The Rule Of Two
Darth Vetris piloted his ship toward Lok, his mind focused on the task ahead. Lok, with its harsh deserts and criminal underworld, was a dangerous place, but it was exactly where he needed to be. The credits from his usual jobs weren't cutting it anymore—he needed something bigger, and Lok's criminal empire, particularly the infamous Nym and his Lok Revenant, promised just that.
As he approached the planet, Vetris thought about Brogar's Safe House, a cantina serving as both a hideout and meeting place for some of the galaxy's most dangerous pirates. It was a risky move, but if anyone had the kind of credits he was after, it would be those involved with the Lok Revenant.
He had a reputation to maintain, but here, he was more concerned with blending into the shadows. The fewer people who knew Darth Vetris was involved, the better. And the cantina would be the perfect place to make the right connections—quietly, but with intent.
After meeting with a broker on Lok, Darth Vetris secured a weapons shipment job—a high-risk, high-reward deal that he couldn't pass up. Despite his usual reluctance to risk going to the Core Worlds, especially Coruscant, this was a necessary gamble. The credits on the table would solve many of his current problems.
His contact had arranged to meet him at the Outlander Club in the heart of Coruscant's Entertainment District, a place known for its fast-paced nightlife, and for being a den of both shady deals and people who preferred to go unnoticed. Vetris couldn't help but feel the weight of the mission pressing on him as he prepared to make the jump to Coruscant. This job could change everything.
As his ship entered hyperspace, Vetris allowed himself a moment of meditation, focusing on the Force to clear his mind for the dangers ahead. This wasn't just a matter of delivering weapons—it was about navigating the underbelly of Coruscant without drawing unwanted attention.
The Outlander Club, nestled in the heart of Coruscant's Entertainment District, was a bustling and vibrant venue, the perfect mix of danger and excitement. As Darth Vetris stepped inside, the atmosphere hit him immediately—a haze of low lighting, multicolored neon illuminating various alcoves, and a cacophony of conversations layered over rhythmic music pulsing through the club.
The main floor was a wide, open space filled with a variety of patrons from across the galaxy—spacers, bounty hunters, smugglers, and those just looking to lose themselves in the club's vices. Holo-displays floated above, showing podraces, games of sabacc, and other sporting events, while waitstaff weaved through the crowd carrying drinks of exotic colors.
Booths lined the walls, offering semi-private spaces for the more discreet conversations, while at the bar, droids and bartenders were busy mixing drinks for patrons. The upper levels had balconies overlooking the main floor, giving a better view of the action below.
The sound of dice games and sabacc tables hummed in the background as Vetris scanned the room. The crowd was lively, yet dangerous—this was the kind of place where a deal could be made with a smile, but betrayal was always lurking around the corner.
It was the perfect spot for someone like Vetris to conduct business unseen, blending into the shadows while keeping a watchful eye on everything around him.
Based on the description he was given, Vetris spotted his contact in a dimly lit booth at the back of the Outlander Club, facing the door. Vetris made his way over, his presence unnoticed by the surrounding patrons. The noise and chaos of the club seemed to recede as he approached.
"The race isn't looking good," Vetris said as he stopped in front of the booth.
His contact, a scruffy-looking human with a cool demeanor, replied without missing a beat. "Never tell me the odds." The code phrase was complete.
Vetris sat across from him, cutting straight to the point. "So, you have what I need?"
The contact hesitated, glancing around cautiously before leaning forward. "I found your shipment, but things have gotten... complicated."
Vetris's eyes narrowed, his voice low and dangerous. "What do you mean, complicated?"
"It seems you're not the only one interested in that shipment," the contact admitted, his tone uneasy.
Vetris's anger flared, and he clenched his fists. "Are you kidding me? We just met, and already you're betraying me?!"
"No, wait!" the contact quickly raised his hands in defense. "Hear me out. The shipment is still in the hangar, but it's under heavy guard. Whoever your competition is—they're connected, and they're not taking any chances."
Vetris leaned back, a calculating expression on his face. "I can handle a few guards."
The contact shook his head. "That's the problem. There's more than just a few. Whoever these people are, they've got serious firepower. It's a trap waiting to spring."
Vetris's mind raced, already formulating a plan. "Thanks for the information," he said, standing up.
"Hey," the contact called after him. "If you survive, come find me. I might have some people you'll want to meet."
