Swelling Our Ranks

[LadyM]

I stood above the lowered ramp from the transport looking into the sprawling city of Obroakin, the capital city of Obroa-skai in the Obroa system, with my right hand resting on the hilt of my lightsaber, Serpent's Breath. I was to meet up with another Sith on this Jedi ridden planet, or what was left of their corrupted Order here, to find Force Sensitives to bring into the Sith Order. I was told their was an old Jedi Academy located on this planet somewhere but if it was still standing or even in use was a mystery to the Sith Lady that had sent me here. When I asked why I was to meet up with another Sith rather than come in a pair, she simply discarded my question at first then promptly told me after a few passing minutes that this mission is one of secrecy and it would be wise to split us up now then meet up later.

I began to walk down the ramp keeping my eyes open and my Force Sense on high alert. I had not learned the Force Stealth ability yet so I could not mask my presence in the Force which suited me just find. I did not like running through the shadows like some spider-roach looking for its prey, no, I wanted my prey to know I was coming. Foolish, perhaps. Dangerous, probably. Did I care, no. So I made my way through what appeared to be some sort of market arena that was covered with so many kiosks that it reminded me of festering sores on some ailing beast. I let my gaze shift over the various wares that were being sold but nothing had caught my eye. I also could feel the eyes of merchants and patrons both stealing glances at me. I was not sure if they knew who I represented but being dressed in black robes with red runes stitched in them with its hood covering my head and wearing a metal mask that covered my mouth, chin, and nose so that only my eyes and upper part of my head was exposed, I could only imagine they knew who I was, or what I was.

I mentally shrugged off their glances and stares keeping to the path I was walking. We were to hunt down three Force Sensitives and convert them to our cause. If they refused our generous offer, then we were ordered to kill them. I looked up and saw the Museum of Applied Photonics looming in the distance. The tall and odd shaped blue building was the rendevouz pointe where I was to meet the other Sith assigned to this mission. I hastend my steps until the glass doors stood in front of me.

I entered the building and waited.

 

[Malakhov]

Weh's Master was away, and the young Sith found herself with nothing to do. This was always a bad situation. When Weh was bored, she would descend into thoughts of her past. This, in turn, would lead to her challenging one of her fellow acolytes, who would usually end up severely injured or dead.

This time, she decided to do something more productive with her time. Besides, she had been studying on Ziost for longer than she could remember. Her skills had grown considerably, although she was still a learner, which much to learn at that. Still, now was the time for her to begin forging her own path, and assisting the Imperium with a mission involving converting some Jedi was just what she needed.

Weh had developed a love of torment. More than anything, she enjoyed terrorizing, so although some of the Jedi may join the Imperium, she secretly hoped they wouldn't. She wanted to see the terror in their eyes, knowing they were about to die. For every moment Weh studied the Force and lightsaber techniques, she devoted another moment to understanding ways to manipulate, control and break her enemies.

She overheard a Sith discussing the assignment in the Temple on Ziost. Immediately volunteering herself for the mission, it wasn't long before she was accepted, briefed and dispatched to the planet Obroa-skai. Weh was unfamiliar with the planet and her first impressions were unremakrable. The planet appeared to be filled with the same faceless, anonymous creatures that filled other planets in the galaxy.

Dressed head to toe in a black cloak, with nothing but the face revealed, Weh made her way slowly and silently to her destination. She was told that she would meet with another Sith, one of her rank, and they would then proceed to the Jedi Academy. The meeting point, a technology museum, loomed on the horizon. The building appeared to be empty, except a for figure standing inside. Weh could sense the dark side in her, and realized that this must be her contact.

Weh walked up to the woman and spoke softly.

"I am Weh Tun."

