Part IV: Endings
Chapter One: Plans
Within the Kaas City Citadel, the machinations of Imperials and their Sith masters were in full swing. On levels high and low, countless chambers were filled with individuals possessing some measure of power on Dromund Kaas. Military strategists. Sith Warmasters. The men and women ultimately responsible for the taking of any world the Empire set its coveting sights upon.
Nestled in deep amongst his fellows and contemporaries was the home and office of Darth Tash. The elder Sith Lord currently resided within his communications room, standing across the grainy holo-image of some dark figure. Tash was adorned in only the barest layers of his usual armor, forgoing the usual cape and armored plates that accentuated his public attire. The aged Human possessed a beaming smile as he offered the respectful bow of his head.
"Thank you, my lord. I shall not disappoint you," Tash stated in his most diplomatic tone. Without another word, the image faded as the communication shut off, leaving the Sith alone with his thoughts. His happy, excited thoughts. But whilst his thoughts persisted, his solitude did not, as the man's first apprentice stepped through the room's entrance.
"So. We get the word yet?" Thorel asked through jumbled words. The master turned to see his apprentice standing in the doorway, holding a small bowl in one hand, spoon in the other. The student had a mouth full of cereal, which he continued to chew as he leaned against the doorframe beside him.
"Yes, my apprentice. We have official sanction from Angral to take part in the invasion," Tash pleasantly stated. The subtle wrinkles on the elder Human's still handsome face were accentuated by the wide grin he wore. Though passing seventy years, the Darth possessed only superficial signs of aging, his grayed hairs belying the still sharp mind and powerful physique he maintained.
"Hrm," Thorel vocalized as he finished his chewing. "Does he know what you plan on doing?"
"It's precisely why he's allowing me to do it," Tash explained. "I promised him a portion of the spoils."
"Does he know who's going to be earning those spoils?" Thorel asked. "He and his ilk aren't too keen on the kinds of students you've let into the Academy."
"Sith like Angral care about results, plain and simple," Tash declared. "And I'm sure the results will be to his satisfaction."
"We can only hope," Thorel half-heartedly offered.
"This is what we've been preparing for," Tash stated. "After all these years, I can finally stop living in my master's shadow. We'll finally have true standing alongside Sith like Thanaton and Baras."
"Speaking of which, are we sure Baras' info checks out?" Thorel wondered.
"The man is nothing if not a capable source of intelligence," Tash admitted. "It's a shame he's not taking part in the invasion. If he died in battle, I'd no longer have to repay him. But alas, we play the hand we're dealt."
"So when do we move?" Thorel asked.
"When the time is right," Tash answered. "Until then, we need make sure everything is in order."
"Will you, or I, be addressing the acolytes on Korriban?"
"I'll be busy finalizing details with those in charge of the invasion," Tash admitted. "I'll be sending you to the Academy to tell everyone their duties."
"The students don't know me, and it'll take more than an apprentice to mobilize them," Thorel commented.
"I suppose," Tash said with a soft sigh. "The real mobilization won't occur until they've been brought to Dromund Kaas. Just pass on the information to the instructors and staff for now. Begin making whatever preparations need to be made."
"Alright," Thorel replied. "I'll make sure everything else is in order. What of Syrosk? He's still of Korriban."
"What of him? He's in no position to interfere."
"I'd say the Academy is the exact position for someone to be in should they want to interfere," Thorel teasingly countered. The master released another sigh as he gently rubbed his brow.
"You're right, we can't assume being left with nothing means he won't act," Tash admitted. "If anything, such desperate conditions might cause him to lash out. Keep an eye on him, if you can."
"Of course, master," Thorel offered with a dip of his head.
"Have you heard word from his apprentices?" Tash asked.
"I extended the offer to join us. They didn't accept, but they didn't outright reject it either."
"And where are they now?"
"Not sure," Thorel stated. "They split up after being exiled from Korriban. As far as I know, they haven't made contact with their master since their departure."
"I see. It's shame," Tash muttered. "There being eight of them, it would have almost been too perfect had they joined us. I might have had to start believing in fate."
