STAR WARS: The Old Empire

by Soleneus

It has been decades since the Sacking of Coruscant and the signing of the Treaty. Now a cold war has settled between The Empire and The Republic. A tense peace has reigned between the two factions, but it is only a matter of time before fires of war are stoked once again. On the sands of Korriban, birthplace of the Sith, a young warrior has secretly been called to the Academy...

1. Peace is a Lie

Peace is a lie, there is only Passion.

A staccato of subtle buzzing and loud clacks rang through the arena as training blades clashed, parted and clashed again. Two humanoids fought against a towering red figure, striking out swiftly from both sides though the third handily fended them off.

Above the arena, four others watched. One, a human in elegant red, black and gold armor, his pale face expressionless but the flickering of his golden eyes. Beside him, a woman clad in similarly-coloured armor, though baring both her stomach and cleavage, her ruby skin, pointed ears and bodily ridges marking her as a Sith Pureblood.

Standing next to them was another man, slighter of build clad in disguising black and grey robes, dark brown eyes peering from beneath his hood. Behind him, a taller man in simpler robes of purple and grey, a sneer twisting his black and red skin, with horns protruding from his head.

"...Is this all he is truly capable of?" The robed figure muttered.

"Of course not!" The red-skinned woman scoffed, "My son is merely exercising!" She looked to the side of the arena and nodded.

A woman with tentacles trailing from the back of her skull nodded, turning to grab a training blade from the rack, exposing the bulky collar attached to the back of her neck that marked her as a slave. She activated the training saber with a buzz and ran onto the padded arena.

Through Passion, I gain Strength.

The tallest figure, ruby skin matching that of his mother's, reacted quickly to the addition of a third opponent; wide, theatrical strikes becoming shorter and more efficient, using his superior size and strength to his advantage by forcing the smaller slaves into blade locks, only to deal out swift punches or knee strikes.

Battering one to the side, he locked a slave into partial grapple, bodily hurling them off of their feet and into the first, sending them both tumbling. Then he turned on his heel, batting away a strike at his head before slapping the hilt from her hand and swiftly stroking her across the thigh, chest and neck, all lethal blows had his saber not been for training. The slave collapsed in a twitching pile of limbs with a shout of pain, as the other two stumbled back to their feet just in time for the Pureblood to crash into them. One was struck across the chest and fell while the other desperately waved their training blade to hold him off.

The hooded figure turned to the Zabrak and jerked his head. The horned figure drew his own training saber and leapt towards the Pureblood, drawing on the Force to cover the distance in a single bound. The two were more evenly matched in size and skill, blades clashing and locking as they struggled for advantage, then Pureblood slipped a foot between the Zabrak's ankles and took a leg out from under him, scoring a light slash across his opponents ribs. The horned humanoid roared in anger, a wave of Force erupting from him but only sending the Pureblood back a step.

Through Strength, I gain Power.

Narrowing his golden eyes, the Pureblood flicked a wrist, summoning a discarded training blade to his hand from the floor and darted in low. The Zabrak was instantly on the back foot; one blow was blocked, another slipped through his guard, he deflected one strike and another pierced his defenses. To attack was to meet impenetrable defense and swift counter-attack; to defend was to invite overwhelming assault from all directions.

It ended as quickly as it had begun. The Pureblood locked the Zabrak's blade between one of his, twisting the hilt and ripping it from his opponents grasp, landing a strike to the chest, followed by a swipe to the back of the knee, then a twin stroke to smote the horned humanoid to the floor in a twitching, steaming heap.

Through Power, I gain Victory.

The Pureblood turned to the trio viewing from the platform, discarding his training blades to the floor. Behind him, the Zabrak pushed himself to his knees, eyes burning yellow as he extended a hand and unleashed a stream of purple lightning at his enemy's back. The Pureblood turned on his heel and raised his hand, catching the lightning in his palm with a grunt of effort.

He held out for a few seconds longer, then clenched his hand into a fist. The Zabrak choked and clutched his neck then was dragged across the floor. The Pureblood pulled him in and at the same time pulled a fallen training saber to his hand, swinging back and then forward.

The blade struck the horned alien across the throat and snapped cleanly in two, sending him flipping onto his front where he lay still, and did not get up again.

The hooded man met the expectant gazes of the Sith standing beside him and nodded. "Excellent," he declared, "He shall serve his purpose perfectly. I must return to Korriban shortly, and I will send for him soon." He bowed briefly and strode off.

The human and the Sith woman traded looks, before smiles crossed their faces. "Well done, my son," the man said, voice reverberating.

"Yes, my love, well done," the woman added, a toothy grin splitting her lips.

Their son bowed shortly, dropping the broken blade by the Zabrak as a pool of blood began to spread from the body as he left, avoiding a group of slaves as they rushed in to clean the arena.

Through Victory, my Chains are Broken.

"I'm sorry, but I can't take you with me," he said, huddled in a secret alcove with a woman, her clothes, collar and the brand stretching down from her forehead, down an eye, cheek and jaw marking her as a slave, "I asked, nearly begged…but they refused. Said I would need to earn the right to take my own slaves, that I would start the Academy as bereft as they did…I…I'm sorry, my dear."

"Shar," the pink-skinned woman murmured, tears gathering in her warm orange eyes, "...What will I do without you? I know you've been protecting me, that the other slaves will hold a grudge for the favor you've shown me…w-what can I do?"

Shar withdrew a mechanical toy from his pocket, a large reptile native to Dromund Kaas he knew she favored, and pressed it into her hands. "I don't know, but keep this close to you, keep our memories in your heart and mind and no matter the distance, we will never truly be apart."

She clutched the mechanical reptile as she began to cry freely, turning on her heel and fleeing from him.

"Luxia!" He called, reaching out to stop her only to halt, and let his hand drop by his side. "I'm sorry…"

The Force Shall Set Me Free.

His eyes snapped open as the shuttle came to a stop, rising from his seat as the pilot and an armored trooper escorted him to the landing pad. He stepped out into the arid atmosphere, golden eyes drinking in the orange rock and stark metal of the planet and the structures built into it, the crumbling bowed statues, took a deep breath of the dry air of what had once been his people's home planet, felt the Force ebbing and swirling around him, and breathed out.

