Yo everybody! Back again with another chapter for your enjoyment. Don't have much to say today other than thanks to those who reviewed and/or favorited this story.
Stepping off the ramp of his personal craft, Intelligence Agent Trask Mithel paused to adjust the collar of his grey uniform. It had been quite awhile since he had last worn it and had forgotten how much it irritated his neck. Never the less it was truly comforting to be back within Sith Space. For just over two years he had been in the New Republic, operating within their government for his people. While the experience had not been too unpleasant he found the Republic to be far less…efficient than the Empire. Corrupt too. That was not to say there wasn't corruption within the Empire but it was far less obvious and for the most part, tied into the powergames of the Sith whom largely ignored the day-to-day management of the Empire. Furthermore those Moffs, high ranked military officers and other important individuals within the hierarchy of the Empire's government that were caught indulging in such activities, especially at the expense of the Empire were dealt with without mercy. The Dark Council had little tolerance for non-Sith letting their desires and ambitions grow greater than their ability or the needs of the Empire. That was more than enough incentive for those in power to temper their greed. Many exercised caution when being approached by individuals offering lucrative deals just in case they happened to be undercover agents. Of course the bureaucrats of the New Republic government had no such incentives to caution themselves, allowing agents like himself to more easily influence the politicians and by extension influence the government itself.
He would still have be on Coruscant, bribing and manipulating bureaucrats, were it not for sudden change of orders from Keeper, the head of Imperial Intelligence himself. The new mission had been largely simple; with the aid of several fellow agents he was to acquire data that New Republic Intelligence had collected on the Yuuzhan Vong as well as a few samples of their biotech. Oddly these samples were not weapons as far as Trask could discern though truthfully he wasn't sure what exactly they were. However it wasn't his place to question orders like these.
Once they were collected he was to return to Dromund Kaas to personally deliver the data to Headquarters while the samples and copies of the data were to be delivered to the command officers of the warship Vaikan's Legacy. Why? That had not been a part of his assignment though he did speculate that he had something to do with the Sith's plans to publicly reenter the galaxy at large and join the war against the Yuuzhan Vong.
Certainly an interesting turn of events but that had also caused a number of headaches, not just for himself but all of the agency. Much of the last few months had been spent cleaning up the shop as it were, scrapping their carefully land plans, disposing of now unneeded and useless materials, eliminating those outside the agency that knew too much about what would have happened and tying up all the other loose ends before the Sith Lords made their return. It was always very frustrating when an Intelligence operation was usurped by the Sith. Few of them truly understood just how meticulous their work was, expecting them to be able to completely upend their operations at a moment's notice to fulfill some minor aspect of a Sith's personal scheme. Fortunately the Dark Council was not among those Sith. They knew that given the size of their operations with the Republic they would need time to tidy things up before beginning their new tasks, giving them more than enough time to get things started for their return.
Noticing the approach of an officer and a pair of enlisted crewmember, Trask set aside his thoughts. The officer was a blond middle aged woman wearing the grey and black uniform of the Imperial Navy. The rank badges on her breast signified that she was a Commander but it meant little to him. Aside from those that were of the top echelon of the military he knew none of the officers. "Agent Trask Mithel, I am Commander Elaina Metzer of the Battleship Vaikan's Legacy," the woman introduced, confirming what he already suspected.
"Commander," he replied with a curt nod of his head. "I was expecting a Captain."
"Regretfully he is busy at the moment with the military display going on within Kaas City," Metzer explained. "However I remained behind in case you did arrive while he was busy."
"Very well Commander. Here are the data copies as requested," Trask said as he lifted up the metal case he was carrying. "The Vong samples are inside a crate aboard my ship."
With a gesture, Commander Metzen signaled for her two subordinates to retrieve the crate from his ship before taking the case from his hands. "You have our thanks Agent Mithel," she said, taking a moment to study it. "Both the Captain and Lord Usirian will be pleased with your work."
Trask gave her a slight bow in response. "I live to serve the Empire ma'am."
"As we all do Agent Mithel. As we all do."
