Only three reviews for this story so far. Well, hopefully this chapter will get more reviews than the last, but we'll see. For now we enter the realm of the Sith Academy, where Lincoln will begin his trials as a Sith Warrior. How will he do in these trials? Let's find out.
*I still don't own Loud House or Star Wars: The Old Republic. But if I did, No Such Luck would never have happened, and Lincoln would be treated better by his siblings.*
Dialogue Key
"May the Force be with you." = Regular Speech
'May the Force be with you.' = Someone Thinking
"May the Force be with you." = Someone Yelling
First Trial: A Jailhouse Q n' A!
Lincoln spent a good three hours attempting to navigate his way through the maze that is the Tomb of Ajunta Pall. And throughout that time he continued to purge the tomb of all mercenaries that had been hired to steal Sith artifacts, as well as killing off any K'lor'slugs that had managed to avoid being buried alive in their recently destroyed egg chambers. And with each new foe he brought down, Lincoln grew more and more accustomed to his new warblade.
Eventually, he found his way out of the tomb and had to close his eyes due to the bright sunlight. Once his eyes adjusted, he took in the sight of the Sith Academy. A massive structure that will be his home during his trials. Taking a deep breath, Lincoln climbed up the ramps built on the slope leading up from the exit/entrance to the tomb. His first order of business was to see Sergeant Rikel and report his involvement in the annihilation of the tomb looters. He found the man overseeing a few rookie troopers who were in the middle of target practice.
He cleared his throat to get the large, muscular man's attention. The Sergeant seemed surprised that a Sith Acolyte had recovered the stolen artifacts, likely believing that one or more of his soldiers would complete the task. Still, he doesn't seem ungrateful.
"I've taken care of your problem with the looters in the tomb." Lincoln reported as he handed over the stolen artifacts.
"Ah. Then I'll assume my men are dead." Sergeant Rikel said to himself before addressing Lincoln. "Even so, you've done us a great service. Their loss is your gain, I suppose."
Lincoln gave a nod and said "I am most grateful."
"Yes Sir." acknowledged the Sergeant.
With that job done, Lincoln made his way up the ramp that leads to the entrance of the Sith academy. The building itself was imposing enough, but the sheer dark energy he felt coming from the place was almost overwhelming. The only time he's ever felt this much darkness in one place before was around his sister… sorry, former sister, Lucy. Before the incident he always worried that she might be too much of a goth for her own health.
But as he got lost in his thoughts, Lincoln was intercepted by a Sith Pureblood woman wearing a red version of overseer Tremel's outfit. She has red skin like most of her species do, black hair that's done up rather neatly, and the most intimidating red eyes that Lincoln has ever seen. And yet, at the same time, they seem to only enhance her natural beauty. She has a feminine yet athletic figure due to her obvious lifestyle as a warrior, and the four facial growths only seem to make her more attractive to Lincoln.
"Acolyte, I am Loun. I assist Overseer Tremel in his training of Sith Warriors. And I come with a message." she said. "Overseer Tremel can teach you the ways of the Sith, but not all of the skills. For that there are specialists in the academy. Overseer Tremel wishes you to meet them and learn what you can."
"As you say, Assistant Overseer. Where do I find them?" Lincoln asked while showing respect.
"You will find the best trainers in the academy's archives. You are expected there shortly." Loun directed.
Lincoln bowed to the assistant overseer in thanks before heading off. After asking one of the honor guards for directions to Tremel's office, Lincoln came across two men around his age. Maybe a little older. One was shorter than the other, but was still taller than Lincoln. He had red hair that was cut real short in what appears to be cornrows, though it's hard to tell. He's also built with a similar muscle structure to Tremel, showing that he has strength. The other man is bald with a tattoo on his face, and is a walking behemoth with bulging muscles that are built for both strength, and for showing off. Kind of like a bodybuilder. He also has a beard as his facial hair.
"Hey there, acolyte. Hold on a moment. Let me get a look at you." said the shorter of the two as Lincoln walked up to them. "Hmm. So you're Overseer Tremel's secret weapon, huh? Impressive, to be sure. Afraid the old man waited too long to make his move, though."
Lincoln narrowed his eyes. He already didn't like this guy, and he doesn't even know the guy's name yet.
"Who are you?" Lincoln asked.
"I'm Vemrin, and unlike you I've fought and bled for everything I have. I demand respect." he said with a slight growl.
"This is a big place, Vemrin. There's more than enough room for both of us." Lincoln said as he tried to diffuse the situation.
Something he's all too used to doing whenever his sisters start something. He hasn't had to do so in years since he was made a citizen of the Sith empire, but old habits die hard, I guess.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. There's plenty of room for you behind me." Vemrin said in a slight condescending manner. "If Overseer Tremel had made his move a year ago, when I first arrived, you might have had a chance. But now - too little, too late."
