The Hapes Cluster

[Ki Vastor]

The Lady Indiscretion came out of hyperspace, coming in to land at the Royal Palace, Phillip's Royal Guard escorting the Queen and Princess of Hapes inside and to their rooms.

 

During the trip both women had relaxed, Ki had shown Aisling her holos of Kabe, finding that Kabe and Phillip had been startlingly similiar in looks, the only difference had seemed to be their eyes and a little in their height. It had shocked her with how much they had looked alike and felt it had been no wonder that he had tricked her so easily. She kept her thoughts to herself in that regard though.

 

Ki looked out the window of her rooms, Tressa soon coming in to see to her needs.

 

"It's good to see you are looking better Princess Ki, I'd been very worried since he took you away again."

 

It hadn't occurred to Ki that she would have a royal title and at first it just slid over, sinking in slowly. Princess? ... I guess I am... we are the only two left... She lowered her eyes before looking back out of the window. She didn't know if she should go to see Aisling or not, or if she would have freedom of movement around the Palace. Making a decision she turned back to Tressa.

 

"I'd like a meal brought up for both myself and Queen Aisling. She is in a delicate condition and needs to rest."

 

She then moved through, allowed to move through the accommodation wing relatively freely. She knocked on her cousin's door.

 

"Aisling, it's Ki... can I come in? I've got a meal being brought..."

[Aisling FarDarrig]

Aisling had changed and rested, and heard Ki... "Come... "

 

she lead Ki into the sitting room of her suites and sat down... "Well, food will be good... I am hungry for some good hapian food... "

 

She smiled at her... "So, have you found the palace to be to your liking... do you remember it...????"

[Ki Vastor]

Ki entered the room, moving over to sit beside Aisling,

 

"You're feeling well my Queen?"

 

She was dressed comfortably in a skirt and loose shirt, something Tressa said was 'fit for a Princess of Hapes'. Ki couldn't remember having been made such a fuss of, it was so different from her last few years.

 

"Likewise, the trip's made me hungry. I'm looking forward to seeing what your cooks can produce. The Palace... I can't really recall much of how it was, some looks familiar but it has been some time since I was here. Tressa remembered me."

[Aisling FarDarrig]

Aisling nodded to her cousin, "I am feeling a little exhausted... and more then a little hungry... " She began eating as soon as the food was brought in, but still was not satisfied...

 

"Ki, go and explore, do whatever you wish... the palace is at your disposal... I am very tired, and not feeling well... I am going to rest till Phillep returns... "

 

With that she went to her bed and fell asleep.

[Ki Vastor]

Ki was concerned about her cousin, but felt she must be tired because of carrying the child. She was showing now, only a little bit because of her size, but you could tell that Aisling was with child. When the food had come in Ki hooked into it as well, although the food did taste good, there was still something missing, something she needed but didn't know what it was. She saw Aisling to her bed, covered her over and spoke with Annula and the doctor that had been brought in. She was still very diplomatic with regards to the situation.

 

"Keep a close eye on Aisling. The child she is carrying will make her tired and cause her pain. This has been foretold. Be sure she gets plenty of rest and food. Give her a wide variety. For some reason we both are lacking something and we don't know what it is. It might be because of ... where Phillip took us, but I don't know."

 

She pulled the doctor aside, speaking quietly with him. The doctor had known that both girls had been raped and wanted to check over Ki as well. The Royal families doctor was very sympathetic to both girls.

 

”œI'm fine, not pregnant”¦ luckily.”

[Ki Vastor]

Ki had felt a certain sense of freedom while Phillip was away. She had freedom of movement around the Palace, even could go into her ship. She just couldn't leave. Not that she would at the moment, not with Aisling heavy with child and needing her support. The doctor had been watched so couldn't make up the implant for Ki just yet, though he promised that he would. Daily Ki checked on Aisling, her cousin really feeling the effects of an extremely difficult pregnancy.

 

She also exercised and practiced the meagre skills she'd learnt regarding the force daily, after she'd left from visiting Aisling each morning. Some of them she couldn't practice, not without someone finding out what she was up to. So she couldn't consciously reach out and grab someone's throat like she had done to Phillip before, nor could she ”˜throw' someone around.

