Part 4 – Dromund Kaas Part 2
Arriving back at Kaas City, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto reported to Kakashi's office, and presented him with the datapad.
"Very interesting," Kakashi said, "However, this one line, Indra Ōtsutsuki? If you've come looking for answers, I'm afraid I have none. I've never heard of him or her."
"That's not what we were hoping," Sasuke said, "What's our next assignment?"
"Right now we need to rest," Kakashi said, "I think it would be best if we adjourned for a while."
"Yes, my master." Sasuke said.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto left the Sith Enclave to see three of Darth Saber's personal Dark Guards called Immortals waiting for them in the shuttle bay.
Darth Saber's Immortals, fallen Jedi or Sith that swear their allegiance to Darth Saber either by proving so through blood, or sacrificing one of their limbs, and getting a prosthetic.
They're cold, calculating, and train side-by-side so if one falls, one rises to take his/her place so there's never an empty spot, that's why they're called Immortals.
"My lord Saber knows your plans," the leader said as he activated his lightsaber, "He's offered a substantial reward for your head."
"Then come at us," Sasuke said as he and Naruto activated their sabers, "Honor less hajas."
They charged all at once, the lead came at Sasuke with an overhand chop, Sasuke deflected the blow, and swung at the Immortal's chest which was deflected.
Another swing came in low towards Sasuke's legs, Sasuke jumped over the blade, and went in high, the Immortal dodged the blade, and flipped backwards.
As the man landed on his feet, he saw Sasuke charge once more, he blocked the incoming swing from Sasuke's blade, but as he tried to throw Sasuke backwards, Sasuke dropped to his back, and threw the Immortal over him.
The Immortal recovered only to feel a sharp pain in his back, and saw a black lightsaber blade with a blue glow stick straight through his chest.
As the Immortal went limp on the end of Sasuke's lightsaber, he grabbed the man's falling saber, and tossed it to Naruto, "Naruto!" He shouted.
Naruto caught the blade as it came towards him, and swung low.
The man jumped over the blade like hopscotch, the next strike however came when Naruto hit both of the sabers against the man's, and knocked them both from the Immortal's hands.
The Immortal turned back toward Naruto who carved an 'X' into the man's neck with both blades.
Sakura had managed to hold the Immortal off long enough, but as she went in for another shot, the man used the force to knock her off balance, and when he did, Sakura went to the floor.
As the Immortal closed in for the kill, he stopped, and two lightsaber blades went straight through his chest.
As the guard fell, Sasuke and Naruto were standing behind him, they deactivated their lightsabers, and holstered them.
"You ok," Sasuke asked as he helped Sakura to her feet.
"Yes," Sakura said, "Thanks to you two."
"Come on," Sasuke said, "My mother will have made a very nice dinner for us, and trust me when I say, we do not want to be late."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto boarded a speeder, and took off for the Uchiha Estate.
"I have to say Sasuke," Sakura said, "I've never seen a Sith act like you have before."
"Everyone who has been an Acolyte cares about 3 things," Sasuke held up his hand, and counted on his fingers, "Power, Wealth, and Blood," he then went back to driving the speeder, "Me? From birth, my father taught me that Power and Blood are a means to an end. Power and Blood mean that if killing your own brother means you move up, you kill him, and that's the natural order of things. My father always said that greed will one day destroy us. He taught me to respect the concept of honor."
"He taught us to respect the concept of honor," Naruto said, "That's why he fights to join the Dark Council, he believes he can reform the Sith Empire."
"Which is a tall order," Sasuke said, "He believes he can do it."
"And what do you think?" Sakura asked.
"I believe that honor is more important than power," Sasuke said, "That only through actions that merit respect should someone be allowed to obtain power."
"I wish everyone thought the same as you," Sakura said, "Your views are more admirable than anyone else I've met."
"Get used to it," Sasuke said, "You'll find not a lot of Sith think like me."