He was ready.

STAR WARS

THE OLD EMPIRE

It has been decades since the SACKING OF CORUSCANT and the signing of the TREATY OF CORUSCANT. Now a cold war has settled between THE SITH EMPIRE and THE GALACTIC REPUBLIC. A tense peace has reigned between the two factions, but it is only a matter of time before fires of war are stoked once again.

On the sands of KORRIBAN, birthplace of the SITH, a young warrior known as SHAR'KATOK has been secretly called to the SITH ACADEMY for a mysterious purpose…

…

…

"Good, you've finally arrived," a weathered, brown-skinned human said by way of greeting, "We didn't get the chance to become acquainted in person before I had to leave. I am Overseer Tremel. For decades, I've administered the trials that prove who is and is not worthy to join the Sith Order. The trials are an opportunity to weed out the weak. Those who face them either survive and become Sith, or die."

Shar'Katok bowed shallowly but respectfully. "I am Shar'Katok, Overseer. Being Sith is in my blood," he nodded to the pilot in thanks and dismissal. "I won't disappoint you."

Tremel blinked and turned to walk away. "See that you don't, I risked a lot to ensure your arrival." The landing pad shuddered as the shuttle lifted away, and Shar hurried after the Overseer as they strode towards the hangar. "Yes, you are here because of me. I expect you to obey."

Though neither his tone or expression changed, the look in his eyes promised consequences for refusal. It was a look Shar was quite familiar with. He nodded sharply.

"You face your trials, you serve me, and I will make you the most powerful acolyte on Korriban," the Overseer continued, stepping into the shelter of the hangar and facing the larger Sith.

"Indeed," Shar replied.

"The trials are difficult enough, but they will not be the greatest threat you face," Tremel warned, clasping his hands behind his back, "There is an acolyte here named Vemrin," the name was sneered with loathing, "He is your enemy, and he will try to kill you. You must be prepared."

The Sith arched a ruby brow. "...How is it that I already have an enemy? I just arrived."

The older man grimaced slightly. "All you need to know is that he is a threat to you, and you a threat to him. We must make sure you are prepared for that threat." He nodded at the training blade hung from Shar's belt, "The practice sword you've arrived with will be insufficient-a blade for lesser acolytes. You will need a dominating weapon. In the Tomb of Ajunta Pall, there is an old armory where a strong Sith warblade awaits you. Beware, the tomb is thick with k'lor'slugs, deadly, savage creatures. Be speedy but careful, they've been the unceremonious end of many an acolyte."

Shar resisted the urge to grin, his blood already pumping at the thought of real combat. "Just tell me where to go."

"In the valley beyond, you will find the tomb," Tremel instructed, gesturing behind him, "Once you've acquired the blade, I suggest you spend some time bloodying it. When you are done, come to my office in the Academy." With that said, he turned on his heel and left.

The Sith waited for the Overseer to be gone, then reached into his belt and retrieved his personal holocom, quickly checking for any message or missed calls. He was disappointed to find none. He thought of Luxia, of her dark pink skin, of heated moments in his room and of the quiet, wistful conversations that followed. He hoped she was well.

Exiting the hangar, he stepped into the Valley of the Dark Lords. High carved stone walls decorated with the crimson banners and the white symbol of the Empire hung grandly above him, the towering pyramid of the Academy lying beyond. A walkway led from the hangar directly to the Academy, but a ramp descended straight into the sandy valley and the thick, rune covered walls of the Tomb of Ajunta Pall beckoned.

He spied other acolytes going about their tasks, some fighting pink slugs that would reach up to his chest, numerous legs tipped with calcified talons and similar fangs around a gaping maw, and smiled. Shar drew his training sword and modified the settings, pumping up the amount of energy flowing through it. It wouldn't be too lethal, little better than an amped stun baton with more reach, but a weapon was a weapon.

Shar focused on a group of three slugs that had just emerged from the ground and leapt into battle. His charge ended with an overhead blow that crashed into first slugs skull, crushing it and dropping the creature, followed by a swipe to the second that made it screech and curl into a smoking ball, vomiting steaming organs, while he dodged wild swipes from the third and impaled it through the middle.

He smiled once more and charged at another group.

Ducking into the tomb properly, he found troopers, some lying wounded behind makeshift barricades while others held off swarming slugs, while an armored Sith bearing a red lightsaber swiftly cut through a group with ease. A robed Sith stood off to the side, examining the corpse of a slug while occasionally lifting his hand and blasting lightning into the swarm.

The slugs receded under the onslaught and a helmetless trooper sighed, holstering his blaster rifle and turning as Shar approached. "Excuse me, acolyte. Sergeant Cormun, Fifth Infantry company, Korriban regiment. Can I…can I speak to you?"

"Granted, Sergeant," the Sith replied distractedly, watching the armored woman seethe and draw upon the Force, the minor scratches on her face disappearing.

"Thank you," the trooper sighed, "You're the acolyte Overseer Tremel had brought in special, right? Heading down into the tomb to show what you're made of?"

"Indeed."

"Well, here's your chance to show off to the Overseers and begin building ties to the Imperial military as well," he began before standing at attention, "I'm here commanding a hard target strike to eliminate the k'lor'slug breeding ground in this tomb…I've lost three squads of good men fighting them. They come in packs and they just…they can swallow a man whole." He shivered at the thought.

Shar arched a brow. He could see why a swarm of the creatures would be dangerous, especially the slugs larger than himself, but that only made him more eager to kill again. "If you're trying to dissuade me, Sergeant, I'm afraid it won't work."

"On the contrary, I'm hoping you can help us," the trooper replied, "You see, we managed to plant explosives throughout the slugs breeding chambers, but the creatures went into a frenzy before we could detonate."

"I'll see what I can do," the Sith replied, crossing his arms over his broad chest, "I hope you understand I won't be doing this for free?"

