Chapter 26

(Above Yavin IV, three days after Kashyyyk incident. Imperial Star Destroyer, Scorcher)

Kun glanced humorously over his shoulder. The looks upon admiral Refflet, and lieutenant Adnett was priceless. The two imperial officers looked rather disturbed, and even afraid. Kun could understand why.

For the transport shuttles continued to poor out masses of hulking red Massassi onto the star destroyer.

Unlike the two imperials, Kun's apprentice stood next to him with interest for the crimson beings.

"What do you think of my personal species of servants Valek?" The boy still in a state of interest, slowly looked up to the dark lord.

"I've never seen such a species like this. Their bodies seem built for battle, and war!" The teen said in awe and appreciation of the Massassi.

Nodding his agreement, the dark lord to see his Massassi commander arrive. Ghakta Mattizz his most powerful, and to be truthful smartest Massassi. The Massassi commander rushed to his lord's side. Then came to a swift halt to kneel.

"Lord and master, Kun. I am honored to once more be in your divine presence!" Mattizz repeated a common Massassi praise to the dark lord. The Massassi remained in his kneel, face tentacles dangling and all, awaiting his lords approval to stand.

Exar simply gestured his hand for his commander to rise, who followed all the happy to do so.

Mattizz turned to his people, whom all kneeled noticing their lord.

"My lord, we have found one of our people hiding within a temple upon your sacred moon.

He is changed, my lord! Far from a Massassi does he look, yet he knows how to speak to us through the force." Turning back to his lord Mattizz, finished speaking.

Kun's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. He knew whom they were speaking of.

"Ah, you've found your kinsmen, Kalgrath have you? Good I will need him for the coming times we face. I'm surprised that he's lived this long." The sith lord stated, as Mattizz gestured his fellow Massassi to move. Out of the same shuttle came a large beast unlike any Massassi. Ferocious features adorned the beast, green as the forests of the moon itself. With muscles that trumped even his Massassi brothers. Also his manner of movement, like that of a beast on all fours.

But Kun could sense it. Yes this is him, Kalgrath!

"Ah, my old loyal servant. Time seems to have been rather unfriendly to you." Kun said aloud, as well as sent through the force.

Kalgrath lowered his head in shame.

"Do not fret my servant. We will make great use of you and your brothers!" To this the beastly Kalgrath bowed his head deeply to his lord. Exar looked past Kalgrath and Mattizz to the still growing number of Massassi arriving to the bay. "All of you my Massassi, will serve me well and greatly in my coming struggles! Your lord commands your obedience, and your combined powers. With you at my side, we shall rise once again!" A tremendous simultaneous Massassi roar of invigoration boomed through the bay.

Leaving the dark lord to grin in victorious glee.

"Mattizz, keep the rest of your men in line while on this ship! Food will be brought periodically. Do not fail, or break my command!" The dark lord barked.

Mattizz bowed deeply to his lord and master. Then turned and barked in the native Massassi tongue to his fellow Massassi. Whom all bowed to Kun again, before moving about and talking to one another.

Satisfied Exar turned in place to the admiral, and lieutenant. Who seem to have lost a shade or two of color in their faces. As well as their usual well defined demeanor had seemed to have lost its balance. "Admiral, how do you like the Massassi?" With pride the dark lord asked the weary admiral.

Clearing his throat, Refflet responded.

"Well um, ye, yes they are quite the uh, specimens aren't they, lieutenant." Darsin stated, to which the lieutenant vigorously nodded his agreement.

The sith lord smirked and reveled in the uneasiness of the usually so calm and well kept demeanor.

"Hmm, indeed they are. Now admiral I expect the Massassi to be fed. Bring them whatever meat this ship carries! Also station four stormtroopers outside the doors. I want no unnecessary onlookers to come snooping around. I want the best blaster carbines we have brought here. Finally we will make for Dantooine immediately after all Massassi are brought aboard! Is all of that clear to you admiral?"

Admiral Darsin regained his composure and bowed.

"It is lord, Kun. All will be done."

Satisfied the dark lord simply left the hanger with Valek in tow.

Entering the sterile corridors of the star destroyer, the sith lord headed to the bridge. Zalliste, Kun noticed was far more quiet now then before.

"Does something bother you Valek?" Seeping past the halls of the ship in long strides, Valek had to rush to keep up with his master. He did in fact have something on his mind. Though the boy was apprehensive to speak his mind.

"Master, I wish for the command to go to war."

The phrase was so strange to the dark lord he stopped moving. In the middle of some hall, Kun turned to youth next to him. "You do have the order to go to war, I thought that was made clear."

Valek seemed to be even further apprehensive. But Exar noticed something he hadn't seen. Something he only felt was growing in the boy. It was a look in the boys eyes. One that said defiance, and will.