"Only one tenth of the Sith agree with you," Naruto said, "But that one tenth is still about half a million. That's half a million force-users that are willing to fall behind you."
"They're willing to fall behind my father," Sasuke said, "He was the first to voice his opinion, and I was very quick to join him, but he's the public figure, I'm no leader."
Thirty minutes later they arrived at the Uchiha Estate to find his mother setting up for dinner, "Welcome home," Mikoto said as she placed the food on the table with the workers.
"Looks good as always mom." Sasuke said.
"Good," Mikoto said, "I heard you helped quell the rebels at Darth Scoria's project."
"Yes I did," Sasuke said, "She want to thank me?"
"She already did," Mikoto said as she held out a small item
Sasuke took the item from his mother's hand to see a small gold scorpion, Sasuke passed it to Sakura, "This is either really good, or really bad." Itachi said.
As Sasuke took a seat, Sakura examined the scorpion, "What does it mean?" Sakura asked.
"It's an old Sith message," Naruto said as he took the scorpion, placed it on the table, and caused it to hover just over the table, "It means that Sasuke has Darth Scoria's support in his fight against Darth Saber."
"That's good though isn't it," Sakura asked, "We're gain support?"
"It means Saber's going to try harder." Sasuke said.
"Then we have to try harder," Sakura said as she sat next to Sasuke, "Saber's nothing compared to you. You are the best Sith I know, and I know if anyone can beat Saber, then it's you."
Sasuke looked up at Sakura, "Somehow," he said, "You always make me feel better."
"Must be my powers of hypnosis," Sakura said as she put two fingers to her forehead, "Now look into my eyes, and let me see what you're thinking."
Sasuke and Naruto started chuckling.
Over dinner, Fugaku raised a question, "What's on your mind Sasuke?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.
"Something's troubling you," Fugaku said, "You can't hide your emotions from me my son, then again, it's not like I can't tell. You love Lamito," he pointed to the tray in front of Sasuke, "And you have yet to touch it. But it's not Scoria, or Saber, so what is it?"
All eyes on the table were fixed on Sasuke, "It's this name that keeps appearing," Sasuke said, "Indra Ōtsutsuki."
"I've never heard of him." Itachi said.
"It seems familiar," Fugaku said, "I'll have someone look into it."
"Speaking of looking into something," Sasuke said, "There's still the issue of where's she going to sleep tonight," he pointed over at Sakura, "I'll tell you right now she's not sleeping with the workers."
"How about you choose the type of guest quarters?" Mikoto asked.
"I think that'll do," Sasuke said, "One of the best rooms in the house."
"Yep," Fugaku said, "Why don't you show her to her room?"
"Yes, father," Sasuke said as he stood up, and walked with Sakura to the guest quarters.
"What kind of quarters do you have?" Mikoto asked.
"It varies on the types of guest," Sasuke said, "But to be honest, I'm only allowed to unlock the second best," Sasuke used the force to open the next to last guest quarters.
Inside was a large bed big enough for four people that was covered in black silk curtains, "It's nice," Sakura said, "I like it."
"I know you'll love what we've got for you," Sasuke said, "I sent for some clothes, and I think you'll like it."
"Thanks," Sakura said as she leaned against the door, "You've been really sweet to me."
"You're my friend," Sasuke said, "And my partner, it's my job. Good night."
"Good night." Sakura said.
Sasuke went to his room, and found that nothing had changed since he left several years prior.
As undressed, and stepped into the shower, he felt the last few years of pain, suffering, and frustration go down the drain.
His Cathar fur might have been ash-gray, but he felt as though it turned a brighter shade of gray.
Most Sith would consider his respect for the Jedi's sense of integrity blasphemy, or even hypocritical, but his father has a lot of influence, and that alone saved him.
Darth Saber was not only jealous of his father, he denounced Fugaku's philosophy in the Dark Council Chambers on Korriban multiple times, calling it 'treason' and more than once called for Fugaku to be stripped of his title of 'Darth' and executed.