"Of course not, sir. Just…don't underestimate these creatures, they're vicious and cleverer than they seem," the trooper nodded.

Shar bobbed his head in agreement and made his way deeper into the tomb. Not even halfway there he ran across a smaller swarm and both wanting to test himself and give the troopers a bit of break, he eagerly jumped into combat. The larger slugs were more of a challenge, as one raked a claw over his shoulder, cutting a dark line into his flesh, but their greater size meant a larger target. He dragged his sword across its belly and spilled its guts on the filthy floor, then swiftly dispatched the lesser creatures.

The closer he came to the nest, the more vicious and numerous the slugs became but Shar kept killing until he was near ankle-deep in corpses, small scratches and tears marring his clothes. Drawing on the Force, he threw his hand out with a cry, unleashing a wave of force that smeared the slugs on the walls and gave him a bit of space to breathe.

He found the nest surrounded by half-digested corpses and sickly green eggs, some already twitching as the slugs within struggled to hatch. Partially buried within the rubble were cases of explosives and the detonators; he reached out and slapped the glowing button on the console, then took to his heels and ran as the countdown began.

Barely five seconds later, the building rumbled and a shockwave rattled his bones along with the dying cry of many slugs. Satisfied, Shar took a moment to channel the Force through his body, feeling his injuries knit together and fade, leaving only the tears in his clothing as evidence of his injuries.

As he returned, the armored Sith relaxed and extinguished her lightsaber and the troopers slumped. "Excellent work my lord," Sergeant Cormun said with obvious relief, "I could hear the explosion from here! For your hard work." He offered a handful of credits and armored if weathered gloves, obviously salvaged from some other trooper.

Taking his reward, Shar pulled his new gloves on and nodded. They weren't anything special, but well made and decently protective. Stretching his arms out, the acolyte turned the rest of the tomb and continued his journey.

…

Why are there so many grave robbers? He wondered, battering a human male over the skull and pausing as combat faded. Finding no others nearby, he sheathed his new vibrosword and knelt to loot the bodies. Finding the datapad near a digested skeleton offering a reward for killing tomb looters and recovering artifacts had been a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. Some of the larger slugs were worthy prey, but after figuring out their methods of attack they fell like any other.

The looters, on the other hand, were armed with blasters and vibroswords, scattered throughout that section of the tomb with lookouts while others mined and stole whatever they could grab. They proved to be a bit more challenging, but only a bit. The strategy he had created on the fly worked wonders; charge into the middle of a group, crush the skull of one, then jump into the air and channel his power to his feet, smashing back to the floor to daze the rest, then a pair of follow-up strokes to dispatch the rest.

One of the looters, larger in size and armed with a blaster rifle and obvious cybernetics, had seen him killing another group and opened fire. The Force had trilled a warning to Shar, who had brought his practice sword up to deflect the bolts away. Being made for training, however, the blade broke after only a few deflections, and he had closed the gap with his enemy, dodging a wild butt-stroke before driving the broken end through the cyborg's chest before snapping their neck.

Taking up a discarded pack, Shar had begun to fill it with recovered artifacts and looted weapons and credits, along with a holster for blaster pistol. Other Sith would sneer at his use of such an uncivilized weapon, but if they weren't around to see it, did it truly matter what their possible thoughts could be?

No, no it did not.

Besides, it was only a back-up. Nothing could quite replace the visceral thrill of cutting apart an enemy in head-to-head combat, and their weapons would do nicely in filling his account with credits.

Moving deeper into the tomb, he came to a three-way divide, two sets of stairs leading down and third leading up. Calling on the Force, it directed him to one of the sets and so he descended, passing several standing tombs with dust-covered figures within until he came to the bottom. There, on the far end of the room encircled by more tombs, he found a stone weapon rack with an old metal blade still hanging from it.

Taking it from the rack, he gave it a quick spin to test the weight. It was heavier than the vibrosword, though only slightly, and tapping the activation button had red light emerging from four edges around the warblade's, well, blade. This must've been the step in between the old attached power pack lightsabers and the modern versions, he thought, smiling to himself, when I find a better weapon, I should take this apart to see the differences! Running a finger close to the activated edges, he felt the slight buzz of a magnetic field, and knew that his new sword would be capable of deflecting blaster bolts near as well as a lightsaber.

Turning to leave, he was stopped as figures emerged from the tombs, shaking off the dust and age to reveal themselves as old droids, somehow still in working condition. With a grin, he leapt at the first and began to hack away.

As the last fell, he deactivated his sword and stowed it before digging through the newly-made scrap piles for anything intact. His new warblade was quite nice, capable of divesting droid of limb with far more ease than the standard vibrosword he carried. He was eager to test it against more fleshy opponents.

…

Shar severed the hand of a looter before impaling her through the chest, then spun on his heel and disemboweled another, who gave him a shocked look before keeling over. Breathing a bit heavily, the Pureblood scrubbed a hand across his brow and found it smeared with blood, a mixture of k'lor'slug and human, and wondered if Tremel thought he was dead. He'd been in the tomb for hours now, killing every slug and grave robber he could find, marveling at the ease with which he dispatched his opponents, and taking everything that looked even slightly valuable.

He could feel fresh air flowing from ahead of him and knew he was finally through the tomb, having stopped once to steal a canteen full of water from a looter who would no longer need it, and found a datapad with some interesting information. Apparently some of the looters were minions of Sith with an interest in history and a disinterest in getting dirty, while others still had infiltrated slave shipments for the chance at rare and valuable loot from the Imperial-controlled planet. Loot that was now his.

Emerging into the sunlight, Shar cleaned the blood from himself with a wave of his hand and looked up at the towering pyramid of the Sith Academy, then turned and walked by the door to a nearby pavilion. He spotted a muscular trooper with the name 'Rikel' on his lapel and recalled the name from the datapad, heading over and retrieving the rescued artifacts from his pack. "I've taken care of the looters in the tomb," he said by way of greeting.

