Chapter Three: Insights
"The Coruscanti Vaults…"
The eight apprentices shared a curious look as they puzzled over Syrosk's words. Tightly packed in front of the holoterminal in Yerrig's office, the students stood in silence, awaiting an explanation from the electronic image of their master.
"The Empire is preparing to strike at the heart of the Republic," Syrosk revealed. "Tash and his acolytes are to take part in the invasion."
"In what capacity?" Lorrik asked.
"There are two stages to the invasion," Syrosk explained. "A series of strike teams who will disable the planet's defense grid makes up the first. A massive influx of ground troops and aerial bombardment makes up the second. Tash intends to slip himself and his students between these two forces. He's targeting a number of vaults thought to contain Sith and dark side artifacts not guarded within the Jedi temple."
"Vaults? Plural?" Lorrik asked.
"Correct," Syrosk replied. "They are organized such that an attack on one would lead to defenders folding in on the attackers. But attacking multiple vaults simultaneously would prevent them from being overwhelmed. The added confusion of the surrounding invasion would also play to their advantage. Each classroom is being assigned their own vault. And while they're not strictly military targets, they are guarded by Jedi Knights."
"The acolytes aren't strong enough to take down Knights, are they?" Ryloh asked.
"As individuals, no," Lorrik stated. "But as a swarm they could likely overwhelm them if there was no more than two or three. They'd still suffer heavy casualties though."
"The students are being told that this is their chance to prove their worth to the Sith Order. That those who survive will no longer be looked down as mere acolytes toiling in the Academy," Syrosk declared.
"Depending on what's in those vaults, he may not be too far off," Lorrik admitted. "Force artifacts aren't exactly a renewable resource. If they secure enough of them, even traditionalists might be willing to overlook the acolytes' backgrounds."
"That would depend on Tash's willingness to share the glory of their retrieval," Syrosk rasped. "Which he most certainly isn't. The instructor I interrogated believed the acolytes' original purpose was solely to serve the interest of their 'betters'."
"People willing to teach students like the them were likely in short supply," Lorrik stated. "Tash might have just told them whatever he needed to in order to get them on his side."
"You could say that about anyone Tash interacts with," Syrosk muttered.
"Right. It's not a question of if he's lying, but to whom," Lorrik replied. "Is he lying on behalf of his students. Or on behalf of himself."
"I thought the answer readily apparent," Syrosk declared.
"You met with Vai, correct?" Lorrik asked. "What's his feelings on the subject?"
The Sith Lord took a quick pause. "He… believes Tash is doing this for the benefit of his students. Or rather, he wants to believe that. He seems to genuinely care for their well-being. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage…"
"Our advantage towards… what, exactly?" Lorrik asked.
"Towards stopping Tash," Syrosk answered. "He's using these acolytes to earn himself favor. Whatever is in those vaults, he's going to keep for himself, and those students are going to die in the process. If Tash wins, the surviving acolytes will be forgotten, and people like them, like you, will have lost their chance to prove themselves."
"And what if we stop them?" Lorrik countered. "Won't they lose that chance anyway? Assuming you had a way to stop all this, what would that accomplish? The students wouldn't take part in the invasion. They'd still be stuck on Korriban. And without Tash, they'd have even less standing than they do now. You won't be able to swoop in finish what you started over ten years ago."
"Then what would you suggest?" Syrosk asked.
Lorrik scratched his chin, taking a few deep breaths. "Things are already in motion. If we can't stop the ride, we might as well get on."
Syrosk flinched. "You mean help Tash?"
"I mean help his acolytes," Lorrik clarified. The Sith Lord passed his gaze over his apprentices. Each and every one of them stood in silent agreement. "If we can find out their targets, we can join the other students, fight alongside them, and make sure they get the credit they deserve."
Syrosk fell silent as he processed his apprentice's suggestion. "Eight classes, eight targets… if you split up you could each cover one group."
"We could. But if we're to be going up against trained Jedi, we're better off remaining in pairs," Lorrik stated. "We're more effective that way."
"But it also leaves four classes unguarded," Syrosk added.
"I take it Tash and Vai are going after their own targets," Lorrik offered. "What of the others in his employ? His instructors?"
