Chapter Twenty-Six: Malak Ascendant

Malak was inside the back of a large speeder. With him were nineteen other boys his age, and all of them were terrified. They glanced this way and that, and one of them finally looked at him. "So, why are you alone?"

"I killed five Dark Jedi and volunteered to take the place of the rest of the village," said Malak.

There were murmurs among them.

"You want to become a Sith?" asked one.

"No, of course not," said Malak. "I told the Sith Master what he wanted to hear, and if we're going to survive this, we will have to cooperate."

"Cooperate, how? He's a Sith, we can't fight him." said another.

Malak knew he had to make these nineteen people listen to him and stay calm. Something told him he must get a hold on them. "Remain calm.

"Are any of you Force Sensitive?"

There was a long pause.

"We don't know?" admitted one.

Malak nodded. "Very well then, I'm going to give each of you some lessons on how to focus yourself and control your body."

"But how will that help?" asked one.

"Whatever they are teaching us, it is likely to be a fast and easy path to power that will destroy you," said Malak. "However, with a baseline of teachings in the Jedi way, it may be possible to survive it.

"More importantly, we have to avoid being drugged.

"Now, to start with close your eyes and think of nothing."

Some listened, others didn't. Malak reached out and sensed their thoughts. He radiated power to calm them as he had been taught.

"What?" said a man.

Malak eased their terror, pressing them to listen to him. "Steady your breathe and filter out the sound of the speeder. Forget all distractions, all fears, and anger. Focus a prayer, or a mantra, or some deep-held belief, even a word that is important to you. Repeat it in your mind again and again. Clear your thoughts.

"But don't try to clear your thoughts.

"You are either meditating, or you are not. There is no such thing as trying to meditate."

And so it went on. Jorak had visited several more villages after coming to Malak's starting position. As such, there was a fairly large amount of time, and Malak forced them to practice again and again. He focused on keeping their minds working toward a common goal, nudging them as best he could.

He did not dominate, only suggested.

This knowledge could save their lives.

And, at last, just as they were getting it, the ship slid to a halt. A door was opened, and Jorak Uln looked through. Beyond, they saw within the fortress and saw many black-clad Sith practicing. Their minds were a blur of rage and disorientation. Malak could hardly pick up thoughts when he tried.

"Welcome, students, to the Sith Academy," said Jorak Uln, motioning for them to come out. "Your fellows are watching."

Malak led them out, focusing on keeping them calm. If they were calm, they would be able to act properly. No one else here was calm, and that gave them an advantage. No one except Uthar, who looked at them with narrowed eyes.

At last, Malak and his fellows were assembled before Uln in three lines. Jorak walked before them. "Now, there are two kinds of students within this place. There are those who pass my tests and prove themselves to have the right gumption to be a Sith. If you pass the test, you'll be given proper instructions and have a chance to grow in power.

"Of course, at the moment, there are only twenty spots open, and there are ten of you.

"So, we'll be holding auditions."

Uthar opened a box to reveal ten lightsabers, but something was off about them. As they floated toward them and dropped down, Malak looked to the other Sith. Those sparring had blades that were red, but not like a lightsaber. It was like he was looking at a blaster bolt, even Revan's lightsaber had never been so unstable.

Then they all stopped and came toward them. Soon, Malak and his companions were surrounded on all sides by the Sith who were watching them. He felt as though he was being eyed by hungry wolves, not bloodthirsty men.

"These new blood don't look like much," said one of the Sith. "Let me kill one of them, Master. None of them will be worth anything anyway."

"Yeah, they might make decent sport, though." said a Sith. "Come on, let us have a crack at them?"

"Come now, students, we can't have all play and no work, can we?" asked Jorak. "Now, you students, there are ten lightsabers here. None of you are leaving this circle until at least ten people are dead.

"Which ones will be up to you."

For a moment, there was a long, terrible silence. Malak considered the words and a way out. Then he chose the ten most detached and bloodthirsty minds in the circle. They were near Jorak Uln.

Suddenly, some of his companions rushed for the lightsabers. Even as they did, however, Malak shoved them aside. Rushing toward Jorak, Malak drew his lightsaber and cleaved down the Sith near him. Another fell to him before anyone could react. A third was killed as he reached for his lightsaber, and a fourth while grasping it.