"No master! I want to go to war! To destroy those who seek not only your death. But the very end of the empire! Those who seek to destroy all I know and all I feel, no. What I know is right! For too long have I been forced to train under the whims of others! I crave action, and the ability to bring your order and will upon this galaxy. The galaxy that without such order would surely fall into dismay and chaos!"

Exar was taken totally aback by the boys outburst. Such vigor, such anger, and such passion. All just the traits Kun was waiting for.

"Let me lead the Massassi and troopers on Dantooine! The emperor forced me to learn tactics and battle command. I know what to do! I will slay all of those disgusting rebels! All I need is your approval, master. Do not deny me this! This chance to enact your will!"

Such burning fire and passion seemed to pour from the boy. Who only days prior was a closed up and uncaring thing. Now it seemed all of the emperors psychological training of Zalliste was melting away.

Further showing the passion that now burned and seethed through his very core, Valek knelt before Exar.

"I swear loyalty to the lord of the sith from this day forth. I am no longer the boy whom served the emperor! I am Valek Zalliste, and I swear loyalty to the sith, the sith ideal, and most importantly to you master."

Exar was greatly surprised. Not in a bad way at all though. No not at all this is what he hoped for. What the force had showed him.

Yes he was indeed greatly pleased. "I cannot accept you this way apprentice. Kun said slowly causing the boy stare blankly at him. "Not while you are still Valek Zalliste." The dark lord chuckled while saying. The boy looked up to him again with renewed hope, and passion in his eyes. "Valek are you willing to shed who you are, all that was you. Are you willing to forever forsake the emperor and strive to serve me and the sith. So that the sith ideal and belief shall never die!"

The boy of only fifteen was more sure then anything before in his life.

For far too long has it not have purpose. No meaning, and no direction. The Sith was his way out, Exar Kun was his way out. That was all he needed to convince him. "Yes lord Kun, my master. I will uphold all that is Sith until the day I come to an end!"

The dark lord smirked his transformation of the boy was now complete. No longer was he Palpatine's the Empire's, or the imperial hand.

Valek Zalliste was Exar Kun's! A sith apprentice he was now. No more a weak boy that hid within himself when he was scorned, or scolded. This day Valek decided to take control of his life, and he chose to give all of his mind, body, and soul to the Sith!

The dark lord and his apprentice let their eyes meet. In silence they looked to one another. In silent communication. That was unlike any other. It was a symbol of the two forming an unbreakable bond. One that would, and could never be broken. A symbol of the union through the force, that both could feel in their minds. It wormed into each other's mind a sense of the other. Exar could not say he didn't exactly like the feeling. But if it must be with someone, why not Zalliste?

The two with hardened eyes of warriors, and killers bore their gaze upon the others. Kun with his cold gray eyes, noticed his official new apprentices, new feature.

One that made him smirk with pride, and a sense of victory over the boy's hard shell.

It was the fact that Valek's eyes glowed a an eerie yellow. Just as abysmally gold as a Massassi!

"You Valek, I sense a great future ahead of you. As well as I. From here on, you will take orders from I, and I alone! One day you will be given a more suitable name as well, and be stripped of this pathetic boy! Until then you must prove yourself worthy, and able."

The dark lord informed the still kneeling and attentive Zalliste. Whom after listening to his "new" master bowed his head in submission.

The dark lord in dark admiration of the boy before him, gestured with his hand.

"Rise apprentice. We will further you ascension to power later. Now, we must tend to these rebels, then and only then, will Palpatine be open to us! We along with Vader and his resources, will topple that old man!"

Kun openly preached to his apprentice, who with great admiration and attention listened to his every word.

"Come now apprentice the bridge awaits us."

The dark lord ending his preach began his walk down the halls again. With his young apprentice again in tow Kun continued to the bridge. Not caring that the fleet had long ago jumped to hyperspace.

All that concerned Kun now, was his plans and the ability to complete them.

Yet now, he thought. I have a young sith acolyte to help me. The dark lord further thought as he stared at the swirl of hyperspace from the quiet bridge. All was going according to plan.

(Scarl system. Incomplete Super Star Destroyer, Executor.)

Vader walked in long swift strides upon the steel floors of the grand, but sadly uncompleted super star destroyer, he had commissioned to be built! A marvelous imperial feat of engineering!

Only Vader wasn't here to marvel at the vast glory of the Executor. No there was something far more necessary for his, and Kun's plans inside the not yet complete ship. In fact it wasn't an it at all. But a he.

Starkiller! A fine apprentice, even if a bit naïve.

As Vader approached he could hear the swift movement of a saber in rapidity.

Vader had wished to train the boy further, but it would seem that all of his plans must change.

You will either succeed, or fall, apprentice. Maybe my apprentice, you could prove far more valuable then first considered. If so then your wish to truly be my apprentice, and very well a sith, may come to pass.

With this musing the dark lord entered a large open room. With only his apprentice and the holographic generating dueling droid known as "PROXY" in a heated training session in the center of the room.

