Interlude 2 - Survivors
Looking up from the screen of his datapad Hagen Dycos stared out of the viewport of his small apartment and sighed deeply. Night had fallen outside without him noticing it at all. Like so many other days. He was a handsome man with startling green eyes the color of burning emeralds and nearly white blonde hair. But there was something in his features, a darkness that made him look older than his thirty-five years. His eyes sought the message displayed on the screen again before his forehead creased into a deep from. Rising abruptly he walked up to the window and stretched his aching muscles. Another sigh was wrought from his lips and he shook his head slowly, as if to get rid off a particular painful memory.
"It cannot be," he whispered softly and his mouth twisted into an angry grimace. "No way."
But it was true. The Sith were back. For years Hagen Dycos had been searching the libraries and Jedi Holocrons scattered throughout the galaxy for any clues and hints at the vast knowledge left behind by this sinister order. Over two decades ago he had experienced their demise first-hand, on Korriban, where the heavy lasers of the Republic warship HeSheva had buried the ancient Sith Lord Roj Kell under the ruins of the Sith Temple standing watch over the dead and dying. Hagen had been just a Padawan back then, all wide-eyed innocence, but the close encounter with Kell had started him on a painful journey into reality. Still, his innocence had given way to a fierce hunger for knowledge. As a boy he had already been interested in history, and now he had merely shifted the focus of his research from the Jedi to the Sith.
Throughout the order he was known as the primary source of the Jedi Chronicles, and the works he had written on their history were cited often and with the certain knowledge that he had researched them as thoroughly as a research could be done. When he had started the same on the Sith four years back a lot of his fellow Jedi had frowned upon his endeavor, but Hagen was not someone who let himself be intimidated by what other people thought. He had to justify his actions in front of himself only, that much was clear to him. And even his master had told him repeatedly that one's focus was what determined one's reality.
As it was, sometimes reality determined one's focus. More times than he cared for, actually. But Hagen Dycos had learned quite a few things over the past years. One was that reality was more than the eye could see and in that he was grateful that he had the Force as his ally. And a powerful ally it was too. No tool for his purposes, but a friend that was always by his side, guiding, when guidance was needed and opening his eyes to things that others could not see. To be a focal point for this great power was all the reward he had ever hoped to achieve in his training. That, and all the knowledge he could hoard and archive in his mind and his books. Both goals completed each other nicely and so far noone had complained. Which was exactly why Hagen had left Coruscant to study on Alderaan now.
He could not stand their suspicious stares, the disapproval so plain on their faces. What did they think he was doing? In their current reality no Sith remained, but as he had been confirmed just today, this could not last. And before they could rise again he resolved to know everything about them there was to know and be prepared. He had studied Master Jeldo's Holocron in great detail, and especially the episode with Roj Kell. Somehow he could sense that the key lay somewhere with the ancient Sith, something he could not quite grasp. It was frightening, in a way, that Hagen found himself daydreaming from time to time, about his being there in Belana Jen's place, and what he might have done differently. As it was, he could find no solution to this dilemma. Roj Kell would have won anyway.
Stalking the busy streets of Coruscant he was astounded at how much the planet had grown. What had been an almost underpopulated world a thousand years ago had turned into a city maze of shops, consulates and apartment blocks. There was no doubt about it, the Republic was making the most of these peaceful times. And having a stately capital was to be the first step on a long way to go. The huge spire of the Jedi Temple rose form the very heart of the ever-expanding city and the ancient Sith was cautious not to get too close. But the vibrant feel of the place made his heart sing with joy. So much potential. Alas, he had no right to interfere now. Bane had vanished somewhere, but he was alive. But he was leaving traces, messy, ugly traces. Plain for everyone to see. This was exactly what Roj Kell had feared would happen. Bane thought that he was invisible, now that the Jedi believed the Sith destroyed. Admittedly there had been some of his brethren who had survived, but they had been hunted down quickly by their watchful enemies. Still, times were far from safe for his errand student.
But that was not the only problem. In fact, much worse than Bane's overconfidence was someone else's patient quest for knowledge. Roj Kell had read the Jedi Chronicles with great interest, and found his own views and experiences mirrored in Hagen Dycos' detailed descriptions of training and everyday life as well as history and tactics. The oung Jedi still had the holocron too, and he knew far too much for the ancient Sith's taste. It was only a matter of time until he would come looking for the remnants of what little was left of the Sith. He would exploit their uncoverings for his own ends, wholly innocent, as he had always been, and acutely aware of the consequences. In that Hagen Dycos was unbeatably courageous and as arrogant as Bane himself. An idealist.
Which only showed that both the Sith and the Jedi were equal. An almost frightening prospect to Roj Kell. What if they ever met? He was not sure himself who would win that battle, and even though he was hardly inclined to try and find Bane to admonish him to be cautious, he could do something to ensure his survival. Namely get Dycos out of the way. First though he had to find him. Which, considering the man's popularity, should be an easy feat. As it turned out it was not only easy to uncover his current residence, but for Roj Kell's convenience the Jedi had also provided him with a most formidable weapon against the scholar.
Hagen was non-plussed by the message he had just received and even more surprised by the grim tone it had been written in. It was a summons. A summons to the Jedi Council. On Coruscant. Concerning his 'wayward studies'. Hagen was fuming. Why could they not finally understand that he was not dabbling in the Dark Side just by studying the Sith? They were so afraid, it was almost ridiculous. But then, considering what the war had cost the Jedi, maybe their caution was justified too. So he went to packing his things and booked a flight back to Coruscant for the next morning. Still, as he wandered toward the spaceport along the quiet streets of Aldera in the small hours of the next day, the beautiful city overlooking an even more enchanting landscape, he felt his heart ache. Coruscant would be busy, full of people asking questions, demanding answers, and in the end he would be forced to give up his project to accomodate the Council. He just knew that it would happen that way.
