Chapter 72
The tomb of Naga Sadow
Uthar Wynn nodded to the door guard to unlock the doors leading to the Valley of the Sith. Bralor and Bann stood behind him as the door lifted. Four of his students had failed to return the night before, normally he would not care but the four were the most likely to take part of the trail this semester. The rest of this semesters group was underwhelming to put it mildly.
"That is the last of it." He heard a voice speak
"Took long enough to get everything up here." Another spoke, this one male
The door lifted further to reveal the four wayward students and an exceedingly large pile of items.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded
"Jorak Uln stash of artefacts from the tomb of Tulak Horde." Young replied, wiping her tired eyes
"You beat my old master and took his treasury?" Wynn stated
"Starwind got him." Young grudgingly admitted
"We also found a hidden chamber in the tomb where most of these come from." Shearden stated, breathing deeply
Wynn looked at the near human male, he was grey and breathing deeply, his mask must be nearly out of helium. Idly he wondered how it was that a human offshoot evolved to breathe helium, a gas toxic to most other life forms.
"You only mention one tomb." Barlor commented
"No we did Ragnos as well. That droid was not much of a challenge." Young replied, producing the head of said droid
"And no artifacts from that tomb?" Barlor insisted
"No Marko was a bit miffed at us and we got the impression he wanted us to leave." Terri shrugged
Bann tittered behind him
"Showing your rear ends to a Sith lord would have that effect." She said
Wynn remembered the statement from the gaurd that had been charged with desertion from his post at said tomb. At the moment he did not believe the mans report but if Ragnos was showing signs of being around still, the possibilities that might present. Then the tree angering an ancient Sith lord would be something he would expect from Starwind.
"Getting back to Uln. I assume you have proof of the deed. It would not be the first time he send a student back with a trinket after playing his little games." Wynn demanded
Starwind pointed to a bag on top of the pile of artefacts.
"We brought his head as proof." She said
Wynn moved to the bag and opened it. As promised he was looking down at the head of his erstwhile master at the Academy. He thrust the bag at Barlor
"Have that preserved and prepared for my trophy case." He instructed
He looked over the pile of items before him. Cataloguing it would take him several days. He looked up sharply at the students
"This is all you could find?" He demanded
"It was all we could move by ourselves, there are several other larger items still where Uln had them stashed." Ubisi answered
Young produced two daggers.
"I helped myself to these, they came from what I was guessing was guards to Horde. The catacomb they were in had several hundred still in there with the mummified remains."
Wynn waved a dismissive hand at that, two daggers were nothing in the in the big picture. He was almost salivating at the thought of what he could learn from these artefacts, the power he can gain.
"We also helped ourselves to the effects of those who failed to advance or the ones Uln killed." Shearden reported
The backpacks they had been carried was stuffed to bursting and nothing inside looked ancient when Wynn took a quick look inside. His eyes kept on returning to the pile of artefacts that the students had retrieved. Bann stepped closer
"I have soldiers en route to collect it all and take it to your quarters." She softly reported
Wynn nodded at that and looked at the four arrayed before him
"You have missed morning parade, normally there would be punishment accrued for that but in the circumstances that will be waived. Get inside and attend to breakfast. We will talk later."
Canderous put his plate aside as T3 rolled up to him holding a datapad in its manipulator arm. Activating the device he heard a rhythmic clicking noise. Fishing his own datapad from his pocket he started the recording from the start and tapping symbols on his datapad as he listened. Carth held up his hand for silence as Triss was about to ask what was going on. Both Alorei and Viccy were looking on avidly with the latter looking like she wants to grab both pads and study them
Canderous listened to the recording twice before looking down at the pad he held on his knee. He grunted as he decoded the message. Carth cleared his throat to draw Canderous's attention
"What is the news?" Carth asked
"Ad says to stand ready to move at moments notice, picked up another two strays. Got a set of coordinates if they can not extract through Dreshdae." Canderous replied
"We are seriously getting cramped here." Carth commented
"Not the first time we had to run with a full load." Canderous shrugged
Viccy pointed to the first datapad.