 

Ki entered the kitchens once again, still hungry for something that she couldn't place. She sampled everything but nothing had that ”˜taste' she needed. Surely I can't be having Aisling's cravings”¦ I'm not the one that is pregnant”¦ besides, Aisy can't seem to satisfy her hunger either”¦ She had noticed, from time to time that she would get a tremble in her hands. It was becoming worse and she didn't know why. Something was teasing the back of her mind, but at the same time try as she might she couldn't discover just what it was. She needed something, but that something eluded her.

 

It had been quite some time since they had gotten back to the Hapes Cluster. A time in which Phillip hadn't returned. Maybe he's forgotten about us? I live in hope... but what will happen to Aisling if he doesn't come back? He's done something to her that she 'wants' him... although while she's with child she doesn't seem as effected...

 

It seemed the longer he was away, the stranger Ki felt. She was relieved that he wasn't around, though the trembles and odd sensations that flowed through her were becoming more apparant...

[Ki Vastor]

** Violent post follows **

 

Ki shook her head, dispelling the strange sensation flowing through her body, a sensation that was getting increasingly hard to resist though what it was she had no idea. It was time again to go visit with Aisling again. She entered her Queen's chambers, looking upon her cousin and feeling her restlessness, mirroring her own but different because of her pregnancy.

 

Ki took a seat beside her, ordering the servants to bring in Aisling's breakfast, and hoping herself that something would be found to satisfy the hunger she felt.

 

Again it did nothing to satisfy her hunger. The woman feeling too restless to even taste the food provided, surely it should have tasted better than it had appeared. She left the room after spending time with her cousin. She found herself in the kitches, finding herself there more often than not these days but still not finding anything to satisfy her hunger.

 

Ki wandered out of the kitchens and through the Palace, trying to recall when she had been here as a young child. She had remembered quite a bit since she'd been back, it was surprising just how much had come back to her. Ki had also found out different things regarding her greedy mother. The woman had purposely made everyone believe that Ki had been killed so that no-one would go looking for her daughter. It was her mother that would have been struck of the register for her actions, not Ki. Tressa hadn't believed that young Ki had been killed though and had kept hoping that she had survived. She had been overwhelmed with joy when rumours had spread that Ki had been brought to the Palace, although she worried about both girls during the occupation of the Hapes Cluster. Everyone knew what Phillip's tastes were now. It had been a wonder that either girl hadn't been killed they had all thought, none of them knowing that they had been tainted with Nurgle's 'blessings' and couldn't be killed. It was by now common knowledge that Aisling was carrying Phillip's child, none wanting to come to grief over speaking against him after several had been quietly killed for doing so. There had been a few whispers of relief when they had found out Ki wasn't in child as well, especially since she too was in line for the throne. All also realised how devoted Ki was to her favourite - and only living - cousin. Ki was more protective of her cousin than the others in their line that had been killed off by Phillip's cull. There was no way that Ki would follow the "kill the next up in line" rule.

 

Ki stood under one of the arches, looking out onto a fountain down in the courtyard. In her mind's eye she could see both she and Aisy playing. She smiled. It quickly faded though as one of Phillip's soldiers came into view. He was dragging another young woman that had the frightened look of one about to be abused. A wonder that she hadn't yet been raped. Ki had only just heard the rumour regarding young girls and women being rounded up for Phillip's soldiers 'entertainment' . This was just one of those girls. Now Ki believed it true, seeing the soldier manhandle the poor young girl. She didn't hesitate, but stormed over to him, her head held high.

 

"Let her go... NOW"

 

Ki spoke with a harsh voice, very haunty and regal as the Hapan Princess strode over to them. The young woman was released, Ki telling her to go to Ki's own rooms, it was at least somewhere where the girl should be safe. The girl ran as soon as he let her go, sparing a brief but grateful glance Ki's way.

 

"Well now, what do we have here? Another Royal Hapan wench. Come here woman, it's about time I tried one of you since you just spoiled my fun."