Only after he entered the room and his loud rasps of air filtered through the crashing of sabers. Did the young man and, hologram of a random Jedi stop to look at him.

Vader crossed his large arms as he watched the two in slight annoyance.

His apprentice immediately kneeled, while the droid returned to its real look, and walked off to the side.

"I see your perception and sense of through the force still lacks merit, apprentice. That is disappointing."

The dark lord scolded in deep baritone. Causing the boy in all his ragged clothed to bow even deeper in submission. "It is also disappointing that I will lack the time to thoroughly train you further."

Vader said aloud, which peaked the interest of Starkiller. Whom raised his head inquisitively to the dark master. Yet he did not speak. In fact he did not unless given expressed permission to stand, then speak.

"Our time is short apprentice, and my patience thin." Vader informed the young man. "We have a new factor in our plans, and we must seize an opportunity that would otherwise elude us. You are to be sent on an important mission, if not set of missions immediately!"

Coming to stand before the kneeling boy, Vader spoke. It is time, my apprentice. Time to take your ultimate steps into the dark side!" Vader activated his crimson saber, causing the boy to look in shock, and surprised anticipation. "From here on you are no longer the boy I found on Kashyyyk. No longer a feeble boy! But an agent of the dark side, an extension of my will, and my true sith apprentice."

Vader preached as he brought his saber just above Starkiller's shoulders in knighting.

"Arise Starkiller, my apprentice."

Starkiller couldn't understand the sudden twist of fate, and the sudden urgency of his master. He really could care less, for he was finally recognized by the dark lord, by his master! It was such a glorious day indeed.

Coming to stand he clasped his hands behind his back. "What is thy bidding, master."

Starkiller repeated his usual honorary saying, in a low smooth voice.

The hulking dark lord, deactivated his saber and clasped it back to his waist.

"We have much to do, apprentice. Plans have changed, and thus so must our tactics! We, have an ally in a great position to handle, what you were originally planned to do. Thus I have a new objective for you. That requires boldness unlike anything before!"

Vader continued to cryptically state to the attentive Starkiller.

"There is a list of targets you must rid the Empire and galaxy of. They're some of the dreaded Moffs!"

Starkiller raised his brow in surprise at this. Long had he trained to dispose of Jedi, not simple Moffs.

"Moffs, my master?" He queried still to the giant dark lord. Who nodded in return to the dark agent

Now placing his hands on his waist Vader continued. "We are to spark unrest among that rabble of corrupt politicians. In order to do so, they must believe they are in mortal danger, of the Emperor himself!"

Vader informed his agent who stood ever so straight and still for his master.

"The Moff of the Inner Rim sector of Zaric. Moff Linis, is your first target! You will then immediately head to the Mid Rim sector of Doldur. Where you will rid us of Moff Eisen Kerioth. After which proceed to the Expansion Region. There you will assassinate, Moff Lesan Ramier, of the Brak sector!"

The dark lord finished ordering. All the while Starkiller nodded to his list of barked commands.

"You will leave forged documents, that will incriminate the Emperor as commissioning these deaths.

Where my associate will take care of the rest. When you are finished with the Moffs, you will head to my world of Vjun! Do you understand, apprentice? I want no mistakes, whatsoever!"

Bowing deeply before Vader, Starkiller acknowledged his master.

"As you wish, my master."

Nodding in return, Vader turned his back to his agent and headed to the door. Before leaving the are to which Starkiller could hear, Vader uttered a final statement.

"If you should succeed apprentice. The galaxy will be all the more in our grasp!"

With that final proclamation. Vader in his usual long strides left.

Leaving Starkiller to revel in his chance to finally serve his master truly!

"Master. Should I have your ship prepared?" Starkiller heard his droid companion query.

Turning to his approaching ally, Starkiller thought for a moment. Still sifting through all the thought racing through his head.

"Yes, have our pilot prepare the ship, and tell him to patch the coordinates for the Zaric sector."

Starkiller finished. Leaving PROXY, to do as ordered. Starkiller headed to his meditation chamber, to work on his weak cognitive skills, while he awaited the ship to be stocked and prepared to take off.

While doing so Starkiller could only think of one thing.

"If you succeed apprentice. The galaxy will be all the more in our grasp."

Yes master. I will not fail you. I can not fail, and so I will not!

He repeated to himself. Over and over again. The time of Starkiller, and Vader had come, at last! And Starkiller swore here and now not to fail. For he was apprentice to, Darth Vader!

Two dark lords of the Sith. Light years away enacting similar events. Each had an apprentice ready and willing to do thy every bidding and will! Each boy Valek, and Starkiller, swear to not fail their masters. No matter the cost! Each accepted by the dark lords as their apprentices.

Both will soon enact events that will bring the galaxy, and all in it to a pivotal point in galactic history. Two sith apprentices will be the very harbingers of the coming. The coming of a Sith Empire! And no one can stop them from enacting their master's will's! Not the empire, the rebels, or not even the Emperor himself!