The Channel - Section 1

Darth Nepharia

Rating: NC-17
Warnings: This story is rated NC-17 for the sexual content.
Disclaimer: All characters and worlds in this story are property of George Lucas (and any other legal entity that he might be), with the exception of the characters Selera and Braith, the concept of a channel -- those are MINE!!! -- and the planet earth (I don't think he has a copyright on that yet. 
Summary: Selera finds she has a special gift.
Feedback to: tboyd1@hotmail.com

From the moment the strangers arrived from the stars, nothing was quite the same. Nothing had really changed, but it definitely wasn't the same. Instead of tyrants from their own country ruling over them with a heavy hand, they had tyrants from the sky doing much of the same.

Any violence was promptly squashed and the instigators killed in large public displays. There was no doubt of what was expected from the people: don't give the new regime any trouble. However, these new masters seemed less concerned with the local day-to-day events and, for the most part, left them alone. As a result, a certain amount of personal freedom ensued.

Selera moved to an area outside the walls of the city and took up housekeeping on what was formerly a parcel of the king's land. It was good land with many trees for building and keeping a hearth warm. It was a far better living than prostituting to the local whore-mongers in the city.

Selera stood from her gardening work and rubbed her back. Surveying her crops of fruits and vegetables, she was pleased: they would fetch a handsome price. She would barter for a good amount of wheat from her neighbors as she had done for the past several years. One thing was for sure, she ate much better since the strange men from the stars had arrived.

After harvest, she did her bartering with her neighbors for grain and took the balance of her crop to town to sell. The money would definitely come in handy. Selera set up her small cart in the market at the center of the city. From here she could see the castle high up on the hill: it looked virtually unchanged by its new occupants.

An occasional guard, dressed in their strange armor walked through the crowds. They carried weapons that fired lights that could injure and kill. She could not see their eyes, and she was afraid of them even though her friends told her they were only men. Sometimes they would stop and talk as if there was someone standing next to them, but she could not hear the voices they answered to. Perhaps they are gods, she thought and she kept her distance.

Everyday for a week, Selera came to town with her food surplus to sell. She kept all the coins in a small leather bag, tied to her waist. At the end of her final day at market, the bag was heavy with her earnings and she dreamed of the things she could buy for the coming year and still have some for savings.

It was midday and she was nearly finished selling her goods when a commotion started at one end of the market. She could not see what was going on, but a nearby vendor and friend pointed out a black hooded figure walking through the market.

"There he is, Lass," he said, pointing through the crowded market.

"Who?" Selera said as she stood on her toes trying to get a better look, shielding her eyes with her hand from the noon-day sun.

"The new Lord of the Castle, that's who," he answered. "He is the King's servant." He leaned in close to Selera's ear and whispered: "He is the Devil."

Selera looked at him sharply, "Stop that," she teased.

Braith maintained a sober expression, "Don't pay me no mind, but he has a sword of fire that can cut right through a man."

At first Selera thought he was joking, but having seen a few of the new things these strangers brought with them from the stars, it was entirely possible.

"How do you know about this sword?" She asked.

Braith drew in his breath sharply as he watched the stranger come closer to them, "Wait, Lass, and watch. You'll see...."

Selera saw the hooded stranger approach their side of the market. Everyone was moving out of his way. Unlike their own kings, this man was unescorted. Does he have no fear? Selera wondered, but her question was answered when he walked to a group of men standing not far from Selera's and Braith's stands.

He stood and simply motioned all the men to leave, except one.

"That'll be Rayson Gerel," Braith whispered in Selera's ear, "He's been talking rebellion for weeks now. Even has an underground movement, I've heard."

Rayson had obviously been caught off guard by the stranger's appearance, and before he could do anything, the new Lord pulled something from beneath the folds of his cloak. No sooner had he pulled it out than a long, ember-like sword was in his hand. It hummed as he wielded it, moving deftly forward toward Rayson.

Everything went so quickly that Selera didn't know exactly what happened until it was all over. By then, Rayson's head was on the ground, next to his body. After initial cries of surprise, the crowd fell silent. If he was trying to instill fear into his people, he had accomplished just that, Selera thought.

