The Riddler

[Baska Tankreyd]

The tunnels were familiar. They were deep inside an old build whose origins she still could not place. She had visited this place many times – too many times really – in the past few months. The nightmares came and went. It felt endless and she had no idea what they meant. She had first thought it might have to do with an artifact she was called to retrieve, but no carving, no indication whatsoever had ever unveiled in her restless sleep.

This time, she felt a presence by her side. One that was clouded but whose physical nearness she sensed. She turned, ready to lash out at a foe, but instead a teenage girl (https://imgur.com/nIxxvpP) stood by her side. Taken aback, Baska stared at her in disbelief. The other blonde rested a hand on her arm, fierce sternness in the typically bright Tankreyd eyes.

“It’s here, Mother.”

Baska naturally reached out through the Force, tendrils of energy snaking their way through the darkness. She could not feel or see any better but her daughter was right.

“Let’s end this, Heyrina.”

***

Baska shot upright from the living area floor. She blinked her eyes a few times, but the only light coming in through the bay windows came from the Iego moonlight. The only sound besides her erratic breathe was the distant sound of the waves coming to crash not afar from her house. She didn’t realize she had fallen into slumber hours ago.

Forcing her body and mind to root deep in the Force, she gripped her knees as she sat properly. It made no sense. She had been plagued with dreams of her daughter since she had met her, since she had met Dalethria. She couldn’t explain it. She just bloody couldn’t.

Tonight was the first time she saw Heyrina beyond a little girl. It hurt so much. She commanded her eyes to remain shut tightly, not even letting her gaze wander in the general direction of the graves on her domain.

She didn’t feel any calmer, nor did she really care. She needed to dig deep, wherever this might lead her, somewhere that was not to her dead daughter, gone forever.

She opened herself to the Darkness, not fighting the pain, letting the scar open anew, in a blaze of soaring despair.

She saw crushed materials on snow covered cobblestones. She saw inscriptions in ancient Sith on a datapad. She felt the echoes of anger that was not hers, but of the man she had murdered a few years back, her master. He had pushed her and feared when she had become stronger as the years went by. Her power had drawn him to her anew, but she had seen through his lies and ended his life. It was the way of the Sith after all. And he had never been able to break her down, even when she was a desperate loner. Her rage had saved her even though it had never saved her offspring.

Her interest was piqued by the few elements she had just witnessed before her mind’s eye. Getting back to her feet, she made her way to the vaults hidden under her house. Those hallways lit up soon enough and she strolled through them, going to one of the smaller vaults.

Retrieving her dead master’s belongings, she put everything on a marble desk at the center of her study. The glass container holding shreds of one of Plagueis’s destroyed holocrons stared her in the face. She remembered her master’s anger. It had surprised her that he had kept the debris. She had spent hours with him attempting to catalog them, but there was only part of it left anyway, and none of the actual recording sections.

The datapad along with it, contained information they had retrieved while working on it, but even when Baska had revisited the matter recently after having made a pact of sorts with her fellow Sith Master, the mysterious woman from Vjun, she hadn’t got any useful results.

She sat down, going through the notes again, and staring at the debris in between. The hours were long and frustrating. She eventually grabbed at the debris and she felt the Force tugging at her. She looked in details at all of them, but no special mark jumped at her, until one of the bigger debris showed an inside mark. She frowned and pursed her lips.

Leaving her desk, she went to another section of the vaults, where some of her most recent findings were awaiting further investigation. She had got a few older artifacts and an older journal she could not decipher yet from a rich art collector from the Mid Rim. The other holocron was of rarer material, different from the one she had brought to Dalethria and from most she had seen, but it was the same cortosis ore. It was of a different color and texture than most of its counterparts.

Without hesitation, she contacted her best underworld contact. Alienor would know what it was. She cared not for what time across the galaxy or even what day it was for her cousin, she needed information.

