{Sith Mission} Dark Side of the Hutts

[LadyM]

I, Hand of Chaos to the Sith Master Grima Volitu, stood in the bridge looking into the dark void of cold space through the massive viewport on the Imperial warship The Fanatic while the dark side energies of the Force swirled around me and through me. My reputation was one that bred others to give me a wide berth. None of the warship's crew, including the commanding officer, desired to be in my presence. Iwas unpredictable and short tempered and it was said that only one could control me, if the rumours birthed truth that is, and unfortunately for the crew upon the The Fanatic that one was not here.

I found myrself sent on a mission that first came from the Dark Council then from the lips of the Sith Master. Unlike the Sith Master whom I served, I had no need of politics. I was Sith, I was a killer, and I enjoyed installing fear into my enemies. My tolerance level, if I had one, was nearly nonexistent. I had no time for foolishness and I had no concept of the word mercy. Cross me and I would strike you down just as fast as you betrayed me.

However, this mission would not be a solo one. In the great wisdom of the Dark Council, they deemed it necessary to send another Sith to accompanying me, a Pureblood. I had no issues with working with others, something I've done in the past, but I was a little wary of being paired with an Acolyte. I had left my own Apprentice behind to deal with this mission so in myopinion, had an Acolyte needed to be appointed it should have been my Apprentice.

Now I had yet to meet this Acolyte, this Pureblood, in person in spite we were both hitching a ride to Obroa-skai to look for some Darkstar outpost or find information on either the Bogan Empire or if the Darksabers themselves. So while I gazed out into the space and saw the planet of Obroa-skai began to manifest, I waited for this Pureblood to meet me on the bridge so that we could be formally introduced and make the final preparations on the mission.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk digressed, he had never heard of the Darksabers. That the Hutt Cartel once had them at hand concerned him. The Pureblood would be glad to uncover their secrets, knowledge in any form is power after all. The Acolyte will be accompanied by a Sith Crusader named Ghenna . He digressed it would be odd to go on a mission with someone of senior rank...he would have to take orders, assuming the Crusader was that type of Sith.

Swiftly, the Red Sith made his way to the bridge, he was due to meet hos 'partner' for the mission. Soon the two of them will be setting foot on the surface of Obroa-skai where their investigation shall begin. Flicking aside locks of crimson hair, Sin'ryk laid eyes on the Crusader and clasped his hand in salutation.

"Tyûk unh asha Crusader Ghenna, I am Acolyte Sin'ryk Nalessh. May the day yield fruits for us to pluck.

 

[LadyM]

Once the Pureblood finished speaking to me, I examined him from head to toe and back again while formulating my opinion of him in my mind. Since I never worked with him before, I decided to reserve my judgment of him by his actions during the mission. But I wondered what sort of belief system was installed in him, was he mindless killer or was he well taught in the knowledge of the True Sith that Master Volitu spoke of?

"For formality purposes I am Ghenna, Crusader of the Sith Imperium. I do not know how many higher ranking Sith you have worked with before me nor do I care to need to know. I may be your superior on this mission but I will not ask of you to do anything I would not do myself. I have only two rules, pull your weight and stay out of my way if combat falls upon us."

One of the officers cautiously approached us to alert us that our transport shuttle was ready for us then he quickly moved away. I motioned the Acolyte to walk with me as we headed to the docking bay where our shuttle awaited us. Once inside the shuttle, the pilots pulled us out of the docking bay setting a course to the planet before us.

I looked at the Pureblood and said, "My knowledge of these Darksabers are limited but I have no love for the Hutts, those over pompous slugs who rule their territory through greed and betrayals. So when we reach the planet, we must be on guard at all times. I do not simply think the Hutts would have abandoned this outpost or allowed their knowledge to be easily obtained. Hutts will do whatever it takes to protect their assets and investments."