The new Lord pulled the cowl from his head and Selera gasped; Braith was right. This was no man: he was black with red stripes on his face and bright orange eyes. A halo of horns topped his hairless head. Selera grasped Braith's arm. The Lord turned slowly and looked at the crowd, meeting everyone's eyes.

She felt his eyes pass over her and a shiver went up her spine as if he could see right through her. Then she saw flashes of light and went all giddy, the earth turning upside down. When she came to, she was face down on the cobble stones and felt hands turn her over. Her head hurt and she brought her hand up to rub her eyes, but she could not open them.

While Selera could not open her eyes, she could hear the deathly silence. Braith was on the ground near her pulling her skirts down around her ankles and he whispered, "Be still, child. He is coming."

Someone walked to her side. There was a long moment of silence before a low voice quietly ordered "Bring her."

"My Lord," Braith spoke slowly and respectfully, "She need not be a bother of yours, my wife and I can care for her. She is...."

"Bring her," the man ordered again. The insistence of the lord's voice was enough for Braith to obey.

"Hold on, My Dear," Braith whispered to her as he scooped her up from the street.

They walked all the way to the end of the market square to the castle drive gate. Before they went through the gate, the cloaked lord relieve Braith of his burden and turned him back to the city. Selera's head was beginning to clear and she managed to open one eye: what she saw distressed her. The Lord of the castle was carrying her up the castle drive, which was no short walk, and a steep incline as well.

Selera began trembling. "My Lord," she managed weakly, her mouth was dry. She swallowed and continued, "Please do not trouble yourself."

"Does your head still hurt?" he asked.

This caught her off guard, wondering how he would know. "Yes, My Lord."

"The light bothers your eyes and your vision is not clear," they were statements, not questions.

"Yes, My Lord," was all she could answer.

"Then I do trouble myself," he said, "Be quiet." He spoke no more.

When they reached the castle, they were met by several people. Some took Selera from the strange-looking man. They looked to be normal people, although they were dressed strangely. They spoke in a strange dialect, one she did not recognize. They spoke to her insistently, but she couldn't understand.

The lord said something to them in their own tongue before turning away. Someone came up to her with what looked like a small type of weapon and pressed it firmly behind her ear. There was a quick sting and the feeling as if someone had hit her from behind. As the feeling passed, she noticed she could understand the strangers quite clearly.

Her pulse quickened and her palms began sweating profusely.

"Catch her," the Lord said over his shoulder.

Two of the men took Selera by the elbows just as she was heading for the floor once again.

"Come on, now. Let's find you some place to sit down," one of the men said, helping her inside.

They found a seat just inside the entry and put her there. "Stay here for a moment," one of the men instructed her. She nodded before closing her eyes momentarily. She leaned forward and put her head in her hands, rubbing her temples and eyes in hopes of squeezing the pain from her head.

Selera heard someone step before her and she opened her eyes and looked up: it was the new lord. She looked into his eyes fearfully: she had never seen anything like him before. He was both awful and beautiful at the same time. And, yes, she believed he was a demon.

He removed a black leather glove from his hand and stretched it out placing it on her head. Instantly, her pain was gone.

She blinked, took a deep breath, and sat up in the chair, still looking at the man. "Thank you," was all she could manage.

He did not say anything before turning on his heels and walking swiftly from the antechamber. She watched his robes flow silently behind him; even his boots made no sound on the stone floor.

Selera looked around for the other people that had been there. They were watching as their lord disappeared into the back.

Finally, one of the women came forward. "My Lady, our Lord wishes for us to make you more comfortable. Please follow me."

There was no more conversation as the woman escorted Selera up the steps and to a room. It was very different than the rest of the castle. The stone floors and walls had been replaced (covered?) with a very smooth and light-colored covering. There were some sort of brightly glowing lights on the ceiling making the room very light; as there was only one small window in the far wall. Selera stood in awe.