While waiting for her cousin to respond, she checked through the safe container, and found two small idols of Sith style in the very same cortosis. It seemed from a personal temple or office, ancient but not early Sith civilization-styled.

Alienor called her back, and Baska could hear loud music in the back until her cousin made her way to a quieter place. The Sith Master knew that while no smuggler herself, the other Tankreyd had seen much in the underworld. It was almost ironic that neither of them had become a smuggler, between a former bounty hunter and a pirate.

“Bal'demnic (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bal%27demnic), it’s from there. They mostly ran out of their special cortosis ten years ago, but you can still find some for disgustingly high price.”

Baska thanked Alienor briefly and ended the conversation.

Her comlink still in hand, she took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do, although she couldn’t explain what the Force was playing on her. She had an uncanny feeling about this, the same ripple deep within the darkness that pulled her back to Dalethria, besides the deal they had made.

She punched the key to contact the other Sith Master.

“I have a lead."

[Dalethria]

“Let’s end this, Heyrina.”

Dalethria shot up, shocked to consciousness as Baska's voice cut through her dreamless night. Her voice and conjured an image of a blonde teen, eyes bright and familiar. It was Baska's daughter.

Unknown that she had shared a dream with the other Sith, Dalethria slid out of bed and ran fingers through dark hair to remove it from her face. She grabbed a weathered metal cup from her vanity and filled it with water from the pitcher beside it. The contents were gulped down quickly and any trace of water was wiped away by the back of an arm as blue eyes searched the darkness of her room for answers that did not come.

Her focus shifted to the gifted holocron that sealed a pact between her and Baska. Though barely seen by regular vision, the power radiating from it was massive ... and so far unattainable. It would have been surprising that she could have unlocked the device these past months. Plagueis' had coded it so only certain members of his following could open it and the device had yet to accept that Dalethria was going to be its new master - wanting to learn and grow - and eventually lock all the tiers of knowledge from it.

She pulled inward and went to freshen up.

Afterwards, she called the holocron by way of the Force, having it float gently behind her into the main living area of her home that was carved from sturdy rock that protected her from the dangerous acidic waters of Vjun. This planet had become her sanctuary for decades and revealing herself to Baska and giving her a means to contact her had made the Sith Master vulnerable. She hated it, but it was a means to an end. To find ultimate power.

She folded her legs below her and closed her eyes, allowing the holocron to slowly spin before her. Her mind delved into the Force, focusing on tetragonal pyramid rotating in front of her, seeking guidance on how to unlock it.

Hours went by and finally there was a spark or recognition - a burning hatred that was shared for one individual - Palpatine or how Plagueis knew him as his apprentice, Darth Sidious. The holocron accepted that Dalethria's feelings were true. It was baffling that all these months the holocron did not openly accept that her undying hatred for the Sith that tried to kill her was nothing less than absolute truth!

The outer shell slowly began to illuminate, casting a soft glow on Dalethria's please face ...

But the connection was severed, the light around the electrum dulling as the Sith looked to the quieted comlink beside her. Moments later, it chimed and Dalethria knew exactly who was calling her.

The fact that she had a breakthrough with the holocron and that Baska would be calling her with another lead quieted her temper at being interrupted during this breakthrough. This was no accident that the other Sith contacted her at this precise moment.

When she took the call, Baska's predicted response immediately came through.

"I know. Tell me."

[Baska Tankreyd]

Dalethria's curt words didn't surprise Baska. In the short time they had known each other, their uncanny connection had already proven stronger than it should have been. The blonde still didn't know what to make of it but she knew when to abide by the Darkness's will. And her oath to Dalethria was of such kind. Wielding impressive power was one thing, but knowing when the Darkness was to be obeyed was another that not all Sith understood. It was a weird give and take that could only enhance one's power shall they knew how to approach the Dark Side.

She cut to the chase, for they both valued their time.

"We need to go to Bal'demnic. Darth Plagueis has an old lair there."

