"The rise or fall of a civilization can depend on the decision made in a fragment of a second. There are many seconds in a day."

-Vergere (28 ABY)

Star Wars: The Most Dangerous Game

Chapter Ten – Deceivers

Shae Vizla had been walking for three days and nights, and had nearly used up all of her rations when he found her.

She was approaching the remains of an old Hammerhead-class battlecruiser, her shoes almost completely worn through, with a thought for finding some supplies and shelter when movement out of the corner of her eye prompted her to draw her weapons. It wasn't a rakghoul.

It was Human.

He stood over two meters tall, wearing a suit of black armor and a cape that billowed out behind him. His skin was pale as ivory, and his eyes... bright and red like flowing magma. There was a lightsaber at his hip, but Shae knew this was no Jedi. He stepped off the wreckage and walked toward Shae, those red eyes unblinking.

"Greetings, Master Hunter," the man said. Every step he took seemed to carry through the earth. "I am unsurprised to find you in good health."

Shae got the distinct feeling her blasters would be useless against this man. Regardless, she kept them level. "Are you here to kill me, too? Because let me just say: I'm beaten, shot, and on the verge of hunger. But I will still make you work for it."

The man grinned. "I don't believe in drawing out such things. If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't be speaking."

Shae inhaled deeply, exhaled. "Good to know." She holstered her weapons. "Then, what's a Sith doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"

He crossed his arms behind his back. "Observing, mostly. Thinking about what could come about from this encounter."

"Encounter?"

"You are Shae Vizla, correct?"

She shouldn't have been so surprised, but it still showed on her face. "Well, on a planet like this, I don't think there's another one to mistake me for. Is there a reason you know my name?"

The man in black cast a quick glance toward the crashed battlecruiser. "I was passing through this sector when I received a communique from Korriban. Apparently, you have a very persistent sibling who discovered you were stepping into a Jedi trap."

Shae laughed. "Cander... You've gotta be kidding me. He contacted the Sith?"

"Our techs were unsure of how he got a signal through secure channels, but he made quite the fuss. As I said, I happened to be in the area and was equally surprised to find that his tale was true. A Jedi was hunting you, and what's more, you emerged victorious."

"You were watching me?" she asked. "Why didn't you help?"

"Because the life of one bounty hunter is insignificant, I'm sorry to say," the man said, his tone darker. "A Sith Lord has more pressing matters. But discovering why a Jedi would break the Code to kill one insignificant bounty hunter is what justified this little detour—and trust me when I say, it was well worth the trip. There is more to you than your file would indicate."

"Thanks... I suppose."

"You single-handedly brought down an entire mercenary unit, all of them ex-military with a generous portion having rotated through Havoc Squad. In addition, you also managed to kill a Jedi Knight in the middle of one of the most unforgiving environments on the Rim. These... are signs, Shae Vizla. Signs that tell me you are destined for more than simple bounty work."

What the man had said was starting to sink in. "Havoc Squad? Jedi?" She shook her head. "I still don't understand why the Republic would want me dead. The Jedi said he was following a vision—or a dream, perhaps."

"Leave it to a Jedi to rationalize his passions as a vision from the Force."

"Why would they...?"

"The Jedi are constantly adrift in their own superfluous logic. Their benevolent tendencies are so quickly swept aside when they encounter something their precious Code can't accommodate or solve. Take the story of Meetra Surik: nearly murdered by her own Masters in the heart of a Jedi Enclave. Fear makes them rabid. They reject it, while the Sith embrace it."

Shae was confused. "Embrace fear?"

"Always," the man insisted. "If you never embrace that which you fear, it will never be conquered." He held up a hand. "But we are not at the academy. You have more than proven yourself worthy to leave this planet alive. The pilot of the merc ship has likely learned of his compatriots' demise, for he has already departed offworld. And I doubt you will want to return home in the remaining Jedi vessel."

Shae nodded understandingly. "That might raise a few eyebrows."

"Very well," he said. "Then you may join me, if you like, and I can return you to Nar Shaddaa."

"Thank you," Shae said, almost disbelieving the offer. "I would appreciated the ride very much, Lord..."

"Malgus," the man in black said simply. "And if, on the way to Nar Shaddaa, I might trouble you with a business proposition, we can consider this favor repaid. Regardless of your answer."

"Business proposition?" She couldn't help but smile. A Sith Lord wanted to hire her. It almost felt more exciting than receiving a contract through the Bounty Brokers Association. "You want to take out a contract on someone? No offense, but I doubt there are many people out there you wouldn't be able to take care of yourself."

Lord Malgus grinned and shook his head. "I wouldn't require your tracking skills as much as I would your other proven talents. It would involve combating a very capable enemy on their homeworld, where we would be at a disadvantage. I would need a warrior such as yourself to eliminate that disadvantage in our favor. Do you understand?"

"We would be fighting the Republic?"

"Quite so."

Shae could feel the bloodlust rising in her chest, throwing red into her vision. Despite herself, she smiled. "I think I might be able to accommodate you, Lord Malgus."

Malgus's booming laugh carried throughout the ruins of the dead world. "Then I will tell you of our campaign on Alderaan, Shae. Come, my ship is nearby."

The Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malgus, moved through the wreckage and dust of Taris, with the battle weary Shae Vizla at his side, listening intently to his plan to strike at the heart of the Republic. In a few months time, they would arrive at Alderaan and burn House Organa to the ground. In fourteen years, they would stride victoriously through the ruins of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, stepping over the corpses of a hundred fallen Jedi.

But for now: there was only Taris, and a promise.

"You and I, Hunter," said Darth Malgus, "we will create such glorious works together."

Author's Note -

As always, many thanks go to Mister Buch for his support and friendship! And additional thanks to Farcrys for the encouragement!