"They're to remain on Korriban," Syrosk replied.
The Human lowered and focused his gaze and he poured over his own thoughts. "Four classes…"
"Protecting four is better than none," Jresh whispered to his companion.
"I know there's a way," Lorrik softly declared. "There has to be."
"We can figure one out," Jresh stated.
"It's not like we have a lot of time," Lorrik muttered.
"What about Syrosk? What's his role going to be?" Isorr asked.
"He's strong enough to handle a fifth target by himself," Arlia stated. Both Lorrik and the Sith Lord seemed reluctant.
"The only way this plan is going to work is if Tash and his people don't even realize it's being carried out," Lorrik declared. "Syrosk being involved would be too obvious. The students would immediately know he was there to oppose Tash, so they might reject his help outright."
"Let them reject it!" Arlia shouted. "If it keeps them alive, who cares what they think?"
"No. He's right," Syrosk interrupted. "Besides. I know exactly where I plan to be. I intend to confront Tash directly."
"Didn't we just decide on doing this, you know, as covertly as possible?" Arlia recalled.
"Tash believes that my apprentices have all but abandoned me," Syrosk explained. "My actions will be seen as mine and mine alone. You will remain free to operate as you please. Tash will make short work of his target, so he'll need to be distracted while you carry out your plan anyway." Lorrik and the others looked to their master with trepidation. "It was inevitable that Tash and I face each other. But now, thanks to you, I no longer believe the outcome predetermined. Just as I no longer see it as a selfish endeavor. You've all come a long way, and there is little more for me to teach you. Even if my life should end, I am satisfied knowing that it was spent on more than myself. This invasion marks the beginning of a new era for the Sith. One of greatness. But most importantly, one you all might have a hand in shaping. It should come as no surprise that I am proud of you all."
"Thank you, master," Lorrik politely offered with a bow of his head. One by one, the other apprentices followed, respectfully providing their master with their own bows. "Now, there's preparations to be made."
"Of course," Syrosk declared. "I'll work on securing us access to the invasion. All of this will be for naught if we are shot out of the skies before making it planetside."
"Give us a time and a place, and we'll be ready," Lorrik confidently proclaimed. "For now, we'll do our best to prepare."
The Sith Lord offered a silent nod and ended the transmission. As the image of their master faded from the holoprojector, the apprentices were left to themselves once more.
"So. Back on Team Syrosk," Kar'ai said, half-joking.
"No. This isn't about Tash and Syrosk anymore," Lorrik declared. "We're looking out for the students. And not just the acolytes. Them. Us. Vai. Isorr's dad. We're not proving our worth. We're earning our freedom. The time to be tied to the whims of our masters is over. We're going to Coruscant. We're taking what's in those vaults. And we're going to use it to earn our freedom. If Tash survives, we leave him whatever he personally gets his hands on. If Syrosk survives, we cordially part ways, maybe repay him for all he's done for us. Otherwise, we keep the acolytes safe and help them complete their objective. But no one else is to earn favor from their toils but them. If we're successful, we'll have a bartering chip, one we can use to become true Sith, to become real students of the Academy, or to leave the Order entirely. For months, for years, we've walked paths set by our superiors. Now, we'll finally be given a choice. Those who wish to return to the traditional path may do so. Those who wish for something different may do so. Those who wish to reject everything may do so. We'll be the ones who make that choice. No one else. It'll be a fresh start. The first and likely last one we'll ever get in this life."
The apprentices looked to one another, a determined glint in each of their eyes.
"Either Tash or Syrosk is going to wind up dead," Arlia stated. "Are we okay with that?"
"It was inevitable that those two would come to blows. Always has been," Lorrik stated.
"I thought you didn't believe in the inevitable," Arlia replied.
"I don't believe a person's fate to be predetermined," Lorrik explained. "But when two opposing forces have their minds dead set on something, there's not much that can be done."
"Suppose Tash manages to kill Syrosk, what then?" Arlia asked.
"If Tash's motive really was to elevate his students, then we'll have done nothing wrong," Lorrik answered. "Our business will be concluded."
"And if that isn't his true motive?" Arlia added. "Are we strong enough to face someone more powerful than Syrosk?"