 

His demanding tone immediately put her on edge, Ki glaring defiantly at him. She could feel his intent as well as hear it and there was no way he was going to get what he wanted. At one point in time, before her circumstances had changed, Ki may have let him have his way only to be rid of him, only now she had no implant to protect her, no implant to 'prepare' her body for invasion and she was not going to allow him to rape her. Just like she wasn't going to let him rape that other poor girl. Ki was a Hapan Princess, she was better than the broken girl that had been tossed out onto the streets and forced to do whatever she could to survive. The soldier made his move, closing the distance between them, grabbing her and dragging her into one of the bedrooms, his clothing being adjusted as he went.

 

Ki briefly felt a moment of fear, then remembered Nurgle's instructions, converting her fear to anger. She took a few deep breaths as he began to maul her, bringing her knee up sharply into his groin, her elbow connecting with his jaw, blood splattering as he spat out teeth. Her hand slipped down, unsheathing her dagger from her boot and moving so that she was in an offensive crouch, daring him to come at her again. His eyes were filled with a mixture of pain, anger and lust as he came at her again.

 

Ki danced out of his way, hearing his curses and threats ringing in her ears. She was determined though, he wouldn't survive this... and she would. He lunged at her, grabbing at her. Ki's dagger drawing first blood as she swiped back at him, the scent of blood spurring her unnaturally on. She could feel the darkside energies coursing through her body, the remembered feeling of when she had held Nurgle's scythe flowing through her. She wanted that power. She was also filled with a blood lust. Without knowing quite what was spurring her on, she leapt upon him, her dagger flashing as she slashed at him, the force giving her unnatural strength as she called on it. They ended up in a grapple, the dagger between them, the soldier pushing it down at her and looking like he was going to overpower her. He ripped her skirt off her, and tore her shirt, buttons flying everywhere, the daggers angle being forced to cut into her own body as she struggled for control of it.

 

Ki felt the dark energies coursing through her though and with their aide managed to flip over so she was pinning him, the dagger closing in on his heart. A yell of rage escaped her as she plunged the dagger into him, holding it there until he struggled no more, she withdrew it, stabbing him again and again, releasing her anger, splashes of the spurting blood covering her torn clothing and her face. She got a taste of the blood and licked her lips, lowering them to the blood pooling on the soldiers chest to drink the crimson fluid... flashes of memories assaulted her mind, Aisling drinking Phillip's blood, Ki being made to drink from the wound in his arm after he had ripped out her implant. The blood, although it's taste would normally disgust her, only tantalized her, it didn't satisfy the deep craving within her.

 

Ki hadn't realised what she was doing, nor that the taste of any blood wasn't what she needed... that it would only be something in Phillip's blood that would satisfy the overwhelming hunger she had within.

 

It hit her suddenly that she was drinking the dead soldiers blood, a horrified look crossing her face... No! Her face drained of colour as she flung herself away from him, landing on her backside and pushing herself frantically away with her bloodied and scarred legs and arms, her blood stained dagger still in her hands. It was obvious by the body why she had fought him off, his trousers open, revealing his intent, though the horrified girl didn't notice this, she spat out the crimson fluid, as she pushed herself into the corner of the room, blood stains over the floor. She began to whimper, shaking uncontrollably as the 'withdrawal' tremors set in. She still not realising why or what it was she was missing, the need for Phillip's blood growing stronger the longer he was away and now with the ”˜taste' of blood, making her body cry out in longing to be satisfied by her captor's blood. Ki didn't even suspect that she would need Phillip's blood... Ki began to sob, her mutinous body calling for something though she knew not what...

 

Ki was feeling weak, her vision darkening as blackness closed in. Somehow this had to be Phillip's fault. But what had he done to her? She hated him, she wanted Kabe; another ”˜need' coursing through her body, the need to be satisfied in every way possible. Her mind wandered back to when she had been ”˜tricked' in the shower. It had not been her love she had been with, but Phillip instead. Her sobbing became hysterical as she looked upon the body of the soldier. In his death, his body had ”œfrozen”

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder and the Alliance E-wings came out deep into the Hapes Cluster. Isolder did not see traffic coming in and out of his home system, a testament to the oppression that now ruled here. He ordered the Captain of the squadron to begin long range scanning of the Imperial defenses.

