any normal group would have surrendered, but they knew their fate. Making their last stand they gathered in front of who Zazai assumed was their leader.

He stepped up beside Jenova "Take them alive." he growled, reminding himself just as much as Jenova. Her hate bled into the air. Part of him wondered if she would actually follow through with the plan or would he have to stop her.

 

[Jenova Savas]

The hybrid had lost herself to the conflict, or rather, she lost herself to the dark side which fuelled it. She had rarely tasted the tantalizing pleasure of its nectar, only ever stealing teasing laps and licks. But now, for the first time, she had tapped into its source. It's ripe, exhilarating source. The adrenaline had now faded but she still felt drugged. So lost in the moment, she hadn't even hear Zazai and his words.

Her acidic gaze was merely fixed ahead, her vision locked onto the quivering prey in front of her. There was a madness in her eyes, a vortex within their amber depths. Quite likely, she would lash out again, her thirst for slaughter not quite sated. Not whilst these cumbersome bugs still drew breath.

With a vicious sweep of her hand, one of the remaining rebels flew against the cavern's wall, his exoskeleton shattering with a nauseating crack. The impact was so great, an indentation formed in the wall itself. The insectoid, for the moment, was literally stuck to the wall, half secured by the paste beginning to seep out of his wounds. Yet still Jenova wouldn't persist. When one rebel dared to scurrying from her, she seized him, a strange inhuman growl emitting itself from her person. How dare he flee from her. He had chosen to fight, to rebel. The least he could do was face his death with honour; deciding to teach him some humility, Jenova reached out with the force and snapped the bug's thin twig like legs. When he began to screech, she covered his face with her boot. She then increased the pressure of her step, more and more and more, until finally...

Plop

One of the Verpine's massive, domed eyes ejected itself from the cranial crevice. With a wet trail of mucus, it rolled aimlessly over the last surviving rebels before settling in the dirt. The look of utter terror that assailed them, the fear and dread. It filled her with euphoria.

"Walk to your deaths. Or crawl. I care not which way you choose." Yet the bug men were so frozen with fright, Jenova began to lose what last of her patience she had left. Stepping over the fresh corpse of her victim, she advanced upon the cowering Verpine, the force once more pouring into her fist. "So be it..."

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He watched silently as she broke the remaining will of the opposition. They had won. Now all that was left to do was make an example out of the survivors and this mining colony would be theirs.

Jenova didn't stop. He could feel her unbridled rage as rolled off of her. So strong, it pulled at his mind, the allure of just giving into the bottomless depths of anger. He resisted, for now. Willing to remain in control.

They would finish their mission, and he would put down Jenova if he had to. She stalked towards the remaining Verpine, bloodlust having taken over. "Enough!" his voice boomed through the cavern as it echoed off its walls. With an outreached hand, he seized her with the Force. She would feel its energy wrap around her, constricting her movement, her whole body. She could struggle, and Zazai would increase his efforts but he hoped merely causing her pause would give her the time to regain control. If it did not, she would be dealt with.

"I. Said. Alive." he said spoke quietly, but his voice dripped with authority. He began to walk forward, still willing the Force to hold the woman.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova's felt her body freeze, held by a forceful grasp. At first, she let out a snarl of frustration, vexed at thought of being thwarted. The battle was no over, more still needed to be done.

Yet Zazai managed to ground her, his voice breaking through the murderous haze of her mind. She stopped fighting, begrudgingly letting the storm inside her wither away; the flames still licked within her eyes, but for now, the inferno had finally ebbed. Exhaustion was all that was left behind, leaving Jenova feeling empty and cold. Without the dark side to feed her, she returned to her state of awareness. The pain in her shoulder was the first sensation to return to her. Though not serious, it would require medical attention at some point.

With a final exhale, she pouted towards the her Sith companion, waiting for him to release, should he will it. There was no hint of apology or remorse. She felt no shame in the horrific acts she committed, nor in the blatant defiance momentarily displayed; such was the trouble of new imperial assets. They were often felt to wreck havoc during their assimilation, until finally someone brought them to heel -if they proved strong enough-. Though Jenova was irked at Zazai's domination, she couldn't help but look at him...somewhat differently. There was almost a softened glint now as she regarded him, silent and waiting for his next move.

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

The inferno subsided for the time being. The Force pulled away from her, freeing her from its grasp. He saw her slump slightly. He was aware of the smoldering wound on her shoulder. He made note of the injury, making sure he remembered to make sure it was taken care of later.

Now he could turn his attention to their task at hand. "Get up." he commanded the prisoners. His voice was quiet but left no room for interpreting it as anything other than an Order that would be followed. He pointed to one of the more able-bodied Verpine left. "You. Carry this one." he said gesturing towards one of the broken, yet living bodies left in Jenova's wake.

He pulled out his come. "Sergeant, it is done. Gather the rest of the miners in the hall. We will be there shortly." The soldier acknowledged the command at once. "Lets go." he said to both the captives and to Jenova.

He was impressed by the woman. Such power was hard to be contained. Zazai himself had felt its pull by simply being near her. If she learned to control it properly before it consumed her, she would be a force the entire Galaxy may one day fear.

They began the slow march upwards towards the base. The prisoners moved in front of them. The heads hung low, shuffling. Zazai was in no rush to end their dread of what they knew was too come. They had crossed the Empire, and today their entire people would know the cost of such rebelliousness.

"I am Zazai." he said, glancing over at his partner as the made their slow ascent. "You fought well today." he offered. Some would throw that compliment out with little regard, but Zazai said because he was genuinely impressed. "I have never seen someone fight such as you have. Perhaps one day you may show me." he said as they continued to walk.

 

[Jenova Savas]

The hybrid was too proud to stagger and limp; she had learnt from an early age had displays of weakness invited predators. Though each step ached, she marched along Zazai, eyes focused on the shuffling survivors. Even in her wear state, she was ready, just in case the fools decided on one last futile attempt. Yet when the Sith offered his name, she felt indebted to do the same.

"I am Jenova." Though 'blind', and having to physical reason to turn her head towards him, she still felt it was the correct thing to do. Some sentients were offended with her indirect speech, but then were equally disconcerted with her unyielding gaze. She wondered if either of the two applied to the Sith. He didn't seem like one easily affronted over petty occurrence, otherwise he would have treated her much more harshly in the caverns.

Yet, perhaps unwittingly, Zazai had made her falter. Amongst the Noghri, paying compliments to one's fighting prowess was a sign of great respect; she wondered if the Sith knew that. Probably not, but still, she was honoured by his words. "You also fought with great skill."

Her fighting style was a piece of hybridised art (much like herself). It was a mixture of traditional stave maneuverers, as well as several other forms. If Jenova had learnt anything in the fighting pits, it was essentially how to fight. But even she had to acknowledge there was still much to learn. Watching the Sith conduct himself in battle was more than enough to prove this point to her. Jenova was no longer in the fighting pits and she was no longer a lawless marauder. If she wished to serve the Empire faithfully, she would need to become a refined soldier. No, nothing so common as a soldier. She would be a living weapon. With males like Zazai setting an example, Jenova knew what to strive for. Again, she looked at Zazai, wishing once again to have physical sight. She wondered what he looked like. What was the colour of his eyes?

"I acknowledge you, warrior. And would be honoured."

By no means was this an attempt at arrogance. Instead, it was another Noghri phrase. The Sith had paid her a compliment, it was only just Jenova return the same honour. To her, there was nothing more respected than a warrior of true conflict.