Chapter Four: Preparations
The eight students gathered in a circle as the Korriban sun berated them with its petulant rays. The acolytes gathered around Lorrik's laid out set of robes that acted as a mat upon the dusty planet's surface. Each student had taken their share of water with a relative lack of hesitance, leaving only the black cloth of the coat's interior.
"Alright. We need to do an inventory. Everyone lay down what you managed to bring along," Lorrik told the others. Jresh was the first to empty his pockets and folds, placing a the cylindrical hand torch and datacard reader upon the cloth, followed by a series of additional energy cells for their sabers. The others were less forthcoming.
"We're merely taking inventory," Jresh calmly said. "You'll be free to keep hold of your supplies. None of us will have the spare energy to try and steal them from you."
Ryloh was the first to comply, presenting two identical small boxes. 'Field Kit' was printed upon their tops in Aurebesh. Compact first aid kits. Bandages, cleaning materials, and vials of kolto contained within. Kar'ai followed, presenting two sealed packages of glistening plastic wrapping a nondescript brick of material. Edible rations. Hesitant to be called 'food'. Hyper-condensed nutritional paste made solid. Sates hunger. Digests slowly. Sustained sustenance at the cost of tasting like dirt.
Lorrik made a note of the materials and offered an approving nod toward the duo. Turning toward Nesk and Vurt, he was simply greeted with the Trandoshan slowly shaking his head.
"Is that a 'no, these are mine', or a 'no, we didn't bring anything'? Lorrik asked.
"Not require suppliess," Nesk admitted.
"You speaking for him too?" Lorrik asked, nudging his head toward the Nikto. The Trandoshan offered an affirming nod. "Well, you two are a credit to your species."
Isorr released a low grumble. "How do we know they aren't hiding something?"
"When have they ever set out to accomplish anything by means other than pure strength and determination?" Lorrik asked before turning to the primal pair. "A compliment, I assure you."
"Come on, Isorr, there's nothing to be gained at this point," Arlia stated as she reached into her pockets. Releasing another grumble, the Zabrak resigned himself to doing the same. The pair revealed more of the same field rations as well as additional energy cells.
"I'm honestly surprised you two didn't try to smuggle in any extra water," Lorrik admitted.
"If there was one trial I would not risk disqualification from, it'd be this one," Isorr explained.
Lorrik offered a knowing tilt of his head. "Fair point. Let's see here. One, two… six bricks of Imperial Survival Rations. Each brick typically divided into two meals, eaten at the start of each day. A Sith couple probably halve the portions, making them last four days. Good. Should lessen our need to hunt for food."
"Are we expected to share?" Arlia condescendingly asked.
"No, no, you had the forethought to bring them, you deserve them," Lorrik said, not an ounce of disingenuousness in his voice.
"Why didn't you two bring food?" Ryloh asked.
"I put the extra effort toward securing water," Lorrik explained.
"That, and he disposed of our rations months ago when he got his hands on some real food," Jresh added. "Nothing in our kitchen had any real lasting capability."
"We had a full meal before we departed, and we've a certain degree of control over our metabolisms. We'll be okay for now," Lorrik admitted. "I don't think Nesk or Vurt will succumb to hunger anytime soon, either." Turning his attention to the small assortment of supplies that laid before him, Lorrik bit his lip as his eyes darted to each minimal piece of relief. "Looks like this is what we're working with for now."
"What's with the datapad?" Kar'ai asked.
"I brought some information regarding the planet's fauna and flora, or rather, lack thereof," Lorrik explained. "This can help us find what's digestible, what's poisonous, those sort of things. Nesk and Vurt will likely be our best huntsmen. I can cook whatever we manage to trap and kill."
"Anything on the surrounding geography?" Kar'ai continued.
"Sadly, no. We're going to have to head back to the Academy and hope nothing insurmountable impedes our path," Lorrik stated. "I'll keep notes along our journey to keep us on the right track. I'm not exactly familiar with the stars, but if we keep track of the sun's movement we can be sure we're heading in the right direction each day. Hopefully."
The Zabrak crossed his arms as his gaze drifted toward the ground. "For all we know, Syrosk took a curved path home just to screw with us."
