Chapter 10: The Black Talon Part 1

"Still alive then, Dannark" Arkunov said. The bounty hunter simply grunted in response. Looking his brother up and down, he saw that Dannark was covered in heavy red and black armour that clearly had various internal weapons built into it. His helmet was resting on the seat next to Dannark.

Dannark picked up a glass in front of him and downed the bright blue liquid contained within. Looking Arkunov straight in the eye, he replied "Yeah I've come a long way since I was yours's and Lachris's plaything," his voice came out as a low growl, unlike Arkunov's which was cultured due to his upbringing on Dromund Kaas. "It wasn't that bad was it? I mean you did learn some useful survival skills."

Dannark glared back at him, "You want to see what I learned since I left?"

The threat was obvious and Arkunov had no doubt that his brother would be able to back it up. He had been formidable during their training exercises hunting each other in the jungles of Dromund Kaas and that had been when they were both children. Darth Marr had also felt the need to include his apprentice Lachris, who had recently been appointed a Darth, into these exercises his intention was to turn all three of them into lethal weapons. The cybernetics that Dannark had received were evidence to this. However Dannark had escaped at the earliest opportunity leaving when Arkunov was 11 and Dannark was 12. Arkunov had no idea what unorthodox tactics he could have learned from the galaxy's criminal underworld.

Moving on from this topic Arkunov said "I'm surprised that you are returning to Dromund Kaas. I would have thought that you would never want to set foot on that world again."

"Wouldn't if I didn't have to. Got a job of sorts there."

"Really? Anything interesting?" Arkunov replied.

Dannark raised an eyebrow at this. "Why would you want to know? Planning to help?"

Arkunov shook his head, "You wouldn't accept my help in a million years. No I am just interested to see if one day you could be of some use to me in the future."

Dannark shrugged, "If you've got the credits. I'd consider it."

"Ever the professional I see", a voice said from behind Arkunov. Turning round he saw that the speaker was a human female. She was very slight in both build and height. She had black hair that went down into short spikes just above her neck Walking around the table she slid into the seat next to Dannark and set her eyes on Arkunov. "So this our next client big guy?" she said "Remember we've still got the Great Hunt to deal with."

Dannark scowled at her, clearly she had said too much. Looking at him she seemed to realise this, "Oh. Not a client then. Sorry," she said slightly embarrassed.

Dannark cleared his throat, "Mako this is my brother. Arkunov."

The now named Mako looked extremely surprised. Her head spun back and force between the men, trying to process this new information. "Your brothers a Sith!" she said "and you never thought to mention this before!"

"I try not to remember" Dannark dead panned.

"I'm guessing you haven't told her that our father is on the Dark Council either", Arkunov said. This information became far too much for Mako as she was stunned into silence.

Dannark glared over at his brother and was about to retort, when a woman in the uniform of the Imperial military came over to them. The two men turned towards her, Arkunov saw that she was a Lieutenant by the ratings on her uniform.

"My lord" she said to Arkunov. Turning to Dannark she said, "Hunter. There is a holocall waiting for both of you in the communications room."

Arkunov narrowed his eye's, his mind rife with suspicion. He turned to his brother and they exchanged a look. Both of them could only think of one person who would contact both of them at the same time. Their father. However it was extremely unlikely that he knew that they were both travelling on the same ship.

"We'll take it" Dannark grunted. Arkunov nodded his conformation as well. "Very well" the lieutenant said, "I understand that your droid is waiting for you there my Lord" she said once again addressing Arkunov directly. He raised an eyebrow at this but didn't make any further comment and just dismissed the officer instead. Arkunov got up and Dannark and Mako followed him soon afterwards. As they neared the exit, Arkunov noticed Vette sitting at a nearby sabbac table with a few imperials, she appeared to have been highly successful and motioned for her to follow him. She sighed and scooped the large pile of credits she had accumulated up and followed the group out of the room.

When they reached the communications room they saw that an Imperial protocol droid was waiting for them. Once all four were gathered in the room the droid raised its hand "One moment please", it said. It entered a few commands into a device attached to its wrist activating the holocom in the centre of the room. It flickered to life and the image of an Imperial officer appeared on it. The man was in great physical condition, built along the same lines as the brothers. However his most notable feature was the harsh burn on the left side of his face.

"Welcome", he said "I am Grand Moff Kilran, commander of the Fifth fleet, second to the minister of war and the so called 'Butcher of Coruscant' a personal favourite of mine. I have arranged for the two of you to be here in order to complete an assignment for me."

"If you've got the credits, we'll talk", Dannark replied.

"I can assure you that you will be compensated for your troubles", the Grand Moff replied. He turned to Arkunov "And you? Will you join with this, I can assure you that a sith's help would be most appreciated."

