They boarded the ship and surveyed the changes. The ship's interior had been modified so that the main cabin would accommodate three people, it was a noticeable change in size. There were additional lockers, and a number of mirrors had been installed. Lastly a large walk in shower replaced the original, it was very much like the one in the Imperial executive hotel.
The cargo bay and other interior spaces were optimized to reflect the needs of the three Sith that now lived here. They wasted little time getting underway. Once in hyperspace they sat as one and scanned the ship for surveillance equipment. Having removed the devices they found, they settled in for the trip to Drommund Kaas. They meditated, studied and spent their evenings enjoying each other's company. As Akita had predicted, Valenya came to understand Ty'karus just as she had, her doubts were gone and she accepted him just as he did her.
The ship touched down and they watched as the hangar crew went about refueling the ship and performing maintenance. They dressed and left the ship, Akita and Valenya understood that the air was charged with dark side energy and they had been prepared for it, as much as one could be. There was initial shock as the air hit them, to those unaccustomed to the dark side it was like sinking in a thick oil, you felt like it would not let go. They let enough in to allow them to feel angry and blocked the rest.
Ty'karus had described it like spending a day with a bad headache, it was always there but you could get used to it if you tried, it did not go away but you could function. As they left the ship the maintenance crew stepped away. The customs agents likewise waved them through.
All through Kaas City people looked and stared and stepped or ran out of their way. They traveled in silence, their faces blank and cold. As they exited the taxi and approached the gates to Lord Mott's estate Ty'karus looked at them both.
"I am So very proud." He turned back to the path and marched up to the gates, the guards saluted and opened the gates. A short distance and the inner doors opened before them as well.
They crossed the threshold into the lair of the beast. They turned to the right and took seats in the guest area. Lord Mott let them sit for almost an hour. Ty'karus was starting to wonder if his master's attitude had changed but was greatly relieved when he saw his master coming in person to greet him. Long before his master reached them Ty'karus stood, as he did his apprentices both dropped to one knee. He paused a moment took a single step forward and also dropped to a knee.
"Casius my my, so this is what it's like to have a rising star as an apprentice. Come show me the latest. Is she as dedicated as the first?" He signaled for Ty'karus to rise. He rose and stood stiffly awaiting his master's next command.
"Step forward child." Her ordered Valenya. She dropped her robe and took a step forward. Mott's eyebrow rose. He walked around her giving her a most appreciative look. He gave her a wave of his hand, Valenya stepped back and dropped back down on one knee.
"Casius most impressive as always but I must ask do you have something against humans?" he burst out laughing it was a ruined laugh obscured and distorted by his respirator.
"But seriously Casius next time I want you to break a human or better yet." He put a hand on Ty'karus shoulder. Ty'karus maintained his calm, he had been prepared for this, he knew his master liked to test with a touch, for one Sith to touch another was a serious threat given their force abilities. To submit to it without hesitation was a sign of trust or submission. In either case it is what Mott demanded of his servants.
"A pureblood Sith, yes I would be most interested to see if you could break a pureblood Sith." He pulled his hand back and asked again. "Do you think you could do it?"
Ty'karus paused and put on a contemplative look.
"I think so my lord. May I assume this would be a Sith who has displeased or offended you? That is to say, do you have someone in mind?" Lord Mott paused a moment then laughed again.
"Very good, very good. Yes I may. Now come let us walk and you can tell me why you have come back so soon and tell me about these expensive ship modifications I have paid for." From the angle of their travel Ty'karus could sense that they were not going to his throne room. 'First change in plans.' He thought.
Akita and Valenya kept their spot on the floor in the guest waiting area. They changed from a kneeling position to a meditative one. They concentrated on the red crystals they wore and the small box with the yellow Sith crystal in secure pocket in Akita's robe. They could feel their master as he moved through the estate.
Ty'karus and his Master approached the door to his master's study. The last time he had entered this room it had not been a pleasant experience. The door slid open and there in the room was Volith. The look on his face was guarded but spoke volumes to Ty'karus. That Volith managed to hold his tongue impressed Ty'karus.
"Casius I believe you know my apprentice Volith." Mott's eyes twinkled, Ty'karus knew how much he enjoyed this aspect of Sith politics.
"In passing yes my master." He felt the annoyance in Volith as his response.
"Why don't you tell me what you think of him?" chuckled Mott.
"Master he strikes me as a capable weapon but his ambition is overreaching. It will be his downfall." Ty'karus said in a casual manner. Volith took a single step forward, Mott gave him a look and Volith stepped back and bowed his head. Mott crossed the distance between them and stood beside his new apprentice.
"Now Volith why don't you give me your assessment of Casius here." His voice rasped behind his respirator.
Volith folded his arms across his chest and stood up straight.
