Chapter 14: An Unlikely Alliance
Arkunov soon returned to Baras' office. It seemed that Lanklyn had already visited, for the block of carbonite was placed against one wall.
"Good you've arrived. Lanklyn informs me that there was some trouble at the spaceport. But it appears that you handled it", Baras said upon their entrance.
Arkunov nodded, "A few mercenaries. It was nothing that I couldn't handle", he replied. Out of the corner of his eye Arkunov noticed that Vette cringed slightly. Though whether this was due to the slaughter Arkunov had committed or his casual dismissal of it Arkunov wasn't sure. Although Arkunov suspected that it was the former.
"Why is this man so important?" Arkunov asked, quickly changing the topic. This did not go unnoticed by Vette, who Arkunov sensed relief from.
"That is not important right now. You shall be informed when and if you need to know", Baras replied, there was an edge of cold fury in his voice. "For now there are other matters you must attend to."
Baras gestured to Arkunov, the two Sith entering the master's office. Once again Vette waited just outside of the room. Once in the room Baras pressed a button on his desk. A holographic projection of Kaas city and its outskirts appeared. Another key press and the imaged zoomed into a construction site on the outskirts of the city. "This is the unfinished colossus. I'm sure that you can see how it earned that moniker."
Arkunov nodded having seen the half completed statue during the shuttle ride to his father's estate.
"The construction was halted by a mass slave rebellion. A rebellion that I engineered", Baras said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"I take it that you don't want me to root them out then", Arkunov replied.
"That is correct. You are to rendezvous with my minion. Commander Pritch. He will provide you with the required information."
Arkunov nodded and turned to leave the room, Vette at his heels. As they made their way through the citadel, Arkunov noticed that Vette looked uncomfortable. "If there's something on your mind speak up", Arkunov said.
Vette looked startled at this. After a moment she said, "Its just whatever your master wants with the slaves... it can't be good right?"
"No I don't suppose it will be. Let me guess, you feel uncomfortable dealing with them due to your own status."
Vette blinked in surprise, shocked at Arkunov's insight. He continued, "It appears that you won't be any help to me on this mission then." Vette looked fearful at this statement, clearly worried that Arkunov was going to kill her. "If that is the case I have another task for you." As he finished speaking Arkunov stopped moving. Reaching into his belt Arkunov pulled out a keycard. "This is the key to my apartment in the city I want you to go and prepare it for me."
He then tossed the card to Vette. The Twi'lek caught it in her nimble fingers. Arkunov then pressed some buttons on his wrist com. A few seconds later Vette's own wrist com beeped in response. "That is the address", Arkunov said.
Arkunov then turned to leave. But before he could get very far, Vette called out to him. "Why are you giving me this? Leaving me alone. Aren't you afraid I'll try to escape?"
Arkunov chuckled in response. "Have you ever heard of a slave escaping Dromund Kaas?" Vette shook her head. "You might want to think about why that is", With this Arkunov left Vette where she was.
It didn't take long for Vette to find the apartment. The building was located in the upper levels of Kaas city, where high ranking Sith and prominent Imperials resided. Vette got a few strange looks from those who resided there, but they paid her little notice, once they noticed the shock collar that was attached to her neck.
Entering the apartment, Vette took the place in. Arkunov's tastes were...spartan to say the least. The only decoration adorning the walls were antique swords and other weapons, these were obviously well maintained, even to an inexpert eye such as Vette's. Other than these there was nothing unnecessary within the apartment. Only the furniture and facilities that Arkunov found absolutely necessary.
It didn't take long for Vette to look around the rest of the apartment. The only other rooms were two bedrooms, one for the master and the other for guests, a kitchen, workshop and a training room made up the rest of residence. These last two rooms seem to have seen the greatest use judging by the scattered parts and broken training droids.
Not having much else to do Vette made herself at home. Raiding the kitchen and relaxing in the main room. Eventually she got tired of this and Vette decided to further explore the rest of the apartment.
