Chapter 1: Training

Jaesa grunted as she caught the blow on her practice blade, sending it sliding along the length and the opposing weapon completely off target.

She spun, bringing the other end of her weapon around to slice into her opponents vulnerable side.

It never connected.

He had stepped out of reach, moving so that all she cut was empty air.

"Better," Arkunov said. As he returned to his ready stance. "Again."

Panting and ignoring the sweat pouring down her, Jaesa raised her blade. Her training hadn't been easy. Over the past few months Arkunov had drilled her relentlessly on saber technique, but the results could not be denied.

The day after she had first arrived on Dromund Kaas, Arkunov had dragged her out of bed hours before sunrise. Leading her onto the balcony, he'd tossed her a wooden practice sword, with a single blade. He'd given her a single instruction, "Show me your sequences."

For the next few hour Arkunov had watched Jaesa go through the forms and sequences she had studied. Studying each movement with the critical eye of a master swordsman.

Eventually he had called a halt and said, "There is much to be done. Your old masters have done you a great disservice." Taking up his own practice blade, he took a place next to Jaesa. "Copy me. First, Shii-Cho."

He had begun slowly, allowing Jaesa time to copy his motion and then if needed, make a correction. Gradually the pace had increased, each motion of the blade becoming faster and faster. Once Arkunov was satisfied with her progress on the first form, he had taken her through the others over the following weeks.

About two months into the lessons Arkunov had said, "Pick a form. One that will form the basis of your style. Once you have mastered that, you can consider branching out with other techniques."

Jaesa had thought for a time and had asked for time to consider it for herself. Arkunov allowed this, he even approved of it, for Jaesa was not rushing the decision, she was being patient. Arkunov was a great advocate of patience, that was one of the first principles he had taught her.

Over the next few days, Jaesa had worked through each of the forms in private. Trying the feel of each of them, seeing if one felt right. However, only her early morning and late evenings were devoted to this area of study. The rest of the day was focused on the study of the dark side.

Arkunov was a practical man and as such, had Jaesa focus on the basics before anything else. For all else was simply an extension of those underlying abilities. However, Jaesa didn't just have Arkunov's lessons to occupy herself with. Greedily, Jaesa devoured datapads and books written by countless Sith. There were many topics to occupy herself with, some contained details on practical applications of the dark side, while others detailed ancient Sith history.

Despite everything else she had to learn, after three days Jaesa came to her master and said, "Niman. I want to study Niman."

"Why?"

"I want to take the best advantage I can of my new abilities. Niman is the best way I can do this. Especially when I learn more advanced powers."

Arkunov gave an approving nod, "Very good. However, if you do study Niman there is one thing you must keep in mind. Do you know what that is?"

Jaesa thought for a moment before answering, "The form has no real strengths or weaknesses, since it is essentially a merging of the proceeding techniques. It also has an emphasis on integrating force techniques with blade work."

"Correct. However, that is only the most basic part of it. You must also remember that Niman can be taken in multiple directions. You could choose to focus on its aggressive components and make it an expression of destructive force. It could be speed focused and allow you to become a fast duelist. Whatever direction you take, you must commit to it. Only then, will you achieve true mastery."

"I understand, my Master. What path should I take?"

Arkunov's eyes narrowed, his displeasure obvious, "That is for you to discover. As a Sith, not all of your lessons should come from me. You should forever be seeking greater power. To find a way to surpass me. That is the way of the dark side."

Jaesa was still processing those words. If she was honest it was hard for her to reconcile them, for Arkunov had changed her life, she was so much better more as a Sith than she had been as a Jedi. She still hadn't found an answer.

The lessons had escalated after a while.

Once he was satisfied with her level of improvement, Arkunov had switched the wooden swords for a set of blunt metal blades. He had even allowed her to practice with a double-bladed variant once again. These new blunt weapons were designed to mimic the heft and balance of a fully active lightsaber, without the risk of removing a limb in a training accident.

The training blades were covered in near microscopic toxin-filled barbs, made from the spines of pelko bugs. Small insects, native to Korriban. A single sting from one of these barbs would deliver blistering pain to the afflicted area. Paralysing at the point of infection, this allowed Jaesa to experience what it would be like to lose a limb in combat.

Jaesa had come to hate the sensation. For Arkunov had inflicted it on her often enough.

Every time they sparred he managed to land a blow on her, while she had yet to land a single one. Though that didn't mean she wasn't making any progress. Each time they fought, it took him a little longer to land the finishing blow. Even though Arkunov wasn't using the full extent of his skill, far from it in fact, Jaesa still took pride in her progress.

This had all led to that days sparring session.

The duel had been going for almost three minutes now, and Jaesa was beginning to tire. An improvement, for this was the longest she had lasted in any duel. Her physical abilities had improved so much in such a short amount of time.