"Sorry mister Ordo was that an audio code?" She asked eagerly
"Yes." Canderous grunted in reply
"And you were able to differentiate letters and words between all that clicks. How…" She trailed off
Canderous gave her an amused look
"Sorry, I meant no offence, and I now realise it must be for security…" She went on
"It is called didata. Every Mandalorian child learns it early. It might be basic but the republic has yet to break it." Canderous explained
Viccy shot Canderous a hopefull look that by now he had learned meant that she wished to learn something
"Sorry, only Mandoade gets to learn it, so unless you swear to the Resolnare you can not learn it."
"Stop trying to convert my ward." Alorei mock grumbled
"Why should I? We Mandolorians are always on the lookout for the best and brightest." Canderous replied
The girl gave a shy smile at the praise before retreating back into her hooded jacket hiding her face. She stood up and walked back to the female dormitory.
"She is not like one would expect of a royal." Carth commented
"Fifteenth in line from a Cadet line. I think she was seriously bullied by her family and peers. Running away to Coruscant university was the first and only rebellious thing I have seen her do." Alorei said, a hint of anger in her voice
"And her study material became her only friends." Carth stated
"More or less. Since I was assigned to her she became more open but…"Alorei trailed'off
"You are older and her minder and she needs a real friend." Carth ended for her
"Yeah, not that she would have been likely to find one in the group we were with. She was actually hoping to study the first contact drone found at Dantooine, but there was only place left on the Korriban detail. Not many takers for that one for obvious reasons and filled with those no one should want to know."
"And I am guessing that her staying at the university was dependant on some form of field work." Carth probed
"More a case of her family informing her she should make a name for herself or be pulled back in disgrace. And with Alderaan's importance the University was bending over backwards to accommodate her family."
Carth and Canderous shared a look
"Bastila did leave a lot of the data in the ship mainframe." Carth said
"And I can give her some datapads to read that is not normally available." Canderous offered
"That is all well and good. But why would you go out of your way like that for a girl you do not know?" Alorei asked
"I guess the girls were right, we are getting soft." Canderous sighed
"That the same girls who would give us unending grieve for not doing anything." Carth pointed out
"Still soft." Canderous grumbled
A soap and foam covered form sprinted past giggling merrily as she evaded capture by an irate younger woman. Carth looked at Canderous and sighed
"You are right, we are getting way too soft."
The recruits were standing still at attention as Wynn was doing a more laborious inspection than was his normal routine. He made his way to the front and glared over the formations before him
"I found myself disappointed. I found myself humiliated" His voice was low and all strained to hear him
He took a step forward.
"This morning I had the unfortunate duty to inform our glorious leader that for the fist time this Academy will not be able to render the future leaders our empire demands from us."
He walked to the front of the platoons and walked along the front lines.
"This morning I had to explain to Darth Malak that I and my staff failed. He was gracious enough to spare our lives for that failure for he knew the failure was not by us, the ones he entrusted to teach."
He moved around to the rear of the platoons
"It is with grate shame that I had to witness our leader take the blame for the failure here. For if the fault lied not with the staff it must lie with him. Has he not given you everything here you need to excel?"
Wynn made his way to the front again.
"Four. That is the amount among you that will graduate this semester. Never before has this Academy failed to produce less than ten graduates. I told our glorious leader the shame is not his nor mine. But to who do we apportion the blame?"
He looked over the immobile beings assembled
"And as I look upon you I see the reason for our shame. The great many of you had been here for more than one semester and not one of you are among the four. Have you not been given the finest guidance and teaching? Where does this mediocrity stem from? I do not know yet but we will find the cause, that I can assure you."
Wynn nodded to Bann and she stepped forward
"This semester has been closed by order of Darth Malak." She reported
She took a deep breath before speaking again
"Like Master Wynn I find myself shamed by the poor performance you have displayed, the one thing Lord Malak and Master Wynn agreed upon as one of the reasons for your failure was the distinct lack of drive to succeed. Why do I say you that?"
