Hey guys, this should hopefully be the last chapter we spend on Dromund Kaas. Then we can finally move onto the main story. Also this chapter includes what is perhaps my favourite quote in all of SWTOR. See if you can spot it.

Chapter 16: The Ravager

"Argh! I cannot break him!", bellowed Darth Baras. His anger unrestrained and surging around him.

Arkunov did not react to this, for he had sensed his master's rage before he and Vette had even entered the room. The Twi'lek on the other hand did not respond as calmly. Vette took a full step back, using Arkunov as a shield and was clearly restraining herself from fleeing the room.

"I feel your anger, master", Arkunov responded. However, this only served to make the dark lord angrier.

"A blind, deaf, comatose, lobotomy patient could feel my anger!" Baras snarled back at his apprentice. The dark side swirling around him like a blizzard of blinding fury.

Vette shuddered at the raw anger in the dark lord's voice. "Okay. Now I'm officially scared", she whispered. Gazing up at Arkunov in fear. However, Arkunov ignored the Twi'lek and focused on his master instead. Fortunately Baras had not noticed Vette's mutterings and had continued in his ranting.

"This is impossible. An unknown power must be shielding this man", Baras continued. He then paused a moment before continuing, when Baras spoke again he was more collected. "This only confirms my suspicions. That this Republic agent is the key to uncovering the threat we face. I must harness my rage and frustration. They will lead me to an answer."

"Trust your feelings Master", Arkunov replied. Suspecting that these words would placate Baras.

He was proven correct a moment later. Baras chuckled, "The minion advises the master. Very good, you demonstrate your progress." However, Arkunov's master soon returned to business. "And word has spread that Lord Grathan is incensed at the slaying of his secret son. I take it that was your handiwork."

Arkunov nodded in response,"It was simple enough."

There was a smirk in Baras' voice as he replied, "Excellent. You are becoming a truly potent agent of the dark side." He then continued with his previous statement, "I haven't heard from Dri'kall Ba'al. He has missed a scheduled communication. Let me guess- he gave you trouble, didn't he?"

Arkunov smirked back at his master, "He gave me no trouble at all."

"I can sense the truth in your words, my apprentice", Baras chuckled as he spoke. He then moved on, "Ba'al can be replaced. Now back to the prisoner. There is one last possibility available to us. I thought that it would be impossible, but there is a chance that you can pull it off." Baras then made his way toward his office, indicating for Arkunov to follow.

"Over a millennium ago, the Emperor claimed Dromund Kaas for the Sith and made the Dark Temple the epicentre of dark side power", Baras explained as he walked. Arkunov already knew this, it was basic sith history after all, though he allowed Baras to provide context for his explanation. Soon they reached the office, where Baras activated the holoprojector on his desk. An image of the Dark Temple appeared and revolved before the two Sith. "In the bowels of the Dark Temple, our Emperor conducted horrifying experiments that drained the knowledge and life essence from all the greatest Sith Lords of the era."

Arkunov frowned at this. "He destroyed his own lords? That seems... wasteful."

Baras shook his head and explained, "I assure you it was not. For they existed to serve their master and they did. He siphoned their power and lives to make himself immortal and all knowing. These experiments resulted in the Ravager. A device that devoured the minds of its victims and divulged to the Emperor, their greatest secrets. No Lord could withstand the Ravager's intrusion. Even the greatest of them confessed whatever the Emperor craved."

"I take it the Ravager can be found in the Dark Temple then?", Arkunov asked.

"You are correct, my Apprentice. However, due to the Emperor's absence, the Temple has become a death trap. There is a secret chamber within the depths of the Dark Temple. You should be able to recognise it by it's inscription. Azinimas, the ancient Sith word for knowledge. Be swift, apprentice." Baras replied.

Arkunov bowed his head and said, "Of course Master. It will be done." He then turned and left the room, Vette hurrying behind him, clearly relieved to be leaving Baras' chambers.

