Chapter 18: Dromund Kaas

Two months later, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Quinlan Vos were getting desperate.

Their exploration of the Sith world of Ziost yielded nothing at all. They felt the strength of the Dark Side in the places they visited, but Quinlan sensed nothing, Obi-Wan could find no natives to pull information out of, despite the large and populated city of New Adasta. The planet wasn't abandoned, but the only sign left of the Sith were the ruins of once grand Temples, now worn away by time.

After their failure, they began jumping to every Sith world in the sector, from Korriz, to Krayiss, from Kalsunor to Khar Delba, even to the Sith holy world of Rhelg saw them meeting the same results; nothing. Every Sith Ruin, every Sith Temple, every artifact they found, every native they met had the exact same amount of information, and that amount was nothing at all. Even Quinlan could sense nothing, which could only mean one thing. Something, or someone, was concealing the information, was somehow able to reach through the Force and shroud everything they touched.

The Council disagreed. They believed nothing was simply nothing, and Mace Windu said as much when they reported in, his holographic image crossing his arms and looking generally cross.

"When we sent you, Kenobi, we sent you to Athiss, You said you thought you found something that pointed you to Aeten II. Have you been yet?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Where were you this time, hmm?" Windu drawled tiredly. They have had this conversation before. Many times. "Ashas Ree? Svolten?"

"No, of course not!" Kenobi snapped indignantly. "We've already been there, we were on Jaguada."

"Oh, lovely. And did you find anything?"

"Yes! There was a Fortress!" Quinlan said excitedly. "Constructed by a Sith Lord during the Old Republic!"

"Ah. How did you learn this?"

"Kenobi told me so, it was in the records."

"To be fair," Obi-Wan said quickly when he watched Mace's face contort with irritation, "I had to look very hard to find that information."

"Enough." Both Jedi fell silent. "You have found nothing since the first planet you landed on. Against our wishes, you have explored every planet in the sector."

"Uh, no, we haven't been to Moraband or Dromund Kaas."

"Oh, good, you haven't been to one of the few planets forbidden to the Jedi, and Dromund Kaas is a legend, a story that younglings tell to frighten each other. You two are to come home immediately. The Council believes that you will continue to find nothing. If the Sith are out there, you won't find them."

"If?!" Obi-Wan, despite his best efforts, felt the Dark Side growl to life. He had been so good about keeping it in check, but the Council always tried his patience. There is no emotion, there is peace. "Master Windu, the Sith are out there. Qui-Gon and I fought one, it almost killed him, I killed him. You certainly can't be denying what happened."

"We are not denying what happened, but we are beginning to believe he was the only one, an isolated case."

"Are you blind?!"

"Your mission has yielded nothing!"

"Sometimes, Master, nothing doesn't mean nothing! This is planned, it's deliberate!"

"Quinlan!" Windu snapped, and the Kiffar stood at attention. "After Athiss, have you so much as sensed the Dark Side?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"Not from anything active."

"...no, Master."

The hologram flickered. The connection wasn't great. "We have this talk every week, Kenobi, and you've had your fun. Come home."

"You don't think it's strange? To have such a powerful force on Athiss, and then be met with nothing? This isn't a coincidence, Master."

"Maybe not, but you will find nothing in Sith Space. You are to return, and that's final." The transmission cut out, and with a frustrated cry, Obi-Wan Force pushed a crate down the hall, striking the back airlock with a loud, metallic clang. He threw himself into the pilot's seat, and swiftly tapped the coordinates on the navigator, hands clutching the control levers tightly as the engines roared to life.

"Kenobi."

"Not now."

Quinlan eased into the pilot's seat. "I'm sorry. I know how bad you want to find the Sith..."

"They're here, Quin. I can feel it." He laid a hand on his chest. "Right here. I know they're here and I know they're doing this."

"I know...but we can't ignore the Council anymore."

"...yes, I know." He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, which had grown in long and thick in the three months he had been a knight. "We need to refuel." He silently brought up a map of the sector, his handsome features sullen as he examined the map.

"Are we going back to Ziost? We might be able to make it back with what we have. Or we could stop in Felucia. That place isn't terrifying."