She just knew the deceased Sith did. It made sense with the debris she had, although they were very few for there was no way to rebuild that holocron. It had been a much smaller one than the one she had handed to Dalethria.

[Dalethria]

"Does he now?" she mused aloud.

Her grin was feral as fingers gently caressed the quiet holocron.

"When will you be here to collect me?"

Baska easily heard the urgency in Dalethria's voice. The Sith's mind was turning with possibilities as to what Plagueis had left there. Perhaps she would be fortunate and Sidious had not known of this liar, though even she realized that was probably wishful thinking. Sidious had a formidable mind, calculating possibilities with threads of intrigue that spanned years, even decades, to unfold. She had to hope that there was enough left there for her needs to be met.

[Baska Tankreyd]

"Be ready in three days," Baska replied before ending the communication.

There was no need to linger; and she then gathered the debris of debris of the holocron she had been studying, as well as the two small Sith statuettes, all from the same mysterious and rumored extinct cortosis, that would see her and Dalethria travel to Bal'demnic.

She gathered equipment as well. It wasn't that she would necessarily require much; but early life spent as a bounty hunter, and years spent trained not only as a Sith; but also as a dark side archeologist, made sure she was prepared for whatever practical needs arose. Ironically, she feared not having to risk her life and have to come up with last second plans; but readiness wasn't a bad thing in itself.

***

Knowing the path to get as close to the network of caves Dalethria called her home; Baska maneuvered the Ruby Wolf (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/NK-Witell-class_freighter) in a standby position, engines still running, a little less than three days since the two Sith had spoken.

She didn't contact the other Dark Sider, for the Force was enough to let Dalethria know she had arrived, for she didn't conceal her powerful presence.

[Dalethria]

She had stood waiting at the cave's entrance since morning, waiting for a dark presence to enter the system that Dalethria hadn't felt in months. She was eager for this journey as the last two days had proved uneventful with unlocking the holocron.

Now Dalethria had to embrace the trepidation that was shaking her very core - leaving Vjun. This had been her home for years, her haven for the galaxy, easily hidden away in the cavernous network, living in harmony with the dangers of the planet. She felt as if her soul and forged a symbiotic relationship with Vjun and if she left, she was no longer invulnerable.

Which is why she had to go. To be consumed by fear would be detrimental. Strength, aggression, anger - these were the true paths to greatness.

Once Tankreyd's ship landed, Dalethria revealed herself. She looked the same as last they met, wearing her armor and worn black cloak that billowed behind her on approach. Eyes took in the ship, casting even further up to see it's pilot in the cockpit...

[Baska Tankreyd]

Baska's senses easily pinpointed Dalethria, for the other Sith revealed herself through the Force. She had had no doubt that she would be there, knowing too well what this hunt meant for the brunette. Yet, she had understood that Dalethria hadn't left Vjun in gods knew how long; but she hadn't pried. She understood the Darkness had brought them together on this uncanny journey; but she was a private person and could appreciate and respect that Dalethria was too.

Blue eyes fell upon the dark silhouette as she lowered the boarding ramp from the cockpit, remaining in the pilot's seat. There was no reason to linger and they could speak en route to their destination. Waiting for her travel companion to come onboard, she knew she would easily find her way to her. Once hatch was closed and her guest retrieved, she began moving away from the caves, higher into the skies, although she had made sure the brunette had time to get her seat.

"We will reach Bal'demnoc in five days," she announced.

"I can show you to your quarters and give you a tour of the ship once we're in hyperspace," she offered, for she may be a vicious and brutal predator; but she still had manners.

[Dalethria]

She was careful not to touch anything as she walked through the ship, relying on Baska's presence to guide her to the cockpit. It has been decades since she step foot onto a ship but some of the designs had similar construct to the ones Dalethria had been used to in the past. Unfortunately this one had very few she could recollect.