Darth Usirian stood silently as he watched the great procession of the Imperial Army below. A legion of men and women, human and nonhuman clad in the same dark gray and red were marching through the streets of Kaas City to the cheers of thousands of Imperial citizens. Even without the Force he could feel the pride of the masses. There were plenty of Sith, both in this empire and its predecessor that looked down upon or underestimated those beneath them that could not use the Force but to him that was foolish nonsense. Too many of them had forgotten an important truth of the Empire. While the Sith were the mind, heart and soul of the Empire it was its citizens that were the limbs and body of it. Ultimately they needed each other to survive and thrive in the galaxy. Those that knew the touch of the Force were far too small in number to be true galaxy spanning army or even to build a fraction of their current Empire while those without the Force were too soft and directionless to be able to bring true order to the galaxy. Of course there were individuals that defied the normal conventions. Grand Moff Odile Vaikan was one such man, a man who cared not for personal glory or power but forging order from chaos, security over freedom, strength through true unity.
That was what the Jedi and their Republic could not truly understand. They always spoke of the so-called virtues of democracy, equality, diversity and personal freedoms that stood above all else. But what use were the rights of the individual over the needs and security of the whole? Diversity only bred division and dissention. Real unity could only be achieved by removing such things and embracing uniformity. Equality was nothing more than deception woven over the eyes of the masses to make themselves feel better and to trick themselves into believing the lies that anyone could be great when the truth was that only those few with true talent and ability were destined for greatness. And democracy was a complete and utter farce, the single greatest joke of the weak and the corrupt. Democracy was a million screaming voices that demanded that things be done their way and only their way. It was truly madness. How the Galactic Republic had existed so long and actually managed to get something accomplished from time to time was truly amazing. A government should only be controlled by those that truly deserve to lead while majority capitulate entirely to the greater whole.
Eventually those 'virtues' would drag the weak, bloated and corrupt Republic into the abyss followed shortly by their Jedi as they pathetically fought to save it. And when that day happens they would be there, if they had not already kicked out the last rotting pillar of the Republic's foundation, offering the frightened, leaderless masses some better and so would begin the true Golden Age of the Sith while the galaxy would experience for the first time true order and peace.
"Truly an impressive sight Grand Admiral Damavand," Grand Moff Mikhail Zemiris commented as the soldiers continued their march through the streets of the city.
Usirian's eyes turned from the parade below them to the other Sith, military officers and Moffs gathered upon the balcony, absently flexing his fingers as he did so. It truly felt good to be back within his flesh after so many years within his tomb even if it would only be for the duration of this war. "Indeed, you and our men have the compliments of the Council for swiftness at which you have prepared our military forces. Truly commendable work Admiral," he added.
The grey haired officer bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you my Lord. Though I must admit that I wish we had a few more years to expand our naval forces."
The protocols of Odile Vaikan survived beyond the fall of previous empire, ensuring a strong military force. All non-Sith were required to serve at least one tour with the military upon graduating from one of the Imperial Educational Centers where the curriculums were largely indoctrination and preparation for them before they were old enough to serve the Empire directly. However while they had plenty of soldiers and dozens of factories producing more than enough arms and supplies for them, their naval facilities were far less productive. They had only two proper shipyards, one in orbit around Dromund Kaas and the other above Ziost, the capital of the First Empire. Though the shipyards had been steadily constructing warships, fighters and other vessels since their creation, their production paled in comparison with their Republic counterparts. As always caution and meticulous planning would be needed to secure victory.
"Seldom does one receive ideal conditions in war," a young Chiss Captain replied. "It is the challenge and duty of all officers to make do with what they have, not what they want."
A smirk spread across Usirian's lips. He could not have said it better himself but then again this particular officer was one of the handful that he had taken a vested interest in and when a Lord of the Dark Council chose to sponsor someone their career skyrocketed. However in this one's case his sponsorship had nothing to do with the successes of his career, talent and intelligence had won him his rank and vessel. Though of course were it not for him he would not have been a part of the Empire and give the chance to flourish as he truly had. "Quite right Captain, quite right," the Sith said as he placed his hands upon the railing before him. "Tell me Captain, how long until Vaikan's Legacy and the rest of the taskforce will be ready to depart?"
"Two hours at most my Lord," the officer curtly replied.
"You have one Captain."
He did not object to the order, nodding his head in response. "Our destination my Lord?"
"To Korriban first, there are those that we must pick up from there before we proceed to Coruscant," Usirian answered, his eyes once more on the marching armies below.
The Captain snapped into a salute. "As you wish my Lord," he stated before pivoting on his heels and leaving to carry out his orders.
"I was hoping we would not be entering the war until sometime after the New Year," Admiral Damavand said aloud to no one in particular.