She pointed to the first platoon
"Starwind, Ubisi, Young, Shearden step forward." She ordered
The four named stepped the regulation three steps forward and resumed their attention position
"These four succeeded where you failed. Look upon them. Are they old students? No, The oldest student among them was here for three weeks. Three fallen Jedi and a bounty hunter that can barely hold a lightsaber. In days they achieved what you failed at. Should we hold them back to allow you to catch up or perhaps to infect them with your sloth?"
Bann stepped back and Wynn retook his position
"With a normal graduation class we would held a feast in their honour and saluted them as they took up their duties in our Empire be that as serving directly or moving on to higher training at Tartarus academy. For this graduation no such invitations would be made. Lord Malak has felt that these four should not be punished for your failure. I am glad to announce that the four before you will be assigned to the Leviathan to be tutored by our gracious Lord himself. And one of the four will be granted the honour to be called his apprentice."
The four were barely able to suppress their shivers on hearing that and their unease was not dispelled as Wynn continued
"I am also jubilant to announce that Darth Malak himself will come to this Academy to collect his students, if not for having to deal with a misguided rebellion on a planet he would have been on his way here already."
Wynn stepped forward till he was directly in front of Terri
"Recruit Starwind, you have accrued the most prestige among your peers. The right to take the trail is yours."
Terri bowed deeply before him
"Thank you for the honour, Master Wynn."
"Do you wish to have time to prepare for your trail?" Wynn asked
"No Master, I am ready." Terri declared
Wynn turned to the remaining three
"As is customary those closest to the winner will be given a chance to take the trail should the first candidate fail or they can ask a boon of the administration. State your wish."
"I will stand by for the trail." Juhani stated
"I too will stand for the trail." Shearden stated
Melissa looked up at Wynn
"As much as I would like to take the trail I know I have much more I need to learn. As a boon I ask for the right to recruit personal staff among the officer academy to start my own retinue."
"Before I grant this boon, explain your reasoning." Wynn demanded
Melissa took a deep breath
"With my shortage of knowledge and experience I know that I will be unlikely to catch up to those who have more training and experience. What I am is a hunter and while a hunter hunts their prey alone at the end of the day they need someone back at my camp to take care of my needs be it gathering intelligence or providing food or other services. After all for all those who serve in the spotlight of our Empire, we need those who serve in the dark as well and I believe I am best suited for that."
Wynn gave a nod
"Well reasoned and true. The Empire does have need of those who serve by irregular and unacknowledged means."
He turned to address the rest of the students
"Would one of you have taken the step back and acknowledged the needs of our Empire as Graduate Young has. Or is the glory you have not worked to earn all that drives you."
Wynn turned back to Melissa
"Your request has been granted, you may search for staff among the officers. As an added bonus you may ask yet one more thing as a gift from this administration."
Melissa though for a moment
"All I would ask for is permission to take one of the abandonded ships in the port, an untraceable ship should be quite usefull as well as clear some needed space."
"Again well thought out and explained and well within my ability to grant."
Wynn stepped back and motioned to the Kel Dor instructor
"Young, you are dismissed and may start your search immediately. Administrator Quarth will see to all the clearances you need. You are dismissed."
Melissa stepped back and spun on her heel and stepped from the parade ground. Wynn turned to face the remaining three
"Come, the trail awaits."
Wynn led the way from the hall Yuthara short on his heels and the remaining three close behind. Barlor stepped forward and looked at the rest of the assembled students
"Get out of my sight, you worthless pieces of osik. Go pray to your gods for mercy for once Lord Malak arrives, none will be found here."
Barlor motioned for Melissa to wait as the assembly broke up. He gave her a rare smile
"You made the right choice. Not many would make the decision to not chase after more power and that is why you will probably be around when the other three are dead and forgotten." He told her in a flat tone
"I do not understand your meaning instructor." Melissa said neutrally
Barlor snorted
"Those three will be vying for the post of the new apprentice, you on the other hand have chosen a path that will bring you great reward. Unlike them you are not driven by a thirst for power. Revenge and greed yes, you have learned that sometimes a little power is more than enough for your needs and the need to stay alive is more important than power."
