Tales of Darth Skuldren
Chapter 14:Skuldren's rogue Sith cope with a new discovery while others look for long lost holocrons and gain the attention of the Jedi Council...

"Holocrons"

Kajji XII, Skuldren's Academy:

Darth Skuldren sat crosslegged in one on the academy's libraries. Enveloped in a black cloak and dark shadows, he sat deep in meditation. The darkness centered his mind into the void concentration. To reach the Force's enlightenment one had to release themselves from the outside world, to free themselves of conscious thought. The darkness helped.

Darth Xenon approached his master carefully. His soft leather boots eased across the stone floor without a sound. Skuldren acknowledged his apprentice with a nod.

"What is it Darth Xenon? Did you obtain the holocron?" Asked Skuldren in a calm, serene voice.

"Yes Master Skuldren, I found the holocron as you asked…but I discovered something else…"

Skuldren could not sense his apprentice's hesitation in the Force but he could hear. "Go ahead Xenon, what is it that you discovered?"

"It's about the Katarri Rituals master. It seems that the cost of creating life is higher than I expected." Xenon paused again.

"Yes, I thought there might be a catch." Skuldren opened his eyes to look at his apprentice. Xenon's youthful, clean shaven face was pale a frightened.

"Basically the Katarri concentrate of directing the flow of energies in the Force. They use events in the environment as a source. When Praxus created his bug, he drew upon the energies of the erupting volcanoes, the heat of the lava, the combusting particles. Using similar means we were all able to achieve some measure of creation. What I didn't realize is that when we did so we killed the things we drew from. In Praxus' case the volcanic eruption stopped. What I'm getting at master is that if you perform the rituals without an external power source you end up consumming yourself." Xenon turned to look behind him.

Through the dark aisles of holobooks strode a somber figure. As the man drew closer, Skuldren realized it was Ziam.

Timidly Ziam spoke, "Master, I had an incident…"



Ziam raised his left arm.
Skuldren stared in disbelief. Half of it was gone. "The rituals did this?"

"Yes master. I was trying to impress Lotus and…well it sort of took my arm." Ziam gazed at his feet, too ashamed to look his master in his eye.

"It's all right Darth Ziam. You need not feel ashamed. Many Force users have had accidents in their pursuit of knowledge in the Force. The unkown is a very dangerous thing."

Skuldren rose from the floor and stepped towards Ziam. He put a caring hand on his shoulder and gave him a well-meaning smile.

"You may have lost a forearm but you are still powerful in the Force. Let us see what kind of prostetic Bacillus can make up for us." And so the three Sith walked out of the library.

Skuldren mused over the idea in his head. Sith. In reality he was no more a Sith than a master on the Jedi council. He did not embrace the dark side nor did he crave power. Knowledge was his pursuit. Even if he wanted to pursue the ways of the dark side, he felt sure his heart would get in the way and that was not something he was prepared to throw away. When it came down to it, he and his order were something of their own. Something beyond Jedi or Sith. Hopefully, something better.

Bacillus' Workshop:

Skuldren and Ziam entered a large simple building made of stone and durasteel. Inside various tables were laden with mechanical parts. Pieces of droids were strewn everywhere and the air was thick with the smell of oils and lubricants. Off in a far corner, Bacillus was illuminated by the sparks of a welder.

The bright blue flame sent golden chunks of molten metal flying off in all directions. Bacillus noticed his company and killed the torch. He raised his protective facemask revealing a grimy smeared face.

"Hello Master. Is there something-" That was when Bacillus noticed Ziam's hand.

"Yeah, kind of had an accident." Ziam shrugged.

Master Skuldren cut in, "Could you make a prostetic to replace it?"

"Certainly." Bacilllus replied. "I'll need to go over the details, take some measurements but it should be no problem."

Bacillus flipped the mask back down and went right back to work. Skuldren looked at Ziam, shrugged, 

and gave a reassuring grin.

Out from behind a shelving unit, stepped Captain Siyal, a purple skinned Ryn and an old friend of Darth Skuldren. It had been many years since Skuldren had seen Siyal, who had arrived on Kajji just two days ago on Bacillus' ship.

Siyal had told Skuldren about the information he got from a Dashade mercenary. It seemed that the Sith wanted Skuldren dead.

"Well Siyal, I see Bacillus has been keeping you busy. How long do you think you'll be staying?" Asked Master Skuldren.

