Chapter 8

Darth Cognus' sleek black starship dropped out of hyperspace above the lush green planet of Valtara. Towering snowcapped mountains pierced the canopy of dense forests that blanketed the surface. Valtara was a relatively unexplored planet on the fringe of the Unknown Regions, only partially populated.

Darth Cognus steered her ship towards the planet's only spaceport located outside one of the larger cities on Valtara. Soon the flat concrete structures of the spaceport came into view, contrasting against the natural backdrop. Darth Cognus descended the boarding ramp of her starship, entering a waiting speeder that would take her further inland.

As Darth Cognus' speeder departed from the spaceport and sped across the lush landscape, her mind turned to Darth Zannah. While officially living as a wealthy businesswoman and owner of an investment group, Zannah controlled much of what happened on Valtara, both directly and through proxies that could never be traced back to her.

Valtara's remoteness and small population made it an ideal hideaway for Zannah's shadowy plans. The planet's government was corrupt and easily manipulated and the many uninhabited areas provided privacy for those seeking to avoid attention.

Darth Zannah's web of influence spread through the economy, law enforcement, and underworld of Valtara. From her isolated manor, she directed operations that ensured any potential threats were identified and neutralized before they could materialize. To the planet's residents, Zannah appeared to be nothing more than a wealthy business owner who preferred a solitary lifestyle, shunning society and craving isolation, not a Sith Master sculpting Valtara into a base of power away from prying eyes of the Republic and Jedi Order.

The speeder cruised through dense forests and over rolling hills. Finally, emerging from the foliage, an enormous stone mansion came into view. The ancient structure was clearly thousands of years old. This remote estate had become the hideout of her Sith Master, Darth Zannah.

Speeder came to a stop near the large front door. A well-dressed butler greeted her and showed her inside. Darth Cognus continued through the vast, dimly lit mansion. Dust covered the ornate furnishings and tapestries hung from the high ceilings. She climbed an elegant curved staircase then walked down a long hallway with walls lined with paintings of Sith long past. She stopped before a massive ornate door at the end of the hallway. Taking a breath, she pushed the doors open and entered her Master's private study.

As Darth Cognus pushed open the doors to her Master's private study, she saw Darth Zannah seated in an ornate high-backed chair facing the entrance. Zannah wore her red and black Sith robes, her eyes fixed ominously on the door. Darth Cognus entered the study and the massive doors swung shut behind her with a loud boom. The chair Zannah sat upon seemed like a throne, elevating her above her apprentice. Cognus approached and knelt on one knee before her Master.

Zannah's lips curled into an evil smile. "My apprentice," she purred. "You have returned from your quest."

"Yes, Master," Cognus replied, keeping her eyes lowered.

"Rise, my apprentice," Zannah said. "Let me see what you have recovered."

Darth Cognus rose and withdrew the Rakatan holocron from her robe. She presented it to her Master and Zannah took it delicately in her long pale fingers. Zannah studied the holocron for a moment before her eyes found her apprentice once more.

"The temple where I found the holocron was of Rakatan origin," Darth Cognus explained, "but far older than any Rakatan ruins I have seen".

Darth Zannah studied the ancient holocron with interest. "Go on," she said.

Darth Cognus continued. "When I recovered the holocron, I had a vision. Scenes of alien starships and technology filled my mind. But as soon as I left the temple, the visions faded and I have been unable to activate the holocron since."

"Fascinating," Zannah replied. She began examining the holocron more closely. "The secrets it holds could unlock much potential power."

Darth Zannah continued studying the ancient holocron, sensing that her apprentice was withholding information. She set the holocron down and fixed Darth Cognus with a sharp gaze. "You are hiding something from me," she said bluntly. "Tell me what you are not saying."

Cognus froze, taken by surprise. She had hoped to hide the truth from her master, but saw now that Zannah would accept nothing less than full disclosure. She met Zannah's eyes and replied quietly. "As I searched for the temple, I was confronted by two Jedi, Master and his padawan. I killed them both."

When Darth Cognus disclosed that she had killed two Jedi to claim the holocron, Darth Zannah's eyes narrowed in displeasure. For a long moment she said nothing, fixing her apprentice with a stern glare. Finally, Zannah spoke in a cold, hard voice. "I have warned you repeatedly about engaging the Jedi rashly. It is an unnecessary risk that threatens to expose our operations."

Zannah rose from her chair, her dark robe billowing around her. "Your carelessness could have compromised everything I have built here," she hissed. "You must learn obedience, apprentice, no matter the cost." Zannah made a swift gesture with her hand. At once, Cognus' eyes went vacant and her body began to spasm uncontrollably as Zannah used the Force to invade her mind. Cognus fell to the floor, twitching and convulsing as Zannah inflicted a Force nightmare upon her apprentice.

Within the Force nightmare, Darth Cognus saw Darth Zannah approaching but her master appeared huge, towering over her apprentice. Cognus felt small, weak and helpless in comparison.

Zannah reached for Cognus, her large claws grasping. Cognus turned and ran in fear, feeling like prey fleeing a relentless hunter.

Cognus ran through the corridors of the mansion, but around every corner Zannah's gigantic form loomed closer. Cognus sprinted down twisting hallways and climbed narrow winding staircases, but Zannah's pursuit was unrelenting.

Each time Zannah's claws nearly snatched her, Cognus felt a new stab of terror. Her master seemed to revel in toying with her apprentice, prolonging the chase before delivering the killing blow.

Finally, Zannah caught Cognus in a massive clawed hand and lifted her high into the air. Cognus struggled desperately but could not break free.

As the Force nightmare slowly faded, Darth Cognus found herself on the floor of the study with Darth Zannah sitting back in the chair,holocron in her hand. Zannah looked up from the artifact to her apprentice, and Cognus met her Master's gaze defiantly. Zannah saw the smoldering resentment and defiance in Cognus' eyes, barely restrained. Zannah's punishments were producing the desired effect - stoking the fires of hate within her apprentice.

Zannah fixed her apprentice with an intense stare and asked in a deadly serious tone, "Do you hate me?" Cognus remained silent and after a moment, Zannah continued. "You should hate me," Zannah said. "And you should use that hate to fuel your power, to grow strong enough to one day challenge me for the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith. But until then, I am the Master and you are the apprentice. You will do exactly as I say."

Darth Cognus nodded in understanding. As much as Zannah's cruelty angered her, she knew her place was to serve her Master - for now. One day, if she survived Zannah's tutelage, she might develop the power to overthrow her tormentor and claim the title of Dark Lord of the Sith for herself.

"We are done for today," Zannah said coldly. "Return to your quarters and reflect upon your failings, and how you might correct them."

Cognus pushed herself to her feet and bowed her head in submission. "As you command, my Master," she said solemnly. She exited the study, already planning how she might one day turn Zannah's own lessons against her.