Melissa gave him an enigmatic smile
"I did not know I could be so easily read." She said
"A word of advice, learn as quickly and as much as you can, but never enough to draw attention and then disappear into the masses. Good hunting and a long live to you, huntress."
Barlor spun around and left her there on the parade ground. Melissa turned around and saw that there was still groupings of students left on the parade ground and all were fixing her with hate and envious filled stares. Casually she started strolling to the door leading to the administration block, she had to get a few things before making her way to the officer academy. Hostile chatter broke out behind her back as she passed but she received no warning of imminent danger
Non commissioned officer were shouting insults and barking commands as they were chivvying the officer students into position for a sudden parade ground assembly. Ameli Paig took her place in the platoon and waited for the session to start. She felt the leers on her back from three older male students in the platoon behind her.
With the visits to the settlement suspended the older students have been taking liberties to sate their frustrations and slake their lust on the younger and mostly female cadets. Something the assigned officers turned a blind eye too.
Once again she cursed herself out for her rash decision to join the army after having had a huge fight with her older sister. Though calling it a fight when only one side was emotional might be stressing the scenario. She came to attention as the call to arms resounded across the parade ground. The Colonel stepped up to start the usual inspection, the major and the captains in place behind him. This time there was another figure.
A figure she knew.
Recruit Young was idly following behind the officers. Every once in a while the colonel would point out a cadet to her. Ameli held back a snort, the usual brown noses were the ones most frequently pointed out. A rare few were truly exceptional and dedicated cadets. Young showed polite interest at best before motioning for the colonel to continue
That in and of itself was unusual as the recruits were technically of the same level as the cadets and the colonel was showing way too much deference to a mere recruit. Then she took a closer look at Young's tunic. She was wearing the uniform of a graduate. The last she looked Young was a recruit. She started remembering how Young had dealt with that recruit. Was Young really a recruit? Had they found out about her message to her sister? She was certain she had covered her tracks well, but all it would take is one mistake. She needed to stay calm, lest she betray herself with her agitation.
Ameli took a few deep breaths and tried to school her expression to a neutral look. She must have breathed louder than she anticipated when the cadet on her side shot her a furtive look. The officer group grew closer
"I am sorry to say that there is not one in this platoon I would recommend for detached duties." The colonel commented
"I would not normally presume t o doubt your recommendation but there is one here I have worked with before." Young replied
"I assure you there are more acceptable options in first platoon." The colonel stated
"I am sure they will make excellent officers, but I am looking for someone I can train to my needs." Young rebutted firmly
Young made a pulling motion and Ameli found herself ripped from the platoon and dropped to the feet of the officers. Young stepped forward and pushed her down with a boot to the back stopping her from rising
"I will take this one for now. I will be looking through your files to see if anyone else draws my attention."
"If I may ask what made you choose her?" The colonel asked
"She was competent enough when I worked with her. Though there is one further thing that recommended her to me." Young replied
"That being?" The Colonel asked
Young gave Ameli a leering grin
"She is the only one that smelled like a virgin in this entire parade. And she has all what I am looking for in a personal relief assistant."
Young reached down and grabbed Ameli by the scruff of her neck in a surprisingly iron strong grip
"Colonel, if you will excuse me. I have matters to attend to." Young stated, lust thick in her voice
Ameli was pushed mercilessly forward as Young led the way from the parade ground. Major Welison stepped closer to address the Colonel
"Sir, what was that all about?" He asked
"That Major was a recruit, sorry graduate, making use of seldom used regulation to requisition staff for herself. As you have heard she will be back for more staff once she determines the number and type she needs." The Colonel replied stiffly
The two officer were speaking at normal volume but all within range heard the conversation, as the reality set in more than a few shuddered at the possibilities that could entail. None found sympathy for the girl that had been dragged out of there already. Before days end a new unofficial rule was added to the book.
