Chapter 5:

"Sir, we have scanned the unidentified vessels...they don't seem to be your usual entruders. They have heavy weapons and from the schematics are well fitted for combat."

"Hmm, so they must be hostel...don't you think Sgt?"

"We all know it doesnt matter what I think sir, do you wish us to engage them or not, its your command," the sergeant crossed his arms and looked on at the ships before them. For months they had scanned and patrolled this region of Empirial space under orders by the new Dark Council. During those months it had been hell and torture, each day was no better then the next. Nothing exciting ever happened except the constant quarrels that happened amongst the troopers and ship mates.

Now however, there was something very intriguing, there in front of them was a fleet of ships. No one had any idea of who or where these vessels came from, seeing them in this section of the Empire was for the most part, curious. Even with the fleet that was before them, no one was intimidated at all, they could obliterate the intruders with no problem. The Dark Council had made sure to supply the armada with the latest weapons, armaments and tech the Empire could provide. They even had Sith acolytes and warriors aboard each ship. Most of the crew mates didn't understand why so much was put into a patrol armada in the first place, some speculated and others assumed the worst, thinking perhaps the Empire was preparing for an invasion. By whom no one knew, the government kept its people practically blind to everything dealing in politics, the Dark Council especially.

From what many could recollect, based on rumors, was the fact that the Emperor himself was going mad. Many of his loyal followers had come to tragic ends, politicians and government leaders dying from strange deaths across the Empire. Those in the military suffered little of the Emperors wrath, except the countless drills and excersises they did on a regular basis. Yes, it did very well seem the Empire was either preparing to invade or the other way around. Though, no one was absolutely certain of which one was right.

"Commander, should we notify Lord Scourge of our current dilemma?," asked the Lt. whom was shaking from his very own question. The Commander looked at him with wide eyes, frozen by this very question. They all knew too well what would happen if they interrupted the Emperors right hand dog from his regular meditations, but they also knew it would be far worse if they kept this from him. Either decision that was made would have a negative outcome.

"Right...Lt. since you brought it up, you go notify him," the Lt. was shaking terribly, his eyes wide to where even his pupils seemed to be dilated. The Commander couldn't help but feel some pitty for the poor fool, but if anyone was going to die under the hands of the Emperors Wrath, might as well be him. The Lt. walked steadily toward the bridge doors, attempting to find a way to ensure his safe return. As the doors closed behind him, everyone concentrated at the unidentified vessels once more.

"Well..now we just wait and see what Lord Scourge has to say about all this. Meanwhile, lets move closer, a little intimadation never hurt, at least not much." The Commander raised his chin, a sign for the armada to move foreword.

xxxx

The Lt. enterred the airlift as it made its descent to fourth level of the Intrepis, that floor was primarily for the upper elites of the military as well as for Sith acolytes. The fourth level was also the most comfortable floor in that the cushions on the benches and chairs made it feel as if you were in your own home. Aside from comfortable, everything else about the floor was far from welcoming at all, constant training sessions where acolytes would sometimes torture privates to hone their own dark powers. The Lt. absolutely despised that floor of the ship, but now he was terribly terrified of it. He pondered in which manner the Lord Scourge would reward his imputence, the first thought that came to him was being electrocuted. The one that came right after was being choked and then the one he found less painful and quickest, death by blade. If he had to go either way and if the Lord Scourge gave him a choice, he would like to be killed by blade.

As the airlift doors slid open he looked out upon the fourth floor, the walls covered with red drapes almost covering the blackness of the ships natural plates. He walked down the hallway passing training rooms and statues of politicians and elites of the Empire. He turned a corner and continued his good walking pace, neither fast not slow, just simply walking preparing for what was to come. As he passed larger statues, most of which were replicas of the Dark Council, he knew he was approaching his destination. At the end were two massive black doors, garnished with the red empirial ceal.

"Well...here we are," the Lt. spoke to himself, it gave him small comfort to speak to himself. Made him feel less lonely, though someone being with him right now would have been a much greater company. At least he wouldn't be dying alone if someone was with him, or perhaps one of them would have a decent chance of living, maybe, he wasn't very sure. He reached the large doors and paused for a moment before finally knocking. The massive doors slid open, as they moved aside the Lt. could see a large room in front of him. The walls were covered in dark Sith ruins, some he could point out but others were unfamiliar. Along the ceiling hung red drapes caring the Empirial ceal, the floor was black as night and at its center there was a large circular symbol. He could not point out what it was, but it must have had some relation to the potion Lord Scourge held under the Emperor. As he looked on at the floor he walked foreword and stopped half way when he noticed a figure sitting at the far end of the room. There sitting on a large black throne, draped in a black robe could be none other then Lord Scourge.

"My Lord..I am sorry for disturbing your meditation, but there has been a development.." the Lt. said as he bowed down on one knee. Lord Scourge did not respond but continued to stay still. It seemed he was unwavered by the Lt's arrival at all and was continuing his usual routine. The Lt. waited a few more moments for a response, nothing came.

"Forgive me...my lord...," he said once more, slightly louder then before. He knew that if he was not too careful things would go far worse for him then they most likely already were. After a few more moments, it seemed that Lord Scourge would not respond and the Lt. felt he should try once more or just leave. Preparing for one last time, he was stopped as Lord Scourge lifted his head and looked toward the center of the room.