Neither Arkunov or Vette spoke until they were outside of the citadel. It was then that Vette spoke up, "So... the Dark Temple then? I'm assuming it's full of evil, maniacal sith ghosts? This Ravager thing had better be worth it", grinning nervously as she spoke.

Arkunov arched an eyebrow in response to Vette's remark and simply replied, " Yes it is and yes it will be worth it."

There was silence for a short time, before Vette broke it once again, "So... you ever been to this Dark Temple?"

"No. It was sealed until recently. A group of ambitious, and foolish, sith opened it shortly before I left for Korriban. Needless to say, they were overrun in short order by the disturbed ghosts and because of those fools, the Dark Council was forced to send the military in." Arkunov explained.

Vette looked back at Arkunov in surprise. "Wait, you were serious about the ghosts? I was just kidding." She replied in shock, coming to a complete stop behind the sith apprentice.

Arkunov did not say anything in response. Instead he simply smirked back at Vette and continued on his way. She then ran to catch up with Arkunov's long strides.

It wasn't long before Vette spoke up again. "So why was the temple locked up?", she asked.

"The Emperor decreed it", Arkunov replied bluntly.

Vette frowned as she spoke again, "Thats it? The sith lock this big secret temple, just because the Emperor said so?"

It was then that Arkunov came to a complete stop. Vette nearly crashing into the sith apprentice as he did. Arkunov then turned and glared down at Vette, "That's it. The Emperor's word is law. When He speaks we obey. No matter how powerful a sith is, in the end we are all His servants."

"You talk about the Emperor like He's a god or something."

"He might as well be."

Arkunov then walked away, ending the conversation.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Kaas city Arkunov had requisitioned a speeder, on a direct path to the Dark Temple. As such both he and Vette soon reached the base camp that the military had set up, approximately a mile away from the temple complex itself. They would have already entered the temple grounds. However, they were being delayed by the cordon the Imperial military had set up.

"I'm sorry, my L...lord!" An Imperial private stammered at Arkunov. "The D..dark Council has forbidden anyone from entering the temple. Please f...forgive me my Lord, there is n...nothing that I can do!"

A scowl crossed Arkunov's face at this. His lightsaber hand twitched, the apprentice was itching to reach for his weapon. However, before things could escalate further, a calm measured voice interjected.

"Move along Private. I'll take care of this."

Arkunov turned around to locate the source of the voice. Standing before him was an athletically built Chiss male, in the uniform of an Imperial officer, the ratings on his uniform indicating that he was lieutenant. Over his back was a long sniper rifle. He stood straight backed and seemed completely at ease in the presence of the sith apprentice. The private saluted to his superior and scurried away from Arkunov. The Chiss then turned his attention to Arkunov.

"My Lord, I take it you have business within the temple." The officer said.

"Obviously" Arkunov replied, a hint of anger in his voice. A confident smirk appeared on the Chiss' face at this.

"Good." He said, still smirking, "As it happens I do as well. That being the case, I suggest that we assist each other in our objectives."

"Why would I need your help? I am Sith." Arkunov sneered back at the Chiss.

"That is simple my lord. I have the necessary clearance to enter the temple complex. You do not." As the Chiss spoke the smirk never once left his face and his voice retained that calm and collected manner of speaking. He continued, "However, I require your assistance to cut through the... spirits that are no doubt swarming the entrance. Once we are inside we may go our separate ways and complete our own missions."

Arkunov narrowed his eyes at this. "You're not military are you?", he said, suspicion in his voice.

"I can assure you that I am a loyal servant of the Empire."

Arkunov snarled back, "Your name. Now."

"Lieutenant Windrral." The Chiss replied, snapping off a salute as he did.

Soon Arkunov and Vette were making their way into the temple. Accompanied by Windrral and a female Rattataki, that Windrral had introduced to them as Kaliyo Djannis. Arkunov advanced at the front of the group. Accompanied by Kaliyo, who was clearly not military and was carrying a powerful blaster carbine. Windrral and Vette brought up the rear, the Chiss covering the group with his sniper rifle. It wasn't long until the party met with resistance.