[Capt. Phillep]

Not much was eager to trigger the probing Alliance-sympathizers, other than the slight blip of a pair of Tie Defenders from the home-berths that now controlled most of the Docks on the Imperial's "Crown Jewel."

 

And truly, even if the Imperials were to become aware of the probing E-wings, retribution would be swift... though quite empty.

 

No, only the Hutt surprises lingered near the Hapan system... and they were enough in number for a bigger prize than a small set of fighters.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder's fighters gathered the information requested by the Admiral. Furious at the mistreatment of his people, Isolder swore to return, and grant the appropriate punishment for those that had hurt his people. Unlike a normal Jedi, a Blademaster was not bound to the lightside alone. He would give the Imperials what they deserved soon. The E-wings returned to hyperspace.

[Capt. Phillep]

The Hellgate and its escorts cut the skies outside the Cluster, approaching the capital... an escort vessel descended from the main ship with the Admiral at the helm.

 

He was dressed in his new armor, or rather, melded as the recent war had taken its emotional-biophysical connectiong to new heights. The mask removed itself, exposing his broken face, but he was here to greet his... harem.

[Ki Vastor]

Her body was still a quivering mass... the withdrawls set in so badly now. She was needing something though what it was she didn't know... she was barely aware of anything around her, slipping in and out of consciousness... her eyes fought to open, only to see the dead soldier over from her... the flash of how she had almost drank his blood tormenting her mind, the taste she had gotten, the flashes of Phillip making Aisling drink, making her, at least she hadn't been drained totally over and over like her cousin had... clawing back into the corner still, Ki screamed...

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod emerged from the Hellgate. Before they had left Coruscant, Macleod had given final orders for his men to replenish their fighters, and have them maintenanced. He'd made it clear they might not see each other for a while. The Imperial walked out of the hanger a sinking feeling growing within his stomach. He was a little nervous about undertaking this endeavor. Sith punished weakness, harshly from all the rumors. And he was not a young man.

 

Not be a long shot. Don't kid yourself.

 

He was not afraid of pain, he was afraid of failure. His brave words to the Admiral seemed foolish at this point. Building his resolve, the Colonel awaited Phillep.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep had walked along and found his way to the surface, his harem called and he was forced to respond, otherwise the two mistresses would find their lives ended... and Phillep had uses for them, as he had uses for all of his accompaniment.

 

He found the Colonel already waiting and asked him to follow, "At first, what I am about to show you is a very stringent secret. While we control this planet militarily, I have my suspicions that the Rebels will try and reclaim it. Of course, why wouldn't they want to... anyhow, I have found two living heirs to the throne and over time have executed all others. Or at least, those that genealogy has tracked... there may be more, but, time will lead to their ends. And one carries my child... they are entranced, one is completely servient to me and the other is proving more difficult to control. But that is the first lesson of the Dark Side. Harnessing control of your minions."

 

Phillep managed a faint smirk, figuring the Colonel would not take that at his best stride, but he had already sworn to begin the tribulations... to take those pride-filled words back would be his undoing.

 

The door opened and there they were, the two fine specimens, unconscious and drained of all their strength... "Awaken my girls. Daddy is home."

 

The thin dagger went to his 'gloved' hand, before he brought along the second skin of greenish hue, his new armor, it parting to expose his own paling decrepit skin... and then, the crimson fluid began to drip.

 

Allowing the first drops to land on Aisling's lips... awakening the girl first, before moving over to Ki. "I present to you, Colonel, my bride Aisling and her sister, Ki Vastor. The remaining heirs of the Hapes Cluster."

[Ki Vastor]

Ki hadn't known where she was, now waking with a start with the coppery metalic taste in her mouth again. Her eyes flew open, finding she wasn't in the other room still with the dead soldier and that she was now fully clothed again, cleansed of all the blood she had been covered with from his attack. As her vision cleared and she saw Phillip, she pushed herself away from him... and his visitor.