The elder Human released a heavy chuckle at his own words, whilst Thorel continued to consume his breakfast. Just as he was about to raise another spoonful to his mouth, the apprentice saw an indicator light up on the room's holoterminal.
"Incoming message," Thorel calmly stated, before taking the bite. The master offered the quick arch of his brow before turning back toward the communications terminal. Engaging the device, the flickering image of a Zabrak came to life.
"Ah, Ikton. Excellent timing," Tash called out.
"I assume that means you have an update?" Ikton stoically asked.
"Correct," Tash declared. "We've received authorization. You've the privilege of participating in one of the most important battles in history. Our names will be known by Sith for generations to come."
"You intend to involve the acolytes in this, correct? Those you brought to the Academy?" Ikton bluntly asked.
"Indeed," Tash plainly answered.
"So, my son, he is to take part in the battle as well?"
"The classrooms will be assigned their targets, which means that, yes, your son will participate in the assault," Tash admitted. "But if he manages to survive, he will be hailed as a hero."
"And if he doesn't survive?" Ikton coldly offered.
Tash looked to the holo-image with a calm pause. "You know that a Sith's safety is never guaranteed. But your son is a capable warrior. I'm sure he will do just fine." The master tried to impart upon his distant apprentice a sliver of his own comfort, as a smile returned to the aged Human's face. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a meeting to attend. You will remain here on Kaas until we are ready to mobilize. Vai will answer any questions you have."
With no more words to offer, Darth Tash calmly removed himself from the chamber, leaving the communications line open. The Zabrak watched with sharpened eyes as his master faded from view. Now, only the two apprentices remained. Slowly, the younger Human sauntered up to the holoterminal and watched his fellow apprentice alter the focus of his gaze. The Zabrak stared at the Human with an enduring stoicism as the seconds passed by in silence.
"So. Ikton. How's things?" Thorel warmly asked, mouth half-full of cereal. The other apprentice remained silent, only offering a cold stare at the Human. "I can tell you right now, Tash doesn't record these things, if that's what you're wondering."
"I received… a visitor recently," Ikton spoke up.
"That sounds nice," Thorel playfully replied.
"Do you enjoy playing coy?"
"Who's playing?" Thorel timidly offered.
The Zabrak's stoicism began to falter as his face slowly contorted into a snarl. "Why didn't you tell me about my son? That he was no longer a student at the Academy?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I did," Thorel softly declared.
"So it's true. You did send him," Ikton muttered.
"I didn't exactly send him. I just told him where to find you," Thorel admitted.
"I'd offer my thanks, if I hadn't also found out that you've been deceiving me for the past decade."
"Technically, his status only changed in the past two years," Thorel explained
"And what of the acolytes?" Ikton asked. "Those belonging to classrooms not officially recognized by the Academy?"
"The classrooms that provided them shelter? Provided them a chance they'd never have received otherwise?" Thorel countered.
"That 'chance' is nothing more than a lie and you know it," Ikton declared.
"Is it?" Thorel replied. "Those students are closer to being true Sith than most would think possible of them. They've received a chance practically none would offer them. They're about to take part in the war's single most important battle. This will finally be their chance to prove themselves. If we're successful, they won't be seen as mongrels and outcasts. Tash will finally possess the standing to make you a Sith Lord without repercussion. You can take your son on as an apprentice afterwards if you want to. But only if we're successful."
"And what's to stop me from contacting my son before then?" Ikton wondered.
"Nothing. Go ahead. If you can convince him to help, then more power to you," Thorel reasoned. "But remember, this is war. Some live. Some die. That's just how things are. He's safe at the moment. Don't rush to drag him into things if you're afraid to lose him."
"I lost him over ten years ago," Ikton declared. "What I'm afraid of is never getting him back."
"You should learn to let go," Thorel advised. "He can survive on his own."
"Easy for you to say. You can walk the streets of Kaas City without fearing reproach."
"No Sith is above reproach," Thorel stated.
"No. But some are allowed to stand taller than others," Ikton countered. "And that's something you and Tash have never had to deal with."