Most of the Dark Council as well as all of the senior officers within the Imperial Military were of the same mind, himself included. Of course there were those who disagreed, those who sought to take the fight their enemies both Yuuzhan Vong and Jedi. But it was not surprising as they were Sith whose training had come largely outside the Empire whether from Palpatine's Empire or from one of the many scattered, splintered bands of Sith across the galaxy. They were blinded by hatred and desires for revenge against the Jedi and the Republic for reasons that were more often than not were their predecessors' desires rather than their own and many cases they were centuries old grudges. They just seemed to have a hard time grasping the concept that vengeance was only one facet of the Empire's goals. Yes, they wanted revenge for the destruction of their First Empire as well as the near extermination of their people following the Great Hyperspace War but more than that they wanted to conquer, to rule and to bring order to the galaxy. Had they not been needed in the early days of the rebuilding of the Empire, they would have eliminated them along ago. For unbeknownst to all but a few, the Dark Council had decreed that one of their less overt objectives within this war would be to thin out such rabble from the Order through indirect and direct means. Those that were dangerous to the future of both the Sith Order and the Empire would not survive this war.
But regardless of their hidden plans, they had not wanted to enter the war so soon. Originally they had planned had been to wait another six to eight months, time that would have been spent on better drilling in new battle techniques that the armies of the New Republic had discovered in fight against the Yuuzhan Vong, assembling additional warmachines and supplies as well as constructing more warships. But the debacle at Fondor had ultimately forced their hand. Their projections were pointing to a high probability that the Battle of Fondor was the beginning of a major into the Core Worlds and if they going to push into the heart of the Republic their ultimate goal would be Coruscant itself. If Coruscant fell it would be the deathblow of the New Republic. Perhaps it would not be the final, fatal blow, perhaps like with the Galactic Empire it would be a terrible wound that lie bleeding and festering bringing a drawn out, slow death to the Republic. Either way it was unacceptable to their long term plans hence the need to act now rather than later.
"It matters not Admiral whether we join the war today or a year from now. Our plans will proceed," Usirian replied. "In the coming months the galaxy will remember us and the Yuuzhan Vong will learn why we are feared by the galaxy."
"So…you guys think they're going to be shipping us out soon?" Wes Harker nervously asked, still nursing his first drink.
Sergeant Clayton Corbec cocked an eyebrow at the young soldier, lowering his glass of Ziost Ice. The kid was the squad's newest member; barely a month and a half of Boot with no real combat experience what so ever. He was the kind of green that wouldn't likely survive his first eighteen hours of combat. "Afraid of Vong Rookie?"
"Yeah…I mean no sir…" the kid replied, attempting to both nod and shake his head at the same time. "I mean in the simulation's the Vong's armor is practically invincible. They may not have blasters but how are we supposed to take them down in that kind of armor?"
A cocky grin spread across the tattooed face of Corporal Flin 'Boomer' Wilder as he put a hand through his fiery red hair. "Don't worry about those scarheads Rookie. Their armor may be tough but all ya gotta do is blast 'em in the head 'fore they reach ya," he said, miming firing a rifle. "Nothin' gets back up after that."
"Of course, in your case Boomer that means wasting an entire powerpack trying to hit one scarhead before beating him to death with your gun," Private Jessi Kolea commented, earning from much of the squad including Boomer himself.
Neskon shot a questing glance at Jessi. "Beat them to death?" he asked her, his tone dead serious. "This is Boomer we're talking about. He'll rip their arms out of their sockets, like any good Wookiee. Well a shaved Wookiee anyway."
Nearly the whole table erupted in laughter, even the Rookie joined in while Boomer rose to his feet. The giant man extended his arms, letting out a mock roar before reaching over the table for Neskon. He grabbed the man's shoulders and started to shake him in a mock attack, earning even more laughter.
A grin spread across Clay's face. It was good to see the squad in such high spirits after all the harsh weeks of training and simulations. While no Imperial soldier had actually faced the Yuuzhan Vong in combat yet the Empire had collected data from the New Republic and its battles with the aliens. Admittedly it was all fairly basic stuff but they did know the capabilities of a typical Vong soldier and their standard gear, or at least what they knew thus far as their standard kit. Unfortunately those early simulation battles were brutal and almost always losses. The Vong didn't fight using conventional modern tactics. Instead of keeping your distance and in cover when possible the scarheads charged headlong into the enemy, trying to get into close-quarters as quickly as possible. In normal circumstances they would not have had such a hard time against them if it weren't for their armor which could easily take several blaster shots at even close range without seriously harming the wearer and if what Clay had heard was true, it was also lightsaber resistant. And once they got into close-quarters they were utterly vicious and deadly with their staff weapons. But over time they had began to figure out tricks, the weak spots in their armor, ways of maximizing their shots while stalling the Vong charge from reaching them as well as learning what weapons were effective at taking them down and what weren't. Even still the battles ahead were going to be brutal and bloody.
