Greetings to my happy, hungry readers! I am pleased to offer upon the appointed day yet another chapter of progression in the Rise of Darth Veneficus. Many thanks to those who reviewed Chapter Fifty Five, it was most positive and quite uplifting to me to note how well it was received, and I hope that this one too is well likes and rated. without too much more waffle, please enjoy! ~F

Chapter Fifty Six

The Unseen Dagger

Anguis grit his teeth and withheld the earth-born curses that surged through his mind as he read the report from the front lines that the Jedi Council had forwarded to him. While he greatly hated Luna Lovegood and everything that she stood for, the woman was currently his champion against Veneficus and his Empire, and her assessment of the situation of the war was perfectly correct, regardless of what the Chancellor wished.

The fact of the matter was that there were already many factions of the Senate, mostly comprised of the senators of conquered or outlying planets that wanted to surrender to the Empire, and even more that were currently threatened by their fleets that wanted to open diplomatic relations and sue for peace between the current powers.

But Anguis, out of anyone knew that it would be folly. Veneficus would demand much from anyone who wished to surrender, more than one would be capable of giving. And those that wanted peace would be manipulated into harming their allies through lengthy debates that would serve no purpose in the end, as the Sith Lord planned to attack them regardless, and would prey on the weak fools that sought to survive.

Not that the Senate would listen to any form of reason, so pompous in their individual importance to the Galaxy as a whole to think that they had what it took to entice the Emperor to spare them. Fools that they were, as the Sith knew no concept of mercy, if it wasn't to his own personal advantage.

To that end, Anguis refused to pass the report on to the Senate until he had to, which probably would be when the battle at Yabol Opa ended in their defeat, as Anguis fully believed that it would.

It was indeed bleak to think that they would win now, but the Dark Adept was already formulating a plan, even if he couldn't hold onto control of the Galaxy for the time being, he would flee into exile with many of the key leaders, formulate a resistance and strike back over the course of months and years. If history had taught him anything about the Galaxy, it was that in the end, the Sith would eventually defeat themselves, and if he bided his time long enough, he would again rule the Galaxy.

Therefore, he would press on with his objective of severally weakening the Jedi, so that the Sith would crush them once they arrived, and force them into a position where they would be more liable to listen to his guidance and control.

Through his little Jedi slave, Anguis had learned not only about his target, but that the Jedi had in their possession a relic that could make the eventual defeat of Veneficus much easier: the Sith Lord's own Holocron, where he ought to have secured much of his knowledge and powers. If Anguis could get his hands on that, he would be capable of learning all that made the Emperor so powerful, and eventually rise to the ability to rival the man's strength in the Dark Side, and overthrow him.

Sending a preplanned signal through a private connection to the still heavily mind-controlled Johell, Anguis commanded the Jedi Knight to do everything in his power to claim the Holocron back and deliver it to him. When he had programmed these instructions into the young man, the Jedi had resisted terribly, some sort of inborn fear of the artifact, but in the end Anguis had overwhelmed his will and gotten the job done.

It was all down to whether the Jedi could get through to it or not before the rest of the Order stopped him, but even so the path was set for his attack soon that would eliminate Trelawney and the rest of the Mage-born in the Temple. Anguis agreed with Veneficus on one important thing. The less that these people knew about their magic, the more power they could be.

And there was still the knowledge that his dear Aunt was out there somewhere seeking something in a tomb that even Veneficus was unwilling to investigate. That would very much cause some damage when the man attempted to establish his Galaxy wide Empire.

Everything would work out, even if the government fell to Veneficus. In fact that would be better for him, as it would be natural to slip right into being Emperor himself, rather than rework the government of the Galaxy a second time.

Still, there was precious time left to make sure everything he desired was in place. He needed the Holocron, as well as weakening the Jedi and their wizard allies just before the hammer stroke fell from Veneficus, and escape in the nick of time.

Hopefully he would manage everything and escape just before the combined Sith armada arrives over Coruscant, along with those that would be most loyal and useful to him.

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Johell couldn't resist once the message came through from his master. His goal was set, and the prize defined. Walking in almost a sleep-like trance, he exited the small quarters that he slept in alone within the temple. He had long ago sent away the guards who were to watch for this, on orders from the Chancellor, as it would not help in his adjustment to fear his own changes.

The corridors were silent at this time of night, as most of the temple slept, and those that didn't were more occupied watching for activity without the temple than within.