"He can't challenge all eight of us," Lorrik adamantly stated.
"He might not need to," Isorr muttered. "It's good to be confident, but we're talking about taking part in what's likely to be the Empire biggest invasion to date. We'll be fighting trained Jedi. Not sparring. Not dueling. Fighting. No rules. No limits. Only life and death. We may not meet Tash at his peak, but will any of us be in good enough condition to challenge a Darth?"
"We'll do what we have to," Lorrik calmly stated.
"And what of Tash's apprentices? Vai? My father?" Isorr asked.
"If they're after their own targets, we'll treat them the same as the acolytes," Lorrik declared. "They can keep the spoils for themselves or turn them over to Tash if they'd like. If Tash opposes us, it means he doesn't care about his students, which means their faith in him will be shaken. Even Syrosk admits that Vai cares about the acolytes, so I know he'll stand with us over Tash if push comes to shove. I take it your father would as well?"
The Zabrak offered a quick nod as his partner let out a soft chuckle.
"It seems like you got everything figured out," Arlia said with a slight grin.
"Hardly," Lorrik muttered, possessing a melancholy rather than his usual pep or exuberance. "We're still only capable of covering half the classes. If sure the others can succeed by themselves, but at what cost?"
"You can't save everyone, Lorrik," Arlia stated, her tone lacking its usual bite. "This is war. I mean, let's face it, the likelihood any of us come back from this is pretty slim."
The Human's gaze began to drift toward the floor, before he felt a comforting hand placed upon his shoulder.
"Don't worry," Jresh spoke up. "We'll think of something. But if we truly are about to invade the Republic homeworld, we need to make sure we're as ready as we can be. What's the point if we can't even protect those four classes?"
Lorrik lifted his gaze, a smile on his face. "He's right. So long as we have time, we'll continue our training."
"Hrmph. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm looking forward to finally fighting someone besides another Sith," Isorr declared as he turned away and stepped out of Yerrig's office. The other apprentices followed him out, engaging in light banter in the process, leaving Lorrik and Jresh alone in the still relatively compact chamber.
"You wouldn't happen to have any ideas, would you?" Lorrik softly muttered.
The Pureblood began to stroke the fleshy tendrils of his chin. "Well, if we can only protect four classes, we can still choose which four classes to protect. We all have a good grasp of our former classmates' skill levels. We could likely direct our focus toward four of the less proficient classrooms."
"I don't know. It feels weird," Lorrik admitted. "I mean, we're practically deciding who amongst them gets to live, and who has to die. That's exactly the kind of thing I wanted to avoid. Who am I to dictate their fates like that?"
"Sometimes we have to make sacrifices," Jresh stated. "Sometimes we can't think about things on the individual level. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can't prevent something. All you can do is control the damage."
"If we asked Vai or Isorr's dad for help… it could wind up causing the whole plan to unravel," Lorrik replied. "But maybe we could call upon others?"
"Others?" Jresh repeated with an arch of his brow. "What are you thinking?"
"Either something incredibly smart… or incredibly stupid," Lorrik admitted. "Do you think you could take over for me here? Keep the others busy without letting them kill each other?"
"I suppose," Jresh hesitantly replied. "What do you have in mind?"
"I think if I told you, it'd just make you worry," Lorrik muttered. "But I'm thinking of returning to Korriban."
"Korriban?" Jresh repeated, the confusion in his voice readily apparent. "Aside from the fact that we're all still exiles, what would you hope to accomplish there?"
"I don't know," Lorrik replied. "There's a chance I'll find someone who can help us. And if not, I can monitor the classrooms. See which of them will need the most help."
"Why not ask Syrosk to do it?" Jresh asked.
"The more Syrosk interferes, the more likely it is for our plan to fall apart before the even reach Coruscant," Lorrik answered.
"And what of the fact that you're not allowed on Korriban, let alone within the Academy?"
"A while back, Ryloh gave me something," Lorrik explained. "The artifact they retrieved from the tomb they raided. He says it can mask my presence."
