Lightning streaked across the storm-wracked sky of the jungle world Dromund Kaas. The planet, strong in the dark side of the force, was home to Kaas City, the capital of the Sith Empire. Down on the city's metal streets, soldiers and citizens alike carried on about their business, unmindful of the weather. Storms were a frequent occurrence in Kaas City; another would not bother the Imperial citizens any more than the previous one. Kaas City itself, with its sturdy metallic skyscrapers and towering spires, was built to withstand the worst weather that the surrounding planet could throw at it. A fifty-foot durasteel wall surrounded the city, holding the jungle and its many carnivorous predators at bay. Few on Dromund Kaas traveled overland on foot; those that did were either heavily armed or foolish. The jungle's numerous predators, while a hindrance to most, provided opportunity for others. Mandalorians and Sith Lords regularly hunted for deadly game hiding within the dense foliage, and the Imperial Army regularly drilled its recruits in wilderness survival techniques there. Still others used the jungle for more nefarious purposes...

Unnatural shrieks and guttural roars echoed through the corridors of AlChem Laboratories, located inside a larger complex of buildings in Hub 6, the unofficial "Science District," as it was known to the locals. Like their fellows out on the streets, the scientists and researchers that worked in AlChem carried on with their tasks, not mindful of the noise. The howls and moans had been occurring for weeks now, and the staff had grown accustomed to the ruckus. In fact, many recognized the noise as a healthy sign, as it indicated that their test subjects were still alive. Aginor, Sith Lord and Chief Scientist of AlChem Laboratories, was especially pleased. Having arrived on Dromund Kaas only a month prior, Aginor had already proven himself a master of the ancient, vile, depraved practice of Sith alchemy - using the dark side of the Force to create unnatural creatures.

Standing in his personal office overlooking the facility's holding cells, arms crossed behind his back, Aginor peered out the window, eyeing his latest creations. The Sith's own image - that of a plain, unassuming, middle-aged man - reflected in the glass back at him. Occupying the cells below were hideous creatures made from the genetic material of humans, animals, aliens, and the Force. One creature had the body of an Ithorian, the feet of a Vine Cat, and the head of a Twil'ek, while another was shaped like a man but wore the dense fur coat of a Wampa. 'Trollocs,' Aginor and his staff called them. During the War of Power, Aginor had created similar creatures - Shadowspawn - for fighting against the forces of the Light, but the One Power's capabilities were vastly inferior to those of the Force. Shadowspawn created using Sith alchemy were stronger, faster, and more intelligent, if not much brighter than those from the War of Power. The cell nearest Aginor held a creature that was more... human than the rest. The creature had the figure of an adult male human with dark blue skin and hollow eye sockets, over which it wore a blindfold, painted midnight black. Looking up out its cell's glass ceiling, the creature met Aginor's stare, and the Sith Lord felt a small shiver run down his spine. Made from uniting the genetic material of humans, Miraluka, and Chiss, the creature was one of Aginor's finest creations: a Myrddraal.

A ringing noise sounded from the holoterminal. Uncrossing his arms, Aginor adjusted the black coat that fell past his knees and crossed the floor to the terminal. The familiar holoimage of Lord Moridin appeared over the terminal.

"Good morning, my Lord Elan," Aginor said cordially.

Moridin stood straighter, arms folded behind his back. "Ishar," he said plainly. "What is the status of your... creations?"

Aginor peered over his shoulder at the office window. A Trolloc howled loudly in the holding cells beyond, then cut off as a Myrddraal stared it down. "They are magnificent, my Lord," Aginor boasted, returning his gaze to Moridin. "I have one fist of Trollocs ready for battle, with Myrddraal to lead them. More are being created in test tubes as we speak. Some of the females have already given birth to healthy young."

Moridin nodded approvingly. "Splendid. The plan is coming together nicely, my old friend."

"What plan do you mean, my Lord?"

Moridin raised his index finger to his lips, silently ordering Aginor to be silent. "We shall discuss it later. For now, I believe you are expecting an audience with two of the Dark Council. Until we speak again, Ishar." The holoimage of Moridin flickered and vanished. The Dark Council? Aginor thought. I don't remember scheduling-

The door leading out to the hallway slid open, and the tall, armored form of Darth Vengean stepped through without knocking or announcing himself. Darth Marr entered close behind, followed by a Grand Moff that Aginor did not recognize.

Aginor stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "My Lords. Grand Moff. What can I do for you?"

"We have been informed of your creations, Aginor." It was Darth Marr who spoke. "Lord Vengean, myself, and Grand Moff Wyld wish to assess their capabilities before we consider deploying them into combat against the Republic." Aginor looked directly at Marr's metal faceplate as he spoke. The Sith Lord's synthetic armor, reddish and in color, loosely resembled human tissue, as though he were wearing a defeated enemy's muscle. A hood concealed the back of Marr's head. While all Sith were intimidating to some degree, Marr's armored body, coupled with his barritone voice and concealed face, gave him an exceptionally serious appearance.

"As you wish, my Lord," Aginor replied. "Now, if you would be so kind as to follow me, I shall lead you to the holding chambers."

Aginor led the two Sith Lords out of the office and down the hallway. Marr and Vengean walked beside him, while Grand Moff Wyld followed close behind. They paused only briefly to ride an elevator down to the lower level, but otherwise their passage was uneventful. Civilian researchers and technicians stepped aside and bowed as the Sith passed while military personnel paused and saluted. Only the Grand Moff bothered to return the salutes; Aginor and the other two Sith paid no attention to rabble around them. The four men soon passed through a sturdy durasteel bulkhead, beyond which stood the holding cells packed tight with Shadowspawn.

