(Jointly-written, so many thanks to a friend!)

Author's Note: While my knowledge in the Star Wars universe is somewhat limited, I have researched and asked questions in regards to the various topics discussed in these chapters. With that said, if you notice anything, do let me know. Feedback is always appreciated.

Updates will be regular up until Chapter 6, after that, it may slow down.

Enjoy!

Chapter One

Korriban. A planet controlled purely by Sith, the orange, dusty sands unmoving in the heat of the sun. The Sith Academy stands tall, overshadowing the many stairs leading up to the entrance.

Acolytes and Apprentices train, using the power of Force to best their opponents, their attention hindered by the sound of a shuttle arriving, off-world visitors not often welcomed, nor invited without good reason. At touch-down, the vents of the shuttle blow the debris underneath in all directions, the door sliding open to reveal a heavily armoured female, covered in beskar from head-to-toe, coloured in black and red and decorated with various gadgets and trinkets. She turns her head over her shoulder, nodding to one of the pilots, before she strides down the ramp, her feet leaving footprints in the blood-red sand below.

"Stop staring! Get back to training, useless Akk Dogs!" a voice rings out from the fighting pits, and the woman turns her head to look towards the area. A gathering of Sith seemingly glaring at her from a distance, they fumble around each other at the demands of the Lord. Returning to their battles.

She grins from within her helmet, her emerald eyes roaming over the unfamiliar planet, before a second pair of footsteps reach her position. Turning her gaze to the armoured guard, she perks up a brow as he extends his hand, his other pointing to the blasters located at her hip.

"Rules are rules, outsider" he states, and she narrows her eyes in warning, before unhitching her weapons and handing them over. The guard grunts, taking the weapons away into a safe-storage cargo, speaking to her over his shoulder.

"They will be returned on your leave".
"Good. Th'better, f'your sake". She watches as the guard returns to her side, an irritated expression adorning his features from behind his visor. She smirks at him, raising her chin defiantly. Confident in her actions.

He opens his mouth to speak, interrupted by an unexpected, third voice, hoarse in sound.

"Leave her. She is no concern of yours".
"Y-yes, my Lord. As you say". The guard stutters and stumbles over his words, bowing pathetically low to the new, imposing figure. The woman folds her arms over her chest, a chuckle escaping as she mock-waves towards the guard as he takes his leave. Once sure he's out of sight, she turns to the owner of the third voice.

She grimaces under her helmet, the sight which meets her eyes being ghastly to witness. Hooded, with his face darkened under the covering, his expression is almost full of arrogance and superiority. Wrinkles surround the heavy scars littering his face, ranging from those of previous saber burns, to that of a knife's blade. His eyes gaze at her coldly, only one having visibility, a colour as cold as his demeanour; icy-blue. The other remains completely white and unseeing, yet still makes her feel as if he's looking straight through her, and into her very soul.

"You must be the Mandalorian I've had the...displeasure... to have contact with". He speaks to her as if she's nothing. Not even worth the bloodied dust under his boots. She uncrosses her arms, allowing them to fall to her side. Offering a single nod, her tone business-like.

"That I am. I 'ave a request of y', and I'll offer m'services t'ya in return".
"I know why you are here, Mandalorian. I don't need you to repeat yourself... What could you possibly offer me, a Sith of high standards, hm?"
"I can figh'. Train y'... acoleets". She recieves a snort in reply, and he waves his hand dismissively.
"I have Siths to train those insufferable fools. I don't need, or want some outcast to do that". The woman blinks, opening her mouth to retort, snapping it shut as the Lord continues to speak.

"No... I have a better idea. You will accompany me to Dromund Kaas. You will remain quiet the whole time, and do as I say".
"N'if I don't?"
"Then your pretty little head will be on display for all to see", he warns, grinning at her. She cannot help but release a sigh, turning her head away from the discoloured teeth he reveals to her.
"What do I call y'then, Sith-y?"
"Lord. Master. You speak to me as your superior, because I am superior to you". She snorts at his words, shaking her head.
"I dun' think so. Y'not mi'master, or th'boss of me".
"You will learn your place, Mandalorian". A spark of light catches her eye, and she turns to see the Lord's weapon ignited and raised towards her. She stares, amazed by the unusual sight put before her, too distracted to notice it coming closer towards her, leaving a burnt slice in her chest piece, the energy absorbers installed taking most of the damage. She blinks and gasps in surprise at the contact, a hand reaching to her hip for her blaster to retaliate, fumbling around in confusion when she fails to find it, only afterwards remembering that she was disarmed upon arrival.

"Look, I d'no what y'problem is. But do tha' again? And i'll take y'...shiney-thing away from y' and stick it where tha' sun dun' shine", she grunts, fingering the burn in her armour, blinking as she hears the Sith begin to chuckle darkly.

"You are as clueless and untrained as newly born. You had better learn, and learn quickly, or the only use you will be to me, is as an example to those who don't".

The female lifts her hands to her helmet, twisting and pulling at the armour piece, removing it from her head and tucking it under her right arm. Her eyes remain locked on the Sith as her red-hair tumbles down past her shoulders, her free hand combing through any tangled strands, "Then y'can start 'teaching' me by firs' telling me wha' that is".