Taking a seat in one of the passenger chairs, I asked, "So Acolyte, what makes you so important that the Dark Council would appoint you on this mission?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

"I digress, I'm not quite sure." Replied Sin'ryk honestly as he took a seat. "Could be many things, I can decode things and my skills in the Force extend to Sith magic among other things. I may possibly be the only Sith who primarily specialises in Soresu or maybe they know that I am capable of independent investigations as well since I often seek out masters for lessons."

The Red Sith flexed his hands slightly, eliciting a crack from the 3 knuckles on each.

"As to the Hutts, I find it humorous that such a long-lived species can be-so short-sighted and lacking in wisdom. How they've survived seems to be a joke the Force refuses to tell."

 

[LadyM]

I found that the Pureblood did not speak in a manner that seemed to inflate his ego or attempt to rise his stock by claiming he was this or that but by making educated guesses as to why he had been chosen. I small smile appeared on my pale face. Perhaps there was another Sith amongst the Order that had begun to see the flaws as well. Then when he spoke about the Hutts I let out a small chuckle. It seems the Hutts were indeed a joke but to them, they believed their massive collection of credits gave them the right to be respected.

"Whatever the reason or reasons the Dark Council has, they must think you are either a threat that needs to be dealt with by sending you on this mission or they are testing your loyalty," I said giving the Pureblood a long stare. "Oh yes, there are those in the Order that do not share their views or opinions of what it means to be Sith or believe the path they are leading us down. Some may even say the Powers That Be have been blinded and misguided by their own quest for glory and that it is time for changing of the guard. And still others claim that the disease of paranoia has infected the members of the Dark Council. Or that the blame for all these problems falls on the shoulders of the teachers at the Academy, bringing us once again on the brink of self-destruction."

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes before adding, "As for me, I have not been trained to formulate opinions of political matters or judge those that share these beliefs. I leave that up to the experts." I opened my right eye to look at the red skin then closed it slowly moving my mind into a meditation state as I waited for the transport to land.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

"Then it is a good job that it is not glory I seek, but knowledge."

Replied Sin'ryk, until he was ready to even begin to dabble in politics he will steer clear of a clearly tedious notion.

"Indeed, it would be perhaps prudent leave it to the experts. But the question is...what if they don't share your perceptions and you are the only one to hold your ideals?"

 

[LadyM]

I opened my left eye and stared at him for a moment before answering his question. "If I am the only one that holds my ideals without others sharing them, then I know no over pompous arse would come along and try to corrupt them and change them to fit their needs by watering down the ideals and teaching the nonsense to others. In truth, my ideals are safe; for now. Unless my words have sparked something deep inside you."

Just as I was about to shut my eye again the pilot's voice boomed through the communication speakers alerting us that we are now making the final descent to the surface of Obroa-skai. I clapped my hands together and rose to my feet moving toward the ship's rear. With a slight jarring action the ship landed on the surface near one of the outlying cities. When the doors opened and the ramp lowered to the ground, I stepped out of the ship and onto the planet, officially. I was grateful that I dressed properly for the planet but everywhere I looked I saw nothing but frozen tundra, frozen mountains, and frozen water. Luckily their was no wind.

"It is best that we landed away from the prying eyes of the cities citizens. Jedi at one time roamed these parts and though they are scattered across the galaxy, they may be lurking in the shadows. And the Hutts have eyes everywhere and we do not want to attract any attention to ourselves until it is absolutely necessary," I said as the Pureblood Sith emerged from the ship.

Pointing to the city itself now, I added as I walked toward the sprawling capital, "There are several points of interest here that we have the fortunate advantage of investigating. So we will search the data bases of the Celebratus Archive first. I do not believe we will find anything on our first try but, nothing ventured is nothing gained."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk muttered something inaudible in the Sith language, Force only knows how much he hates cold weather. Growing up on Yinchorr ensured that. It was a good thing he brought his animal hides with him, otherwise he'd freeze. As soon as he set foot off of the ship, the cold air pounded into him. Yet he showed no outward sign of it, save for the slight shivering and pinking of his facial tendrils. After hearing what Ghenna had to say so far he added a few words of his own.

