The Multiverse Hunter

Veronica ascended the stairs to the second floor, balancing a small tray holding a large glass of water with ice. As she turned the corner, her steps faltered. Her breath caught at the sight of the Trandoshan gang leader crawling toward her like a whipped dog. His hulking frame dragged across the floor, his claws scraping against the polished wood with a humiliating slowness.

She instinctively stepped to the side, pressing her back against the wall to give him space. The Trandoshan didn't look up as he passed by her, his head hanging low, radiating an air of bitter defeat. His face, flush with shame, didn't even meet hers.

Once he disappeared down the stairs, Veronica exhaled shakily and resumed her path toward the VIP room at the back of the floor. Her eyes trailed the ground, noticing gaping holes where floorboards had been ripped away. The jagged edges matched perfectly with the four corpses she'd seen downstairs.

'The holes line up exactly with where their bodies fell,' she thought grimly, swallowing a lump in her throat.

As she neared the door, her eyes were drawn to the enormous figure standing guard. Drogath stood like a sentinel, his sheer size dwarfing even the massive doorway behind him. His black armour glowed faintly with a menacing purple hue, and his glowing yellow eyes burned with an intensity that sent chills down Veronica's spine.

'He's a Sith… he's overbearing,' she thought, her steps faltering slightly.

Drogath's gaze bore into her, a predator assessing whether she was worth his attention. Veronica took a steadying breath and mustered enough courage to speak.

"Water for the VIP room," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Drogath tilted his head, his gaze lingering for a moment longer before a low growl rumbled from his chest. With a huff, he stepped aside, giving her room to pass.

"Thank you," Veronica murmured, dipping her head slightly as she crossed the threshold into the room.

Veronica froze at the doorway. The sight before her was one she could hardly believe. Commander Dran and the Chiss lord, men she had served countless times and who had always carried themselves with unshakable authority, were kneeling on the floor like common servants. Their faces were drawn, their pride shattered under the weight of the masked Sith seated on the lush couch at the centre of the room.

'I never thought I'd see this in my life,' she thought, her heart racing as her eyes flicked between the two powerful men brought low.

Ali's masked gaze turned toward her, and she stiffened. His presence was suffocating, and his silence made the room feel even colder. But then his head tilted slightly, as if in recognition.

'It's her,' Ali thought, recalling the girl from the previous day. His hand rose, a silent gesture for her to approach.

Veronica stepped forward cautiously, her shoes clicking softly against the floor. She weaved around the kneeling men, her eyes flitting briefly to the mercenary slumped against the wall. His twisted, mangled arm made her stomach churn, the unnatural angle a stark reminder of the Sith's mercilessness.

When she reached him, Veronica extended the tray with trembling hands. Ali took the glass of water. Veronica immediately after retreated to a safe distance. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to shrink into the background, praying not to draw his ire.

But her hopes were dashed when Ali turned his masked face toward her and patted his left thigh.

The gesture was unmistakable. Veronica's experience working at the Veil told her exactly what it meant. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and seated herself on his left thigh, her posture composed but submissive. She placed the tray on the nearby table and clasped her hands in her lap, waiting silently for his next move.

Ali's mask shifted slightly, rising just enough to reveal the bottom half of his face. Both Dran and the Chiss looked up instinctively, their curiosity getting the better of them. Even Veronica couldn't stop herself from glancing upward, her mind racing as she tried to place the sharp jawline and well-sculpted features that were now partially visible.

'I've seen that jaw before… but where?' she thought, her memories scrambling to make the connection.

Ali drank the glass of water in a single motion, his movements deliberate and unhurried. Veronica's heart nearly burst from her chest as she watched. She had no idea how effective the poison would be or if the Sith had detected it, but her nerves were fraying with each passing second.

From the first sip, Ali's cells activated, identifying the foreign toxin in the water. He didn't flinch or give any indication of his discovery, drinking as though it were completely normal. Once he finished, the mask lowered back into place, hiding his face once more.

Ali's heightened hearing picked up the rapid beat of Veronica's heart, each pulse louder than the last. 'Fear of the murderous Sith or…?' he wondered. He turned his head toward her, studying her closely.

Without a word, his gloved hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer. Veronica gasped softly but didn't resist, instinctively leaning into his chest. His hand slipped under her top, gloved fingers finding her modest breast.

Veronica let out a quiet moan, her body betraying her despite her mounting panic. She clutched his muscular arm for support, her mind reeling.

The Chiss watched the scene unfold, his jaw tightening as his favourite girl from the Veil became a plaything in the Sith's hands. Yet he said nothing, his fear of Ali's wrath outweighing his pride.

"Chiss," Ali said suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

The alien lord looked up sharply, his red eyes wide with fear.

"Why is it," Ali began, his voice calm but menacing, "that you seem so interested in killing so many lords?"

The Chiss froze, his blood running cold. Dran turned his head toward his companion, shock written all over his face.

"W-What do you mean?" the Chiss stammered, his voice shaking. "I don't understand…"

Veronica's head snapped toward the Chiss, her confusion mirroring Dran's. She had spent countless hours in this room with the alien lord but had never heard of such a plot.

Ali ignored their reactions, his hand tightening slightly on Veronica's chest, earning another soft moan from her. He continued as though nothing had happened.

"You're selling many of your personal items in this auction," Ali said, his tone laced with mockery. "Is that to attract high-class lords interested in your collection?"

The Chiss flinched, his composure slipping further.

"The auction's warehouse is practically overflowing with your belongings," Ali continued, leaning back against the couch. "What are you really planning, snake?"

"I… I was just cleaning out my estate," the Chiss replied weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ali chuckled darkly, his gloved fingers tracing along Veronica's collarbone.

"Then why is it," Ali said slowly, "that most of those attending the auction mention your name when asked who invited them? These people aren't even rich enough to buy anything. They're here hoping to meet you and your associates."

The Chiss's face paled.

"You've invited these people to an auction you won't attend yourself as you thought it would be a graveyard for them," Ali said, his voice dripping with venom. "And when their corpses are cold, you'll plunder the newly empty positions of power in the Empire for yourself."

He turned to Veronica, tilting her chin up so her wide eyes met his masked gaze.

"What do you think?" Ali asked, his voice low and chilling. "Should I execute him for plotting to kill the Empire's ruling class?"

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