Down to the archives, where his prize was kept he went, knowing full well the horror that awaited him, but powerless to stop the compulsion that drove him. it was just easier to allow his body to move rather than resist and feel the constant pain of a body that refused his own instructions.

Once again, the guards that watched the Holocron vault were absent, as though some entity knew that he was coming, and wanted him to enter. Naturally, in the back on his mind, Johell knew that only a Master had the codes and knowledge of how to open the vault, but as he approached the door slid open of its own accord, which his mind recognized as horrifically bad, but his body ignored, striding in and down the long corridor that normally had many traps and defenses, all curiously disabled.

Even as he entered the corridors to the vault, Johell could feel the strange sensation slip somewhat, but just as quickly a new power took control of him, pushing his mind even further into a state of lethargic acceptance, and even as he struggled pitifully to awaken from the frightening nightmare he had fallen into, he blinked and was already at the door to the vault, which opened on its own.

The glittering lights of the Holocrons twinkled in the gloom of the lowered lights, but Johell slowly bypassed the ones containing all the knowledge of the Jedi Order since the beginning of time, even the Great Holocron that held the more powerful of secrets, heading directly for the far chamber that contained those things that were too dangerous or Dark for anyone outside the Masters to tamper with.

Within the chamber the lights faded to a frightening red, and the air turned far colder as the aura of the Sith Holocrons of many ages and times pressed in on all sides. Johell didn't know where to start looking, but clearly his body was being drawn to a specific location.

Johell half expected to awaken when he discovered the small nook where the vile Emperor's Holocron was located, but the nightmare continued, even as he took up the small device in his hands, which felt surprising warm to the touch. It wasn't hard for his body to immediately tap into the Dark Side, which he still recalled the ability to do so, even if he consciously despised it.

The device activated at once, but something was not right even as it did so. It didn't fell like a typical Holocron when he activated it. Suddenly, with a sharp jolt, the artifact shocked Johell with a light tap of electricity, and he dropped it, snapping out of his cloudlike daze, and realizing with growing horror that nothing about this was a dream, but very real and very dangerous.

The Holocron hit the metal ground of the vault with a heavy thump, not even clattering or rocking at all. But even as the device hit the ground, something seemed to be emerging from the capstone. Like a ghostly shade, a vile image of the Keeper appeared, but it was so different and unusual from a normal Holocron that Johell wasn't sure how to handle it.

"I must remember to thank Anguis for his foolishness in selecting a patsy," the shade of the Emperor said, even as he emerged completely from the Holocron, "It has made my infiltration of your precious Temple all the easier to accomplish."

Johell was frozen in panicked terror, the memories of the torture that this creature inflicted upon him overriding any thought or training that he had taken recently to control himself.

"Well, your usefulness is finally at an end, boy…" the monster taunted him, extending his hands toward Johell, "I'll pass along my condolences to Zhar that his favored apprentice was needed for something greater than what he had originally intended for you. But, alls fare in war, is it not?"

Johell was too terrified to try and react before the spirit launched black energy at him, disappearing even as the spell struck him. there was a flash as imprinted upon his mind was the visage of the Emperor, and suddenly Johell was locked away in the smallest corner of his own mind, entrapped to watch as the monster took full control of his own body.

Veneficus flexed Johell's hands, examining what strength the young Jedi Knight had had before this possession occurred, and swiftly replaced the Holocron in its vault. Johell felt a touch of mental anguish even as the Sith Lord took knowledge directly from his mind, "Ah, I see…" the man said with Johell's mouth. "A pity that dear Anguis will not have what he seeks from my Holocron, but I cannot allow him to become too wary of what will occur here, so the Mage-born in the Temple will die…"

Johell was powerless to resist as the monster started to walk casually from the Holocron Vault, sealing it and activating its defenses with the experience of a Master Jedi. The Darkness of the Emperor's power was muted as he reentered the main area of the Temple, and from Johell's mind the route to Trelawney's chamber was forcefully taken, giving the horrific shade time enough to make his way casually there, avoiding most of the night watch on his way.

The door to Trelawney's room was not barred, as clearly the woman was still up and about, as the lights within were still on. Veneficus entered in Johell's body, and looked around swiftly, finding the woman seated in her normal chair before the small table.