"I agree, Force only knows who may pry into the Imperium's business. As to the sights we'll be investigating, it is best we scan every detail so we do not miss a single one."

The Red Sith then tried to put on a wry grin, hoping it would conceal his discomfort against the frozen air.

"Let us hope no one was stupid enough to smuggle wampas, or any other foul creature from the coldest pits for that matter."

 

[LadyM]

I led the Acolyte through the harden cold weather toward the capital. As we walked a thought had occurred to me about something I had read. "Though the Yuuzhan Vong have not been seen for centuries, they had once lived upon this planet. But their troopers, Chazrach, may be stalking about. They are both battle hardened and they have a presence in the Force. I have not read anything about them using it but they may be immune to certain abilities. We need to be alert at all times."

We made it to the capital without incident but I had a strong feeling that someone or something was watching us. Normally this planet is not a source of trading or commercial activity but the Hutts were trying their best to rectify that. And where the Hutts slugged about, there were always bounty hunters, scum bags, and mercenaries for hire lounging around. Since the cold weather was a factor, our cloaks and any signs that pointed us out as Sith were covered by our weather clothes.

I watched as various species moved through the streets of the city and saw that none took interest in us, so I made for the Celebratus Archive building. Once inside, the warm air greeted us as it chased off the last wisps of the cold. Not sure where to begin, I asked a human male sitting behind a semi-circle desk where I could find the computers that were connected to the archives. He looked me up and down and when he looked at my companion, he made a slight frown.

"You will find the computers in the Heliox Section located in the east wing," he said as he presented me with a small data pad with a map on it. I handed the data pad to my companion and turned to leave without thanking the man.

"We need to scan every inch of the archives for what we are looking for," I said. As we walked I looked over my shoulder at the human male who went back to work after studying us for a few passing moments then added to my companion, "And we may need to work quickly. I do not trust that man and I think he was put off by you. 'Tis not everyday one sees a member of the Sith species walking about. Especially in this weather."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk looked back at the human, and added his own part to the conversation.

"It probably doesn't help that I resemble a demon of old human legend either."

He wittily mused, the Red Sith then looked down at the datapad given to him. After a lifetime spent in what would be considered a primitive lifestyle, he was still intrigued with the workings of technology. The aurebesh script however, still confounded Sin'ryk somewhat, since on Korriban most of the scripts there were written in the Sith language. He noted that he would have to practice reading it.

"I think we best get going, if I know the paranoid nature of humans, no offense, we could expect trouble at anytime. The map says we go this way...though I digress that I don't trust it. Do you speak Sith? If you can we can communicate without them knowing our words."

Afterwards, they began to proceed in the directions the device suggested. The halls were, in Sin'ryk's opinion, rather bland and soulless. At last the libraries on Korriban offered stimulation. Soon, the two Sith found themselves in the Heliox section of the archive. Here there were many computers, most of them were free and it seemed empty...so far.

"Well, here we are." Said the Pureblood quietly. "Any good with computers?"

 

[LadyM]

I looked at him after his demon look alike comment and fought to suppress my laughter. I have studied alot of different species as an Acolyte and Hopeful and in some way, the Sith Purebloods did have some sort of fear inducing magick when it came to their looks. "No offense taken Pureblood, I know my species are far from perfect and I know that they have caused more pain, more wars, and more evil than any member of the Sith Order has ever done. But I think his paranoia will lead to him contacted the Hutts or one of their associates."

I thought about what he said about his distrust of the map we were given and I began to come to the same conclusion myself. We needed to communicate without others overhearing us. "No, I must confess I do not speak your language but it is of my opinion that it would be disrespectable for others to learn your ancient tongue. However, we can speak freely like this," I said into his mind after linking mine to his. Through this temporary link, we could speak to each other through the Force, unless his mind had not been taught this ability.

