Chapter 43: Of Mice and Sith

The numbers floated across my datapad like a parade of insignificant insects, each one buzzing with a potential that just didn't resonate inside me. Professor Elama's fingers danced across her control board, dispersing grades like a sower scattering seeds in barren soil. When her gaze settled on me, there was this echo of pity in her eyes, the kind you'd give to a mentally handicapped dude trying to rizz up a 7/10.

'This bitch thinks I'm slow.'

"Vex Eras," she called out softly, and I could feel the collective breath-holding of the class as they awaited my reaction. The number zero glared at me from the screen, bold and unapologetic. But instead of the usual sneer or sarcastic quip, she approached with the silence of a confidant entering a sacred space.

"Vex," Elama whispered, leaning in too close for comfort. "It's alright, you know. That you keep getting zeros."

I arched an eyebrow, my lips parting to challenge her presumed comfort, but she continued, her voice a low hum meant only for my ears.

"The faculty has decided... We're not lowering your rank anymore." A pause hung between us, dense with unsaid words. "You reclaim the top spot through combat every time, regardless. Why bother with the charade?"

My heart thrummed against my ribcage, not in anxiety, but in a sort of relief that spread through me like warmth from a high-powered blaster shot. I leaned back in my chair, the corners of my mouth twitching upwards. So this was it, freedom from the drudgery of numbers and equations, chains that had no hold on the real power in the galaxy.

'LET'S FUCKING GO!!!!!!!'

"Guess I can just sit back and relax now, huh?" I mused aloud, more to myself than to her. My voice carried a hint of bravado, but internally, I was already plotting the extra hours. Who needed stupid ass space math when you wielded the Force like a weapon forged in the heart of a dying star?

Elama straightened up, her expression unreadable, but I had caught the briefest flicker of approval in her eyes. She knew, as well as I did, that in our world, strength was the greatest currency, and I had riches to spare.

"Indeed," she said, almost imperceptibly nodding before turning away to address the next student.

'Wow, what an awful teacher. She didn't even try to push me. Wait, does that mean she really thinks I'm actually slow.... Am I slow by Star Wars standards?'

I whisper to the guy next to me.

'"Psst Hey dude."

"Yes?" His face twisted in fear. This guy clearly does not want the smoke, but I soldier on. I need to know the truth.

"Am I slow?"

He sits there staring at me for a moment.

"What?" He responds.

"Am I slow?"

He puts his ear closer to my lips, but it makes me feel super awkward.

He whispers again. "Sorry, what? I couldn't hear you."

"Do you think i'm slow?" This time i mumble even lower completely losing confidence in my ability to communicate properly.

The dude stared at me for like a solid five seconds and just nodded but he clearly didn't hear me.

"Thanks," I say, pretending he helped me.

"Sorry, I actually didn't hear you again. I was just nodding because I was embarrassed."

This conversation is my hell. It won't stop. What the fuck is wrong with this guy.

"It's fine, never mind." I respond.

"Are you sure?"

His question makes my blood boil.

"Yeah."

"Okay, yeah, totally, Sorry about that haha." He laughs awkwardly and stares at me.

"...." I stare back

'What is social etiquette for a nightmare situation like this. I fucking hate this. He's holding me hostage with his eyes.

"....." Finally, he looks back at the professor.

I take a huge sigh.

'This guy, he's too powerful. I'm never talking to him again.'

The digital bell rang with a sharp note, slicing through the lingering buzz of data pads and hushed conversations. I slid mine into the backpack at my feet, eyes already tracking the sea of students flooding the exit.

I see Jaeall darting through the crowd like a shadow fleeing the light. I pushed back my chair, its legs scraping against the floor in a jarring screech.

"Hey," I called out using the Force, my voice cutting across the chaos, commanding attention her attention. Jaeall froze, her spine stiffening, and the terror in her glance was almost palpable even from this distance. It was the look of someone who'd seen too much. 'She does know my secret, after all. But I also know hers. Mutually assured destruction.