"It just doesn't make sense..."

"Look, the Council's frustrated, they-"

"Not them, Quin, this," Kenobi said softly, indicating at the map. "All the hyperspace routes here converge on Moraband and Ziost, but here..." He pointed to a place in the center of the map. "This smaller route connects Moraband with Bosthirda and Jaguada, but...why." He zoomed in on the image, frowning. "There's a nebula here, and gravity is pulling the stars around this spot, right here, but there's nothing there."

"...could someone have deleted the archive information?"

"It's supposed to be impossible. Only a Jedi should be able to do that, but why."

"That's not a thought I want to entertain. No matter how you look at it, it isn't good."

Obi-Wan smirked. "I suspect if we fly around this area, we might find something we're missing."

Quinlan was silent for a moment, and then slowly, a grin spread across his features. "So we're going look for Dromund Kaas."

Kenobi nodded, a wicked spark in his eye. "While our ship refuels on this supposedly mythical planet, do you want to get a drink?"

Quinlan Vos thought it was the best idea Obi-Wan ever had.


Their ship exited the Kamat Krote hyperspace route around the area they suspected they would find legendary Dromund Kaas. The planet was supposed to have been the capital of the Sith Empire long before the start of the Great Galactic War, remaining so until the Sith were defeated, and, like many things about the Sith, their worlds fell into obscurity, and their largest cities became things of legend. Dromund Kaas was one of those things, a planet that young Jedi wove into horror stories, said to be plagued by storms constantly, Sith lightning raining from the sky at all times.

However, they didn't expect to actually find it.

It hung in the Stygian Caldera, a beautiful shade of dark blue that belayed a wet climate, the atmosphere swirling with clouds and flashes of lightning, and Obi-Wan pushed the accelerator forward, flying full speed toward the planet. They entered its atmosphere and flew high over the planet, observing with wide, disbelieving eyes the oceans, jungles and swamps that covered the planet.

"The Council isn't going to believe this..." Quinlan muttered under his breath.

"No, I suspect they won't. Especially not after the conversation we just had."

"Kenobi, look over there." His blue eyes darted to where Quinlan was pointing, and he reeled the ship around, pointing it in the direction of the tops of several large spires in the middle of a large expanse of jungle. Obi-Wan eased up on the controls, allowing the ship to slow to landing speeds as a large, expansive city could be seen over the trees.

"Is that..."

"Yes," Kenobi nodded, voice straining with excitement. "That's Kaas City. Heart of the Sith Empire." The ship began its decent, and the com buzzed to life.

"This is flight control," the com buzzed, the flight coordinator speaking in perfect Galactic Standard and Obi-Wan and Quinlan nearly leapt out of their seats with excitement. "State your business."

"Refueling!" Quinlan shouted, unable to contain himself, and Obi-Wan hushed him.

"We're about to hit the Hydian Way en route to Mandalore, we need to refuel for the trip."

There was silence, and the two Jedi held their breath. After a moment, the com buzzed back to life, the crisp voice casually stating, "We have locked onto your location. Standby as we direct your ship to the landing dock." The ship's autopilot clicked on as the flight officials fed the ship the landing coordinates, and the Jedi bolted for Obi-Wan's room.

"What do we do?!"

"We calm down, for starters," Obi-Wan said swiftly, his hands shaking in excitement. "We could be in for trouble, or the Jedi are the only ones in the Galaxy that don't know about this place."

"We are in Sith Space. It's probably common knowledge in these parts."

"You're probably right." He took a deep breath, reaching into the Force and composing himself. "Alright, I think we can assume that we, as Jedi, are super unwelcome here. We need to blend in."

"And that's my specialty," Quinlan purred. "I can't believe I finally get to say this, but we need to get you out of those clothes."

"Mm, well lead the way, darling." The quickly made their way to Quinlan's room, and the Kiffar quickly threw open the closet, rummaging through the heap of things he kept in there. Obi-Wan frowned.

"Quinlan, your room is filthy. We have been over this."

"We've been busy, Kenobi, I haven't had time!"

