Chapter 4
Ventress stood over the decapitated remains of Jalen. Despite him being a Jedi, she kind of missed him. They had always shared feelings and conversations about Bane ad how harsh he was. But she saw his lightsaber across the room where Bane had thrown it and hardened her resolve, she despised Jedi, especially those who tried to destroy Darth Bane. Ventress walked over to his lightsaber and picked it up, she would add it to the other 47 lightsabers collected from Jedi she and Bane had slain. Soon, she knew, they would be the last force users in the galaxy. This saddened her, she loved Bane, secretly of course, but she also wanted somebody other than him to talk to. He could be harsh sometimes, but she knew that deep down he did love her as well.
Bane said, "This is so confusing. How could a Jedi have infiltrated us and I not sense him?" Ventress laid a calming hand on his shoulder. She said, "I suspect he was a Sith, but the Jedi lured him back and he kept his old force signature. You sensed a Sith but he was a Jedi." Bane nodded, it did make sense. He had heard of the most powerful force users could make themselves seem like other beings by changing their force signature. He said, "I suppose your right my apprentice…I mean Darth Ventress." Ventress looked up at Bane surprised, he rarely called her Ventress…no less Darth. He said, "I have decided, that since we are the only two Sith lords left, we should be equal. We will split the galaxy in half, you control one half, and I the other." Ventress was stunned, Bane never talked to her this way, no less offered her control of what he usually regarded as his galaxy. She said, "Thank you my M- Bane."
Bane said, "Yes, you may call me Bane. I…I used to have emotions Ventress." Ventress looked at Bane. She wondered whether or not he was breaking down. She said, "I believe you Bane. You seem to have some other feelings than anger." Bane said, "Feelings a Sith lord should not have. We should not know love or desire or happiness…" Ventress moved closer to him and said, "You've been reading the ancient texts, the ones your forefather wrote in his final days." Bane nodded, "He says love is a Jedi emotion, it will get you killed. He says a Sith should always show anger and hate, that is the gateway to true power." Ventress said, "I believe that anger brings out our true power, yes. The narrow view of the Jedi prevents them from seeing that. But if you read the Jedi Code, which is know you didn't. But I did, while I was a padawan there at the temple. The Jedi forbid love or relationships. That is how Anakin Skywalker came to the Dark side. Sidious tricked him." Bane raised his voice a little, "He was right to do so. Darth Vader was one of the greatest Sith lords. He would have been greater had he not been in that horrific suit." They both shared a laugh, which was the first time either had laughed in years.
Bane looked at Ventress, he studied her for a minute and then said, "I just don't know if what I feel is…appropriate for a Sith." Ventress tapped her finger on her chin and said, "Wait here, I have something to show you. I found this while practicing my saber skills in the training arena. It was hidden in a pillar." Bane raised his eyebrows, "The one that 'the droids destroyed'?" Ventress chuckled, "Yes, that one." She rose and left. Bane sat there, wondering what could it be that she would show him, he felt another emotion that confused him, excitement. As a Sith lord he had always had to seem like he knew everything before it happened. He could see the future, yes. But he never seemed to be excited when something out of the ordinary happened. A few minutes later, Ventress returned carrying a hologram emitter. It was ancient looking with wires sticking out in some places and an old dusty glass lens in the center. Bane said, "What is that supposed to do? It looks to old to emit holograms anymore." Ventress said, "I suspect it was the original Darth Bane's, your ancestor. I haven't been able to produce enough electricity to run it. But maybe together we can." Bane looked up at her, she smiled at him. He felt another emotion that was foreign, attraction. He adored her smile and the way her dimples made her eyes laugh.
Bane snapped back to reality and said, "We should give it a try." Ventress touched his hand and they both secretly enjoyed each other's touch. Neither would express to the other his fact so they concentrated on the task at hand. Soon, force lightning arced in a powerful blast from their joined fingertips and hit the old emitter. It shuddered and coughed dust. It then spluttered to life with a rumbling noise. In front of the two Sith, flickered the original Darth Bane. Ventress could tell from how his face was shaped and how he moved that he was definitely related to the current Darth Bane. The original Bane said, "To my predecessor, or the current Darth Bane. I have seen far into the future. Farther than I have ever imagined possible. My son…or my great great grandson or whatever. If you've read the ancient texts, which undoubtedly you have then you know about the Sith policy on love. And as Darth Ventress, yes I saw you too, has told you the Jedi don't allow it either. I say that the Sith can love. Forget the texts, when I write them at the time of my death I am very sick. I have nobody beside me and I feel hatred for all. Please I have also seen your futures. You must admit to each other how you feel. Your passion will raise the Sith to a new golden age. This machine only works for a few minutes so my time is running out. To Darth Bane, I love you, my descendant, and to Ventress, keep him happy. And to all Sith, destroy the Jedi scum!" The hologram cackled just like the current Darth Bane and then fizzled away.