Welcome to the second part of the Sith Warrior series! If you haven't read the first part please check it out on my profile, Sith Warrior: Hunt for the Jedi.

Glad I got this done today, as it's my birthday and I guess I got everyone a present!

With that being said, let's get started.

Prologue: The Meeting

When a group of Sith were in the same room together, a fight often broke out.

Not this time.

Five Sith glared at Arkunov from their places around the table, judging him.

"So," he said, an edge of threat in his voice. "Why have you asked me here?"

He phrased it as if it had been a request, though it was actually more of a summons. Yet no Sith with any self respect would admit they had been summoned.

"Consider this an invitation," Darth Malgus answered. "Your activities on Balmorra and Nar Shaddaa garnered my interest, as have your other efforts for Darth Baras. Though in truth, I have been aware of your... leanings for some time."

"So, you want me to join you? I must admit, I am intrigued by the goals of your faction, and they have always had a certain... appeal to me."

"Could've fooled me," Dethree muttered under her breath. Arkunov glared back at her, though the other Sith all ignored her comment.

Darth Malgus continued, "Your use of Republic assets against Lord Rathari impressed me. That shows creativity and flexibility, something that many of our order lack. And while your actions cost us an ally, I am certain you will prove more useful than Rathari ever did."

Arkunov smirked, "I suspected Rathari might have sympathies towards your aims. It was one of the few things we had in common."

Though he appeared outwardly confident, Arkunov was troubled by the depths of Malgus' knowledge. He had no idea how the older Sith could have learned about the Republic soldiers he'd coerced. Yet he didn't know everything, as Malgus referred to Rathari in the past tense. So Malgus clearly believed that Rathari was dead. That was good, it left Arkunov with a secret weapon when he needed it.

"So," he said, "what is it you want from me? To rise the ranks of the Sith and help achieve your aims?"

"Yes," Malgus nodded, "the old dogma is making us weak. Too many on the Dark Council prevent seek to prevent aliens from joining our ranks and adding to our strength. We are fortunate they have not succeeded."

"Power is Power. No matter it's source." Arkunov agreed, quoting from a manifesto the Paradigm had released shortly before he'd arrived on Korriban.

Arkunov felt a ripple of approval from the various Sith in the room, while Malgus said, "Well said. To achieve our aims we will need to get as many of our supporters as possible into positions of authority. In as many spheres of influence as we can. That is where our fellows come in."

He gestured to the other Sith around the table and began to introduce them.

"Lord Krovos, of the Sphere of Military Strategy and one of the Empire's greatest warriors."

Arkunov sent a nod to the Pureblood-Sith woman, who returned it. He had heard of Krovos, his mother, Lord Zhothe, had fought alongside her on a number of occasions.

"Darth Errarat, of the Sphere of Expansion and Diplomacy. One of the most skilled naval commanders in the galaxy."

"Welcome," the red haired human male said. He was a powerfully built man, with a beard that matched his hair. Arkunov had heard of him as well, though not just for what Malgus had said. Errarat was a known taker of trophies and took delight in wielding the lightsabers of dead Jedi against their former comrades.

"Lord Acina, of the Sphere of Technology. Something of a genius from what I understand."

The human woman gave him a quick glance but otherwise didn't comment. Arkunov hadn't heard of her, but suspected Malgus' assessment was accurate, for she was not that much older than him, perhaps five or six years at most.

"And of course, you know Lord Kallig of the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge."

Dethree smirked back at Arkunov, who sent a glare at the Zabrak in response. But beyond that they shared no further interaction.

Arkunov took in the figures around the table. Here were some of the most powerful Sith in the Empire and while he doubted they all sincerely believed in the Paradigm, they all recognized the advantages that could be gained from it. Both to themselves and to the Empire. In this room, were powerful allies, ones that shared his goals. If not his ultimate ambition.

Besides, Arkunov was certain that if he tried to back out, they would take him apart.

Instead, Arkunov pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table.

"So, how do we accomplish this?"

"Each of us, are but a few steps away from the Dark Council," Errarat began. "I am the only apprentice of Darth Ravage, and despite our... ideological differences. I am next in line to inherit his seat. The rest of our colleagues are in similar positions. Eventually, those seats will fall to us, if we are willing to wait."

"Some of us, aren't," Dethree interupted. "Darth Thanaton has already made moves against my power base. I suspect it won't be long until he removes Darth Actris and takes his place on the council. If he is allowed to remain there for a significant period, there is no telling what damage that doddering old goat could do!"

Arkunov nodded, both in agreement and understanding. Thanaton, whose early rise had quite frankly been meteoric, had become something of a stuffy traditionalist in his later years. Likely because it brought him some sort of political advantage, though it was possible believed much of what he was saying.

"That is something we can all agree on," Krovos added, "but removing someone like Thanaton will be no easy feat. He is powerful, in spite of his bluster."

"I can handle him," Dethree spat. "Once I have reinforced my own power base."

"So," Arkunov said, "when the time comes, we shall strike at Thanaton."

"No!" Dethree snarled. "Thanaton is mine! You can have his followers, but his life is mine to take!"

Arkunov smiled back at the Zabrak. "Very well. Let us change the face of the Empire."