Jorak and Uthar leaped away, as Malak disarmed a Sith quite literally as his blade came out. Another stroke took off his head. By now, the other Sith had their lightsabers out. Pressing his assault, Malak beat down a defense and stabbed the man through the chest. Another parried him a few times, before losing his lower half. Two more were pulled forward toward Malak and impaled through the heart.

Ten down.

Malak stepped back and sheathed his lightsaber. Jorak looked at the bodies and blinked, while the other SIth stood on guard. They feared to attack him, and Malak radiated his aggression to cow them.

"Do I pass, Master?" asked Malak.

"Erm?" said Jorak.

"You said that the circle wouldn't open until ten people were dead. So I killed the people outranked me so I'd get a promotion," said Malak. "Did I do well?"

Uthar put his face in his hands. "...Lord Uln, this is a major violation of discipline-"

And then Uthar was force pushed back. "Quiet, Uthar!" said Jorak. "This is true Sith spirit! We don't need things like discipline! Promotions for all of you!"

Cheers came from the Sith.

"...Shouldn't we mete out some form of detention or punishment?" asked Uthar.

"My legs... my legs..." gasped a survivor.

Malak felt bile rising in his mouth, but beat it back. He kept his face impassive as he looked down at the Sith, trying to crawl away. Then Uln sent a bolt of lightning out, and he screamed, before dying. Malak said nothing; he must maintain appearances.

"He'll do," said Jorad. "Now, we'll do some... arts and crafts programs. Take those lightsabers and carve those bodies up, then... Uthar get some bags."

"But that's-" began a boy.

"Silence, worm!" snarled Malak, channeling his rage and grief into a snarl. "Do as the Master says, or I'll crush your skull!"

"Now, that is a good way to gain prestige," said Jorak. "Do as he says."

"Do it, or die by his hand," said Malak.

And so Uthar came back with a number of bags, and he looked truly furious. A dark glare was shot at Malak, and a chill went down him. As Malak and the other children began to cut up the bodies of the Sith, he knew Uthar would try to kill him. But he would do it indirectly, that was the way of the Sith.

For now, Malak told himself that the Sith he had killed were too far gone. Their minds had been warped, and they'd lusted after the chance to kill children. That was why he'd chosen them, and it had been his group or them. For the first time, Malak felt a sense of resentment toward Revan, why had he sent him out here?

No, no, Revan never told people to do anything beyond their ability. Malak could do this, that was why Revan had chosen him. So he cut up his body and forced the parts into sacks.

"Have you all carved up your corpses?" asked Uln. "Excellent, Uthar, take our students down below."

"Move, you worms, remember what will happen if you fail me!" snarled Malak to the horrified children. He could not afford to show weakness here.

And so Uthar led them away, as the Sith began to spar again. But Malak felt many dark glances on them, rising fear and hatred. He had been identified as a serious threat to the entire academy and gotten their jealousy.

And Uther was already contemplating vengeance. His thoughts were well hidden, but Malak was almost certain that would be the next move. He had to do something. "Master Uthar, may I ask you something?"

"Of course. I am here as a teacher," said Uthar, voice calm.

"How did you make all these lightsabers?" asked Revan. "To my knowledge, the crystals do not exist on this planet."

"That, young Malak, is a matter of resources," said Uthar. "The original lightsabers did not use crystals either. Those we are using is an older and more primitive design, one utilized out of necessity."

"I thought as much," said Malak. Then he glanced back to the others and sent them reassuring thoughts, trying to drive away their fear. Uthar was going to try to kill them anyway.

"I..." began a boy.

"Keep going," said Malak.

The tunnel led out to a pit, and within that pit were bodies. The entire thing was filled with rotting corpses and skeletons. Uthar motioned there. "Here is where we put the bodies of students who fail. Throw them in. Keep the bag."

Malak controlled his fear and poured the body parts down into the pit, before glancing to the others.

"How... how many people are down there?" asked a boy.

"Several hundred at least by now," said Uthar with a smile. "Master Uln has an unforgiving policy toward failure."

Malak was behind Uthar. All he'd have to do is draw out his lightsaber and cut him down. Perhaps he would defend, but he could knock him down. Hatred welled within him, he would kill him. He would cast him into the pit and-

No, no, that would be murder. And it would endanger everyone here.