"He lacks ambition, has no spine for combat, he is weak, Master" Ty'karus chuckled. It clearly infuriated Volith. Mott sighed, Volith tried to hide it but he was confused.
"My boy that's the way of an inquisitor, they want you to think they are weak, only a fool turns his back on a Sith holding the dark side." It was Mott's turn to give Ty'karus a look. Volith did not see it but Ty'karus knew it for what it was. An accusation and a statement of contempt. Ty'karus knew that his master found him useful, but his attitude was not what it once was.
Mott paused for a moment.
"What would make you think he has no ambition Volith?" the question sounded genuine. 'Come on let your anger guide your brain Volith' he hoped quietly. Volith arched an eyebrow and froze. Ty'karus was hoping the man would misstep here and save him the trouble.
"Just a feeling Master" he bowed to Mott with a smile. 'Oh well nothing easy today' Ty'karus thought.
"He speaks the truth Master, in comparison my ambition is lacking. I commend Volith on his ambition but I still think he is over reaching. He has been here less than a month and already he has delusions of grandeur. He would be the apprentice turned Lord of the Sith." Ty'karus chuckled openly. Volith froze, his emotions betrayed him and Mott turned to him.
"Is this true Volith, do you seek to challenge me already?" His voice was like ice, even through his respirator Volith could hear the threat in the question.
Volith was about to deny it when Ty'karus keyed a button on his wrist.
"Very well Casius, I see no reason to stand in the way of progress. We have an understanding then. When I kill our master you will be allowed to continue your research."
Ty'karus smiled at Volith who looked like he was going to swallow his tongue. Mott looked at Volith, who took a step backwards. Ty'karus could sense that somewhere in Volith's mind he was actually contemplating reaching for his lightsaber. Ty'karus could not imagine he had such luck. Volith made a conscious effort to keep his hands away from his weapons. Mott broke a long rasping laugh that was as much cough as anything else. Ty'karus chuckled along with his master.
"Do not feel too bad Volith you have been played by an Inquisitor. Remember it's what they do! And this one is very good at it. I will, however, not tolerate an apprentice who is this gullible in the future, do you understand?" Mott's message was crystal clear, Volith bowed first to his master then reluctantly to Ty'karus.
Mott stepped further into his study, Volith followed. Mott took his favorite seat and motioned Volith to stand at his right. True to form Ty'karus stood at the door waiting his master's permission to enter. Mott waved him to a seat, another slap to Volith's station in the house.
"So Casius tell me, why are you here? Oh don't think I am not grateful already. The young Jedi, Voliths shame" he chuckled and looked back at Volith. "And let's not forget Kwiee. That was good work on its own. But I sense you have something else?" his eyes narrowed.
Ty'karus opened one of his belt pouches, pulled out a small device, it looked a lot like a miniaturized lightsaber. Ty'karus handed it to his master. Mott turned it over in his hand.
"What is it? And Casius please keep the explanation simple" he asked.
"It's the answer to the riddle of how Darth Zash managed to kill Darth Scotia while she was conveniently and most publicly at a dinner party here in Kaas City." Mott turned the item over in his hand again. He reached out and keyed a switch on the nearby table. A light over the door turned red.
"We are free to talk. Tell me how this was done?" he put the device down on the table. Ty'karus cleared his throat.
"As you know my master, Darth Scotia was more machine than man. Darth Zash arranged for her apprentice to obtain that interesting piece of technology. It doesn't look like much but it's a short range cyber neutralizer. Once activated it hijacks all localized cybernetic equipment in the area and induces a feedback loop. The end result is intense pain and paralysis. Skotia did not stand a chance." Mott sat back quietly for a moment.
"The potential in this is interesting" he rubbed at his respirator as if it were his chin. Ty'karus let his barriers down just enough to allow his doubt slip out.
"Casius what are you concerned about?" Mott asked.
"Master this technology is new and outside of this room there are only two people who know it exists, Darth Zash and her apprentice. Given the circumstances it is unlikely that she will use it again as it could provide the proof the council needs to move against her for killing Skotia. That being said, each time it's used increases the possibility that someone will detect it and create a counter device. It should be used sparingly." He sat back and waited.
Mott stood, picked up the device with the force and held it in place while he keyed the personal safe in the wall. With the safe closed and locked he turned to Volith.
"You see what this weak servant of mine brings me, power, knowledge a way to kill my enemies. What have you brought me Volith? The rage coming from Volith was palpable, no doubt Lord Mott was reveling in it. Volith opened his mouth to speak when his eyes suddenly shot wide. He was looking past his master at Ty'karus hand, where he held a duplicate of the device their master had just locked in his safe. Ty'karus smiled and activated the device.