His arrival at the Jedi Temple on the Republic's capital was just as he had expected. The only thing missing was his being whisked away and thrown into some dungeon. And the worst thing was that he really felt guilty. The Council's accusing stares could do that to you. In the end he was lucky not be thrown out of the order. Suitably chastised Hagen spent the rest of this wonderful day meditating on what had just happened, much to the Council's joy and his disdain. What they could not know though was that he had not given up yet. What was so bad about the Sith? One of the Councillors had told him that the Dark Side was so dangerous because it was hidden, a view he did not share at all. It was plain for everyone to see who had the courage to look close enough. And it had drawn a series of trails across the galaxy, an intricate web of deception and evil, something only a Sith could accomplish. They had not even wanted to listen to that. Well, it was not his place to change their minds. But he would not stand aside and watch the Sith rise again. At the end of the day Hagen Dycos had resolved to hunt that mysterious Dark Jedi down and prove to the Council that his work had been justified. And he knew just where to start his search too.
Korriban was just as he remembered, with storms raging across its bland surface and hot gales whipping up the steady rain again and again, as if they wanted to punish it for daring to set foot on the world of the dead. Hagen shivered when he walked out of his ship, his mind drifting back to his last visit to this planet. But he had come here to look for answers and somehow this had seemed the right place to find them. Anyone who wanted to know about the Sith these days either came to the Jedi or else had to go looking themselves. Not that they would find anything. The Jedi had kept Korriban secret, for obvious reasons and, standing here now, Hagen doubted that he would find anything at all. The majestic temple had been destroyed and fallen in on itself, no more than a pile of rubble now. But as he stepped closer the Jedi Knight found his worst nightmares proven right. Someone had been here before him. In between the great overturned pillars and stone fragments a ramp led down into the bowels of the ancient temple, a neat entrance into a world of doom. Holding his breath Hagen hesitated at first. Tomb raiders, was his first thought. But what could they possibly have hoped to find here? He had seen no riches or treasures, but admittedly he had not seen much of the temple's interiorat all. At that time he had been too busy staring at a dying Roj Kell to notice anything else.
Finally making up his mind Hagen hefted his torchlight and ventured further into the gloom, his senses alert. In the distance he could pick up the sound of quiet humming. As he came closer though he realized that it was just water running down the walls steadily, filling the cavelike maze of hallways with a deafening roar and clammy coldness. He followed the stream down, curious, and found himself standing in a huge chamber that was not much more than a giant basin of water. Beyond the pool he could make out another entrance. So he walked around the whole chamber on a narrow ledge, taking care not to fall into the inky blackness of the water, and entered the next section of hallways. His way led him up again, along ancient stairs that were dripping with moisture, but gradually the air became more oppressive, hot even, and Hagen realized that he was nearing the surface again. But before he could see the stormy skies again he entered a low-ceilinged chamber and stopped. Somehow the darkness had condensed here, forming a blanket of silence around the small light he held in his left hand.
Hagen swallowed hard. But not only because the whole room felt claustrophobic, but also because he could sense someone close by. Suddenly the light went out, leaving him stranded in endless night. Still, Hagen did not despair. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his surroundings, knowing full well that the Force would allow him to see even in the dark.
"A fitting metaphor."
The voice was barely a whisper, but the Jedi Knight recognized it instantly. Somehow he had even expected this.
"I thought that you might still be around," he ventured and squinted at the shadows, trying to make out the other's specter in the dark. There was nothing. "Just like Exar Kun, right? His spirit is haunting the Massassi Temples on Yavin 4. Says Master Jeldo."
"What does he know?" Roj Kell sighed and Hagen froze when he could feel someone's breath caress his throat. His mind froze in panic for precious seconds and he started shivering when a hand brushed over his cheeks tenderly, the fingertips barely touching his skin. Gentle hands slipped around his shoulders, holding him tight. By then Hagen was shaking with dread.
"How much you have grown," Roj Kell whispered, then continued in a dreamy voice that had the younger man spellbound almost at once. "They all do, all of them. I watch them live, and die. Sooner or later they all perish. I do not care, really. They are mine, my children, my legacy. You are like that too, Hagen Dycos. In the end you have found the right way. The way of the Sith. Now. Look at me."
Raising his head the Jedi Knight met the ancient one's pale eyes and found them as cold as they had always been. He noticed with some alarm that the room seemed to be filled with a sickly yellow light, but then Roj Kell bent forward very slowly and for a second Hagen nearly panicked again, knowing full well what would follow. But as the Sith's lips stopped short of touching his Hagen's eyes widened in slight surprise. When Kell spoke again there was just a hint of that old mocking smile in his tone, elusive, yet very present.
"Did you never ask yourself why your fellow Jedi did turn on you so suddenly? Never wondered how they could misunderstand your intentions so badly?"
Jerking his head back Hagen found himself caught in the Sith's all too tight embrace. "You," he hissed, but his voice died to a whisper with the revelation. "It was you all the time. I should have known!"
"Ah, clever. I like that. Of course it was me. Did you really believe that I would let you uncover the teachings of the Sith? Besides, they would have destroyed your work, for fear of it taking influence on the young and impressionable. Do you remember? You were like that, once upon a time, an innocent child, yet so cold all the same. Tell me, did you cry for the Sith or yourself back on Thando Station? No, don't answer now." Tapping a finger playfully against Hagen's upper lip Roj Kell gave him a wicked smile: "I fear that you yourself have not understood your feelings on the matter yet."
