Chapter 17: Confessions & Assassins
Arkunov and Vette returned to Baras' chambers. The Darth was where they had left him earlier, standing before the captured republic agent. Arkunov noticed that Baras' robes and gloves were soaked with blood stains, clearly he had dispensed with the powers of the dark side and had instead turned to more traditional methods of torture.
The dark lord turned upon hearing Arkunov and Vette's footsteps, before inevitably turning his gaze toward the Ravager, which was clutched in Arkunov's fist. Though there were no visible signs, Arkunov sensed a flash of excited hunger from Baras upon seeing the ancient device.
"Apprentice. When I sent you into the Dark Temple for the Ravager, I thought that it might the last time I saw you. The prisoner grows weaker by the minute. There's no time to spare. Stand back and bear witness." Baras said. After he finished speaking Baras seized the device in Arkunov's outstretched hand. Without suffering any of the ill effects Arkunov had suffered himself, a fact that the sith apprentice took note of. Baras then walked over to the republic agent.
"You're wasting your time I will not...ahh!" The agent's last moments of defiance were cut off by a bloodcurdling scream as Baras fixed the Ravager to the man's skull. This was done by the device driving in a series of sharp metal spikes, that embedded themselves into the man's skull. The moment that it was attached the gem in the centre of the Ravager pulsed with scarlet light.
"Yes", Baras said with triumph, "The Ravager has seized his mind. Excellent! In his condition we don't have long before the ordeal liquefies all brain matter."
"Sounds painful. We'd best get started then." Arkunov replied, his voice lacking any hint of sympathy for the Republic agent.
Baras nodded in agreement, before commencing his interrogation. "Republic worm, you have the information that I desire. Tell me everything."
"I am... SIS... on special assignment to verify... possible Imperial spy... on Nar Shaddaa." The spy's words were forced out in a series of painful hisses, as he tried and failed, to fight the effects of the Ravager. "Commissioned by... Jedi Council... acting on suspicions provided by... Master Nomen Karr."
"Nomen Karr." Baras snarled, "That is a name I grow tired of hearing."
"One of your enemies, Master?" Arkunov asked, genuinely curious.
"My oldest and most hated foe. An old wound that continues to fester." Baras replied, his snarl deepening at the mere mention of the name. However, when he spoke again, some of Baras' usual control had returned, "Nomen Karr is a Jedi Master who successfully infiltrated the Sith, posing as a Sith Lord named Retrost. I was eventually able to root him out. Though, he nearly destroyed me in the ensuing confrontation and fled. Since that day he has dedicated himself to proving that the Sith have spies buried in Republic and Jedi ranks. I've thwarted him at every turn. But, he is unrelenting."
Arkunov nodded, absorbing the information. In all honesty he was impressed with this Jedi's feats. For it would have taken a lot of work to pull off such a disguise within the ranks of the Sith. Although the Sith apprentice found himself wondering if the Jedi master had any hint of the dark side within him.
Baras then turned back to question the Republic agent. Arkunov sensed an angry pulse from his master as he did.
"How did Nomen Karr come to suspect my spy on Nar Shaddaa? Tell me, Republic wretch- what alerted him?"
"Master Nomen Karr has... a new... Padawan. She seems to know any being's... true nature. She senses... hidden darkness... and... untapped purity." the spy replied, in the same pained hiss.
"Astonishing", Baras said, with a no small amount of awe. "I've never heard of the Force granting such a gift. Tell me. How does her power work?"
"All I... all I know is... when Master Nomen Karr brought her to Nar Shaddaa... this Padawan sensed... darkness in your spy... simply by... seeing him."
Arkunov frowned, like Baras he had never heard of the force granting such a power. However, if it was true this would prove a great threat to Baras' own spy network. Especially since Nomen Karr was guiding this Padawan.
Aloud he said, "This is a serious threat."
"It is the doom I felt- the disruption within the force", Baras replied. "If this young Padawan can see through deception and disguise with such little effort, she threatens everything that I have worked for. Continue. Republic dog."
"Karr... believes his Padawan's... ability... is foolproof... but the Jedi Council is... skeptical. I was... to provide the proof... but... I wasn't... able... to report my findings..."
"Then we have time", Arkunov said. "We have to kill this Jedi in training."
"My intention exactly, Apprentice." Baras replied, a hint of pride in his voice. Though whether that was for himself or Arkunov was unclear. "Such a threat cannot be aloud to wander the galaxy unchecked."
He then turned back to face the spy, "Who is this padawan, you Republic pest? Tell me everything you know about her."
"She was found... on Alderaan. Her power... first emerged... training on... Tatooine. And... Jedi sent another... agent... to investigate an agent she suspected on Balmorra", The spy gasped out in agony. "I... have nothing... more."
As the spy spoke his last words he coughed up blood, splattering it down onto Baras' robes. His body shuddered as it expired, the head dropping down, the Ravager falling from his forehead as it did. If one looked closely they could see a greyish pink substance dripping from one eye.
"The Ravager has emptied his mind. That is all we have to go on, a few random places within the greater galaxy where Nomen Karr and his Padawan have been", Baras snarled in frustrated rage.