"This is ridiculous, Vemrin. Let's just kill him and hide the body." said the larger man.
Lincoln raised an eyebrow at what he'd said. This definitely makes him seem like he's all muscle and no brains. Dumb as a brick.
"We're not on Balmorra anymore, Dolgis. There are rules. Traditions. We'll leave the shortcuts to overseer Tremel and his last pathetic hope here." Vemrin said to his lackey.
"You're not very good with people, are you?" quipped Lincoln.
"You're not funny. Just pathetic. And you've been warned." Vemrin said as he brushed off the quip. "Coming, Dolgis?"
"Be right there, Vemrin." Dolgis said.
While Vemrin went on ahead to whatever it was he should have been doing, Dolgis got up in Lincoln's face and tried to intimidate him. Which is not working as much as he thinks it is.
"Listen to me, you useless priss. Acolytes aren't allowed to murder each other. But accidents happen. It isn't murder without witnesses. No more warnings. Vemrin's the alpha monster here. You go after Vemrin, you die."
Having said his piece, the lumbering brute known as Dolgis started walking to catch up with Vemrin. All while totally unaware of Lincoln pulling down his lower eyelid and blowing a silent raspberry in his direction. Immature, he knows. But he wasn't intimidated in the slightest by what Dolgis said to him. After composing himself, Lincoln continued on his way to Tremel's office. It took a minute of walking, but he found his way. And upon arrival he saw the overseer speaking with a young woman with a set of three scars on her face. Lincoln saw that she shares many physical traits with Tremel. It's possible that they're of blood relation.
"Good, you've returned. You seem to be in one piece." Tremel said upon noticing Lincoln. "Tell me, how do you like your new blade?"
Letting his killer instincts get the better of him, Lincoln looked at his warblade with anticipation.
"I hope it's thirsty. I plan on drowning it."
"What are you doing, father? I only just got my warblade, and I've been here six months." the young woman asked incredulously.
"I have my reasons, Eskella. And you will not breathe a word of this to anyone. Do you hear?" Tremel said with a hint of warning in his voice.
The girl seemed to know better than to argue with the overseer any further, and was quick to back down.
"Yes. Yes, father." she said in resignation.
"Acolyte, this is Eskella, my daughter. She's one of the advanced students here. On her way to becoming Sith. If she minds herself." Tremel said.
Lincoln gave Eskella a nod of greeting. It looks like he was right about her sharing blood relation with Tremel. Still, he can tell from her body language that she's anything but happy with the situation. If anything, she's furious.
"I'll keep quiet about your new charge, father. But I won't be there if whatever you're planning blows up in your face." growled Eskella.
And without another word, she stomped out of her father's office. Tremel could only sigh at his daughter's behavior. But he knows and understands that he is to blame for her outburst. He'll have to sit down and have a talk with her, father to daughter later.
"Don't mind her. She's just sore that I'm keeping secrets. She growls, but she's loyal." Tremel said upon seeing Lincoln's expression. "Now, I thought I heard Vemrin's voice in the adjacent chamber before you arrived. Did he make his move so soon?"
"He just introduced himself to me." Lincoln said with a shrug.
Tremel assumed a sort of thinking pose as he put a hand to his chin. Clearly, he was expecting something like this, but not quite this soon.
"If he didn't attack, he must not fully comprehend the threat you represent. Good, good. Still, I'd hoped we'd have more time. Vemrin's not the type to sniff around too long before trying to take a bite." Tremel said.
"Do you mind if I ask why you seem to be so against Vemrin? What did he ever do to you?" Lincoln asked.
He was genuinely curious about this whole situation and Tremel's dislike for Vemrin. Sure, he came off as a total jerk when Lincoln met him, but he's not going to let his opinions of anybody be based solely off of first impressions. If he did so when he lived in Royal Woods, he wouldn't have made such wonderful friends such as Clyde, or Ronnie Anne.
...He misses them dearly.
Maybe he'll have some luck and find an intergalactic post office so he can send them letters and leth them know that he's alive and well.
"It is not simply about what he's done to me, acolyte. It's about what his mere presence does to the Sith as a whole." Tremel said as he answered Lincoln's question.
Lincoln raised an eyebrow at this rather vague answer, so Tremel proceeded to explain what he meant in further detail.
"You see, in a drive for sheer numbers, the criteria for academy admittance has been relaxed. Now anyone with Force sensitivity is allowed entrance. Vemrin is mixed blood. The invisible rot that eats away at the foundation of the Empire. He must not be allowed to advance."
This explanation made a certain sense to Lincoln, as the Empire was founded upon certain families that have great strength in the Force, but it also made him curious and somewhat doubtful of his own place in the Sith. He only recently discovered his own Force sensitivity when he was first found by the Empire and allowed to be made a citizen. He doesn't even know how pure his bloodline is.