 

[LadyM]

I stood with my hands clapsed behind me, legs slightly apart and my eyes closed. I always found it more pleasing to meditate and scan through the Force with eyes shut, for they could betray you in an instant unlike the Force, what it showed you was absolute. I knew the building was uninhabited, so many of the citizens had either fled, joined the ranks of the G.A. military, or had elected to etch out some sort of living on this planet. But this building, upon my inspection of it, had long been forsakened by those that haunted its corridors and offices. It occured to me they had stripped this centre of learning of anything of value leaving in their wake nothing that could be obtained by the Imperials or Sith to further strengthen thier military might if this planet fell under new management. I smiled at the ingonrance of this, Sith do not crave those material things to gain power, we have the Force and through the dark side we are blessed with powers and knowledge that can not be built in a lab.

I opened my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the low ambience in the building as I felt another presence close, one of darkness and cold, and realized the other Sith had found me. I felt from her a brutality and cruelity like none I have felt before minus the Sith Lady that had put this mission together. There were various ideals amongst the Sith, some were cold-blooded killers, some craved power and achieved it on the backs of those weaker in the Order, and some, like me, who prefered the art of fighting than simply killing because I can. I believed giving my foe a chance to fight for his life, unless of course my anger and hatred for certain things took control then I would lay slaughter to an entire planet if given the oppurtunity. However, I learned self-control and it serves me as the Force does my bidding.

I turned around when the Sith announced her name to me. "I am Yr'il Ber'ong," I responded betraying nothing in the tone of my voice. I gestured her to walk with me through the building as I continued,"As you have no doubt felt, there are some remnants of the broken Jedi Order on this world, but from what I have felt they are not a threat to us, their Knights and Masters have flocked to the war leaving behind their Padawans and younglings ripe for the plucking. Our mission is to convert Jedi or Force Sensitive to our cause, and wipe out any who oppose us or choose not to side with us." I could feel the eagerness in this Sith that she was craving action and I knew she would have it soon.

"There is an old and ruined Jedi Academy on the outskirts of this city. I believe that should be our first destination,"I told her as we strode along the corridors on our way to the rear exit of the building. I no doubt believed that others have seen us enter this run-downed structure and if I guessed correctly, and I hoped I did, word of our arrival would have reached the ears of the remaining Jedi here and they would seek us out but my faith in them acting on our presence here was shaky at best. They would hide behind their walls of the Jedi Academy like scared little rodents wating for the exterminators to arrive and snuff them out. So we were going to them, to clean up the infestation.

Using the Force, I opened the back door with my mind making my way to a rickety landspeeder. "I know it's not much to look at but we are not here to glamourize the citizens or the Jedi," I spoke to my companion as I moved into the driver's seat typing in the activation code and the ancient looking contraption sputtered to life. With my companion tucked away in her seat, I headed toward the Jedi Academy to hunt Jedi.

 

[Malakhov]

As Yr'il spoke, Weh remained silent and simply listened. She did her best to read the Sith, to read her mind and thoughts. She seemed to have a strong personality, and a willingness to trust. However, besides that, Weh was unable to read her more decisively. Weh was uncomfortable around anyone that she could not control or whose motives she did not understand. Still, she was a fellow Sith, so she set aside those concerns.

The pair made their way to an old speeder that was out the back and requisitioned it. Yr'il, who was obviously more experienced with such things, activated it and proceeded to make our way to the old Jedi Academy on the planet. Yr'il was certainly right about one thing: you could feel the presence of the Jedi. Weh could still not forgive them for leaving Coruscant and abandoning the people of that now forsaken planet. As Weh could not forgive, she instead chose to hate. There was very few things that Weh hated more than the Jedi.

It became clear as the two approached the Academy that although it appeared deserted, it was still functioning as a last refuge. The Jedi hid themselves well and to the ordinary passer-by, it would seem completely abandoned. But for Weh, it was a place where she could test her skills and where she could unleash her anger. The pair stepped out of the speeder and there was no sound besides the sound of wind. The nearest building could be seen on the horizon, so there was going to be no rescue for these Jedi.

"In there. The scum are in there." Weh slowly lifted her arm and pointed toward the main door. She then turned slowly to her companion and, in a tender, eloquent voice, asked "How do you want to do this? Will you use persuasion or would you rather hear them scream with agony first?"