 

She glanced at the very pregnant Aisling, determined that as soon as her child arrived, Ki was leaving. She didn't care anymore. She was getting away and that was it. She swallowed the remainder of the blood, trying to clear the taste and wondering why she had tasted it, unless she'd bitten her tongue again. She couldn't stand how his soldiers treated the women here, she couldn't stand how Phillip had raped them, how he had done whatever it was to Aisling to make her so compliant to him, wondering too if it was because of the child.

 

She was still shaking, still going through the withdrawls of not having had more than a 'taste' and still not knowing why she felt that way. She was very weak, still, she looked defiantly at him as she pushed herself further away from him.

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod glanced at Phillep with a flash of anger at the mention of controlling his minions. After all, Macleod had been and still was one of those minions. How had Phillep been controlling him? Macleod didn't think he'd like the answer to that question. Not only that, Macleod had always valued allowing independence for those serving below him, control was not his style. He tried to turn a blind eye to what he'd witnessed as they made their way through the corridors.

 

I was aware of some of what he'd done to the people here. I am afraid to find out more.

 

As they entered, and the secret was revealed, Macleod was very surprised to see the extent of Phillep's plot. He had impregnated a member of the Hapes royal family, but for what purpose? But Macleod was even more shocked by what he saw next. He felt slightly ill at the sight of Phillep dripping his blood into Ki and Aisling's mouths. The Colonel had been here when the planet was conquered. He'd known some of what Phillep had been doing, but getting the full picture showed it was much worse than he had anticipated. He immediately regreted agreeing to be Phillep's apprentice. Macleod felt there was a fine line between being cruel or ruthless and being pure evil.

 

Phillep clearly crossed that line a long time ago.

 

Macleod was still speechless as these thoughts crossed his mind. But there was another thought deep within, one he was trying to ignore. What power does Phillep have over these women? Am I capable of equaling this power? Macleod did not like those thoughts, but he couldn't help imagining the strength Phillep must possess and the strength he could possess.

[Aisling FarDarrig]

Aislings eyes opened slightly as the blood entered her mouth... she swallowed it and finally started to have her eyes focus on the room... they immediately saw Phillep and she smiled weakly... Her belly had grown considerably while she was 'sleeping'... the maids in waiting had taken care to ensure that she had eaten well during the time she was there... but other then eating, and then falling into a deep sleep there was nothing else she could do...

 

"Phillep... " her voice was small and weak... she had no clue it was cause of the blood, but Phillep did, and he knew that she would require more of it... the child was draining her of all that she needed to sustain itself...

 

Moving slowly to sit up... one of the maids came over to help her... Aisling looked beautiful... they would bathe her everyday and dress her, syling her hair and applying her makeup... the young girl looked stunning even after just waking up... one of the maids turned to Phillep... if you had given us some warning sir, we would have had Lady Aisling up and waiting for you...

 

Aisling waved the girl off and looked over at Phillep and his 'friend'.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep looked over at the slave girl, shaking his head, "No need to worry, it is quite alright."

 

His eyes trailed over towards Ki's hobbling, frightened form... "Colonel, control has several elements. Manipulation and intrigue are the gifts which I wield. I wield them as one can, and I use them for my machinations. The Sith are notorious for many things, lately, their prominence has been battle. They are bloody, remorseless opponents... and the one who trained me, tends to believe he is of that sort. Yet, he was different. My Master was a General. A commander. He followed his Master, forever subservient. I was given gifts by true Evil. The embodiment of my powers... this is nothing. For am I truly the spirit of the Darkness."

 

The man's best asset, his forked tongue continued to spin its tale, weaving it and entrapping the three who stood near him, "In my travels I have done much, and have learned much. This armor, was a gift from our Sith allies on Kamino. A new base for our glorious Empire. The Hellgate was constructed there... it is not a ship of our design. No, it is special... but I shall explain more when I have time."