Vetris didn't respond, already thinking about the coming fight. He was used to dealing with obstacles—connected or not, whoever was standing between him and his credits would soon regret it. Darth Vetris stood on the edge of the industrial sector, staring at the hangar looming in the distance. The Coruscant night was alive with the hum of speeders and the distant glow of the city's towering buildings, but here, in the underbelly of the Entertainment District, shadows reigned. The hangar looked ordinary enough from the outside, but Vetris knew better. His contact's warning about the shipment being under heavy guard echoed in his mind.
He surveyed the area with a sharp eye, noting the patrol patterns of the guards and the locations of the security cameras. There were more of them than he had anticipated, but it didn't matter—Vetris was no stranger to tight spots. The shipment was in there, and he would have it, no matter the odds.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and reached out with the Force. He could feel the presence of the guards, their life signatures flickering like candles in the darkness. Calmly, he focused, using the Force to cloud their minds, making them overlook his approach.
Moving swiftly and silently, Vetris slid through the shadows, bypassing the main entrance where the bulk of the guards stood. Instead, he slipped around to a side access door, where only a single guard kept watch. With a subtle wave of his hand, the guard's eyes glazed over, and he turned away, as if forgetting his duty entirely.
Vetris slipped past him and entered the hangar.
Inside, the massive space was dimly lit, with rows of crates stacked along the walls. In the center of the hangar was the shipment he was after, a series of sealed containers under guard by more men—he counted at least ten. Some were heavily armed, while others stood near speeders, keeping watch. From the catwalk above, he saw movement—additional guards.
He stayed hidden behind a stack of crates, considering his next move. The Force was with him, but he wasn't reckless. He needed to disable the guards quickly and efficiently, avoiding drawing too much attention.
Vetris decided to create a diversion. Closing his eyes, he focused on a large crate at the far side of the hangar. With a quick motion of his hand, he sent it tumbling to the ground with a loud crash. The noise drew the attention of the guards instantly, and a few moved toward the source of the sound, leaving gaps in their formation.
Seizing the moment, Vetris made his move. He leaped from his hiding place, igniting his red lightsaber with a menacing hiss. The first guard barely had time to react before the crimson blade cut through him. Vetris moved like a shadow, cutting down the next two guards in a blur of motion, his lightsaber spinning in tight arcs of lethal precision.
The remaining guards scrambled to react, but Vetris was already upon them. Blaster fire erupted, but with the Force as his guide, he deflected the shots with ease, sending them back at the guards. They fell quickly, unable to match his speed or skill.
Within moments, the hangar was silent again, save for the faint hum of his lightsaber. Vetris deactivated the blade, letting the darkness swallow the red glow as he approached the shipment. He placed a hand on one of the crates, confirming what he already knew—this was the one. The weapons he had risked everything for were inside.
But just as he prepared to move the shipment, he sensed something—a presence in the Force, distant yet growing closer. Someone was coming, and they were strong.
Vetris narrowed his eyes, knowing that his time was limited. The real challenge had yet to begin.
Darth Vetris stood still, his hand still on the crate, sensing the dark presence before it fully revealed itself. His suspicions were confirmed—this wasn't just any force user approaching. This one had power, strength in the Dark Side, though it lacked the refined presence of a Sith Master. Not yet fully realized, but dangerous nonetheless.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—tattooed skin, a crown of horns, and a cold, calculating gaze that could pierce through any resolve. A Zabrak, wielding the Dark Side with ease, his mere presence commanding attention.
"It looks like you did the work for me," the Zabrak spoke, his voice dripping with quiet menace. "But I wasn't expecting a Sith. Who are you?"
Vetris smirked, already gripping his lightsaber hilt. "You can call me Darth Vetris. And you?"
The Zabrak took a step closer, his face contorted in a grin of dark amusement. "Darth Maul."
Vetris studied him, his mind racing. This wasn't some random apprentice. Maul was strong—dangerous, even. Vetris knew immediately that they were not aligned under the same master, and that made them rivals. The Rule of Two could only allow for one master and one apprentice, and if Maul was here, then things were about to get far more complicated.
"Well," Vetris said, igniting his crimson lightsaber with a snap-hiss, the blade illuminating his face, "it seems we have a problem, Maul. I know we don't share the same master, which means one of us is unnecessary."
Maul sneered, the double-bladed lightsaber at his side sparking to life, its red glow casting a long shadow. "Rivals then. The Rule of Two must be maintained."
Vetris nodded, his expression hardening. "Let's settle this like Sith, shall we?"
"Let's," Maul replied, his voice laced with deadly anticipation.
With that, the hangar erupted in a flash of crimson as the two Sith lunged at each other. Their lightsabers clashed with violent sparks, the force of their strikes sending echoes throughout the hangar. Vetris twisted his blade, parrying Maul's aggressive strikes with precision, his mind focused on both survival and victory.
