Well, here we are: a fanfiction set a little before the events of TOR.

This story exists for the purpose of providing some backstory for the characters I created for TOR...of which there are plenty. This isn't going to be a long story, but I think it serves its purpose.

Without any more further ado, let's dive in.

DISCLAIMER: I own most of the characters in this story. Any names of planets and other characters are owned by LucasArts and Bioware.

Dark Desires: an Old Republic Story

Chapter 1:

The clash of training sabers echoed through the temple as a Padawan dueled her master. The smooth ground of Dantooine's abandoned Jedi Temple served as the perfect training ground for young Jedi. Robes swirled as bodies turned, blocking and parrying every aggressive blow. The Jedi only fought when the need arose, and then when it was absolutely necessary. No Jedi followed the path of the light more reverently than Padawan Shalanna Zolus.

Shalanna blocked another strike from her Master, just before countering with a burst of Force energy fired from her palm. The impact sent her master tumbling back, though he quickly rose to his feet. Rather than return to battle, however, the Jedi Master simply placed his training saber upon his back.

"That will do for today, Padawan," said the Master.

"Very well, Master Zeeloss," Shalanna replied, replacing her own training saber and wiping sweat from her blonde hair. Having tied her hair into two buns on each side, this was a simple task.

"Now, I must go speak with the Council," said Zeeloss, smoothing his own grey hair. "You have done well today, Shalanna. You will make a fine Jedi when your training is complete."

"Thank you, Master," Shalanna said graciously, bowing out of respect.

Zeeloss returned her bow, and then left to attend to other matters. After he left, Shalanna knelt down to the floor, closing her eyes as she cleared her mind. Her body then felt as if it were nothing, instead flowing among all the life energy in the galaxy.

Until a new presence arrived.

"Greetings, Telonus," Shalanna said, opening her eyes and standing as she turned to face her fellow Padawan.

"I prefer to be called 'Bindo', Shalanna," sighed the newcomer, putting a hand to the blindfold that covered his eyes—or rather, his eye sockets.

"Why?" Shalanna asked, genuinely confused. "Mere weeks ago you had gone by your true name. Why would you take the name of a Jedi from three hundred years ago?"

"Because he shared the values of my people," Bindo answered. "Miraluka such as I don't believe in the light or the dark. We only see the Force, and the choices made by the beings through which it flows. Jolee Bindo refused to believe in the labels placed upon those who follow certain teachings. He was a rarity amongst your kind, and I feel that he is the only of your kind who I can truly connect with."

"But, Telonus," Shalanna said, unaware that Bindo would have rolled his eyes if he had any, "Jolee Bindo broke the Jedi Code. He took an apprentice, even though he was only a Padawan himself. On top of that, he married, when it is clearly outlined in the Code that attachment is forbidden."

"There are exceptions," Bindo countered. "Species with low birth rates are allowed to marry, even if they're on the Jedi Council itself."

"That is an entirely different scenario," Shalanna said.

"Perhaps," Bindo nodded. "Nonetheless, I will not sacrifice the principles of my brothers and sisters for the radically different ways of the Jedi."

"But, how will you avoid falling to the dark side?" Shalanna protested.

"As I have said, Miraluka do not believe in good or evil," Bindo said. "Thus, I have little need of that sort of guidance."

"But—" Shalanna began.

"Enough, Shalanna," Bindo interrupted. "I won't change my views. That is my choice. You have made your choice. Please refrain from forcing your opinions upon others who have different ones."

And with that, Bindo left, leaving the still-confused Shalanna to continue her meditation alone. Unfortunately, her willingness to do so had faded completely.

Many light-years away, a dark gloved hand glided across a glass tank. Floating inside the tank was a member of the crimson-skinned species often dubbed "Sith Purebloods", descended from the original inhabitants of the Sith planet Korriban. The dark hand belonged to a hooded figure in black robes, his face obscured by a metallic mask. Beside him was another Sith Pureblood, this one rather heavyset and covered in spiky armor of a dark green shade.

"Do you know the tales, Kiriad?" asked the hooded man. "The tales of Revan?"

Kiriad, the armored Sith Pureblood, merely shook his head, knowing full well his master would be able to determine his response.

"Revan was a powerful Jedi," the hooded man explained. "He and his friend Alek Squinquargesimus—later known as Darth Malak—disobeyed the foolish Jedi Council and fought in the Mandalorian Wars, their assistance allowing the Republic to best the Mandalorians. Afterwards, they encountered the Sith Emperor on Dromund Kaas, who persuaded them to seek out an ancient weapon…the Star Forge."

Kiriad nodded in understanding. He knew of the Star Forge: a powerful space station constructed by the ancient race called "the Rakata", and designed to produce entire fleets of ships in mere moments—even with minimal resources. But it was more than a space station, for it somehow fed upon the energy of the Dark Side, and only the most strong-willed beings could possibly resist its influence. Revan and Malak, Kiriad knew, were two such beings.

"Upon discovering the power of the Star Forge, however, Revan and Malak betrayed the Emperor," Kiriad's master explained. "The rest, as they say, is history."

Again, Kiriad nodded. Revan and Malak utilized the Star Forge to produce an army capable of conquering the galaxy, but Malak eventually turned on his master and fired upon Revan's flagship. The Dark Lord was saved, however, by a Jedi named Bastila Shan. After having his memories rewritten—remembering himself as a loyal soldier of the Republic, and eventually a Jedi once more—Revan embarked on a quest for redemption, defeating Malak and saving the galaxy. His later fate, however, was entirely unknown.

"Do you know why I brought up Revan and his history?" the hooded figure asked.

This time, Kiriad shook his head.

"Revan was one of the most powerful Force-users in history," the figure explained. "As a Sith, he and Malak came within mere inches of conquering the entire galaxy. When the Jedi reclaimed Revan as one of their own, he was capable of ending Malak's reign in a matter of weeks—whereas it would have taken months, or even years, for any other Jedi to do so."

Kiriad looked at the Sith Pureblood in the tank as he began to understand.

"With this," the figure continued, "it will be as if Revan himself was on the front lines of battle once more. This will be the harbinger of our conquest…"

He stepped back, gazing upon the being within the tank.

"This…is Project Blacknova," finished the figure, raising a hand to indicate the tank-bound Sith Pureblood.

Kiriad looked upon the mysterious Project Blacknova, wondering why it had such importance. Wonder…and also pity. What life would his fellow Sith Pureblood come to know? The life of a weapon…or a wielder?

A blue-skinned Chiss entered, crimson eyes glowing darkly. His light armor seemed to almost blend into the metal around him. In a distinguished tone, the Chiss began to speak.

"The bounty hunters have arrived, Lord Metarrid," the Chiss said.

"Good," said the hooded Metarrid. "Introduce them to their new task…and kill as many as you need to ensure their loyalty."

"Yes, my Lord," the Chiss bowed and left.

Kiriad looked to his master, who already knew the question the former would pose.

"I know," Metarrid said simply. The hooded man left, and after a brief glance at Project Blacknova, Kiriad left as well.