Uthar glanced back and realized his vulnerability before quickly taking a better position. "Everyone done?"

The boys looked horrified, and Malak could sense their desperation.

"Good, then it is time you all had a meal," said Uthar.

It was going to be poisoned.

Fortunately, Malak had a plan. He just had to make it work.

They were led out of the tunnel and into the fortress proper. There they were brought into a dining hall, one for a far larger group than before. They were seated there, but Malak kept his chair out and was ready.

"Wait here," said Uthar. "The serving droids will be along shortly."

Then he left, and the door locked.

Malak could not defend them all at once. But perhaps he could get them to help him. Quickly he spoke. "...I believe the food here will be drugged. Jorak maintains control of his minions addicting them. They are so desperate to get a fix, they need it from him. I will guide your minds and help you filter out the poison, but I cannot do it alone.

"All of you must remember what I told you and clear your mind. It will help me.

"Remember what we did before, try it again. Forget everything."

No sooner had they begun to meditate, and vents in the ceiling began to spew out green gas. Quickly thinking, Malak reached out and made contact with their thoughts. Calling on the force, he moved to purify the gas as it entered their bloodstream. It was a technique all Jedi were taught, but most of the boys were not Force-sensitive.

He should let some of them die to save the ones he could.

No, no, he would not. Focusing with all his might, Malak took hold of their immune systems and made them work overtime. The gas poured in until it filled the entire room. Malak could feel the stuff circulating through his body and his companions. Yet he remembered his training under Kreia and the radiation room.

This was nothing. He was far stronger now.

The gas was no longer pouring in and was seeping to the floor. Within, they waited, as Malak kept them alive. And so they remained there, for what could have been minutes, hours or days. Time itself seemed to have no meaning.

At last, the poison was gone, and they yet lived.

The doors slid open, and Malak whirled around. He drew his lightsaber and taking a defensive stance. Uthar stood before them, and Jorak with him. Jorak laughed hysterically. "...Well, Uthar, it would appear your little plan to murder the competition failed. That poison gas chamber being retrofitted by a cafeteria was such a good idea, too.

"Still, what's a little attempted murder between teacher and student. Good job, students, you've all survived what should have been impossible!"

Uther gritted his teeth in a fury. "Master Jorak, this boy is clearly plotting against us. That is a Jedi technique."

"Good!" said Jorak. "Just like a real Sith ought to! I couldn't be more proud! You could learn a thing or two from him!

"Of course, from such a fine student, I must naturally be more worried. We'll discuss your next impossible task tomorrow.

"Uthar, take them to their chambers."

"Do nothing," said Malak to them within their minds. "Patience."

And so they were led up some stairs to a room. A room with ten beds within it. At once, Malak looked around him.

"How can we sleep like this?" asked a boy.

"We will not," said Malak. "There is only one way into this room. And there are only ten bunks." Closing his eyes, he reached out with his thoughts. And as he did, he sensed murderous plans, sensed the Sith even now gathering in teams.

Malak opened his eyes. "Barricade the door and prepare to make a rope from the bedsheets. There's a courtyard beyond there." Then he moved over to a far wall, sensing the open air beyond. Drawing his lightsaber, he cut a circle in the wall, before kicking it down. Below was the way down. "We'll use this as our escape route."

The boys got to work at once, as Malak paced restlessly. It was night outside, they must have remained within the gas chamber for a long time. Soon he would have to face his enemies, but the force told him not to do it here.

"You, keep a watch outside," said Malak.

They waited, and at last, the rope was done and tied to the beds and thrown down. But Malak sensed the Sith coming. He looked to his companions. "Start climbing down. I'll be right behind all of you."

They nodded and did so, and Malak waited, locking the door and drawing his blade. Soon someone was there and tried the door. When it failed to open, several lightsabers plunged through. Malak waited as the last boy slid down, and the door burst open. The Sith came at him, but raising a hand, he went a wave of the force.

Together they stopped it, but it slowed them, and Malak rushed to the rope. Grabbing ahold of it, he slid down to the bottom and found the others. "Quickly," he said, "we must go. Head for the gates."