"Tell me, what kind of development has occurred that you find it worthy to interrupt my meditation?," his voice echoed through the room, making it even more intimidating then it already was. The Lt. cringed and began to shake even more, sweat was dripping down his face as he pondered his death once more. He had no doubts what so ever, no matter what he said or did, he would die at the end of this meeting. He mustered to say a response to the Siths' question, his voice shaky and cracking from the effort of maintaining himself.

"We...hav..commme...across a...fleeeet, mm..lord, we don't...nnn...whoo...they are," despite his current situation, the Lt. was doing quite well in making an understandable phrase. The Lord Scourge looked on and finally stood and walked up to the petty officer before him, he kneeled down and spoke calmly.

"So...tell me Lt. what punishment do you deserve for your emputence?," the Lt. dared not look up instead he lowered himself even more, tears falling from his face. He had come to notify the Dark Lord and now his reward would be nothing, except suffering and pain. At least the Lord was merciful enough to ask what kind of punishment he wanted. After all, what more could one ask from a Sith Lord, especially one who anwsered solely to the Emperor. He thought in his mind for a punishment that would be quick and painless, remembering if he had to die, he wanted to go by blade.

"If I must suffer at your hands mt lord...I ask only that you make it quick," he bowed lower placing both hands in front of him awaiting for his end. Lord Scourge stood up and extended his hand.

"I'll see what I can do about that...," the Sith let out dark energy upon the pathetic fool in front of him. The Lt. screamed in agony, his body convulsing furiously as it was being electrocuted. The pain was far beyond description, the closest thing he could recall to this pain would be the time his arm was burned on a thermal pipe. Even then the pain was far less then this, his insides boiled, he could smell his scortching flesh as the Dark Lord lowered his hand. His punishment was over as soon as it had begun, but still the excrutiating pain endured.

"Now get up," demanded the Sith

The Lt. tried to muster ever fiber of his being to obey the command, but it was easier said then done. The pain was far too much to fathom, ever bit of movement he made was rewarded with his own screams. Mustering all his will, he stood up shaking terribly from the pain and torture his body had undertaken. Lord Scourge crossed his arms, content with the Lt's actions.

"Good...why don't you lead me to the bridge so I can punish those there," the Lt. nodded and turned to lead the Sith to the bridge. He was still in terrible pain, but if Lord Scourge planed to punish the commander and the others as well, he wasn't planning on keeping him. He walked as fast as his shaking legs could take him, once more passing the statues and training rooms and finally reaching the airlift. He pushed the console controls and waited as the doors made a beep. The airlift doors opened and he stepped aside to let the Dark Lord go ahead, Lord Scourge walked in and the Lt. followed behind.

xxxx

"Well sir, we are about a good distance to be almost in range, is this close enough or do we keep moving foreword?"

"Hm, this is good private stop the ship and advise the armada to do the same," the private did as ordered and pressed away at the console in front of him.

The armada came to a stop about ten ship lengths to the unidentified vessels, still no response from them what so ever. Everyone on the bridge was perplexed. They were expecting the ships to have either opened fire or despersed, but no the vessels had done neither. Now all were greatly desturbed, they had no idea who, what, or where these ships were from or what there intentions were in this part of the system. The commanding officers were arguining amongst themselves attempting to figure out what they should do, when the bridge airlift doors opened. There stood the Lt. still shaking from his torture and behind him for all to see was Lord Scourge. Everyone froze as the two of them stepped out of the lift, the Lt. lead the Sith to the front where the commander was speaking to the Sgt. and other bridge officers. The Sgt. glanced over and then nudged the commander to making him aware, the commander turned to look and stood fast.

"Lord Scourge...," he was cut off as the Sith extended his hand, the commander was lifted off his feet and grabbed his throat attempting to breath. His eyes grew wide and his face pale as he tried desperately to get oxygen. The Sith held him there with the force holding his grip and not squezzing more then he needed to.

"Commander Derick, pleasure to see you again. It has come to my attention we are in some kind of a development regarding unidentified vessels. So, for how long have these ships been here?" he squeezed a little more to advise the commander to anwser promptly.

"We...have spotted themm...abou...thirty minu...ag..o," he struggled to say

"Thirty minutes? Why then did it take so long to notify me?," the Sith squeezed once more.

"W...ee...were...unnn...sure, neeed...ed of their intentions...didn't...waa..to disturb...you," the commander struggled even more trying desperately to get some air, his lungs burnt for it.

"I see...well consider this your resignation," with that he snapped the commanders neck. The body fell to the floor with a load thump, the Sith looked at the officers, inspecting them. He moved foreword crossing his arms behind his back and stopped in front of the Sgt.

"Sgt. you've done well serving the Empire haven't you?," the Sgt. stood straight and saluted.

"I have always served my best for teh good of the Empire, my lord."

"Good, then you are now in command, congradulations commander," the Sith nodded to the newly appointed commander, who did the same in return.

"Thank you my lord."

"Now, as for these vessels before us I want us to attempt communications. Which surpises me why we haven't already, all these officers on the bridge and not one thought about making communications. How dreadful," he shook his head and walked to the front of the bridge looking out of the window.

"Private"

"My lord," the private responded half shaking.

"Did you not hear what I said earlier?"

"Of...course my lord," he hurridly pushed away at the console, attempting to open communications with one of the unidentified vessels.