Up against one wall there was a very large bed, decorated in beautiful fabrics. The walls were adorned with all manor of pretty things. Some looked to be windows, but when she touched them they were solid. Selera figured they must depict some sort of place.

"You may rest here until our Lord sends for you, My Lady. There is food and drink on the table, if you are hungry."

Selera nodded mutely.

When the woman left, a door closed by sliding across the doorway, instead of on hinges. Selera walked back to the door and tried to open in, but she could not. She figured either she didn't know how to get it open or she was locked in. Neither gave her an easy feeling.

She went to the walls and closely looked at the pictures. Selera had never seen anything so beautiful before in all her life. They showed large round objects with stars in the background. Next she went to the bed and sat down on it, bouncing a couple of times to test it out: very nice, she thought. And finally, she went to the small table placed near the only window. She was hungry and decided to eat some of the bread, cheese, and fruits left there. The pitcher contained cool wine. Selera wondered for a moment if she were dead. Her home was comfortable to her, but it was nothing like this.

After eating, she stood and went to the window. It was covered by something that looked like glass, except you could actually see through it. Selera saw for miles past the city and into the country side. She didn't know if she would be able to see her farm from there, but the view was beautiful. It is nice to be nobility, she thought.

Selera looked down at herself: I don't belong here, she thought.

"More than you realize," came a voice behind her. Selera wheeled around to see the lord standing at the door. He no longer had on his long robes, standing only in a layered outfit of some sort, belted at the waist. She bowed her head and curtsied, not knowing what else to do.

"Thank you, My Lord, for your hospitality," she said, wondering if he'd actually known what she had been thinking.

He crossed the room to window where she stood.

"It is beautiful here, is it not?" he asked.

"Yes," she agreed.

"Where I come from is....not like this," he continued.

Where do you come from? She thought.

"I come from a planet far from your system," he answered, as if knowing her thoughts.

"What is a planet?" she asked, turning and staring into his golden eyes.

At first he registered surprise, then amusement, "No," he said quietly, "I do not suppose you would know."

He went to the table and picked up a piece of fruit. He admired it before bringing it to his mouth and taking a bite. After swallowing, he gestured to Selera.

"These are good, what are they called?"

Selera was surprised. "My Lord, they are called plums," she answered quietly. "Do they not have them in your....planet?"

"No, we do not have anything like this," he answered with his mouth full of another bite. He neither smiled nor frowned. She did not know if she was there for his pleasure or for punishment, he was completely unreadable. He finished the plum and wiped his hands on the towel provided on the table.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" he finally asked her.

Selera shook her head slowly, keeping a wary eye on her host.

"You are what is known among my people as a channel."

Selera thought a moment. In her mind, all she could picture was a canal for water to be diverted to fields for irrigation.

The lord let out a laugh - it changed his whole appearance. But as soon as he stopped, the severe look over took his face once again. "Yes, in a way, it's a lot like that."

Selera backed away from him in fear. "You are reading my thoughts," she said.

He crossed his arms and nodded. "You are an open book," he said. "Not so with most people."

Selera was definitely confused.

"No, I'm not a demon as you would think of me. But I guess I can understand why you would think that way of me." He stared at her patiently. He was in no rush, obviously.

"You have a rare gift. Not even my own people fully understand it," he continued to speak quietly. As she listened, Selera's fears calmed, but she remained alert. She didn't know if he planned in doing her harm.

"Hardly," he said, unfolding his arms. He walked over to her and put his hands up to either side of her face, without touching her. His hands were close enough she could feel the heat off them. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes," he said, "you can do a great deal to help me."

Selera felt the dizzying sensation return and her mind reeled. She saw things in her mind that she could not understand. She saw all manner of people and places. She saw the space between her own planets, and then understood what a planet was. She saw ships that could fly. She saw strange things and strange peoples talking about incomprehensible things.

When she woke, she was on the bed. Her head aching from the experience. Selera glanced around the room to see the man sitting at the table watching her.

"What does it all mean?" she asked quietly, "Did you put those visions in my head?"

He stood abruptly, walked to the side of the bed and sat down.

"Yes and no," he answered. "I can not make you see anything in particular, but I drew the images through you by the Force."