The smile dropped from Clay's mouth. Yes it was better that they have their fun now before they eventually deployed against the Vong. There's no telling how many of them, if any would actually survive war. "In all seriousness Rookie, keep your head down, both hands on your rifle and your eyes always on the enemy and you'll survive your eighteen hours," he said, giving his nearly empty drink a slight shake. "Beyond that it's all luck."
"My eighteen hours sir?" Wes asked with a look of confusion on his features while the rest of the squad turned serious.
"The average life expectancy of all new troopers in their first campaign Rookie," Clay replied before downing the last bit of his drink.
The kid turned pale, shaking his head in denial. "That can't be true sir…right?"
For a moment Clay didn't answer, lifting up his empty glass in the air, signaling a server droid for a refill. Only after a droid had taken his glass did he answer the question with one of his own. "Ever heard of the first ground battle of the Svolten Campaign?"
"Of course!" the Rookie answered. "Two thousand soldiers managed to hold out against overwhelming odds before the Sith and their warriors arrived to break the enemy forces. The enemy never recovered from that day and were completely wiped out in a few months later. It was a great victory for the Empire."
"I'm sure it was, but for those of us fighting in that jungle it was twenty hours of blood, death and horror," Clay grimly commented, remembering back to that day. "And more than half of us were green rookies fresh from Boot. A lot of good guys died in those first few hours. All of us would have joined them if it wasn't for someone finally knocking some sense into HQ and got them to send down the Sith and the Massassi."
While the bloody campaign against Svolten's Carrion Lords was now several years old, the memories of those battles still lingered. Not only had the Carrion Lords been powerful and vicious enemies but the jungles of Svolten were home to a number of other dangerous species. The first few hours were nothing short of a massacre and he had seen more than a few he called friend die in those first few hours. How he managed to survive that day much less the rest of the campaign when so many others didn't, he'd never know. But if given the choice he would do it again in a heartbeat. The Carrion Lords had been a serious danger to the people of the Empire and as a soldier it was his duty to serve and protect the Empire from all threats.
"Ya'll have ta forgive the Sarge," Boomer said before taking a swig of his drink, trying to lighten the mood. "Ya see Rook he used ta be a fun guy but then he got promoted and the stick's been up there ever since."
Clay rolled his eyes as the comment. "Ha ha ha…" he sarcastically replied. "I'm serious because I gotta make you bunch of rowdy nutjobs don't get yourselves killed doing something stupid."
"Do something stupid?" Elim Varl exclaimed. "Come on Sarge we're 113th! We live to fight and do stupid things!"
"Yeah but you're not the one who has to fill out all that paperwork when one of you jokers kicks the bucket," Clay shot back. "So try to keep yourself alive 'cause I really don't like paperwork."
At that moment Major Preed, commanding officer of their regiment stepped into the cantina, calling for everyone's attention. Every soldier and naval crewmember in the bar instantly shot up to their feet as the superior officer walked in. "All soldiers of the 25th, 66th and 113th Regiments, all officers and crewmen of the First Fleet, R&R has been called off! You know what that means boys and girls, we're deploying! Drop your drinks and get moving to your duty stations!"
No one moved, no one said anything as the major turned around and left. None of them could believe it. They had been little more than a few hours into their four day R&R only to have it called off so they could be shipped off to the war they were supposed to joining in a few more months. Needless to say, no one was exactly pleased by this news but orders were orders.
"You heard him boys! We're pulling out! So get moving before I make you!" Platoon Sergeant Larkin shouted, breaking the brief silence.
Someone else stood up with his glass raised up and called out, "For the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire!" the entire room called out together before they started rushing out of the cantina.
It had begun; they were going to war once more.
"Begin," Darth Mahakalis commanded, the crimson glow of her lightsabers providing the only light in the otherwise dark room.
The dozen inactive combat droids powered up, their rifles rising as one. Within seconds blaster fire filled the room as the machines attempted to kill her. But she was too fast for them, deflecting their shots with her beloved weapons. The first two droids fell to their own blaster shots while the shin of a third was badly damaged, causing it to hit the ground. Mahakalis then leapt into the air, driving a lightsaber into the head of another droid as she landed on it. As it collapsed to the ground she threw her other saber bisecting two more.
