Showdown On Manaan

She could easily hear the static from the broken electric circuit, and the occasional droplets of water plopped in the existing small puddle in the corner.  The sound of her rugged leather boots clunked against the iron-wrought panels on the floor, as she strolled into the abandoned underwater observatory. The silent rumble and long creaks of the water could be heard down the small tight corridors though the station was secured to the ocean’s floor.

Paislee sensed the location of Jaria which started to come closer as she progressed. Whish. Doors slid open revealing the sight of a young short slender girl with light gray hair occupying her time with specimens stored in an aquarium. Paislee’s arrival caused Jaria to face the door holding a small crystal, white opaque in color, in her hands.

“I’m glad you made it here.” Jaria's words were unsettled but still full of curiosity. 

“Well, I’m here now. What do you want from me?” Paislee eyes never left Jaria, her tone was firm.

Jaria placed the stone in her pocket. Her hands shook tremendously as she did so. Afterward, she cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ears. Paislee perked a brow at her mannerism. Eyes still peeled.

“I called you here- I, mean I wanted to meet you. Surprisingly, we have much in common. Sazir doesn’t know that I’m here with you. Echani and half-bred are something detestable and must be purged.” Jaria's words choked off a bit toward the last sentence. Her eyes darted to Paislee with a look of mercy.

Paislee grinned and grew wide as her eyes flickered with distrust. Her hands slightly crossed in front of her as she started to pace lightly along with the tables that were placed throughout the center of the room. Jaria watched her but as soon as Paislee’s dark eyes met with her own, she glanced down embarrassed. 

“So why sacrifice yourself for curiosity? Don’t you value your pathetic life? If it’s my blood you’re after then so be it.” Paislee grabbed her saber, swiftly igniting it.

“Wait!” Jaria shouted.

Paislee held her wide open stance with a saber wielded at a slight angle. Jaria moved back some from the former position.

“I don’t have time for games. Speak now!” Paislee used the force with just enough pull on her. Jaria started to slither forward against her will.

“Sazir plans to kill you, not me. I consider you family! Not all half-bred must be killed, I know you’re different. You must believe me!” Jaria grabbed a hold of the table trying to resist the pull, but the table scrapped against the floor. Screech.

Paislee smirked transformed into a wild grin as Jaria came within close range. 

“I simply don’t care and whatever it is you're planning is pointless to me. You’ve wasted your time with me.”

Jaria saw as well as heard the emission of the saber inching closer towards her. She squirmed and clenched her eyes, almost accepting her fate. From the top of her possible final breath, she screamed. 

“Mother! Nemai!”

The table stopped as did the force pull on Jaria. Paislee’s saber disengaged as she heard the young girl scream the sacred name of her mother. The jerk motion of her head caused her white strands to gently whooshed forward. Her hatred-filled eyes softened with despair as if she has been struck down; however emotionally.

Jaria brought a hand to cover her gaping mouth as tears gushed along the rim of her waterline. Paislee took deep breaths as her heart fluttered from the sudden tension. Not leaving the stance or turning towards her, Paislee simply continued. Her tone was thick with a cluster of emotions.

“What did you just say?”

Jaria’s features even match the Sith Lord. The tension built a familiar feeling between the two of them. Paislee lifted her face slightly tilting it to the right and then slowly to the left. Her expression was bewildered by the unique connection.