"So you have returned my boy," the woman said, her voice neutral as she watched Johell's body from behind her thick glasses. Mentally, the Jedi Knight screamed for her to watch out, that it was not him, anything, but the Sith Lord's grasp over his mind and body was absolute, and he couldn't do anyway to stop it.

Veneficus simply smiled, clearly wary of the woman as he moved fully into the room and Johell's hand dropped to his weapon, even as the door shut and sealed itself.

Trelawney sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, before they opened again, alive with the magic of the Mage-born, "and I see that the Lord of Darkness has taken you at last, even as I had Seen. I am sorry my boy, but I had hoped that we could avert this tragedy before it occurred."

The blue blade ignited in Johell's possessed hand, "Then you know how I will end this, Professor," Veneficus stated grimly, and Johell could feel the sickening smile creeping upon his own face, unwanted and completely in opposition to the horror and fear that he himself felt.

"I know many things now, how that might play out," Trelawney stated, "but even you must acknowledge that the future is constantly in motion, changing from moment to moment, and not always do our visions come true…"

"But my one glorious vision will indeed come true," Veneficus replied, "the Galaxy belongs to me alone, and I will slay anyone who stands in my way…"

"We shall see…" the Professor stated, and in a moment she became a flurry of motion, spells flying from the wand she had drawn in secret, unknown to Johell but clearly aware to Veneficus, who leapt into action as well.

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Fae Coven jolted awake as the Force cried out to her that something was desperately wrong. Still unseeing, she felt her eyes move about as she struggled to find her way to the nearby console and activate it to notify the Knights on guard to the disturbance in the Force, although she suspected that they already knew.

Halfway across the room to the console Fae heard the device activate on its own as a call came in from somewhere else. Activating it, she guessed why someone had called her at this time of night.

"Grandmaster, there is a disturbance in the corridors where the Mage-born are residing, we've sensed a surge of the Dark Side." a Knight reported.

"I'm on my way, contain the disturbance and determine the cause." Fae directed, already pulling her saber from across the room to her. In this state of war there was no possibility that she would not go anywhere, even in the Temple itself, without her tool and weapon at her side.

She didn't hesitate as she hurried through the corridors toward where the disturbance was reported. The Force was muted and disturbingly cold as she approached, heralding that something was desperately wrong.

As the Grandmaster rounded the final corner, she sensed several knights and temple guards holding the perimeter, while the sounds of mage-born spells firing and the hum of a swinging lightsaber was in the distance yet.

"Grandmaster," the nearest Guard said, and Fae could tell that the figure was trying to waylay her, "It's not safe, one of the Knights have gone berserk and attacked our allies."

"All the more reason that I need to intervene," Fae countered, but they all froze when a shriek sounded through the corridor, and the sounds of battle fell silent.

"Move in! Go!" the Guards and Knight yelled, and there was a flurry of movement all around them, and in that moment Fae sensed the identity of the one who had initiated this sore break of the Jedi Code. Johell, enshrouded in darkness far blacker than anything she had ever sensed before, aside from the Emperor himself, standing over a fallen body, which even the Grandmaster could sense was once one of the Mage-born civilians, now fallen by treachery.

"Cease Hostilities! Surrender!" the Temple Guards demanded, activating their weapons, even as the other Knights lit their blades.

The sound that came from the young man that had been recovering for months from the torment of the Sith Emperor was so jarring and wrong that Fae knew that the boy was not in his right mind. "Surrender?" he muttered, almost tauntingly, and Fae did not need eyes to know that the saber in his hand was clasped even tighter, "I think not… you fools know not what you've accepted into the hallowed halls of your precious temple, or the doom that comes for you all. I will see the Mage-born traitors slain…"

Fae understood too late, even as the young man charged, blade held high to contend with the Knights and Temple Guards all around him. It was more than certain that he stood no chance against so many, but the number of wounds that he inflicted before going down were a blow to Fae's heart every time.

She was powerless to halt the conflict, before the boy lay dead, unwilling to give up even when his saber arm was removed by a precision strike. Once the boy fell, the Grandmaster sensed a great swell of darkness billow up from the body, before speeding away deeper into the temple and disappearing.

From the shocked sounds of the other Jedi they had clearly seen something in relation to the powerful aura, but they were in little position with needing to investigate the other Mage-born rooms to see if there were any survivors.

Fae could already tell the horrible truth. All those that had remained at the temple, unwilling to become part of the Republic military or join the Jedi in fighting the Sith had been butchered, within the walls of the Temple itself, along with many of the initial Jedi that had investigated.