Do not draw the attention of a graduate, it will not end well for you
Melissa was well out of sight of the officer academy before releasing the terrified girl. The dome of Dreshdae settlement visible in the distance
"I have a question for you." Melissa stated
"Yes, Mam." Ameli nodded and gulped
"Do you still run around under a sheet pretending to be a mynock? Or was Alexai making up that story?" Melissa asked stepping back
Ameli looked at her stunned. Despair started turning to hope
"Yes I know Alexai and I am your ticket out of the mess you got yourself into." Melissa told her
Ameli went bone white in an instant and dropped like a stone. Melissa caught her in a force grip and gently lowered her to the ground.
"That went well." Melissa muttered to herself as she sat down next to the girl.
Ameli was still sure she was dreaming as she followed Young up the boarding ramp to a freighter. Having stumbled along in the wake of the graduate as they skirted the dome to Dreshdae to the landing field.
"Ameli?" A voice called
Ameli looked up to see a group of faces she thought she would never see again. She had mourned her friends quietly when the academy had been informed of their grisly deaths
"Lisa, Taylor? How?" She stammered
She found herself engulfed in a hug as her friends swarmed her. She did not notice Young leaving her side as she was passed from person to person and finally to the maid that was so friendly to them. A maid now dressed in a Jedi tunic. The shocks would not end there as Young made her way back
Young had shucked the Academy robes and was now dressed in gleaming armour. Mandalorian Armour. She had a lightsaber clipped to her gunbelt. An older male handed her the trademark helmet of a Mandalorian.
"You sure you can make it to the tomb undetected?" He asked gruffly
"To the tomb, no. Inside of the Academy? Yes. I can be in position when Terri ,Juhani and Arc make their way back to the Academy. Depending on the amount of resistance we will either make our way back to the valley for pickup or push through to Dreshdae."
"You sure about going in with Beskar?"
"Elek Biur. I have been out of my Beskar for too long I was getting withdrawal symptoms. Besides I will need every edge I can get, this is one they will not see coming."
The man gripped her by the neck and touched his forehead to hers
"K'oyaci!" He said
"Elek Buir. Keep the engine hot and the beer cold."
"Pirnunir sur'haaise. He said, releasing her
"At est ni dini haran." She said
She placed the helmet on her head before shrugging on the Academy cloak and throwing the cowl up hiding her helmet. She strode past to where Ameli was standing and gave her a nod before striding down the lowering boarding ramp. Moments later she was lost from sight in the sand storm that sprung up as the boarding ramp rose up as she stepped off.
Terri came to a step as the door to the tomb crashed down behind her. Yuthara and Wynn took positions to the left and right of her. Wynn waved hrandly around the hall
"Welcome to the tomb of Naga Sadow, the greatest of the Sith Lords. This is your trail." He stated grandly
"You are to make your way to the sarcophagus of the departed Lord." Yuthara instructed her
"Not only are you to show your respect to the Lord, you are to search for your new lightsaber in the room. The new lightsaber is the mark of your Ascension to the Sith and proof to all that you succeeded." Wynn added
Wynn made a flourishing movement and Terri took it as an invitation to proceed. She stepped forward to where the next door blocked her access. She felt movement in the force behind her and the door was lifted up. She stepped into the gloom of the next room and darkness reigned as the door slammed behind her
She wanted to roll her eyes at the over dramatic ness of the situation but with no one there to see it, it would be a wasted gesture. Reaching into her pocket she pulled her headlamp out and placed it on her forehead. Looking around the room she scoffed on seeing the ancient torches in the brackets. The smell of accelerant filled the air. Two lined walls ran from underneath the torches and as far as she could see along the length of the room. With a sigh she ignited her blade and touched the tourches setting them alight before dipping the tip of her blade into the trench of the line wall.
Flames sprung up and ran along the line, hungrily crackling as the flames ran. She touched the far line and another line of flame ran. She resisted from looking at the hieroglyphs on the wall, having learnt the lesson from experiencing the headache and discomfort in the previous tombs. She became aware of a slithering sound over the crackling of the flames and her force senses screamed a warning
Two Korriban vipers slithered into view. Both snakes easily twenty metres long and easily her width. Both rose up and hissed at her, venom dripping onto the stones from their fangs
"Yeah, not playing with those today." She muttered
A cryoban grenade left her hand as the two snakes slithered closer attracted by her body heat nicely outlined by the flames to mark her position clearer.