She spent a lot of time in the workshop. Examining the various parts and projects in there. However, there was one object in particular that caught Vette's eye. It was a helmet. Coloured a deep black with a red mark on the top of the helmet. It appeared to be made of a durasteel alloy though Vette wasn't sure of this. A vicious scowl seemed to wrought into the faceplate.
"What are you doing?" A voice said from behind Vette. Whirling around Vette saw that it was Arkunov. So shocked was Vette at his silent appearance she dropped the helmet, sending it clattering across the floor.
Arkunov raised an eyebrow at this, before using the force to pull the helmet into his waiting hand. "I see you got curious. Though I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised", Arkunov said. A smirk the spread across his face. "Though it hardly matters. There is no harm done." He then moved over to the workbench and placed the helmet back on the table. Arkunov the turned to face Vette, "Come on. We're done here", he said.
As they made their way out of the room Vette asked Arkunov, "So whats with that helmet? It seems pretty important to you."
"Just a personal project", Arkunov replied dismissively. Vette took the hint and didn't push the matter any further.
Instead she asked, "So what did the old man have you doing?"
Arkunov chuckled at the "old man" comment. But his voice was hard when he spoke. "Trust me when I say that you won't like the answer... Baras had me kill the rebel slave captains."
Vette looked appalled at this. "So he organises the rebellion, then he has the leaders killed. Why?"
"The captains were attempting to blackmail my master. To expose him for what he had done. As such they needed to be disposed of. Another point is that they were no longer of any use", Arkunov explained.
Before Vette could ask any further questions Arkunov cut her off. "That is enough Vette. That is simply the way things are with the Sith."
Late that night Arkunov sat in the training room. He was in a meditative position, his lightsaber resting just in front of him. Arkunov was meditating on the Dark side. More specifically on the power he had summoned at the spaceport. Arkunov knew there had to be more to it that the frustration he had felt on that particular occasion.
Arkunov reached out with the force and grasped his lightsaber. The weapon hovered in front of its master. Igniting the blade Arkunov stared into its crimson blade. Using it to focus his thoughts on the Dark side. Arkunov then turned his thoughts to his past battles. Every fight he had ever been in. Those fights against Vemrin, The Beast of Marka Ragnos. Even Lachris and Dannark during their time training together. These were the moments that Arkunov had felt at his most powerful.
While it was true that the Dark side fed on rage, Arkunov found it easiest to call on that rage in the midst of combat. But that wasn't it. It took a few moments longer for Arkunov to reach his conclusion. It wasn't simply rage that Arkunov fed on, whether it was his own or that of his opponent. That was why he struggled against the Jedi Padawan, during the Black Talon incident. Arkunov had instinctively reached out to feed on his opponents rage. This had weakened Arkunov when he was unable to do this.
However, during his greatest battles Arkunov had fed on the sensations he felt during the thrill of battle. The anticipation. The adrenaline. The exaltation. The thrill of victory. All of these sensations fed Arkunov's power. It was these sensations that Arkunov had been feeding on during the combat at the spaceport. From the moment the mercenaries arrived this power had begun to build up in Arkunov. Till it had burst forth from him, in an unimaginable surge of power.
Arkunov smirked at his revelation. For he was one step closer to unleashing his true power.
The next day Arkunov and Vette returned to Baras' chambers in the citadel. Currently Arkunov's master was in the process of torturing the prisoner Arkunov had brought him. If the screams they heard were anything to go by. As they entered the room Arkunov and Vette saw Baras applying Force Lightning to the man in question. No doubt causing him immense pain, the sight of this made Vette gag, "I didn't know bodies could bend like that. I think I'm gonna be sick!"
Arkunov replied by saying, "Don't empty your stomach on my boots."
It was then that Baras noticed their presence. "Good you've arrived. Commander Pritch informed me of your work against the slave captains." Out of the corner of his eye, Arkunov noticed Vette squirm at the mention of the slave captains. Baras continued, "I sense that you have changed greatly apprentice. The Dark side swirls around you."