"Ah," the Sergeant nodded, looking unsurprised, "I'll assume my men are dead, then. Even so, you've done us a great service, their loss is your gain I suppose." And with that, he traded Shar the artifacts for a bundle of credits and a pair of armored pants, which the Pureblood appreciated. Before his little tomb-delving adventure, his clothes had been clean and whole, now, not so much. And after trading in the weapons and things he'd looted, he had a nice little packet of credits in his account.

Finding a hidden place to change, Shar stepped up the ramp to the entrance and paused as his senses tickled. Turning back to look over the valley, he spied a shuttle descending to the landing pad in the distance and cocked his head in thought. There's a presence on that ship I've felt before…but where? He shook his head and continued on. I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

After asking directions to Tremel's office, he stepped into the Academy and felt a chill brush over his skin. The dull grey durasteel of the temple felt cold and alien to the warm stone of the outside, and even the splashes of color of crimson banners and rich red rugs couldn't stop the interior from feeling monotonous. Passing red-clad guards and others on the way, he was stopped outside of his destination by a pair of acolytes, one tall and brutish, the other lean with cunning eyes and vicious pair of scars on his cheeks.

"Hey there, acolyte," the shorter of the pair called, "Hold a moment, let me get a look at you." His dark blue eyes scanned Shar's broad form, torn shirt clinging tightly to muscled chest and exposing the glimpses of his ruby skin. The human seemed unfazed. "So, you're Overseer Tremel's secret weapon, then? Impressive, to be sure, but the old man waited too long to make his move. I'm Vemrin, and unlike you, I've fought and bled for everything I have. I demand respect."

Shar crossed his arms. "Are you saying I haven't earned my way?" He subtly gestured to weathered clothes and the blood-stained warblade hanging from his belt.

"Please, everyone knows what Tremel is doing," Vemrin scoffed, "Maybe if Tremel had done something when I'd arrived a year ago you might've had a chance, but I'm afraid it's too little, too late."

The larger of the two grumbled, "This is ridiculous, Vemrin! Let's just kill him and hide the body!" He narrowed dull brown at eyes and the Pureblood and grasped the hilt of his warblade with a gloved hand.

The shorter of the two cut that line of thought with a wave. "We're not on Balmorra anymore, Dolgis, there are rules, traditions. We'll leave the shortcuts to Overseer Tremel and his last pathetic hope here." He nodded at Shar.

The Pureblood scratched his chin idly. "Not very friendly, are you?"

Vemrin huffed, "You aren't funny, and you've been warned. Coming, Dolgis?"

The taller acolyte nodded. "Be right there." As the smaller man moved off, he glared at Shar. "Listen to me, you useless priss. Acolytes aren't allowed to murder each other, but accidents happen all the time. It isn't murder if no one's there to witness it, is it? Vemrin's the alpha monster here, so keep out of his way or who knows what might happen to you?" Threat deployed, he stalked off after bumping shoulders with the Pureblood.

Shar watched them leave and shook his head before entering the office proper, finding the Overseer standing before his desk with a female acolyte. They shared the same nose and dark skin, but the woman bore a warblade and a trio of scars over her left eye, and her grey uniform clung pleasingly tightly to her curvy form.

"Good, you've arrived," Tremel greeted him, eyeing his dirtied form in approval, "You seem to be in one piece. Tell me, how do you like your new blade?"

"It will work for now," Shar replied.

"Father, what are you doing?" The woman interjected, "I've only just got my warblade and I've been here six months!"

"I have my reasons, Eskella," Tremel replied sternly, "And you will not breathe a word of this to anyone, do you hear?"

Eskella bowed grudgingly. "Yes, father."

Tremel nodded and turned back to the Pureblood. "Acolyte, this is Eskella, my daughter, one of the advanced students here and well on her way to becoming Sith, if she minds herself."

Her nostrils flared and she shook her head. "I'll be quiet about what you're doing father, but I won't be here when this blows up in your face!" With that said, she strode off in a huff.

Tremel rolled his eyes. "Don't mind her, she's just sore that I'm keeping secrets. She growls, but she's loyal. Now, I thought I heard Vemrin's voice in the adjacent chamber. Has he made his move so soon?"

"No, he merely 'introduced' himself," the young warrior answered.

"Hmm, if he didn't attack then he must not comprehend the threat you pose to him, good, good. Still, I hoped we'd have more time; Vemrin's not the type to sniff around for long before taking a bite." The Overseer crossed his arms and began to lecture, "In a drive for sheer numbers, the admittance criteria has been relaxed. Now anyone with Force sensitivity can become Sith. Vemrin is mixed blood," he sneered, "The invisible rot eating away at the foundations of the Empire…He cannot be allowed to advance."

Shar crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow at the older man. "I'm mixed blood as well, remember?"

"Yes, species-wise, but your family has been pure Sith for generations," Tremel countered easily, "Unfortunately, Vemrin's caught the eye of Darth Baras, one of the most influential Sith Lords. He's being groomed to become Baras's new apprentice, and as such, the power at Vemrin's fingertips would be considerable. He could change the Sith for the worse. You must proceed to your next trial immediately, I want you to interrogate three prisoners in the Academy jails and decide their fates. Consider each criminal's story carefully, the decisions you make will be scrutinized, so let your passions guide your judgements."

Shar nodded. "I will begin immediately."

"Speak to head jailer Knash and return once you've passed your judgements," Tremel dismissed, circling around to sit behind his desk.

The Pureblood left and headed into the Academy, only to pause as he recalled that he hadn't asked for directions. Letting the Force guide his steps, Shar found himself at a small cantina and ordered a drink, downing the cool juice with gusto before continuing towards the jails. Passing tables and occupied force cells, he heard voices drifting towards him.

"-One more chirp outta you li'l bird, and you'll regret it."

"Chirp, chirp-chirp!" A youthful, feminine voice replied.

He stepped into the jails just as the jailer, a bald, bearded man with an obvious alcohol abuse problem, pressed a button. The woman he'd been talking to, a lithe, sapphire-skinned twi'lek in a cage, writhed as the collar on the back of her neck activated and shocked her. She shook her head, lekku waving, "Ow! Jerk. If you don't like that one, I can do other animals, too. Direcat, frog-dog, Kowakian monkey-lizard, you name it!" Her eyes fixed on Shar as he entered, and the jailer took notice.