However as their numbers were reduced by half, the droids changed tactics, three of them hurling flash-bang grenades as the others continued their barrage. The ear-splitting wail and intensely bright flash left her deaf and blind but such handicaps were meaningless to one that knew the touch of the Force. It would be the only sense she needed against these enemies.
Letting out her fury through the Force, Mahakalis struck back at the droids, not with her lightsabers but with the Force itself. All six of the machines were hurled violently backwards. Before any of the droids could so much as attempt to get back up onto their feet she rose up her arms, levitating two of them up into the air. With a flick of her wrists she slammed them against each other and then crushed a third with their shattered, tangled remains. But as she dealt with those three the remaining droids managed to get back up though only one still had its rifle while the others had not, switching to vibroblades. The droids took off, running straight at her as their third kept firing at her. Mahakalis stood her ground, deflecting the blaster shots with her left saber while she waited for the other two to reach her. The first droid swung its knife in a horizontal arc but she dropped down under the swing while she brought her weapon across its midsection. Just as the bisected droid collapsed its partner reached her only to have a lightsaber stab through its torso.
The last droid gave no reaction to the loss of its last fellow machines, continuing its barrage with the same mechanical precision. Their inability to feel emotions was a droid's greatest strength and weakness. While they would never feel fear and flee from it, they could never experience pride in their cause or hatred against their enemies. Machines no matter how well built would always be inferior to even the most poorly trained flesh and blood warriors. With five hundred well trained, veteran Imperial troopers or failing that a thousand fresh rookie soldiers and she could conquer Coruscant or Bastion with them. How? By stoking their passions. Fill a man with nothing but fury and hatred towards the enemy as well as an unwavering conviction in their cause and they will win in even the face of the most impossible odds. Droids could never achieve such feats because they were limited solely to what they were built for. They could never hope to grow beyond those limits even for the briefest of moments. That was why the Droid Armies of the Confederation of Independent Systems had been doomed to fail from the beginning, beyond of course the fact that the Clone Wars had all been a part of Palpatine's scheme to rule the galaxy.
With the slightest of ease, Mahakalis slew the droid before suddenly spinning around; bringing her lightsabers mere inches from the chest of the thirteenth droid. The machine gave no reaction to the fact that it had a split second from destruction. "Statement: My master wishes to inform you that it is time to depart from Dromund Kaas."
Mahakalis shut off her lightsabers, plunging the room into darkness before she returned them to her belt. "About time," she replied in a bored tone, hitting the light switch on the control panel on the door halfway across the room. "I was growing tired of waiting for him." She paused for a moment, glancing around at the broken shells that had once been a dozen combat droids. "Your grandchildren are still quite lacking when it comes to engaging those that can use the Force."
"Statement: These models are inferior combat units, designed to engage enemy soldiers not your kind. However if the master ever wills it I would more than happy to demonstrate how to properly deal with a Sith such as yourself meatbag."
"Come Kissai," the orange-skinned Twi'lek taunted as she slipped into the aggressive Juyo form. "Show me if that Sith blood of yours truly makes you powerful or just a red-skinned weakling!"
But Kaitos was not one to fall for such feeble jabs. He was an Apprentice to a Sith Lord, to one sat upon the Dark Council itself. To let himself succumb to such weakness would be a disgrace worthy only of death. "Your pathetic attempts to goad me will not work Khalida," he replied, still gripping his training saber in balanced form of Niman.
Though both apprentice possessed their own lightsabers it was forbidden to use them against fellow Sith within the confines of the Academy. If any student, whether a mere Acolyte or a full Apprentice was caught by an Overseer engaging in a lightsaber duel the punishment would be severe. Of course there were ways around such the law, the most obvious being to simply leave the grounds as the rule did not extend to all of Korriban. And those that were truly devious and cunning were encouraged to find less obvious means to get around it. Kaitos had used such methods against his rivals in the past to great success as had Khilda if the rumors where true. But neither truly considered the other an enemy, for the moment anyway. If the day comes that would meet as true enemies they would enjoy it for the simple reason that they shared a mutual grudging respect for one another. To fight and defeat an opponent that was considered one's equal was one of greatest measuring sticks of a Sith's strength and power. Now however was not the time for such a duel.