"I have been through much Master and I am all the stronger for it", Arkunov replied.
Baras nodded, "Very good apprentice. It shall serve you well on your next mission. This mission concerns a rogue Sith Lord by the name of Grathan."
"The one who declared himself the thirteenth member of the Dark Council?" Arkunov asked. Baras nodded in conformation. "I take it you want him dead", Arkunov continued.
Baras shook his head in response. "No I don't. Grathan is useful to me. For now. But I want him to know he can be reached. That he can be hurt", Baras explained.
"How am I to do this Master?", Arkunov asked, his curiosity peaked.
"To that end you are to rendezvous with Dri'kill Ba'al my apprentice. He has successfully infiltrated Grathan's compound", Baras said, elaborating on the mission.
Arkunov raised an eyebrow. "You have another apprentice? I suppose that makes Ba'al my rival."
Baras sighed in exasperation, "Try to tolerate him long enough to get the details and conclude your business there. Find out what Ba'al has discovered and do exactly as he says. Dismissed." With that Baras turned back around so that he was facing his prisoner. "Now where were we Republic dog? Oh yes", he snarled, unleashing a wave of Force Lightning as he did so.
"Tell-me-what-I-wish-to-know!"
Once they had left Baras' office, Arkunov and Vette took a speeder to the Wall. The defensive line the Imperial Military had set up along the border between the jungle and Grathan's compound. The border was bristling with gun emplacements, defensive measures and Imperial soldiers. There were even a few Sith scattered along the wall.
As they approached Vette asked, "So how are we getting inside? I'm guessing that we can't just walk right in."
"You're right. We'll have to fight our way in", Arkunov replied.
Vette looked worried at his words. "I really hoped you weren't going to say that. That's an awful lot of guys in our way."
Arkunov grinned back at Vette, "Danger only makes things more fun."
"Of course you would say that", a voice said from behind them. Arkunov spun around at these words. Drawing his lightsaber as he did, yet not activating the blade, yet. Standing behind them were Dethree and her Dashade. There was a smirk on the Zabrak's face, she stood there completely at ease or she appeared to be. Her hand was resting on the lightsaber strapped to her belt. The Dashade had his vibroblade raised in response to Arkunov's actions.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight", Dethree said, "At least not right now. For now our interests align."
Arkunov replied with a smirk of his own, "So you need to get into Grathan's compound too", Arkunov said.
Dethree nodded, "Correct. To that end I suggest that we combine our powers."
"I can fight through them myself", Arkunov replied.
"I have no doubt of that. The same could be said for me. But this shall simply expedite the process", Dethree explained.
Arkunov considered her words. On the one hand she was correct, it would make things much easier and Arkunov himself would have to use far less power. On the other hand Arkunov didn't want to risk lowering his guard around the Zabrak Sith.
After a moment Arkunov made his decision. "Very well. We shall fight alongside you. For now. But if you try to betray me you shall suffer the consequences", Arkunov said, putting as much menace into his voice as possible.
Dethree chuckled in response, "Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
The two Sith and their companions made their way to the edge of the defensive line. They faced no protest from the guards and easily made their way through. As they walked the two Sith talked strategy.
"I will take point along with your monster", Arkunov said.
"Agreed. Your...companion and I shall support the two of you", Dethree replied. Arkunov noticed the hesitation in her voice when Dethree mentioned Vette. But he chose to ignore it. Dethree then turned to her Dashade, "Khem you shall do as he says."
The Dashade, Khem, nodded and replied, "As you say. Little Sith."
At this Vette asked Arkunov, "Uh...what did he say?"
"He agreed to follow my orders", Arkunov replied.
"Okay. How do you understand that thing?"
"The Force."
"Right. Guess I'll continue not understanding anything."