She spun her twin bladed weapon forward, sending a flurry of blows towards Arkunov. Her master's blade met Jaesa's and held her back, that was fine, she hadn't expected to break through his defenses. Instead, she held the two weapons in lock, testing her strength against his. She had no chance of winning, Arkunov's greater stature made it easy for him to overpower Jaesa.

But overpowering him was not the point.

As Arkunov narrowed his eyes in disapproval at her choice in tactics, Jaesa hurled a force push towards her master. He staggered backwards, knocked off balance, seemingly caught off guard by her unexpected use of the force.

Jaesa grinned and charged forward, twin blades swinging in for the kill.

Arkunov's blade clanged against hers, as the Sith Lord effortlessly regained his footing, dropping his feigned moment of weakness. Jaesa's weapon was casually redirected to one side, as Arkunov brought his blade crashing down on Jaesa's leg.

Sharp, stinging pain lanced through her and Jaesa crumpled to the ground. Her leg completely useless for the next few minutes. Anger surged through Jaesa, chilling her bones as she glared up at her master. She would have launched herself at him, but Arkunov held his blade at her throat, forcing her to look into his yellow eyes.

"Impressive, most impressive," he whispered. "I hadn't expected that force push. Good, you are starting to utilise some of Niman's more advanced elements. Keep working on it."

Jaesa, her temper now back under control, said, "Thank you, my Lord."

"That is enough for today. I have other matters that require my attention. Focus on your other areas of study, once your leg has recovered."

"Of course, my Lord."

Arkunov turned away from her and called, "Vette!"

The Twi'lek slave, popped her head out of the door that led back to the apartment. "What's up, boss?"

"Help Jaesa back in."

"Sure thing."

Vette pulled Jaesa up and supported her weight.

"Jeez," Vette said, "I swear that you weren't always this heavy! How much muscle have you put on?"

Jaesa didn't answer the question, not that Vette had been expecting her to. Instead she sent Vette a death glare, not for the comment, for she knew Vette didn't mean anything by it, but for the very fact that Jaesa needed the Twi'lek's help. Sith were supposed to be individuals, self-reliant, and here she was hobbling along like a youngling just learning to walk.

"Well, looks like it's all paying off," Vette chirped. "You almost had him that time."

"Really?" Jaesa asked skeptically.

"Nope. Not even close."

From across the street, Phyne watched the apprentice hobble away from her new master. For months the assassin had watched as the girl progressed in her training. Yet her main focus had been Arkunov.

The new Sith Lord was as relentless as she remembered, even while sparring. Yet she could tell this was only a fraction of his true capability, even though she had never fought him.

Phyne had been so patient, following Arkunov as he went about his business in Kaas City. Waiting for the perfect moment to thrust her saber into his back. Yet that moment had never come. The Sith Lord was always on guard, just waiting for an attack. He had almost seen her a couple of times. Though Phyne doubted she would have recognized her. She had changed so much since Korriban, besides the assassin was certain that he didn't even know her name.

Even so, she had continued to observe him. And had come to one terrifying conclusion.

She could not kill him.

It would take years, perhaps decades of dedicated training and even then Phyne couldn't be that sure that she would win. Assassinating Arkunov was not an option. It was fortunate, that Lord Grathan had given her leeway in her assignment. If Phyne could not kill Arkunov, she would hurt him. Force a setback upon him. Fortunately, Arkunov had a weakness that she could exploit.

Smiling behind her respirator, Phyne watched as Arkunov's apprentice hobbled back into the apartment.

Once he had left his apartments, Arkunov had hailed a taxi and immediately headed for the citadel. He'd received a short message from Darth Baras that morning, demanding his presence immediately. Arkunov had sneered at the message, he could practically hear the petulance in the message, and had chosen to make Baras wait.

It was the first time that Arkunov had seen Baras in months, at least in person. There had been the occasional holo message, but the whole time it had seemed like Arkunov's master was trying to keep him at a distance. But not today. Arkunov suspected that this was something that Baras couldn't risk transmitting over holo. It seemed like Baras had another scheme he needed Arkunov for.

Arkunov dismissed these thoughts as the taxi landed and he entered the citadel. There was no need to consider them further, for Arkunov now stood before his master.

"Ah, the latest lord in the Emperor's arsenal returns," Baras announced. "You're just in time, I have need of you."

Darth Baras ignored the lack of respect Arkunov showed him by arriving late. Such things could be tolerated, for now. After all, Marr's whelp was still useful.

"Of course, my Lord."

Behind his mask Baras' lip curled. He could sense the disrespect radiating from Arkunov, the flagrant disregard for his authority. The younger Sith utterly failed to conceal it, or simply didn't care enough to. No matter, that didn't change the fact that the new Sith Lord was an excellent weapon. A blunt instrument that was perfectly suited to the task Baras had been set.

"My master on the Dark Council, Darth Vengean, wants war. Not petty skirmishes that tiptoe around the Treaty of Coruscant, but open warfare. Vengean has tasked me with finding a way to compel the rest of the council, to tear up the treaty."

