Hey guys. Sorry its been such a long time between updates. Haven't really been feeling this story for a while. But now I'm back and hopefully updating more frequently.

Chapter 13: The Prisoner

It was almost an hour later when Arkunov left his father's estate. Dannark had not stayed to talk, leaving almost immediately after their battle. Now that he had entered Kaas city proper, Arkunov then proceeded to the Sith citadel to meet with Darth Baras.

As they made their way through the citadel Arkunov payed little attention to his surroundings, after all he had been here before with his father, Vette on the other hand was taking it all in. The citadel's interior was dark in most areas, the exception was the centre of the building which was illuminated by a green holographic representation of the Imperial crest.

Vette winced at the bright light, "Wow nice lights. Walk in here you get an instant headache", Arkunov simply rolled his eyes in response to the Twi'lek's comment. As they made their way through the throng of soldiers, officials and Sith, Arkunov thought he saw a familiar figure in his peripheral vision. Turning he recognised the Zabrak apprentice he had fought on Korriban. Dethree if he remembered correctly, clearly she had also completed her trials. However, Arkunov was most interested in the towering alien that stood just behind the Zabrak.

Arkunov recognised the alien as a Dashade. A species that had been long thought of as extinct. Notable for their resistance to the force, the species had been used as bodyguards and assassins for those who wished to challenge force users. The mere presence of the Dashade caused everyone to give Dethree a wide birth.

Arkunov chose not to approach the duo. For now. It would be better to wait until he had more information on both the Zabrak apprentice and her monster. He then gestured toward Vette, who followed him as they moved on. Arkunov thought he sensed some small sense of gratitude from the Twi'lek as she followed, clearly she found the Dashade rather intimidating.

It wasn't long till they reached Baras' quarters. This area was composed of two separate chambers. The first room was the largest and had several points of interest, Arkunov quickly took notice of them. One part of this was the array of computers and holo devices off to one side of the room, doubtless Baras used these to keep in touch with his network of spies. The second point of interest was the array of torture devices on the opposite side of the room, which was typical of any Sith's personal sanctum. These appeared to be in frequent use, simply based on their condition.

However, Arkunov did not linger here long. As he made his way to the second room, his master's personal office. Before they reached the doorway Arkunov indicated to Vette to remain outside the door, as a slave she would not be permitted with the office without Darth Baras' permission. She nodded her conformation to the Sith apprentice, a look of indescribable relief on her face. Clearly Vette did not want the... pleasure of Darth Baras' company anytime soon.

"Apprentice", Baras said. Acknowledging Arkunov from behind his desk.

"Master", Arkunov replied, giving a slight bow as he did so.

"Now that you are here our work can finally begin. Your responsibilities will mandate contact with my various minions. You will meet my directives above all else, as such any personal endeavours you may have will be a secondary concern. However, if you prove successful you may do as you please. Until I have another mission for you that is", Baras stated.

Arkunov smirked back at his master. "I work best when unrestrained", he replied. Once he had finished speaking Arkunov thought he heard Vette make an indignant sound from the other room. Clearly she was still sore about the shock collar around her neck.

"A lightsaber can only achieve so much apprentice", Baras replied rebuffing Arkunov. He continued, "The greatest weapon in a Sith master's arsenal is information. As such I have created a vast network of spies and operatives embedded throughout the Sith, Republic and Jedi alike. As such I have fingers, eyes and ears everywhere."

Arkunov nodded. Although he was already aware of this fact. Even so no one in the Empire knew the true scope of Baras' network, except for the man himself. However, he chose not to voice any of these thoughts and simply said, "And which am I to be? A finger, eye or ear? Perhaps even a nose?" This time Arkunov thought he heard a snort of laughter from Vette.

"How amusing", Baras replied dryly, "You're my enforcer. My fist if you will. Deployed to protect my interests, intimidate my rivals and destroy my enemies. It's time for your tenure to begin. Your first duty is to rendezvous with a minion of mine. Commander Lanklyn. You shall meet him at my private hanger. You are to ensure that the cargo he is transporting arrives safely and ensure that it is not intercepted", Baras said.