It was a horrific thing to know, that they weren't safe even within the Jedi Temple, and Fae ordered for the watch to be heightened for that night, and retired to her meditation chamber, knowing that she needed to center herself before she made any decision in prospect of this attack.

Discovering the truth would be difficult, as many would be eager to believe that Johell acted of his own, falling back into old habits of the Dark Side, having not seen or felt what the Grandmaster had in the brief moments before the boy fell.

Something regarding the Sith Emperor had influenced the poor child, corrupting his mind and body to turning on those who he cared about, and slaughtering even the people that he had grown close to, such as Professor Trelawney, who had been strongly helping him overcome the hardships that he had experienced.

In pondering the mystery, Fae also recalled that the young man had been called upon quite often by the office of the Supreme Chancellor. It would probably be wisest to follow any leads that they might have in understanding the truth of this matter. presenting her findings to the Council would yield at least an inquiry, which she could direct to the sources that she suspected might be heavily involved.

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Anguis felt the moment his control over the Jedi Knight failed, although it was strange in that he felt a pulse of en even darker power override his curse. That frightened the Dark Adept, knowing that the power to simply override such a powerful spell was greatly difficult, and off handedly he could only think of a few that would have that ability.

Accordingly, he decided to prepare himself in case it had been Trelawney or one of the other Mage-born that had ended his curse, although personally he was of the opinion that Veneficus had entrapped his Holocron in some fashion, making the object either kill or possess the young Jedi.

In the midst of his preparation however, there was a call from the Temple, and when he answered, the small frame of Jedi Grandmaster Coven appeared. "Master Jedi, what a pleasant surprise," Anguis said, concealing his hesitation at the visage that the blind rodent had sent through him.

"I wish it was for us however, Chancellor," the Jedi replied, sounding sorrowful, despite the deadened stare that her blind eyes gave off constantly. "There has been a tragedy here at the Temple, and I was hoping to understand some things regarding your relationship with Former Jedi Knight Johell…"

"Former?" Anguis replied in confusion, although inwardly he was already aware that the young man had met his end. "I do not understand, the boy was making great progress. Do not tell me he has regressed into the horrors that he shared with me in confidence?"

"Not knowing what Johell had shared with you, I could not say," the Grandmaster affirmed, "but indeed, it seems that something broke in his mind, and he went on a rampage through the Temple, harming a great many before being cut down in his rebellion and heavy resistance…"

Anguis' heart soared, but he kept a firm grip on his emotions from showing into even the Force, maintaining a cool horror that the Jedi could only expect from him. "Who was hurt?"

"Many of the Mage-born who still resided here at the Temple, and several dozen Knights and Temple Guards that were sent to investigate and stop him." the Jenet replied.

"I see," Anguis said, hope still burning within him that his design had gone even as planned regardless, "What statement ought I forward to the Senate?"

"Nothing as of yet, we are still in the midst of our investigation," the Grandmaster replied, "someone may be by to discuss in further detail the contents of what you discussed with the fallen Jedi Knight, and we hope that you will disclose with us all that you can, so that we discover the truth of this matter, and settle the tragic affair in our own fashion."

"Of course, send whomever you wish, I will answer truthfully anything you wish to know about our little chats." Anguis replied, already forming exactly what he would reveal as the truth to any who came to speak with him.

"Good, expect them with a day to drop by your offices, good evening Chancellor," the Jedi stated with a small bow of the head, and ended the call.

Only when the system was shut off completely did Anguis allow himself to smile, relishing the fact that, whether the Jedi Master wanted to admit it or not, his plan had gone through with only the smallest of hangups. Stretching our his senses in the Force, he looked for the everpresent glow of Trelawney and the other Mage-born from earth, and had to resist laughing aloud when he could not find any of them in or near the Temple at all.

They were dead, just as he desired, and now the Jedi would be blind to his abilities with the Dark Arts, as any who could find him out were trapped on the front lines, or too inexperienced to figure out what he was up to. The only ones left that could do so were Snape and Granger, and he could easily dissuade them from aiding the Jedi by increasing the workload of needed ships for the war effort. Hermione would do anything to further her vendetta against Veneficus, and Snape was hung up trying to keep the foolish woman from killing herself in her unending hatred.