Gritting his teeth the Jedi Knight tried to break away once more and this time the Sith let him go abruptly, making him stumble over his own legs as he shot backwards. He fixed Kell in an icy stare, then shook his head vehemently.
"What do you want from me? Why this game at all and not just kill me and be done with it?"
"This is a different kind of seduction, Hagen. One that takes the heart, and the soul," Kell answered, his hands moving gently in a strange pattern that caught Hagen's gaze immediately and made him drowsy. A Sith trick, he told himself. But somehow he did not want to get out of this trap at all.
"Do not worry," the old one said suddenly, and a laugh rang into the air like bird's song, ripping through the Jedi's fuzzy mind like a sharp dagger's blade. "My tastes are different than that. But what I do love is to see you crumble and fall, your mind so on edge that you cannot think straight anymore. Come here," he ordered and Hagen found himself complying automatically.
He fought the spell defiantly, but was powerless against the magic of his enemy's enchanting voice. Grabbing his head roughly Kell sent a jolt of pain through the Jedi Knight's body, causing him to lose his balance and fall to his knees. Through silent tears of agony Hagen sought the other's gaze, fully expecting to die at last. But the Sith surprised him yet again.
"A lesson for you, Hagen Dycos. On yourself and on the Sith. In your esteemed works that I have read wth great pleasure, by the way, you claim that the Dark Side feeds on itself and destroys itself out of sheer hunger for power. And yet it survives, over the times, always there, always waiting. To understand it you must examine your heart. And if you are as human, as I think you must be, you will find darkness there. Only then can you decide what and who you are."
"Really," Hagen replied coolly, not wanting to venture too deep into that topic, because he could sense that Roj Kell was right. "You told me once that there is no way to defeat you. But there is."
"I know." Letting go of his prey the old Sith straightened again. "But that is the challenge I live for, Hagen. I offer you a chance here, to truly understand the Sith. But you must keep that secret. If you don't, your life is forfeited, by my hands or that of the Jedi won't matter."
"Why don't I just point them your way?"
"But that would be no surprise, would it? How you redeem yourself I do not care. But since you have never fallen at all you should be safe, am I right?"
"Yes."
"Get up."
Hagen complied, but saw to it that he kept a relatively safe distance from Kell. Still, the spell was broken:
"How come you are alive?"
"I survive. I always survive," Roj Kell snorted contemptuously. "How, do you think I got so old?"
"But you were dying and the temple was destroyed."
"Ah, I must tell you that the Sith were more thorough than your Master. A very long time ago, even before that unfortunate incident on Coruscant, I was gravely injured in a battle against the Jedi. My caring brothers decided to bury me here - alive."
"Alive..." Hagen echoed, confused. He still could not believe that the old Sith had managed to survive somehow.
"Yes. See, they had a very nice burial prepared for me, with sacrifices and what not. Truly impressive. The problem was, of course, that I was not dead yet. To substitute for that inconvenience they dumped me inside a very heavy stone coffin."
"How did you get out?"
"I did not. I decided to bide my time. They wanted me dead? They could have that. I am old, Hagen, and I know things they had no clue about. Sith magic, my friend, is no invention of Dark Jedi."
"You deceived us the same way, right?"
"Of course. History always repeats itself, and I should know, don't you think? You did not wait to watch me die and your master did not have the courage to kill me either. He even let me choose! What a fool. Hagen, Hagen, I am truly impressed that you survived under these circumstances."
Straightening fully the Jedi Knight sneered at him and shook his head in mock compassion:
"Oh, please, Lord Kell. You are overestimating yourself again. Why won't you just admit that we defeated you back then?"
"You were good, really good. But you are Jedi. That is the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"Morals, compassion, the Code," Kell spat.
"I get it."
"Good. You are right, there is only one way to defeat me. You should have killed me, Hagen Dycos. Now it is too late for that."
"So," Hagen folded his arms in front of his chest boldly, trying to convey a confidence he did not really feel. "What do you propose instead?"
"You want to learn about the Sith? Then you have to be one, for a time, at least."
"No way."
"As expected. But I know that you are no coward, Hagen. So, what do you want?"
The Jedi Knight smiled slowly: "It is a deal, but only if you are prepared to act like a Jedi for a change. You claim to know everything, so that should be no problem either."
"An entertaining suggestion. I like it."
"Then we have a deal?"
"We do."
"And where do we play?"
"How about... Nar Shadaa?"
Walking the crowded streets of the Huttese space station Roj Kell felt strangely elated. At his side Hagen Dycos was bristling with anticipation and a hint of excitement. It had been the old Sith's intent to put him off edge. He had known that the Jedi Knight was not used to this hubub and the unscreened presences of so many untrained beings. They did not shield their emotions the way the Jedi and Sith did. They broadcasted their moods without any regard to Force-sensitives. In short, it was a treasure trove for emotions that Kell himself found most delightful. In a way they were a substitute for the lack of feelings on his own part. Oh yes, he had retained some of them, those he could use best, but even they were locked away tightly, behind unwavering shields that allowed him to examine them in detail if need be.
"Why here?" Hagen asked at last.
"Fear, anger, hatred, the ingredients of the Dark Side. They are aplenty on this world. As you will see."
"Wait a minute, you are supposed to act like a Jedi."
Kell threw him an incredulous look: "On Nar Shadaa? Are you mad? You would not survive a day."
"I imagine you could. After all, you are a proven survivor. Wanna give it a try?"