As the ship began to lift, Dalethria paused in her steps and closed her eyes, biting back fear, quite literally. She had drew blood on a patch of skin behind her lip. The hot liquid she taste providing focus. She soon joined Baska, nodding at their anticipated arrival, as her home grew distant out the window. She glanced away and took note of her traveling companion, mainly how she was strapped into the seat.

She looked on either side of hers, looking for the metallic buckle, appearing more like an aloof feline that couldn't pinpoint exactly what had caught their attention. Finally she saw it dangling off the side to her left, picked it up and tugged, feeling it give to pull across her lap. She tried to click it into place, scowling in frustration, when Dalethria realized that it was the seat adjuster she was trying to push it into.

"That sounds acceptable," she answered, locking her belt into place properly.

[Baska Tankreyd]

While Dalethria was doing a great job at keeping to herself, Baska sensed hints of fear, ebbing and flowing, concealed from her almost at once. She didn't make a comment about it. They all had to face their demons. Being broken apart, and putting themselves back together was how Sith grew powerful over and over again. She had believed as much for years, and she had felt Dalethria's power to a degree high enough to know that the brunette would do what was required of them in their journey.

She briefly caught sight of the other Sith Master having issues with the seat belt. That probably was what surprised Baska most. She knew that Dalethria hadn't left Vjun in a long time, but it still was baffling. She kept her eyes before her then, taking them high in the skies, all the way out of the planet's atmosphere. They kept to themselves, which was actually comfortable to the blonde. While she wasn't always a recluse, she appreciated calm and solitude. So far Dalethria had her had mostly kept their exchange to what was necessary, both focused on making sense of the Force drawing them together, and of how their quests collided.

Baska eventually pushed the Ruby Wolf into hyperspace. Unbuckling herself after stars turned into white lines, she got to her feet, waiting for her travel companion to do the same. She took her through the living area and the galley, eventually pointing out to her own quarters, without allowing the brunette a peak inside though. She finally took her fellow Sith to one of the two spare sets of quarters.

"Feel free to use the galleys as you see fit. These quarters have their private refresher."

[Dalethria]

Dalethria watched the stars streaked past the window without expression and a rigid body. She refused to grip the armrests like a scared little girl taking her first trip into hyperspace. She was relieved when Baska motioned for her to follow her. She released the belt far quicker than buckling it and was trailing close behind. Dalethria was attentive, absorbing every detail Baska shared about the ship.

She pressed the panel adjacent to the nearest living quarters and stiffened as the door swooshed open. Curious eyes glanced around the room, finding the sterile cleanliness peculiar after living in the caves for so long. She missed the sound of droplets hitting the pools that the Sith often used for guided meditation. Now she had the hum of technology surrounding her and it felt unnatural.

Venturing further, she was more prepared for the refresher door to open and blinked disbelief at having everything conveniently located for her needs.

She glanced at Baska with a nod. "This is more than sufficient."

[Baska Tankreyd]

Baska was acutely observing Dalethria and how the new settings seemed to challenge her, although the other Sith concealed it relatively well. The blonde was a predator at heart, and it was in her nature to watch for the most subtle detail, so it was natural for her to pick on nuances and more obvious reactions displayed by her travel companion.

Once Dalethria considered the living accommodations appropriate, Baska nodded, still standing in the hallway.

"I am ready to discuss my findings; unless you wish for some time by yourself."

[Dalethria]

Finally something she could focus on besides feeling out of place in this ship and wanting to be back safely on Vjun.

"No. I want to discuss your findings. There will be time to settle in later," she answered quickly and offered a place to talk. "Perhaps the galley?"

She made no attempt at hiding how eager she was to begin this.

[Baska Tankreyd]

"I'll meet you in the galley in a couple of minutes," Baska replied at once. She then headed towards the cargo bay, to retrieve the medium-sized container containing what she had brought from her study and vault on Iego.

Carrying the container, she walked into the galley and set it on the floor, near a low table. Crouching beside it, she unlocked it, sliding it open. The glass containers containing holocron shards was a faint echo of how powerful the one she had given Dalethria a while ago, but there were still the most subtle ripples of energy humming from it.