The exchange ended with Ikton cutting off communications. The electronic image of the Zabrak flickered before fading entirely, leaving the Human apprentice alone. The Human continued to stare toward the deactivated holoterminal, his brow slightly furrowed. With a heavy sigh, the apprentice ate another spoonful of cereal as he turned toward the room's exit.
On the vacated mining world of Ortess-3, the sun peeked up from beyond the horizon, shining the first rays of morning on the estate of the departed slave master. Within, the eight Sith apprentices stirred from their slumber, ready for whatever the day would bring.
Within one of the palace's many guest rooms, Lorrik awoke to the gentle warmth of his partner's chest pressed against his back, the Pureblood's muscular arm draped over his own. Carefully, the Human lifted his companion's arm and slinked out from beneath it, setting it back down as softly as he could. Garbed only in his briefs, the pale inquisitor stealthily made his way into the adjacent bathroom.
The small chamber stood in stark contrast to the one he had used back at the Academy. While both could be said to exude a sense of luxury, they did so in opposite manners. Whereas the other was dark and rigid, appealing to Imperial senses, the palace's bathrooms were bright and flowing, elegant accents marking and shaping the furnishings and fixtures.
Lorrik proceeded with his morning duties, eventually stepping into the shower. Basking in the warm cascade of water, the Human found himself indulging in the simple pleasures and comforts he had forgotten since being exiled from the Academy. Though he was sure the shower's source was some tainted pool beneath the polluted soil, whatever filters the palace's former owner installed were working their magic.
As the spray impacted against and flowed down his body, the inquisitor held up his right hand. Beneath its remarkably paled flesh, he saw what looked like black veins spreading and forking from his fingertips to his wrist, concentrating in a dark splotch on his palm. Even though it was numb, he retained full control, full articulation. And as the spray of water bounced off his right hand, he realized he hadn't even lost total feeling. He could sense each drop grace the pale and marred flesh in a sensation unlike any other. Neither pleasure, nor pain, nor any neutral signal. A cognitive awareness that he did not fully understand.
Emerging from the shower, the inquisitor dried himself with a towel retrieved from the fully stocked cabinet that stood nearby. Running his hands through his dark hairs, the Human slicked his hair back, the lengthy fibers stopping just short of gracing his neck and shoulders. Examining himself in the mirror, Lorrik found an odd satisfaction in looking upon his own visage. He seemed at ease. There were no bags under his eyes. Nothing to signify the stress he had endured the past week. He was cleansed, in more ways than one.
Lorrik emerged from the bathroom to see his companion righting himself, legs bent over the side of the bed. The Human offered a warm smile, and the Pureblood reciprocated. Maneuvering over to the luggage they had brought with them, the inquisitor began digging through to find that day's outfit. He settled on the usual garb, black form-fitting robes with blue trim, and a glove to cover his scarred hand. As soon as he had secured the hoodless overshirt to his waist with a belt, the inquisitor was fully dressed.
Turning back, the Human saw his partner enter the bathroom. Leaving Jresh to himself for the moment, Lorrik spent the next few minutes at is desk, surveying his belongings. Sensing his partner wrapping up, he made his way toward the room's entrance, stepping outside a short moment later. The inquisitor released a startled hop when he saw Kar'ai leaning against the wall outside the room, casting a warm, knowing grin toward the Human.
"Mornin'," Kar'ai playfully offered.
"Good morning," Lorrik casually replied. "Up early, I see."
"Well, not all of us stayed up all night to, well, you know…" Kar'ai teased alongside a joking shrug.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lorrik dismissed, playing coy.
"Surprised it took you this long," Kar'ai admitted. "Ryloh and I were taking bets on when you two were finally going to go at it."
The Human let out a soft chuckle. "Is that so? Any other bets I should know about? Like with the other pairs?"
"Oh, of course not," Kar'ai replied. "Isorr and Arlia are too selfish and narcissistic to be in a serious relationship, lest one of them be forced to give something up. As for Nesk and Vurt… well, now that I think about it, I can't really think of a reason it'd be impossible."
"Is this how you two spend your time," Lorrik warmly offered. "Sith matchmaking?"