Siyal looked down at the mechanical device he held in his hand and seemed to mull over the thought. "To be honest I'm in no rush. I wouldn't mind laying low for a while and this place is about as good as any. Good friends, no rent, and Bacillus here says he can make Pazaak shifter that even a droid couldn't spot." Siyal gave a jovial laugh and glanced conspiratoryally at Bacillus. "That and I spoke to Xenon the other day and he says he knows this girl in the academy…"

"Yes, Xenon could probably help you there, I have no doubt. Well enjoy your stay, I have some things I need to attend to." Skuldren turned and left his friends and apprentices behind.

Coruscant, Jedi Council Chambers:

At the top of the Jedi Temple's tower, sit an assortment of twelve Jedi Masters. The black night sky glows from the city planet's numerous lights. Distant airspeeder traffic zooms by in the distance in a city that truly never sleeps. Not even the Jedi.

Tonight a special meeting was called. One deemed important enough that all twelve members of the Jedi High Council made the effort to attend in person. The topic of the meeting, as ever, was the Sith. However this discussion focused on one in particular, a Sith Lord known as Darth Skuldren.

Master Garu'un, a blue furred Nazzar and one of the five permanent members of the High Council, was the first to speek up.

"Masters we are gathered here tonight to speak of the Sith known as Darth Skuldren. Thus far he is responsible for the deaths of six Jedi Masters and six Jedi Knights. And now, as we speak, it is believed that he has etablished a refuge for rogue Sith. He now trains the castaways and deserters of the various Sith factions. The longer we wait, the more powerful he and his order becomes. Yet we must tread carefully." Garu'un nodded to his left. "Master Beldo if you would…"
Master Beldo stood up and walked into the center of the room. He was a tall, lanky, brown haired 

Frozian and a well respected warrior among the Jedi Order. Beldo had fought in no less than 53 different wars across the galaxy and it was his hope to bring peace through victory.

In the warm glow of the chamber's lights, Master Beldo stood in an ellaborate green and black marbled tunic. Calmy, he addressed the Jedi Masters. "I have looked into the matter, as asked, and have done some snooping around. What I have learned is that this Sith Lord has indeed assembled his own private order of Force adepts. He has been training them in the old ways and it is quite possible that he has rediscovered the Lost Rituals of Krudesh-"

There were gasps and murmurs among the room at mere mention of the lost arts. The arts of Krudesh were not forgotten among the Jedi Council but neither were they desired. Long ago they sought to be rid of the knowledge. A wisdom so powerful and tempting that few, even among the High Council, could resist its use. The Jedi had determined that some things were better off left unkown.

A Gand findsmen, Master Schen Xyrr, regathered their attention. "Master Beldo, how did you come across this information? How reliable is it?"

All eyes focused on Beldo. "It is quite certain. My padawan has infiltrated Skuldren's order and has relayed the information back to me-"

Beldo was cutt off by the council's immediate distraught reaction. The Masters confired their concerns with eachother and some showed anxiety over the possible outcomes of such a secret being in Sith hands.

"-Please Masters, let us focus. I think I can say that this changes matters quite drastically. There is doubt that we must take action. The question is how? At first we sent four Jedi to deal with this Sith. He killed three. Then we sent eight, of which none returned. Now we face not only this Sith but at least a dozen of his apprentices and hundreds of his followers. This is no longer a situation for us alone." Master Beldo stood silent in front of his peers.

"And what was the Chancellor's response, Master Beldo?" Asked Garu'un.

"The Chancellor spoke with the Admiral of the Fleet and assured me that anything the Council needed in this matter would be provided. Nothing is official yet, but I've done some planning and figure that we will need a strike force of six dreadnaughts with the standard compliment of support vehicles. The Republic will lend us the use of a full batallion of veteran shock troops. Tentatively I think we should match their numbers with at least a third of our own in order to make sure that this threat is taken care of thouroughly."

"A hundred Jedi…do you think the Senate will see us as overacting?" Inquired Master Xyrr.

Master Cas Trun, a human, stood forward. "I do not think it matters how the Senate sees this. These Sith 

have found the Krudesh Rituals and are now more of a threat than all the Sith factions combined. My question is soon can we act?"

"Three days." Replied Beldo. "I'll need three days in advance to inform the Chancellor that it is official. The Republic forces are already preparing their force for the attack."