I looked at the computer console for a few moments then nodded my head, taking a seat in front of the console. I began to type in several key words to help me in my search, but found nothing useful. As I worked, I felt the watchful eyes of someone looking at the Acolyte and myself. I tapped my right index finger to get the Pureblood's attention and when I did, I shifted my eyes to a Rodian male standing off into the shadows, trying and failing to remain incospicious.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk turned, he caught sight of the Rodian who Ghenna pointed out to. The Red Sith whispered into the Crusader's mind.

I'm on it.

He then went over to one of the more distant archive terminals, a niggle in the Force told him that the Rodian was following him. Content that he was more distant, Sin'ryk began to draw on the Dark Side. He began to creep into the reptilian alien's mind, planting images of the thing that the alien feared most; rival gangsters. The Pureblood knew that the Rodian would be more interested in reporting more closer rivals than he would the Sith. Quickly, he scarpered off; Sin'ryk returned to Ghenna's side.

"That one will be more concerned about rival thugs muscling in his boss's territory...for now anyway."

 

[LadyM]

I watched the Pureblood, the one who calls himself Sin'ryk, move to another computer terminal and knew his plan was to draw this Rodian out. With the distraction out of the way, I began to search more vigorously through the various files until something caught my eye. There was a report filed with the Security Office about some sort of fight or skirmish about twelve miles from the city limits. According to the report, it was located at one of the abandoned Jedi Academies but the thing that caught my eye was the testimony of one of the witness.

According to this witness, a couple of the combatants was flashing a lightsaber about. However, that didn't tell me if they were Jedi, Dark Jedi, or Darksabers. But we now had a lead to follow up. I transferred the report and a copy of a map of the area to the datapad.

Sin'ryk had returned and reported that the Rodian had been dealt with. I was impressed with this Pureblood. "Well done Acolyte, I said rising to my feet pulling out my com link. "It seems we have a lead Sin'ryk," I said handing him the datapad to read what I had discovered.

While the Acolyte read the reports, I used my com link to acquiesce us a landspeeder from the local rental agency. After making the reservations, I looked at the Pureblood saying, "We have a landspeeder we can use to take us out to the Jedi ruins."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk glanced down at the datapad that the crusader has handed him. Indeed, the report had confirmed had laid further foundations for the investigation. It mentions a figure wielding the fabled weapon of the Jedi and the Sith...yet it made no mention of the lightsaber's appearance.

"Pity this does not mention the colour of the lightsaber blade, that would have narrowed down our options."

The Red Sith noticed that the female human was making a call on her com-link. Afterwards she then turned to him, she had ordered them a snowspeeder for which to make way to some Jedi ruins. The fact they will be using a vehicle made the prospect less unpleasant for Sin'ryk.

"A snowspeeder eh? Thank the ancestors, I was worried I'd have to start referring to myself as a Pink Sithsicle. By the Force, how I wish I was born on Ziost....but meh."

 

[LadyM]

"The colour of a lightsaber blade would have not told us the nature of who we are dealing with. Sith and Jedi alike have taken to using different colours, shying away from the Sith's traditional crimson blade or the Jedi's universally known green, blue, or even yellow. I think we should treat them as hostiles until their true nature is revealed to us," I commented.

With a slight chuckle, I could sympathize with him. I recalled my first time on that cursed hot planet Tattooine while I was still an Acolyte and Apprentice to Crusader Megara and thought how the heat would be the death of me. I had learned to avoid the harsh climates when all possible. "I have no love for this weather or any weather that is to hot or cold. Have you ever been Tattooine? Wretched place that is," I announced with somewhat of irritation in my voice at the though of Tattooine again.

After we acquired our transportation vehicle, I hopped in the front seat and powered it up. When the Pureblood was inside, I began to head toward the ruins. My eyes spotted the ruins on the horizon but something was wrong. The closer we got I could feel several presences in the Force. Though they were in tune with the Force, they were not exhibiting any signature that was of light or dark, but neutral. Stopping the snowspeeder a mile from the ruins, I exited the vehicle.