"I take it that the cargo is valuable then", Arkunov replied.

"Correct. As such it is of the utmost importance that the cargo's safety is ensured."

Arkunov nodded, "I shall head there immediately master." Baras then tapped a few buttons on his desk. A few seconds later a beeping sound emitted from Arkunov's wrist com. Opening the device Arkunov saw that Baras had transmitted the coordinates for the hanger. Baras then turned around, dismissing Arkunov. The latter left the room, Vette falling into step behind him as the walked.

Both Arkunov and Vette strode through Kaas city. Arkunov's presence cut a swathe through the crowds. As slaves and ordinary Imperials scurried out of the Sith apprentice's way.

"We have an hour till Lanklyn's ship arrives. In the meantime we should purchase you some new equipment. As what you have now is woefully insufficient for our future endeavors", Arkunov said, turning his head slightly toward Vette.

Vette nodded, "You got it boss."

"Follow me", Arkunov ordered.

He then proceeded to lead Vette to a weapons shop in the commercial district. As they entered the Imperial behind the counter rapidly straightened. "My Lord!" He exclaimed, bowing hurriedly. "How may I be of service?"

"You are to outfit my companion. You shall only provide her with the finest armour and weapons you possess", Arkunov said, gesturing to Vette as he spoke. "You will treat her as you would me."

"But my Lord! She is an alien! A slave!" The man would have continued but he was cut off as he began to choke. Arkunov held the man in a force choke, his expression stony.

"I am not in the habit of repeating myself. So do as I command. Is that understood Imperial?"

"Yes my Lord", the man rasped out.

"Very good", Arkunov said as he relinquished the choke.

A few moments later Arkunov and Vette both left the shop. The Twi'lek was now equipped with a new pair of blaster pistols. She also wore a new set of light armour. It was made of armourweave and was coloured a dark red and grey, sacrificing defence for speed and maneuverability. Out of the corner of his eye Arkunov saw that Vette was gazing at him curiously.

"If you have something to say, speak up", Arkunov said.

Vette appeared startled at Arkunov's words but spoke up anyways, "I'm just wondering why you did that for me? I'm a slave aren't I?"

Arkunov stopped suddenly. Vette almost walked into the Sith Apprentice's back. He then turned to look at the Twi'lek. "Yes you are. However, there is no sense in you being incapable of defending yourself while we carry out Baras' missions. Besides you're of no use to me dead. For weapons are only as effective as what they can destroy."

Vette was not pleased with Arkunov's answer. "So that's all I am then? A slave?" She replied bitterly. A look of shock appeared on her face, realising what she had just said to her master.

However, Arkunov simply quirked an eyebrow in response. "You may be a slave now, but you may become so much more than you are. After all Sith are not the only ones who can break their chains." He did not say anymore after that and simply walked off in the direction of Baras' hanger.

Vette stood there for a moment puzzled at Arkunov's words. Though she chose not to ponder on them for long as she ran to catch up with the longs strides of the Sith Apprentice.

Soon they had arrived at their destination. Arkunov and Vette strode across the hangar. Across from the a group of three Imperials were unloading cargo from a shuttle. Two of them were simple soldiers in full armour. The third of them was a man in an officers uniform, he was directing the efforts of his subordinates. This was clearly Commander Lanklyn.

Lanklyn had not noticed the presence of Arkunov or Vette. Such was the Lanklyn's occupation with his work that the commander never noticed the two, even as they stood directly behind the man. Vette took full advantage of this. "Hey! Captain oblivious, boo!" she said, clearly amused. The man practically jumped out of his skin at the Twi'lek's words. Despite himself, Arkunov was amused at Vette's actions. Letting a small smirk appear on his face. Though the Sith Apprentice quickly dropped it as Lanklyn whirled around to face Arkunov. "My Lord! I didn't see you enter."

"That much is obvious", Arkunov replied impatiently.

Lanklyn flushed with embarrassment before continuing hurriedly, "Lord Baras didn't need to send a welcoming party."

