Ochi spun around, and looked at Krastan.

“What did you say?”

One of Krastan’s eyestalks remained fixed on the remains of the Droid Crush captain, while the other two moved to look at Ochi.

“He said, ‘Again.’ ”

This was Stiper. The Balosar giggled, his laugh irritatingly high-pitched, as he moved to Krastan’s side. “You said it yourself. Sounds like they were lousy the first time around, too.” He nudged the Gran with the side of his blaster, and laughed again.

Ochi nodded, slowly. He lifted a hand and gently patted Stiper on the arm.

“You know,” he said, “you’re right. Never trust a droid. In fact—”

He lunged forward, plunging the Sith blade into the man’s stomach.

“You can never trust anyone, Stiper. Anyone at all,” Ochi whispered into the dying man’s ear, his lipless mouth brushing Stiper’s teased hair. “You let that thing onto my ship, didn’t you? My mistake. I should have known not to employ a Balosar. Your kind is too easy to bribe.”

Ochi trailed off as he pushed the dagger into his minion’s stomach, right to the hilt again. His hand felt warm as the man’s blood gushed out over it, and he leaned forward, resting the side of his face on Stiper’s shoulder as his victim shuddered. The two stood like that for a moment, the assassin and his victim locked in a deadly embrace. Krastan backed away silently. He looked over at the twins, who had now retreated a safe distance away. Bosvarga held up a hand, like he was apologizing for something.

Ochi jerked, like he’d just woken up. Krastan jumped, his back bumping into one of the ship’s internal support pillars.

With the Sith dagger buried deep inside Stiper, Ochi’s mind hummed with white noise, so loud, so thick it was like a physical thing, a comforting blanket that surrounded him, enveloped him, protected him.

He pulled the blade out and stepped to one side. The Balosar’s lifeless body hit the deck with a heavy thud. Ochi stood there, holding the blade, swaying slightly on his feet. He didn’t look down at the body. He didn’t look down at the blade. He just stood, and listened to the white noise in his head, felt the warmth of the blade.

Yes. Yes. There it was. It felt good. I feel good.

The blade is pleased.


Star Wars Shadow of The Sith Chapter 24