A group of humans, both slaves and Imperial soldiers, turned their weapons on the group. They all had a crazed look in their eyes and they were practically frothing at the mouth in their madness. As a result of these factors, their blaster fire was scattered and undisciplined, completely missing the party.

Arkunov lashed out with the force, snapping the necks of two of the attackers. A second later, a pair of blaster bolts slammed into the two more of the attacker's foreheads. Both courtesy of Windrral's sniper rifle. The final attackers were quickly cut down by Kaliyo and Vette's combined blasterfire.

Once all of the foes were defeated, Windrral approached the corpses. Bending down the Chiss made a thorough examination of their deceased foes.

"Curious", he muttered.

"What?", Arkunov said, turning to face the Chiss.

"They seem almost... happy. It seems that they welcomed the cold embrace of death."

Arkunov scowled back at Windrral. "The dark side twists the minds of the the weak. Eventually all madmen such as these desire is death."

Off to the side, Kaliyo was examining one of the other corpses. "Well, looks like we don't have much to worry about", kicking one of the bodies as she spoke, "If the result of the lunatics die as easily as these ones."

"Careful Kaliyo. It sounds like you are tempting fate", Windrral replied, smirking as he spoke.

Windrral was soon prove right, as there was a thunder of running footsteps from further in the temple complex.

"Don't say a word", Kaliyo said, as Windrral turned to smirk at the Rattataki.

Arkunov ignored the pair and instead began to issue orders. "Windrral find a nest. Take out anyone that could be a problem. Kaliyo and Vette, set up a killing field. Anyone who walks in, dies." As Arkunov was speaking the crowd of maddened slaves and soldier, all brandishing blasters and blades, was fast approaching. Vette frowned and turned to Arkunov.

"So what are you going to be doing?", she asked.

Arkunov's only answer was to ignite his lightsaber and leap into the horde of oncoming foes.

He crashed into the very centre of the group, unleashing a burst of dark side power that sent many of his opponents flying backwards. Arkunov followed up with a lightsaber throw, cutting down more of those that surrounded him. The moment that his blade returned to his hand, Arkunov charged further into the crowd, cutting down all those that stood before him.

None could stand before the sith apprentice. As he was easily able to avoid the clumsy sword strikes and deflect the poorly aimed blaster bolts back toward their source. However, some attacks came closer than others; though Arkunov was able to counter any that came close to harming him. Although, Arkunov did not need to worry about many of these attacks. As Windrral was able to eliminate many of these foes with bolts from his powerful sniper rifle.

However, this was not to last forever. As the ghosts of the temple soon descended upon them.

Once the group had fought their way to the top of the temple stairway, they came upon a pair of slaves. Or rather what had once been slaves. One was a tall and muscular human male, wielding a purple lightsaber. The other was a slight green skinned Twi'lek male, who carried a crimson blade in his sword hand. The pair were engaged in a vicious duel. The dark side clung to both of them. Arkunov narrowed his eyes at this. For the force felt unnatural around the two slaves, as if it didn't quite belong there. Though this did not deter Arkunov, who leapt forward, interrupting the battle by unleashing a potent wave of dark side energy, sending the pair of combatants staggering backwards.

Now standing between the pair, Arkunov raised his blade, ready to defend against his opponents. Both the human the Twi'lek turned to face Arkunov, their lightsabers raised in aggressive stances.

The human spoke first, "You dare interfere? You dare to stand in the way of Lord Vacuus! The conquerer of Begeren! The slayer of Garatak the Singed!"

Then the Twi'lek spoke, "This has nothing to do with you. Stand aside or feel the wrath of Lord Pharshol!"

Arkunov ignored both of them. He slashed out at the one who called himself Vacuus, who was barely able to deflect the blow Arkunov had aimed at his torso. However, Arkunov's attack left him vulnerable to the one who called himself Pharshol.

