THE DARKSTAR LEGACY
SITH ASCENDANT
AUTHOR NOTE:
Update as of 2019-03-02: Thanks for those who are sticking about, and those finding and enjoying this. Yes I am still working away on this. 474 pages later I am still grinding out the story! Slowly getting to the exciting point where storylines woven through are coming to a head. I love the Warrior storyline and having woven other intrigues into it, flushing it out, is simply a huge task in writing it all. It is coming though. The overarching storyline is completely written, chapters have been condensed and caught up, and now into fresh chapter writing. I am hoping to get this done soon!
STILL contains the Mature Content.
ALL RIGHTS TO DISNEY/LUCASFILM WHO OWN STAR WARS AND SWTOR. Characters are from my legacy created within their game, weaved through their game story.
PROLOGUE
DROMMUND KAAS
The rain fell in a cascade of unrelenting large drops from the black ceiling of low storm clouds. It was as if the planet wept openly and uncontrollably. Drommund Kaas city was frequently soaked in such storms, the planet perpetually in a cycle of violent weather that attempted to wash everything away. It made the planet a dark and forbodding place, where those that visited were constantly weighed down by its oppressive, dark, cold nature. Worse than the rain was the lightning. Despite the four spires that drew and attracted the fury of the storm, it was not at all uncommon for the almost purple streaks of lightning to rise from the surface to meet the heavens above.
Cold calculating red eyes looked over the city, taking in every little detail from within the black cowl. Water beaded and dripped off the edge of the hood, even as the cold wetness permeated through to be felt under the heavy cloak wrapped about the figure. The lone person out in the storm stood at the bottom of the large steps that lead to what was now the Museum of the Fallen. It was the newly made shrine to honour the dead of the Sith Empire.
The museum had been forged long after the war with Zakuul, before the Alliance and all that had come to pass. Where there were other monuments throughout the city, this was the place that had been made to remember and glorify all of the fallen heroes of the Empire. Empress Acina had seen fit to decree its construction, a project most of the Empire had supported and rallied behind. It had been built in a deep ravine on the outskirts of the city, a place history recorded as a landing zone of an attempted invasion of Drommund Kaas. That particular invasion had been stopped, in no small part, by Necrolis Darkstar, the man who had become so integral on a galactic level throughout the numerous wars.
They were all enshrined here, the figure knew. Necrolis Darkstar, Darth Marr, and all those who had fought beside them. More than a few family members were almost diefied within the museums walls. The museum housed not just memorials, but artifacts and relics as well. Even some of their weapons and armor had been located and put on display. It was for that fact the figure had made the trek to Drommund Kaas. The museum held something of value, something that was desired and needed.
Footsteps carried the figure up wet steps to the museum entrance. The wide, open entry was the only means in and out of the sprawling building. A pair of Imperial guards were on duty, and upon seeing the black cloaked figure, moved from the dry safety of their posts out into the rain. They positioned themselves to impede the figure's progress. It was almost night on Drommund Kaas, and as such the museum was closed. Even the last of the lingering guests had long since gone to find other interests.
"I'm sorry, this museum is closed. No admittance."
The figure eyed the two Imperials with a mix of amusement and distain. They could not in any conceivable way impede entry, but there was no desire to kill them. Instead the figure raised one hand to wave it before both guards, catching and holding their attention.
"You will step aside and let me pass."
"We will step aside. We will let you pass." The guards chimed in unison, moving back to where they had been before.
The figure moved past the guards, paying them little further attention. Once inside there was a quick check of a display showing the layout of the building interior. Moments later, the figure stepped into the area that displayed members of the Darkstar Family. Red eyes glances about, taking in the names of those honoured, but pushing aside curiosity, the figure made for what her intent had been to find. One did not come all this way to lose sight of the goal, after all.
The large black monument seemed small when sitting in the high ceiling of the museum. Eyes noted the name even as the figure moved past it. This whole area was dedicated to the one that caught the figure's interest.
Necrolis Darkstar.
Moving deeper between displays of armor, interactive accounting of battles and deeds, the figure instead focused on a row of glass cases. Drawing close to one the figure nodded as what was sought had been located. Sealed from the figure by a thin sheet of glass was the metal form of 2V series droid.
"There you are." The figure remarked even as the gloved fist rose and smashed against the glass shattering it.
Ignoring the alarms, the figure opened the fist to call the force to bear, lifting and floating the droid to follow behind. It did not take long to locate the closest emergency exit from the building, thus avoiding guards and making good an escape with the prize in possession.
The shuttle sat just beyond the marker that kept a no fly zone around the stronghold that rose above most buildings surrounding it. Long ago it had been home to Necrolis Darkstar, a place of refuge and safety on the sith planet. Now it remained locked away behind a defense system that could only be accessed by special permission of Empress Acina. She alone knew the Darkstar security clearance codes to deactivate the defense sytem. Or so most thought.
The figure sat in the pilot chair, gloved fingers stroking a chin as eyes looked at the dark rising stronghold just out of reach. There was a pull to the place, a need from deep within to fly there. Something in the force had guided the figure here, like a moth to the flame. Eyes slid slowly from the view to the co-pilot seat of the shuttle where the droid had been settled. While the figure was sure of what had to happen, there was still great risk involved.
"No guts, no glory." The figure muttered even as they reached over to the back of the droid's neck and flicked the switch to bring it back to life.
"I am 2V-R8, an Imperial ship droid specializing in personal etiquette and starship upkeep. Loyal droid to my Master Necrolis Darkstar."