"This is all well in good but you've never said where these Sith have located themselves too. I hope its not a populated environment." Remarked another human Jedi Master.

"No, it is not. The Sith have stationed themselves on the planet Kajji XII, they have built an academy out of the old ruins there."

"Of all places…Kajji. Do you think it mean anything or is it coincidence?" Asked Master Trun.

"Nothing is of coincidence in the Force, Master Trun." Replied Garu'un. "Well I believe things are well under way. We are in agreement to act." He paused to gain each councilmen's assurance. "And Master Beldo's plan seems to be sound. Does anyone here disagree?" Again he paused. No one present was of a more military mind than Master Beldo, and no one disagreed. "All right, in three days one hundred of our order will assemble with the Republic forces and head out to eliminate this Sith threat. There lies but only one more thing…who among us will go?"

Everyone present wanted be a part of the mission. The very balance of the Force was at stake, yet the fate of the Republic could not just be left to its own.

Master Beldo broke the silence. "Two of us should stay. Two of the permanent members of the council. They are the wisest among us and the most able if anything were to happen to the rest."

"Do you think it wise to send so many, Master Beldo? Do these Sith present that much of a threat?" Master Garu'un's tone was lined with the slightest shread of worry.

"I do." Beldo's voice was calm and stern. "I think this Sith is more powerful than we realize. He can cut Force sensitives off from the Force with ease and he has shown that he can do so even to the Maseters of our order. The only way to defeat him will be by the blade…through skill alone."

The mood of the council grew somber as they reflected on this. For so many years they had grown to rely on the Force and its guidance. The battle ahead would quite possibly be the biggest challenge any of them would ever face.

Devaron:



After returning from their vacations, Master Skuldren had sent his apprentices off on various missions to obtain holocrons. Using an ancient book that Darth Xenon had found earlier, they were able to determine the locations of hundreds of previously lost holocrons. Thus Darth Adder and Darth Praxus found themselves paired up for an adventure on Devaron, the homeworld of the Devaronians.

Devaron is a mountainous world with deep valley connected by innumerous raging rivers. Along these low lieing mountain ranges, the females of the Devaronian population make their homes.

"Watch your step Praxus, the darkness can decieve the sensors in your mask." Adder pointed down into the depths below. "It's the steam from the algae. It interferes with the electronics."

Praxus peered over the edge of the path. There appeared to be nothing down there but a bottomless abyss. "I hate caves." Muttered Praxus.

Adder tilted his head toward the smaller man. "I thought your people live in caves?"

"They do, but our caves have floors. This one has an indoor cliff." Praxus adjusted his goggled mask, turning up the intensity of the light amplifiers. A small whine could be heard as the servomotors readjusted to the new setting.

The two men continued along the dark, dreary, narrow path. Each step tetered on the edge of a seemingly endless oblivion. How much farther. Thought Adder.

According to the holocron book, somewhere at the end of this cave is a statue that stands watch over an old Jedi Masters holocron. As of the moment, Adder could see no end in sight. So carefully, very, very, carefully, they continued.

Hours went by as the cave's path winded under the mountain. As the air got cooler, they could see their breath, and quickly found comfort in the extra parkas they had packed. The locals had been very helpful with supplying them with the proper gear. The extra weight came in handy.

After two meal breaks and a dozen breathers, the two adventures finally came to the end of the path.

"I don't see anything. Shouldn't there be a statue?" Asked Praxus.

"Maybe this is the wrong cave." Adder suggested.

Praxus closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force. No. He felt it. Somewhere near he could feel it. "Its close. Look around."

Adder's gaze followed up the wall and into the stalactites above. Using the Force to see in the darkness, he saw only what one would expect in a cave. Moss, bats, and rock.


Looking down, Praxus examined the sides of the cliff and noticed a ledge below there's. "There! Look!" He exclaimed.

"That rubble there, that could be a statue. Lets climb down and take a look." Suggested Adder.

They took out their climbing gear and rappeled down over the edge. Fifty meters down was a outcropping of rock. On it was the old remains of an elaborate statue carved from some precious stone. What was left looked like the upper torso of a Devaronian wearing a strange helmet. His left arm was missing but the right was held out, palm up and open.

"I bet he was holding the holocron. A quake must've knocked the statue off from up there-" Adder pointed at the path above them, "-then fell here."