"It's a start Master. The Ravager did the trick. Unleash me, I shall destroy this Padawan", Arkunov said, eagerly. He felt the adrenalin pumping through his veins, eager to head out into the galaxy."
Baras calmed slightly, "You are correct. We now have leads to follow. Nomen Karr is a relentless crusader, and this Padawan and her unprecedented power threaten everything that I have achieved." As he spoke, Baras left the torture chamber, Arkunov and Vette following a few steps behind him. They eventually stopped in the Lord's office. Baras taking the seat behind the desk, Arkunov and Vette standing in front of the Sith Lord.
"Your duties are likely to the far reaches of the galaxy. I will need to deploy you at will. You shall a starship of your own. You've earned it. Go to my personal hangar in the spaceport and claim it", Baras said.
"My thanks, Lord. I shall head there immediately", Arkunov replied, gratefully. Even meaning it to a small extent.
"I must ponder our next move. Depart the moment that your ship is ready."
Unfortunately, Arkunov and Vette were not able to leave the planet right away. For alarms began blaring the moment the pair had stepped through the spaceport entrance.
"What's happening?" Vette yelled, alarm in her voice. Arkunov didn't reply. Instead he simply reached out with the force and pulled one of the Imperials running about in response to the blaring alarms. Grasping the Imperial by her uniform, Arkunov brought the terrified woman up to his eye level.
"Why are the alarms active? Are we under attack?" Arkunov snarled, into the poor woman's face.
"Forgive me my Lord... I don... I don't know", she replied in a panicked stutter.
"Find out. Now."
He then released the woman and she opened up her comlink, contacting her superiors. After a moment of arguing, for the officers on the other end had denied her request until they learned that a Sith was asking, the woman had the relevant information.
"My Lord... the Harrower-class dreadnought Dominator was destroyed in orbit. All hands were lost and... my Lord, Darth Jadus was aboard", the woman said, dread filling her voice.
"Leave. Now." Arkunov said, his voice a deep rumbling growl, his hand instinctively grasping for the lightsaber at his belt. The woman quickly ran off, eager to escape from the furious sith apprentice. Arkunov stood there for a moment, cursing under his breath.
Once he had finished and once his hand had gravitated away from his lightsaber, Vette approached Arkunov. "How bad is it?" She asked.
"Inconceivably", Arkunov replied, rage in his voice. "Darth Jadus was a member of the Dark Council. It should not have been possible to assassinate him on the capital world. Especially in this way."
"Can we be sure that it was assassination? Isn't it possible that the ship could have malfunctioned, somehow?"
Arkunov then turned to face Vette, fixing his furious gaze upon her. "A Dark Council member doesn't die by accident. No. This was a targeted attack. Whoever planned this, wanted to be certain that Darth Jadus would be eliminated. No matter the cost."
"So we're not going anywhere for a while then", Vette replied.
Arkunov grunted in response, before saying, "No. The ship will remain grounded until the lockdown has been lifted, which shouldn't be much longer. However, we should be able to wait aboard the ship until then."
Soon enough the pair had made their way to the hangar that Baras had assigned Arkunov. As they had made their way to the hangar, the various Imperial authorities had scattered before them, wishing to avoid the wrath of the clearly furious Sith. Soon enough they arrived and gazed out upon the ship Baras had gifted to Arkunov.
Sat in the centre of the hangar was a Fury-Class Imperial Interceptor. A transport specifically designed to meet the needs of Sith Lords, as such it was equipped with powerful weapons and shields. As well as other amenities that would be more than serviceable to any Sith that required such a craft. It's exterior was sleek and powerful, all smooth surfaces and sharp angles.
At the sight of the ship, Vette whistled. She then said, "Wow. Take a look at that. We're going in style now." Behind her Arkunov grinned, for he couldn't help but agree with her. However, he didn't say anything and passed the Twi'lek; heading towards the Fury. Vette quickly fell in line after him.
As they approached the ship however, Arkunov felt a creeping sense of unease through the force. Which suddenly turned to a sharp spike of danger, as a crimson blade thrust at his back! Reacting instinctively, Arkunov hurled a force push from where he sensed the attack. Sending his would-be assassin staggering backward. His own lightsaber then flew into his hand, igniting in a flash of crimson light. Vette, who had not sensed the attack coming, whirled around in surprise. Hastily raising her twin pistols at the assassin.
The man standing before them was human. He was slight and short, though Arkunov supposed that his lighter build helped in regard to surprise attacks. Well, on most occasions. Despite his attempt failing against Arkunov, he kept a cocky smirk on his face.
"Nice ship." He said, "A reward from your cowardly master for killing Lord Grathan's son?"
"You have a problem with that?", Arkunov replied, glaring back at the assassin.
"That's refreshing. I won't have to beat a confession out of you. Before I take your life."
Vette suppressed a snort of laughter at this mental image. The tiny assassin throwing his fists against Arkunov, who towered over Grathan's assassin. This didn't seem to bother the assassin though, as he simply ignored the Twi'lek slave.