Oh yes, the boy could be cruel, very much so. It was strange, but Roj Kell still saw the Padawan from decades ago in Dycos' features and the admittedly very large age difference added to that feeling. To him the Jedi was a child, nothing more. But then, he had under-estimated that child once before. Frowning at the passerbys, as if they could know what was going on between the two men, he heaved a deep sigh. Hagen stepped back involuntarily when the ancient Sith turned around to give him a nice, brittle smile. The younger man shook his head in disbelief, but did not comment further. Walking on they went in search for trouble.
Hagen really felt uncomfortable around Kell, but maybe that was just because the old man was drawing everyone's attention to the two travellers, offering help to people who obviously did not need it, his enchanting voice pitched in an enthusiastic tone that he apparently thought was the suitable voice of office for a Jedi. Of course he just wanted to annoy his companion, but the Jedi Knight had really hoped that he would try in earnest. When he walked over to a shop to purchase a bunch of tasty-looking snacks Hagen was brutally pushed aside by the Sith when he wanted to pay for the goods. "Here you are, good woman," Kell quavered and pressed a pile of credits into the astounded merchant's hand. Looking over his shoulder he smiled at Hagen mockingly.The Jedi rolled his eyes in exasperation. The man really had not understood what being a Jedi was about. But he would make him see the error of his ways yet.
"You know," he said out of the corner of his mouth while they resumed their leisured pace, "there's a difference between helping and molesting someone."
"Really? I always found the Jedi's attention more than just a nuisance," Roj Kell replied coolly, his face totally sincere.
"I imagine you would. After all they always wanted to kill you." He smiled wrily at the amused Sith. "Listen, it does not work this way, for none of us. We need a real-life situation for this test."
"I see. What do you have in mind?"
"No, no. Let's find some quiet place and establish the rules first. We cannot let ourselves be guided by what we perceive to be the 'right' thing to do."
"Good. Over there. This looks suitable."
It was a seedy looking cantina a little off from the main boulevard and almost immediately the two men where stopped by a ragged Rodian who held a blaster in his shaking right paw. He was obviously drunk.
"Your credits," he hissed at them and Kell and Hagen shared a questioning glance. Bowing toward the Jedi the ancient Sith let him go first.
Hagen stared at the Rodian, unsure of what to do. He was supposed to act like a Sith, but the only Sith he really knew was Roj Kell, and that one would probably talk for so long until the Rodian gave up out of sheer annoyance. On the other hand, he might want to try that too.
"Get out of the way. You don't want to mess with us," he grated at the alien, who merely hiccupped.
"I have a gun, mister, you know?"
"So I see. This is your last warning. Be gone or be squashed." The low chuckle rising from somewhere behind his back annoyed Hagen no end. But the Rodian still was not impressed.
"What's wrong with your friend?" he asked unsteadily, his blaster swinging around to aim at Kell. Hagen put that moment of uncertainty to good use and slugged the alien a good one across the nose. Behind him he heard a sigh. Whirling around the Jedi Knight propped his hands on his hips, frowning at the Sith.
"What!" Hagen snapped. "I hit him! Aren't you satisfied?"
"No, you have to do this with less care," Kell explained coolly and struck the unfortunate Rodian across the face so hard that he broke his neck. As the alien's lifeless body slunk to the ground the Sith Lord massaged his right hand unconcernedly. "He is nothing, he is just standing in your way. That is the attitude I want you to incorporate."
"I see," Hagen answered, his mouth turning into a grim line.
"Do not worry," the ancient one told him amiably and patted his shoulder. "It was good, for a beginner. We shall practise some more."
Entering the cantina after Roj Kell Hagen wrinkled his nose in disgust at the heat and stench of too many beings crowded together in one room. But his companion was apparently unfazed by their surroundings. The Jedi Knight's best guess was that two thousand years had not passed the Sith by just like that. He realized suddenly that Kell was possibly the only being who had been to every world in this galaxy at least once, who knew all about Life and the Force. Albeit only the dark side of it. Had it been his intent to make Hagen believe that perhaps? Why had he led him here at all? Nar Shadaa was a den of vipers. A lesson, maybe? Yes, that sounded about right. It sounded like Roj Kell.
Kell noticed the growing uneasiness in his unwilling partner in this endeavor. His motives for taking Hagen with him were very simple, if one were to have all the information necessary to understand the reasons. The Jedi now firmly believed that it had been Kell, and not Bane, who had left all those traces. Additionally he could now uncover what secrets Hagen had found already and how he had planned to use them. Third then, Hagen was in the company of a Sith, a dangerous move on his part, since his Jedi friends already were suspicious about him. Kell had warned him back on Korriban, but the younger man had accepted the game anyway. He was courageous, Kell had to admit. And although he himself had no intention of complying to the so-called rules he could sense that Hagen was truly willing to try. Imagine that boy as a Sith! He almost laughed at the thought of it. Finding them a small corner table in the back of the smoke-filled room he convinced the previous occupants of the booth politely that they had better leave or else count their bones.
It was suitably calm, or as calm as could be in a cantina, and the old Sith could feel that the closeness that was forced on him and his companion to understand each other over the din made Hagen feel even more uncomfortable. Even better. Keeping him on edge was one of his primary goals after all. They ordered their drinks, and Kell noticed that Hagen was careful not to select something a bit harder. Obviously he wanted to keep a clear head. Nodding at the young man Kell leaned forward, signalling the beginning of their conversation.
"You have made your first experience in the Dark Side," he began calmly. "And even though you might think it a little thing compared to what deeds others might have done it has broken a barrier. Tell me, Hagen Dycos, have you ever before struck at someone whithout any reason?"