"I found it!" Cried Praxus. Shifting through a small mound of loose rock was an octagonal box covered in strange symbols.

He held the object up for Adder to see.

Such intricate details. It's a regular work of art.

"Well let's head back, we'll see if we can get it too work when we get back to the ship." Said Praxus.

"Yeah, if we try and mess with it while we walk we'll be liable to fall for eternity. It'd be kind of hard to concentrate while your falling." Joked Adder. They both laughed.

By sunrise the next day, the two adventurers finally made their way back to the ship. It was a small frieghter, one of several among the academy's pool of ships. Looking at it, one didn't see anything remarkable. A simple ship. No elegant designs, no suped up engines, shielding, or weaponry. The only thing it could boast about was its reliability. Ol' Bacillus took good care of his ships and they hardly ever broke down.

Adder and Praxus crawled up the boarding ramp and slumped down into some comfortable chairs. They were exhausted and both of them fell asleep in their chairs. By about midday they woke and grabed a bite to eat, some simple ready-to-eat meals they kept in the storage cabin. While Praxus chewed on a large, sweet synthesized beetle, he rotated the Jedi holocron in his palm.

What secrets do you hold little one. Mysteries of the universe. Principles of the Jedi Order. Or family recipes handed down for generations. That brought a smile to his snout. All that work for cooking instructions held as treasure by some eccentric Jedi Master holed up in a cave.

"What's so funny?" Asked Adder.


Praxus swallowed the remains of the beetle. "Did you ever stop to think that some old crazy Jedi might just fill one of these things up with his prized family recipes. I bet they'd get a kick out of that."

Adder laughed, then stopped abruptly. "That's not funny. Open it up. Aint no way I spent all this time hiking for a Jedi cookbook."

Still holding the holocron, Praxus opened himself fully to the Force. He did not reach out to the holocron as many would be tempted to do. Quite simply, he allowed himself to be reached. Adder sat and waited. After a while, he went back to eating his nerf steak.

Patiently Praxus waited. It had been centuries since the holocron had been accessed. Within its delicate framework a tiny powercell slowly recharged itself. Drawing upon Praxus' Force energies, the holocron awoke.

"Hello Jedi Knight. You have journeyed far to seek the wisdom of my aid and I am glad to give it. For seven centuries my holocron has dormant in the caves of Devaron, waiting for the adventurer of my vision to arrive. We are well met. I am Cilla Dornmuust, a Master of the Jedi Order, and keeper of the Krudesh vision." Spoke a projected blue spirit of a lond dead Jedi. Her voice was cheerful and full of hope.

"What is this vision that you speak of?" Asked Adder.

The blue image turned towards Adder and regarded him with curiosity. "It is odd company that you keep, Jedi Knight. Though I guess a warrior will be needed for your quest." She turned her attention back to Praxus. "The vision was mine. I alone among the order received it, but the other members of the council felt it as well. The Force showed me a brave Force adept who would walk a path of his own. He would gather the secrets of the galaxy to him, though he know not why, and would train an apprentice among many who would discover the true purpose of the Krudesh Scrolls." She paused, staring intently into Praxus' tinted goggles, as if she could actually see through them into the beady black eyes underneath. "You are that one. You will discover the secret."

And she disappeared.

"What happened, did you break it?" Asked Adder. His voice was startled.

Calmly Praxus placed the holocron on the table. If Adder could have seen his eyes, he would have noticed a far off look that seemed to peer into the future. For a moment Praxus could almost see it. He certainly felt it.

"Praxus. Praxus, are you all right? Did she do something to you?" Adder rose up out of his seat and went over to Praxus to see if he was okay. The sudden movement jostled Praxus out of his dreamy gaze.


"I'm fine, really. I was just lost there for a moment. That's all." Praxus crossed his arms and leaned back, admiring the holocron as it gleamed in the cabin light.

"Well, is it broke?" Asked Adder again.

"No. It's not broke. It's just…sleeping. It speaks when it wants to. Obviously it doesn't want to right now." Praxus unfolded his arms and took a sip from his glass of water. "I think it wants me to…sleep on it. The information that is, the vision."

Adder sat back down and seemed to be reassured. "Yeah, the vision. That's creepy how it knew that stuff." Adder looked into Praxus' black tinted goggles. "Looks like you've got yourself a destiny." Adder simled.

A destiny. Yes, it would seem so. Thought Praxus.