Fugaku although had more to offer the Sith than Darth Saber, Fugaku had a ring of spies secretly embedded throughout the Republic, and even the Sith Empire.
While Darth Saber spent most of his time trying out twisted experiments which benefited no one but himself.
As Sasuke stepped out of the shower, and got dressed for the night, he was greeted by the sight of Sakura who was wearing a loosely-flowing red silk dress, "Your father told me to bring this to you," she said as she handed Sasuke a small datapad."
Thanks," Sasuke said as he took the datapad, "You look good."
"And so do you," Sakura said, "That's a very festive set of pants you have there."
"You try sleeping in a fur-coat," Sasuke said as he pulled slightly at the silk track-pants, "I try sleeping in a pair of underpants, and it's just chaos."
"Hmm," Sakura said, "Is it?"
Sasuke chuckled, "Alright," he said, "I'll read this, but right now, I got to sleep. Good night."
"Good night." Sakura said.
Sasuke looked over the datapad, there wasn't much on Indra Ōtsutsuki because it had been nearly two thousand years since his death, he actually went by the name 'Darth Ragure' he was described as mysterious figure who believed that greed would eventually destroy the Sith. He was respected by his peers in the Dark Council, revered by women, and feared by his enemies, but most of all, what he was most known for was an almost unmatched talent for fighting, a vibrant passion for Twi'leks, and an almost legendary desire for gold.
Sasuke thought that if he hadn't known any better, the profile of Darth Ragure was almost a spitting image of his family.
Sasuke feel asleep thinking of it, and went back to the Sith Enclave with Sakura and Naruto thinking about it.
"Master," Sasuke said as they entered Kakashi's office.
"Welcome my student," Kakashi said, "It seems that Darth Saber's interest in the Dark Temple is greed. It seems a dark lord of the Sith was buried there with possible details about his immense wealth, and secrets. His name was Darth…"
"Ragure." Sasuke said.
"Yes," Kakashi said, "How do you know that?"
"Ragure and Indra Ōtsutsuki are the same person," Sasuke said, "He had a penchant for Twi'leks, and an almost unshakeable desire for gold."
"Then you know what to do," Kakashi said, "Go find this Darth Ragure, and find out everything you can."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto walked to the speeder garage to find a speeder waiting for him, and the evidence of their fight the previous day was still there.
As they flew toward the Dark Temple, Sasuke could feel a chill running down his spine, like he was about to stare death square in the face.
When they touched down at the Sith campsite a few hundred yards outside the entrance to the Dark Temple, the chill that ran down Sasuke's spin turned more into a shock.
"Come on," Sasuke said as the stood in front of the temple, "We've got a ghost to catch."
As they approached the dark temple, the dark side presence was so thick Sasuke could cut it with his lightsaber.
But there was something that he needed to cut down with his lightsaber first, Darth Saber's minions.
Sasuke walked up behind the closest, wrapped his arm around the man's throat, placed his lightsaber flush against the man's back, and turned it on.
The blade tore a hole through the man's chest like it was paper, however igniting it attracted the attention of the rest of Darth Saber's minions.
Naruto's lightsaber was the second to come on, Darth Saber's minions were simple apprentices who hadn't even earned the right to use training sabers.
They were armed with war blades, so Sakura had no trouble dropping one without any effort.
The second minion charged at Naruto, Naruto deflected the incoming swing, and swung at the minion's chest.
The swing was blocked, and countered with an overhand chop.
Naruto blocked the swing, placed his shoulder into the man's chest, flipped him onto the floor, and finished him with one stab.
A fourth came at Sasuke from behind as he was fighting the third, Sakura dropped him with a headshot.
Sasuke finished off the third minion, turned toward Sakura, and nodded.
The fifth came at Naruto who dodged the incoming swing, and gave the man a quick slice across the back.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto walked over the dead bodies to get to the second level of the Dark Temple to find the Darth Saber's minions final two waiting for them, this time they were armed with lightsabers.