"I retrieved this from my late master; it was as such when he found it as far as I know, but it belonged to Darth Plagueis. What intrigued me was the material, different from the one you now have. It was the same material as these two Sith figures, altough these are of earlier epochs, probably Korriban origin. I mostly brought them for larger samples of the material."

She placed everything atop the small table, before taking a seat.

"I could tell it was cortosis, but it wasn't the usual kind, which in itself is rare. It turns out this is a now extinct sort of cortosis, that originates from Bal'demnic. Based on visions I had from my old mentor, some of the landscapes I witnessed matched the norther region of the planet."

[Dalethria]

Dalethria immediately went to the galley, pacing until Baska returned. She did not like the constant hum of engines in her ears or the vibrations through the floor against her boots. When the other Sith returned, she joined her at the table and with eager eyes, devoured everything placed before her. She was aware of the use, and rarity, of cortosis.

"Curious. I wonder what secrets this would have held for me to unravel ..." she mused, reaching for one of the pieces. The shard was quiet, any traces of the Force long since dissipated.

"Plagueis visited Bal'demnic in his lifetime." Her gaze turned directly to Baska. "Did you not travel there because of your visions?"

She found it strange that a Sith would not seek out knowledge to this dark puzzle.

[Baska Tankreyd]

When Dalethria inquired about her lack of travel to Bal'demnic, Baska didn't flinch. "I only had that specific vision the day I called you back. After the vision, I contacted some people I knew and got the information about this particular cortosis ore."

She paused for a moment, looking at one of the now inanimate shards. "My Master took me to several places of power across the galaxy, but his travel to Bal'demnic were solitary ones, whether before or during my formation."

She had stayed under his tutelage a solid decade, before she eventually killed him, before he ended her.

[Dalethria]

"Ah." The two of them meeting had triggered the vision as Baska had contacts that could assist.

"Did your Master share any information when he traveled there?" she pressed.

Any information about the planet would be useful as anything that Dalethria knew would be outdated. She hated relying on this woman, but it was the will of the Force that bound them. For now.

[Baska Tankreyd]

Baska wasn't surprised when Dalethria pressed on for potential more information. She would have done the same. Pragmatism was good and welcome.

"He didn't tell me, but when I gathered his belongings after I killed him, I found some of his journals."

The Sith Master still hated not knowing where what she suspected to be the main lair of her deceased mentor might be; but that was a different matter.

"The northern area where we are going is known for snow and ice storms, regardless of the season. There will be no problem to go through the atmosphere, but we will have a hike through the tundra before making it to the ruins. They appear to be of moderate size, with most of the underground chambers in various states of decay, but some are still intact. He also referenced spirits haunting the place, most of little power, but enough that it has discouraged non-Force users from scavenging the place."

[Dalethria]

Two master Sith, following the old ways in killing their mentors to become who they were today. It fascinated Dalethria that she had found another like her as much as she hated relying on this woman for aid.

"Spirits are inconsequential for us."

It did help to keep scavengers away. That left other Force Users and natives to be mindful of besides the elements.

"How long will we travel by foot from the ship to the ruins?"

[Baska Tankreyd]

Baska nodded at Dalethria's observations about the spirits. Her former mentor had taken her to true place of powers with strong Sith spirits lingering, when she was but a young dark sider, and she had survived them. So it didn't phase her what was awaiting them in the ruins on Bal'demnoc.

"Based on my estimations, and depending on the current weather conditions, it should take us three to six hours."

[Dalethria]

"Good. Not the climate I want to camp out in."

She wanted to get to the ruins as soon as possible to begin their research and was pleased to know that was possible. The broken artifacts that Baska had found were quite talkative to her but they were quiet as a ghost for Dalethria. Why was she unable to have visions like the Sith across from her that had no stakes in learning from Plagueis? The puzzle felt unsettling ...