Khalida lunged forward, swinging her saber one-handed in an upward diagonal arc but Kaitos twisted his wrists, blocking the strike with his own blade before pushing her back and followed up with several swift strikes of his own. But the young Twi'lek was faster, deflecting and dodging his blows with the grace of a dancer, though she would not stay on the defensive for longer, parrying one swing with her saber and retaliating by hitting him with the Force. Kaitos was violently thrown backwards, slamming into the far wall of the training room while his weapon flew from his three fingered hand. A grin spread across Khalida's face and as Kaitos started to pick himself up off the floor she jumped. Empowered by the Force her single leap spanned the distance between them. "All that old Sith blood in your veins and nothing to show for it," Khalida jeered as she held her training saber just a few centimeters from his throat. "Why someone like Lord Usirian would take you as an apprentice I'll never now."
And yet despite being at her mercy Kaitos felt no fear nor did he feel anger at Khalida's barbs, instead all he felt was amusement. So much so that he began to snicker quite loudly which quickly grew into full blown laughter, confusing the Twi'lek. "What's so funny? You're beaten! Why are you laughing?" she demanded, angered by his mockery at the moment of her victory.
But Kaitos did not stop laughing and unnoticed by her he flicked the fingers of his left hand. Behind Khalida his training saber rose up into the air before taking off, flying straight at the pair. The blade slashed across her right bicep as Kaitos leapt to his feet, the weapon's hilt twisting into his three fingered left hand. Letting out a hiss of pain and anger, Khalida stumbled back while her saber fell from her grip, the pelko bug poison coating the blade's mircobarbs quickly paralyzing her arm. Not one to let his momentary advantage pass Kaitos attacked, stabbing the tip of his sword into her left shoulder. With both arms temporarily rendered useless Khalida was beaten. Defeated she dropped to one knee in submission. A satisfying smirk spread across the young Kissai's face. "Strength and power can often win a battle," he said to her. "However, true victory cannot be won alone through raw strength or great power within the Force. True victory is achieved through cunning and intelligence. For even the mightiest of warriors can be felled by the poisoned dagger from the unseen shadows."
At that moment clapping filled the small training room. Both Sith Apprentices swiftly turned to source of the noise, a black robed individual that had entered the room unnoticed during their sparring match. But this was not one of their fellow students or an Overseer of the Academy but rather the Sith Lord that was his master. "Quite impressive my apprentice," Darth Usirian spoke, still clapping his gloved hands.
The Pureblood Lord's form was tall and well built though not overly large and muscled, an ideal blend physical strength and agility. Like all who carry strong Sith blood his skin was red, blood red. His features were regal and aristocratic with his facial tendrils hanging from his high cheekbones past his strong chin. He possessed cartilaginous eyebrow-stalks rested above his yellowish-orange eyes though they far smaller than those of his ancient ancestors. A pair of scars marred his face, one reaching across the bridge of his nose to the right side of his face while the other ran from his hairless scalp, crossing with the first scar near his right eye before ending just before his jaw line. Gold jewelry adorned his face as well, small bands on his facial tendrils, rings piercing his eyebrow-stalks and a large band covering much of the bridge of his nose.
While at first glance Kaitos appeared to be of the same species as his, he was not a Pureblood Sith; he was in fact a part of a new race born from Sith Alchemy during the waning years of Palpatine's rule. The purpose of the experiments had been to increase the number of Force-sensitives to within the Empire's population. Their clash with Palpatine had been far bloodier than most truly knew and even though they had greatly bolstered their forces with Separatist soldiers, droids and starships it wasn't enough and they had been on the verge of total defeat when the ceasefire was negotiated. If they were to survive future conflicts more Sith would be needed. And while they had a stock of Force-sensitives from the former Separatists that now made up the bulk of the Empire's citizenry it was not enough hence the experiments to create more.
Those conducting the experiments naturally turned to the ancient Sith who had been so deeply touched by the Force, seeking to recreate the lost race or the hybids that were born after the arrival of the Fallen Jedi that became the first Dark Lords. And after many years of failures and partial successes they finally achieved their goal, giving rise to his race whom possessed the blood of the Sith race and were nearly all Force-sensitive. Pleased with their success the Sith sorcerers named their creation after the Priest Caste of the Sith, the Kissai and set about training them with all the other potential Sith they had gathered on Korriban.
Immediately Kaitos dropped to one knee. "Master Usirian," he greeted. "I was not expecting you to be awakened so soon. Had I known I would have immediately returned to Dromund Kaas to await your awakening."
Lord Usirian raised a gloved hand response, gesturing for him to rise. "Had I wanted you to at Dromund Kaas I would have sent for you. Your presence was not needed there my apprentice. However it will be for what is to come."
"The war with the Yuuzhan Vong," Khalida said, attempting to shake her still paralyzed arms. "We're joining it now aren't we Lord Usirian?"