The group the made their way to the edge of the defences. As it had been discussed Arkunov and Khem walked to the front of the group. While Dethree and Vette took their places behind Arkunov and Vette.
It wasn't long before they met resistance. This was in the form of a squad of battle droids. These were easily disposed of. Dethree unleashed Force Lightning. Chaining it so that it annihilated all of the droids.
However, they were not given a chance to rest. For a squad of rogue Imperial soldiers approached and opened fire. Arkunov raised his lightsaber, deflecting any that came his way. These attacks did not bother the Dashade. Khem Val simply charged towards the foe, weapon raised. With one powerful horizontal slash the Dashade bisected two of the soldiers that stood before him.
Arkunov followed this up by leaping forward and cutting down two more of the soldiers. The last remaining soldiers fell to a pair of blaster bolts from Vette. For a while they proceeded uninterrupted. However, this didn't last for long. A pair of Sith confronted them. Both of them were warriors. Arkunov grinned at this, finally a battle that would be worth his time. He charged forward first into the midst of the two warriors.
The first warrior, a male wearing a suit of advanced armour, drew two lightsabers slashing at Arkunov. At the last second Arkunov was able to block the attack intercepting it with his own weapon. However, Arkunov's second opponent had not remained idle. The warrior, a woman in black robes, stabbed at him with her single blade. The attack never got close to the Sith apprentice. Lashing out with his foot, Arkunov caught the woman on the wrist. Knocking the warrior's attack to the side, so that it completely bypassed Arkunov. He then followed this up with a powerful force wave. Sending the two warriors skidding backwards.
Arkunov then moved to engage the armoured man, bringing down his weapon in a vicious two handed blow. The opposing warrior raised his twin blades to intercept Arkunov's weapon. Arkunov's face split into a maniacal grin. He was enjoying this fight. Not giving his opponent anytime to respond Arkunov slammed a brutal kick into his opponent's gut, sending the man staggering backwards. This gave him just the opening he was looking for. Arkunov's weapon slashed forward severing both of the warrior's hands. The man bellowed in pain, falling to his knees. Arkunov looked down at the man, drinking in his fear and suffering. Only for a moment though, as Arkunov decapitated the defeated warrior.
Arkunov turned ready to face the other warrior. However, he needn't have worried. The Dashade hadn't been idle. Khem Val had finished off the woman. Burying his vibroblade in the woman's chest. Once the Dashade had withdrawn his blade Khem reached inside. Ripping out the defeated Sith's heart.
"It has been too long since I feasted", as soon as Khem had finished speaking he open his mouth and devoured the heart whole.
Arkunov heard the sound of vomiting from behind him. Turning around Arkunov was unsurprised to see Vette wiping her mouth. "Ugh. I think that is the worst thing I have ever seen."
Dethree chuckled at Vette's reaction. "You'd better get used to it Twi'lek. Khem will be doing the same to any other Sith that cross his path", she said, a sadistic smile on her face.
Vette turned to face Arkunov. "You just gonna let her do that?", she asked.
"As long as they're useful, I don't care", Arkunov replied. Vette looked like she was going to argue further. However, she stopped when she noticed Arkunov's hand straying toward the shock collar control at his belt.
Soon the group had reached Grathan's compound. After defeating the two Sith Warriors they had faced little resistance. Only the occasional droid or rebellious soldier. It was in this brief moment of safety that the two Sith turned to face each other. "Now we must separate", Dethree said, a small smirk on her face as she spoke.
Arkunov nodded, "Yes. We both have other matters that we must attend to."
It is as you say. However, next time we meet we shall settle things between us", Dethree replied, the last part of this statement filled with venom.
"Very well. When we meet again we shall have our duel. Dethree."
Wow. Another update on this story. Didn't expect that to happen.
So I had a lot of fun writing the Sith fight scene in this chapter. Let me know what you guys thought of it. Also I don't know how a Dashade devour's a force user so I just decided to have Khem actually eat a Sith.
Till next time.