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“Ann, you don’t have to wear that mask.”
Andreaner - Darth Imperius - sat silently across from his apprentice.
“I’d rather keep it on, Asha.”
“But why must you wear it?”
The former Togrutan Jedi cupped his hands in hers. They had met on Taris months before, and their relationship had grown further than just master and apprentice.
“I want to see your face, Ann.”
They sat in the Sith’s starship. It glided silently through hyperspace towards a place that Imperius dreaded - Tython, the home of the Jedi. Hours before, the Sith had proposed to the Jedi. She had declined, saying that the Council would not approve of their marriage.
It had been Imperius who had suggested - pleaded - with her to come with him to Tython.
Imperius was gone, and Andreaner was having second thoughts.
Sure, he loved her, but what would the Jedi think of him, of his appearance? He was Sith. He had killed Jedi in cold blood. But somehow, the young Jedi in front of him had seen the light within.
“Can I take it off for you?”
Imperius - Andreaner - didn’t respond.
She moved her warm hand across the mask. He did not stop her. The mask hissed as the locks retracted. The dim lights of the ship shone into his eyes.
He saw Ashara - ‘Asha’ - sitting in front of him, with his real, Human eyes. She held the mask, hands in her lap. Compassion emanated from her. It soothed him.
“I can’t do this, Asha.”
“I know you can, my love,” she told him softly. “It was your idea.”
“It was Imperius’s idea.”
“And how does Andreaner see all of this?”
“He doesn’t want to be judged.”
“The Jedi don’t judge by appearance.”
"But I'm a Sith..."
"You're not trying to hide that behind a mask, aren't you?"
Andreaner wore the mask to conceal his face - a deformity. His birthmark, a nasty scar, streaked across his dark facial features. In a previous life, he had been a slave. Someone without purpose. Now he had one, and she was sitting right in front of him.
“I love you, Asha.”
“You know I love you too, Ann.”
Andreaner smiled. He knew he was lucky to have her.
The ship jolted as it slipped out of hyperspace, bringing Andreaner back to reality. If he was to see this through, he would need to be Imperius. Imperius was strong. Andreaner the slave was weak.
“Ann?”
“Sorry, I was distracted.”
“By what?”
“Your beauty.”
Her smile fell. She knew he lied. He should have known.
“You don’t have to be Imperius,” she told him. “Be Andreaner, the man I love.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tython was a stark contrast to Korriban. Where the Sith planet had been harsh, unforgiving and desolate, the mountains surrounding the Jedi Temple were brimming with life.
“I never could have imagined this,” he said, looking out of the viewport of the ship. They had been given clearance to land in one of the temple’s hangars; a Republic starfighter flanked them on either side.
“I haven’t been here in so long…” She sounded distant, almost sad.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologised. Imperius had taken her from this life.
“Don’t be," his apprentice told him. "It wasn’t your fault. I agreed to come with you.”
He said nothing as he guided the ship towards the hangar. Hydraulics hissed as the ship’s landing gear released. He sat in the pilot’s chair for a few moments before speaking.
“I want the mask, Asha.”
“You know I won’t give it to you.”
He knew she wouldn’t. He was grateful for that.
“I’ve let the Council know of our arrival,” she told him. “They’re expecting us.”
“The Council?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know about this, Asha.”
“It will be ok...”
She got up from her seat and planted a kiss on his forehead.
“I’ll be here with you.”
Andreaner looked out at the hangar before him. A group of Jedi and Republic soldiers approached the ship.
“Ok…”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Andreaner stood before the Jedi Council. Ashara stood by his side. The walk to the Council chambers had been unnerving. He had felt the fear emanating from the younglings - Padawans. Ashara had been one before Imperius took her.
The Republic soldiers had only seen them out of the hangar. The Jedi led Andreaner the rest of the way.
Now, he looked upon the most powerful Jedi in the Order. It was overwhelming. He could feel their judging thoughts. They despised him. He didn’t blame them.
“Darth Imperius.”
The elderly Human woman addressed him first. She seemed different. Her eyes, soft, like Ashara’s…
“Padawan Zavros has told us a lot about you,” she stated. “She has given us much to dwell on.”
“Andreaner…” He mumbled his name, barely meeting the Jedi’s eyes.
“Speak up, Sith.”
Another Jedi, Human male, spoke forcefully. There was a surprising amount of hate in his voice.
“My name is Andreaner.” This time, he spoke with confidence.
“That’s enough, Master Kaedan,” the woman warned him. “Andreaner is here as a guest, not an enemy.”
'Master Kaedan' huffed and sat back in his chair.
Andreaner felt weak. This had become too much for him. Even Ashara’s presence and warmth did little to quell his anxiety.
“You don’t need to be afraid,” the Jedi reassured him. “We only wish to ask you a few questions.”
“Masters, if I may speak plainly…” Ashara must have sensed his uneasiness. “Andreaner and I, we have a confession to make.”
“We are listening.”
“During our time together, we have developed feelings for each other,” Ashara began, choosing her words carefully. “Our bond has grown more than just master and apprentice, Master Satele. Andreaner and I… we love each other.”
Satele’s expression became thoughtful. Other masters frowned at the news, clearly unhappy.
This was a waste of time, Imperius thought.
"This is an outrage!"
Kaedan slammed a fist on the table. He spoke accusingly at Andreaner
"First, you kidnap this Padawan from her home, twist her in your evil ways, and now you're causing her to break the Jedi Code!"
"No! You're wrong!"
Ashara moved in front of Andreaner, as if protecting him from the Jedi's harsh words.