"He had a gun."
"A lame excuse. You are a Jedi. Surely you are allowed to use the Force in self-defense?"
Nodding slowly a pensive look entered the Jedi Knight's emerald eyes. "I see what you mean. So one of the secrets is to act aggressively instead of defensive?"
"Yes."
"Yet you never act that way. I wonder why?"
"Observant. Indeed, it is true. Sometimes, when it suits my purposes, I assume a defensive stance. But what do yo know of me so far? Back on Coruscant I was a captive and on Thando Station I became your prisoner."
"On purpose," Hagen injected coolly, his eyes narrowing.
"What do you mean?"
"On Coruscant it was your goal to sow distrust and fear among the Jedi. You wanted them to strike at the Sith and you wanted them to trust you as the instrument of their revenge. I have studied that episode in detail. You used Master Jen deliberately. But I did not quite understand how you had planned to escape in the end."
"Kha Door."
"The battle-master?"
"The one." Leaning just a bit closer Kell let his smile deepen some more. "He was my apprentice."
"Ah." The Jedi Knight nodded in understanding. "I see. He betrayed you, did he not? That was why you killed him."
"Yes."
"So, act defensively when in the midst of your enemies, but the first rule is to always have a back-up plan."
Roj Kell laughed: "Yes and no. It is always best to strike first and with the Force as your ally there is nothing you cannot do. You simply have to be ahead of the game at all times. Brute force, Hagen, is all very well, but if you lack the brains to get yourself out of the mess you put yourself into, you are as good as dead. So, what is it with the Jedi?"
"Basically it is about being a guardian of life. Standing watch against evil in any form."
"A monumentuous task."
"But it has worked so far."
"True. I have to admit that."
"We defeated the Sith and we restored peace in this galaxy. You are the last of their kind. And I vow that I will make you see the light yet."
"Hagen, Hagen. I am too old for redemption. Besides, I have to disappoint you: I am no fallen Jedi. I am a Sith."
"Where's the difference?"
"A good question. Maybe you can find out."
Hagen stared at the old man in astonishment and just a bit of curious interest. But suddenly a Twi'lek bustled up to them and said something to Kell. The Sith smiled slowly and nodded once.
"What's the matter?"
"He is offering some...fun."
"Fun as in?"
"Still the innocent child?"
Hagen blushed when he finally got it. "No way," he said firmly.
"And why not?"
"We are not here for this, after all."
Kell laughed. "Too bad. They are slaves, mostly."
"Did you forget our deal already then?" Hagen asked in indignation.
"No. You want me to do some good, right? We can start there."
But as the ancient Sith rose the Jedi Knight lay a hand on his wrist gently: "No."
"No?"
"I can see it in your eyes, Kell. What you want is a massacre." Raising his eyebrows slowly, his pale eyes turning even colder, if that was at all possible, Roj Kell smiled at him. He seemed surprised, and that itself was shocking. But Hagen refused to let that intimidate him. "A Jedi knows no anger. We do not crave blood the way you do."
"How boring."
"Would you please stop mocking me?"
"No. But I will do as you say."
"Find out where they hold them."
"Why don't you ask?"
"Because I am supposed to be the Sith here, remember?"
Kell's smile deepened alarmingly, but he turned to face the Twi'lek, who was still hovering next to their table with a hopeful expression on his face, and asked something. The alien nodded vigorously.
"He's going to lead the way. Are you ready?"
Hagen nodded.
They followed their guide for some time and Hagen was doing a good job of looking menacing and mysterious. But Roj Kell knew far better what was awaiting them on the fourteenth level of the vertical space city. The Twi'lek's boss probably offered the cheap entertainment that could be found anywhere across the galaxy in places like this. And Hagen had no idea about that. What he thought Kell would accomplish here the ancient Sith did not know. Not that it mattered. As long as he himself knew what he was about to do all was in complete order. The young Jedi was so righteous and idealistic that this experience would most certainly trigger the response Kell was looking for: anger, hatred and fear. Even though Hagen had probably experienced some of that in his past life this time those emotions would be focused on one target, a release for the pressure this encounter would put on him. Moving suddenly the Sith flicked out a hand and broke the Twi'lek's neck. They were almost there, he could feel it. At his side Hagen drew an angry breath.
"Why?" he hissed, but Kell grabbed his arm and dragged him into one of the garbage-filled side corridors. Turning Hagen around to face him he raised his eyebrows coolly. "Listen, boy, what you are going to see will not be pleasant. There will be screaming, crying and all that crap. Are you up to it?" The Jedi nodded. "And remember, you are a Sith, no Jedi. Act like one." Waving him on Kell stalked toward the back entrance to the warehouse complex they had been skirting so far. He looked up and scanned the facade with an expert eye. Then, concentrating, he levitated himself up, floating gently to slip between the support beams of the roof. Once he had secured his seat he turned to look down. Hagen was staring at him gape-mouthed. "How did you do that?" Kell sighed.
A few moments later the Jedi Knight had managed to join him, after a few instructions from the old Sith. They were wedged in between the beams and had a very good view down. Hagen stared at the sad assembly grim-faced. Down in the pit guards were busy seperating families and the Jedi Knight could sense the fear and despair of the doomed fugitives as clearly as he could feel the slavers' satisfaction. His stomach was churning with helpless fury. But when he risked a glance over at his companion he found Roj Kell perched on the concrete ledge, his torso supported easily on his hands and an evil grin on his face. Noticing Hagen's eyes on him the old Sith turned his head toward him gracefully and once more the younger man could not help but feel himself caught in a snake's hypnotic gaze.