Though there was no need for Arkunov to worry about this, for the insane slave was forced to bring up his lightsaber in order to deflect a blaster bolt from Windrral's sniper rifle, sending it back towards the Chiss, who barely managed to roll out of the way in time. However, this wasn't the only attack that Windrral launched at the Twi'lek. For as he rolled Windrral fired a small dart from his wrist. Pharshol was unable to avoid, or simply didn't see, the dart. As such it hit the Twi'lek in the chest. At first the dart didn't appear to have any effect on Pharshol. Though this was not the case, as the dart released a potent toxin into a target's bloodstream. Normally a single dose of this toxin would be enough to takedown a Trandoshan or a Wookie. However, Sith and other force sensitives were different monsters entirely. Pharshol was instead slowed, forced to expend more energy while swinging his lightsaber. Which suited Windrral just fine.

Snarling, the Twi'lek slave leapt toward Windrral. Seeing this, the Chiss took a series of rapid steps backward. So that he was just out of range of Pharshol's lightsaber. The Chiss then dropped his sniper rifle, for the weapon was not suited for a close range fight. Just as quickly Windrral drew his sidearm; aiming the barrel of the blaster pistol in the Twi'lek's face. He wasn't fast enough. Pharshol lashed out with force, sending Windrral flying backwards through the air and sending Windrral's shot wide. Windrral crashed into the wall, grunting slightly from the impact. However, rather unexpectedly Windrral had a broad grin on his face. This caused Pharshol's snarl to deepen.

"You arrogant fool! You dare this in the presence of your betters!", Pharshol spat at Windrral.

The Chiss' only response was for his crimson orbs to flick down toward Pharshol's feet. Following Windrral's gaze Pharshol saw a small metal sphere at his feet. It detonated, releasing a burst of white light and blinding Pharshol, while Windrral was able to divert his gaze at the last second. Simultaneously, Windrral got back to his feet and drew a knife; hurling it toward the blinded Sith.

Windrral was completely on target. The knife buried itself deep in Pharshol's chest.

The Twi'lek fell to the ground, blood bubbling at his lips. Windrral was impressed with Pharshol, it took a great deal of strength to survive this long, with both his knife and toxin in the Twi'lek. However, he did not remain impressed for long as he raised his blaster pistol and discharged it into the mad slave's skull.

While this was going on, Arkunov had been continuing his duel with the slave that called himself Lord Vacuus. Currently Arkunov held the advantage; pressuring Vacuus and forcing him back down the temple stairs. Raining down a series of one handed strikes, that his opponent just barely managed to block. Vacuus snarled up at Arkunov; before lashing out with a force push, in the brief instance between Arkunov's attack and his own deflection. This caused Arkunov to stagger slightly and gave Vacuus the chance to begin his own offensive.

Raising his lightsaber above his head, Vacuus brought the purple blade screaming down toward Arkunov's head. However, it never reached the Sith apprentice. Arkunov parried the blade with his own weapon and then unleashed a powerful force push. It slammed into Vacuus, sending the crazed the slave crashing down the stairs, his lightsaber falling from his grip as he did so.

Coming to a stop against the temple wall, Vacuus groaned and began to pull himself to his feet. Before he could get the chance to resume the battle, Arkunov appeared in front of Vacuus. Seizing Vacuus by the throat Arkunov slammed him into the wall, cracking the wall behind him.

"Enough of this", Arkunov snarled. Squeezing tighter as he did so.

Vacuus struggled against his captors wrist. Trying in vain to prise Arkunov's fingers apart. Arkunov's gaze briefly flickered to the slave's grasping hands before returning it to Vacuus' face.

"You're wasting your time. Just die."

And with that, Arkunov snapped his neck. He then released Vacuus letting the body fall to the ground. Arkunov stood there for a moment, his form trembling with utmost rage. It wasn't long until Windrral approached. He stood behind Arkunov, just out of the reach of the Sith apprentice's lightsaber.