The first one came at Sasuke swinging his saber widely, he deflected the swing, and went back in high, the swing however was deflected.
The minion's next swing came in low, Sasuke jumped over the swing, and came back in with a thrust.
The minion deflected the blow, and swung at Sasuke's chest, Sasuke ducked under the swing, and used the force to push the minion backwards.
The minion back flipped against the wall, and pushed himself back towards Sasuke.
Sasuke deflected the incoming blow, swung at the minion, and missed him by only an inch.
The minion however rolled to his feet, and swung at Sasuke who blocked the shot.
Sasuke's next swing knocked the minion off-balance, the minion flipped backwards, and kicked Sasuke's saber out of his hand.
Sasuke's saber went flying, as did the minion's next swing, Sasuke however ducked underneath the swing, and as he came back up, his lightsaber fell into his.
As he activated it, the minion's arm was in the way of the blade.
The saber went through the man's arm like a blowtorch through butter, his first reaction was to scream, and his second, to drop his lightsaber.
As the minion went to the floor, Sasuke took the minion's head clean off his shoulders.
Naruto deflected the second minion's stab, and came back with an overhand chop.
The block was deflected, and the minion carried Naruto's lightsaber in a circle to try and disarm him.
Naruto held a firm grip on his saber, and used the momentum to throw the minion off balance.
He charged, and swung at the minion, however, the minion rolled out of the way of Naruto's saber.
The man swung back at Naruto who blocked the swing, and came in low.
The minion blocked the swing, and came back at Naruto.
Naruto blocked the swing, stepped into the swing, and elbowed the minion on the bridge of the nose.
As the minion stumbled backwards, Naruto came in high, and in one swing sliced the minion clean in two.
"Nice," Sasuke said as him, Sakura, and Naruto moved deeper into the temple.
The three arrived at a small chamber where upon entering, the Dark presence took a surprising turn, and became lighter.
"I knew you'd come," a voice echoed all through the chamber.
"Who are you?" Sasuke asked.
"The blood of my blood." The voice repeated.
"Show yourself!" Sasuke exclaimed.
A humanoid male ghost, about Sasuke's size, six-foot-four dressed in the uniform of the ancient Sith appeared in front of Sasuke wearing an embroidered mask.
"I knew if I made myself a big enough nuisance that you'd come." The ghost said.
"Who are you?" Sasuke asked.
"You know who I am," The ghost said, "Blood of my blood."
"Darth Ragure." Sasuke said.
"Yes," Ragure said, "The blood of my blood comes at last, and I see our lineage is still intact."
"What do you mean blood of your blood?" Sasuke asked.
"You do not know who I am to you," Ragure asked, "Has our family strayed from the teachings of the past that the son of my sons do not know who I am to you?"
"Speak sense apparition," Sasuke said, "What do you mean?"
"I am Darth Ragure," Ragure said, "I am your ancestor, and you are my descendent."
"You're my ancestor?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Ragure replied, "I created the philosophy that I can sense you follow: honor, respect, passion, and power. Your force aura is not black but gray."
"Why are you here?" Sasuke asked.
"There is great power here," Ragure said, "When the Dark Temple was opened, I was awoken, and this temple became my domain. I however was given this small chamber because two thousand years ago, I challenged what the Sith should be that we should add honor into our philosophy, and in doing so, I became seen as an outsider."
"It's the same with my father," Sasuke said, "He's seen more as an outsider, but the Sith needs his spies so they put up with his actions."
"Then the Sith of this time have become more open-minded than of mine," Ragure said as he put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, "You must use this to your advantage. The Sith are becoming blind to their hatred against the Jedi as your previous master stated. But you, I sense have the power to change that."
"My former master was here?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Darth Ragure said, "Right before her death. She left me a datapad, and told me that you have the power to change the galaxy, and you should use it. You must find a way to make the Sith see the error of their ways, and turn their attention toward the real threat."