"It's not like we're actively involving ourselves," Kar'ai stated. "We just to like to keep our eyes on any interesting developments. Or ears, as the case may be. Enhanced senses go great with thin walls."
"Alright, alright," Lorrik said with gentle wave of his hand, attempting to calm the Rattataki. "I preferred when I didn't know my friends were listening in on me and my partner."
"Oh come on, like you couldn't hear us back at the Academy," Kar'ai playfully stated.
"What do you mean?"
"You know. Me and Ryloh. You mean you couldn't hear us though the walls?" Kar'ai genuinely asked.
"Well… we were across the hall from you," Lorrik stated. "I mean there were times, but I thought you two were just training and…" The inquisitor began to rub his eyes at the realization. "You weren't training were you?"
"Well, I don't know if I'd say that," Kar'ai commented, softly biting her lip.
"Okay, I've heard enough," Lorrik said, throwing his hands into the air. Before either could continue, they were interrupted by the Jresh stepping out of the guest room, garbed for the day ahead.
"Hey Jresh. Tired?" Kar'ai asked with a sharp grin.
"No. Why?" Jresh stoically answered.
"Oh, no reason," Kar'ai replied, playing coy.
"Come on, let's go meet with the others," Lorrik advised, trying to push the two warriors forward. The trio began their walk down the palace halls. They eventually entered the grand foyer in which the other five apprentices stood. The various Sith either stood of their own volition or leaned against one of the many decorative columns that lined the area. Reunited, the eight Sith looked to one another, each casting their silent but welcoming gazes.
"Hey everyone," Lorrik spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Have we decided what we're doing yet?" Isorr bluntly asked.
"What do you mean?" Lorrik replied.
"I mean, what are we doing? How do we move forward? What are our plans?" Isorr continued.
"There's not much we can do," Lorrik admitted. "We don't have a lot to go on. I mean, we know your dad is Tash's apprentice. We know something big is going down, sometime somewhere. Other than that, what else is there to go on? Any plan we enacted now would just be us stumbling around in the dark."
"So we do nothing?" Isorr asked.
"No. We can still prepare," Lorrik declared. "We haven't done much the past few days. We can't afford to just sit around all day waiting for new information. For now, we train. We fight. We duel. We hone our skills for the day we are called upon to act, or the day we decide to act ourselves."
"Who exactly are we expecting to hear from?" Arlia inquired.
"We had Syrosk stay on Korriban for a reason," Lorrik stated. "Any movements, any developments with the other acolytes, he'll know. He'll tell us."
"And we're going to accept whatever it is he tells us?" Arlia continued.
"We're going to take it under advisement," Lorrik answered. "We don't start anything. We don't finish anything. We don't interfere unless we know the absolute truth."
"And before that, what? We just beat on each other until we get tired?" Arlia snidely offered.
"It's worked for us for the past two years," Lorrik countered with a light chuckle.
"He's right," Isorr stated, before jutting a finger at the Pureblood. "Jresh. We never finished our duel before our exile."
"If you're so eager to lose," Jresh stoically replied. The two warrior stepped away from the group to find an open space amongst the foyer.
"Are we going to be fighting outside, or…" Ryloh muttered.
"Oh no, you don't want to spend any more time out there than you have to," Lorrik replied. "You can fight indoors. It's not like anyone lives here anymore."
"What about your parents?" Ryloh asked.
"You're right. No one bust through my parent's walls!" Lorrik declared, before shouting toward the departing pair of warriors. "Did you two hear that?"
They offered an affirming wave, not halting their progress.
"What about you, Lorrik? Have you recovered from your injuries yet?" Ryloh asked, a genuine concern in his tone.
"I'd say my insides are back in their right places," Lorrik confidently offered. The blue Twi'lek offered a nod before shooting a look to his companion. The Rattataki supplied a nod of her own, and the pair made their way away from the group. Nesk and Vurt followed, making their way down the foyer.
"Guess that just leave us," Arlia muttered, neither pleasure nor disdain present in her voice.
"I guess so," Lorrik warmly replied.
"Oh well. Let's just go at it, I suppose," Arlia offered, her choice of words sending a slight shiver up the Human's spine.