"Something is truly off about these ruins. The Force is here as well as those that wield it. However, I'm not picking up anything that is telling me they are worshippers of the dark side or followers of the lightside. Even Dark Jedi have some sort of signature. We must be cautious until all is revealed to us," I said pulling the hood of my snowsuit over my head.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

"I hail from Yinchorr where it is nothing but rocky deserts and mountains; I've never been to Tattooine. From what I've heard I would prefer the desert heat then being around the locals."

Said Sin'ryk as he hopped into the transport; by the ancestors am I glad to be out of the cold...for now anyway, he thought as the vehicle began to speed off. Given his more...primitive background, it felt odd for Sin'ryk to be in such a vehicle; but exciting at the same time, he felt like a child with a new toy. As they drew closer to the Jedi ruins, the Red Sith could feel several Force Signatures; alas he could not determine whether or not they were Light or Darksiders. As they drew to a halt and exited the vehicle Ghenna spoke, confirming that she also had the same feeling.

"Something is truly off about these ruins. The Force is here as well as those that wield it. However, I'm not picking up anything that is telling me they are worshippers of the dark side or followers of the light side. Even Dark Jedi have some sort of signature. We must be cautious until all is revealed to us."

Sin'ryk chimed in his observations.

"I feel it too Crusader; they could be grey in the eyes of the Qyasik...or perhaps they know how to mask what their spirits give off.. I have a feeling like were walking into a Sandworm pit.

 

[LadyM]

I walked through the snow covered ground keeping my eyes locked on the ruins. The closer I got to the ancient building, the stronger the pull. It felt as if I was being summoned here by some unseen force, which was entirely possible. Standing in front of the ruined building, I looked around for some other way in but the snow and storm had cut off any other attempts into the building, minus the main entrance. Without not really knowing what to expect, I was hesitant to simply walk in the front door announcing myself and the Pureblood. But there was no other option available to us.

"I guess we should stroll inside and see what we can discover," I said heading into the building. Once inside, I pulled out my lightsaber, Serpent's Breath, and kept him at the ready. I did not fear anyone or anything in this building, but I wanted my weapon in my hand rather than being hidden under my snow outfit. I also pulled back the hood of my outfit and found it odd that it was warm inside here and not freezing. Someone was here for sure.

From the main chamber of the building from where we stood I could easily see four different paths to take. I thought about it for a moment then said, "If you are confident enough in your abilities Acolyte, then I think we should separate only to cover more ground. If you come across anyone, use your common sense before engaging them. We are two and they might be many. They can call for back-up and we can only call for one another."

I began to take a step toward one of the doors on the right and stopped. I turned around and said to the Pureblood, "Unless of course you feel more confident in staying with me."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

To Sin'ryk, it felt like the Force was drawing him and the Crusader here. Whatever lingered here must have been powerful or alluring at the very least. He himself looked around, most predators would ambush their prey by the routes they were expected to take and he would rather go by the least expected way. The Red Sith drew his lightsaber hilt, the tuk'ata teeth adornment rattled in the icy wind of Obroa-Skai. Crusader Ghenna finally broke the silence.

"I guess we should stroll inside and see what we can discover."

Sin'ryk chimed in with a slight twitch of the tendrils; an expression amongst the Red Sith that conveyed wariness.

"Indeed, though it feels like we are being drawn into a trap Crusader; what with there being only one entrance/exit.

A toothy grin emerged from his lips, revealing the Pureblood's pointed teeth.

"But we know the old saying; "an animal fights its hardest when it is backed into a corner."

As the two Sith entered the main hall of the building, it seemed they both noticed the unusual warmth that was present. As much as the Red Sith loved its sensation, he knew it meant one thing: Someone was definitely here. Within the chamber lay four pathways; the human began to speak again.

If you are confident enough in your abilities Acolyte, then I think we should separate only to cover more ground. If you come across anyone, use your common sense before engaging them. We are two and they might be many. They can call for back-up and we can only call for one another. Unless of course you feel more confident in staying with me."

Sin'ryk needn't hesitate a moment.

