Okay first off I would like to say thank you to the overwhelmingly positive response I received for the last chapter. Secondly I am going to try and take less time on the planets, as Korriban took me far too long to finish. So I will probably be writing longer chapters so that they can be finished sooner.

Chapter 9: The Imperial Fleet

After he had finished with Baras, Arkunov returned to the medical bay to collect Vette. Once they were both finished there, they proceed to a shuttle that was stationed at the academy. The purpose of the shuttle was to transport fully qualified apprentices to the imperial fleet. Then onto Dromund Kaas, where Arkunov's tenure under Baras would truly begin.

The shuttle ride passed in silence between the pair. The Twi'lek seemed unsure how to engage Arkunov in conversation. 'Good', he thought 'this will help me assert a greater level of control over her. The aura of uncertainty that surrounds her will eventually lead to fear. And fear of something or someone always leads to the one who fears it, being controlled by their fear.

When they arrived at the fleet, things were remarkably different compared to the shuttle ride. They had arrived at Vaiken spacedock, named after the founder of the modern Imperial military Grand Moff Odile Vaiken, it was crowded. Various Sith, Imperials and slaves bustling about trying to complete their own business. Before Arkunov and Vette could continue they were stopped by an old Sith Lord. The sith was a human male.

"So you're Darth Baras's new apprentice." He looked Arkunov up and down, "Impressive. I will have you know that you have turned more heads that just your master's. Because of this you have been selected for specialized training."

Curious Arkunov asked, "What would this training involve?"

The sith lord smiled, "Excellent. A good Sith always recognizes the paths to power." He then launched into an explanation of the options that lay before Arkunov, "you may follow one of two paths. The first is the path of Naga Sadow, by choosing this you will learn to wield two lightsaber's at once, transforming yourself into an unstoppable marauder. This will allow you to carve a path of destruction through your enemies."

"And the other path?"

"That is the path of Marka Ragnos" the sith lord said. "If this is the path you choose to take you will become a Sith Juggernaut and will continue to wield a single lightsaber. You shall also utilize a shield generator and heavy armour as part of your equipment to enhance your defensive capabilities. Finally you will learn to use to force to become an immovable object, protecting yourself from harm till you are able to unleash your fury upon your enemies."

Finished with his explanations the sith lord looked Arkunov directly in the eye. "So which path do you choose?"

Arkunov paused for a moment thinking. If he chose to become a marauder his offensive capabilities would be doubled. However that would mean that if an opponent managed to break through his offence he would be at a disadvantage if they were able to press an attack. Whereas by choosing to become a juggernaut he could balance out his offensive and defensive capabilities. He would be able to tire his opponents with an impenetrable defence and eventually exploit any mistakes they were bound to make. Which would allow him to unleash an overwhelming onslaught upon his opponent before they had time to recover themselves. The choice was obvious.

"I will become a juggernaut."

"Are you sure? For once you have chosen, you can NEVER turn back", Arkunov nodded. The old sith smiled, "Good well then let us begin."

The training was the most strenuous Arkunov had ever done. For over a week Arkunov pushed both his body and force powers to levels he didn't know he had. He advanced his knowledge of lightsaber combat enhancing his capabilities with both the Shien and Soresu forms. His training in the force primarily focused on how to survive with the force, using this new-found knowledge to create near impenetrable barriers. He also learned how to utilize a personal shield generator built into his new armour, the armour was a deep black and had a long flowing cape, it was also incredibly heavy, the generator would compensate for anything that manage to slip past his force barrier.

By the end of the weeks training Arkunov had mastered the basic techniques of the Juggernaut and had also gained an understanding of some of the more advanced techniques.

Once the training was complete Arkunov continued his journey to Dromund Kaas. When he and Vette had reached the departures area they were greeted by a Bith in an imperial uniform. This struck Arkunov as slightly unusual as aliens were rarely aloud to advance to positions such as this within the empire.

"Greetings" the alien said in his native language, "you are the apprentice of Darth Baras are you not?"

"That is correct," Arkunov replied slightly suspicious of what this Bith wanted.

"Excellent. Your master has arranged for you transport aboard the Black Talon. A luxury transport. The journey to Dromund Kaas may take longer, but it will be much more comfortable," the alien explained. He kept his eyes slightly averted from Arkunov at all times, not wishing to incur the Sith apprentices wrath.

"Very well then. Where must I proceed?"

The Bith then explained that the transport was just through the hanger door opposite them and that the Black Talon would be departing shortly.

Once Arkunov and Vette were on the ship they made their way to the passenger lounge. Once there Arkunov gestured to Vette to go and get them a drink and some food before the journey began. Arkunov took the opportunity to examine the other passengers. His focus was drawn to one in particular, a bounty hunter wearing a jetpack and heavy armour a single blaster fastened at his hip. From what he could see the man was a human built along the same lines as Arkunov himself, his dark hair that was almost the exact same shade as Arkunov's.

Reaching out with force Arkunov probed the man's thoughts. Something seemed familiar about him. And then Arkunov noticed it. He approached the bounty hunter, sliding into the booth across from him. The man looked up from his drink, he was fitted with a cybernetic over his right eye and a large scar ran across from one side of his face to the other, upon seeing Arkunov he reached for his blaster instinctively.

At the last second he seemed to remember himself and loosened the hold he had on his weapon.

"Been a while. Brother."

Okay longer chapters will not be starting now. To be honest this was just filler before the Black Talon and an opportunity to introduce Arkunov's estranged brother. I should be getting longer chapters out once I begin the Black Talon.