"Vex?" Her voice quivered just slightly as she turned to face me, the blonde strands of her hair shimmering under the harsh classroom lights. "Need a math tutor?" The words tumbled out, and her attempt to mask her fear with helpfulness was so transparent that it was comical.

I smirked, shaking my head slowly. "Nah, I think I'll manage."

"I wish to ask you a few questions," I said over Jaeall's shoulder. "Café Sithé?" I beckoned with a tilt of my head, the name of my café rolling off my tongue like an invitation to sanctuary.

Jaeall nervously nodded as if she was walking right into a Rancor's den.

"Jaeall," I began, my tone softer now that we were away from prying eyes and ears. "You don't have to be so tense around me."

Her shoulders dropped ever so slightly, but the tension remained, a bowstring pulled taut. "Can't help it," she murmured, almost to herself more than to me.

"Suit yourself," I replied with a careless shrug.

*****

The swirling steam from my cup of spiced caf formed ghostly shapes before dissipating into the cool air of Café Sithé. Jaeall was mid-sentence discussing some holodrama called 'Is it Uj'alayi or is it real' when I leaned in, my gaze fixed on Jaeall, who sat across from us, her discomfort nearly tangible.

"Since you're Jedi," I said, steering the conversation into uncharted stars, "you ever cross paths with Vexas and her daughter Xevas? I heard they were quite the duo."

Jaeall's eyes darted away, betraying a flicker of unease that she quickly masked. "Xevas and I... we were younglings together. She's a little older than us." she confessed, her words hesitant, as if each one carried the weight of a starship.

"Friends?" The question hung between us, thick as the fog on Dagobah.

"Good friends," she added softly, a subtle warmth breaking through the ice of her trained composure.

I sipped my caf, the heat searing against my tongue. A sharp contrast to the chill that seemed to emanate from Jaeall. "And what about her mother? Vexas?"

She shifted uncomfortably, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. "Vexas was respected, revered even," Jaeall began, her voice a notch quieter. "She was a Jedi Master, but she never was able to join the council as she felt she deserved."

"Oh?" I prodded.

'Just like Anakin?'

"Everyone knew she was too... passionate for the council's taste." Her eyes met mine, the blue depths swirling with something I couldn't quite pinpoint—regret, maybe, or fear. "Taking her daughter, Xevas, as her padawan only fueled their disapproval."

"Passionate, huh?" I mused over the word choice, the corners of my mouth twitching into a half-smile.

"Too emotional. They saw her having trouble giving up her attachment to her daughter after Vexas was kidnapped, is what I heard." Jaeall corrected herself, whispering.

"Sounds like the council's more machine than man," I joked, though the humor didn't quite reach my eyes. I thought about my estranged mother.

"Perhaps," Jaeall conceded, the ghost of a smile fleeting across her lips. "But emotions can be dangerous. Especially for those with power."

"Jaeall, you literally go to Sith school." I laugh at the absurdity of her situation.

"I'm only here because the Jedi want me to keep an eye on Darth Relic." She chimes back. "And I'm not even doing a great job. For the life of me, I have no idea why you haven't killed me yet."

"Oh?" I sit there awkwardly. "To be blunt, one, to keep my options open, and two, I kind of forgot about you for a bit. I've been off galivanting around, as I'm sure you've heard."

"Everyone has heard Vex. To be honest, you're doing a terrible job keeping your secret. You spent almost all your time early on on Ares II, your home planet. Anyone with half a brain can see a connection to your family. There are even rumors floating around that Darth Relic is your mother's personal lap dog, and it was her idea for Darth Relic to wipe out Artus Prime."

'That's fucked up. Sola and I worked really hard on that project. I'd hate it if all the credit went to Mother.'

"Hey, wait, speaking of which the Jedi? Do they still want to turn me after Artus prime?"

"It was a Sith planet." She shrugged. "My mission hasn't been changed." Her eyes looked pleading. "Look I'm begging you just please don't kill me?"