She points to what's left of the weapon he equips, a single, silver tube with a wide circular hole at the bottom and the Sith follows her motion. He raises a greyed brow, returning his gaze to stare at her.

"That, you stupid child, is a saber".
"An' that is?" He raises a brow once more at her question, simply striding forwards, turning and pushing her towards the shuttle which she came from. The Mandalorian releases a growl of protest at being pushed, lengthening her steps to instead walk ahead, the door to the shuttle sliding upwards, granting the two access.

[THREE HOURS LATER...]

"So, what's y'name? N' I don't mean this 'Lord' or 'Master' stuff. I dun' do that".
"Tough".
" C'mon... I'll even tell y'mine! T'is Kaylee Oridas".
"No".
"...Please?" The Sith releases a gruff sigh, lifting a hand to pinch at the bridge of his deformed nose, his eyes narrowed in impatience.
"Zreniuth. Now quiet"
"Righ', righ'... Zreniuth... Zren..." Kaylee mutters the name under her breath a few times, releasing a gasp as she opens her mouth to speak, only a lone squeak coming from her as Zreniuth snaps his cold glare towards her once more.
"Shuttin' up..." she sighs, blinking as the shuttle begins to rattle, turning her gaze to the pilot-seat and through the window, the planet of Dromund Kaas quickly coming closer.

"Arriving at the designated point in approximately two minutes!"
"Calibrating the shuttle's atmospheric shields! Ready in twenty seconds!"
"Brace for landing!"

Leaping to gaze out of the sideview windows, Kaylee trips over Zreniuth's foot, banging against the shuttle's walls, uncaring as she observes the landing. Grunting, Lord Zreniuth unbuckles his seatbelt, standing up and brushing himself down. The pilots share a brief celebratory moment, clapping their hands together, before releasing the lock for the shuttle-exit, the door sliding up to reveal the rainy-weather of Dromund Kaas spaceport. As they make their way up to Kaas City, Kaylee trails behind, her eyes curiously peering around.

Noticing her current companion rushing ahead, she skip-runs to his side, staring at his face. He scowls down at her, and she grins, opening her mouth to speak. The Lord releasing a groan as she does.

"So, what are we 'ere for?"
"I have a meeting with a 'pet' " Kaylee blinks, tilting her head in bemusement. She frowns, running his words through her mind, before humming in thought.
"Y'ave a pet?" Zreniuth grins and she has to suppress the familiar feeling of a shudder, focusing on listening to his reply.
"Yes. A Cathar is running some... errands for me".
"Oh... Where do I c'min?" she questions, turning her gaze back ahead as they climb the stairs to enter the market district.

"That, you will soon find out" he replies, eyeing Kaylee up and down as she responds with a nod of her head. Reaching the Cantina building, Zreniuth turns to face her and stopping without warning. Kaylee continues to walk forwards and bangs into his hard body, releasing an 'uff' of surprise, stepping backwards to give him a look of questioning.

"You will remain at the entrance. You will not enter until I return. You will listen, you will not interrupt me". Kaylee furrows her brows, opening her mouth to speak, however would stop herself as the Sith Lord raises a hand to silence her.

"You will know only what is required. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sith-y Lord", she grins, faltering as his good eye twitches, nodding simply as a follow-up.
"Good. Let us enter". Zenriuth turns on his heels, entering the dimly lit corridor, his sweeping robe following him. Kaylee at his side. Turning the corner, they're greeted with cheap music and the sound of drinks, a neon blue light shining from a doorway. The Sith turns to nod at her, pointing at the wall, where she moves to stand. Waiting for his return.

[ONE HOUR LATER...]

Kaylee sighs, resting her head back against the cold surface of the wall, throwing and catching a single credit chip in boredom. At the sound of approaching footsteps from within, she turn her head to peer hopefully at the entrance, releasing a sigh of relief as the familiar figure comes into vision.

"Finally. I though' I had b'in ditched!"
"Tempting, alas no. You are to enter". Zrenuith nods at the red-head, smirking as she blinks.
"An' do what?"

Pointing inside the Cantina, he motions to a Cathar leaning on the counter, a knife penetrating the surface top in front of her. Kaylee follows his point, watching the feline for a few moments, before turning her attention back towards the Lord, curious.

"Gain her trust. She has been...unwilling to co-operate. That needs to change. Perhaps a 'friend' will help soften her up". Kaylee nods slowly, hesitating before pushing herself from the wall, brushing herself down as she slips the given credit-chip into her utility belt.

"A'ight, watch n'learn Sith-y". She strides into the Cantina purposely, humming to herself happily. She orders herself a Tihaar from the bar-droid, waiting for the order. A snort from her right grants her the opportunity she needs, and she turns her attention to the Cathar.

" 'Ey. Everything a'ight?" She smiles warmly towards the Cathar as she gets her reply, subtly nudging the conversation into a semi-comfortable teasing session. Back at the entrance, Lord Zrenuith speaks into his ear-piece, his plan already underway.