Welcome to Chapter 5 of the Emperor's Wrath.
It was pointed out to me in a review of the last chapter that I made a mistake and Djem So had not been invented at the time the old republic is set in. This mistake will not occur in the future and Form V will now be reffered to as Shien instead.
Chapter 5: Baras
Arkunov returned to the academy after killing Dolgis.
He headed to the medical bay first so that he would be prepared for his next trial.
After he had finished he returned to Tremel's office. When Arkunov entered the room he saw Tremel standing there looking worried.
Turning to him Tremel said "Acolyte it is good that you have returned. When I sent you into to the tomb of Marka Ragnos, I may have made a small miscalculation."
"What kind of miscalculation?" Arkunov replied.
The Beast of Marka Ragnos was a great source of dark side energy here on Korriban," Tremel explained "When you killed it there was a tremor in the force. Darth Baras has sensed that tremor and is now aware of you.
"He demands an audience."
Thinking quickly Arkunov asked, "What can I expect from Baras Overseer?"
"Baras is a serious man and a master of deception. Everything that he does and says is calculated. He will attempt to trip you up, test you and get to the very core of your being." Arkunov nodded, indicating that he understood. He then waved his hand for Tremel to continue. "You must always take him seriously. And I cannot emphasise enough that you always should take him seriously."
"I should be able to handle Baras."
"Baras is usually the one who does the handling" Tremel countered. "This may be the last time we speak Arkunov. You are the best chance there is to stop Vemrin, if you fail now I doubt there will be another acolyte strong enough.
"Now meet Darth Baras in his chambers," he handed over a map to the location, "and be quick about it. Darth Baras doesn't take kindly to waiting."
As Arkunov left the room he pondered why Tremel had called him by his name. Was it possible that Tremel held some sort of affection for him? Arkunov filed away this information for possible use at a later date.
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Arkunov reached the second level of the academy where Baras's chambers were located. As he entered the corridor that led to the room he saw a group of acolytes standing at the far end of the hallway. They were all humans and appeared to be led by a male and a female. The male was built along the same lines as Arkunov except was dark skinned and had on his forehead and around his right eye. The female was shorter and seemed to be chastising the male about something.
Arkunov approached cautiously, wondering if Vemrin had decided to send more assassins after him.
The male approached him "Hey you!" he said.
The female shook her head and muttered something that sounded like 'be careful'.
Turning back to the female the male replied "Come on I'm antsy for some action. You there!", he pointed at Arkunov, "You the big shot everyone has been talking about? The one Darth Baras has summoned?"
'How stupid is he? Would I be here if Baras had not summoned me' Arkunov thought.
"So what if I am? You got a problem with that?" Arkunov replied. As he said this he drew his warblade and held it ready to attack.
Before the male could say something even more stupid the female intercepted him "Please pardon my overeager friend. It's just that we have heard so much about you."
"And we want to get in good with you."
The female glared at the male. "Teeno!" she snapped "What my blunt partner meant to say is that if you need anything...or anyone taken care of, we'd like you to consider us."
"She's talking about Vemrin. We'll kill him for ya."
The female acolyte scowled at Teeno. "Sorry I should have had him muzzled. Anyway what do you say? We know Vemrin sent Dolgis to try and kill you. Do you fancy returning the favour?"
Arkunov thought this over. 'If Vemrin is as powerful as I have been led to believe then they probably won't succeed. However by sending these fools to fight him, it would be a good way to gauge his abilities in comparison to my own.'
Deciding on his course of action Arkunov said "Something of this nature will have to be handled delicately."
"Of course. We need say no more then. This shall be handled with complete discretion" the female acolyte replied.
Arkunov nodded to them and then continued on to Baras's office.
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When Arkunov entered the office he saw five acolytes, including Vemrin, standing in front of a desk positioned at the back of the room. Darth Baras was seated behind the desk.
Examining him Arkunov was unimpressed Baras was overweight and short and unlike most Sith did not make a very intimidating figure. That is till you got to the mask. It was gun metal grey and carried no visible expression. Arkunov suspected that Baras did this to remind his peers that he was a cold and calculating man, and should not be taken lightly despite his outward appearance.
Curious as to Baras's strength with the force Arkunov focused and reached out with his senses. From most of the rooms occupants he sensed barely any strength in the force, the only two exceptions to this Vemrin and Baras himself. Baras was giving off tremendous dark side power easily eclipsing anyone in the room. 'That is probably more due to his years studying the dark side than anything else' Arkunov thought.
He refocused his attention to what Baras was saying, just as the sith lord finished. From the sound of it the acolytes had to retrieve something from one of the tombs. As the acolytes began to leave Arkunov saw Vemrin and another acolyte approach him.
When they finally reached him the second acolyte said "Look here Vemrin. I see the upstart but no sign of Dolgis."
Before the three of them could continue Darth Baras interrupted "Klemral. Vemrin. Leave now!"
After the tow of them had left Baras turned his attention towards Arkunov. "Are you having trouble with Vemrin supplicant?"
"Nothing that I can't handle" Arkunov replied.
Baras nodded at this and then continued. "Vemrin has paid his dues. He has fought a deck that has been stacked against him. You on the other hand...
"Let me have a closer look at you. As I suspected. Tremel has done you and this academy a great disservice. You warblade came early. Prisoners flown in for your convenience. Even a beast here on Korriban instead of in the wild! Even the son of a Dark Council member should have to earn these privileges!" Arkunov thought over what Baras was saying, realising that due to the way that Tremel had paced his trials he had not earned as much prestige as Vemrin who had to follow tradition and put up a harder fight to come out on top in his trials.
Baras continued "Thanks to Overseer Tremel your mind is soft, honed and lacks discipline. If you had followed the trials correctly this would not be the case, for only immersion over time produces results that prove who is worthy to join the Sith."
Arkunov thought over what Baras had said. By following the path Tremel had set out for him he had gained less experience that Vemrin, which could be a deciding factor when they eventually came face to face.
Turing to Baras Arkunov said "My apologies Lord Baras. It was never my attention to offend." Arkunov thought it was a good idea to try and get on Baras's good side, as it would prove useful in the future.
"But it is an offence. I have been presented with an acolyte who doesn't even have a basic understanding of what it means to be a Sith," Baras replied "The first month of trials should be dedicated to philosophy and the understanding of the Sith code. Recite the Sith code for me now."
"Peace is a lie. There is only passion.
Through passion I gain strength.
Through strength I gain power.
Through power I gain victory.
Through victory my chains are broken.
The force shall free me."
Once Arkunov had finished he paused absorbing the word he had just spoken. He could sense the surprise that Baras felt, "I learned the code at a young age. My father taught it to me. Tremel didn't bother to see if I knew the code" Arkunov said by way of an explanation. Baras nodded in acknowledgement.
"I suppose that I should have expected that from a man like your father" he said.
He continued "I am your master now. Tremel was becoming lax before you arrived at the academy. He is still caught up in the old ways and cannot manage to adapt to the evolution of the empire. These are the actions of a traitor. Traitors deserved to be executed. I grant you immunity from punishment. Kill overseer Tremel and then return to me with his hand."
Arkunov smiled "Tremel shall pay for what he has done to me."
"Go now. Tremel shall still be in his chambers. You will not return to me till you have killed him" Baras said shortly. Arkunov nodded and then left from the room.
So another chapter finished. And more clues are revealed about Arkunov's father, have fun trying to work out which dark council member he is.