The look on Selera's face must have been that of total incomprehension.

"You use channels to divert water that is flowing else where to put it where you need it, is that correct?" he asked.

"Yes."

"In the same way, I can use you to divert the energy flowing freely through the universe to where I need it."

"What do you do with it when you have it where you want it?" Selera could not understand what a person could do with thoughts and visions.

"Thoughts are power, My Dear. Knowledge of things unseen mean even more power." he said reaching up to brush some stray hair from her face. For the instant he touched her, her mind opened up and the visions briefly reappeared. She gasped as the suddenness of it. But as soon as he moved his hand away, the feeling disappeared.

"I cannot control when they happen, can I?" she asked.

"No, but I can. It is my power that draws them," he explained."However, I cannot draw them without you, so you see, we need one another."

Selera didn't understand how this "gift" helped her at all besides making her black out and giving her a headache.

"Those will pass, with time," he answered. He placed his hand on her head once again, and instead of drawing from her, he pushed some of himself to her. This relieved the pain almost immediately and gave her strength.

"The more you do it, the fewer problems you will have," he explained. "But it will take time and training.

"While you cannot control anything that you see right now, you will learn to push your mind in certain directions and retrieve information that otherwise would not be possible."

Selera sat up on her elbows and frowned, "Am I to be like a spy, then?"

He cocked his head, "Actually, that is exactly what you will be."

Selera laid back down and rolled away from the man, thinking about this for a moment.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear: "There are many benefits to being our ally."

"And if I choose not to?"

"Why would you want to?" he asked. Selera suddenly felt a tugging at her mind, her own will vacillated.

"Stop it," she said, looking fiercely back at him, "I don't like that."

He stopped dead, definitely surprised.

Once again she felt it, much stronger this time. "Stop it, I say," she protested louder and sat up, scooting away from him. "Stay out of my mind."

At this he smiled and then laughed.

"I hardly find it funny," she scowled at him.

"Well, My Lady, it appears you have me at a disadvantage," he still seemed quite amused. "While I can read every single thought that comes from your underdeveloped mind, I cannot bend your will to my own."

This time, Selera smiled. "I think I like it that way."

He stood from the bed and held out his hand, "Come, we must find you some suitable attire befitting a imperial guest and ally."

She took his hand and rose from the bed, "Yes," she answered "I will be your guest. I'm still not sure about the ally part."

He placed her arm around his and escorted her to the door. "What do you have to lose?" he asked.

"What, do I have to gain?" she asked as they passed through the doorway into the hall.

He half smiled once again and replied, "More than you could ever imagine."

She wasn't sure she liked how he said that. But something odd struck her....

"You are Selera Elia," he said. "You've lived outside the city walls now for three years. Before that you were a prostitute, sold to the brothel by your father," Selera stopped walking, removing her arm from his. He stopped and turned to her.

"That's not funny," she said. She was deeply hurt, she had wanted that part of her life forgotten.

He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me, I did not know it would offend you so. Where I am from being a prostitute is nothing to be ashamed of."

She wasn't sure if he was telling the truth, but he appeared to be sincere about the apology.

"Why don't I tell you a bit about myself, then?" he said, gently taking her hand and replacing it around his arm as they continued through the castle.

He told a very short story about his barren home planet and how he was rescued by a nobleman from a nearby system. He currently served under this man. When he completed his story there was a brief moment of silence.

"Go ahead ask," he said.

"You already know what I am going to ask," she said.

"Yes, but you should ask it, nonetheless."

She sighed. "My Lord, what shall I call you? I mean, surely you have a name?"

They stopped in front of a door and he pushed a button on the wall to make the door open. "The name my master has given me, is Darth Maul. But you may continue to call me 'My Lord' because it is not yet appropriate for you to address me by name."

Selera blushed at the inference of her low station.

"Not at all, My Lady," he responded. "We are simply.....unacquainted."

He led her into the room. It was unlike anything Selera had ever seen. Very bright, like her own room, but containing all sorts of things she did not recognize....except for the bath in the far corner.