"I keep telling you, it takes no time at all to fold things neatly and put them back!"

"Yes, but it takes less time to just drop your shit in a corner," he growled, blindly gesturing to the corners of the room, all of which were piled with clothing, bits of armor, artifacts they had found on the Sith worlds, and food wrappings, not all of them empty.

"Honestly, Quin, those are priceless artifacts!"

"Ugh, you and your artifacts...just shut up and put this on."

Kenobi barely caught the armor and helmet that came flying out of the closet, and upon examining the red chest plate, he dropped it, frowning. "You have Mandalorian armor? Why!"

"Shh, shh, don't ask why, Obi, just put it on and be happy I have it."

"I do want to know, Quinlan," the Jedi insisted, but he did begin to strip out of his robes, folding them neatly as they were removed and placing them on the desk chair, the one place in the room that wasn't totally covered in clutter.

"Let's just say that when you are undercover among the hostile and lawless," the Kiffar drawled, stripping his own clothing and throwing it haphazardly across the room, "posing as a ruthless Jedi killing Mandalorian isn't such a bad idea."

"Point taken." He pulled on the black pants and shirt, padded for armor and lightweight for mobility, and fastened the belt, sitting on the bed and pulling on the reinforced black boots, Quinlan dropping next to him and doing the same thing. "I miss my robes already."

"You'll get used to it quickly. As far as armor goes, the Mandalorians do it best, it's by far the most comfortable of the armors I've worn. I forget I have it on sometimes."

"Well, if you're going to be a Jedi killer, you're going to need to be comfortable." Kenobi frowned as he held up the red armor, turning it around and figuring out which pieces went where and how they attached. "They aren't quite so aggressive anymore, though."

"No, the New Mandalorians are nothing like what they used to be," he drawled as he deftly strapped white plated armor to his arms and legs.

"How come you get the white armor!"

Quinlan smirked. "I think red and black suits you."

Kenobi frowned, but didn't protest as he strapped on the chest plate, securing the rest of the armor and picking the helmet off the ground. "How do I look?"

"You're a thing of beauty, Kenobi. You ready?"

"Let me get a few things." The ship shuttered as the landing supports extended. "Give me just a moment." He rushed quickly to his room, grabbed his two lightsabers and clipped them to the back of his belt, and ran to meet back up with Quinlan. "Is it still common for Mandalorians to carry lightsabers?"

Quinlan smirked. "Only if they're good."

The door hissed open as the landing ramp extended, and the Jedi secured their helmets and stepped out into the rain. The planet was beautiful, the deep blue of early evening filled with dark clouds, lightning jumping between them as a steady rain fell. It should have felt ominous, but Obi-Wan felt comfortable and relaxed.

A human in black armor holding a large vibro-lance approached them. He stood before them, weapon ready, and quickly demanded "State your business."

"We're en route to Mandalor," Quinlan drawled, voice muffled by the helmet. "We need to refuel our ship before we head out."

"You will pay first."

"We have already paid," Obi-Wan said smoothly, his fingers subtly motioning at his side.

"You've already paid," the guard nodded, relaxing his weapon hand and standing aside. "Welcome to Kaas City, boys. We'll take care of things."

He couldn't see his face, but Obi-Wan knew Quinlan was grinning like an idiot under that helmet. "Tell me, where does a guy go to get a drink around here?"

The guard indicated down the flight deck. "Head that way and you'll come to the central plaza. Keep going and you'll get to the Southern District. The Nexus is your spot."

With a nod, the two Jedi strode off, the rain pattering on their helmets as they carefully examined the tall, beautiful architecture of a city built in blues and greys and blacks. They walked in silence for some time, taking everything in, staring in awe at this place that shouldn't have existed, but was clearly thriving.

"I can't believe its real," Quinlan said softly as they entered the central plaza, looking at the people going about their business, most were human, but there was a great deal of other species as well, most from races Obi-Wan recognized, like Twi'lek and Weequay and Rodian, but there were several he had not seen before.

"The Force is strong here. Keep vigilant, this isn't like the past two months, the Dark Side here isn't history, it's living."