"Any obstacles in our way I need to be aware of along the way?"

[Baska Tankreyd]

Baska nodded to Dalethria's observations about the weather. Truth be told, she didn't particularly like the cold but didn't care so much either; given how she had been trained to resist the elements most often in biting cold locations, when she was young Sith. But the quicker they could get to the ruins, the better.

At the other Sith's questions, she paused and pondered on what she had learned through Alienor's information, as well as her own research. "Some former mine owners are still trying to find other sources for that now extinct cortosis. A few exploratory excavations have happened in the region in the last three years; but have mostly moved west at this point." She pulled a map on a holo screen. "They mostly check the mountains while the ruins we're headed to are farther north."

[Dalethria]

"Nothing consequential then. Good." She shrugged lightly. "And for their sake, they best be exploring the ruins and stay out of our way."

While Dalethria had no issues in killing, less was more as she learned over the years. If the miners came across them, bending their weak minds would be simple. She did not want a blood bath here, like on Vjun, where she was far more territorial. Vjun was here home and already a harsh world with an unforgiving climate. Scavengers dying off did raise too many eyebrows. Here with continued mining operations in the area, that would raise some suspicion if the miners ended up dying suddenly. It would be a last resort for her and would keep the body count to a minimum.

"Do you have any information on the lair itself? Anything from your visions? I want us to be prepared as much as possible."

[Baska Tankreyd]

"Not much. I saw Sith inscriptions on the walls. I believe at least part of the lair is well preserved. For reasons I can't explain I saw still-functional datapads there too. I don't understand why my mentor would have left them, unless he was planning to use the place for himself, which we may not rule out."

Baska doubted Bal'demnic was a place of research for her former master; but she couldn't prove it. She simply knew how to trust her instinct.

"Or he might have been interrupted, and my only explanation would be a more powerful presence able to face a Sith Master and force them out. It goes against every other information I found though. It is thus possible the datapads I saw in my vision aren't related to what we will find, but instead point towards a more personal matter."

[Dalethria]

Dalethria cared little why Baska's former master may have needed this lair. The blonde Sith could postulate all she wanted to find meaning, but the thought of a powerful presence was a little disheartening.

"Strange."

With a scowl, she looked away in thought because none of this could ever be easy.

"Things have a way of working out for our mutual benefit then."

She spared a glance at the other Sith, wondering what the Force had waiting for them.

"Maybe we can solve both of our riddles there, hm?"

[Baska Tankreyd]

"This makes little sense to me; so we will see."

Baska felt no anguish over their destination. Broken over and over again; always rising up from her still burning ashes; she feared little in this life, for she had already lost what mattered to her and couldn't be retrieved. She was a survivor and she thrived in adversity.

"It seems the Force sees to it," she observed in response to Dalethria discussing how their respective interests colliding in efficient ways since they had first met.

"Possibly."

******

They both went their separate ways to rest or at least have some privacy after they ended their conversation. Baska spent most of the time in the cockpit, eyes half closed, loosely focused on the kaleidscope of hyperspace. It was lulling her into quietness, and she could use that. Respite from memories was welcome.

When time came to return to normal space, Baska was ready. Once in sight of the planet, she easily maneuvered her ship into the atmosphere, following the coordinates she had researched. As they reached the area, she felt tremors in the Force, lurking beneath the earth as they flew high above, still far from their destination. The northern weather wasn't merciful; but it was nothing the two Sith couldn't handle.

She eventually found a safe spot to dock her ship, hidden in a semi open cave on a low hill. It would add a bit more hiking for them to hit the ground; but Baska wasn't going to damage her ship for no reason.

Once all was powered down, she went to put add extra layers of clothing, gloves, and adjust her equipment for their trek would take a while. There was no reason to delay.

Gesturing for Dalethria to climb down the boarding ramp first, the blonde then secured her ship close, and followed her towards the slope.