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Apprentice 3

//Flashback//

Word had been received. There were Jedi hiding on the planet Ideji. He had just left the audience of his Master with orders to seek out and destroy them or, if possible, [/i]interrogate[i] them on the whereabouts of other Jedi.

The hangar was full of ships. Angling to his left, Votary headed to a sleek black ship. It was as smooth and aerodynamic as a fighter, but almost as large as a small freighter. There was no doubt that this ship would be the one to have on your side during a fight. The [/i]Dark Moonlight[i] was ahead of its time; exactly the type of ship that a blooming Sith Lord needs.

The flight deck crew were finished long before he had arrived, many scared of what the Sith might do if inhibited by any tardiness on their part. It had only been three days since the desolation of the Temple and the two Sith already had a reputation for ruthlessness.

Moving through the ship, towards the cockpit, and finding it suitably deserted, Votary smiled. Hopefully, he would actually get credit for this jaunt.

During the trip in hyperspace, Votary alternated between meditating and sleeping until such time as his console stated to beep. Votary raced to the cockpit. No one was here to see him make a fool of himself, so he allowed himself the indignity of running to see the planet before the ship began its landing sequences. The person on the other end of the comm questioned him thoroughly, until such point as the Sith Lord used a mind trick on the person, allowing the Sith to pass.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Directly after landing, Votary threatened the ground crew and stalked off in the direction of the exit. Once there, he reached out with the Force and felt two distinctly familiar presences. This would be fun.

Moving through the streets, Votary could sense that he was getting closer to the Jedi, and they were becoming more fearful of him. He was mere blocks away from their hiding spot. Suddenly, apprehension clawed its way into his conciousness. Why were they not running from him? He knew of Masters who had been able to cover their presences with fear without actually feeling such. Were these some of those Masters? There was only one way to find out.

Moving forward again, he sensed them start to move away from him. Finally, what he had expected. His confidence restored, he moved forward with a greater sense of purpose.

Looking around, he saw an alley to his left. Following it with the Force, Votary realised it was a short cut. He would have these Jedi yet.

As he ran through the alley, he couldn't help but anticipate the fear that would be on their faces as he held his lightsaber up, savouring the fatal blow. The thought of such pleasure spurred him towards his goal. Creatures scattered out of his way, all fearful of his intents.

Finally reaching the end, he stepped out in front of them. The young girl gasped. Jedi Master Kruhk subtly manoeuvred himself to be in between their attacker and the orphaned Padawan.

Jumping to the attack, Votary had a good feeling about this.

//Present//

Votary listened to the persistent clang of blaster bolts with relish. With each shot more pain and fear entered the Force, echoing verbal screams. Allowing his troops to deal with the ordinary patrons of the hotel and the hotel owners, Votary went in search of the two Jedi he knew were there.

He felt the Force urging him upstairs and, while making his way to the top of the two story building, he observed his surroundings. The building was in fairly good shape by the standards of Nar Sharda. The walls and doors were only a dark shade of brown instead of the usual black, from stains. The Jedi had obviously done well for themselves to be able to afford even a night's rent in a hotel like this.

Suddenly, the Force seemed to scream at him, and he kicked down the door to his left, only to see a cloaked figure jump out the window. Racing to the window, Votary leaned out and saw two cloaked figures racing through the crowds, as best they could.

Jumping from the window, he ignited his lightsaber as he landed. The eerie blood red glow and blood thirsty hum quickly cleared a path for him, through the crowd. He caught up to the cloaked figures in record time.

Swinging his lightsaber in a wide ark, he caught them by surprise, and decapitated both...