Kaitos's master nodded his head. "Yes. For the first time since the days of the Galactic Empire we are moving to war, a true war." Then he turned to the door and added, "Come, there are others waiting for us. Oh and Kaitos, remove the venom from her arms. It would be embarrassing to Lord Mahakalis to have her current apprentice show up to this assembly with her arms paralyzed."
"As you wish master," Kaitos replied with a bow of his head.
Contrary to what Jedi might believe, healing techniques were not exclusive to the light side of the Force. It was just that most Sith tended to ignore such techniques in favor of those that were more overt destruction and death-dealing. But as his master had shown him that those that truly understood the dark side, truly understood what it was to be Sith. True power comes not from physical might or ones strength in the Force, power came from knowledge, understanding and ultimately learning how to use that to crush your enemies. Through healing one learned of anatomy, where the vital points are in the body, how to maximize the pains of torture while minimizing the risk of death and it was one of the first steps in learning the powerful art of Alchemy. Destruction, no matter how great always paled in comparison with what could be created through Alchemy.
As he reached out to heal the Twi'lek, Khalida scowled at him. "You got lucky this time," she said, still seething from her defeat. "I'll be ready for that next time."
"And I will be ready with more tricks," Kaitos replied, a smirk on his lips.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are-"
"Pardon the intrusion master but Lords Mahakalis and Usirian have arrived. They are requesting our presence within the Academy."
Scowling, Krayt opened his eyes. Seldom did he appreciate anyone interrupting his mediations, even from his young apprentice. However this was the sign he was waiting for so he could forgive her for this transgression.
Ever since he returned from the Unknown Regions several years ago he had been waiting for this moment. Krayt had long suspected what course of action the Dark Council would decide upon, joining the war with the Yuuzhan Vong. He was against the notion of returning to the galaxy at large, believing that the Sith should remain in the shadows until they were ready to crush the Jedi and the Republic. The risks, the least of which being the Vong turning their attention to the Empire itself, were too great. By revealing themselves it would rouse the suspicions of the Jedi. They were not complete fools. Skywalker and his Jedi would not be content to just let them slink back into the shadows of the Stygian Caldera once the war ended. The Sith and the Jedi would fight. It was inevitable.
Krayt glanced down at his arms, staring at the coral growths that covered his forearms. To his frustration he had been unable to find a means to rid himself of these infernal implants. The knowledge contained within the holocron of his former master, XoXaan possessed nothing that could help him nor were the living healers and alchemists within the Order able to help. Even the mad alchemic genius, Darth Haemon seemed unable, or perhaps unwilling, to cure him beyond slowing the growth of the implants. But eventually these growths would consume him entirely, either killing him or leaving him a mindless shell. He would not allow that to happen. No matter the cost he would cure himself of this affliction.
"Should we return to the Academy master?" his apprentice Nessa Kolea asked, still prostrating herself behind him.
Rising back up to his feet, Krayt glanced down at the tattooed girl. "Yes. Yes we will," he answered.
Whatever the Dark Council had planned for this war and its eventual aftermath, he would be there to see it through while furthering his own ambitions.
Within the main hall of the Korriban Academy over two dozen Sith stood, awaiting the start of the gathering. Most of them were either apprentices or newly minted Sith, all had been chosen for specific reasons by the Dark Council. For some this war would be a proving ground, both for themselves and the teachings of the New Sith. Others had been chosen because of particular talents they possessed that had been deemed useful to their war effort.
'And the rest… well the rest are already dead. They just don't know it yet,' Usirian thought as he and Mahakalis entered the hall.
Pausing, Usirian made a show of looking around the chamber, inspecting those around him. Some of the gathered Sith were of the various splintered groups that had risen up in the millennia since the Old Empire's fall, like the Dathomirian, Lomi Plo and her apprentice, Welk. There was also Morto, Lomi's previous apprentice as well as the Quarren, Reavos and his student Sehra. At the very back of the room was Krayt with his tattooed apprentice. Most had been adherents to the Rule of Two, an interesting philosophy but one that was ultimately flawed when it came to operating on a galactic level. The rest and the youngest of the group had all been raised within the confines of the Academy, raised to be Sith. They were the future of the Order, molded by those that had learned from the mistakes of the past. Irinis the Devaronian apprentice to Darth Arkcanius stood by the far wall, emotionlessly observing everyone else in the chamber, undoubtedly forming her own opinions on what was being said and done while deciding what she would report to her master. The young Kaleesh, Asha vos Sheelal stood with cold-blooded detachment, her face concealed beneath one of her people's masks. Khsar's student, Samuir watched him with glaring eyes, having long inherited his master's hatred. There were several Kissai among the group, the ancient Sith race reborn for a new age, his own apprentice among their ranks.