"Aye, it would be more efficient to split up. Do not worry, back home the rocky deserts would claim any and all fools. If there are any problems I will whisper for you Crusader...I do not suppose there are any qualms with doing a bit of...demolition to secure the upper hand against numerous foes?"

The Pureblood quietly scraped his tridactyl claws against the wall.

"After all, the walls come across as fairly robust despite time, ice and snowfall."

 

[LadyM]

I gave the Pureblood a small smile. I had come across many Acolytes that were not ready to embark on such a dangerous mission and most of the time, they did not return. However, I felt this red skin Sith was more than capable of handling himself. He truly will become a powerful Sith if he lived long enough to survive the ordeal and trials of Sith living. I took my leave of him and stood in front of one of the two doors on the right. I ran my hand over one door and found it was slightly cold to the touch, while the other was warm. I had common sense and I hated surprises so I opened the door that was cold and stepped inside.

Behind the door was a tunnel that twisted and turned and eventually spilled out into a chamber where the Jedi or who ever inhabited these ruins at one time used as a training room of sorts. I investigated the room thoroughly and found nothing that would aide us in our search for the Darksabers or the Bogan Empire. I left the chamber and exited the door. I could still feel a strong presence here and hoped that the Pureblood would not stumble into some sort of trap.

I stepped inside the other door and felt a wave of warmth greet me. Like behind the other door I had went through, this one to twisted and turned and spilled out into another chamber that reminded me of the Jedi Council room that I had saw on some of the holovids when Coruscant was sacked and the Jedi Temple plundered. But unlike the other chamber that was not occupied, this one held a robed figure in what appeared to be tattered brown and red robes kneeling with its back to me. "I knew one day the Sith would come here looking for us. But all you have found is death here Sith," an old and tired voice said from the robes.

I remained quiet not allowing myself to be drawn into some long and boring conversation. When no words came from me, the figure stood up and faced me, revealing an old man with a scraggly beard with icy cold eyes. In his left hand he held a lightsaber hilt but it was not activated. "Come Sith and meet your destiny," he challenged while activating his lightsaber that produced a red and orange blade.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

As the two Sith parted ways, Sin'ryk chose the path that was nearest to him; having felt the lure of the Force. Still he kept his lightsaber un-clipped, as a precaution against whatever may lurk in these ancient, dilapidated hallways. As the Red Sith walked through the hallway, he couldn't help but notice the intricate carvings on the wall; they did not look like the aurebesh script...but they did however look recent. As though they were carved into the wall with a lightsaber; Sin'ryk gripped his own weapon tighter, narrowing his eyes in the ice-glazed passageway. Reaching out to Ghenna's mind with the Force, he transmitted the images that were recently burnt into his memory. He kept on walking until he came across the remains of what looked like a library; its ceiling was shattered, allowing the ice and snow to enter the room. Sin'ryk's mind blazed with the thoughts of what he could find here; either knowledge or trouble...more likely the latter. As he entered deeper into the chamber, two presences echoed within the Force; prompting the Pureblood to ignite his lightsaber. Out of the shadows came a figure, a Cathar male, who had ignited his own same coloured weapon.

"Our master told us to be expect Sith at our door...but never did he mention anything about an original one. It is almost a shame to kill you."

The Force then screamed at him, telling him to move. As he rolled, another lightsaber ignited from above, striking the place where he once stood. The wielder was human, albeit augmented with cybernetics. He spoke with a monotone rasp.

"Impressive, if circumstances were different we'd have asked you to join us. What a symbolic victory it would have been for one of the Red Sith to join us; what a shame."

Sin'ryk's tendrils trembled violently as his lips reached into something between a snarl and a grin, allowing him to bear his razor sharp teeth.

"A pity indeed..." He said, before giving a one-handed salute to them before adopting a Soresu stance. "That I will be the last Red Sith you will ever lay eyes on Grotthu!"

He sent a telepathic communique, informing the Crusader that he has encountered hostiles...he swiftly sensed she had her own problems.