The droid came to life and immediately upon hearing it speak the figure was itching to grab the blaster strapped to their thigh. The thing seemed unusually talkative, to the point of annoyance. For a moment the figure wondered if it had been reprogrammed for such by Necrolis, or had it merely somehow been so useful the old sith had not cut it to pieces.
"You will transmit the Drommund Kaas clearance codes so we can land safe, or we are going to die." The figure said pointedly, even as the throttle of the shuttle was grasped and the craft lurched forward setting off the warnings and activating the defence system. "Do it!"
"Oh dear, I am afraid I require proper authorization of a Darkstar family member in order to activate that part of my programming."
"Seriously?" The figure growled out, turning red eyes on the droid in a hard glare.
"Oh yes, I am quite certain of my programming. My Master ensured this stronghold was well fortified and not easily accessed. Perhaps if you had contacted…"
"Shut up already!" The figure snapped, reaching up and throwing back the hood so the droid could see her fully. Red eyes were glaring holes in the blue metallic droid. "I am a Darkstar, now deactivate the defences before we get shot down!"
"One moment… scanning… scanning…" The 2V unit stated before the red chest lights began blinking. "Scan confirmation, clearance code transmission now. Weapons systems disabled and we are clear to land."
Necrissa Darkstar swore under her breathe and brushed aside the urge to once again shoot the droid. No, he would still be useful to her. She had not stolen the Shadow Wolf II and come to Drommund Kaas to forget why she was here. There was already going to be consequences she would be answering for as it was. She had best make it worth the punishment.
It took only a couple minutes to land the shuttle, then with droid in tow to disembark onto the landing pad. The balcony of the stronghold was lined on either side of the landing platform with automated cannons. Moving past them, Necrissa noticed they had gone back to dormant but armed, tied to the outer markers cutting the stronghold off once more. At least I won't be disturbed, she thought with a small smile.
The doors hissed open as she approached, granting her access inside. She came in to a small landing, staircase leading down to a lower level before her, another door leading to a large chamber to her right. The walls leading down the staircase were draped in red hanging sith empire banners. Unsure where to go for what she wanted, Necrissa turned to face the annoying companion she had in tow.
"Alright droid, where's the main archive in this place?"
"Unless it has been moved, the main data archive would be in the lower level main chamber. However, I can access that archive from any terminals within the stronghold, the nearest being in the upper main chamber adjacent to our present location."
Necrissa growled in impatience as the droid prattled out its response. How did Necrolis keep from destroying this droid, she wondered yet again. The whole situation was stressful and had her on edge but add in the 2V droid and her pointer finger was getting beyond itchy to downright painful not to be pulling on a blaster trigger.
"Fine, shut up already." Necrissa growled and then entered through the doorway.
The chamber was dark, the air musty and stale despite the stronghold still having airflow and circulation. In the middle seemed to be some sort of sith work station. Tapestries adorned the walls, most of wich Necrissa found she could remember from her galactic history. In the large bay window that looked out over the balcony and landing pad, there was a large bronze throne flanked by a pair of mannequins adorned in red royal guard armor. Her eyes located the small computer terminal on the far wall a moment later.
"There it is." She muttered, waving the droid to move forward. "Plug in and access the network."
"Right away, I live to serve." The droid responded, before plugging in. "Query, what information would you like to access?"
Necrissa took a deep breathe. This is what she had been waiting for. This is what had made her steal a starship and fly all the way to Drommund Kaas. Now, here, caught in the moment, all she had to do was speak. Part of her wanted to scream out to have answers, but that would not give the droid the right directions required to get such. Calming herself, Necrissa thought how best to phrase what she was after before she spoke.
"Access all data pertaining to Necrolis Darkstar. Start at the beginning. I want to know everything there is to know, in detail."
The droid was silent for a period of time before it spoke again, however this time it was not the same talkative and annoying voice and speech pattern. It had clearly gone into some sort of mode that kept it more or less speaking in a historical context. Still, it held some quirks that Necrissa found both intriguing and annoying all at the same time.
"Organics mark their time in this galaxy by the span of their lifetime, and the deeds they perform. From the moment they are born, to the time they die, what lies between in their actions is how they are remembered. I am a woeful judge of such. In truth I am created by the maker, and will function until I lack a purpose to the organics I serve. Do droids die? It is a query my programming is unable to answer. I however digress.
I am 2V-R8, an Imperial ship droid specializing in personal etiquette and starship upkeep. Loyal droid to my Master Necrolis Darkstar…
"I know who you are droind, skip it!" Necrissa growled impatiently.
"Indeed, as you wish, Mistress." The droid intoned, "Alas my Master is no more and I find I am now without purpose. Query; what does one do when one's purpose no longer exists? My only answer is serving my Master post humously until a further answer is calculated.
And so this is what has come to be. I am my Master's personal record of his deeds and actions that have shaped this galaxy. I am the teller of his tale, though I fear I do not do such justice. I lack the ability to make it interesting. After all, I am only a droid. One who has served with distinction, and even been rebuilt to continue to serve my Master.
From the core to the outer rim, to wild space, my Master has left his imprint upon it all, and the Darkstar name is honoured and revered, on both sides of the galactic wars that he found himself a part of. Perhaps you have even seen the monuments to him that were risen on Korriban and Drommund Kaas?"
"Droid you are trying my patience…" Necrissa warned, hand sliding down to her thigh towards the blaster strapped there.
"Apologies, Mistress. Let me move ahead then. This is my Master's legacy, a sith ascendant, a recording of his life and trials as a preeminent being in this galaxy.
My Master's tale begins a long time ago…"