CHAPTER 10

In the five ensuing weeks, Carletta very quickly discovered that being a Sith Apprentice was one of the hardest professions in the galaxy. There was hardly a moment for calm, or peace, only training and travelling. The former was nothing short of exhausting brutality. Matturn would take her across the Empire's neck of the galaxy, along with a few back waters, such as Tatooine (learning about Tusken Raiders was both fascinating and disturbing in her mind). With every world, there came lessons that taught her the basic ways of the Sith, but in time, she noticed Matturn was not as nearly by the book as she might have anticipated back on Korriban.

One time, after investigating rumoured Jedi activity on Rhen Var, (which only turned out to be a brutal struggle against a paralysingly cold lake and its unfriendly fauna) they were walking back to their ship through the grey, still cold when Matturn suddenly spoke.

'You handled that well.' His voice did not shiver, or even so much as sound like that of a man who'd fallen into freezing depths. Then again, Carletta thought, it wasn't as though he'd struggled to escape in little time like she did.

'W-w-what d-do you mean,' she forced herself to speak against her uncontrollably chattering jaw. 'Was t-the Jedi r-r-rumours just a-another lie to t-test me?' Matturn didn't seem to recognise the hateful tone in her voice, but who would with it sounding as shivery as Rhen Var's gales. Nevertheless, he halted and gazed down at her.

'No,' he said. 'That part wasn't a lie. I think I've exhausted that overly tried and tested method in the Sith teachings. I mean to say is that you survived, against the cold, against the fish. For a short moment, I thought I'd return alone. Yet here I am talking to you.'

'I-I thought the S-Sith didn't hand out p-praise.' said Carletta dryly.

'Don't simply assume that we are all cut from the same cloth. A Sith Lord's point of view can differ to another's in many ways, more so than with Jedi even and that is because we are willing to push ourselves that little bit more in our pursuit of knowledge and power. It's why I prefer to consider us as advanced philosophers. Some, if not most, may dwell too much so on the methods of brutal power and killing, but I think much further than that. I think you do too, so I urge you to remember what we are at heart: grand thinkers, pioneers of the Force. Do you understand?'

'I do, Master.'

'Very good. Now let's return to the ship.'

Moments such as these would be short, but steadily became more frequent. Carletta started to understand that no matter how brutally enforced a a regime like the Sith Empire's was, there would still remain individuals that weren't cut from the exact same cloth. She counted herself lucky with being taught by one of those individuals as time passed and the lessons started to feel easier to her, but not because Matturn was turning soft on her, but because she now thinking like him, like a Sith. The allure of the Dark Side was getting stronger, she'd have to be cautious and remember why she was here.

There were moments when Matturn would be calm and relaxed to a point she considered telling him the truth, but common sense always kicked in quickly, explaining she'd most certainly be killed, or worse if she were to say a word of it. As open minded as her Master seemed, Matturn did not come across as compassionate, not by a long shot, so she ejected any thoughts of her mission when near him.

Weeks had now worn away since Matturn had swooped her off Korriban and in that time Carletta had begun to find it strange how she and Matturn hadn't contacted, or even been contacted, by the Empire. Isolation from the superpower felt unusual, but Matturn was an unusual Sith Lord she supposed. However, when she was resting in her quarters as their ship flew through the cosmos, Matturn called her.

'Carletta, you're needed.'

Carletta opened the door, facing him.

'What for, another lesson?'

'No. Service to the Empire this time.' he said as he swept away to the bridge. 'Come, we have a call.'

Carletta followed him onto the bridge and saw him press a couple buttons on the centre console. A ghostly whirring and the holoprojector beamed up an impressive figure. As mysterious as he was robotic, he wore light armour over his black robes, face obscured by a white mask, blank of all expression. The appearance was unsettling and when he spoke, it was with a partially muffled, tinny and severe sound that sent a chill through Carletta as though a message telling her he was powerful, very powerful, more than she could dream of. She wondered what presence he carried with him and how torturous it would feel.

'Jadus.' Matturn said formally with a small bow that hardly looked respectful, but Carletta believed it was for a man like him.

'I need your assistance Matturn.' said Jadus with a cold, mechanical voice that barely hinted at him being human.

'Considering your power and reputation I find it hard to believe that.'

'I am speaking the truth. My ship is under siege.'

'Republic?'

'No, Sith. The Dark Council is hunting me. Most likely because they think of me a threat to taking the Empire.'

'Then they're wise enough to consider such a threat. Besides, as far as my allegiances stand, my service lies with protecting and expanding the Empire.' There was a small moment of pause before Jadus replied very bluntly.

'You're lying.' Matturn kept silent for a moment.

'If it's reinforcements you want, then you won't find them with me. I gave up command of my battalion months ago.' Jadus turned his gaze at Carletta.

'But you have a new apprentice.'

'Yes, very recent though. She still needs more time training.'

'Doesn't matter. The two of you will do.'

'And what makes you so sure we'll come?'

'Because you slipped Matturn. When you said you gave up command of your battalion, I know, with it being you, that there's a very good reason for that: the Empire's unity is crumbling and you know it all too well. Other Sith are attempting to take the throne, now that the Emperor is gone, not to mention the abundance of other threats. I've been monitoring them. They're strong, strong enough to challenge for control of the galaxy and tear apart this husk of an Empire that you hardly feel is worthy to fight for. Admit it Matturn, you want out.' The words cut through like a torrent of knives. Carletta was expecting to feel some form of worry, or uncertainty from her Master, but Matturn remained calm as ever.

'Where are you?' he asked.

'Three parsecs away, just outside Canfel system.'

'We'll be there in less than an hour.'

'Glad to see you're still cooperative. I'll be waiting.' The hologram flickered out and Matturn sat in his chair, setting coordinates.

'Who was that?' Carletta inquired.

'Darth Jadus, an old friend and a former Dark Council member.'

'"Friend"?'

'Depends on your definition of being a friend really. We haven't tried to, or have intention, to kill each other, so we're as close to being friends as Sith Lords can get. Now strap yourself in, we'll be jumping soon.'

'Whatever happened to loyalties to the Empire?'

'I think Jadus made his point valid on that front my apprentice. Besides, if we succeed in helping him, he maybe generous enough to let us escape the upcoming mayhem.' Now Carletta knew what Jadus meant by him wanting out. It wasn't just an accusation, it was an offer. Hopefully one that was true and involved no backstabbing as the Sith are all too known for.

As the ship leapt into hyperspace, she settled down in her chair, awaiting the battle.