"Don't worry. Though it has diluted over several generations, yours remains one of the last pure bloodlines that retains strength in the Force." Tremel said as he eased his new charge's worries. "Unfortunately, Vemrin's caught the eye of Darth Baras, one of the most influential Sith Lords. He's being groomed to be Baras's new apprentice. As Darth Baras's apprentice, the power at Vemrin's fingertips will be considerable. He could change the Sith for the worse."
These words caused Lincoln to harden his resolve quickly. He straightened himself up and gave Tremel a salute as though he were a well-trained soldier from the U.S. military. Something that, while confusing, was not unwelcome to Tremel. It just showed that his new charge has great respect for his superiors.
"I won't let you down!" declared Lincoln.
"Something in my gut tells me that you won't, acolyte. You must proceed to your next trial immediately. I want you to interrogate three prisoners in the academy jails and decide their fates. Consider each criminal's story carefully. The decisions you make will be scrutinized, so let your passions guide your judgements." Tremel instructed.
"Of course. I will handle it." Lincoln said with a nod.
"Go to the academy prison. Speak to head jailer Knash and report to me when you've passed judgement on the prisoners." Tremel said as he provided further instructions.
Nodding to show he understood, Lincoln walked out of Tremel's office and started making his way to the academy jails. After asking one of the honor guards where he might find it, it only took him about ten minutes to find the place. But as he entered the jails he overheard the last of a conversation between a balding man, who Lincoln assumed to be head jailer Knash, and a blue skinned Rutian Twi'lek woman in a jail cell.
"One more chirp from you, little bird, and you'll regret it." Knash threatened.
"Chirp. Chirp, chirp." quipped the Twi'lek woman.
But it seems as though Knash was able to make good on his promise to make her regret that. He took out the control for the Twi'lek's shock collar and pressed a button. The result was several volts of electricity being sent through her system. It wasn't lethal, but it was definitely more than enough to cause her body to spasm and make her cry out from the pain.
"Ow! Jerk. If you don't like that, just say so. I can do other animals, too. Dire-Cat, Frog-Dog, Kowakian Monkey-Lizard, you name it." she said once the shocks had stopped.
Lincoln cleared his throat to get the man's attention.
"You. I'm jailer Knash. I run these cells and slave pits. You're the acolyte Tremel sent for the test, right? Hrmph. He thinks highly of you." Knash said.
While Lincoln was touched that his teacher has faith in his abilities, unlike the ones he dealt with back on Earth, he wasn't about to get distracted. He has a trial to finish, and an apprenticeship to earn. And he intends to do just that.
"Then I shall repay his faith by sticking to my mission." he said simply.
"You should know this situation is highly unusual. Normally, an acolyte goes offworld for the interrogation. Overseer Tremel had these three shipped in for you." Knash explained as he gestured to three different prison cells. "He thinks you're the next coming of Exar Kun. But you ought to know, Tremel ain't the only one paying attention to you. Now, these three prisoners have been transferred here for your inspection. You gotta interrogate them as needed, and then decide their fate. The convicted are usually executed or given a trial by combat to see if they're worthy. Whatever you decide, you will be the one to carry out the sentence."
"As it should be." commented Lincoln.
"Hrmph. Fine, let's get started. This one on the left-"
"You freaks aren't getting anything new out of me. Just do whatever you're gonna do." the first prisoner growled as she interrupted Knash.
She's a human woman who looks to be in her mid to late twenties. Her face is covered in bruises and spots of dried blood, clear proof that she has been interrogated much more harshly before Lincoln arrived. But the white haired young man wasn't backing down, and tried to reason with her.
"You can talk to me, or one of the Inquisitors. And trust me, I have a much sunnier disposition." Lincoln said with a not so hidden threat.
But the prisoner just scoffed at him.
"Get lost. I've been through this routine. I already know all your Inquisitors by name."
"Impudent to the last." sighed Knash. "As I was saying, she was sent to kill an imperial spy in the Yavin system. Throughout her torture, she maintained that she was hired anonymously."
"Get it through your damn head - I didn't know he was imperial, and I don't know who hired me." the prisoner all but shouted.
"So, you're telling me you're not a Republic assassin?" asked Lincoln.
"I'm not political. I work for whoever pays." she said with a growl.
"The point is, she doesn't deny the charge. So, now you must decide - execution or trial by combat. Which do you choose?" Knash asked.
He was fully prepared for this kid to either kill the prisoner with his own two hands, or offer her a warblade so that she might fight for her life. But he certainly wasn't expecting the words that soon left Lincoln's mouth.
"Neither, actually. She could prove useful. Send her to Imperial Intelligence."
"Wait, you're… you're giving me a job?" the prisoner asked, clearly as surprised as Knash, or even more so.
