“No one uses my ship besides me and my master. Just follow if you’re so desperate.” Dirae frowned and ran to her own ship.
* * *
Maul stalked through his cockpit, debating why in the world he’d agreed to that woman’s demands. What angered him the most is she didn’t seem to be afraid of him. True, the females of his home world could be stronger than humans or any other alien species, but that didn’t explain her bravery.
Just then his comm chimed and the holgraphic form of Dirae floated above the panel. “I never got your name, my lord,” she said. “I am Dirae Hoth, last of my bloodline.”
“I am Darth Maul, Sith Lord and apprentice to Darth Sidious, my master,” he replied without emotion. Dirae bowed her head in respect.
“My Lord Maul. I also wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I wasn’t--” Maul silenced her by raising a gloved hand.
“It wasn’t a problem. I have no time to worry about others’ behavior. I have my own problems,” he said impatiently. The image if Dirae lowered her eyes.
“Yes, my lord. I’ll leave you alone now,” she said almost sadly and blinked out. Maul sighed in irritation and turned away from the panel. For a few moments he sat in the chair before the panel, tapping his gloved fingers against the surface. He rose quickly and almost ran out of the cockpit.
Dirae paced her along the floor of her ship, wondering why she decided to follow Maul. Something had gripped her mind and heart when she looked him in the eyes. It was like gazing into twin balls of fire, only they seared her soul instead of her flesh. She didn’t realize she’d stopped pacing as her mind wandered back to him. Even though he killed a man without thinking, she felt the passion he put into the act. He was very very loyal to the Dark Side and his master. She imagined a woman would have a hell of a time drawing those captivating eyes her way.
She sat down in the pilot’s seat and stared out into the wide expanse of stars before her. The rear of Maul’s ship, Infiltrator, could be seen in the corner of her viewscreen. She eyed the ship, wondering what he was doing. Her mind wandered further and further away from her more controlled thoughts as visions of him training flew through her mind. She imagined him disrobed to the waist, his skin slick with sweat and rippling with muscles. She could almost hear the sound of his even breathing even as he worked out to the extreme.
The chime of her commlink snapped her out of her fantasies. Clearing her throat, she pushed the reply button.
“Yes, my lord?” The holographic vision of Maul appeared above her panel and spoke to her.
“We’re coming upon my master’s ship. Prepare yourself in any way you see fit,” he said curtly. Dirae nodded. The image flipped off. She sighed heavily and laid her head on the panel. How could she possibly be thinking of him in such a manner? It wasn’t proper. He would soon become her master and here she was daydreaming about him.
* * *
An hour later, Maul and Dirae were kneeling before Sidious in his main chambers. Sidious paced before them, casually sizing Dirae up.
“You say you wish to be Sith, yet you know so little of how we work. You know nothing of how to become one. Training is not enough, my child. Do you know what it is you must do?” Sidious inquired of Dirae. She lowered her head a little more before answering.
“No, my master, I’m afraid I do not.”
“I didn’t think so. Apprentice, you tell her,” Sidious gestured towards Maul, who remained in his kneeling position as he spoke.
“She must kill me in battle, my master. There can only be two.” Dirae concealed a gasp of surprise. How could she bring herself to even scratch him? She admired his skill far too much to destroy it. Sidious smiled knowingly and sat down in his throne.
“I sense your hesitation, Dirae. You do not want to kill Maul. Why?” he asked in an almost gentle tone. Dirae allowed herself to look up at Sidious.
“I respect his abilities far too much, my master, to destroy him.” She lowered her gaze once more just in time to catch Maul’s glance at her. Sidious made a sound in his throat.
“I see. Then you cannot become a Sith. Your compassion and respect for my apprentice is your undoing. I’m afraid we can’t use you. Maul,” he shifted his gaze towards Maul, “Kill her.”
Dirae swallowed back a sob of fright. She had disappointed her master and was now to be slain for it. Maul rose to his feet and removed his lightsaber from his belt. Dirae found herself pleading with her eyes, almost begging for her life. A flicker of sorrow flashed in Maul’s fiery gaze as he lit his saber. The low hum of the blade rang in her ears. She knew it was to be the last sound she would ever hear.
The swish of the blade drifted over her head. She bit her lip and swallowed her tears. No, Maul, please don’t do this!, she begged in her mind. She bent her head to the floor, awating the blow. Let him strike me down in anything but pity, she thought to herself. Her thoughts found their way to her lips and she whispered in a pleading voice:
“Maul, don’t do this...please..” she begged softly, tears clogging her voice. Maul’s gaze softened involuntarily as he replied in that deep and seductive voice:
“I cannot disobey my master. This is his bidding.” Suddenly fury washed through Dirae. She sprang up with a growl, swung her arm around to reach his waist, and threw him down onto the ground. Snarling, she straddled his hips, her fingers curved into claws and hovering over his stunned face. The lightsaber rolled from his fingers and away from them. Her eyes held his, her anger quite apparent.
“You weakling, you spineless weakling! The Sith are not sheep!” she growled through clenched teeth. Behind them, Sidious watched with malicious glee. Dirae’s true nature was showing through and it almost excited the Sith master. Maul’s expression darkened as he gripped her wrists and rolled over to pin her beneathe him. She howled her fury and struggled against his strength. His gaze bore down into her’s, his teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
“I am no sheep. I obey my master out of respect for his powers. He does not control me!” he sneered. Dirae returned the expression and freed her hands. In one swift motion she had his horned head between her hands and she drew it down to her own.
“You need to be controlled,” she whispered fiercly before capturing his lips with her own. The firece kiss lasted for a few moments before she pushed him away and off of her. Maul tumbled to a stop and held his mouth. Blood trickled down between his fingers. Dirae stood and trailed one hand over his lips to wipe up the blood. She licked it from her fingers and smiled down at him. “I wouldn’t mind controlling you someday, my lord Maul. I am obviously your better.” She spun around towards Sidious.
“My master, I have beaten your apprentice in my own way. Does this allow me entry to the Sith?” she asked, her hands on her hips. Sidious chuckled evilly and clasped his hands together.
“You are a wonder, Dirae. I will think about it. Until then, you will be shown to your own quarters while aboard my vessel. Maul!” he snapped in his fallen apprentice’s direction. Maul stood, the blood still trickling over his lips and down his chin.
“Yes, my master?”
“Show the young lady where she will be staying then return to your own quarters until I send for
you. The Jedi are still out there and we must capture the boy. Go now!” He waved a hand in dismissal and
turned away from them. Maul bowed and gestured for Dirae to follow him.