They ran as fast as they could. As they did, Malak glanced back to see the Sith scaling after him. Hurling his lightsaber, he cut the bedroll and sent those on it, falling to land hard. They fell still.

Rounding the keep, Malak slid to a halt.

Before the gates was Uthar, and with him were a dozen Sith. They had blood on their mind, and their thoughts were clear. Yes, they were utterly bloodthirsty. But they had gone beyond the realm of madness and into a twisted clarity. The smiles on their faces could only be called evil.

Should Malak have killed Uthar?

"Going somewhere, Padawan Malak?" asked Uthar. "Jorak Uln might have no interest in maintaining order. But unlike those you've fought, these are real Sith. You'll die right here and now."

Malak would have to bluff. "You would do well not to underestimate my Master, Uthar. His ways are beyond you."

"I will make you a counteroffer," said Uthar. "Step away from those you guard and face us alone, and I shall treat their escape as an excused absence."

Then Malak sensed it, not a presence in the force but a warning. And one other presence, a familiar bond. "...Get back," said Malak, as Sith streamed in from the exits to hem them in.

"But we can't-" began the boy.

"Do it," said Malak. "We only need more time. And keep away from the gates."

Then he moved forward as the boys went back. Uthar looked around at the Sith assembled before them. "Students, your fellow, Malak, has violated curfew and dragged you out of bed. And his distraction has also allowed our beloved Headmaster to be poisoned and stabbed to death in his sleep.

"I will be taking charge now. And as for disciplinary measures... Kill him."

The Sith surged in on Malak from all directions. As they did, Malak felt as though he were fighting a sea, not an army. All the Sith were competing for one another, interfering with each other's attacks. They were chaotic and uncoordinated, and their fighting styles had all kinds of holes in them.

Malak drew his lightsaber and took his stance. He parried thrusts while dodging and weaving. And the Sith got in the way of one another. "There is no emotion...

"There is peace..." Malak knew the techniques they were using and saw all the flaws within. Directing a blade to this place, or that one, he sent multiple enemies falling.

"There is no ignorance...

"There is knowledge..."

Malak let them overextend and crash into one another. He did not need to strike them, for they themselves had become his weapon. Their emotions and warped minds clouded them. "There is no passion...

"There is serenity..."

They were howling in fury and outrage now. Yes, Malak's death was inevitable, but he was surrounded on all sides. He, a Jedi learner, was facing all of them. And their master stood by, stepping back a pace.

These were no Sith, for they had no strength of their own. They simply worked as a mass to tear down those who could be a threat. And in so doing, they weakened themselves anymore.

"There is no death..." said Malak, suddenly halting. The Sith snarled but were held at bay before him for a moment. Malak put up his lightsaber before him, feeling for the first time at peace. "There is the Force."

And then the gate exploded.

Actually, exploded was a bit of an understatement. It was literally blown off its hinges, crushing those Jedi standing with Uthar. Uthar managed to leap away and was blown through the air by the explosion. Smoke poured through the gates as the sound of massed blaster fire came over the walls.

Then many lightsabers appeared in the smoke, and Revan charged through alongside Meetra. "Forward, Knights of the Old Republic! Let not a Sith survive!" cried Revan.

The turbolaser tower exploded next.

With Uthar's guard obliterated, all semblance of leadership was gone. The Sith, easily scared, threw down their weapons and fled in terror. Some tried to scramble up the walls and hurled themselves off to their death. Others threw down their weapons and screamed for mercy. Men in brown coats rushed through, clasping red lightsabers.

Malak blinked as he saw Revan, giving orders to them. Quickly villagers with blasters came forward to snatch weapons. The sound of blaster fire could be heard outside the fortress as well. Malak sensed many of the terrified Sith being gunned down.

"Sorry, I'm late, Malak," said Revan. "I had to adjust my plans a bit. I'm surprised you didn't contact me on the communicator."

"It didn't seem necessary," said Malak. Then he stared at Revan. "Where did you get the army?"

Revan smiled. This was the part where he explained his plan.

Instead, Revan clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're alright, Malak."

This was new? Had Revan actually listened to what Malak had to say?


Author's Note:

So, any guesses how Revan pulled this off?

The information to figure it out is all there as it is.