"Yeah, I feel it too. It's different."

"We just need to keep our guard up and we'll be fine." Quinlan nodded as they made their way into the Southern District, and they spotted their destination immediately. Like the other buildings in Kaas City, the Nexus Room was a sleek blue-gray and black design with bright, florescent tubing along it's edges. A large, shifting holographic image was on display outside, and raucous laughter and music could be heard from the streets. The two Jedi wasted no time in stepping inside the bar, looking around at the drunk and rowdy patrons, the band that played up on a center stage, the lights low and red and making it difficult to see the details of anything.

"I've got to say, Kenobi," Quinlan drawled, taking off the helmet and taking in a deep breath of the thick, smokey air, "It's so good to look at a face that isn't your ugly mug."

"The mirror not good enough for you anymore, Quin?"

"Aw, honey, I never get enough of that. I've got the table, you get the drinks, since, you know," the Kiffar winked, moving his hand in front of his face and gesturing with his fingers.. "You have unlimited resources."

"You know, with so many people, I can't just..." But Quinlan had already gone, flirting his way all the way to a booth in the back. Sighing, Obi–Wan removed his helmet, brushed his hair away from his forehead, and went to the bar.

Quinlan's eyes lit up when Obi-Wan returned with a bottle of Corellian Brandy. "Man, you really don't hold back, do you?"

"I owe you." When Quinlan looked confused, Kenobi slid into the booth opposite the other Jedi and opened the bottle. "For the bet on Athiss. You identified where the Temple was."

"Force, Kenobi, it was a figure of speech..."

"And I took it very seriously. You also saved my life, let's not forget that."

"Y-yes, well..."

Obi-Wan smirked, leaning in toward his friend as he poured him a glass. "Modesty, Quinlan, doesn't suit you."

The Kiffar smirked and took the glass in hand. "Point taken, my friend. Ever taken the Outer Rim Challenge?" Kenobi looked confused, and it made the other Jedi smirk maliciously. "You get a group together, and you collectively drink one bottle of an alcoholic beverage that originates in the Outer Rim. You keep going until you've had every kind made on Outer Rim Planets."

"...the Outer Rim is enormous, Quinlan."

"Yeah. That's why they call it a challenge."

Kenobi started to protest, but stopped quickly. They were about to head back to Coruscant and the life of restraint and moderation that was the Jedi Way, and Kenobi shrugged. After all, they were only going to live once.

Fifteen minutes later, the two Jedi had cleared the Corellian Brandy and the Sullustan Gin, and Obi-Wan Kenobi was already drunk. Not just a little, oh no, he was staggeringly drunk, more drunk than he had ever been in his life. Not that it was saying much, the life of a Jedi didn't leave a lot of room for indulgences, let alone the caliber of overindulgence he was suffering right now. Obi-Wan wasn't a stranger to alcohol; he had attended several social functions as an intermediary or as a diplomat with Qui-Gon when drinking was the expectation and it was once - just once - that he got even close to what could be considered intoxicated. It was really just tipsy at best, but he heard about if from his Master the next day, and exercised greater caution in the future.

But not now. Now, he was completely, totally, without question, absolutely smashed.

When the Corvani Rum was delivered to the table, Obi-Wan's head hit the table.

"Don't die on me, Kenobi, we're just getting started!" Quinlan was fine. Quinlan was used to drinking. Obi-Wan hated Quinlan.

"I was thinking," he drawled slowly, his clipped accent slurred, "that when this challenge...whoever made...how many people are supposed to play this?"

Quinlan shrugged, opening up the bottle and pouring two glasses. "I don't know. Ten to twelve?"

Kenobi looked at his hands, counted on his fingers, and pouted. "There's two of us."

"Hey, at least you aren't seeing double yet." Quinlan slid the glass into Obi-Wan's hand.

"Two people for all that alcohol makes this challenge impossible." He absently drank from the glass, shutting his eyes and putting the glass down when it was empty. "If I was a normal person, I'd be dead."

"Obi, baby, it's not about completing the challenge." The Kiffar filled both glasses, smirking as his blond companion lazily drank from that glass too. "It's about the journey."

