Chapter 25: Making an Impression

Arkunov stood before the holoprojector. Once he had dealt with Lord Rathari, he had spared no time in returning to the Ruination and reporting to Darth Baras.

Once Arkunov had finished his report, Baras said, "You have successfully eliminated both of my compromised agents. The time has come to set our sights on Nomen Karr and his gifted padawan."

"We are agreed, Master. I shall head for Tatooine immediately," Arkunov replied.

"Not quite yet, apprentice," Baras interrupted. "It seems our adversary is of like mind. Your efforts to root out the padawan have not gone unnoticed. Nomen Karr has been busy."

"Enlighten me, master. What has the Jedi been doing?"

"It appears your ship is being tracked," Baras explained. "A very sophisticated sensor is reporting your every movement. I've traced the signal to a station at the edge of the system. I'm certain Nomen Karr is involved. I've sent the coordinates to your mainframe. Head there immediately, dock with the station and make a lasting impression."

Jaesa frowned as Master Karr's holoterminal chimed to life. It's urgent beeping resounding throughout the ship.

Before she could call for him, Jaesa's master dashed into the room. Thumbing the accept button as he came to a stop. A moment later, the image of a small human male flickered into being.

His face was filled with terror and his voice came in a rushed mess, "Master Karr! You promised that we'd be undetected! The ship we've been tracking... it's here now!"

Master Karr remained unphased, "Calm your fear, Hirosho. It will not serve you. I shall speak with the intruder when the time comes."

Jaesa frowned to herself. She recalled something about a tracked ship. Someone that her master had been tracking... the Sith.

Darth Baras' apprentice.

Arkunov.

From out of the projector's range, an amused voice said, "The fear I inspire cannot be suppressed, Jedi."

Karr turned to Jaesa and gestured at her to step back out of sight. Reaching down to the controls, Master Karr widened the field. Arkunov came into view, as did the cruel smirk plastered on his face. Next to him stood a man in military uniform, a raised blaster in hand.

Karr's eyes flicked towards Jaesa for an instant, making certain that she was not in the sith's field of view.

"Uh... okay. You never told me we'd been tracking a sith."

Before Karr could reply, a bark of laughter escaped Arkunov's throat. "Really, Jedi? You didn't tell them. How ruthless of you, to leave them on this sacrificial altar. I admire that."

Jaesa couldn't help but agree with the sith. Hirosho might have been able to prepare some kind of defence if he had been kept informed. It might not have been able to hold off the sith indefinitely, but it could have at least bought enough time for he and his men to escape. Judging by the look of terrified confusion on his face, Hirosho was thinking much the same.

"Sith," Master Karr said, trying to regain some semblance of control, "I presume you are Darth Baras' new apprentice. I am Jedi Master Nomen Karr. Do you know me?"

"My master's sworn enemy. You made him look like a fool. He's quite incensed about it you know?"

Karr gave no visible reaction, yet Jaesa thought she sensed an edge of... pride in his aura. Though it vanished so quickly, she was certain that she had imagined it.

"Baras and I like to keep tabs on each other. So when I heard he had taken on a new apprentice, I investigated." Karr paused for a long moment, breath held in his throat. Eventually he said, "It appears that Baras has found himself a vicious weapon in you. Your actions against the Brentall Star and on Balmorra proved that to me."

The sith's smirk widened, "My you have been busy, Karr. Should I be flattered by your attentions?"

The Jedi Master ignored the snide mark, though Jaesa had to stop herself from smiling. She hadn't expected the Sith to be funny.

"These men were merely monitoring the equipment," Karr said, gesturing at Hirosho and his men. "Following my orders. There is no need for bloodshed here."

A flicker of hope flashed over Hirosho's face. It vanished an instant later when the Sith's face split into a broad grin, his booming laughter resounding throughout the room.

"I feel an overwhelming need for bloodshed!"

"Hirosho, defend yourself!" The words hadn't even left the Jedi Master's lips and the sith had already started killing.

Arkunov vanished from view, moving out of the holoprojectors range. A few seconds later, the screaming started.

Hirosho tried to run, desperately sprinting towards the exit. It was no use, he was yanked off his feet and out of sight. Terror etched across his face.