"What? Kell barked sharply, his forehead creasing into a questioning frown. "They are a bunch of losers and there is nothing we could possibly gain from them. This is not our business."
Hagen raised his eyebrows coolly and, with some force, slapped an arm across the other's shoulders. The Sith lost his balance and dropped from the ledge with a furious scream, down into the pit where the Jedi joined him just seconds later, albeit landing with more grace than the totally surprised Kell. Dusting off his long robes the old man rose and growled at the armed men closing in on them before he turned to Hagen, who cut his protests off short:
"You said that this is none of our business. Well, now it is."
"Bastard," Kell hissed viciously, before he rose to his full height, all cool composure and haughty arrogance once more.
"And what do we have here? Some nosy stalkers, what?" a loud voice boomed across the courtyard. Hagen risked a glance around but at his side the Sith never moved his eyes away from the guards' weapons.
The voice belonged to a fat human who bore a merry expression on his rosy face, but Hagen had no problems sensing the malice behind that cheerfulness. Identifying the man as highest ranking among the men surrounding them the Jedi Knight faced him fully and propped his hands on his hips confidently. He looked his quarry up and down slowly, as if to measure his strengths and weaknesses. Which was hardly necessary. The man boasted twenty or so guards who were just waiting to pull the trigger. What Hagen had was a Sith Lord with strange views on cooperation and team-work. So, steeling himself, he forced a cold smile on his lips.
"I think I have come to the right man. Kol Gerd, is it not?"
The fat man stared at him: "You know me?"
Hagen wanted to thank the Force for having supplied him with the name, and at the same time tried to forget that he had violated Gerd's mind to do so. Act like a Sith. Kell's words were haunting him. What was the old man doing anyway? But he did not dare turn his eyes away just yet.
"Let's just say that I have heard of you," he replied at last and his smile widened a bit.
"Really." Gerd crossed his arms in front of his bulky chest. "Alas I do not like people sneaking around my property. But no need to call security. We can deal with these matters
on our own."
"As expected," Hagen countered and used the Force to smash Gerd into the next wall.
"Jedi," the man hissed as he wiped blood from his mouth.
"Not quite."
"I do not care what you are. If you so much as move your eyes those people over there will not live to see you die."
Hagen froze when the guards turned their weapons on the families huddled in the far corners. He should have thought of that beforehand! Again Kell's words came to mind, and he understood that a Sith would not care. Damn, a Sith never would have come here in the first place to rescue someone! And yet Kell had led him here anyway. That sneaky bastard.
"Please, there is no need for hostilities," a new voice cut in and Hagen felt a strange warmth fill his chest when he saw Gerd's reaction to Roj Kell's magical voice.
"And who the hell might you be?"
"These people are not your property. I would advise you to let them go."
"Not my property? They were unable to pay their fares and now I damn well take what is mine by rights! And who are you to give me advice anyway!"
"You charged them triple, knowing full well that they would not be able to pay. I know your methods, believe me."
"And I am telling you that the same rules apply to you as they do to your companion. Don't move."
"You know I am right."
Gerd sneered at Kell and sauntered over to come to stand in front of him. Hagen followed him with his eyes very carefully and winced when the bulky slaver hit the Sith across the face hard, sending him to the floor in a tangled heap. "I don't care, old man, if you are right or not. This is my property and my rules. You two are dead, do you understand?"
Roj Kell raised his head slowly and looked up at the man opposing him, but his eyes flickered toward Hagen for a splitsecond. The Jedi was obviously just waiting for him to attack, but this was supposed to be a lesson, after all. Kol Gerd was just like any opponent he had ever faced. Either they were gloaters or else compassionate, and always, always they made the same mistake. Unfortunately Roj Kell had no idea how to let Hagen know that a Sith did not wait for others to kill him. It was rather the opposite. Of course he understood that the boy was reluctant to move against the slavers with the lives of those fugitives at stake. But he would have no choice in the end. Now, what would a Jedi do in his place?
"Rules dictate that I warn you, friend," he said smoothly. "Of course you are free to ignore that warning, but if you do I cannot guarantee your survival."
Gerd barked an incredulous laugh: "Are you mad? Who do you think you are?" And then he hit him again. Kell sighed deeply, but suppressed the urge to smash the man into the roof. Instead he scrambled to his feet, or tried to, since Gerd caught his arm and held him down. And that was when Hagen finally decided that Kell had provided enough of a distraction for the guards. Whipping out his lightsaber from underneath his tunic he jumped high, drawing their attention to him, and they reacted just like any good soldier would. They opened fire. Roj Kell shook his head slowly. Empty threats were all these people could come up with. He freed himself of Gerd's grasp and in turn proceeded to wrench the man's arms behind his neck.
"Call your men back or else you are dead."
"I don't think so," the slaver hissed. This was, actually, a dilemma. A Jedi would not follow through with the threat, as a Sith would. Kell opted for a compromise and fixed Gerd's wrists at his neck before he brought the elbows together, dislocating the man's arms in the process. Dropping a howling Kol Gerd to the floor Kell watched Hagen fight for a while. Then he sat down on his haunches next to the slaver and caressed his tear-streaked face gently. "Maybe you would reconsider?"
"Stop this!" the man yelled, fighting to move his arms, but the sinews and tendons were torn beyond repair, leaving the limbs dangling uselessly from their sockets. Hagen was the only one who did not let go of his weapon at the desperate scream. His eyes were blazing with fury and he came toward the two men briskly. Without hesitating he brought his lightsaber around and severed Kol Gerd's head cleanly from the body. Kell smiled up at the Jedi, but the shining blade stabbed at him warningly.
