Red Passion, Golden Love
The hum of ship engines, beeping of droids, and the whispers of Imperial guards greeted Marr's ears as he awoke on his invisible fighter. Today was supposed to be a rather calm day, among the few which was not plagued with routine Dark Council meetings or other political banter. Marr raised from his cot, one of two times he was not in his armor: before going to bed and directly after rising to face the day. He felt a wave of relief rush over him, as his duties had been wearing him down particularly terribly recently.
"Darth Marr, ship is en-route to the Korriban landing pad right on schedule!" one of his few personal guards exclaimed marching through the door to his quarters, armed and ready.
"At ease soldier." Marr commanded powerfully, even though he had just awoken. "Your timing is precise as always. You and the crew have my express permission to get a drink at the cantina once we land, and keep in mind that is a SINGULAR drink so make it big and make it count. Anybody gives you trouble, tell them to come before Marr himself with their issue, they'll back down."
"Yes Darth Marr, thank you for your patronage. It is always an honor to serve." The Imperial guard repeated back to him like a household droid, though with an edge of sincerity.
Darth Marr hailed the soldier with one swift motion to leave him, and began donning his armor. As always, Marr could feel the dark side coarse through himself and through the metal in unison. He thanked the armor for sustaining his life force, and prayed to Marka Ragnos and Naga Sadow to continue showing him the way. Marr force pulled his lightsaber to his side, and felt the shake of the ship dock. He walked out of his fighter with his guard of a dozen Imperial soldiers at his side, though he commanded them to leave him and go to the cantina. He could smell the same familiar arid Korriban air he had grown so used to, and felt the sun beating down on his armor. Darth Marr leaned over and picked a handful of sand from beneath him.
"Countless generations of Sith... Both before my time and for many ages to come." Darth Marr thought to himself. Yes indeed, many Sith would die here, pass trials here, go on to fail, or go on to power from these sands.
As Marr advanced to the Sith Academy he noticed a plethora of acolytes running amok to and fro inside and outside of the temple, most with their training sabers and a select few with their first lightsabers, re-confirming his previous thoughts of new generations of Sith, and feeling proud both for his contributions to the empire, and for the empire itself. Acolytes, Imperial Soldiers, droids, amongst many others hailed him as he drew near them and saw his way into the academy.
After traversing several hallways and staircases, Marr saw himself to his office within the academy, with all sorts of statistical and political datacrons lying amongst his workspace. Marr slouched into the throne-like chair that resided there before anything particular happened. After about ten minutes, an Imperial coms soldier burst in.
"Darth Marr, my lord, I bring news of your appointment with Lord Beniko, coming from Hoth." The coms soldier said quickly and business-like. Marr had forgotten about Beniko, though he heard reports of some of her actions on Hoth and was fairly intrigued.
He had requested a meeting with her, and she graciously accepted. "Bring Lord Beniko before me then, soldier." Marr commanded as he stood up.
The soldier left and ushered in a woman that immediately caught Marr's attention. In all his days he had nary seen a creature so enchanting. "Greetings my lord, I am Lana Beniko reporting from Hoth." Marr didn't correct her lack of calling him by his name with titles included. Marr began pacing and examining the woman from behind his mask.
"Lana, I've read reports of your actions on Hoth, and I can say I'm fairly impressed, particularly with your willingness to follow the Treaty of Coruscant. As you probably know, not all of the Empire exactly saw eye to eye with the treaty and wanted further bloodshed. I'm sure you handled any incursions with that... rather well." He stated in a as-a-matter-of-fact tone whilst he made an obvious look to his hand. He discovered that Lana cut off the hand of an officer not seeing eye-to-eye with the treaty. Marr smirked under his mask at that.
"Anyways, I've also heard that your a rather inquisitive and level-headed woman, one that thinks about actions and their effects before carrying them out. Not all Sith nor Imperials, nor most of them for that matter seem to think and work in such a way. Because of your nature and your accomplishments, I'm relinquishing any and all previous duties you had in favor of new ones. You'll be briefed later by one of my personal agents, worry not my.." And with pristine emphasis Marr muttered "Beautiful", followed by short pause, "young Sith." Marr noticed Lana nervously blink and shuffle for a split second, the force's harmony being disturbed around her in that same moment.
"Why, my lord, I'm both honored... and personally flattered... at your proposition. I can say that I'm honestly quite surprised, I hadn't expected this change. My position on Hoth was secure and ordained, but by your will, I will relinquish my ties there." Marr noticed her eyes dart to his rippling muscles and detected a slight sliver of fear in her. His power and position threatened her. It was an honor to be personally called upon by Marr. As he paced, he noticed her mouth continue moving but he paid no mind to her words. Marr admired her pale blonde hair cascading down her soft ivory skin, and gentle golden-yellow eyes from behind his mask, then he ran his eyes up and down her slender form as a whole. A young and fit warrior, and an enthralling woman.
After Lana finished talking, Marr raised his hand to halt her. "Very good, Lord Beniko. I'm glad to hear of your agreements. I'm sure your experience on Hoth will prevail to be of use to us now and later." Marr said quickly, ending his pacing and placing his arms at his side. "Now please.." Marr said slowly as he took a few steps towards Lana. "Drop the formalities, Ms. Beniko." Lana uncrossed her arms and stared at Darth Marr with anticipation. Marr leaned ever so slightly forward in his slow stride and gently grabbed her left hand with his right hand. "After you are briefed later, I'd like you to head to the spaceport on Nar Shaddaa. Certainly not the best planet, but I have a mansion there and I know a few very expensive and high class eateries there... I will have you fetched and escorted to one of these restaurants with me, but only if..." Marr placed his other hand gently on top of hers, the metal gliding against her skin. "You agree. I'd like to discuss business as well as a few other things with you, Lana. You are a gorgeous woman and I find you rather striking." Lana blushed ever so slightly and smiled at Marr. He could feel her hand shaking both with a sliver of nervousness and a sliver of excitement.
"Certainly, Darth Marr. It'd do me well to go to a city and have a fine meal, and I am extremely flattered, my lord." Lana said, her blush intensifying with an added slightest of giggles. Darth Marr raised her hand to the mouthpiece of his helmet, held it there for a few seconds, then released her arm. "Thank you Ms. Beniko. You are free to leave. As I'm sure you guessed, I "kissed" your hand." Marr exclaimed with a smirk beneath his mask and a slight laugh. Lana acknowledged his "kiss" with a shy, blushed laugh that turned her head away from him. Darth Marr crossed his arms and took a step back from her. "Inform your ship crew of this, and tell any that may bar your way that you are under supreme orders to accompany Darth Marr to dinner tonight, and that if they have a problem they may answer to the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Supreme Commander of the Sphere of Defense of the Empire."
Lana quickly curtsied before Darth Marr and then bowed in respect. "I will, my lord, I look forward to it." Darth Marr nodded. Lana's blush deepened as she smiled and left. Marr felt a warmth in his chest, a feeling he felt rarely if ever as he moved back to his chair. He was excited, but questioned what others may think of such an escapade. If anybody did know, they wouldn't dare confront him about it. Marr put any worries to rest as he began pondering about Lana and rounding up his crew. Marr called the coms soldier back in, who gave him a smirk and a nod. Marr very slowly give him a single nod. "Darth Marr will be going to Nar Shaddaa this evening on personal business. Make it known to my offices and let it be known I am very busy as well."
Hey guys! I'd like whoever reads this to comment their input, I want this story to be as much as mine as it is yours. So, would you like to see the next chapter from Lana's astonished and flattered point of view, or would you rather see Darth Marr's point of view and his longing for his newfound maiden?