A further step had been taken toward his destruction of the Jedi Order, and now he simply had to prepare for his miraculous escape when the forces of the Sith Empire arrived over Coruscant, sending out discreet and specific invitations for those who he trusted to command a successful resistance when they did so.

However, for the moment he could celebrate a plan well executed. Summoning a bottle of wine and a glass with a silent spell, Anguis poured himself a small amount, only casually acknowledging that it was one of the bottles that Johell had favored himself, after several times at various local restaurants.

Lifting a silent toast to the fool of a pawn that he had manipulated so easily, Anguis drank deeply. The ball was soon to be solely in Veneficus' court, and if Anguis continued to work quietly in the shadows, as he had been taught, he would come out far ahead of all his competition.

"Your move, your Majesty…" he said aloud, sending his thoughts briefly toward the Sith Lord and Emperor, before backing away mentally from touching the mind of the one he had considered friend and mentor for a long while. With Veneficus so close physically to the Core, it wasn't too safe for a Force user to dwell on thoughts regarding the man, should he sense them and have some form of clairvoyant vision of their plans.

The mixing of the Force and their magic was indeed a dangerous thing, which was why Anguis had to do all in his power to eliminate the two remaining rivals for such a great power. Hopefully, Lovegood would soon throw herself to her death at battling Veneficus personally, and Anguis would be there to plant the dagger of betrayal deeply in the Sith Lord's back, and end his rule once and for all.

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Leon smirked as he watched the main Republic cruiser go down in flames, having been sabotaged from within by the Emperor himself. After the presumed destruction of his shuttle, the leaders of the battle on the Sith side were dismayed, and would have fled if not for the willpower and knowledge that their Dark Adepts had regarding their glorious leader's survival.

They whipped the masses into a frenzy, driving their warriors and pilots onward with a vengeance for such an attempted regicide on their Emperor, and pushed the Republic fleet backward with their daring, and sometimes downright suicidal maneuvers.

Then, to all their amazement, a Republic shuttle departed from the main ship, moments before it started to explode from within, flying Imperial codes that only one could know, and was eagerly admitted back on board the Apex. Veneficus returned to the bridge with an aura of power and majesty that he hadn't worn for some time, inspiring their officers to new heights by just his mere presence.

Leon could tell that the man was well pleased with whatever had transpired on board the Republic flagship, and as it was defeated, the rest of the fleet quickly splintered and was routed, paving the way for them to take the system and invade the planet below.

Although, in a surprising move, Veneficus commanded that they leave the portion of the ground forces they had dispatched, along with a ship or two to reinforce them, and press on quickly to the next planet.

While the officers were expected to comply without reason, Leon was not so limited, and approached the man he called master to ask his purpose for pushing on so quickly. Veneficus seemed to anticipate his question, and pulled up a hologram of the nearby star systems, stretching down to where Diábolis' fleets were pressing on toward Yabol Opa on their way to the Core.

"We have two additional systems to conquer before we can join the main push at Brentaal," he explained slowly, tracing the line where they were traveling, even as they made their way to Champala, the last system on their route that lay outside the Colonies.

"I want our Armadas to join forces there, and once we do, so close to the heart of the Republic, their precious Senate will know true despair, and beg for me to stay my hand…" the Emperor added, clenching a fist greedily as the map shifted to show the closeness of Brentaal to the capital world of Coruscant. "Even now I can sense that Anguis is attempting some added measure of betrayal, and I intend to give him as little time to prepare as I can, but before I can make a move against him directly, we need to join forces with Diábolis' fleet…"

"You're wisdom and strategy are unsurpassed, my Lord," Leon said, smiling widely as he gazed at the last remaining planets that blocked the way to the end of the war, and the Republic.

"And," Veneficus interjected, "we must not forget your important role yet to play," he said, trailing off as he looked pointedly at Leon, who knew exactly what the man was referring to.

They had discussed this little snag in the plan much before, in the long hours shortly before and after Leon gave in to the true purpose of his calling in the Force, and handed himself over fully to the might of the Dark Side.

Veneficus had explained the many failed attempts that he had suffered in trying to eliminate his old Jedi teacher, Luna Lovegood. The fury of the Emperor had been something to behold at the time, the man ranting as he described in perfect detail the audacity that the woman had had in flaunting her seeming imperviousness to his many plans and schemes, eluding him even when all other concepts had screamed that she ought to have died or been captured. Preserved by the very will of the Force, the man had said snidely, angered that the Force would dare to favor another other than himself.