She moved the moment the two vipers were encased in the ice of the grenade. Not taking any chances on the unfamiliar biology of the snakes she rendered them into several chunks before moving past to the following door at a force sprint. The beeping of a thermal detonator behind her. The super heated plasma making sure nothing followed behind her
"Go to Korriban they said. It is nice this time of year. You will have great fun." Terri mouthed of as she studied the next door.
A sudden thud had her turning around. A juvenile teranterek screeched at her before charging at her. She moved in drawing the cortosis daggers she had borrowed from Melissa from her boots.
She slid underneath the rampaging beast and struck out to hamstring the beast. She barely managed to nick the right leg, but she struck true on the left leg. She vaulted into the air with a force jump moments before the teranterak struck a viscous claw where she had been moments ago. The beast seemed unaware of the green blood gushing from its wound. Terri touched ground and rolled forward before spinning around and crouching
Dodging another charge had her adding two more wounds to the beast. Spotting an alcove she jumped for it and turned to face her opponent. The beast screeched and she felt a moment of disorientation as the attack struck her. The beast kept well clear of the flames that were now starting to diminish.
"Blaster is not going to work. Will drain my lightsaber battery before I can cut deep enough to hurt it. The daggers are not doing enough damage" She spoke to herself.
She spotted the burning torches at the far end of the hall and again noticed that the beast stayed away from the flames. With a shrug she pulled one of the torches out of the brackets and flung it at the beast. Her aim was of and she dropped the torch to the side of the beast whu scurried back one claw kicking the torch handle.
The torch spun and a flame licked at an open wound. Terri expected the beast to scatter from the flame. What she did not expect was to seem as if the flame was sucked into the beast. The beast stilled and started smoking from the mouth
"Great, now I made it worse." She sighed
The beast took several steps forward its maw opening. Terri prepared to jump, hoping she will get enough clearance. The beast stopped. It belched. For a moment it looked confused
It exploded. Gibbets and pieces flying through the air. Terri managed to turn around in time to prevent getting a face full. However she did feel pieces attach to her hair. She whimpered in disgust as she ran her hands through her hair to get the pieces out
She jumped from the alcove and looked over the remaining pieces of the beast.
"Great design, unstoppable Jedi killer and it is not flameproof."
She flicked a double finger salute in what she guessed was the direction of Ajunta Pall's tomb. With another disgust hand ran through her hair she made her way to the door. Finding a pressure plate she looked behind her to make sure there were no more surprises before stomping on the pressure plate
The door started to rise and she moved to get to the side of the door. The door stopped moving. She looked at the pressure plate
"Sure stand on the plate and make a nice target as the door lifts."
She looked around the room to find a weight to use on the plate. With a sigh she realised she had blown up the only things in the room with sufficient weight to trigger the plate.
Having no choice she stepped back onto the plate and crouched low, she lit her lightsaber in anticipation of an attack. The smell of blood and carrion carried in from the next roar, shortly followed by a beastly roar. A Tukata Patriarch jumped towards her.
She stepped back from the pressure plate and the door dropped. The beast took the stone door in the back. She could hear vertebrae snapping as the door pressed the beast to the ground. The Tukata growled at her and tried to lash at her with its claws. She stepped well out of range and pulled her last grenade from her pocket. She armed the fragmentation grenade and threw it into the spitting mouth of the Tukata
Moments later she was wiping down her bloody face and spitting angrily. She moved forward and stepped over the pressure plate and crawled under the partially open door. Cursing and swearing the whole way. She paused to administer a few kicks to the corpse holding the door open.
The road split in two and after a moment she took the left road. Following the passage she became aware of a neon green glow up ahead. Slowly she moved forward. The road was covered in a green hue. Picking up a stone she tossed it at the road. The stone sank and a plop filled the air. Droplets spattered onto a piece of lichen covering a rock on the side. The sizzling noise the lichen made did not fill her with confidence. She played her light along the sides of the passage and saw only smooth stone, the same for the roof.