"Lord Saber." Sasuke said.
"Not just him," Darth Ragure said, "There is someone darker at work here."
"I've felt him," Sasuke said, "Half man, half machine, like Saber."
"You know what to do blood of my blood," Darth Ragure said, "You will meet a great many people on your journey who will help you. When you need me, I will come, until then, be safe son of my sons."
The apparition then disappeared right then and there, Sasuke walked over to the coffin, and found a datapad hidden underneath a pile of rocks.
Also he found some writings in some kind of ancient Sith language which Sasuke somehow understood.
Naruto knelt down next to Sasuke, "You know what this means?" Naruto asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said, "It seems my ancestor had quite a following before he died, his disciples wrote down his teachings, passed it down through the ages, and when Lightspeed was discovered, they scattered the writings, and the secrets to both his power and wealth throughout the stars to keep them from the Sith that considered his teachings treason."
"Do you know where?" Naruto asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said as he pointed to a single inscription, "This line means water," then to the second, "This one means mountains," then the third, "And this one refers to giant beasts like fish that fly," he then turned toward Naruto, "And there's only one planet I know of that has vast oceans, mountains, and those kind of creatures."
"Alderaan," Naruto and Sakura said in unison.
"Yes," Sasuke said, "I think we're about to become insanely rich. We should bring this back to Kakashi."
The Sith Enclave…
"Amazing," Kakashi said, "Unbelievable wealth and power."
"I believe I know where it is." Sasuke said.
"Tell me." Kakashi said.
"There was an inscription in an ancient Sith language I could understand," Sasuke said, "It listed water, mountains, and giant flying fish. There's only one planet that has all three of those things."
"Alderaan." Kakashi said.
"Yes, master." Sasuke said.
"Then it's a good thing your father has gifted you with your own ship." Kakashi said.
"My own ship?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Kakashi said, "A Corvette-class Y-37."
"Beautiful," Sasuke said, "Anything else?"
"Yes," Kakashi said, "Darth Tsunade contacted me while you were gone," Kakashi handed the datapad back to Sasuke, "She has told me herself that the Emperor is at this moment plotting against Darth Saber."
"Thank you master," Sasuke said, "I look forward to seeing it through."
"Good," Kakashi said, "Good luck."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto left Kaas City for the spaceport, when they arrived they found their ship waiting for them.
The Y-37 Corvette is what the Republic's Venator-class Star Destroyer was based on, it was shaped almost exactly like the Venator save the angles were sharper, and the bridge was shaped like the YT-1300 light freighter's bridge (however you might know a more famous YT-1300 called the Millennium Falcon) which was mounted toward the back of the ship.
The entrance was right below the front of the ship which opened to greet the team as they entered.
A T-0B4 protocol droid greeted them on the ship, "You must be my new master," he said, "I am a standard T-0B4 protocol droid programmed to be your ship's steward."
"Good," Sasuke said as the two of them shook hands, "Show me around."
T-0B4 walked into the main area, "This is the commons area," he said, "It's where you'll find your holographic relay," they then moved into the center of the room, "You'll find the medical lab on the right side of the room toward the back. Navigation can be done from the bridge, the stairs are toward the back of the ship along with the crew's quarters. I'm sure you can find the rest."
"Of course," Sasuke said, "Let's get this ship in the sky."
Sasuke jogged up the stairs to find Sakura and Naruto already on the bridge, waiting for him.
"Navigational computer is set for Alderaan," Naruto said, "Thrusters and weapons are operational."
"Good," Sasuke said as he took his seat, "When you're ready."
Naruto tapped a few buttons on his console, "Here we go." He said.
The ship left the space dock, turned toward the atmosphere, and took off.
Once they left the atmosphere, Naruto hit a few buttons on his console, and turned towards Sasuke, "On your word."
"Punch it." Sasuke said.
Guess what happens next…