Jaesa gasped into her hands; she didn't even remember putting them there. She wanted to look away, to turn her gaze from the carnage unfolding before her. Yet, she found herself oddly transfixed by the scene before her.

Karr tried to remain impassive, but couldn't stop his hands from curling into fists. He reached for his comlink and entered a single command; desperately hoping that it would not be too late. He then locked his gaze back to the holoprojector, though the only thing he could see was the uniformed Imperial. Who had remained still all the while. Hand resting calmly on his blaster, standing by should the sith need him.

Eventually, Arkunov returned into view. Even through the blue light of the holo, Jaesa could see the blood staining his gauntleted fists. It sent a shiver down her spine. A sensation that left her blinking in surprise.

"What an... excessive display," Karr spat, not bothering to hide the disgust in his voice. "Those men were defenceless and unarmed."

"A poor choice," Arkunov replied. "Not your smartest decision, Master Karr. Tell me, did you honestly expect me to spare them? Just because you asked me to. Have you forgotten what it's like to deal with a Sith?"

"You are every bit your masters minion!"

Jaesa was surprised, yet kept her expression in the usual Jedi calm, at the anger that crept into her master's voice. Arkunov simply smirked, having noticed the Jedi's lapse as well.

When he spoke again, Karr had gotten himself under control. "I shall honour Hirosho's and his men's lives by dedicating myself to thwarting you and your master."

"You will fail. They died for nothing."

"Your confidence is unfounded. Soon you will realize that. It calms me that you and Baras have no idea what you're up against."

"Keep telling yourself that." The Sith replied, amused. "Your pupil's powers will fail you."

Jaesa's whole body froze, it was as if the Sith had whispered the words in her ear. She was glad that he could not see her. Though, she thought she saw his yellow eyes flicker to the side. So they were looking right at her. But when she looked again, Arkunov's full attention was on Nomen Karr once again. She was certain that she was imagining it.

Karr too froze, but only for a second and he recovered much faster than his pupil. "Ah. You know more than I thought. There is no doubt then, Baras is after my Padawan. How... unfortunate."

Unfortunate was certainly one way of putting it. Jaesa's was thinking more along the lines of catastrophic.

"I've kept her identity and location a secret. So, you and your master are fumbling in the dark."

The smile remained on the Sith's face, "I will find her, Jedi. It's only a matter of time."

Once again, a shudder worked it's way down Jaesa's spine. It was like that last part was meant just for her.

"My padawan," Karr replied, once again an edge anger krept into his voice. "Is of supreme importance to me and the Jedi Order. I will not let any harm come to her."

"I would expect nothing less."

A grinding sound echoed from behind Arkunov, out of the projectors view. The Imperial next to the sith turned to see what was happening, his eyes narrowing in concentration. Karr's voice was focused as he said, "In that case. I shall exceeded your expectations, Sith. You're about to understand just how resourceful I can be."

A squad of Republic commandos moved into view of the projector. Blasters focused on the Sith nearly all of them, though a handful locked onto the Imperial. However, the Sith did not appear concerned. Though his hand did move to rest on the hilt of his lightsaber.

Karr's voice was assured, "These troopers are among the Republic's finest. Surrender, and the Jedi Council will be lenient in their judgement."

The Sith shook his head, "You disappoint me, Master Karr. Now you will see just what a Sith is capable of." Once again, it sounded as if the words were being spoken to Jaesa alone.

The crimson blade flared to life and the Sith started killing.

Blaster bolts flew through the air, yet none reached their target. Limbs were hewn from bodies and blood was splattered across the floor. Yet the whole time, the Sith never seemed to be taking the battle seriously. In fact, he seemed to be taking his time with the endeavour. Effortlessly making his way from one victim to the next.

To Jaesa's eyes, it seemed as though he was putting on a performance. All for her benefit. She tried to look away, but found her eyes drawn back to the holo. Watching with disturbed fascination. Karr too, had his eyes locked onto the scene before him. His mind analyzing everything that Arkunov did.

Eventually, it was over. The Sith stood amongst a pile of destroyed corpses, limbs thrown far away from their bodies. He gazed back towards Karr, but didn't seem to be focusing on the Jedi Master. He was looking past him, yellow eyes hovering on the spot where Jaesa stood out of view.