But things had changed, he had added, turning with a deadly gleam in his eye to look at Leon. As while the Force protected Luna from direct assault via Veneficus, if another was to hunt her in the Emperor's stead, one that had the gifts of prophecy a deep connection that would allow him to find the now Jedi Master wherever she fled, there would be nothing to stop him from slaying the insolent wretch that had dared to anger the Sith Emperor so.

That was the true task set before Leon, one that would secure his position as the trusted advisor of the Galactic Emperor for all time, even to the learning of all the man's secrets, once he decided that the Rule of Two was no longer necessary to enforce.

Leon longed for the knowledge of all that power, especially the little vials of red liquid that sustained the Emperor and preserved his eternal youth before all the eyes of his Empire. Leon was not so vain as to care about his appearance, but the longevity of his physical form was a boon that he could not throw aside lightly, especially as it was clear that the Emperor was willing to make him an apprentice, even favored more than Diábolis was currently.

The gift of his prophecies were so great to the Emperor that Leon highly suspected that the man thought he a more worthy successor than the Devaronian, as a being somewhat closer in power and gifts to the Sith Master himself, rather than simply a Force user.

So he would do as his Lord commanded, and end the life of the teacher that he had known for only a scant handful of months. Between the pair of them, they had foreseen when this event was likeliest to take place. It was to be during the massive battle of Brentaal, where the fate of the entire Galaxy, and the majority of those individuals who were invested in this war, would at last be decided.

Leon would not fail his Emperor, not after such a great gift was awakened in him, one that the Jedi had not seen; some even scorned him for possessing. It was their loss, and their folly for not seeing his greatness like Veneficus had from the very beginning.

The Emperor was silent for a long moment, sitting upon his throne in the command, almost lost in thought. "Anguis you fool…" he said after a time, and Leon looked at his lord, puzzled.

"My Lord?" he questioned, but the Sith Master merely shook his head.

"It's nothing, just an old ally that decided to trigger something far beyond his realm of knowledge. He will be dealt with in due time…" the man said cryptically, but Leon knew better than to take the distraction at face value.

Anguis was the dark name that Veneficus had given to his old friend, Draco Malfoy, currently Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. So for the fool to have stumbled on something that would harm him, "He's trying to disrupt the Jedi in their temple, and sought your Holocron," Leon said, a flash of foresight assisting his vision for the truth.

Veneficus glanced at him, bemused at Leon's tenacity, but nevertheless nodded, "He gathered more than he had bargained for in tampering with that devise, which I had purposefully allowed my enemies to take deep into their secure vaults. Nothing quite like your enemies jealously guarding the very thing of greatest value to you… it makes it that much harder for other enemies to take it away…" he laughed, before sobering and changing the topic.

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Zhar could sense the waves of mirth and triumph from the Apex and knew that the Emperor had indeed struck a mighty blow against the Republic in their last attack. The worlds separating them from their goal were weak now, with no overarching fleet to protect them, and it was doubtful that the Republic could muster another with a proper commander to stop them in time.

The Basilisk cut through the dark of space, heralding the way for the much larger vessel of the Emperor, descending into the orbital area of the world Champala, a marshy world that periodically was overrun by waters from its planet wide oceans. What pitiful space defenses they had weren't even worth taking note of as the Sith fleet passed through, and the world had little to offer in resistance as well, with the Emperor of the Sith present over their world.

Zhar unfortunately was selected to represent Veneficus as the official declaration of surrender was presented and signed, and therefore took a shuttle down to the surface, speeding toward the largest of their trade cities, set high on a plateau out of reach of the crashing waves of the destructive ocean currents.

Euka was with him, as well as a trio of Imperial Diplomats, who were already busy making alterations to the standard decree of subservience, tailoring it to the specific world and what resources it had to offer.

Zhar's presence was purely one of security. If the Champalans wanted to resist, or balk at any of their terms, he had free reign to make them comply by any means he chose. It was a boring business, but necessary for the running of a Galaxy wide Empire.

The delegates from the native population was already present at the Spaceport, waiting for their shuttle to land. A single pair of Arcanamach descended first, the official sign that Zhar spoke for the Emperor, and he set foot on the humid and lush planet. Sweeping out the Force like a cloak, Zhar kept his vigilance up, just in case of any sort of treachery.