"The Empire will require assassins. People who can slip past enemy lines, blend in among the people, and take down our enemies from the inside. You will undergo training to become an Imperial operative and will receive compensation for your services." Lincoln told the woman.
"Huh, you spared her. Interesting." Knash said as he stroked his beard in thought.
He quickly waved over two agents to escort the woman to Imperial Intelligence where she will begin her new life. If Knash was being honest with himself, he never would have thought to do that. He escorted Lincoln to the next cell to continue the trial.
Next up was a man who was wearing Sith Warrior armor, albeit much more beatup than it should be. He's a much older gentleman who has some visible cybernetic enhancements in his face. These show that he turned himself at least into a partial cyborg.
"Please, I am a fellow Sith, judge me with an open mind and grant me trial by combat. I beg you." the man begged.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Lincoln asked crossing his arms.
"This pile of waste is Devotek. Once a valued Sith champion, until he botched an important mission and caused a thousand imperial deaths. Now look at him." Knash explained.
"I served faithfully for twenty-four years, then one mistake and they threw me away. Now I have been left here to rot." Devotek said in self-pity. "Please, let me feel the weight of a weapon once more."
Lincoln merely narrowed his eyes. He can sense that fire in Devotek's heart. The one that burns with strength and passion like a true Sith Warrior. But it was slowly dying out as Devotek continues to wallow in self-pity. His choice is a clear one.
"You don't deserve a trial by combat. And death would be a mercy." said Lincoln. "No, I think I'll leave you in here to stew in your anger. Maybe someday those flames that made you such an important warrior will reignite themselves."
"Damn you! DAMN YOU!" roared Devotek as he rattled the bars of his cell.
Needless to say, Knash was quite impressed. He chuckled a little when the reality of what the kid said finally sunk in.
"Hrmph. And I thought death was the ultimate punishment. You keep surprising me, kid." Knash said.
"I'll take that as a compliment." quipped Lincoln.
"Hrmph. Well this last prisoner's a bit of a puzzle. He's called Brehg, and he's a jittery little wretch, suspected of supplying forged documents for Republic agents. Strangely enough, he maintains his innocence despite being severely tortured." Knash explained.
In the final cell is an alien that is clearly male, and is a member of a species known as the Neimoidians. He has hands that have two fingers and one thumb, grey skin, and red eyes with horizontal pupils like those of a frog or a goat. And he certainly was quite the jittery one, shaking like a leaf out of fear. An obvious sign that he's been severely tortured.
"That's because innocent I am. Believe me you gotta - I had nothing to do with forging no papers. Set up. I was set up!" Brehg said in his native language.
Fortunately for Lincoln, he's wearing a universal translator in his ear so he can understand what Brehg is saying. He hasn't quite learned all of the languages of the many sentient life forms out there in the galaxy yet, so he's going to need it for certain situations like this one.
"Are you trying to tell me you've led a clean life?" Lincoln asked.
"Well, that I never said. Did some time, I did, in a Republic jail for forgery, so I was the perfect candidate to implicate in this." Brehg admitted. "But straight I've been since getting out, I swear!"
The head jailer hummed and stroked his beard in thought.
"Hrmph. He's never wavered from that line, and the evidence is circumstantial. I suppose it's actually possible he didn't do it." Knash begrudgingly admitted.
"You say there's evidence?" Lincoln inquired.
"Yes. But like I said, it's circumstantial at best." Knash replied.
Hearing a confirmation that the evidence is all circumstantial, he made his choice on what to do with Brehg.
"Then allow him to go free. He shouldn't be imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit." Lincoln ordered.
Yes, call him a softie. But I suppose his experiences back on Earth before he joined the Sith Empire will always stick with him, and influence his choices in some manner.
"Did I just hear you say what I think I heard you say?" asked Brehg who thought it was almost too good to be true. "There's some justice in the world. Thanks to you!"
"Freedom, huh? That's a new one." commented Knash.
Brehg was all too happy to follow the two guards who began to escort him out of the jails and too the landing pad where he would board a shuttle to leave Korriban behind. Possibly for good.
"Hrmph. Well, that's that. You're an interesting one, Kid. I can see why people are keeping tabs on you. Head to the dormitories to get some rest for the night, then head back to Overseer Tremel in the morning, see what he thinks of your choices." Knash instructed.
Lincoln nodded and started to make his way to out of the jails, though his eyes landed on the Twi'lek woman. Their eyes met and for the briefest moment, it felt like they formed a real connection. Something told them both that this wouldn't be the last time they'd be seeing each other. Though, hopefully it'll be under less trying circumstances.
***To Be Continued…***
In "No Such Luck AU (The Emperor's Wrath)" which of these paths do you want Lincoln to follow?
Sith Marauder: 3 votes(currently)
Sith Juggernaut: 1 vote(currently)
Remember that you have until Lincoln finishes his trials to vote on which path you want him to take. See you all in the next update! Bye!