"All finished?", the Chiss asked calmly.

Arkunov then turned to face Windrral, his hands clenched into fists. His face was set into a glare, that was levelled directly into Windrral's cold red eyes. However, the Chiss stood his ground, not breaking under the force of the Sith apprentice's gaze.

"I trust that you can finish your mission alone", Arkunov said bluntly.

"Of course. My Lord", Windrral replied, bowing his head as he did so.

"Then we are done here. Vette. With me. Now!"

That was the last thing Arkunov said to Windrral. As he turned away, Vette at his heel.

Arkunov and Vette encountered little resistance, throughout the rest of their progress through the Dark Temple. Soon enough they reached the chamber where the Ravager was entombed. Upon stepping into the room Arkunov tensed.

The Dark Side within the room felt... wrong to him. It pulled at Arkunov, as if it were trying to devour the Sith apprentice. He pushed this feeling away, focusing on the task at hand. Arkunov reached the centre of the chamber. There was an altar there, covered in ancient Sith runes and carvings. Atop it was a device shaped like a golden crown. A ruby sat at its centre, a single word was scratched on the centre of the jewel.

Azinimas.

This then was the Ravager. The device that Darth Baras sought.

Arkunov scowled, disgusted at his own weakness. Reaching out he grasped the Ravager. Instantly his discomfort increased. Arkunov felt the Ravager at the edge of his consciousness, eating away at him. He fell to his knees, bellowing in pain and fury. Arkunov's whole arm was suddenly numb. He lashed out with the force, trying to free himself from the Ravager. The only effect this had was to send a wave of dark side energy across the room.

The Sith Apprentice's mind boiled. His memories flashing before his eyes.

He and Dannark were boys. No more than ten years old. They were covered in blood. A beast prowled at the edge of Arkunov's vision ready to pounce on the the two children.

Arkunov was older now. Dannark was gone. Having left Dromund Kaas years ago. He stood with a training saber in his hand. Training droids circled him, their own weapons raid. Outside the circle Darth Marr stood, arms folded observing. At his side was his apprentice Lachris.

Yet again Arkunov was older. He was on his knees. His father stood above him. Weapon in hand. "Fight", he said.

"Enough!", a voice snarled.

Arkunov was ripped back into reality. He was on his knees, panting and sweating heavily, staring down at the floor of the Dark Temple. Turning his head he saw the Ravager pulsing with a faint crimson light. Scowling Arkunov tossed it away and got to his feet. He looked around the room, looking for the source of the voice. Soon enough Arkunov realised it had been his own that had called out.

Shaking his head, Arkunov got to his feet. The Sith apprentice then called the Ravager to his hand, this time he was prepared for contact with the device. He made his way toward Vette, who was slumped against the Temple wall. Clearly she had been caught in the wave he had unleashed earlier. Kneeling down Arkunov shook the Twi'lek awake.

"Ugh. Was there a rancor dancing on my head?", she quipped, still somewhat groggy. Slowly she pulled herself to her feet. "What happened?"

"It doesn't matter. It's over now", Arkunov replied, bluntly. He then turned toward the exit, ready to go.

"You sure that you're alright?", Vette asked, looking at Arkunov with something approaching concern.

Arkunov suddenly spun around to face Vette. His face twisted with anger. With blinding speed, Arkunov closed the gap between himself and Vette. Grasping her by the throat, Arkunov lifted his slave up until she was at his eye level. Hi fierce golden eyes locked onto her terrified blue ones.

"Be silent", Arkunov snarled. He then released her and moved toward the exit without another word; seemingly forgetting about Vette. Who struggled to her feet and hurried to keep up with Arkunov.

So remember at the beginning when I said this was going to be the last chapter on Dromund Kaas.

Well looks like I was wrong about that. I promise that I'll finish it next chapter and hopefully we can then move onto Balmorra.