 

He lifted Aisling by the hand, offering his hand to her lips, "I have studied much in science and genetics, gaining a further understanding of the human mind. As well, as with my newfound abilities in the Force, many new means of gaining higher levels of strength have come over me."

 

His eyes fell on Macleod, the Colonel's anger a bit self-evident, "You frown upon my works, this I know. You and I are different men. Conquering a planet is greater than declaring martial law... ensuring you have something to link yourself to the customs of the planet, anchors your will in their's, anchors the people to you. I am to be their King."

 

A second pause as the eloquent speechmaker took a look around, "Help her up, Ki... she's weakened, at worst she may bite you. Your first lessons in the will of the Force will involve another sentient being... and be wary, she's a former Assasin... formerly of the Black Sun."

[Aisling FarDarrig]

Aisling willing took Phillep's hand and in some what of a daze, she took what he had to offer to her... she felt herself getting stronger with every drop of Blood he gave to her... and her eyes no longer looked glazed over... Filling herself, and seeming to not even realize she was doing it... she released his hand to feel it drop around her and smoothe out her hair...

 

She looked over at Ki, and seemed saddened... she was still acting strangely... this was not the way that a member of the Hapian Royal Family behaved... She realized that Ki had been away from the family for a great many years, and she would have to make it her mission to school her dear cousin on the Royal Ediquette... "Ki, please... Phillep has just returned, do get up and greet his 'friend'..."

 

Without realizing she was doing it, she willed Ki up onto her feet... She turned back to Phillep and smiled at him... "If you and your guest are hungry the help can bring up whatever it is you desire... and I am sure that Ki would be happy to show your 'friend' around the palace and to a suite... "

 

In the back of her mind, Aisling wondered why on Hapes she was being so nice... normally the 16 year old would defy anyone that told her anything just to defy them... but it was a passing thought, but one Ki didn't miss ...

[Ki Vastor]

The small trickle of blood he had dropped into her mouth filtered through her, not enough to strengthen her at all so she still remained very weak, Ki continued to back away from them. She glared at Phillip, seeing him feeding Aisling more of his blood and realising why she had tasted blood herself, hate filling her eyes. The look she gave his 'guest' wasn't much better. She refused to accept Phillip had the power over her with his blood, ignoring the voice in the back of her mind stating she would need more of his blood alone, more of it to strengthen and keep her alive...

 

All she saw in front of her were conquorers and captors... men she didn't want anything to do with. After the run in she'd had with his other soldier, she'd had enough of the 'treatment' she'd received while here. She heard Phillip's conversation to his guest... heard his explaination of her history. Yes she was an assassin, and he better not forget it. Her hate filled gaze again went to Phillip.

 

She avoided looking at Aisling now, so under their control that it sickened her, especially as she drank her fill. Ki found herself standing still, not backing up, her glare turning on her cousin as she felt her touch, not liking how her own cousin had used her powers to make her want to not retreat, at least she'd stopped drinking now. She strengthened herself against her too. As weak as she still felt, her defiance was more powerful. No way would she 'show' anyone around. Through the family link the two had, Ki heard the unspoken query... maybe her spirit wasn't fully buried. Still, Ki didn't care. Her defiant gaze turned back to the men, Phillip in particular.

 

"No. I will not show a male around. Not after what his men have done. Never."

 

Her voice was harsh, in her mind the visions of the last attempted rape on her showing clearly. She felt down her leg, relieved that she felt her leather trousers and not bare skin. Her hands closing to fists above her boots. In the visions replaying she was left only in her underwear and had been splattered with blood from the attack. She had been triumphant, only what had happened after had horrified her beyond belief. She hadn't forgotten what Phillip had done to her either. Determined not to co-operate with him over anything.

[Aisling FarDarrig]

Taking on the Hapian Royal stance, Aisling stepped away from Phillep and moved more quickly then Phillep would have thought her capable... in an instance she was across the room and with her right hand, she back handed her cousin... the force of which sent Ki backwards a few steps...

 

"DO NOT speak to me in that way... you WILL do as you are told... who exactly do you think you are speaking to... I AM YOUR QUEEN AND YOU WILL DO AS I INSTRUCT YOU."