"You," he greeted with a nod, standing up from his lean, "I'm Jailer Knash, I run these cells and slave pits. You must be the acolyte Tremel sent for the tests, right? Hm. He thinks highly of you."

Shar resisted the urge to smile. It was always nice to be appreciated. "Something I will try to live up to. Now, the prisoners."

"You should know this situation is highly unusual," Knash warned, looking serious, "Usually acolytes are shipped off-world for interrogation, but Tremel had these three brought in especially for you."

The Pureblood swept his gaze across the other cells, seeing a woman with a bruised face, a cyborg wearing dirty Sith robes, and an alien of a species he wasn't familiar with. Seeing as their attention was elsewhere, the twi'lek made herself comfortable on the floor of her cell.

"He seems to think you're the next coming of Exar Kun," the jailer continued, "But he's not the only one with an eye on you. Now, I assume you know what to do? The convicted are usually executed or given trial by combat to see if they're worthy, but whatever the sentence, you will be the one to carry it out."

Shar nodded and stepped up to the first cell. "The one who lays down the sentence should swing the sword," he agreed, "Now, what about this one-?"

"You freaks aren't getting anything new out of me!" The bruised woman snarled, "Just do whatever you're gonna do!"

The young warrior arched a ruby brow. "You can either talk to me or the inquisitors and believe me, I'm of a much nicer disposition."

The woman scoffed, "Please, you think I don't know that? I know all your inquisitors by name!"

Knash coughed into his hand. "This one was caught trying to assassinate an Imperial in the Yavin system, but through all the interrogations she's maintained that she didn't know who the target was or who hired her."

"Get it through your thick skulls, I don't know who hired me!" She growled, "And I didn't know he was Imperial, either!"

"You're saying you aren't a Republic assassin?" Shar offered thoughtfully.

"No! I work for whoever pays me," she answered.

"The point is, she doesn't deny the charge," the jailer continued, watching interestedly, "So, what'll it be? Execution or trial by combat?"

Shar tapped his chin and mulled over his decision. "She's obviously skilled if she was able to infiltrate an Imperial base…hm, neither. Send her to Imperial Intelligence instead. The Empire could use skilled assassins on its payroll, and you'd receive steady pay and plenty of targets."

"Hmm," the woman nodded, eyes alight with interest, "That does sound better than before…"

The Pureblood bobbed his head and went towards the next cell. "Didn't expect you to spare her," Knash muttered, before shaking his head, "This here is Devotek. Once an Imperial champion until he botched a mission and cost a thousand Imperials their lives. Now this waste of space is taking up one of my cells."

"Please, I am a fellow Sith!" The cyborg pleaded, "Judge me with an open mind and grant me trial by combat, I beg you."

Shar gave the older man a critical look, noting the lack of care for his cybernetics, clothes and skin. It was obvious the man had been broken by the weight of his failure, and equally obvious that he would not be able to overpower Shar, but only longed to die on his feet with a weapon in hand. "Why?" He asked simply.

"Twenty-four years, I served," Devotek replied, the bags under his eyes painting a picture of misery, "Twenty-four years! Then one mistake, and I was discarded! Please, let me feel the weight of a blade one last time!"

Shar nodded and turned to the jailer. "Give him a sword," he instructed as he stepped back from the cell.

Knash shrugged and remotely opened the cell, carelessly tossing a vibrosword to the older Sith. "This should be interesting," he muttered.

Devotek activated the sword and turned grateful eyes on the Pureblood. Then he lunged forward and the fight was on. Shar parried a strike away from his head and scored a light gash on the cyborg's torso, then blocked a swing and locked their blades before twisting, sweeping the older Sith's weapon from his hands and taking a leg out from under him, then turned on his heel and impaled the cyborg through the heart.

"Thank you…young warrior," Devotek sighed, slumping to the floor and expiring.

"...Well that was quick," the twi'lek quipped from her cell.

Knash shook his head. "Didn't put up much of a fight, eh?"

Shar shrugged. "The fight wasn't the point, death was."

"Hm," the jailer moved on to the last cell and the alien within, "This here is Brehg, jittery little thing, suspected of providing forged documents to Republic agents. Strangely enough, he's maintained his innocence despite being severely tortured."

The alien rose to his feet and clutched the bars of his cell. "That's because I am innocent! You gotta believe me, I had nothing to do with forging no papers! I was set up!"

"And just why would anyone set you up?" Shar asked, peering at the alien.

"No idea! Did some time in Republic jail, I did, for forgery, maybe someone thought I would be the perfect patsy!" He clutched harder at the bars, "C'mon, please! I didn't do nothing!"

The Pureblood racked his brains. "He's maintained his innocence, so it's possible he didn't do it…but, he's seen the inside of the Academy, so he can't be set free." Shar shrugged and turned to Knash, "Send him to the inquisitors, maybe they can find some kind of use for him."

"What?! That's unfair!" Brehg burbled, slamming his body against the bars, trying in vain to reach for him.

"Shut up, wretch, the decisions been made," the jailer said, before turning to the young warrior with a thoughtful expression. "Hm…I can see why so many have their eye on you. Head back to Tremel and see what he thinks."

Shar nodded and made to leave, catching the eye of the twi'lek as he left. For some reason, I get the feeling we'll see each other again, he thought.

On his way back to Tremel's office, he paused to find a vendor to replace his shirt, receiving one that was lightly armored on the shoulders but otherwise easy to move in. As he approached the office, he could hear the Overseer speaking to someone. "-and this is all Lord Renning was able to find?"

"Everything he was able to obtain, yes," an acolyte replied.

"Then run back to your master in the beast pens before I cut you in half," Tremel snarled, and the acolyte hurried by Shar as he entered the room. "Ah, acolyte, you've returned. Sorry to make you wait, these…interruptions are incredibly annoying. Now, on to your test. The first criminal, Solentz, was hired to assassinate an Imperial but without knowing his affiliation. I see you've assigned her to Imperial Intelligence, good. A commendable thought, never waste a potential resource."