 

[LadyM]

I fought the urge to let out a round of laughter when I saw the Jedi Academy, if it could truly be called that still. It looked abandoned and nearly on the verge of collapse. Those champions of justice had put to much faith in their Order, their beliefs, their rules and laws, and the fact that they could survive another Jedi purge. I had no love for these holier-than-thou fanatics and would rather see them all burning on the pyre of their broken dreams of a universe held under their strict rule. Even now the galaxy, no longer under the corruptive sway of the Jedi and the G.A., was beginning to see the peace the Sith and the Imperials brought from their victorys.

I slowed the landspeeder as my senses began to yell at me alerting me to several presences, some strong but most were weak, and I found myself grinning from ear to ear with utter pleasure with the knowledge that so many Jedi would fall to us this day and that we would bring back with us Jedi who would rather walk the path of the dark side than be slaughtered. The speeder rumbled to a halt and we exited the speeder. I reached down with my right hand and ran my fingers, now tingling with excitment, over Serpent's Breath while I assessed the situation pulling my hood back from my head.

I nodded, my side braids dancing forward and back, when I glanced at what she was pointing at. I stood transfixed staring at the Jedi Academy when I finnaly replied,"No doubt they now we are here. I say we slaughter all those that challenge us or refuse our fair offer." I was on the cusp of facing my first Jedi in combat and though I played out many scenerios in my head when the day would finally come, I knew the satisfaction in killing them would be lost. What awaited us inside this Academy were the members of the Jedi Order to young, to old, or to untrained to fight in the war. Since satisfaction was now lost, I would take this oppurtunity to hone my dark side powers and my skill with the Sith killing tool at the expense of these Jedi.

"Until we understand what we are truly facing inside the Academy, it would be wise if we stuck together. Then once we are sure of what faces us in there we can split up and hunt them down. But remember, we need to bring back at least two converted Jedi to show proof that we are more than mindless killing machines." I strode toward the front doors of the Academy with no fear or concerns of the Jedi. I touched the two crossed swords medallion at the end of my silver chain as I said a small prayer to myself to the Gods while Serpent's Breath dangled from my red waist sash. The doors to the Academy opened and two older looking Jedi, perhaps librarians by the looks of them, emerged holding their lit lightsabers.

I smirked at the vision as I unclipped my lightsaber pressing the activation button on the hilt. With a snap-hiss the silver blade extended while I slowly began to move into the Ataru form all the while staring into the eyes of the Jedi on the right. I stopped a few feet from him and mocked him. He took the bait and attacked.

 

[Malakhov]

Weh moved into the Academy slowly, as she did most of the time these days. Moving inward, two elder Jedi moved forward and stood in front of Weh and Yr'il. Within seconds, Weh was the only one whose lightsaber was not drawn, as she much preferred to win confrontations with her force powers. However, for this conflict, she anticipated that her limited understanding of the Force may not be enough.

"Where are the other Jedi scum?" Weh asked, not breaking eye contact with the Jedi.

"I asked you a question. Where are the other Jedi?" No answer came. The two Jedi simply stood ready, stoic in their determination.

"Very well." Weh turned to her companion.

"I will take that one." Weh pointed to the one on the left, an elderly woman, and then slowly drew her own lightsaber. The red blade hung down her side, buzzing slightly. Weh had been training to use a Saber Staff but was not yet good enough to do so. For now, her modest, single blade would have to suffice.

Weh force pushed the old Jedi, catching the woman off balance. As her body flew backwards, Weh force lept toward her and swung her lightsaber downward, striking the old Jedi's own lightsaber. The two exchanged attacks, with Weh's ferocity increasing each second. A few moments later, after an intense dual, Weh saw her oppurtunity. The Jedi was running out of stamina, unable to sustain the barrage of saber strikes that Weh was unleashing. But this was too quick for Weh.