Aginor, Vengean, Marr and Wyld halted beside a sealed cell with a transparent door, inside of which sat four Trollocs. The creatures snarled at the four men in their coarse, guttural language. One Trolloc, with the lizard head of a Trandoshan, pointed a scaled finger at Aginor and stuck out its divided tongue in what was an apparently disrespectful gesture. All four Trollocs were clad in some manner of crude armor, ranging from chain mail fastened over the chest to nearly complete sets of full plate armor like those worn by mercenaries and other vagrants. Together, the Trollocs were a nightmare brought to life.

"My Lords, meet the Trollocs," Aginor said proudly.

"By Force," Marr remarked. "It looks as though you have given birth to demons." Marr found more the Trollocs' appearance disturbing. The Force surrounding the beasts felt... wrong. Strong in the dark side, certainly, but warped in some fashion, as though the Force itself disagreed with their existence. Marr touched a hand to his lightsaber's hilt.

"They certainly are intimidating," Vengean added, "but how do they fair in combat?"

"I intend to show you, my Lord," said Aginor. "A demonstration is in order. Jailer!"

A young security guard in grey armor appeared from around a corner by the entryway. "Yes, my Lord?" he asked.

Aginor pointed at the cell. "Gather some men and escort these Trollocs to the training room. Bring one of the Myrddraal as well."

"Right away, my Lord." The Jailer gave a bow and darted back around the corner. He returned a short time later with six additional guards trailing behind him, all of whom carried electrostaffs. The six guards made their way over to the Trollocs' holding cell while the three Sith and one Grand Moff stepped back out of the way. The Jailer himself walked alone to a cell further down the corridor. One of the six additional guards unlocked the cell housing the Trollocs. "You lot! Out!" he barked as the door slid open with a hiss. "Into the hallway and be quick about it."

The Trollocs dutifully obeyed, looking around and still muttering in their native tongue under their breath. One Trolloc with the face of a Mon Calmari looked over his shoulder at the three Sith. "Little Sith aren't so tough," he growled in Basic. "Lur could kill you all and feast on your flesh!" A security guard prodded Lur with his electrostaff, delivering a powerful jolt that caused the Trolloc to yelp in surprise.

"You will show respect to your Sith masters!" the guard demanded harshly. "Else you'll end up as fodder for the beasts that live outside these walls."

Vengean shook his head disapprovingly. "I thought you would have better control over your pets, Aginor."

"I am not the one who controls them directly," Aginor reassured the towering Sith Lord. "That responsibility falls to the Myrddraal."

Just then, the Trollocs fell silent, formed a single file line, and looked straight ahead up the corridor. The Jailer had returned with the Myrddraal walking beside him. The eyeless creature cast its gaze over the Trollocs, and the three Sith felt fear rise within the Shadowspawn. Never once did the Myrddraal's black cloak ruffle with its wearer's movement. "Trollocs of the Ni'Drak fist," said the Myrddraal in a calm yet frightening tone, "Our Master has given us a task. It is ours to obey. Now, let us proceed."

The Trollocs, led by the Myrddraal, escorted by the guards, and trailed by Aginor and his colleagues, marched out of the detention area and into an expansive training room deeper inside the facility. The room housed an obstacle course, a firing range, and a ring for practicing melee combat, as well as over a dozen racks housing various different weapons.

Stepping up beside the Trollocs, the Myrddraal quietly issued orders. One Trolloc broke from the group and began to run the obstacle course, while two other strode up the firing range and selected blaster rifles from a nearby weapon rack. The remaining Trolloc picked up a sword and shield and entered the practice circle with the Myrddraal, who now carried a double-edged vibrosword. The two Shadowspawn started sparring as the Sith looked on. Blaster fire sounded as the Trollocs at the firing range commenced their target practice.

"Most impressive, Aginor," said Vengean as he watched the Trolloc and Myrddraal duel.

"These beasts are worthy of the Imperial Military," Grand Moff Wyld added, "provided their fury is directed at the Republic, of course."

"I am inclined to agree," Marr said grudgingly. "However, these creatures are still... unnatural. They are a product of dangerous alchemical practices. Under no circumstances will Trollocs or Myrddraal be utilized by the Imperial Defense Fleets."

"Scared of the monsters, Marr?" Vengean teased. In a more serious tone he added. "Very well. They shall be used in offensive role only. Continue your work, Aginor. Build us an army to terrorize the Republic."

"It shall be done," Aginor said with a bow. "Now if you will please excuse me, I must return to my duties. "The guards shall escort you to the door. Good day, my Lords."

Marr and Vengean turned and departed from the room, escorted by one of the guards. Grand Moff Wyld, who had remained behind, put a hand on Aginor's shoulder. "Praise be the Great Lord of the Dark," he whispered into Aginor's ear. "And let the Lord of Chaos rule."

Aginor looked at the handsome, hook-nosed Grand Moff, and recognized him for who he actually was - a fellow Chosen. "Praise be Great Lord," he agreed. "How do you fair, Barid? Is this galaxy to your liking?"

"It is good enough for now," said Demandred, "But when the Great Lord casts his shadow across the stars, the galaxy shall be ours to rule."

Aginor returned his attention to the duel just in time to see the Myrddraal knock the Trolloc to the floor.