 

Aisling was angry... very angry... she turned her back on Ki and almost glided back to stand along side of Phillep... her blood was boiling and the rage was something she was trying to bring under control at the moment... but she seemed to slide right into the role of queen when it was needed...

[Ki Vastor]

Ki reeled backwards from the slap, the red mark appearing on her pale face as she turned her defiant gaze to her cousin. She was beyond caring at this point that she was her queen, she was just a pawn of Phillip's manipulations.

 

"AND I SAID NO! I don't care any longer! You are just a pawn of HIS, you are not even in power here, he is. AND I WILL NOT LISTEN TO AN INFERIOR MALE! You are so under his control you don't even know what your doing so don't tell me what I can and can't do coz at least MY MIND IS MY OWN!! You don't even know what his men are doing to YOUR people. They are raping our sisters and killing our men and you haven't done a darn thing to stop them. At least I have!"

 

Anger had made her stronger during the outburst, Ki drawing herself up straight as she yelled back. She was beyond caring now, about everything and everyone. Ki had been alone for years, having to fend for herself. She'd do it again if she had to. She had put up with what his soldiers had done on a daily basis until she'd lost consciousness and Aisling had no idea what was happening to her people. She'd at least killed one soldier for his intentions to rape the girl that was now in Ki's quarters.

 

Ki stalked out of the room, keeping her distance past Phillip, Aisling and their guest. She was beyond caring. She broke into a run down the corridor, turning the corner and half running mostly staggering until she was too weak to go any further, falling to the floor and sobbing with both anger and frustration. Frustrations that she couldn't do anything to save her cousin, that she wasn't strong enough to do anything at all... She tried to stand, finding that she was too weakened for that now that the surge of anger had passed with the effort to keep running. She dragged herself into a room and closed the door, glad when she found it empty. She needed to recover but she was just so weak...

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod was confused by the whole exchange. To Macleod, it certainly didn't seem as if Ki had any trouble getting up herself. Especially since she had just stormed out of the room. Even though he didn't really know what was going on, he was somewhat amused by it all. He felt things were obviously not quite as Phillep's venomous tongue had stated they were. It was almost comforting to see that Phillep didn't have his grasp over everything on this world. Macleod spoke sarcastically,

 

"I can see what you are trying to teach me. Your level of control is quite evident."

 

Macleod was glad Ki had defied Phillep and Aisling as she had. For a moment, Macleod had been completely wrapped up in Phillep's words. If Phillep had told him he controlled the galaxy, Macleod would have believed it. Ki's actions had kept him grounded.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep chuckled, "Aisy, it's fine, she will understand in due time."

 

Macleod's comment passed, "I told you she was less than controlled, however, one finds that Pride is a grave weakness."

 

A holovid display of the room, Ki had wandered into, showed the extent of her lackluster strength... she was collapsed onto the floor. "She argues with herself, she does not know the extent of her need of me, she thinks she will survive. I had hoped by now, her mind would come to terms with her reality. Alas..."

 

Phillep offered Macleod sight of his wound, instantly healing once the dagger's edge was removed.

 

"I don't control the galaxy, only a few distinct souls that matter. Come with me, Colonel, her defiance is... regrettable."

 

He made a gesture for Aisling to sit down and rest, "Relax, dear. You don't want to stress the young child in your stomach." An intoxicating smile graced his face, as he parted ways and moved slowly along the corridor into Ki's defensive hold-out.

 

"Come now, Ki, do you really think you can stand up against me forever?"

 

Phillep extended his hand, calling up, Ki's weakened body into it, holding her up by the throat. "You know you need me to survive, without me, your body, your life is nothing."

[Ki Vastor]

She heard the footsteps outside of the room she'd gone into, holding her breath hoping they would go past. She had a feeling of dread come over her when the door opened, which increased as Phillip came into view. She felt so weak as she tried to push herself away from him, clutching the dagger from her boot sheath in her hand again. As he grabbed her by the throat, choking her with the Force, the dagger shot out from her hand once more, cutting him. Ki's token struggle against him worsened with the scent of his blood, the overwhelming and tantilizing scent that she regretted having caused with the dagger.