"My thoughts exactly," Shar nodded.

Tremel took on a stern countenance. "Devotek, the failed warrior…why did you grant his wish for trial by combat?"

"I wished for his humiliation and failure to be complete, and to remove him from the jails post-haste," the Pureblood shrugged.

The Overseer grimaced. "Devotek was an utter waste of space and allowing him his desired end ate away at our time. Remember, once something is useless, it should be eradicated." His countenance lightened, "Finally, Brehg, the forger you sent back to the inquisitors. A strong decision, one must be absolutely certain when it comes to such things. After all, what is one man's life or sanity compared to the Empire?" He sighed and clasped his hands behind his back. "You're beginning to understand what it means to be Sith, but it will not be enough to impress Baras."

Shar spread his hands and shrugged. "The day is young, and I am ready, Overseer. What next?"

"Let us hope your energy remains, acolyte," Tremel muttered, shaking his head, "Because I forced you into the Academy ahead of schedule, Darth Baras will be predisposed to judging you harshly, and by harshly I mean fatally. We must continue your trials, and I have just the thing. In the caverns of Marka Ragnos is a beast he left to guard his legacy. Go there, sit among the flames until the beast comes for you, then slay it."

"'Beast'?" The Pureblood questioned, "Perhaps you could specify what kind of beast?"

"No one knows the kind, only that it is ferocious and bloodthirsty, and in no way a trial for a normal acolyte," the Overseer warned, "Now return to the Valley of the Dark Lords and find the tomb. Return once the beast is slain. Oh, and before you go, here." He handed the younger Sith a diamond-shaped piece of metal that seemed to thrum with the Force. "A focus to help your techniques come easier, you'll need it."

Nodding in thanks, Shar left the office and attached the device to his belt, already feeling his connection to the Force more clearly, somehow. As he was making his way down the hall, his sense tingled and he felt a presence he swore he recognized, but it was different, somehow. Licking his lips, Shar turned away from the Valley and walked down the hall to a different office. He heard a harsh voice call someone 'a weak, pathetic worm' and heard the tearing of lightning, felt the presence fluctuate in panic and rushed in, bulling through a crowd of acolytes and jumping between an Overseer and the lightning flowing from his hand and another acolyte.

He felt the pain sink into his skin and his muscles seized, but ignored it in favor of turning to look at one of the acolytes, taking her in. He gazed at her familiar dark pink skin, light red hair and warm orange eyes that were wide with surprise meeting his. You… His jaw slackened, and suddenly the Force Lightning lashing against him began to tickle instead of tear, energy filling his body.

The lightning cut off and the Overseer, a pale human with a tattoo under one eye, scowled at Shar as the acolyte he'd been torturing collapsed to the ground in a steaming heap. "What do you think you're doing, acolyte?!" He snarled, fingers sparking.

Shar met the human's gaze and smiled politely. "Pardon me, Overseer, but I felt a presence I was familiar with and came to investigate-" His eyes swept the room and landed on a hooded Sith Pureblood standing away from the other acolytes, bearing a surprised expression, "-Ffon? What are you doing here?"

The other Pureblood goggled at him. "Shar'Katok? Wha-what do you think I'm doing here, you lackwit? I'm training to become Sith, same as you!"

"Well yes, obviously, but…why?" Shar shrugged helplessly, "You're useless."

Ffon stumbled over his words in outrage. "Use-useless?! You-you're-shut it, halfbreed! Your parents can't protect you here, mongrel!" He held out a hand, weak sparks buzzing in his palm.

Shar arched an eyebrow at him, a stiff but polite expression on his face. Then Ffon clutched his throat and stood on the tips of his toes, gagging as an invisible hand squeezed his windpipe. "I may be half human and half pureblood, but both my family trees are heavy with generations of Sith, Ffon," his hand rose into view, half clenched into a fist, "A single drop of my blood is worth a river of yours, Bastard. Call me a 'halfbreed' or a 'mongrel' again, and see what results." Throughout his monologue, his mild mein had not changed even slightly.

Ffon collapsed to his knees, gasping, and the other acolytes stepped back, with even the Overseer seeming disquieted.

"Pardon, Overseer, I didn't mean to interrupt," Shar bowed politely the older Sith and silently moved to the back of the room, leaning against the wall and glaring at Ffon silently as the Overseer gave the acolytes their next task. His eyes flickered to meet the woman's as she stepped by him, his expression remaining steady as she left, until it was only him, the Overseer, and the body of the acolyte.

"…Why are you still here, acolyte?" The Overseer barked, "I'm sure you have your own trials to attend to!"

Shar bowed shallowly. "Of course, Overseer, but I couldn't help but wonder…" He gestured to the body of the failed acolyte, still gently steaming, "…Are you going to eat that?"

The Overseer looked at the body, then back up at him, then down to the body and up at him again. "…No…"

"…May I?"

The older Sith's already pale complexion lightened further. "…Not here…"

"Thank you!" Shar chirped, bending down and easily heaving the body onto his shoulders, "Once again, pardon my intrusion Overseer! Long live the Empire." He nodded and left with an unhurried stride that became quick as turned the corner, nearly running into the pink-skinned woman. "Luxia!"

"Shar, what are you going to do with the body?" Luxia asked worriedly, glancing around to ensure they were private.

"Not here," he hissed and quickly scurried off towards another wing of the Academy, pulling his holocom from his pouch and checking an older message. "Where is it, where is it…here!" He tapped in a code and the door opened, revealing a small, simple room with only a bed, a refresher, a wardrobe and a desk.

"Where is this?" The woman asked as he dumped the acolyte on his bed, hurrying over to help him, "And what are you going to do?"

Shar reached behind him and locked the door before kneeling by the bed, reaching out with a hand and the Force. "It's my room, and this…" He closed his eyes, delving into the body with his senses, searching until he found a small, guttering spark deep within. With a deep breath, he channeled the Force through his body and outwards, the air around his hand darkening and twisting.