"A lesson!" Hagen snorted, and shook his head violently. "I should have known." Looking over his shoulder at the guards he growled softly, and when he spoke to them his voice was icy cold. "Go now or else die."
They went without a second glance, leaving the fugitives alone with the Sith and the Jedi. But Hagen was not quite finished. Bringing his attention back to Kell he let the lightsaber swing dangerously close to his neck.
"Here's a lesson for you, Roj Kell. The fact that I do not kill you now does not mean that you have won. It does not mean that I am weaker just because I am compassionate. The Force knows you have deserved to die a thousand times over, but here, today, I want you to understand that I decided over your survival. I did, not you. I spared your life."
He was panting with righteous anger and exhiliaration, but Kell had understood well enough. Not that he really cared. He did survive, after all. Whether Hagen had made the decision was not the point. And here lay the difference. But the ancient Sith was wise enough not to push the topic further.
"Get up," Hagen ordered. "And act like a Jedi."
And so it was that Roj Kell found himself soothing frightened women and children, telling them that everything was alright while he tried to find out their names and origin and their reasons for coming to Nar Shadaa. Which was not easy because somehow the children got scared at the sound of his voice, strangely enough, frightening their mothers in turn and getting their fathers angry. And Hagen, who rooted around the warehouse, was smiling all the while. A few hours later they had managed to disperse the crowd happily and there was only one boy left; apparently he had come here on his own. A fact that intrigued Roj Kell. But not as much as Hagen's transformation from scholar to guardian. And he knew that this argument was not yet finished.
"We will take him with us," the Jedi Knight said finally and then they left in search of their ship.
Rising slowly from the bunk he had deposited the little fugitive in Hagen ruffled the boy's hair with a smile, then straightened up tiredly. Roj Kell stood in the doorway, watching him pensively. As he passed the old Sith the other stopped him short. Their eyes met and Hagen was surprised to see open admiration in Kell's usually so cold gaze.
"You are a true Jedi, Hagen Dycos."
"Glad you realized that at last," he answered warily.
"No, you do not understand. Every normal person, and I daresay nearly every Jedi, would not have been able to stand this farce for as long as you did. I find that impressive."
"I think I should thank you for that praise, and maybe for your lessons too. They made me see that the Dark Side is not for me, not for anyone. How can you live this way? There is no happiness, no joy."
Roj Kell did not answer at first. When he spoke though his voice was almost too low to hear, but gradually it filled the room with its powerful magic. "I do not understand you either. You say you guard against evil and you claim to protect life. Evil, as you call it, is part of life. The killing, the pain, everything."
"But some folks take it too far."
"You killed my people, Jedi. In your eyes the Sith's extermination was good. Had it been anyone else it would have been called an evil deed. You make justice your weapon to deal out as you see fit. I call that arrogant."
"There have to be rules."
"There are rules. The rules of survival."
"Which are unfair and cruel."
"Your idealism is somewhat endearing, Hagen, but also ridiculous. What you perceive as good is subject to your own reality. The Dark Side, my friend, is subject to noone. It simply exists."
"But you are a creature of reason, you do not follow the rules of survival without thinking about the consequences first."
"True. I act as I see fit."
"And look where that leaves you."
"Alive, Hagen, alive."
"I really would have thought that you had understood my point."
"That is the problem: I understand it, but I don't share it."
"Then what do we do now?"
"Live on," Kell replied and smiled slowly.
Hagen did not answer at first. Instead he threw a look back at the boy who was staring at the two men wide-eyed. Turning his head back toward the Sith he grabbed his arm and drew him outside. The door slid close behind them. They entered the cockpit together and sat down, keeping silent for a while.
"What is the boy's name?"
"Hm?"
"Name?"
"Kane Jinn. He says he has an uncle here."
"So either he did not find him or else that Gerd found him beforehand."
"Not quite. The uncle is dead. He was his sole relative."
"I suppose I should pity the child now?"
"No. The game is over. You can do whatever you want."
"Good."
Leaning back in his seat Roj Kell smiled a bit at the previous dialogue. Hagen looked at him in indignation, obviously miffed at the Sith's indifference concerning the boy's fate. But he did care very much, actually.
"What are you going to do with him?"
"Take him to Coruscant," Hagen answered, suddenly suspicious. "Why?"
"You felt it too, did you not?"
The Jedi Knight nodded. "Before you try to lay claim on him, yes, I will ask the Council to have him trained. And I will train him."
"The poor boy."
"Shut up."
"Why? Why are you willing to give up your studies for this ... child?"
"Because training him will be more rewarding than spending even more time on the past. I have realized that I need to be more than a scholar to really accomplish something. I am sure you won't understand that, so don't even try."
"I applaud your decision, Hagen. Does that mean that you will let the Sith rest in peace?"
"Not as long as you are still alive."
The two men's eyes met across the short distance that seperated them. For a while they kept silent again. But then Kell looked away into the distance for a moment.
"Maybe you should reconsider that statement. After all, you are halfway to the Dark Side. If your precious Council finds out about that you will not be allowed to train the boy, let alone leave Coruscant again alive." Looking at Hagen he gave the younger man a thin smile. "And remember that I discredited you once already. A nudge here, a push there, and you are dead faster than you can blink your eyes. Believe me, the Jedi don't treat Darksiders kindly."
"You are just trying to save yourself."
"So?"
"I will drop you off on Korriban then, right?"
"Good. Very good. There is just one thing that needs to be done then."
"What would that be?"
"You will see."