 

No... no... no.. no...

 

Ki didn't want to believe him, trying to ignore the little voice in the back of her mind that knew it was true, that she did need him to survive and she hated that fact, hated it with a passion, hated him. Even in her mind her voice was becoming lackluster and showing her weakness as she struggled not to pass out again, then decided why bother fighting it. He had her life literally in his hand, there was nothing at all she could do to fight against him coz she just wasn't strong enough... she stopped trying to breathe... Tears trickled down her cheeks as she stopped struggling against his choking grip, accepting the fate that he was going to kill her, the spots appearing infront of her eyes from lack of oxygen.

 

If I die I win... I escape...

 

A very slight smile curled up the corners of her lips as she felt herself fading into unconscousness...

[Capt. Phillep]

"Dear girl, of what use to me is your death?"

 

His hand let go of her throat, forcing her small curled smile to vanish, the spots vacating her eyes... instead, the little nick along his neck, was the thing he knew would keep her alive.

 

"No, Ki, I want you alive. Because I care about you, you know I need you alive. I am your friend, your ally... and when you thought I was Kabal, you loved me."

 

The pseudo-conscious body of Ki, found her lips pressed against Phillep's neck... the cupric taste caressing her tongue, here it was... her key to living. His blood.

 

"Come on Ki, drink from me. You need me, I am your savior."

 

With Ki's body clinging to his neck, it was his turn to smile, looking back at Macleod... "When she is strong, your training shall begin, Colonel."

[Ki Vastor]

The blackness had been closing in, his voice getting further and further away... until he released his grip, the air being forced into her lungs once more. His voice reached her, sounding gentle, sounding caring, sounding loving... I loved Kabe... not you... the words floated through her mind, how he'd tricked her before... confusion swirled around her mind...

 

Ki became aware of the scent of his blood getting stronger, of being held against a strong body... of her lips being pressed against the nick she had caused, her tongue tasting the crimson liquid. Again his voice floated encouragingly in her mind, encouraging her to drink from him... A hunger came over her, an overwhelming hunger and she found herself drinking. Her mouth closed over the nick, her now sharpened, small fanged teeth digging into the flesh to allow the flow to increase as she drank from him without even realising what she was doing.

 

Ki hungered for more, finding her body wrapping around him as she continued to drink...

[Capt. Phillep]

"Yes, Ki. Take what you need of me, my dear. Feed yourself, show your love for me."

 

Phillep held Ki's body as she wrapped about his body, holding her up as she dug into his neck...

[Ki Vastor]

She didn't know what had come over her, though she was feeling stronger the more she drank from him. Part of her was just as horrified as she had been when she'd realised she had been drinking from the soldier. The only difference here was that she'd gotten nothing from the blood she'd ingested from the soldier and with Phillip she felt herself coming alive, felt a certain power flowing through her veins from him to her. It was disturbing but she was powerless not to keep drinking. It was as if nothing she'd had before had satisfied the deep gnawing hunger she'd had within her since he'd first made her drink.

 

His words came to her, her mind wanting to rebel, her body refusing as it took it's sustenance from him. She didn't love him, she couldn't... she hated him... didn't she? ... Why was she hungering for him so much? She didn't know how long she drank for, but finally sated, she rested her head against his neck, her tongue flicking out to clean the remainder from leaking from the pierced skin until it closed over, feeling excessively weary from what had just occured...

[Lieutenant Macleod]

Macleod was repulsed. Phillep was a sadistic man, that much was obvious. He couldn't deny the power he wielded though. Macleod didn't really feel much pity for these people. They lost, the weak deserve what they get. But that didn't mean the strong didn't have a responsibility to conduct their dominion appropriately. Macleod simply didn't think this sort of thing was for him. He was not into torturing people just for the sake of torturing them.

 

Perhaps Phillep will show me what exactly the greater purpose to all of this is. I hope it exists.

 

He watched Ki succumb to Phillep's power.