Chapter 12: Dromund Kaas

Once business had been concluded on both the Brentaal Star and the Black Talon, Arkunov and the others had proceeded to Dromund Kaas. Very little of importance had happened after they had killed the Jedi and then executed the General. Although the protocol droid Kilran had sent had seen fit to kill the remaining members of the Black Talon's bridge crew.

The rest of the journey had been spent in relative comfort, as the four of them had been able to relax. Arkunov had spent little times with the others, who had enjoyed games of sabbac together and other such activities. No he had spent the remainder of the journey reflecting on what he spoken about with Dannark. Looking back on it he realised he had made a mistake, by telling his brother what he was thinking. Arkunov had foolishly revealed a weakness on his part. Had he done this in the presence of another Sith, the repercussions would have been catastrophic. Undoubtedly they would have exploited that moment of weakness, Arkunov was fortunate that it had been Dannark there as his brother seemed to have some level of honour that would prevent him from revealing this to anybody else.

Though from now on Arkunov would have to take extra care safeguarding his secrets. Especially with a master like Darth Baras.

Arkunov spent the remainder of the journey taking apart the two lightsabers he owned. The first had once been Overseer Tremel's and was very basic in design. However the technology inside would warrant further study. Dissembling Tremel's he examined the components trying to figure out what could have caused it to malfunction, during his battle with the overseer. Upon further examination Arkunov discovered that there was a crack in the emitter matrix, which had caused the blade to deactivate shortly after he himself had activated it.

Comparing his own lightsaber to the broken one Arkunov noted that the technology used was similar on a basic level. However some of the components in the ancient lightsaber were outdated compared to the ones in the more modern version. Arkunov briefly considered swapping the components over, but decided against it for he could not be sure that they would be compatible if installed.

Arkunov eventually came to the conclusion that he would assemble his own weapon in time and would continue to use the ancient blade for the time being.

Once they had landed on the planet, both Arkunov and Dannark proceeded to check in with the spaceport authorities. Once that was done Arkunov, Vette, Dannark and Mako, made to leave the spaceport. However before they could they were approached by an Imperial in military uniform, he bowed as he approached them.

"Excuse me my lord, hunter" he addressed them, "I come before you with a message of the utmost importance."

"Whom do you serve?" Arkunov asked.

"Apologies my lord. I come before you on behalf of Darth Marr. He requests that both of you report to his compunction immediately."

Out of the corner of his eye Arkunov caught Dannark scowling. Needless to say his older brother was not eager to return to their father. His next words proved this, "Sorry. But I've got other arrangements."

The Bounty Hunter then made to step past the imperial. Stepping in front of him the imperial said "When his lordship makes a request, I suggest that you obey or suffer the consequences of disobedience."

Before things could escalate any further Arkunov intervened. "We will meet with him. I assume that you have a speeder waiting for us."

The imperial bowed his head, "Of course my lord. If you would follow me please." So saying the group followed after the imperial. As they started walking Arkunov caught the glare on Dannark's face.

Arkunov sighed, knowing that the pair of them would discus this later. Most likely a violent discussion.

After a short speeder flight they arrived at a fortress built deep within the jungles of Dromund Kaas.

The fortress was built from thick layers of durasteel; many powerful defense were built into the main fortress and it's walls. As they approached, the comping forcefield was deactivated just long enough for the speeder to pass through.

As they landed Arkunov noticed many imperials, ranging from soldiers to slaves, running about as they carried out their various duties. The group made their way into the main building, escorted by a pair of armoured soldiers.

Arkunov did not bother to examine his surroundings as he walked, for he knew the place far too well. Vette was his complete opposite in this regard, she was staring wide eyed at everything around them.

The collection ranged from ancient Sith art to archaic weapons and writings from long forgotten civilizations. Others instead showed depictions of Darth Marr's own accomplishments. However all of this was nothing, in comparison to the relics that Arkunov knew were kept in Marr's personal vault. Looking over his shoulder at Vette, Arkunov got the distinct impression that she was attempting to calculate the value of everything that surrounded her. The young Sith shot a death glare toward the Twi'lek, whose eyes instantly snapped forward to the direction she was walking.

