561. Black Phoenix - Raezyr

The engines wound down and the landing gear hissed as the shuttle settled onto the deck of the hangar bay. Falka met the ship with Haley's spare engergy packs. Almost instantly upon being loaded, the cyborg was back to her old self.

"How do you feel?" Trychon asked.

"I'm not sure why you would ask me that. I explained to you in the cave that all I needed was to get my implants powered up again," she replied.

Trychon opened his mouth to say something else, but Haley continued, "No matter, though. I feel fine, and according to my diagnostics checks, all my implants are functioning normally again."

"All the same, I'm going to have the med droids check you out," Trychon informed her.

"Really, Trych, that isn't necessary. Aside from my wound and some bumps and bruises, I'm okay," Haley assure him.

Falka stared at Haley in horror at her use of the shortened version of Trychon's name. His fear turned to bewilderment as the two Sith seemed not to care.

The looks weren't lost on Trychon and he turned to Falka as the med droids escorted the cyborg off the shuttle and to the med by despite her protests. "Don't even think about calling me anything but 'Lord Trychon,'" the Sith informed the Khommite.

"Yes, Lord Trychon."

"Alright," Raezyr interjected. "Now that the cyborg is useful again, it's been a long day, so have supper brought to our quarters and first thing in the morning, we have some instructions for you."

"Yes, my lord," Falka replied with a slight bow of his head.

"Oh, and Falka," Trychon added after they had all left the shuttle. "When they bring the meal, tell them to bring ale. Lots and lots of ale."

-----------------------

Just outside the Sith's quarters, two men approached them. "My lords, a word," the first one said as they both dropped to a knee and bowed their heads.

Raezyr looked at Trychon who only shrugged before speaking to the men. "We are tired and hungry. What do you want?"

The second man looked up at the two Sith. "My lords, my name is Reed, and this is Schyrt. We wish to serve you."

"You already serve us," Trychon replied flatly.

"My lord, we wish to serve you personally," Reed explained. "We'd do whatever you ask of us. We swear our undying loyalty to you."

Without warning, Raezyr grabbed reached down and grabbed the two men by their throats, lifted them to their feet and slammed them against the wall. "Do you have any idea what you are asking? If you ever fail us, you will most likely die, either by our hand or the hands of some slave to the Republic."

Schyrt gasped for breath, but answered anyway. "Yes, Lord Raezyr."

Raezyr released them and they crumpled to their hands and knees. "What use could you be to us?" Trychon asked as if nothing had just happened.

"My lord," Reed said, still recovering his breath, "We can both pilot many different ships. We can mechanic, between the two of us, we're fluent in many different languages, and we can fight."

"What exactly would you want in return for your service?" Trychon asked.

"Only room and board, and for you to remember our loyal service when the Galaxy trembles at your feet, my lords," Schyrt said, recovering his composure.

"Get out of my sight," Trychon said and strode past them, Raezyr at his side. Without turning, they could hear the footfalls of the two men receding into the distance.

When they were gone, Trychon answered Raezyr's unspoken question. "I don't know. I suppose they could carry our gear and run errands for us, take night watch at the helm."

"Your ship could use someone on it as well to monitor things, and they could stand guard on the ship whenever we're planetside. I mean, I'm sure Aitchkay is fine, but people don't always listen to droids, even ones with guns," Raezyr added. "But there's the question of their loyalty, as well."

"We can ask Falka about that in the morning. Right now I'm going to eat and crash," Trychon said coming to a standstill in front of his door.

Raezyr paused for a moment before continuing to his room. "Trych?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're alright."

"Me too."