Then the acolyte sat up with a gasp, eyes wide and panicked before she fell back, curling onto her side and coughing heavily. "Kori!" Luxia called, gently shaking the other woman with relief obvious on her face as she turned to Shar, "What was that?"

"Healing," he replied shortly, feeling a bit out of breath, "You never know when fixing someone could come in handy. And first name basis already? You had to have gotten here maybe two hours ago, if that."

"What can I say, we Zeltron can't help but form bonds with people, especially after life and death battles," she sighed and slumped against his bed as Kori slowly began to uncurl herself, "We had each other's back, fighting through a tomb full of k'lor'slugs and looters, looking for this crazy man hiding inside. And then that bastard Harkun nearly kills her…I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you, Shar."

He smiled gently as he clasped her hand in his, though it flickered. "I feel the same, Luxia, but…how did you get here? And why…how can you use the Force?"

The Zeltron bit her lip and glanced away. "Shar, I…I've always been able to feel it, to use it in little ways, but I had to suppress it. Before this," she gestured at the Academy, "Well…you know what they did to Force-sensitive slaves…"

"…Yes, but why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have breathed a word to anyone, you know that."

"Maybe you would've, but can you honestly say one of your mothers wouldn't have been able to pluck the information from your head?" Luxia quietly asked with a grimace.

Shar frowned. "Yes. Believe it or not, I'm not so thick-skulled as to not notice someone rifling through my thoughts with impunity," he rebutted, sighing as she looked away. "I wish you had trusted me more, Luxia, but I can't blame you for being secretive about it. I still want to know how you came to be on Korriban, though."

She winced and reached up to run her fingers across the raised scars of her slave brand that covered part of her face, then quickly pretended she hadn't done so by brushing her hair behind her ear. "…After you left, the Master threw a party ostensibly for you being accepted into the Academy early, though they didn't say as much. I was serving drinks that night, and one of the Officers, a Colonel, I think, took a…liking to me. He asked the Masters to purchase me, though I didn't hear the offer…some hours later, he…cornered me and tried to…well."

Kori shivered as the air seemed to darken and cool, the wardrobe and the desk rattling against the floor as Shar's eyes began to turn red at the edges…then he took a deep breath. "And?" He asked with cold, terrible calm.

Despite her memories of the night, Luxia couldn't help but smile and squeeze his hand. "I had just lost you, Shar, the other slaves who'd wanted your favor had been ramping up their treatment of me, and now that fat, smelly armchair murderer was groping me…I lost control," she said softly, holding up a hand as bolts of pale blue lightning cackled between her fingers, a dark grin splitting her lips as her eyes turned a sulfurous yellow, "I fried that fat fuck, boiled his blood and crisped him outside and in…and, well, there was no hiding it. The Masters had to free me and send me here."

Shar nodded to himself, cupping her hand and watching the lightning dance over his skin, ignoring the slight pain of doing so. "Such power…no wonder they expedited your arrival here, Luxia…but…you didn't use the device? The toy I gave you?"

Luxia leaned back on her hands with a sheepish expression, her pink skin darkening to almost match his ruby coloration. "I, well…you see, I…perhapsinafitofdespair-drivenrageImayhavepitcheditthroughawindow…maybe."

His eyes darted back and forth as he deciphered her babbled explanation, then grew wide as he understood. Shar stood up and walked in a tight circle, clasping his hands to his face with a loud, echoing groan. "You threw it…out a window?!" He echoed incredulously.

"Maybe! Possibly…!…Yes, I threw it out a window," she sighed.

"My last gifts to you, carefully prepared and secreted away for a year…quite literally, out of the window," he rubbed his temples and sighed, "If you'd kept it as I intended and rubbed it along the spine, it would've activated a message that would explain not only how to reconfigure the device it a holocom, but also how to use to access the deactivation code for your collar, a map of the compound with possible escape routes leading to the spaceport and a credit account with enough money to see you anywhere in the galaxy using the holocom address of a Smuggler who owes me a favor…and you threw out the window."

Luxia goggled at him, aghast. "...You…you really did all of that?…For me?" She sat back against the edge of his bed, looking faint, "If the Masters had caught you doing any of that…you would've needed months in a kolto bath to even walk…why?"

Shar glanced at her over his shoulder, arching an eyebrow. "I thought I made my feelings clear where they concern you, Lux. I spent a year trying to configure that device, squirreling away credits and figuring out the code so I could set you free…I think the reasons should be obvious, yes?" He chuckled quietly to himself, gazing up at the sky beyond the roof of the Academy with wonder. "You can never truly understand the whims and weft of the Force, can you…?" He shook his head and turned back to her, "Whatever the means and reasons, I can't tell you how glad I am to see you again, Lux. Being free, becoming Sith…it's more than I could've hoped for."

He pulled her to her feet and embraced her gently, peering down into her eyes, his fingers softly brushing her hair behind her ear, tracing the scars of her brand and along her jaw. "Master Shar'Katok…" Luxia murmured, leaning against him, her eyes shimmering like pools of the sweetest citrine.

"I am not your master anymore, Luxia," he whispered, feeling her arms wrap around him, her soft curves meshing against his hard muscle, "We are equals now, truly, finally. I can't tell you how happy that makes me…"

"You don't need to, Shar," the former slave replied tenderly, the empathic bond between them making his feelings clear. She clasped his cheeks and made to pull him down…

"…Um, ex-excuse me?" They turned to find a nervous Kori watching them with a blush of combined embarrassment and second-hand affection along with a heady dose of terror and dread, "This is wonderful to see, really, but…w-what am I going to do? I used to be a slave, but H-Harkun killed-tried, to kill me, and…what should I do?"

Luxia reluctantly parted from Shar, pacing in thought. "I…I don't know, Kori. Harkun thinks you're dead, and I would never send you to the slave pits…they told us before we arrived, we would either become Sith or die." She turned to the Pureblood. "Any ideas?"

"Give me a moment," he replied, leaning against the desk and closing his eyes in contemplation, muttering to himself under his breath. "No…no, not that…perhaps…" He pulled his holocom from his belt and typed in an address. It rang for nearly a minute before a blurred blue figure appeared. "Captain Cayd? Can you hear me?"