Soon they reached their destination. Darth Marr's personal quarters. The group stopped just in front of the door. One of the soldiers turned toward Arkunov, "Sorry my lord. But your entourage will have to wait outside. His lordship only wishes to speak to the two of you."

Arkunov nodded, "Very well", he then turned towards Vette. "Stay here Vette and keep your hands to yourself."

She scowled back at him. "No argument from me. I have absolutely no desire to meet more dark lords than absolutely necessary." Beneath her humour Arkunov could sense her fear, it washed over her. She was practically drowning in it. The young Sith suspected that memories of Korriban were at the front of her mind right now.

Arkunov and Dannark entered the room. If they had taken the time to look around, the brothers would have seen ancient Sith manuscripts filling the bookshelves, rows of datapads and disks were stacked upon another shelf, no doubt containing information that was of great value to their owner. At the far side of the room sat a communications desk. Data was constantly transmitted to it from across the galaxy. However the two ignored their surroundings, instead choosing to focus upon the two figures on the far side of the room.

The first was a human female. She was garbed in robes of a brilliant scarlet. She was a beautiful, though if one looked close enough they could see cruelty in its features. Signs of dark side influence were clearly obvious, her skin was much paler than normal and her eyes were a brilliant amber, they were positively shining in their sockets. This was Darth Lachris, former apprentice to Darth Marr. Both Arkunov and Dannark knew her well, as they had trained with her during her time as their father's apprentice. Upon seeing the pair of them enter the room, she sent a playful smirk towards them. Arkunov returned it with one of his own, knowing that this was all part of her game, in complete contrast Dannark glared back at her. His cybernetic eye zoomed in on her, clearly the bounty hunter still held a grudge over Lachris for the loss of his original eye.

However both brothers attention was soon drawn to the second figure. A tall human male covered in heavy Sith armour, Darth Marr certainly cut an impressive figure. The armour was a mixture of reds and greys, long sharp spikes made their way up the back of the armour, only stopping once they were on the same level as the Dark Lord's shoulders. Marr's face was covered by a mask, it gave nothing away about the man behind it. A single line ran across the Dark Lord's eyes, his only way of viewing the world outside of his armour.

Marr's gaze fell upon Arkunov first. Sensing that his father as examining him through the force, Arkunov projected an aura of confidence and a sense of pride on finally becoming a Sith. Marr then turned toward Dannark to examine him in the same way, the bounty hunter simply glared back at his father. Darth Marr spent a few seconds longer examining Dannark than he had Arkunov, probably because it had been much longer since he seen his eldest son.

Upon finishing his examination, Darth Marr fixed his gaze of both of them. "You are both to be commended. The pair of you have face adversity and emerged all the stronger for it", his voice sounded false, synthetic due to the mask he wore. Marr turned back toward Dannark. "You Dannark have ventured into the galaxy and have become a great warrior. Your participation in the great hunt, even after the assassination of your team, proves this."

Both Dannark's eyes, real and cybernetic, narrowed at this. Clearly he had not expected his father to have that particular piece of information.

The Dark Lord then returned his attention to Arkunov. "You Arkunov are on your way to becoming a great Sith. Even though Overseer Tremel disrupted your trials." Arkunov did not react to this, he was unsurprised that Marr knew exactly what had happened during his time at the sith academy. His father continued to speak, "However you should remember that deception comes as second nature to your new master. Although I have heard of both of your exploits, I wish to examine both of your capabilities for myself. Follow me." So saying Marr left through the door that they had entered, Lachris a step behind him.

Both Arkunov and Dannark fell into file behind the pair of sith. Upon exiting they passed Vette and Mako. Arkunov sent a short nod toward Vette and both her and Mako followed behind them.