"Relax, if I decide one day on a dime I want to be a Jedi or to join the republic, I'll need you alive. Plus it's not like you've threatened my family or Sola so i don't really care what you do. It's not like the Sith are even that great right now."

'It's always smart to have a plan B. And so far, the Jedi seem amenable enough. I wonder if they're all as easy to talk to as Jaeall.' I think to myself, sipping on my caf, 

"You just want to make sure your family is safe... and Sola?"

I nodded, half listening and lost in my own thoughts.

'I really would like to meet my blood mother and sister at least once just to say hi, but I'm nervous they won't like me because I'm a Sith. Nah, I'm sure they'll like me. How could someone hate family, right?' My mind drifts to my original earthling mother.

"Oh wow, 3 moms," I mutter to myself.

"What?" Jaeall says.

"No, not this shit again."

Jaeall puts her hand behind her ear as if it'll help her hearing. "Sorry Vex i still can't hear you, what did you say?"

My blood boils over as I stand up. My day was completely ruined over this hearing nonsense.

"I'm leaving." This time, I spoke with enough enthusiasm for everyone to hear. My aura dripping with hatred for people who can't hear me.

"Yeah, okay, see you later." She seemed confused

*****

Jaeall POV Later at night.

Once again, doing my weekly report with Master. This time, I actually have something to report.

[He really said he only cares about his family and girlfriend? So you think Artus Prime had to do with something other than an assertion of power?]

I sigh. "I really don't feel comfortable speculating. The rumors I heard from my host parents here, the ones the republic has under their thumbs, is that Kesyk had some sort of weird interest in Vex's mother."

[He wiped out an entire planet because someone showed interest in his mother.] My Master responded incredulously.

"Master... I just said I really would prefer not to speculate." I feel annoyed with his lack of understanding. In fact, lately, everything feels annoying. The dream of getting back to Coruscant grows farther and farther away, and the classes here are starting to get interesting.

[There has been a development with Master Vexas and her Padawan Xevas. They have left the order to pursue Vex. Vexas feels responsible for his actions on Artus's prime and now wants to kill him.]

I cant help but laugh at my Master's words. Not because theyre funny but because how hopeless Master Vexas is.

"Vexas isn't strong enough to even dent Vex. I don't say that as some twisted delusion to her strength, but I've been watching him for a while now. He is clearly holding back his own strength. I pray to the Force we never see whatever it is he's actually capable of."

[It's funny. Lately, King has been asking about Darth Relic. He is always itching for a fight with a strong Sith. But he's not trustworthy enough for a mission like this.]

"No, keep Knight Skywalker far away from here. I don't want him anywhere near Vex. They wouldn't get along. King is always grossly staring at women, and I think Vex would be on a hair trigger if someone made a pass at Sola."

The line goes silent for a while. [Do you think we could turn Sola and then use her to turn Vex?]

I think for a moment. "Sola is a genuine Sith. I really don't know. I don't think she would turn coat for anyone other than Vex. Lately, though, I notice Sola isn't around as much. But when I'm spying on the both of them, they're both in complete agony without each other."

I hear a sigh on the other end of the communicator.

[What about his sister.]

"No chance. She is probably the worst of the bunch."

[Okay, I'll take this to the council. Good work, Jaeall. Keep hanging in there.]

"Yeah...." I feel angry. I've been abandoned for a cause I had no choice but to join. "Sounds good."

The communication cuts and I stare at the screens in front of me. I was able to sneak in a few hidden holocams into the student council dorm over the Lifeday break.

"You seem like you feel abandoned too Vex dont you?" My hand touches the screen. "First by your mother, now by Sola. Maybe you and I could become proper friends?" My mind wanders to how lonely i have been since coming here. 

"I'm not looking for a lover. Maybe Sola would want a friend? Clearly there is some sort of drama between her and Zenna?" I think as i head to bed.

"I wonder if Zenna found out?"