"You may bathe here," he said walking her to a table up against the wall. "There are all sorts of oils and perfumes here for your use." He picked up a small glass bottle, pulled the stopper from it and smelled it before replacing it on the counter top.

Selera was startled to see two other people on the other side of the table, but then realized it was merely a reflection of herself and the lord. She had never seen such a clear reflection of what she looked like. Selera approached the glass, stretched her hand out, and touched it. "Is this a mirror?" she asked, looking back over her shoulder at the lord.

He crossed his arms and a visible smile passed over his face. He nodded. "I can tell that educating you is going to be an interesting experience."

He stepped back and pressed a button on the wall.

"I am stepping out for a while," he said. "I am sending some assistants to bring you new clothes and help you with your hair. When I return, we will begin teaching you what you need to know."

"But I haven't said 'yes' yet," Selera replied.

He raised his eyebrows. "When I return," was all he said before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Selera wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with all the gadgets and oils and perfumes. She settled for doing the one thing she did know about: she removed her clothes and slipped into the bath.

I was very warm and deeper than she had originally thought. She had no idea how they kept it warm, but it felt wonderful. Only a few minutes passed before the door opened and a female servant entered.

"My name is Kanri. Our Lord has instructed me to help you, My Lady."

My Lady? That was a unique experience, indeed, she thought. "Yes, thank you. I'm afraid I do not know what is in all the bottles. I was afraid to use the wrong one." She lied. She didn't even know where to start.

The woman showed her how to use all the different items and even washed Selera's hair for her. When Selera got out of the bath, Kanri dried her off, dressed her, and combed her hair. Selera was not used to such attention and it made her self-conscious. By the time she was escorted back to her room, she was dressed like an angel and her hair had been braided and twisted with gold and silver: Selera felt like a queen.

"Well, you certainly look like one," came a familiar voice from the door.

"My Lord," she said. She couldn't help smiling because of her new appearance. Darth Maul crossed the room, eyeing her critically before nodding.

"I approve; you are beautiful," he said in a very matter-of-fact manner. He stepped closer to her, getting a closer view. He reached up and felt the skin on her shoulder, as if he were sampling some cloth. "One so beautiful...they will never suspect you."

Selera immediately became dizzy, but she could feel him control the amount of energy he took from her, and she did not black out this time. He stepped closer to her, maintaining his touch: enough to keep her from resisting, but not enough to make her forget. He put his mouth on hers and an explosion of visions filled her head. It was a mixture of all the sexual encounters that were going on throughout the universe and the secret plans of many that Selera realized would very likely not come to fruition.

When he released her she found herself strangely aware of everything going within the castle. In that final second, she had seen everything within the castle walls. Selera felt an exhilaration that she'd never experienced before. She looked into this strange man's eyes, for a man he was. She had witnessed the passion behind those sun-burst eyes and it excited her. She tried to steal another kiss, and with it another glimpse of the universe, but he withdrew from her.

"Does your head hurt?" he asked.

"Yes, but not as bad as before, as you said," she answered, bringing her hand to her forehead and rubbing her eyebrow. She looked at him strangely.

"Lord Maul, why do men fear you?"

He paused before answering. "It is...as it should be."

"You are a Sith Lord." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," he answered, "Do you know what that is?"

She nodded slowly, "I believe I do," she answered. "Your enemies plot against you and your master."

"That is as it is," he answered.

"You have enemies in the castle."

"Not unexpected," he answered.

Selera cocked her head at him and he smiled, already knowing the question: "If that one kiss revealed all that to me, what would be revealed if I took you into my body?"

"You certainly are ambitious this afternoon. And all that talk of not becoming an ally?" he asked.

"I still may not be."

He laughed, knowing just how true that statement could be.

"Then remove your clothes and I will reveal all to you."

Selera laid back almost panting. She couldn't keep her eyes open and she had a fierce headache. But it had been worth the experience.