"I joined him on my own free will," she told him. "I've kept my Jedi teachings, and gained insight from the Sith. Andreaner - he's not like the others. He's kind, merciful... understanding."
“Is this true, Andreaner?” Satele asked him.
He nodded slowly.
"Emotions can cloud judgement," Kaedan frowned.
"We understand your concerns, Master Kaedan," Satele told him. "But we must treat this matter with care. These young people have gained the courage to speak with us. Let's not turn them away."
"Thank you, Master," Ashara bowed, moving back to her place beside Andreaner. “I’m sorry if my intentions for this meeting had been deceitful.”
“You did the right thing, Padawan,” A Kel Dor Master, Tol Braga, spoke up. “Not many Jedi would have the courage to do what you two have done.”
“Thank you, Master Braga,” Ashara bowed again.
“Yes,” Satele agreed. “You should be very proud, both of you. Now, Andreaner, before myself and the rest of the Council reconvene, we’d like to ask you some questions. Is that alright?”
“Yes,” Andreaner spoke. He pushed Imperius away. He would only complicate things.
“Is it true that before you were a Sith, you toiled as a slave?”
“Yes.”
“And during your time as a Sith, both of your masters betrayed you?”
“That is the way of the Sith.”
“So you condone their actions?”
“There are some parts of the Sith Code that I do not agree with.”
“Such as?”
Andreaner paused to think.
“Such as ruling with fear. Showing no mercy to your enemies.”
Satele smiled knowingly. She now realised why the young Padawan had taken such a liking to him.
“If I may be so bold to as a question of my own, Satele…” Master Braga spoke up.
“Of course, Master Braga,” Satele told him. “Andreaner?”
He nodded in agreement.
“You don’t have to answer,” Master Braga stated. “But is there a reason why you didn’t turn Ashara to the dark? Most other Sith would have taken advantage over her, but you let her keep her Jedi ideals. Why?”
“I was… curious,” Andreaner told the Council. “I wanted to know what it was like on the other side.”
"Then why didn't you come to us?"
"I... don't know."
"You don't know?" Master Braga leaned forward in his chair, thoughtful. "Or, you didn't want to..."
"Excuse me for my bluntness," Andreaner stated. "But I had been taught that the Jedi were evil. When I was young, certain tales terrified me."
"We have heard of such things," Satele nodded. "It is an unfortunate trait..."
"I see differently now, of course," Andreaner continued.
Andreaner felt Ashara gently squeeze his hand. It was comforting.
"Thank you for your time, Andreaner," Satele smiled. “The Council will now take a moment to decide the outcome of your proposal. If you would leave the room, we have much to discuss.”
Ashara bowed with gratefulness. Sensing he should do the same, Andreaner awkwardly copied the action. They turned and left the room.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“I’m so proud of you, Ann.”
“I don’t think I could have done it without you, Asha.”
She had her head rested on his shoulder. They sat on one of the cushioned benches in the Council waiting hall.
They waited, Andreaner felt the slow breathing of his lover. Her chest rose and fell slowly.
“What if they say ‘no’?”
Andreaner hadn’t thought about that. Neither had Imperius. The thought worried him, sickened him.
“Then I’ll kill every one of them,” Imperius blurted.
“You… don’t mean that, do you Ann?”
“Andreaner’s gone.”
Ashara sat up. Her lover didn’t move. He had a cold expression on his face. Void of any emotion. She leaned in for a kiss, and Andreaner returned.
“Asha… I’m sorry.”
“Shh,” Ashara whispered. “It’s alright, my love.”
The door to the Council chambers opened, and Satele walked out to summon them.
“If you two are ready,” she said. “We’ve made our decision.”
Andreaner and Ashara shared a look. They got up, and followed the Grandmaster back to the rest of the waiting Council.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“We have gone over everything, and have come to a conclusion.”
The Sith and the Jedi stood before the Council once more. Anticipation filled the room.
“We have decided to let you two marry,” Satele announced. “On one condition.”
“Name it,” Ashara said, barely trying to contain her excitement.
“Andreaner must renounce his Sith ideals and become a child of the light.”
Andreaner could feel Imperius trying to push his way back up. Imperius was furious. He wanted to kill every Jedi in this room… in this temple…
“Do you accept the terms, Andreaner?” Satele asked him.
She must have sensed the conflict within him.
“Ann, are you alright?”
“It’s him.”
“Imperius?”
“Ashara, what’s going on?” Braga asked her.
“It - it’s nothing…” Andreaner felt Imperius struggle for control. “I… Argh!”
Andreaner spasmed violently.
Master Kaedan stood up quickly, his chair sliding from under him. He ignited his blue lightsaber.
"He's going to attack," Kaedan cried.
“Calm yourself, Master Kaedan," Satele told the Jedi. "I sense this young man's conflict… Members of the Council, focus your concentration on Andreaner's mind.”
Ashara held Andreaner still as the Jedi Masters reached out with the force, stilling his struggle. He felt his mind grow calm. Imperius seemed to disappear, leaving him forever.
“He… he’s gone…” Andreaner gasped as the Jedi returned their power. “Finally…”
He turned to Ashara. There were tears in her eyes.
“Are you feeling ok, Andreaner?” Satele asked him. “You had us worried for a moment.”
"I... I think so, Master,” Andreaner murmured. It was strange. He felt at peace.
“Do you agree to the terms?” Satele repeated gently.
“Yes,” Andreaner replied. “I do.”
Ashara leapt into his arms and they embraced lovingly, excitedly.