Korriban was wrapped in storm clouds upon their arrival and Kane stayed behind on Hagen's ship gladly, even though the Jedi Knight followed his host with some concern into the depths of the temple ruin. Roj Kell was balancing a glowing sphere of yellow light above his palm to light the way and he seemed completely at ease. They walked in silence for a while and in the end they were back in the chamber where Hagen had found the ancient Sith. For the first time though he took the time to study the room more closely. The heat did not affect them too much down here, but there was a hint of coldness in the air. Hagen was not certain though if that was not just his imagination.
"Sit down," Kell ordered quietly and dropped to the floor opposite from the Jedi. "Take your shirt off."
"What?"
"You heard me correctly."
Hagen complied grudgingly, unsure of what to make of this. "Is this some sort of ritual?" The ancient Sith Lord nodded slowly.
"You have nothing to fear."
"Are you sure?" the younger man replied weakly.
"Trust me."
"Oh my, this is getting even better. Trust you? Are you mad?"
Kell smiled coldly, then laid a sharp knife down before him, so the handle pointed toward Hagen. "Be quiet now until I tell you that you can speak again."
Gritting his teeth, Hagen felt his anticipation and fear rise by a thousandfold. But he kept himself in check and used a calming technique to soothe his jittery nerves. Roj Kell closed his eyes calmly and began to hum wordlessly. The melody captivated Hagen's mind and soon he felt as if he were floating outside of his body. When the knife rose from its place he was only dimply aware of Kell taking it in his hand. The old Sith drew the blade over the palm of his left hand and leaned toward Hagen slowly.
"Se'ha te." The words exploded behind Hagen's forehead in a shower of hot sparks and he jumped at the sound of Kell's voice. It was so full of heat and menace that the ice in the Sith's eyes seemed to be melting away. But Hagen could not move his head when Kell touched his face and painted it with his own blood. His hand wandered down the Jedi's neck and chest, where he drew a circle and retreated again. "Dy poluj Sit e Jedi. Ka'dos luv nas. Hetana."
Hagen screamed.
"I bid you farewell, Hagen Dycos," Roj Kell said pleasantly and smiled at the young Jedi who was rubbing his burned chest furiously.
"What kind of spell was that?"
"Pretty harmless, considering. It is a rite of cleaning. There is no trace of the Dark Side left in you anymore. Your friends will not suspect a thing when you return to Coruscant."
"Wow. I would consider that is a good deed on your part. Maybe-"
"Forget it. You did not change me, Hagen Dycos. I am still the same."
"A Sith."
"Yes."
"I admit that I am a bit reluctant to leave unfinished business behind."
"Really. This business was finished when you decided to be a Jedi."
"Oh."
"Now I must ask you to leave."
"Alright. I hope I won't see you again."
Kell merely smiled.
He walked into the open leisurely, just in time to see the ship take off and head for the jump-point to Coruscant. Perhaps he had really drawn a lesson from this encounter with the young Jedi Knight. But he had no intention of using it the way Hagen would expect him to. Oh no. Every lesson he learned could be turned against his foes and becoming aware of his own weaknesses only served to strengthen him. Walking the line between life and death, his age-old knowledge at his back and the vast unknown up front, he was always poised for action, always eager to start a new game. There was nothing else that could catch his attention and interest anymore. Nothing. And yet, he felt that something was missing. Hagen Dycos had thought that he had found an answer to the unspoken question, but Kell was not so sure. There was no balance, in none of the two men. And he did not crave it either.
A long time ago he had been in tune with the Force and himself, but things had changed. He had changed too, in a great many ways. Did he regret it? Not at all. In a way he had become the specimen in his own experiment. And it was quite interesting to watch too. As the ship winked out of realspace the curious sensation ceased. Finally. Admitting that he was estranged from himself was harder than he had thought. And every time it became more difficult to deal with the stress. He was getting unpredictable, even to himself. Not something he could or wanted to afford. Maybe he should just try to avoid getting too close to other people. Hagen Dycos had broken his heart all those years ago and he had not forgotten that boy who had defeated him so easily back then. He never forgot anyone or anything. It was actually more burden than blessing to have that acute a memory.
Roj Kell closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He had those fits where his age caught up to him. Luckily they did not last long. Turning around he walked back toward the temple, slowly and deep in thought. What he had lost he could not remember, but the loss itself made itself known now and then, tormenting him. He dropped down on the slick black stones under the stormy skies of Korriban and straightened his back sharply. Holding out his arms at his sides he let the palms of his hands catch the falling rain before he turned his wrists and caressed the planet's surface longingly, drawing a protective circle around himself that became a focus of an ancient power, known as the Force.
"Cor'dan ha undera do'sh unden luz gha motha," he whispered softly. *The heart of darkness embraces the Light as I embrace life and death.*
Resting his chin on his chest Roj Kell closed his eyes. Suddenly his body jerked as the power shot through him, forming a bridge between earth and sky, light and dark, life and death. His eyes flew open, their pale green replaced by a yellow fire that was burning with the unbending strength of the Force. But he found that holding onto the great flow was impossible. Letting go he slumped forward, his forehead resting on the hard stone, his tears mingling with the rain.
"Dah," *Please.* he hissed, shaking his head in a vain effort to get rid of the memories. "Regate'me." *Release me.* But his desperate call went unheard.
The End
Look out for 'Soul of Fire - Heart of Ice'. Although it is related to 'Backlash' and 'Art of War' it can easily stand as a seperate story too. The setting is a few years before TPM. J
And to keep up with Roj Kell, check out 'Ancient History' on The Force.net at http://boards.theforce.net