"-Red? I can barely-ke you out. I'm a littl-" There was a heavily static explosion and what sounded like 'Yee-haw!' in the background, "-rso! I'm kinda busy here!"

"Sorry to interrupt your fun, Cayd. The signal's terrible, where are you?"

"-rd Mantell! Specifically, a volcano on Ord Mantell!"

Shar sucked his teeth. "Still gunrunning, I see. Damn, I suppose that means I won't be able to call in that favor you owe me…"

"No can do, Big Red. I'm on the oth-the galaxy, my ship got stolen, too! If you see some scumsucker with a face tattoo named 'Skavak' kill him slowly for me, please! And then-all me so I can get my ship back!"

"You lost the Centennial Eagle?" The Pureblood asked incredulously, "I thought you'd be buried before someone stole it from you."

"It was a momentary lapse, okay?! But yeah, can't help you, sorry. Really."

"I see. That's disappointing, but I understand. I hope you recover your ship soon, Cayd."

"Yeah, maybe I can finally-y you back for the thing with the honey, the dancers-nd the nerf calf!" The call shut off and he stored the device back on his belt.

"...What were they talking about?" Luxia asked curiously.

The Sith waved it off. "I can't talk about it. That avenue isn't available, so perhaps a more esoteric idea is warranted…" He strode over to the wardrobe and tossed it open. "Hmm…I think I have an idea."

…

Kori strode through the Academy, back straight but head bowed, with a stride that was hurried but not overbearing as was instructed. She only hoped the hood over her head and mask over her nose and mouth did enough to disguise her, as well as the hastily-tamped down fear and the hope of leaving Korriban alive, bolstered by the solid presence following some steps behind. She'd only met Luxia mere hours ago and Shar'Katok even less than that, but something told her she could trust them.

The fact that Zeltron had joined her in delving into the Tomb and saved her life with arcs of lightning had and that the Pureblood had literally jumped between her and the man shocking her death went quite a long way in that regard.

As she stepped between two crimson-clad Imperial guards, feeling their stares following her, she recalled the words shared only moments ago.

"Why?" She'd asked, uncomprehending as Shar laid out his plan. If it went wrong, they'd be lucky if an agonizing death was all that awaited them. "Why would you do this for me?"

Shar looked at Luxia, then back at her, his square jaw, stone mein and golden eyes revealing nothing. "…I want to," he shrugged.

Then she was out into the dry air, passing troopers and other acolytes going about their business. Some looked her way, but dismissed her. Others paid her no attention at all. Tension filled her shoulders as she approached the shuttle off-world and presented a holocom filled with a faked message for someone important, so important that even reading the address should fill anyone who beheld it with dread.

The hefty Sith waiting by the shuttle took in the message with bloodshot yellow eyes, peered at her curiously…then let her pass without a word.

And so Kori, former slave, former prospective Sith, left Korriban forever. She did not know where she would go once the shuttle docked, only that her prospects would be far better. She did not know what would come next, but she would always remember the two Sith who, for no benefit of their own, saved her life and gave her a future.

Looking out of a window, she could make out Shar's broad figure, ruby skin standing out from the orange sand, and lifted a hand to wave before retracting it, feeling foolish.

Down below, as the shuttle began to ascend beyond the clouds, the young Sith warrior waved back and watched it shrink in the sky. Once it was gone, he turned on his heel and headed for his next trial.

…

…

…

…

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A/N: Well, this is a surprise, isn't it? I've always been a fan of Star Wars, well, before THE DARK TIMES but SWTOR remains some of my favorite media ever made, even if some of the 'game' parts of it aren't the best. But I love the premise, especially on the Imperial side. I mean, despite being an MMORPG, the Jedi Knight is still kinda the main character, despite their story being pretty bland and untwisty, like a single spaghetti noodle. Not a bad noodle, perfectly made and presented well, but a noodle doesn't make a meal.

The Imperials on the other hand? Lasagne. Layers upon layers of meaty characters, saucy dialogue and cheesy goodness, the stuff you just want to sink your teeth into. I have. So I did again.

The basic premise is this: The Main Character is the Sith Warrior, here named Shar'Katok because I did and still do find the name 'Darth Shark Attack' funny. The story will be mostly from his perspective and as you can tell, the other Class Stories will play a big part in his tale of a scion of an important Sith family and his journey to reach his destiny. Along the way he'll make friends, enemies and struggle between the expectations of a Sith and his own nature.

It's gonna be fun.

And I know you'll have noticed that a good amount of the dialogue is very similar to the Class Story, but as the ending shows, not everything is going to turn out the same. No one is constrained by a rigid story path or 'class structure' or 'game balance' so expect some wild stuff sooner and later.

I'll rant about some of that stuff later, because I really want to write more…so I'm going to. By the time this goes up, hopefully there's gonna be one or two chapters already done.

I won't lie, I'm super excited about this. I wrote the whole chapter in about four days, it would've been three if I didn't get a migraine, but do you know how long it's been since I've gone to bed thinking, 'man, I want to write more of that story' then waking up eight or so hours later going, 'alright, time to write more of that story!'

It's been a long time.

Thanks and hugs to my patrons over on my page, especially (those two) and everyone on my Discord! Because of their votes on my monthly poll, this story is coming to you now! If you want to have a vote on what I write or read my chapters a week early, as well as some other goodies, it's always appreciated.

Want to read chapter 2 now? It's already on my P atreon! Patrons get access a week before everyone else, Discord three days before publishing.

If you want to chat about pretty much anything, you're always welcome on Discord!

Big thanks, as always, to NSG for being a sounding board and editing and all that good stuff! I hear he's got a new story out and a new chapter for another coming soon! Give it a read and tell him I sent you…!

I mean, he'll know because he read this part too, but still.

Thank you for reading, review or comment if you want and follow for more.

Stay Awesome.

~Soleneus

…

P.S.: theres no ps this time im seriously already working on chapter 2.