Lord Mott jerked and lurched as his cybernetic arm twitched uncontrollably. More urgent for Mott was the malfunctioning respirator. With his good hand he clutched at the respirator desperately trying to remove it. Volith recovered from his shock and pulled his lightsaber. Ty'karus pulled on the force and lifted Volith into the air, as he did the warrior began to spin in place, slow at first then at breakneck speed.
It had begun, both Akita and Valenya felt the change in their master's emotions. They wasted no time, both darted from the room and headed for Lord Mott's study. They were in place before anyone could raise the alarm. Neither of them attempted to open the door, instead they both knelt placing the door at their backs. They focused all their energy through the red control crystals in to the yellow Sith crystal. Their combined power now flowed through the door and into their master. Sitting here in the open focused on the fight behind the door they were vulnerable, their plan depended on their master's speed and surprise.
Ty'karus felt the surge of additional power and let it loose on his master. The tall warrior snapped upright as the burst of lightning hit him. Ty'karus let go of the lightning and pulled on his master's life force draining it. The lord of the Sith struggled for his lightsaber, finally pulling it free with his other hand. Ty'karus switched again and sent dark energy into his masters damaged body poisoning him and greatly reducing his abilities. There was no room to maneuver in this small study if Mott managed to get his saber free and active it could be the end for Ty'karus.
Ty'karus snapped his static shield in place hoping it would buy him the time he needed. Mott struggled against Ty'karus attack working desperately to get his saber activated. He was struggling to breath without his respirator, it was clear he needed this fight to be over soon or he would risk losing consciousness.
Mott cackled as his saber blazed to life. He pulled back on his saber and Ty'karus sent out a shock wave of force. Lord Mott was slammed against the wall, his lightsaber caught Volith just above the belt. He fell to the ground in pieces. Mott struggled to regain control as the effects of the cyber neutralizer began to wear off.
Ty'karus pulled again and held both hands out toward his master. Lightning once again blazed forth. Mott moved against it as a man fighting gale force winds. His lightsaber outstretched trying to reach Ty'karus. Motts armor began to fail bits and pieces burnt away under the intense barrage of lighting. Ty'karus watched as the poison he had injected into his master continued its work. Veins on his face appeared the green was almost neon against his pale skin. The ragged remnants of his mouth were now full of ****. He took another step and Ty'karus retreated a step and stopped finding himself backed against the door.
Even in his rapidly decaying condition Mott found the strength to laugh and glare at Ty'karus. Another step and his lightsaber was closer to its target. Ty'karus knew one more would be his undoing. He let out a scream of rage and stepped forward toward the saber, Mott was pushed backwards by the renewed attack. Ty'karus took another step and Mott's saber flickered and went out. Mott's body slammed back into the wall, blood gurgled from his open mouth and green fluid leaked from his eyes. Ty'karus let go of the lightning and sank to the floor. Mott crashed to the floor next to Voliths torso, smoke rose from his body. Ty'karus took note that most of the man's chest was little more than burnt flesh and bone. That he had survived this long was a testament to his rage and strength.
Mott rolled himself over, his breathing was ragged and fast, his eyes were covered in green liquid and blood now ran freely from his mouth and nose. The smell of burnt metal and flesh filled the room. Motts dead eyes looked up at his apprentice. He chuckled and blood bubbled from his mouth.
"Always knew it would be you." And he was gone.
Ty'karus struggled to his feet and keyed the door, it slid open with a hiss. He pulled himself upright and stepped out of the smoke into the main foyer. Guards and Acolytes were rushing to the aid of their Master. Akita and Valenya rose to their feet, Ty'karus noticed the small box on the floor between them. It was smoking, black liquid leaked from it. He did not need to look inside to know the yellow Sith crystal was shattered.
Akita stood at his left and Valenya his right. The Acolytes and guards surrounded them but did not attack. It was clear to everyone that something significant had just taken place. Ty'karus took an unsteady step forward.
"I have killed my master and my fellow apprentice Volith." He paused letting that sink in. Pzaxim Tan, Volith's apprentice was standing nearby, he looked down unwilling to meet Ty'karus gaze.
Moments passed and none of the guards or acolytes moved. The guards had lowered or holstered their weapons. Some had begun whispering to each other. From the crowd a thin middle aged human stepped forward.
"My Lord I am Rosk Lakar, I am the Sith attaché assigned to your former master, let me be the first to congratulate you on your promotion." He bowed deeply. "If you will allow me and my assistant to enter the room." He pointed to the study.
"There are some official formalities to attend to." He gave Ty'karus a thin smile. "All part of the transfer of power. I assure you we will be in and out in no time. My Lord" Ty'karus was still recovering from the encounter all he could muster at this point was a curt nod in Rosk's direction. Rosk bowed again and snapped his fingers, a short nimble alien that Ty'karus did not recognize darted out of the crowd with a scanner and communication device. They both disappeared into the study.