Most people feared the darkness of the night. Katerrina Hess reveled in it. Within the darkness was the secret of power untold. Slivers of moonlight made her red curls gleam silver as she sat cross-legged atop the hightest tower. She sat on the spot where she first snuffed out the life spark of another human being, the slave girl Master Travanix had ordered her to kill using the Force. The ties of her robe stirred in the wind. She could not sleep, so she came to this spot to meditate. Here, she felt most connected to the Dark Side of the Force. Here, Katerrina felt most connected to HIM, her Master, Travanix.

With a sharp exhale, she emptied her mind, cleared it all but the Force. She cleared her thoughts of business dinners, of warehouse shipments, the current state of the slave she was breaking for her own use. Nothing existed but the Force, dark and pulsing around her, within her. In the past, this exercise would allow her to pinpoint her Master's location. If he was staying overnight in the city, she knew. If he was on board the Circle's station, she knew. Even if he was meditating inside the clone chamber, she knew. But now, no matter how hard she tried, or how far she delved into the Force, Katerrina could not find Travanix. She felt his life's spark, so she knew he did in fact live, but it was faint and distant.

Her eyes snapped open. With the grace of a noble woman, Katerrina stood and walked to the edge of the turret. Her hands folded behind her in an unconscious imitation of the Master to whom she owed everything. She heard the clicks of the terror beasts as they stalked in the forest below. She heard the breathing of the girls. Some slept, while some tended their duties. the Dark Tower and all within it lived. As she turned back to the staircase, Katerrina swore to do everything she could to make sure it all stayed that way. When Master Travanix returned, he would find all as he left it. Only better.

ellie was a quiet, efficient girl, who was the only one brave enough to withstand Katerrina's temper long enough to serve her. The girl was the one who helped with bacta and bandages after particulatly brutal training sessions. she had a soft touch and a soothing manner that calmed the worst of Katerrina's rages.

When she entered the room to serve Katerrina's usual light breakfast and saw her bed empty, ellie set the tray upon the bureau, and headed for the tower. Months ago, Katerrina had instructed the girl in signs of Force-induced trances, and how to break them should there be an emergency.

ellie found Lady Hess sitting cross-legged on the stones, red curls loose in the wind, her lightsaber in front of her, deactivated from hitting the cold gray stone. Her eyes were open but unseeing, swirling masses of red instead of the usual stormy blue. Her chest barely rose under her nightdress.

The girl hastened to kneel in front of Katerrina, cutting into her line of un-vision. "Lady Hess?"

No response.

"M'Lady?"

No response.

ellie waited a moment, then spoke once more.

"Mistress, you are needed."

Katerrina was motionless, then took a deep shuddering breath, pitching forward against the girl, who carefully set the Apprentice upright. Katerrina blinked, and shivered, crossing her arms over her chest. Crackling static erupted down her bare arms, shocking the girl, who hardly flinched.

"So close, I was so close..."

Still muttering, Katerrina used ellie to stand up, the girl quickly getting to her feet to assist Lady Hess down the stairs. Faint pops and crackles followed in their wake.