"It seems Darth Baras has found himself a singularly vicious weapon in you," Karr said. His voice was level, but Jaesa thought she heard an edge of anger in it. "This experience has given me valuable insight. I'll be prepared for you next time."

"I'll wait right here, Karr. Come and face me now."

"Jedi do not seek out a fight."

"Is that why you left... what was his name? ...Hirosho undefended?"

Karr ignored the jab. "My place is at my Padawan's side, teaching her the ways of the force and honing her talents. I will do everything in my power to keep you from her. Everything."

"Wear yourself out, Karr. I'll catch up to her eventually. All the stronger for your efforts."

The Jedi Master disconnected the call. Barely keeping his anger out of the motion.

He turned to face Jaesa, "We need to be prepared. I'll warn Master Yonlach, and have the Council send someone to Alderaan. To make sure that your parents are safe. If I know Baras, he'll send that animal after anyone close to you. He'll try and force you into the open."

Doubtless he would have continued, but Jaesa interrupted him, "But Master, clearly the Sith doesn't know anything about me! Otherwise he would have said my name."

Karr grit his teeth as he answered, "Don't be so naive, Jaesa! Darth Baras is a master of information. He will put every effort into discovering the truth. I won't let him expose you like this!"

Jaesa hid her scowl from her master. He wasn't concerned about Master Yonlach or her parents. Only about the security risk they posed to her. However, Jaesa's efforts to hide her feelings were unsuccessful. Clearly, her master had sensed her roiling emotions.

Karr's eyes narrowed, "There is no emotion."

"There is Peace." Jaesa finished.

After giving his report to Darth Baras and setting course for Tatooine, Arkunov had locked himself in the cargo hold. With him were the two droids that he had purchased on Nar Shaddaa.

Arkunov snarled as he blocked an overhead strike from the blue droid. He pushed it back, only to spin around and fend off the twin blades of the red droid. He had been in there for almost an hour now, and was beginning to break out sweat.

Disengaging, Arkunov slammed a fist into the droid's faceplate. Sending the machine staggering backwards, allowing Arkunov to land three rapid Ataru strikes on the droid. Somewhere at the back of his mind, Arkunov was glad that he lowered the power of his weapon. Otherwise he would have wasted the credits he had spent on the machines. The droid froze and deactivated, its programming recognizing the killing stroke.

Turning to his second opponent, Arkunov twisted past the thrust aimed at his torso. His crimson blade flashed out and landed a horizontal slash across the droid's chestplate. A second later, this droid froze too and slumped in deactivation.

"Impressive work as always, boss."

Arkunov turned to face the voice and saw Vette standing in the doorway. She held two glasses in her hands, each one filled with clear blue water. She offered one to Arkunov, who gulped it down.

Once he had finished, Arkunov asked, "What do you want?"

"What, am I not allowed to pay my favourite Sith a visit for no reason?"

Arkunov's eyes narrowed.

"Okay, point taken. I kind of need access to some Imperial records. If that wouldn't be too much trouble?"

"Explain. Now."

"I ran with this Twi'lek pride group for a few years. The old gang reclaimed artefacts stolen from our people. Had a good run for a while, till Korriban. We got intel that this artefact, the Star of Kala'unn had been taken for some trial. Our source got us onto Korriban and right into the tomb of Naga Sadow. That was when the Academy Guard found us. The gang got away, I didn't. And well... you know what happened after that."

Arkunov nodded, "So you want to find out who led you into a trap?"

"Yeah," Vette agreed. "I also want to track the old gang down. I can do that on my own, still have some contacts that can help me. But I need Imperial records for what went down on Korriban. So could you get them for me, pretty please?"

There was a long silence, before Arkunov eventually said, "Very well. I suppose you deserve a reward. For your loyal service."

"Wow, thanks!" Vette exclaimed, a surprised grin plastered over her face. "You won't regret this. I promise you that."

"I had better not," Arkunov replied. "I expect to hear as soon as you have an answer. We shall deal with this together."

Okay chapter done!

Hopefully I will be updating more often. I'm now trying to keep myself to a schedule. I am planning to update this on the second of every month.

So we'll see how that goes!

I had a lot of fun with this chapter, thought it would be cool to see this mission for Jaesa's perspective instead. Setting up her eventual apprenticeship to Arkunov.

Let me know what you thought!