The town of Mos Espa was as bustling as ever as street venders proclaimed their goods the best in the galaxy to the passersby. Throng of aliens from all over the universe came to Mos Espa for gambling, trade, or even to take it easy for a little while. Humanoids populated the adobe hut towns and made up most of the town’s general residents.
On this day of days, the two remaining Sith Lords, Darth Maul and Darth Trator, had decided to come back to the desert planet to claim some droids. Unusual behavior for the Sith it was but needs had to be met now that their link to the Trade Federation had been severed. In fact, the Federation knew next to nothing of their existance; something the two Zabrakians took advantage of. Maul hated not having any Jedi to slay while Trator, otherwise known as Dirae, was glad Sidious was dead and gone. He no longer controlled Maul’s actions for he was his own master now. Dirae had trained beneathe him after Sidious’s destruction and eventually ended up being his right-hand “man” so to speak. Of course, there was more to this relationship than first presented.
Maul kept his hood over his head to avoid anyone from recognizing him. Dirae, not incredibly well-known to the galaxy as of yet, felt safe enough to walk around without the need for a disguise. She kept her lightsaber well-hidden beneathe her black robes, as did Maul. He had reconstructed his favored dual lightsaber; his had been destroyed during his battle between the two Jedi Knights, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. A battle that had ended less than favorably on Maul’s part. The young Jedi had managed to retrieve his master’s saber and use it against the Sith Lord, slicing him in half and sending him hurtling over the edge of an energy core.
It had been Dirae who found Kenobi and tried to avenge her love, but was always held back by some thought she could never place. Eventually, she left for Naboo and restored Maul’s body and, in so doing, his life. Her Force had become spilt between them since that time so she relied more on her saber skills than her ability to use the Force. Later, during the confrontation between them and Darth Sidious, Sidious had killed Dirae while she tried to help Maul. Maul had been the one to kill Sidious, using a painful technique that caused the opponent’s insides to implode then eventually cause the body to explode out the middle. Maul had returned the gesture to bring Dirae back and now his Force was divided as well. They fed off the other when the need arose, never seeking battle without each other.
Dirae stood using her mind trick to convince the vendor to give her a few droids for ten credits cheaper than he had requested. Maul kept silent vigil, seeing next to no point in this expedition. Beneathe his black robes his arms were crossed over his broad chest, his feet set far enough apart to give him perfect balance. His yellow eyes sweeped over the trade center, taking in the various lifeforms as they went about their business. Behind him, Dirae suceeded in her trick and turned to him.
“We have a troop of new droids, all ready to be boarded onto the ship,” she reported. Maul nodded. Dirae looked thoughtful for a moment then asked: “I don’t think it’s wise to call you by your Sith name here. What’s your original name?” Maul stared at her, unsure of what he should say in reply.
After a few moments of thought, he replied quietly: “I was called Khameir. I don’t answer to that name anymore, Dirae...but for you I make an exception.” Dirae smiled faintly, pleased that he was entrusting her with this knowledge. But then, she had saved his life.
“Let’s get back to the ship..Khameir,” Dirae said, testing out the name on her tongue. The sensual quality of the name fit him well, as did Maul. He nodded briefly and followed her out of the town.
* * * Meanwhile, back at their ship, Seduction V, a cloaked figure stalked around the base of the vessel. He spied the panel that opened the main hatch, traced his fingers over it, and worked it open. He pressed a series of controls and the hatch eased open on well-oiled gears. The soft hiss of decompressed air was the only sound heard around the ship. He glanced about for any eyewitnesses, then silently boarded the ship., closing the hatch behind him.
Once inside, he walked around inspecting the various quarters, supply rooms, and finally, the cockpit. The vessel was completely empty. Satisfied with his discovery, he slipped into a supply room and remained there until the owners returned.
A few minutes later, Maul and Dirae approached the ship. Behind them marched a dozen pit droids, each carrying a crate of supplies. They chirped amongst themselves as they walked behind their new masters. Neither Maul nor Dirae seemed to mind if they communicated with each other. Dirae opened the hatch and ushered the droids in. She looked over at Maul while they trooped inside.
“What is it?” she asked, concerned. Maul looked up, his eyes glazed over strangely.
“I sense something. Something...familiar,” he replied softly. He looked around for awhile, trying to pinpoint the strange sensation. Dirae searched with her Force as well. Finally he sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I suppose it was nothing. Come, we must go.” He walked up the ramp briskly and vanished inside the ship’s interior. Dirae’s brow puckered in confusion. Something had to be bothering him, she thought, and whatever it was wouldn’t let his mind go until it was discovered.