When Maul entered her, all she could see was every person in the galaxy who was doing the same thing. But something strange happened. Lord Maul began whispering to her, telling her what to think about. When she saw one of those flying ships, Maul told her it was a freighter: it carried supplies from one planet to another. He told her to follow it to it's destination, which she did. They flew through the stars: Maul guiding the way, while Selera took them.

But as Lord Maul drew close to orgasm, he could not talk and Selera could not see past his soul. She saw everything he was, everything he had ever been. And when he came, she saw every man he had ever fought or killed; Maul cried out loudly until he finished.

Afterward, he lay next to her resting, sleeping heavily for a short time. He seemed as exhausted by the experience as Selera.

He awoke and place a hand on Selera's head to relieve her pain and exhaustion, then he laid back, placing his hands behind his head, and looked at the ceiling.

"That was...unexpected," he said.

"Was it a bad thing?" she asked.

"It was not something I desired to reveal to you."

"So now we are even," she said, rolling over onto her stomach and propping herself up on her elbows.

"I was a prostitute, you are....a warrior of some sort," Selera said. "And you are feared." Selera paused and thought a moment before asking: "Should I fear you?"

"What do you think?" Maul asked.

She thought a moment and finally shook her head. "You want to use me. And you must keep me somewhat compliant to do that, don't you? Treating me like a slave or a prisoner would not endear yourself to me, so you plan on treating me well enough to get what you want.

"The only question there is, what happens to me when I am no longer useful to you?"

Maul smiled: it did not go with his fierce features, but it was genuine. "I doubt that someone with your gifts would ever cease to be useful," he responded. He reached down and lightly touched the skin on her back. Her mind swam briefly as he did so, then he stopped and rolled up on his side facing her.

"If I took you to someone like myself, would you help me get information about him as you did about me?" It was a question, but she knew that it was not a request.

"Is he as beautiful as you?"

Maul smiled again. "No, he is human. And not nearly as interesting."

"I don't doubt that."

"But you will have to watch your thoughts, any thought about me and we will both be betrayed," Maul said, his smile waning.

"What is his name?"

"It is not important at this time," he said sitting up and swinging his legs off the edge of the bed. Selera could not resist reaching out and touching his skin: it was beautiful. The striking red and black markings covered his body.

"Lord Maul," she began, "I've been used by many men, I'm sure you're aware. But they never me treated like a woman, and they never talked to me as an equal."

"It is pleasing to be useful?" he asked.

"Yes, it is, My Lord."

He stood up and stretched. Selera couldn't help but admire his body.

"Sleep now," he said. "I go to speak to my master. If all goes as I expect, we shall be leaving tomorrow."

"To go where?" she asked.

"To Coruscant." Without saying another word, he picked up his clothes and walked out without putting them on. She assumed the castle servants must be use to such displays, but wondered if they burned for him as much as she did.

Selera rolled over and saw there was no light in the window and wondered how late it was. She got up and turned the lights off so she could sleep, but all she could think about was Lord Maul and everything she had been through. Some moments she wondered if she could handle it all. Other times she wanted to know and learn more.

Selera smiled to herself: she use to think that living outside the city walls was an adventure.

Selera threw up for the third time. Maul did not tell her they were actually going to be doing space travel. She was thinking that Coruscant was probably a couple of counties away, instead of a couple of galaxies.

Maul stood over her, arms folded in front of him assessing her situation.

"This is not accomplishing anything, Selera," he said.

Selera moaned and made a vulgar gesture in his direction.

"I can put you to sleep until we get there, if you like," he finally said.

"Why didn't you suggest that when we took off?" she asked. She wanted to die.

"I did not think you would be quite this bad."

Maul grabbed Selera by the upper arm and helped her out of the head and to the small sleeping quarters. He retrieved something from a cabinet and put it to her neck. One small sting and everything quickly went dark.

*****

When she woke, she was not on board Lord Maul's ship. Instead she was in a room, except two of the four walls in her room were clear glass and looked out onto open air. At least it looked that way from where she lay. She got up and went to the window. Selera could not see to the bottom of the structure she was in and she quickly backed away from that side of the room. She headed for the door, but the door opened before she reached it and a well-dressed, distinguished gentleman stepped in.