With no choice she backtracked and took the right hand passage. It led to a hall and several droids sprang to life. All of them were bipedal humanoid types and all were equipped with a lightsaber
"My kingdom for an ion grenade." She muttered lighting her lightsaber
She sank down and extended her blade before her. Green energy coalesced on her fingertips as she prepared to unleash a force attack. Green lightning lashed out and enveloped the first two droids. She moved in as the two droids were spasming from her attack. She quickly relieved them of their heads and then had to block a flurry of strikes as the next two droids were upon her. She grunted slightly as she blocked the powerfull strikes. Two slashed across the chassis of the droids failed to disable them.
"So decapitation or dismemberment only then." She said analysing her results
She moved more to the centre of the room and the remaining six droids circled her at distance. All of the flourishing their blades in a programmed attempt at intimidation. She shifted her blade to her left hand and focused on one droid as it flourished its blade in a twirling pattern. Her hand flashed to her gunbelt and her blaster was in her hands in a moment. The bolt struck true and the droid dropped, its head a smoldering mass
Terri stood with her hands on her knees as she gasped for breath. The last droid sparking away merrily a few metres from her. The urge to lean into the force to refresh herself was almost overwhelming, but she resisted. Using a pure light side technique would blow her cover quicker than simply declaring herself a Jedi. Sure as an alleged ex Jedi she would know the technique but remembering Zhar's lesson it was a technique only light side users could use, the Sith prefer to drain their enemies or if needs be their so called allies.
She made her way over to a stone chest along the wall. Lifting the lid she found two grenades one red, one blue. Looking to the far side of the hall she saw another door leading of. She shook her head
"Another test. Do I follow my greed or do finish my task."
For a moment she paused
"Talking to yourself is the healthiest of options you know."She told herself
Standing in front of the green goo she looked at the grenades in her hands. One was certain death, the other possibly a way to cross. She looked at the stone she spotted earlier and noticed the lichen had been completely destroyed by whatever the substance was.
"Acid." She thought
She took several steps back and armed the blue grenade. She tossed it towards the green floor. Ice sprouted over the surface of the acid pool and she force sprinted over the floor not wanting to take chances on the solidness of the ice.
She found herself in a massive hall. Pools of dark water lined the walls and a single staircase led to a platform. Keeping a cautious eye on the pools of water she ascended the staircase. A sarcophagus was dead centre of the platform. It was partially raised so that she could see the form carved on the solid stone construction.
No face was visible, covered by a flowing robe covering the figure. Terri could not say for certain if it was male or female or that matter what species it was. To one side was a sculpture of a kneeling figure standing on a smaller platform. Looking closer she noticed scratch marks at the base of the sculpture. She pushed against the side and a panel shifted loose. A lightsaber was lying on a red cushion.
Taking it she felt a sense of wrongness emanating from it.
"The feel of a true Sith Lightsaber." Wynn spoke behind her.
Turning around she saw Wynn and Yuthara standing at the top of the stairs
"Well done. My apprentice." Yuthara spoke
Wynn gave Yuthara his signature mocking laugh
"So it has come to this at last. This is the one you chose." He stated mockingly
"You should have known eventually it would come to pass, master." Yuthara spat the last word
Wynn looked at Terri
"But let us hear from the third party. I have another offer for you. Slay Yuthara and take her place or join her in death."
Terri looked at him sideways before shaking her head
"As I've said before men are not my thing. And Yuthara told me of your tastes so that is a hard pass from me."
"You are outnumbered, Wynn. My apprentice stands with me." Yuthara crowed
Terri shook her head again
"About that. I already have employment courtesy of the republic fleet and the Jedi order. I am unfortunately unable to handle another employer at this time."
"Do you really think a single Jedi can take two Sith?" Wynn scoffed
"Considering the both of you were planning on taking each other out. I would say yes. You see you can not trust Yuthara to have your back and she can not aloow you to live. Not mentioning that I do not believe Yuthara is a true Sith." Terri spoke casually
Yuthara threw her a confused glance. Terri pointed to her eyes.