Arkunov considered it for a moment. 'This is a diversion from my duties' he thought 'however it will give me a chance to test my new abilities in combat and anyway Kilran might make life difficult for me if I don't.' Arkunov nodded in response.

"Very well then", Kilran continued "The captain of this ship was ordered to intercept a republic transport, The Brentaal Star, that is carrying an Imperial traitor through your sector. However for whatever reason he has chosen to disobey my orders. Make sure that the Black Talon intercepts it, by whatever means you deem necessary."

At this the holocom cut off and the image of Kilran disappeared. The droid turned back to them, "If you would clear the way to the bridge. I will follow shortly and upload mission parameters to the bridge computers."

Arkunov and the others turned and left in the direction of the bridge. When they finally reached the area, they saw a squad of red armoured soldiers blocking their way. Arkunov scanned the area quickly counting five of them, he turned round to Dannark and nodded at him. His brother returned the gesture putting on his helmet to indicate that he was ready.

Once they had finally reached the soldiers the leader said "I'm sorry my lord we can't permit you to move any further. Captain's orders."

Arkunov scowled "You would dare to challenge a Sith's authority. Your captain has made far too many mistakes recently. I am here to correct them."

"Kilran sent you!" the guard said his voice full of fear. "Weapons free", he shouted to his men. However this was as far as he got as a blaster bolt went barrelling into the man's helmet killing him instantly. Dannark's gun was smoking.

Before the other soldiers could react, Arkunov threw his lightsaber cutting down two of them. The remaining two were killed by shots from Vette and Mako. Arkunov moved straight past the bodies right towards the bridge. The rest of the way to the bridge they encountered little resistance, the few soldiers that foolish enough to get in the way of the four were cut down very quickly.

Once they arrived, there was no opposition. The bridge crew backed away quickly, scrambling to get out of the way of the invaders. The protocol droid followed after them standing slightly behind Arkunov's left shoulder. The captain stood at the ship's window his back turned to them for the moment, the lieutenant who had spoken to Arkunov earlier was stood beside him. She was looking nervously towards them. A pair of ensigns were also stood nearby at their consoles, too afraid to move.

Arkunov reached the group first. He turned to the captain, "Are you the one in charge here?"

The captain stood straighter at this, "I am Captain Revinal Orzik. I'm pretty sure I know what this is about. For the record I take complete responsibility for my actions."

Dannark took the opportunity to speak. "Well captain. My employer, one Grand Moff Kilran, said you disobeyed a direct order. Now why would you do that?"

"Yes I had no idea he'd respond this brutally. He must want the Brentaal Star's passenger very badly. That or he just hates me" the captain replied.

"Well he does now" Dannark quipped. Both Mako and Vette smirked a little at this.

Captain Orzik continued to protest, "The Black Talon would be destroyed chasing a battle ship. I fought in the war before and I'll gladly fight again, but I don't do suicide missions."

Arkunov drew his lightsaber and had it at the man's throat faster than any of the crew could possibly react. "Suicide was deciding you could disobey your superiors". Arkunov flicked his wrist and removed the man's head from his body. Orzik's body crumpled to the floor following the head that landed their only moments before.

One of the Ensigns, a red headed human female, that was on the bridge rushed forward clearly in a panic. "The captains dead. The captains dead..." she said unable to tear her eyes away from the sight.

It was at this moment that the female Lieutenant decided to act. "Shut up" she said to the now crying ensign and ordered the woman to return to her station. She turned her attention back to Arkunov, "You have our attention my lord. What would you have us do?"

"We have a job to do", Dannark said making sure that his presence wasn't forgotten. "Yes and I suggest you get to it. Captain" Arkunov said "Don't screw up. Set an intercept course immediately." The crew saluted and began to make the necessary preparations, as this was being done Dannark walked over to his brother. "You've become pretty scary haven't you? Acting the big bad sith aren't you?"

Arkunov glared in response, yet he didn't speak.

The crew had just finished and launched the Black Talon into hyperspace.

"What was the point in killing the captain" the hunter asked. "Couldn't you have just used one of those fancy mind tricks instead."

"I cannot afford to leave a disobedient soldier alive", Arkunov replied. "To spare him and continue would make me appear as weak."

"Or it could show your subordinates that you are different compared to other sith."

"I am."

"Could've fooled me", Dannark replied.

Finally Arkunov turned to face his brother. "The Dark side isn't about mercy. The strong must lead the weak and if the weak fail to comply they die. Sith are the strongest. The Dark side allows them insight where others see nothing, it is this that gives us clarity and vision to lead the empire to glory." He finished speaking just as the ship exited hyperspace and just as the Brentaal Star opened fire on them.

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