"I think this journey is ill-advised." He drained the cup, dropping it back on the table. "And the Council wouldn't approve of this!"

"Oh, for...Obi-Wan, even when you're drunk, you're so uptight."

"I just think that maybe it would be a bad idea to...to..." He took the glass from Quinlan after the Jedi had filled it and drank from it until the little glass was empty again. "I like this one..."

"Know which one I like?" Quinlan purred, leaning in toward his intoxicated friend. He pointed out to the center of the bar and watched Obi-Wan's unfocused eyes follow to where he was indicating. "That girl."

She was a Twi'lek, light blue in color and completely stunning. Obi-Wan scoffed. "You just like her because she looks like Aayla."

"No, Kenobi, she doesn't. Aayla's beautiful. This girl is gorgeous."

"She's out of your league, Quinlan..." Kenobi tried to pour himself another glass, but ended up sloshing a good deal of it on the table before the Kiffar helped him.

"Mm, I'm a master, Kenobi, just watch me."

"You know, the Code doesn't condone this behavior!" Obi-Wan swayed in his seat as Quinlan stood. "None of this is condoned!"

"That's why it's fun, Kenobi!" He waived as he left the booth, sauntering toward the Twi'lek, and Obi-Wan grabbed the bottle, frowning to find it was empty. His unfocused eyes looked around the bar, and he was suddenly unable to see Quinlan. Closing his eyes and swaying slightly in his seat, he tried to reach the Master through the Force, but the connection, like his mind, was hazy and unclear. He managed to focus for a moment on two girls sitting at a nearby booth, both girls looking at him and smiling as they waived at him. He waived back. It was always good to be friendly.

Quinlan slid back into the booth with another bottle and quickly opened it. "You were right. She wouldn't give me the time of day."

"Told you..."

"So what do you like?"

"Ships, mechanics, lightsabers, lifting things with my mind..."

"Girls, Obi-Wan."

"Oh." Kenobi shrugged, taking another glass when it was offered to him. "I'm not interested."

"Uh, yes you are! You said you had a girl!"

"I did?" Did he? Did he have a girl? He couldn't remember. "Do you mean Satine?"

"Yeah, sure. That one. What's she like?"

"Uh..." He couldn't remember. He closed his eyes and searched for a memory, but all he found was the desire to have another drink. And a nap. "She's...blond. Very blond."

"Good, great, you like blonds!" He looked behind him and saw two girls nearby, slowly drinking something fancy looking and giggling, shooting quick looks to Obi-Wan. The Jedi waved again. "Kenobi, you know those girls?"

"...yes?" He picked up his empty glass and handed it to Quinlan. "We said hello."

The Kiffar grinned, refilling the glass and facing the girls, motioning for them to come over. Quinlan smirked as they quickly talked amongst themselves, then got out of their booth and sauntered over. "You're in luck, Obi, one of them is a blond." Quinlan stood, smiling at the girls and allowing them to scoot into the booth. Obi-Wan didn't stand, he just swayed in his seat, drinking from his recently filled glass. His Jedi resistance was keeping him from being sick or unconscious, but it wasn't helping much in terms of handling his liquor any better.

The blond scooted right next to him and looked up at him with big, green eyes. "Hello..." she purred, her little hand laying on the red armor covering his chest.

"I'm Obi-Wan," he drawled, oblivious that she pressed herself against him, slid her other hand into his hair.

"I love Mandalorians."

"Oh my goodness, me too!"

She giggled softly and leaned up to nibble on his ear. Obi-Wan felt his face flush, but he wasn't sure why. "I saw you looking at my friend and I."

"Uh huh..." He wasn't listening. He was watching the other girl as she straddled Quinlan's lap, her hips moving slowly against his as she kissed him, his strong hands stroking her back.

"You know," the blond purred, and Obi-Wan's attention snapped back to her. "There's a hotel attached to the back of this place. Do you want to go check it out?"

"Oh, yes I do. What's there?"

The girl's laugh was melodic as she grabbed the Jedi's hands and pulled him out of the booth, leading him through the club to the large doors in the back.