Maul was relentless, his fighting style raw and aggressive, fueled by fury. He spun his double-bladed saber in intricate arcs, each strike more ferocious than the last. Vetris, though equally skilled, fought with a calculated precision, his moves more measured as he deflected Maul's attacks, feeling out his opponent's weaknesses.
The battle raged on, both warriors tapping into the Dark Side, their red blades a blur of destruction. Sparks flew, and the metal walls of the hangar bore the scars of their combat.
"You're strong," Vetris growled as he dodged another strike, using the Force to push Maul back for a brief moment. "But strength alone won't be enough."
Maul grinned wickedly, his yellow eyes blazing. "We'll see."
With a feral snarl, Maul launched himself back at Vetris, the two Sith locked in a deadly dance, knowing only one would leave this hangar alive.
The battle between Darth Vetris and Darth Maul raged on, their lightsabers flashing through the dimly lit hangar, their movements swift and lethal. The clash of red blades sent sparks flying, illuminating the cold, metallic walls of the space. Maul's attacks were fierce and relentless, but Vetris fought with measured precision, his strategy focused on outlasting the Zabrak.
With a flick of his wrist, Vetris deflected Maul's double-bladed lightsaber, pushing him back with the Force just enough to gain a brief advantage. He could feel the tension building between them, the weight of their shared rivalry heavy in the air. They were evenly matched in skill, but Vetris sensed something in Maul—an undercurrent of impatience, perhaps even frustration.
Vetris stepped forward, his blade cutting through the air with a precise arc aimed at Maul's midsection. Maul barely managed to parry, his teeth bared in a snarl as he spun, attempting to sweep Vetris' legs from under him. Vetris leaped over the strike, landing with perfect balance, his crimson blade slashing downward in a counterattack.
The two Sith clashed again, and this time, Vetris pressed harder, using his strength in the Force to amplify his strikes. Maul's grin faltered as he struggled to keep up, his earlier confidence waning. Vetris could feel the shift—Maul's aggression was turning into desperation.
"You're losing, Maul," Vetris taunted, his voice cold and calm. "Do you feel it? Your strength is fading."
Maul growled, but his strikes were growing sloppier, less controlled. He leapt into the air, spinning his lightsaber in a wide arc, but Vetris was ready. With a powerful Force push, he sent Maul crashing into a stack of crates, the Zabrak's body slamming against the hard metal.
Panting, Maul staggered to his feet, but the fire in his eyes had dimmed. He knew he was beaten. Vetris advanced, his lightsaber raised for the final blow.
"You think you can escape the Rule of Two?" Vetris said, his voice a deadly whisper. "There's no place for two apprentices."
But before Vetris could strike, Maul raised a hand, his face twisted in a snarl of defiance. "This isn't over."
With a sudden surge of energy, Maul used the Force to collapse part of the hangar's structure between them. Metal beams and crates tumbled down, forming a barrier that temporarily blocked Vetris' path.
Vetris rushed forward, cutting through the debris with his lightsaber, but by the time he cleared the way, Maul was gone. Vetris scanned the hangar, but the Zabrak had vanished into the shadows, retreating to fight another day.
Breathing heavily, Vetris extinguished his lightsaber, his eyes narrowing. "Run, Maul. But next time, you won't escape so easily."
Vetris stood alone in the hangar, his thoughts briefly drifting to Shimi and Anakin. They were the closest thing he had to family, despite the path he walked as a Sith. His bond with them was something deeper, something that made him question the very core of who he was. It wasn't about power or domination when it came to them—it was about loyalty, protection, and a strange sense of belonging he hadn't expected to feel.
He knew what it meant to be Sith, to embrace the darkness, but with Shimi and Anakin, things were different. His moral compass, though skewed by his training and experiences, was constantly being pulled in two directions. On one side, there was the unrelenting darkness, urging him to seize control, to conquer and bend the galaxy to his will. On the other, there was the fierce, protective side of him that wanted to keep his family safe, no matter the cost.
As he secured the shipment, his mind wandered to Anakin—the boy had immense potential, power he hadn't even begun to tap into. Braylen wondered if his influence would help guide the boy or push him further toward his own eventual destiny. One thing was clear: whatever happened, Braylen would be there for them both.
The engines of his ship hummed to life as he prepared to leave the hangar. He knew his mission wasn't over, but in the back of his mind, the thought of returning to Shimi and Anakin tugged at him. They were his tether to something more human, more real.