"A true Sith thanks a foe for providing an outlet for his rage. My master wanted me to thank you, before I kill you obviously."
Arkunov laughed at this, "You have already failed. You had one chance to kill me and it has now passed. Besides, a true Sith lets his lightsaber do the talking and believe me at this moment, I am feeling very conversational."
Unfazed, the assassin replied, "You have guts. I'll give you that. I'm Lord Grathan's top assassin, he sends me to eliminate those he wants to suffer the most. So here I am, friend, to kill you for murdering the son of my master."
"Time to shut you up." And without another word, Arkunov charged into the fight.
The assassin was caught off guard, clearly he had expected the back and forth between the two of them to continue for longer. As such he was only barely able to raise his lightsaber into a defensive posture. Still, he staggered under the sheer force of Arkunov's blow and was forced to take a step backward. However, he was able to counter by thrusting at Arkunov with his blade, forcing the Sith apprentice to parry. Thus allowing the assassin to regain a measure of control in the fight.
It did not last.
Arkunov did not relent. He followed up his deflection with a series of cuts, each one aimed at a different one of the assassin's extremities. The assassin was able to hastily block most of these strikes. Although, one made it through the assassin's defensive efforts. Leaving a burning cut on the assassin's left forearm. The assassin hissed in pain and hastily moved out of range of Arkunov's lightsaber.
The assassin then lashed out with the force, sending a force push toward Arkunov. Although, this didn't bother the Sith apprentice, who simply used a force barrier to block the incoming attack. However, this did give the assassin a chance to recover his footing and launch an overhead slash at Arkunov. This would have been a simple enough attack for Arkunov to block with his own lightsaber. This was not what Arkunov chose to do.
When most foes chose to engage Arkunov, they simply saw him as a purely strength based fighter, due to his massive frame. This was an impression Arkunov allowed his opponents to cultivate. As such, it came as a surprise to many an opponent when they witnessed his speed. The assassin was now a witness to this speed.
Arkunov rapidly sidestepped the overhead strike; the assassin's blade instead cutting into the floor of the spaceport. This left an opening for Arkunov, who cut down with his own crimson blade. He severed the assassin's hands letting them fall to the floor, along with his lightsaber. The assassin screamed out in pain at the loss of his limbs. However, he was quickly silenced when Arkunov lashed out with his boot, slamming into the assassin's skull and knocking him unconscious.
Vette approached Arkunov, who had just sheathed his lightsaber. He then used the force to retrieve the assassin's lightsaber, which he attached it to his belt.
"Nice work boss", the Twi'lek said, "That was short. But sweet all the same."
She looked down at the assassin; prodding him slightly, in the ribs, with her foot. A pained moan escaped the assassin's lips at Vette's prodding.
"So I can't help but notice that he's still alive. You gonna leave him that way?" Vette asked.
Arkunov smirked back at her, before saying. "No, I will not. However, rest assured it will not be without purpose. I'm going to send Grathan a message."
Lord Grathan stared out across his estate, from the observation deck protruding from the main building. The siege had relented for now, the Dark Council loyalists having retreated back across the bridge and behind the relative safety of the Wall. Behind his helmeted mask Grathan smirked.
The brute who had murdered his son and wife would soon be dead. Ralesk, his favoured assassin, would see to that. While the Sith Lord held no personal attachment to Beelzlit, his legacy had been destroyed by Baras and his apprentice. The same was the case with Cellvanta, she had ceased to amuse him long ago and Grathan had been anticipating a betrayal of some sort for a while now. There would be reprisals, the death of Baras' mad dog would only be the start of it. He would have Baras' entire power base burned to the ground, when all was said and done.
Grathan's gaze was drawn to the sky, as the sound of a ship came from above. He recognised it as a Fury-Class Imperial Interceptor. Grathan narrowed his eyes at this, for this wasn't one of his ships.
The ship soon flew out of the compounds airspace. Grathan thought that was the end of it, for a moment. Until he saw an object fall from the Fury in its wake. He would not have to wonder about the nature of the object for very long.
The object crashed to the ground. Directly below the observation deck that Grathan was currently stood upon. Looking down Grathan recognised the object for what it truly was.
Grathan gazed upon the broken body of Ralesk. Crushed into pulp from the force of the impact. Grathan's face contorted into a vicious snarl behind his mask. For the first and final time, the assassin had failed him. Clearly Baras' dog was more powerful and cunning than he had anticipated. He would have to factor that into his plans going forward.
Okay all done with Dromund Kaas.
Now to hopefully answer any questions you may have with this chapter.
1) Why include Jadus' "assassination"?
Three reasons. First to give consequences of the "assassination" for the whole of Dromund Kaas, as it seems insane that it wouldn't effect other classes storylines. Second it provided a perfect opportunity for Ralesk to try and assassinate Arkunov. Third it made sense after including part of the Imperial Agent storyline in the last chapter.
2) Will Grathan appear again?
At the moment the only answer I give is a maybe. As it doesn't make sense to me that Grathan would only try to assassinate the Sith Warrior once. Since Arkunov has essentially destroyed the future of House Grathan.
If you have any other questions please let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.