"Good, everyone is here. We can begin." he said, satisfied that they were all present. "You all have our thanks for reach Korriban in such short notice-"
"Get to the point Usirian," Thantos, a full Sith demanded.
The Sith Lord merely grinned at the younger man's impudence. Such foolish whelps were inevitably their own worst enemies. Still they had their uses. "Very well, as you all have already undoubtedly heard the Jedi and their New Republic is at war with an alien race from beyond our galaxy, the Yuuzhan Vong. They utterly hate mechanical technology and instead utilize an entirely organic based technology that has proven to be quite formidable. Furthermore they believe that this galaxy is theirs by right and likely will not rest until they dominate every star. However there is one aspect of the Yuuzhan Vong that we of the Dark Council have kept hidden from the Order at large, something far more serious than all else." He paused for a moment, savoring what was about to come. "The entire Yuuzhan Vong race is not within the Force."
The reaction was as he expected. Murmurs of skepticism from the older Sith while the younger ones let out cries and shouts of disbelief. Unsurprising given how no living thing was outside the Force. It was one of the bedrock principles of both the Sith and the Jedi, to have it violated was unsettling for anyone. But that fear could be used to empower them against the Yuuzhan Vong.
Usirian raised his hands up, calling for silence. "Yes, it is true. They are living voids in the Force," he said once they had settled down. "Neither the Jedi nor our assassins have been able to sense any of the aliens through the Force."
"Originally we had been content with letting the New Republic and the Jedi deal with this threat," Mahakalis added, speaking for the first time. "Unfortunately the Republic, true to its corrupt and pathetic nature have repeatedly blundered and failed against the Yuuzhan Vong to the point that the Dark Council has grown concerned about whether or not they can actually win this war on their own. We of the Council have decided that drastic steps must be taken."
"Wait! You're suggesting that we ally with the Republic, the Jedi?" Reavos exclaimed.
While word of the Vong's non-presence with the Force had created surprise and alarm, this news brought shock and outrage. Shouts and screams filled the hall. Some were yelling out claims of madness, treachery or weakness on her part or the Council's part. Yet neither of them reacted, letting yell and rant for several minutes. "This galaxy is rightfully ours!" Mahakalis finally called out, her voice rising about all others and bringing silence once more. "How can we allow these alien upstarts to conquer what is ours? How can we allow them to crush our ancient enemies? The simple fact is we cannot, we will not allow them to, even if we have to side with our most hated enemies."
Usirian took a step towards the group before him, waving a hand nonchalantly. "This is not the first time it has happened. There have been rare instances where we and the Jedi have stood together against a common threat. Of course such alliances end quickly after said threat is vanquished," he explained. "Rest assured this will not be a permanent alliance. Once the Vong have been crushed we will return to the Empire and continue with our plans."
"We should crush them right after the Vong!" the hot-tempered Thantos shouted.
"Fool!" Mahakalis angrily shot back, striking him down with lightning. "We are not ready to wage war on the Republic! All such an act would achieve is our destruction!"
After a few moments of the young Sith writhing on the ground, Usirian raised his arm up, signaling for her to stop. "Fear not, our time will come. It just isn't now," he said, not just to Thantos but to all the Sith. "And that is also why the Council has chosen the two of us to lead our war effort. We are able to remain objective and focused, not succumbing to petty hatreds and old grudges. So remember that beyond the borders of our Empire our word is law and you will obey them without question or we will have you removed, am I clear?"
Thantos, slowly and uneasily picking himself up nodded his head while the rest of the Sith gave their own acknowledgements. Examples of the penalties of disobedience were always useful when asking one to perform difficult or undesired task. Now they knew the seriousness of what was ahead of them. Thantos had played his role perfectly. But then he always was an excellent performer. "Good," Usirian said, pleased with how the gathering had transpired. "Remember this more than a war for us. This is our return to the galaxy. We make sure that we show the galaxy the proper face. We must be strong and united while the Jedi and the Republic weak and divided."
All and all, I enjoyed how this chapter turned out. It's a nice introduction to some of my minor and major Sith characters while setting things up for the next chapter which will bring in the Jedi and when things start getting interesting.
As always I love to hear from my fans so feel free to hit that review button.