With their lightsabers against one another, Weh gradually forced the Jedi's own saber downward. When it was low enough, Weh again force pushed the Jedi. The push knocked the Jedi and, crucially, she let go of her lightsaber. The Jedi crashed against a wall, struggling to regain her focus. Weh walked slowly up to her and looked into her eyes. Weh began channelling all her hate and inflicted the Jedi with Force fear, a power Weh had studied deeply.

The Jedi gradually began panicking. She attempted to scurry away, but backed against a wall, she did naught but curl up into a ball. The effects of the force fear began to grow, and she began screaming. Weh watched the Jedi with fascination and excitement, a rare grin making it's way onto her face. The Jedi was descending into madness and Weh savoured every second of it. For Weh, doing something as cruel as this was not a contradiction of her own pragmatic moral code. The Jedi were immensely flawed and inspiring fear and terror was, in Weh's mind, the most efficient way to make them understand this. The Jedi were the enemy, and nothing was too horrible for the enemy. Finally, she hoped that the younger Jedi would hear the screams and become demoralized.

Weh knelt in front of the Jedi, who had regressed to a child-like state, and looked into her eyes once again.

"Time to die." Weh then plunged her lightsaber into the Jedi and watched her dying breaths. By now, Weh was no longer grinning, her focus returning to the task at hand.

 

[LadyM]

The male Jedi had shown feeble skills with the lightsaber thus he was no match for me. It became apparent to me in his first strike that he was not only uncomfortable wielding the blade, but he was unsure of how to attack me. His attacks were both sloppy and untrained but this was my first chance to kill a Jedi so I savoured the moment and the fight. I side-stepped one of his attacks then rammed my elbow into his face smashing his nose turning it into a bloody pulp. The force of the blow drove him back as he quickly wiped away the blood and the tears swelling in his eyes. I took the offensive. I swung Serpent's Breath at his unprotected legs luring him to drop his blade to defend the assault then with my left hand, balling it up, reached out and punched him in the mouth, splitting his lip.

He staggered again but I was not done with him yet. I handsprung backwards, my feet catching him under the chin, and knocked him to the ground, his lightsaber skittering away unpowered. But he quickly recovered and called his weapon to his hand and parried my attack seconds before I split him in half. He again lunged out to attack me and I parried both his attacks and with his third attack, we locked blades looking into each others eyes. While we stood locked and unaware of everything around us, the Jedi fool attempted to lure me away from the dark side. His corrupted words died on his lips for I had no desire to abandon my ways and join the ranks of this down trodden Order. Disgusted that he had failed in his attempt, he jumped backwards forcing me to close ranks.

I lunged at him feigning an attack to his right and when he moved to block the attack, I leg swept him dropping him to the ground, his head bouncing hard on the hard floor. I stood there with my right hand extended and Serpent's Breath in my left and called on my dark side energy to feed my dark passion in the Force. From my fingertips erupted first the errie crackling sound followed by the blue energy known as Force Lightning. The Jedi unaware of the danger he was in while he was struggling to rise to his feet, was hit and trapped in the energy. He felled back screaming and writhing in pain as his clothes and body began to smoke then convulse. I noticed the more malice I poured into the stronger it became. His uncovered flesh began to ripple and boil from the heated energy. I slowly walked toward him holding him in my snare.

I stopped and loomed over his body when I at last released the Force attack and raised my lightsaber. I stared into his eyes, now glazed over from the pain I inflicted upon him, and whispered to him,"Before you die Jedi, know that it was Yri'l Ber'ong who has claimed your life here today." Then I slammed the tip of my lightsaber's silver blade into his chest, piercing flesh and his heart. I closed my eyes as I swallowed in his death through the Force. I snapped them open cause I felt fear running unchecked through the Force for it seems our fight had been witnessed by other Jedi hiding in the shadows.

I looked over at my Sith companion as she sent her Jedi into the Force. I let a smile play out across my face then spoke,"Let us split up and hunt these rats into extinction!" I mentally ripped a Academy door open and ran down the hallway letting the Force guide me to my targets.