I don't own Star Wars or any of the characters.
Tatooine was a lush water world where twin suns warm fair skies. The Kumumgah that called the planet home built thriving cities alongside the majestic seas of their homeworld. But that was before the Infinite Empire. Before the monstrous beings known as the Rakata came and enslaved the peaceful Kumumgah.
The Rakata were a hideous race, at least in the eyes of the Kumumgah. They were bipedal like the Kumumgah but had sickly looking skin of varying bright shades of colour, unlike the sun tanned yellow hides all Kumumgah had. The Rakata were hairless, not like the Kumumgah who tended to wear their long dark hair in multiple braids. Their skulls were elongated and their eyes were mounted on shot eye-stoke that stuck out from the sides of their head.
The enslavement of Tatooine was overseen by a blue skinned Rakata named Tul'kar. Tul'kar overlooked the collection of the newest batch of slaves his Force Hound, Xesh, had led him too. The Rakata turned to his Force Hound, clad in heavy black armour and a helmet that covered his face.
"Primitive, these. Worth the journey, Xesh? Worth it to me?" asked Tul'kar.
"Yes, Predor Tul'kar." responded Xesh.
"I sense little worth reaping in them—but I wouldn't. This is why I have you, yes, Xesh?" spoke Tul'kar.
"Yes, Predor Tul'kar." said Xesh.
Xesh walked up to a group of slaves, their wrists bound and under the watch of two Rakata guards. Xesh selected one of the slaves, a young male. One of the Rakata guards activated his pike, striking the slave through the heart.
"Lonai!" yelled a Kumumgah.
The Kumumgah turned Tul'kar, rage erupting on his face.
"Monster! That was my son! You didn't have to kill him!" shouted the Kumumgah.
"We didn't need him at all. We are the victors. We do as we like with you." remarked Tul'kar.
"You have won this day, but the Kumumgah will fight! We will fight until you are driven from Tatooine!" declared the Kumumgah.
"Unlikely, that." said Tul'kar.
Tul'kar sent out a burst of Force lightning, instantly killing the slave.
"You have done well, Xesh—finding this planet, culling the sensitives. Yes, I think you are the best of the Force Hounds. And you are mine." stated Tul'kar.
A green skinned Rakata, Ore'mun, approached his Predor with a message.
"Xesh's abilities are superior, Predor Tul'kar—it is a wonder Predor Skal'nas has not yet commandeered him." observed Ore'mun.
"To take Xesh, Predor Skal'nas would have to meet me in battle, Ore'mun—and Predor Skal'nas knows that." reminded Tul'kar.
Ore'mun held a datapad out to his Predor.
"Predor Skal'nas has sent a message, ordering you back to Byss. I am to stay to oversee the culling." told Ore'mun.
Tul'kar punched his subordinate in the jaw, knocking the other Rakata to the ground. The blue skinned Rakata sent a wave of pressure out through the Force, slowly crushing Ore'mun's internal organs.
"Gak! I…only conveyed…order! Gluk!" gasped Ore'mun.
"You think me stupid, Ore'mun? You think I do not know you are Skal'nas' spy? You think I could not feel your lust for my command? Or feel your pleasure in relaying the order? Stupid, that! Now you will know why Skal'nas will not face me!" exclaimed Tul'kar.
Lightning danced around the Rakata's three digit hand. The lightning shot out from Tul'kar's hand, electrocuting the Predor's subordinate.
"Predor Tul'kar…will you obey the command?" asked the other guard.
"Of course. As I am your Predor, Skal'nas is mine. Commands must be obeyed." stated Tul'kar.
Tul'kar turned to leave, Xesh following close at his heel.
"Have the body properly prepared. All this activity has given me an appetite." ordered Tul'kar.
The trip to Byss took several hours. Tul'kar's ship dropped out of hyperspace and descended into Byss' atmosphere, landing near Skal'nas' palace. The Rakata Predor and his Force Hound entered the palace of Skal'nas.
Skal'nas sat on his throne, sickly yellow eyes watching Tul'kar and Xesh as they entered his throne room. Skal'nas was one of the strongest Rakata in the Infinite Empire, the scars adorning his red skin proof of his strength. Only someone who was completely foolish or undyingly courageous would challenge such a warrior. It was unknown to Skal'nas which Tul'kar was, but he felt he would learn the answer in time.
At Skal'nas' side was his Force Hound, Trill. Trill was one of the most feared and revered amongst the Rakata Force Hounds. Her ghostly white skin made her appear like a ghost, long white tresses tied back but still falling in her face and covering her slightly pointed ears, and her colourless white eyes imposing fear in enemy and ally alike. Three red tattoos were applied to the female's face, one bridging to the center of her nose and the others angle away from the corners of her black lips. The female Force Hound was clad in red and black armour, a red cloak flowing behind her.
"Skal'nas." greeted Tul'kar.
"Predor Skal'nas, Tul'kar." corrected Skal'nas.
"Predor. Why did you summon me? I took Tatooine—it was my conquest. Now another is sent to reap the slaves?!" exclaimed Tul'kar.
"Predor Tul'kar. I do not require you at all. It's your Hound—Xesh—that I require…and he only attends at your heel. " told Skal'nas.
Skal'nas looked at his Hound, the expression on his face unreadable.
"My Hound, Trill, claims she has sensed a Force-rich world within the Deep Core. But she cannot precisely locate it." explained Skal'nas.
"It is there, my Predor! The Deep Core is a maze full of anomalies that skew the senses! The task of finding one world within it is impossible!" assuredly stated Trill.
"Is that true, Hound Xesh? Is it impossible?" asked Skal'nas.
"For Trill, yes." said Xesh.
Without warning, Trill lunged at Xesh. The female Hound drew the cylindrical device hanging from her belt, charging the other Force Hound.
"Liar! Braggart and liar! I'll take your skull!" shouted Trill.
Trill activated her weapon, a purple energy blade emerging from the hilt. She lunged forward, prepared to take Xesh's head. Xesh easily dodged Trill's attack, seeing no reason to draw his own blade. Xesh kicked Trill in the head, sending the female to the ground. He turned his fellow Hound onto her stomach, pinning both her hands behind her back when she tried to punch him. Xesh drew his weapon, activating the blade. One strike and it would all be over, permanently.
"Enough!" cried Skal'nas.
The Rakata used the Force to separate the two Hounds. The two Force Hounds quickly got to their feet, each retrieving their respective weapon.
"Ending the fight so soon, Predor? Premature, this. I am thinking we were about to learn who the dominant Force Hound would be." noted Tul'kar.
"Neither Hound issued a formal challenge! If there is to be a death match between them, protocol will be followed—and all of the Infinite Empire will watch!" declared Skal'nas.
"I look forward to it." said Tul'kar.
Turning from his fellow Rakata, Skal'nas faced his subordinate's Force Hound.
"You, Hound. You did not answer my question—can this world be found?" demanded Skal'nas.
"Be certain you remember the protocols, Predor Skal'nas—if Xesh scents the world, I claim rights of conquest!" demanded Tul'kar.
"Protocol will be observed, Tul'kar. The right will be yours. Well, Hound—can you find this world?" spoke Skal'nas.
"Yes. I can find this world. I will take you to it and you will feast upon its bones." assured Xesh.
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