As they were walking Arkunov turned his attention to Lachris. "You've been rather quiet. Quite unlike you, I must say."

She turned her head around, looking directly at Arkunov, "Well I didn't want to interrupt your father. Seemed like he was on a role."

They continued walking for a few moments in silence. Still facing straight ahead Lachris spoke again to Arkunov, "I am looking forward to this. I just can't wait to see what happens."

The group exited the main building and arrived at a training ground situated at the back of the compound. It was an area that both brothers were familiar with, this was where much of their training had taken place. The area was exclusively reserved for the training of Sith and high ranking individuals that were in Darth Marr's service. The group stopped once they had reached the very edge of the training ground.

Marr turned to face them, "While you have both come far along your path, I need to see just how far for myself. There is only one way to prove that. You will fight!"

Arkunov wasn't surprised, after all their father had tested like this when they were younger. Although he had come along way since then. So had Dannark, he was not the same boy that had once fled Dromund Kaas.

The brothers said nothing. They made their way down to the arena in the very centre of the training ground. Dannark slid on his helmet as he walked, he then proceeded to check his weapons making sure that everything was ready.

Arkunov ignited his lightsaber, waiting to strike.

Dannark pulled out his blaster pistol, raising it so that it was pointing right at Arkunov's face. Dannark attacked first opening fire with a rapid stream of blaster shots, using his lightsaber to intercept the bolts Arkunov then used the force to knock the pistol out of his brother's hands. Seizing the advantage Arkunov leaped forward coming down with a vicious overhead slash. Before the strike could connect, Dannark used his jetpack to fly up into the air.

Taking advantage of the 'high ground' Dannark unleashed a barrage of concussive missiles toward Arkunov. The warrior responded by strengthening his force wall, confident that it would repel the damage and even if it didn't protect Arkunov completely his armour would make up for any lapses in his defence. However he needn't have worried as the barrier held up. As soon as there was a lapse in Dannark's attack Arkunov sent a force push toward his brother, knocking the bounty hunter down to the ground.

Seizing the advantage Arkunov moved forward with force-enhanced speed. He brought his lightsaber screaming down. However Dannark was able to roll out of the way just in time, so that Arkunov's blade only grazed his armour. Dannark's momentum took him away from the main battle and to where his blaster was lying on the ground. Scooping it up he opened fire at Arkunov, several shots slamming into the side of the warrior's armour, but they only caused superficial damage.

Arkunov had had enough of this. Channeling the dark side he focused his rage and unleashed it in the form of a force scream, blasting Dannark off of his feet and sending him crashing out of the arena. Arkunov approached determined to press the advantage. As the sith got closer he noticed that Dannark was struggling to his feet, his progress impeded by the after effects of the Force scream.

Once he was directly above him Arkunov held his lightsaber at his brother's throat. "Enough", Marr said. Arkunov sheathed his blade, caught up in the adrenaline of battle he had completely forgotten they were being observed. "You have both greatly improved since you last fought. I have no doubt that you will both go on to achieve greatness, within our empire."

Once everything had transpired both Arkunov and Dannark, made their way to their respective destinations. Arkunov to the Sith citadel and Dannark to the Mandalorian enclave.

However before Arkunov could head to his destination he was pulled aside by Lachris. "That was quite an impressive performance back there" she said. "I can tell you will go on to do great things for the empire."

Arkunov nodded in response, there was no point in speaking for his father had already said the same thing. Lachris continued, "I will be leaving for Balmorra soon. The dark council has decided that the sith need to take a more hands on approach with that particular world."

"An important post indeed. The factories provide will be of great benefit in the future", Arkunov replied.

Lachris nodded in agreement, "If you ever find yourself in that part of the galaxy, feel free to look me up." She smiled coyly and left. Arkunov then made his way toward the citadel and Darth Baras.

Okay so it's been awhile. I will try to get more chapters soon, however not making any promises. As I am also starting work on a Jedi Knight story soon.