"After the trouble our item caused for us-"
"I know. I know. It's dangerous," Lorrik admitted. "But is it any less dangerous than attempting to outwit a Darth? Any less dangerous than taking part in an invasion of the Republic's capital? I'm sorry, but the time to worry about danger has long since passed. You said I needed to believe in myself. Well, I do."
"I also said none of us expect you to rush blindly into things," Jresh countered.
"I'm not rushing into anything. I'm simply doing everything I can think of that could help us out. Let's face it. Our options are limited. The future is going to come down to a few gambles. But I'm going to need you to believe in me like you always have. If you can do that, then I'm sure I can succeed."
The Pureblood looked into his companion's eyes, struggling to hide the trepidation brewing behind his stoic visage. "You're right. I do believe in you. And if you think it will help, I won't stop you."
"Thanks Jresh," Lorrik said, wrapping his arms around his partner. The two shared a brief hug before separating, making their way out of the office. "I'm going to have a talk with my parents."
"Alright. I'll join the others in their training," Jresh calmly stated.
"Try not to break anything before I get back," Lorrik warmly advised as he made his way toward his family's dwelling.
"No promises," Jresh warmly replied, waving goodbye.
The inquisitor walked through the empty halls of the palace with a quickened pace, eager to converse with his parents. Arriving at their home, he offered a quick knock on the door before stepping in. He was greeted with a gentle welcome from his mother and father who beckoned him to join them in the living room. The son took a seat on the couch opposite his parents, a smile on his face but his shoulders hanging abnormally low.
"Mom. Dad. There's something I need to tell you," Lorrik began. "There's a chance I won't be seeing you again-"
"Lorrik," Garen interrupted. "When you were but a child, and a man came to take you away, I wanted to tell you that we might not see each other again. But I refrained. A part of me wondered if I should have. If we should have said our goodbyes in any other way than how we did. But you did come back. We did see each other again. Trying to brace ourselves for the possibility you might not have wouldn't have changed that fact. It wouldn't have changed how happy we were to see you again. It wouldn't have changed how we'd feel if you hadn't shown up. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not worth putting faith in goodbyes."
"You're right," Lorrik offered with a soft chuckle. "Dad. Mom. I love you. Always have. Always will. The moment all this is over, I'll come see you again."
"We're happy to hear it, son," Garen stated.
"How long are you two planning on staying here?" Lorrik asked.
"Not much longer," Meylin warmly replied. "We'll leave when we don't have to worry about entertaining you or your guests."
"We'll be moving on soon enough," Lorrik explained.
"Lorrik. I know you and you friends are caught up in some pretty heavy stuff," Garen admitted. "I don't know what exactly you're involved in or where you're heading, but I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you," Lorrik replied. The inquisitor softly bit his lips as thoughts began to churn within his head. "You wouldn't happen to know where your new home will be, do you?"
"We haven't decided yet," Meylin answered. "But thanks to you, we could move to just about anywhere."
"Well, I would strongly advise you avoid Republic space for the time being," Lorrik declared. "Things are heating up, and I'd rather not have to worry about you two getting caught up in unnecessary trouble."
"Don't worry. We know how to steer clear of trouble," Garen replied.
The son let out a light chuckle. "If that were true, we never would have been slaves."
"I suppose you've got a point," Garen admitted alongside a hearty laugh. The others joined in, sharing a laugh before lifting themselves from their seats. The three individuals came together, wrapping their arms around one another, holding each other in warm silence.
"Until next time," Lorrik softly whispered, releasing his grip around his parents.
"Until next time," Garen replied. The son turned toward the door, stopping just short of exiting the domicile.
"And I mean it about the arm. We're going to get you a new one," Lorrik heartily declared to his mother before stepping out of his parents' home.
The inquisitor turned his attention toward his and Jresh's room, focusing on his destination as a tears began to form beneath his eyes. Steeling himself, the Human marched on.
Within the guest room, the inquisitor looked over his belongings. Passing by the desk, the arrangement of artifacts remained where he had last left them. Focusing on the black facemask he had received from Ryloh, he picked up the item and studied it within his hands. The metallic plate was cold to the touch, ethereally so. It was featureless, its shape contorting only to accommodate the basic extremities of wearer's face.
Next, the Human began digging through his old clothes, searching for something with a hood.