"Still your own colour even if tinged with yellow. You are not fully in line with the dark." Terri explained
"You think you know everything?" Wynn snarled
"I know enough." Terri shrugged
She started walking to the middle of the platform. The sith Lightsaber dropping from her hand. Idly she wiped her hand on her trousers as if to clean it from the taint of the lightsaber
"Uthar Wynn, Class sentinel, temple guard third class. Relies heavily on Soresu, barely proficient in lightsaber combat. Last assigned to the sanctum. Your temple file was not really inspiring reading. So I have to ask how did a security guard barely above padawan level make it to the top of Academy? Surely not in power. Did you suck of Uln? Seeing as forcing yourself on your apprentice is apparently a Sith requirement." Terri mockingly spoke
Wynn roared in rage and attacked. His strokes were powerfull but his rage robbed him of his reason. Terri used Makashi as her counter. Mocking commentaries flowed from her lips as the two clashed. Terri flowing fluidly around his attacks. Their blades screeching and sparking as they clashed, red and blue light filling the air in blurs of superheated plasma.
The battle flowed forwards and backwards, both slashing and hacking between throwing force attacks at their opponents in between. Terri vaulted over his head and slashed down as Wynn scythed for her legs.
Wynn bellowed with pain as her blade ran along his exposed back. Terri spun around around and lifted her blade in a high guard. Wynn staggered back, desperately looking towards Yuthara where she was backing down the staircase
"Help me." He demanded
"Go to hell, master." Yuthara spat
"I will see you there soon." Wynn retorted
Wynn lifted his blade towards Terri and face her in a shaking stand. Both fighters fully aware this is the final movement of this fight
She stepped out of the way of a force lightning attack before throwing a push out. Wynn teetered on the edge of the platform and Terri moved in. Wynn stared at the blade lodged in his chest
"You lose." Terri told him
Wynn started chuckling and a beeping noise came from within his tunic
Terri disengaged her blade and gave another force push. Wynn flew through the air and struck the dark pool with a splash. Moments later a geyser of stagnant water erupted and splashed down on the two survivors in the room
Yuthara stopped at the base of the stairs and shakily engaged her blade. Terri closed her blade and looked down at the Twi'lek. Her clothes nad hair were sudden after the unplanned shower they have received.
"I meant what I said. I do not believe you are a true Sith." Terri said
"I am no Jedi!" Yuthara cried out
"No, you are not." Terri replied calmly
She started walking towards Yuthara
"You were a child when the slavers got hold of you, what you did was for survival. When the Jedi found you, they failed you by not foreseeing that your needs was different from any other apprentice. Yes, you did dark things by their definition. You killed, you stole, you used your body as a tool. But that did not give them the right to judge you for that. No one has that right but you. When you broke away you fell back on what you knew, again for survival."
Terri was now within striking distance
"I watched you as you watched me. I do not see a dark sider or a Sith. I see a woman who had no other choice."
Terri slowly placed her hands on Yuthara's shoulder
"Now you have a choice. Kill me or get out of my way." She said softly
"Raise your blade!" Tears were running down Yuthara's face
"You are not my enemy." Terri repeated
Terri enveloped Yuthara in a hug and she heard the sound of a blade disengaging. Moments later the hug was returned in a frenzied grip and she could feel the woman shaking as she sobbed
What seemed like ages later the two broke apart. Yuthara wiped her eyes
"What happens now?" She asked brokenly
"You decide whether you want to stay here or make your way to the airfield and find yourself a ship to get off planet. As for me I have a map to find." Terri replied
"I can not go back to the Jedi." Yuthara said
"I am not telling you to, find your own path. Take your life into your own hands and make of it what you will. Do not let others decided your path for you."
Terri let go of the woman and made to walk from the room
"The map you seek is in the room beyond the hall were the droids were. You should hurry. The dead man charge Wynn had would have alerted the Academy that he has fallen, if I do not return with you they will attack and I will not return there."
Terri walked from the room
"Go in peace, Yuthara Bann. Find your happiness." She said over her shoulder
Yuthara looked at the empty doorway for a long while
"May you find what you have lost, my friend." She spoke to the darkness