And soon enough he was glad that he had. During the diplomats meeting with the Champalans, a third party approached, made up of beings clearly displaying the colors of the Republic, and carrying all manner of weapons, sophisticated and less so, with hostile intent toward the diplomats, Zhar and their guards.

Euka was the first to act, she also having sensed what her Master was doing, and joining in the act of keeping her mind outside the politics of the meeting. Leaping over the delegates with the aid of the Force, her double ended weapon flared to life, startling the Champalans, but they were doubly shocked when they realized that the Dark Adept was protecting them from the attacks of the unruly mob.

Dancing through the hailstorm of small arms fire, Euka created a barrier that sheltered the parties as they fled back toward the Imperial shuttle, the Arcanamach shepherding them to safety, while Zhar strode forward, his weapon also coming to life.

"So eager to be dealt with in death and blood," he said casually as he stepped up beside his apprentice, who smirked, "Well, I guess I have little choice but to oblige them…"

As one, they changed from their defensive tactics, dodging out of the way of the next barrage of projectiles and charge, sabers swinging to prevent the trajectory of the weapons that turned to try and stop them, and fell with a mad rage upon their foes, limbs and head falling as they cut down each and every one of their attackers, merciless upon even those that tried to turn and flee at the end, their will to fight for their precious Republic broken in the face of the power of the Dark Side.

It was over all too soon, and both Zhar and Euka returned to where the diplomats and delegates of the planet had been sheltered, within their own shuttle while the royal guards stood at the foot of the ramp with weapons in hand.

The excitement over, Zhar allowed himself to relax a touch, resigning to the fact that they would be continuing the boring act of hashing over this or that term of the treaty until both groups were satisfied, and he could sign in the name of the Emperor to finalize it and bring the planet into the fold of the Empire properly.

At the least, he mused, this would be the last boring world that he would have to deal with, as the rest of the systems in their way lay within the innermost part of the colonies, and the Core itself, which would hold out to the death if the defenders of the Republic had anything to say regarding it.

Therefore it was with much relief that Zhar bid farewell to the delegation from the Champalans, and commanded the pilot to return them to the Armada, so that they could press onward to the next system on their route with all swiftness.

The Basilisk seemed to gleam in welcome to them, and brimmed with power as the coming battles approached. Or at least, Zhar himself imagined such things, as he knew for a fact that the ship was unchanged from the last time he viewed it, aside from a few quick repairs that had been necessary to bring her back to full capacity and functionality.

Even still, Zhar felt his gaze drawn toward the Core, almost seeming to be pulled along as the great mass of Dark Side energy that surrounded the Emperor was directed to that place. Veneficus' eagerness was easily felt by all those who could touch the Force, and more than a fair few were willing and bloodthirsty enough to wish his will wrought as soon as possible.

But Zhar was hesitant. While he wished indeed to see their glorious Empire raised up over the entire Galaxy, he wondered what would happen afterward. From all accounts and histories, the Sith did not thrive well under times of peace, or psudo-peace as this would be considered. Violence was their ways, and once they had no universal enemy to focus on, betrayal was all too common among them.

In addition, knowing Veneficus better than most, Zhar knew that the younger man would be loath to share power with anyone else for too long, having scraped and schemed under the heel of his old master, Millennial, for a full decade or so. Veneficus would be looking to quickly consolidate his power, and Zhar wouldn't be surprised if the Dark Council turned out to be his first targets once the war was won.

Still, he could do little about it now, as it would be easily viewed as treachery, and those on the Council would eagerly turn on him to please their master, so he would wait and watch silently from the shadows for the right moment to take all the preparations he needed to make certain of his own survival in this new budding Empire.

As for Euka, Zhar thought as he looked toward the Iradonian apprentice that he had grown to be most proud of. She would learn, and perhaps as she had shown much of Zhar's own caution regarding the Emperor, she would prove a useful ally in his future endeavors.

There was naturally still the fear of her betraying him and attempting to kill him for his position, as was won't for many of the apprentices of higher ranking Dark Adepts, but between her and the Emperor's inevitable betrayal, Zhar would choose the former to fell him if needs be. It also didn't hurt that he still held some amount of sway over the female, and if he played his cards right, he was sure he would be able to defeat her in combat.

That was of course, banking on the fact that she would elect for a formal duel to decide their fate, rather than subtlety or assassination, as was becoming far more popular lately in the Empire.