Arkunov scowled back at the commander, "Obviously Lord Baras feels otherwise", Arkunov stated, "It also appears that he was correct. It would have been all too easy for me to kill you just now."

Lanklyn bristled at this. Clearly offended by Arkunov's words. "The prisoner is frozen in carbonite", looking past the commander Arkunov saw a human male, frozen as Lanklyn had said, being pushed on a hoversled. Lanklyn continued, "Besides this is friendly territory. Surely we are safe here."

Arkunov felt nothing but anger at the other man's words. Did he honestly have no idea how the Sith order operated? "There is no such thing as friendly territory", Arkunov spat back.

Surprisingly Lanklyn continued to protest against the Sith Apprentice's words, "No offence, my lord- that brand of paranoia, may work for Lord Baras. But I don't subscribe to it." Instantly a look of fear flashed across Lanklyn's face, realising what he had just said. The commander's subordinates backed away, not wanting to risk the fury of the Sith Apprentice.

Glaring back at the man Arkunov said, "When you're on assignment for us. You do. Is that understood."

The commander saluted. Then spoke rapidly, "Yes my lord. Whatever you say." Clearly he didn't want to risk any further defiance. "Lets get this oversized ice cube to your master." As he finished speaking Lanklyn directed the soldiers to continue about their work.

As he observed the Imperials Arkunov sensed something at the very edge of his awareness. Reaching out with the force he sensed a number of individuals, their intent hostile. Turning away from the Imperials, Arkunov drew his Lightsaber. Ready for combat.

Arkunov spied a group of five men approaching from the left side of the hangar. All of them were human, though that was hardly surprising. What was surprising was that they were dressed in civilian clothing and not any form of Imperial uniform. Mercenaries then, so that they couldn't be traced back to their employer.

Their lead spoke up, "Not so fast. My master ordered that block of ice. So, step away from the carbonite man and no-one will end up dead." They all had their blasters raised, all of them aimed squarely at Arkunov.

The Sith Apprentice glared back at them. "Your master is going to be severely disappointed", Arkunov spat back.

The man snapped back, "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I'm here to relieve you of your burden. Whether that includes your life is up to you." Arkunov was almost impressed. The man had guts for someone who was staring down a Sith. Still Arkunov would be able to deal with them easily enough. However, before Arkunov could act another voice interrupted them.

"Lookie. Lookie. If it ain't Slestack", flicking his eyes to the right Arkunov saw that a Houk and four humans were approaching. The Houk continued, "Your master be wanting the froze man, too huh? Too bad for you. He mine."

Arkunov snarled back at both of them, "Too bad for both of you."

It was at that moment that Arkunov leapt into action, cutting off any further debate. His lightsaber slashed wildly, hewing off limbs left and right. Arkunov was scarcely aware of the carnage. His rage had been building from the moment he arrived at the hangar. The factors of this mission had enraged with how tedious they were.

Nothing even came close to stopping him. Blaster bolts were batted away by his lightsaber, not that they got many chances to fight back. Reinforcements soon followed. Not that they faired any better. It wasn't long until they too fell beneath Arkunov's blade. Soon it was over. Arkunov stood among the bodies of his fallen foes, carnage surrounding him. He stood there for a moment, lightsaber still drawn, muscles tensed for battle. It was only when Arkunov sheathed his Lightsaber, that Vette chose to approach him.

"You alright there boss?" Arkunov noticed that there was an edge of fear to her voice.

Arkunov exhaled, releasing his tension. "I'm fine Vette", he said turning to face the Twi'lek. Looking around Arkunov saw that Lanklyn and his had men had fled during the battle. "We should return to Baras. No doubt we are expected."

The Sith Apprentice turned toward the exit, before Vette could make any protests. As he moved Arkunov thought over the conflict. It was foolish of him to lose control like that. For such a petty reason. It was a stark reminder that while the dark side was powerful, it was imperative that he maintained his control. For if Arkunov was capable of controlling the dark side, he could call on that same power in an instant.

And if that power was his to control, Arkunov would become truly invincible.