"I doubt it," Jresh admitted. "I believe he intends for at least some of us to succeed. He'd have no reason to needlessly disrupt our efforts."
"There is no accounting for that man and his 'reason's," Isorr muttered.
Lorrik lifted his gaze from the assorted supplies, staring off toward the horizon. "We've chatted enough. We need to start our travel sooner rather than later."
"So what, we just get up and walk back to the Academy? Just like that?" Arlia asked in a rather haughty fashion.
"There's only so much planning we can do at this point," Jresh plainly stated.
"He's right," Kar'ai spoke up. "Better to just get moving until we find a suitable place to rest."
Ryloh didn't share his partner's determination. "We don't exactly have the materials for making camp."
"With darkness comes danger. We'll most likely have to stop long before we tire," Lorrik explained.
"Are the lowly beasts of Korriban truly so dangerous?" Isorr dismissively asked.
"The creatures are forced to compete and survive, much as we do. They draw upon dark energies, much as we do. Our equals stalk the plains, waiting for us to let our guards down," Lorrik explained.
"So what do we do? Find a cave somewhere along our path?" Ryloh asked.
"Oh no. Caves are bastions of the darkness," Lorrik explained. "A boon for a Sith looking for a challenge. Not for one seeking survival. We'll likely settle down against a ridge. Something not completely exposed."
"Well, no reason to stand around, I guess," Arlia bluntly stated.
Each acolyte picked up their previously laid down supplies. Jresh left his materials on the robes, allowing Lorrik to wrap them up in the coat. Now in a tightly wound package, the Pureblood secured the duo's supplies to his waist by tucking the exposed sleeves of the coat into his belt. With an exchange of nods, the pair was ready to proceed.
"Unless anyone else got a better look at the shuttle's vector, Jresh should take the lead," Lorrik offered to no objections from the other acolytes.
Jresh quietly separated himself from the group as he calmly walked upon his set course. With little deliberation, the other acolytes followed in a motley arrangement, choosing to neither conform to a line nor walk closely upon the Pureblood's trail. In silence the caravan of humanoids progressed from the landing zone, into the mysterious lands that lay between themselves and the Academy. With time, the winds carried forth a new layer of dust upon the ground on which the acolytes once stood, removing any evidence of their presence.
Their boots continuously and methodically stepping upon the hardened ground, the students pressed onward toward their goal. Toward the Academy. Toward apprenticeship. Toward the future. Like so many trials before them, their path lay burdened by inhibitors. However, where once their greatest foes would be each other, now they had formed an alliance. To brave the harsh landscape. To uncover their master's intentions. To no longer simply survive, but to live. To find a life beyond the machinations of Sith Lords. To step outside the realm of simple dominion. To cast aside gambits and manipulations for the sake of the self.
And so the acolytes walked. For at the moment, that was all they were capable of. But eventually, they would be capable of so much more. They would have to be. They were Sith and they had no intention of shedding that designation. The Academy and those whom would use it sought to control them, as Sith were want to do. As Sith, it was their duty to take that control back. They stood united, cognizant of their potential. Not blind to pride. Not averse to gains. With time, there was greatness to be had. But only with time. For now, survival. But the acolytes were prepared. They had a plan. Though plans made by day's light rarely survived by the darkness of night.
Back at the Academy, the shuttle bearing Lord Syrosk touched down on the landing pad located toward the outer extremities of the Academy grounds. As the pilot began powering down the craft, the Sith Lord made his entrance into the cockpit. The Imperial immediately tensed at the powerful figure's presence. Surpassing the room's threshold, Syrosk placed a hand upon the pilot's shoulder.
"Wipe the ship's logs," Syrosk plainly directed, his rasp chilling the Human to the bone. Immediately complying, the pilot directed his attention to one of the many consoles upon his dashboard and began furiously tapping away at the interface. The Sith Lord turned to make his exit before taking one final pause. "If you tell anyone the details of this trip… I will exact upon you a most painful demise."
Without another word, the Sith Lord vacated the shuttle, leaving behind a severely frightened pilot trembling in his seat. Stepping off the ship, Lord Syrosk made his way back to the Academy with a steady haste unbefitting his usual demeanor, his cloak bobbing behind him as it grasped at the passing winds.