Arkunov's raised an eyebrow in interest. He'd heard of Darth Vengean of course, and had know that he was Baras' old master, but had never met the man. Though he hadn't needed to in order to form an impression. Vengean was considered something of a joke to Arkunov's generation of Sith. A doddering old warhorse that barely clung onto power. A raving lunatic with just enough strength in the dark side to survive the countless assassination attempts that had been launched against him.

It wouldn't be long before Vengean lost what little support he had left. This last attempt to lead the Sith to war, would surely be the final nail in his proverbial coffin. Inwardly, Arkunov smiled, when Vengean was gone that put him one step closer to taking power. Another step forward for the Evolving Sith Paradigm and carving a new future for the Empire.

"The sooner we can stop pulling punches," Arkunov replied, "the sooner the Republic will fall."

Once again, Arkunov fell into the role of a mindless brute. He was practiced at it by now, though in this case it wasn't entirely an act. For as long as he could remember, Arkunov had wanted to go to war. As such, the Treaty of Coruscant had grated on his nerves. Oh, he understood the tactical necessity of the treaty, for both sides had needed time to regain their strength, but that didn't mean he liked it.

Peace was intolerable.

Yet in spite of Arkunov's on the act, Darth Baras bought it, or at least seemed too. "The Republic is stronger than you think, otherwise we would never have sued for peace."

Arkunov nodded, but didn't make a comment.

Baras continued, "Even so, I have found an opportunity to spur the council and the Emperor into action. Most think that our inability to find and defeat one man, General Karastace Gonn, kept us from outright victory and forced the negotiated peace."

Arkunov had heard the name, but didn't know many details. He was fairly certain that General Gonn operated in the fringe systems and had prevented the military from consolidating that area of space. As a consequence, the navy and army had been forced to hold back many resources that would have been of more use in other theaters of war. Those were the broad strokes, but Arkunov didn't know any specifics about Gonn's tactics. He would have to get his hands on the information.

"I assume you've found him. Good, his defiance cannot be tolerated. If one man can thwart the Empire, how can we show our faces in public?"

Baras nodded in agreement, "General Gonn operates from the shadows. A phantom singlehandedly preventing the fringe systems from falling to us. He has evaded my agents at every turn, until now. In one week, General Gonn will be meeting with treacherous Imperial Agents. You will be waiting for him, and you will kill him. He maintains the fringe systems by anticipating our moves, these agents supply his information. You will bring them to me for interrogation. Afterward a public execution, I think. An example must be made."

Later that night, after Arkunov had returned from the citadel, Jaesa found herself alone on the balcony. Practicing in the rain. Her yellow blades were a blur of motion as they flickered through the planet's perpetual rain.

When Arkunov had returned and informed her of the mission, he had returned her lightsaber to her.

"This will be your first mission with me," he had explained, "get used to fighting with a real weapon again. Prove to me I'm not wasting my time."

His words had been harsh, and more than a little unfair, but Jaesa got the point. After all, being a Sith was never about being fair.

She'd been going through her sequences for almost an hour now, and was finally starting to get used to the weight and balance of her weapon. Not that she'd ever truly been used to it; since Nomen Karr had just given her a spare from the Tython armoury. Someday, she'd have to craft a lightsaber all of her own, a blade that truly suited who she was now.

Sweat was beginning to appear on Jaesa's brow, but she ignored it. The force kept her strong and ready, she estimated she had perhaps another hour to go before she hit her limit and she wasn't going to waste that time. Even though the mission was a week away and she still had plenty of time, Jaesa wouldn't waste the opportunity to improve. She'd learned that much at least.

Unexpectedly, Jaesa felt a cold chill, despite the warmth radiating from her exertions. She froze mid stroke, twin blades held diagonally across her. She reached out with the force, trying to locate the source of the unexpected sensation, and whirled around to deflect a pair of scarlet sabers slashing towards her neck.

Her attacker jumped back to avoid Jaesa's counter and barely avoided being bisected. Jaesa's eyes narrowed as she assessed her opponent.

She was a female human, though a boxy black respirator covered much of her face. Metal arms reflected the red glow of her twin weapons, as the assassin pointed the blades towards Jaesa.

"I want you to know this isn't personal," the cyborg said, "your master had made a lot of enemies. You will answer for his crimes."

Jaesa's eyes narrowed at the words.

So that was it, weaken the master by striking down the apprentice. An old trick. One she'd read about more than a few times in the historical texts. But she wouldn't follow in the footsteps of those fools. There was still so much she could do. So much more power that she needed. Besides, she owed it to Arkunov, owed everything to him. It wouldn't do for her to die here. Not today.

Jaesa raised her own weapon high.

"Shut up and fight."

And that is the end of chapter 1! Hope everyone enjoyed it! Please leave a review!

Going to try and get a new schedule going, so hopefully there will be more frequent updates. I don't make any promises though, so please don't hold me to that.

See you in the next chapter!